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The Galactic Cold War #4
The Armageddon Protocol
The fourth and final book in The Galactic Cold War series sees Simon Kovalic and his crew on another life threatening adventure.
On the heels of the terrorist attacks on the planet Nova’s capital, the Special Projects Team finds itself targeted by the ambitious new head of the Commonwealth Intelligence Directorate, Aidan Kester. When Kovalic and General Adaj are arrested on charges of treason, Tapper, Brody, Sayers, and Taylor are forced to go on the run. While Kovalic and the general attempt to uncover an Illyrican mole within the Commonwealth’s intelligence apparatus, it’s up to the rest of the team to clear their friends’ names, even if that means making a deal with an old enemy to carry out a daring heist that might just get them all killed.
On the heels of the terrorist attacks on the planet Nova’s capital, the Special Projects Team finds itself targeted by the ambitious new head of the Commonwealth Intelligence Directorate, Aidan Kester. When Kovalic and General Adaj are arrested on charges of treason, Tapper, Brody, Sayers, and Taylor are forced to go on the run. While Kovalic and the general attempt to uncover an Illyrican mole within the Commonwealth’s intelligence apparatus, it’s up to the rest of the team to clear their friends’ names, even if that means making a deal with an old enemy to carry out a daring heist that might just get them all killed.
414 pages, Paperback
Published September 24, 2024
23 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Dan Moren
14 books510 followersDan Moren is the author of the supernatural detective novel All Souls Lost, as well as the popular Galactic Cold War series of sci-fi spy novels. His work has also appeared in, among other places, The Boston Globe, PopSci.com, Fast Company, and Macworld, where he formerly served as a senior editor.
A two-time Jeopardy! champion and regular panelist on the Parsec-award-winning geek culture podcast The Incomparable, Dan also co-hosts tech podcasts Clockwise and The Rebound, as well as writing and hosting the nerdy game show Inconceivable! He lives with his family in Somerville, MA, where he is never far from a twenty-sided die.
A two-time Jeopardy! champion and regular panelist on the Parsec-award-winning geek culture podcast The Incomparable, Dan also co-hosts tech podcasts Clockwise and The Rebound, as well as writing and hosting the nerdy game show Inconceivable! He lives with his family in Somerville, MA, where he is never far from a twenty-sided die.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 24, 2024
Review originally on JamReads
The Armageddon Protocol is the fourth and final novel in the spy-fi series The Galactic Cold War, written by Dan Moren, and published by Angry Robot Books. Immediately picking after the ending of The Nova Incident, Kovalic and his team will have to clear their names of the charges of treason, in an adventure full of action and details that are an homage to previous books in the saga.
A story that soon gets divided into two parallel plots: Kovalic and the general will have to uncover the Illyrican mole that has put their names as the treators while evading the capture in Nova; but the rest of the team will flee after Kovalic's signal, and somehow, end being involved in a heist under the threats of one of my favourite antagonists of the saga, Ofeibia Xi.
Kovalic gets a big spotlight in this instalment, as his plot allows him to shine as the smart and cunning operative he is. Together with the general