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Sentenced to War #14
Into the Void
The Exile Fleet has been decimated, but the mission must go on.
What other choice do they have? With most of the officers KIA, Sergeant Major Reverent Pelletier has to step up to lead the ground force.
Meanwhile, the remaining ships ply the far reaches on unexplored space to identify potential threats to humanity.
And as the saying goes, if you search for trouble, trouble will often find you.
With peace at home beginning to break down, the Exile Fleet is on its own as it tries to fulfill its mission. . . and not get killed in the process.
Join Rev, Tomiko and the rest as they forge an unprecedented path into the vast unknown.
What other choice do they have? With most of the officers KIA, Sergeant Major Reverent Pelletier has to step up to lead the ground force.
Meanwhile, the remaining ships ply the far reaches on unexplored space to identify potential threats to humanity.
And as the saying goes, if you search for trouble, trouble will often find you.
With peace at home beginning to break down, the Exile Fleet is on its own as it tries to fulfill its mission. . . and not get killed in the process.
Join Rev, Tomiko and the rest as they forge an unprecedented path into the vast unknown.
394 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 14, 2023
442 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
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J.N. Chaney
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 2, 2024
The minute Tomiko baby-trapped Rev and manipulated him into a last-minute marriage (Something he wanted from the beginning), I knew the kids would take center stage. Yes, it adds dramatic internal conflict because now Rev has to live for his kids but I didn't sign up for this type of family drama. It's like a bizarre subplot that got way out of hand. Add in the thing with the teens - kids being kids - and the wacko doctor hell-bent on impregnating as many people as possible - it all feels like way too much. Rev's warrior spirit should've risen to fight the threat the doctor's attitude/actions posed. Yes, it's a big ship but how are all of these new families going to bunk up? There aren't enough staterooms to go around. Wouldn't the singletons resent the lower-ranked or civvies getting better quarters? There are so many threats to unit cohesion with the whole storyline and the fact that Rev hasn't even addressed any of them proves he's unfit for a leadership role. Combat and attrition have a way of elevating people so this isn't the first time someone has taken on a de facto senior/leadership position with some gaps in their skill-set. Exploring ways Rev could deal with his would've been a far more interesting storyline than the creche/nursery and bs about separating the married co-workers when assigning them to risky situations. At least show us that Rev is conflicted or blinded by his own status as husband and family man - instead, we're told in a way that glosses over important issues.
Tomiko continues to be selfish as she's solely focused on "her girls" and does way too much to alienate Rev as she unilaterally makes decisions for the family without including him until it's an after-thought or as it suits her.
Same thing with Punch being sentient and sapient. It's trite, cliched, and far better handled by Asimov or TNG's Data, the android that wanted to be human. Punch's liberation seems like the logical conclusion to all of the breadcrumbs of anomalies sprinkled throughout all of the previous books but it's way too cringe and goes against all of the established parameters of previous world-building efforts. By that I mean, they said it was impossible, so how did this happen? What happened to the safeguards put in place to prevent this? How can Rev function as a DC Marine without a battle buddy? How can he remain combat-effective as an IBHU without a battle buddy? We'll never know because the author chose to ignore all of that in a vain attempt at humanizing Punch.
Now that I think about it, the authors chose to ignore a whole lot of things - like the fact that after the BG attack, when the battered remnants of the expeditionary fleet regrouped, what happened to the need to send back drones to monitor the system? After they left the Century Ship, we were told that a ship from human space would take over the study, research, and reintegration. Instead of an update about that situation in an area of space that is closer, we get updates on Sports leagues back in human space.
All of this combined with the "betrayal" of Bundy who rightly acted in his own best interests - no one in Rev's inner circle has his back anymore. At least Bundy put the needs of the team and its mission ahead of his own by stepping down with grace and dignity. Tomiko and Punch doubled down on their own self-serving desires - keeping their situations secret while their manipulations played out and in the end, screwing Rev over. Now that he's been backed into a corner by the two of them and weakened both mentally and physically by his poor reaction to their manipulations, I don't respect him anymore. I think the Navy Captain and Civilian Scientist are boxing him out for a similar reason. It's not clear if they have as much detail as we do - supposedly they were kept out of the loop about Punch when that began - but it's clear they don't respect him and why would they? If his battle buddy - the 'person' who knows him best wants to be as far away from him as technologically possible, why should they feel any different?
July 26, 2023
I think we’re coming to the end of this series. I don’t like it, but I realize it can’t go on forever. It doesn’t end with this book, but I can feel the end coming. There are going to be a lot of changes to the story-line with this book so hang on.
As you’ll recall, our IBHU Marines and their counterparts from the various human worlds were ostracized and placed on -board several starships that were directed to explore deep-space to find out if there was any threat to humanity. That really was a way for the non-augmented to get rid of what they considered dangerous and now useless Marines and soldiers. They started out with several ships, but after their last battle with an unknown alien civilization, they were now down to just one ship, yeah, just one. Aboard was everyone that was left alive to include the Genesians.
The Genesians occupied their own part of the ship and they pretty much stayed in their own spaces except when they needed to interface with the rest of the crew. Oh, the number of non-augmented people in this exploratory group had been cut down considerably. The Congress of Humanity had allow one ship to return with all those non-augments that wanted to return allowed to do so. This specifically didn’t apply to the augmented Marines or others and especially the Genesians. They were looking for their own home world so there was no thought for them to return to the center of humanity.
So, now the Galaxy Explorer, Captained by Nyad, the former XO, was looking for worlds that could be colonized or exploited for resources by those back on Earth if and when they ever got out this far. As the identified a system and any promising planets, they were land a small scouting party of military personnel. When they figured out there were no threats, then the civilian scientist would come down and start running their experiments. Lieutenant Colonel Bundy has been in charge of all the ground troops while he had a lead scientist to consult with on the ground. Since the military on the ground were responsible for security, the scientist usually did what the military told them, but often without some discussions.
As I said before, things are changing in this book. One significant change is that Lieutenant Colonel Bundy has to return back to Safe Harbor for some extensive medical care. Since there were no officers in the other military contingents, that put Sergeant Major Reverent Pelletier as the Senior Ground Force Commander. He didn’t have a problem with that as long as none of the Navy officers objected, which they didn’t. This put him on an equal footing with the ship’s Captain and the lead scientist. Rev started going down to each planet with the security element just to make sure things were going as they should. The only problem he encountered lately was that this mission was getting extremely boring. The last few planets they had landed on and established a base or several bases had nothing living on them or those that did have life, that life was definitely not dangerous.
But, boredom causes people to do stupid things and, unfortunately, our Sergeant Major isn’t exempt from that stupidity although you would have thought otherwise. What happened changes things for Rev and not necessarily for the better. He’s also going to find out some things he doesn’t want to know, but he keeps digging until the ultimate reveal is made with some help from the Genesians. This is going to lead us to a very different situation than we’re used to, but it should be interesting, I hope.
The story does continue in Book 15, “[Brave New Dawn](https://amzn.to/3O2k2YM)”. I do thing this is the last book in the series. I want to read it now, but I don’t want the series to be over yet, so I’m just adding it to my reading list, but I will have to get back to is some day soon.
As you’ll recall, our IBHU Marines and their counterparts from the various human worlds were ostracized and placed on -board several starships that were directed to explore deep-space to find out if there was any threat to humanity. That really was a way for the non-augmented to get rid of what they considered dangerous and now useless Marines and soldiers. They started out with several ships, but after their last battle with an unknown alien civilization, they were now down to just one ship, yeah, just one. Aboard was everyone that was left alive to include the Genesians.
The Genesians occupied their own part of the ship and they pretty much stayed in their own spaces except when they needed to interface with the rest of the crew. Oh, the number of non-augmented people in this exploratory group had been cut down considerably. The Congress of Humanity had allow one ship to return with all those non-augments that wanted to return allowed to do so. This specifically didn’t apply to the augmented Marines or others and especially the Genesians. They were looking for their own home world so there was no thought for them to return to the center of humanity.
So, now the Galaxy Explorer, Captained by Nyad, the former XO, was looking for worlds that could be colonized or exploited for resources by those back on Earth if and when they ever got out this far. As the identified a system and any promising planets, they were land a small scouting party of military personnel. When they figured out there were no threats, then the civilian scientist would come down and start running their experiments. Lieutenant Colonel Bundy has been in charge of all the ground troops while he had a lead scientist to consult with on the ground. Since the military on the ground were responsible for security, the scientist usually did what the military told them, but often without some discussions.
As I said before, things are changing in this book. One significant change is that Lieutenant Colonel Bundy has to return back to Safe Harbor for some extensive medical care. Since there were no officers in the other military contingents, that put Sergeant Major Reverent Pelletier as the Senior Ground Force Commander. He didn’t have a problem with that as long as none of the Navy officers objected, which they didn’t. This put him on an equal footing with the ship’s Captain and the lead scientist. Rev started going down to each planet with the security element just to make sure things were going as they should. The only problem he encountered lately was that this mission was getting extremely boring. The last few planets they had landed on and established a base or several bases had nothing living on them or those that did have life, that life was definitely not dangerous.
But, boredom causes people to do stupid things and, unfortunately, our Sergeant Major isn’t exempt from that stupidity although you would have thought otherwise. What happened changes things for Rev and not necessarily for the better. He’s also going to find out some things he doesn’t want to know, but he keeps digging until the ultimate reveal is made with some help from the Genesians. This is going to lead us to a very different situation than we’re used to, but it should be interesting, I hope.
The story does continue in Book 15, “[Brave New Dawn](https://amzn.to/3O2k2YM)”. I do thing this is the last book in the series. I want to read it now, but I don’t want the series to be over yet, so I’m just adding it to my reading list, but I will have to get back to is some day soon.
May 19, 2023
Great Read
Facing losses of numerous ships and personnel, the exiled augmented humans are continuing on the “mission” to search for Goldilocks planets and potential unknown aliens. The Genesians’ ship is in need of dire repairs. Ratchet up the anxiety with the news from back home of increases hostility between different factions of previous allies. There is concern the volunteers and those that can return home may leave reducing manpower and scientific knowledge. It also means loosing much needed ships with no guarantee of replacements. Rev also learns he is not indestructible and his “Rot” numbers are climbing. The anxiety ratchet is still turning! The Genesis contingent that outnumbers the regular humans 3 to 1 now feel the Battle Buddy A.I.s in Direct Combat Marines are slaves and should be set free. Don’t just sit there and read my ramblings! Grab book 14 of Sentenced to War and get reading!
Facing losses of numerous ships and personnel, the exiled augmented humans are continuing on the “mission” to search for Goldilocks planets and potential unknown aliens. The Genesians’ ship is in need of dire repairs. Ratchet up the anxiety with the news from back home of increases hostility between different factions of previous allies. There is concern the volunteers and those that can return home may leave reducing manpower and scientific knowledge. It also means loosing much needed ships with no guarantee of replacements. Rev also learns he is not indestructible and his “Rot” numbers are climbing. The anxiety ratchet is still turning! The Genesis contingent that outnumbers the regular humans 3 to 1 now feel the Battle Buddy A.I.s in Direct Combat Marines are slaves and should be set free. Don’t just sit there and read my ramblings! Grab book 14 of Sentenced to War and get reading!
May 27, 2023
The search continues, aliens,storms and AI rights abound....
The exiled augmented and the rest continue to search the universe for Goldilocks planets as war may be breaking out at home. on visiting one planet, aliens attack greatly reducing the size of the fleet. On another massive storms suddenly wind themselves up over very short periods of time. In addition, the relationship between the Genesians and the rest changes, as well as the relationship between Punch and Rev when Punch is labeled an enslaved AI by the Genesians.
More Inter species, and military -civilian development occurs with surprises, suspense, intrigue and pranking all occur in this entertaining continuation of the Sentenced To War saga.
The exiled augmented and the rest continue to search the universe for Goldilocks planets as war may be breaking out at home. on visiting one planet, aliens attack greatly reducing the size of the fleet. On another massive storms suddenly wind themselves up over very short periods of time. In addition, the relationship between the Genesians and the rest changes, as well as the relationship between Punch and Rev when Punch is labeled an enslaved AI by the Genesians.
More Inter species, and military -civilian development occurs with surprises, suspense, intrigue and pranking all occur in this entertaining continuation of the Sentenced To War saga.
September 9, 2023
A poor continuation of the series
This book and the previous have been nothing.like the first 12. Whilst the first dozen were about conflict/war/battles, these last 2 are about exploration and inter race relations
If you enjoy exploration then these are good books, but for those of us that bought into the original concept a lot is missing
There are still all of the personal interactions the politics, the relationships, but for me the conflict aspect was an important part and that is lacking
The last couple of chapters were interesting, no spoilers, but it's enough for me to get book 15, without it, I would have stopped and having invested the amount of time I have in 14 books, that's saying something
This book and the previous have been nothing.like the first 12. Whilst the first dozen were about conflict/war/battles, these last 2 are about exploration and inter race relations
If you enjoy exploration then these are good books, but for those of us that bought into the original concept a lot is missing
There are still all of the personal interactions the politics, the relationships, but for me the conflict aspect was an important part and that is lacking
The last couple of chapters were interesting, no spoilers, but it's enough for me to get book 15, without it, I would have stopped and having invested the amount of time I have in 14 books, that's saying something
May 25, 2023
I'm hesitant
I don't know if I like the direction the series has taken. But I'm still in for the next one. I'll be interested in seeing it but this one seems to have an extra twist. Spoilers: I just don't think Rev would have done something like he did when he fell. It's out.of character for him and the battle buddy story is certainly a twist that seems so far to create something that he and the rest of humanity had been so far against. Having the genies there is different than creating a society that was evil like the deimers. And punch has the deimers capacity. Just saying.
I don't know if I like the direction the series has taken. But I'm still in for the next one. I'll be interested in seeing it but this one seems to have an extra twist. Spoilers: I just don't think Rev would have done something like he did when he fell. It's out.of character for him and the battle buddy story is certainly a twist that seems so far to create something that he and the rest of humanity had been so far against. Having the genies there is different than creating a society that was evil like the deimers. And punch has the deimers capacity. Just saying.
May 19, 2023
Sargent Major Pelletier, WAKE UP!!!
The Sargent Major is in need of rescue. Tomecca can't seem to continue to save him and raise their twins or can she? Rev are you ever gonna tell Mecca about your onset of the Rot? Will Punch ever get back to the friend Rev relied on in his younger days? For Rev, I guess the small challenges would make it Tuesday. I really enjoyed this book and read it cover to cover. All I can say is even when Rev catches a break he always has to pay a price for it in return. Great story, keep'em comming. I love you guys!!!
The Sargent Major is in need of rescue. Tomecca can't seem to continue to save him and raise their twins or can she? Rev are you ever gonna tell Mecca about your onset of the Rot? Will Punch ever get back to the friend Rev relied on in his younger days? For Rev, I guess the small challenges would make it Tuesday. I really enjoyed this book and read it cover to cover. All I can say is even when Rev catches a break he always has to pay a price for it in return. Great story, keep'em comming. I love you guys!!!
July 16, 2023
Rev never imagined Life so full.
Rev & Tomiko are back, on the Neverending Voyage to find planets for Titan... Full of nail biting scenes, new adventures & unbelievable situations this book has everything I look forward to reading in a series. Including an incredible, but wild ending.
I'm both excited & disappointed that the next book is the end. Perhaps a new series spun for us from what remains? I commend the authors for an excellent book every time. This series is never long on my tbr list. Thank you again for such fantastic entertainment.
Rev & Tomiko are back, on the Neverending Voyage to find planets for Titan... Full of nail biting scenes, new adventures & unbelievable situations this book has everything I look forward to reading in a series. Including an incredible, but wild ending.
I'm both excited & disappointed that the next book is the end. Perhaps a new series spun for us from what remains? I commend the authors for an excellent book every time. This series is never long on my tbr list. Thank you again for such fantastic entertainment.
May 17, 2023
another good entry
I really enjoy this series. Some parts feel like maintenance of the characters but in a good way if that makes sense. I enjoyed the focus and the development of this particular story arc. I hope the genesians can deal with the rot somehow, which is what I kind of expect to happen next book. Can’t wait. I put off starting this book because I knew I’d read it straight through in a day and that’s exactly what happened lol
I really enjoy this series. Some parts feel like maintenance of the characters but in a good way if that makes sense. I enjoyed the focus and the development of this particular story arc. I hope the genesians can deal with the rot somehow, which is what I kind of expect to happen next book. Can’t wait. I put off starting this book because I knew I’d read it straight through in a day and that’s exactly what happened lol
Read
July 24, 2023This book is different from the past books in this series. Earlier books had the protagonist with an artificial arm and an intelligent buddy in his brain fighting wars for humans as a space Marine.
But humans have turned on them, and they are now on exploratory trips. There are some problems they meet on the way, and some of their alien allies are saying that his buddy (called Punch), is a slave.
But humans have turned on them, and they are now on exploratory trips. There are some problems they meet on the way, and some of their alien allies are saying that his buddy (called Punch), is a slave.
May 14, 2024
I've never read a 15 book series before so that is an endorsement by itself. I was pleasantly amazed at how the author was able to insert new creative plot lines to keep the series attractive. I just finished book 15 and I have to tell you, I started out thinking the alien characters in the final book were plain, well, dumb. I was so wrong. After reading the last words I just sat there contemplating. Actually kind of teary eyed. I was VERY satisfied. And hopeful. THANK YOU J.N. CHANEY!
January 26, 2025
I would call this book a nail biter
With the development of Rev’s AI being possibly self aware and removed from Rev to a Genny body, creates a nail biter climax to this book in the series!
Very eager to start book 15 to read what developed with the AI transfer to it own body!!!!
With the development of Rev’s AI being possibly self aware and removed from Rev to a Genny body, creates a nail biter climax to this book in the series!
Very eager to start book 15 to read what developed with the AI transfer to it own body!!!!
May 16, 2023
Amazing
What an incredible ending to this book. I was in tears there for awhile! Actually, there were at least two times that I teared up. I congratulate the authors on how they handled those situations, and I look forward to the next book!
What an incredible ending to this book. I was in tears there for awhile! Actually, there were at least two times that I teared up. I congratulate the authors on how they handled those situations, and I look forward to the next book!
May 17, 2023
Punch for the win!
It’s been a lot of books to enjoy, but I am thoroughly enjoying all of them. Rev is great as usual, but this is Punch’s book for sure. Now I am really looking forward to the next installment in the series.
It’s been a lot of books to enjoy, but I am thoroughly enjoying all of them. Rev is great as usual, but this is Punch’s book for sure. Now I am really looking forward to the next installment in the series.
June 23, 2023
This was the weakest of the series thus far. It was ok. The characters are one dimensional. The story isn’t an arc, it’s a line, and is entirely predictable. There is an attempt to build up drama but it fails. I will read the next one in the hopes that it is better.
December 22, 2023
Disturbingly Good
This may be the best of the series as of yet. I could have read it in one sitting but I wanted to think about parts I'djust read before going on. If I said any more I would be giving details of the story and you just have to experience that on your own.
This may be the best of the series as of yet. I could have read it in one sitting but I wanted to think about parts I'djust read before going on. If I said any more I would be giving details of the story and you just have to experience that on your own.
December 6, 2024
A dam good read with a twist
A dam good read with a twist that is both surprising and moving which by the time you are near the end you want to skip to the end to find what happens. Read and enjoy
A dam good read with a twist that is both surprising and moving which by the time you are near the end you want to skip to the end to find what happens. Read and enjoy
March 15, 2025
great series
I'm amazed that this author can write so many fantastic novels, I hope that he never stops writing. His books are some of the best Entertainment I have read and worth the time to read them. Thank you for a very fun entertaining read.
I'm amazed that this author can write so many fantastic novels, I hope that he never stops writing. His books are some of the best Entertainment I have read and worth the time to read them. Thank you for a very fun entertaining read.
May 22, 2023
Feels a bit like we're starting to jump the shark. I'm a little worried for the next installment.
May 25, 2023
Great Storyline
Well that was interesting still had plenty of action. Shame about Bunch will Reg to d acute for the dog will have to wait and see I suppose
Well that was interesting still had plenty of action. Shame about Bunch will Reg to d acute for the dog will have to wait and see I suppose
June 20, 2023
This one was good. I loved the ending, can't wait for the next book to come out!
January 2, 2024
So good to read
I love the storyline. I'm looking forward to the next few books. Keep doing such great work. READ ON people.
I love the storyline. I'm looking forward to the next few books. Keep doing such great work. READ ON people.
May 21, 2024
So many weird turns
November 4, 2025
Read
Riveting. Always keeps you wanting to know what happens. Very intriguing. You never know what is going to happen. Good.
Riveting. Always keeps you wanting to know what happens. Very intriguing. You never know what is going to happen. Good.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews