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The Last Battleship: A Military Sci-Fi Series
Humanity’s endless war and a crew of outcasts on a decommissioned warship who could change the future.
First contact with the alien “Clicks” led to a generations’ long war. The Terran Federation still knows very little about the enemy.
Captain Konrad Bradley commands the decommissioned battleship Oberon, the last remaining Titan of the fleet. Mocked as a flying museum - too expensive, too cumbersome, too old - Bradley and his crew of outcasts from a long-vanished colony lead a dull life on the farthest edge of human hegemony.
Bradley’s hope to go quietly into the night ends with the arrival of the legendary Strike Group 2 and the delivery of a secret so great it could end the war. That’s why Lagunia was chosen for its construction.
Getting the system operational doesn’t go as expected leaving Bradley and the Oberon to clean up the mess that has drawn the attention of those they hoped would never find them.
Follow the exploits of The Last Battleship today in the ultimate battle to save humanity.
"Joshua T. Calvert has a gift for making nail-biting science fiction that you can't put down. Get ready for some sleepless nights!" - M.A. Rothman, USA Today bestselling author
First contact with the alien “Clicks” led to a generations’ long war. The Terran Federation still knows very little about the enemy.
Captain Konrad Bradley commands the decommissioned battleship Oberon, the last remaining Titan of the fleet. Mocked as a flying museum - too expensive, too cumbersome, too old - Bradley and his crew of outcasts from a long-vanished colony lead a dull life on the farthest edge of human hegemony.
Bradley’s hope to go quietly into the night ends with the arrival of the legendary Strike Group 2 and the delivery of a secret so great it could end the war. That’s why Lagunia was chosen for its construction.
Getting the system operational doesn’t go as expected leaving Bradley and the Oberon to clean up the mess that has drawn the attention of those they hoped would never find them.
Follow the exploits of The Last Battleship today in the ultimate battle to save humanity.
"Joshua T. Calvert has a gift for making nail-biting science fiction that you can't put down. Get ready for some sleepless nights!" - M.A. Rothman, USA Today bestselling author
- GenresScience Fiction
406 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2023
688 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Joshua T. Calvert
58 books263 followersJoshua T. Calvert has traveled the world--on foot, by Jeep, by bicycle, by motorcycle, and lots of other ways besides. As you might imagine, he's seen many things most people never see - including an Iranian prison cell, from the inside! In Kyrgyzstan, he fared slightly better, narrowly avoiding being kidnapped for ransom. Skydiver, scuba diver, martial artist, adventurer - his goal is to experience everything possible, and then make it real to you in his books. And he's made a good run of it so far: in the Philippines, he did police training on multiple types of firearms (despite being no fan of guns himself); dove in Asian waters among sharks and shipwrecks; and patrolled with Sumatran jungle rangers.
That's what defines Calvert's approach to method writing: pushing himself beyond his own limits, to experience first-hand what his characters experience, to make your immersion in his stories as deep as it can be.
For Ganymede Rises, after a slight detour with some smugglers in the deserts of Uzbekistan and the steppes of Mongolia, he traveled by dogsled and snowshoe to the Arctic Circle to experience first-hand what it's like to be utterly isolated in the coldest place on Earth. For his book The Fossil, he sat with professional pilots in flight simulators for Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft to learn what it's like to fly a passenger jet. His latest adventure: a parabolic flight with European Space Agency astronauts, to experience zero-gravity. All so he can describe it to you, in his own words.
That's what defines Calvert's approach to method writing: pushing himself beyond his own limits, to experience first-hand what his characters experience, to make your immersion in his stories as deep as it can be.
For Ganymede Rises, after a slight detour with some smugglers in the deserts of Uzbekistan and the steppes of Mongolia, he traveled by dogsled and snowshoe to the Arctic Circle to experience first-hand what it's like to be utterly isolated in the coldest place on Earth. For his book The Fossil, he sat with professional pilots in flight simulators for Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft to learn what it's like to fly a passenger jet. His latest adventure: a parabolic flight with European Space Agency astronauts, to experience zero-gravity. All so he can describe it to you, in his own words.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 2, 2023
Confusing
I don't know if this is a continuation of a series or not. I hope there is a story before this that explains the beginning third of this book. It would also be helpful if the author would at least put a month & year on the chapter title pages so the reader understands that a time jump is occurring. I was about 35% in & very confused before I realized the story was jumping over a 20 year period. I'm starting the next book now hopefully the story line is less confusing & easier to follow than this one.
I don't know if this is a continuation of a series or not. I hope there is a story before this that explains the beginning third of this book. It would also be helpful if the author would at least put a month & year on the chapter title pages so the reader understands that a time jump is occurring. I was about 35% in & very confused before I realized the story was jumping over a 20 year period. I'm starting the next book now hopefully the story line is less confusing & easier to follow than this one.
September 26, 2023
This was an interesting but very confusing book. I think I finally found out who the main characters are, but they didn’t seem to come to the forefront until the very last of the book. Then again, I could have been reading about them earlier but didn’t know they were the main characters at the time mostly because there are a lot of characters in this book.
It seems that humanity has been attacked in the distant pass by an alien entity called the Clicks. Nothing has ever been found identifying Clicks. None of their wreckage from that distant battle had any kind of residue that could be identified as a species unknown to humanity. They did attack without provocation and were deadly in this attack. The Terran Federation was caught by surprised and it resulted in the destruction of Harbinger. The Clicks had attacked Harbinger’s moon Kor to the extent that it has shattered in to seven incredibly large pieces each headed towards Harbinger. By this time, the planet had been alerted to the coming disaster and numerous civilian starships had left the ground and were collecting with the Terran Federations newest and only Titan class battleship, the *Oberon*.
There were civilian freighters know as free ships traversing the Harbinger system when the attack came. One, the *Ezekiel’s Revenge* captained by Sarah Mantell, had figured out what Clicks were going to do so she tried to warn the *Oberon*. Yet, the *Oberon* did nothing but wait. Finally, she realized that the *Oberon* was headed towards the jump point and was running away from he on-going battle. Why, she had no clue. Why was a fleet starship running from a battle?
That appears to be the basis of this story. While the *Oberon* was commanded by then Commander Konrad Bradley, he has now assumed the Captaincy of the ship although it has been regulated to the fleet reserve. Captain Bradley and his crew are considered reservist, not regular Navy Fleet personnel. Soon, the *Oberon* will be decommissioned and her crew either retired, discharged or reassigned depending on their skills. It’s thought that since this ship is now so ancient that most of the crew won’t be able to transition to the modern fleet very easily. That’s especially true of Captain Bradley. While the Oberon had its reason to flee that battle twenty years ago in the past, it was not the Terran Federation Navy’s finest hour. The population of Harbinger has dispersed somewhat in the asteroid fields of the system and didn’t feel like they were wanted anywhere else. Their homeworld was lost and they had no means of getting revenge unless the *Oberon* was given a second chance during the upcoming secret attack that was going to happen on the Clicks.
Humanity had figured out how to open multiple warp gates into what they believed the Click home system. Admiral Augustus Bretoni was commanding Strike Group 2, was staging his fleet just inside the newest warp gate preparing to launch a surprise attack against the Clicks. It was Captain Bradley’s desire that the *Oberon* and its escorts should be included in this fleet action. But that wasn’t going to happen. In fact, Admiral Bretoni was there to offer Captain Bradley a chance to retire honorably. No matter what the circumstances, the Admiral had no intention of using a bunch of reservists and their ships in his pending operation.
So, there is a lot going on in this book and I’ve only touched on some of it. There are about three different threads going and some I’m not sure I understood how they fit in. This store is also a long way from being finished although it does end with the Captain of the *Oberon* going to the Admiral’s brig! While the Oberon tries to rescue him, he refuses to be rescued and for some reason wants to go through with his pending courts martial. I just don’t understand some of his actions.
I guess I’ll have to read book 2, “[Battlefield Earth](https://amzn.to/3PSYtMo)”, to find out what’s going to happen.
It seems that humanity has been attacked in the distant pass by an alien entity called the Clicks. Nothing has ever been found identifying Clicks. None of their wreckage from that distant battle had any kind of residue that could be identified as a species unknown to humanity. They did attack without provocation and were deadly in this attack. The Terran Federation was caught by surprised and it resulted in the destruction of Harbinger. The Clicks had attacked Harbinger’s moon Kor to the extent that it has shattered in to seven incredibly large pieces each headed towards Harbinger. By this time, the planet had been alerted to the coming disaster and numerous civilian starships had left the ground and were collecting with the Terran Federations newest and only Titan class battleship, the *Oberon*.
There were civilian freighters know as free ships traversing the Harbinger system when the attack came. One, the *Ezekiel’s Revenge* captained by Sarah Mantell, had figured out what Clicks were going to do so she tried to warn the *Oberon*. Yet, the *Oberon* did nothing but wait. Finally, she realized that the *Oberon* was headed towards the jump point and was running away from he on-going battle. Why, she had no clue. Why was a fleet starship running from a battle?
That appears to be the basis of this story. While the *Oberon* was commanded by then Commander Konrad Bradley, he has now assumed the Captaincy of the ship although it has been regulated to the fleet reserve. Captain Bradley and his crew are considered reservist, not regular Navy Fleet personnel. Soon, the *Oberon* will be decommissioned and her crew either retired, discharged or reassigned depending on their skills. It’s thought that since this ship is now so ancient that most of the crew won’t be able to transition to the modern fleet very easily. That’s especially true of Captain Bradley. While the Oberon had its reason to flee that battle twenty years ago in the past, it was not the Terran Federation Navy’s finest hour. The population of Harbinger has dispersed somewhat in the asteroid fields of the system and didn’t feel like they were wanted anywhere else. Their homeworld was lost and they had no means of getting revenge unless the *Oberon* was given a second chance during the upcoming secret attack that was going to happen on the Clicks.
Humanity had figured out how to open multiple warp gates into what they believed the Click home system. Admiral Augustus Bretoni was commanding Strike Group 2, was staging his fleet just inside the newest warp gate preparing to launch a surprise attack against the Clicks. It was Captain Bradley’s desire that the *Oberon* and its escorts should be included in this fleet action. But that wasn’t going to happen. In fact, Admiral Bretoni was there to offer Captain Bradley a chance to retire honorably. No matter what the circumstances, the Admiral had no intention of using a bunch of reservists and their ships in his pending operation.
So, there is a lot going on in this book and I’ve only touched on some of it. There are about three different threads going and some I’m not sure I understood how they fit in. This store is also a long way from being finished although it does end with the Captain of the *Oberon* going to the Admiral’s brig! While the Oberon tries to rescue him, he refuses to be rescued and for some reason wants to go through with his pending courts martial. I just don’t understand some of his actions.
I guess I’ll have to read book 2, “[Battlefield Earth](https://amzn.to/3PSYtMo)”, to find out what’s going to happen.
November 10, 2024
The Last Battleship is a gripping entry into the military science fiction genre that delivers both heart-pounding action and deeply engaging character development. The author masterfully blends futuristic technology with classic naval warfare, creating a vivid, believable universe where space battleships rule the skies. The detailed descriptions of starship maneuvers, tactical strategies, and interstellar combat are clearly well-researched, immersing readers in a richly textured world that feels both expansive and immediate. This book is not just about epic space battles; it’s about the weight of command, the burden of responsibility, and the human cost of war. The protagonist is a seasoned captain whose tactical genius and moral dilemmas add a layer of depth, making him more than just a stereotypical military hero.
What truly sets The Last Battleship apart from other military sci-fi books is its focus on the interpersonal dynamics between the crew members. The author skillfully explores themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the bonds formed under extreme pressure. The dialogue is sharp and realistic, often filled with military jargon that adds authenticity without becoming overwhelming. The crew’s camaraderie and tensions are portrayed in a way that feels authentic, providing moments of levity amidst the high-stakes drama. The emotional stakes are high, especially as the crew faces not only external threats from a relentless enemy but also internal conflicts that test their unity.
While the pacing is generally tight, with a perfect balance of action and introspection, some readers might find the intricate battle scenes a bit overwhelming if they’re not familiar with military tactics. However, for fans of the genre, these scenes are a treat, showcasing the author’s knack for writing intense, cinematic sequences. The novel raises thought-provoking questions about the ethics of warfare, the cost of victory, and the sacrifices made for the greater good. By the time the final battle unfolds, you’ll find yourself on the edge of your seat, deeply invested in the fate of the last battleship and its brave crew. Whether you’re a die-hard military sci-fi fan or new to the genre, The Last Battleship is a thrilling ride that’s hard to put down.
What truly sets The Last Battleship apart from other military sci-fi books is its focus on the interpersonal dynamics between the crew members. The author skillfully explores themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the bonds formed under extreme pressure. The dialogue is sharp and realistic, often filled with military jargon that adds authenticity without becoming overwhelming. The crew’s camaraderie and tensions are portrayed in a way that feels authentic, providing moments of levity amidst the high-stakes drama. The emotional stakes are high, especially as the crew faces not only external threats from a relentless enemy but also internal conflicts that test their unity.
While the pacing is generally tight, with a perfect balance of action and introspection, some readers might find the intricate battle scenes a bit overwhelming if they’re not familiar with military tactics. However, for fans of the genre, these scenes are a treat, showcasing the author’s knack for writing intense, cinematic sequences. The novel raises thought-provoking questions about the ethics of warfare, the cost of victory, and the sacrifices made for the greater good. By the time the final battle unfolds, you’ll find yourself on the edge of your seat, deeply invested in the fate of the last battleship and its brave crew. Whether you’re a die-hard military sci-fi fan or new to the genre, The Last Battleship is a thrilling ride that’s hard to put down.
November 9, 2024
An absolute masterpiece of storytelling! The author’s ability to weave together multiple threads into a cohesive, engaging narrative is unparalleled. Every character is richly detailed, each with their voice and journey that intertwines beautifully with the others. The emotional depth is astounding; it left me both laughing and crying, sometimes within the same chapter. The themes explored are universal yet handled with a sensitivity that makes them feel fresh. I was completely blown away by how everything came together in the end. I had high hopes for this one, especially given the rave reviews, but it left me feeling a bit underwhelmed. The writing itself is beautiful, with some truly breathtaking passages, but the story seemed to lack direction. It felt like a series of vignettes rather than a cohesive narrative, and I struggled to stay engaged. The characters, while interesting, didn’t feel fully fleshed out, which made it difficult to connect with them. There are moments of brilliance, but they’re scattered throughout rather than sustaining the entire book.
August 28, 2023
It's been a while since I've been able to find a good read in the military sci-fi genre, so finding and reading this book has been quite refreshing.
I gave this one five stars however it didn't seem to do a good job of explaining how some of the laws of physics were overcome. Specifically inertia, the effects of acceleration and deceleration on people in space crafts. Not a deal breaker but a short blurb mentioning inertial dampening or some such technology would have added an element to the story.
That said, this was a great read and I'm already chewing through book two.
I gave this one five stars however it didn't seem to do a good job of explaining how some of the laws of physics were overcome. Specifically inertia, the effects of acceleration and deceleration on people in space crafts. Not a deal breaker but a short blurb mentioning inertial dampening or some such technology would have added an element to the story.
That said, this was a great read and I'm already chewing through book two.
July 1, 2023
Best yet ever
This book has it all, action adventure, characters that involve you in there space opera. This new book has intrigue that not only has unknown attackers, but it also portrays the common struggle of politics , wealth, status elites vs the underdogs spreading across the known worlds of the known Empire. Lots of twists and turns will keep you up reading till you reach the end. You will immediately want to move on to the second book!
This book has it all, action adventure, characters that involve you in there space opera. This new book has intrigue that not only has unknown attackers, but it also portrays the common struggle of politics , wealth, status elites vs the underdogs spreading across the known worlds of the known Empire. Lots of twists and turns will keep you up reading till you reach the end. You will immediately want to move on to the second book!
August 20, 2023
DNF at 30%
It’s very confusing for me. It’s hard to explain but for example at the beginning there was a captain and she realized that the enemy was coming and she tries to warn another captain, who wouldn’t listen and she try’s to save some people but she dies, and the other captain runs away. Then you have a spy that gets info out about the enemy and then he dies. Then you jump to other characters. It’s not for me. I thought it might be like Jake Campbell books.
It’s very confusing for me. It’s hard to explain but for example at the beginning there was a captain and she realized that the enemy was coming and she tries to warn another captain, who wouldn’t listen and she try’s to save some people but she dies, and the other captain runs away. Then you have a spy that gets info out about the enemy and then he dies. Then you jump to other characters. It’s not for me. I thought it might be like Jake Campbell books.
September 27, 2023
Too many sub plots
There is no discernible reason for various subplots to rear their heads without a reasonable expectation in the mind of the reader that these subplots are fairly obviously supported under a major plot's direction far earlier than done here. It is a nuisance to be inundated with this many subplots with no idea what the story is actually about. In addition, little of the science seems to be explained in a consistent manner.
There is no discernible reason for various subplots to rear their heads without a reasonable expectation in the mind of the reader that these subplots are fairly obviously supported under a major plot's direction far earlier than done here. It is a nuisance to be inundated with this many subplots with no idea what the story is actually about. In addition, little of the science seems to be explained in a consistent manner.
July 5, 2023
Great first chapter fast paced amazing battles
Just learned about Joshua Calvert, what a creative author! An ancient battle Titan regulated to the reserve fleet is to be mothballed its 8000+ crew split up its captain to discharged from the fleet all on the eve of a battle to end a war without end,they hope. Very fast paced!
Just learned about Joshua Calvert, what a creative author! An ancient battle Titan regulated to the reserve fleet is to be mothballed its 8000+ crew split up its captain to discharged from the fleet all on the eve of a battle to end a war without end,they hope. Very fast paced!
July 19, 2023
It's a very long read
I know the author put a lot into this book. It was not for me however. There was too many jumps back and forth in the story which made it difficult too keep up with. Out of respect i finished the book but not interest enough too read another installment of his story.
I know the author put a lot into this book. It was not for me however. There was too many jumps back and forth in the story which made it difficult too keep up with. Out of respect i finished the book but not interest enough too read another installment of his story.
August 3, 2023
Busy story
The story line is great. However to many different things going on. It was very hard to keep up with people in different situations being added all the time. I almost put the book down. There were at least 6 different sub stories of people in different places trying to be developed. Made reading very difficult at times.
The story line is great. However to many different things going on. It was very hard to keep up with people in different situations being added all the time. I almost put the book down. There were at least 6 different sub stories of people in different places trying to be developed. Made reading very difficult at times.
November 9, 2024
I went in with high hopes but came out feeling a bit underwhelmed. The premise was strong, but it felt like it ran out of steam midway through. The pacing was slow, and I struggled to stay engaged. The ending was somewhat predictable, though still enjoyable. It’s okay, but not as exciting as I anticipated.
July 31, 2023
Great read, non stop action
Outstanding portrayal of different hero s in different situations all working towards the same goal victory over evil intentions . Role reversals and constantly changing aspects.
Outstanding portrayal of different hero s in different situations all working towards the same goal victory over evil intentions . Role reversals and constantly changing aspects.
January 11, 2024
Fast paced!
I have recently started several series and after the first book decided not to go further because they were too slow or convoluted. I am looking forward to reading the next book.
I have recently started several series and after the first book decided not to go further because they were too slow or convoluted. I am looking forward to reading the next book.
November 6, 2024
An incredible journey from start to finish! The author’s attention to detail is remarkable, and the way the story unfolds is simply brilliant. It’s a perfect blend of excitement, heart, and thought-provoking themes. Highly recommended.
July 21, 2023
Very good read!
did-not-finish
July 22, 2023This got off to a very confusing start, with no memorable characters and lost me, I didn't finish.
August 24, 2023
Great
Lots of fun reading this book, lots of people and
ships to keep track of. On my way to the next book.
Lots of fun reading this book, lots of people and
ships to keep track of. On my way to the next book.
August 27, 2023
worth a read
This was classic space navy, big battles, with a little cloak and dagger thrown in. Worth the download and the read.
This was classic space navy, big battles, with a little cloak and dagger thrown in. Worth the download and the read.
October 14, 2023
Opinions
A good space war epic with a big menu of interesting characters, some of whom were very likeable. A good read
A good space war epic with a big menu of interesting characters, some of whom were very likeable. A good read
January 6, 2024
Grand in scale
Complicated, lots of mixed story lines and characters to keep track of. If you like a tale with depth this for you.
Complicated, lots of mixed story lines and characters to keep track of. If you like a tale with depth this for you.
February 2, 2024
An excellent start to what is looking to be a great series. A good cast with intriguing plots. Not just a series of space battles.
October 15, 2023
Every chapter is a new character and subplot. I got quite far into it and we hadn’t gone back to hear more about a single one of them. I found it very frustrating.
October 18, 2023
I got this e-book from amazon with kindle unlimited.
The book is about a living ship Which reminded me of An episode of star trek next generation.
The book is about a living ship Which reminded me of An episode of star trek next generation.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews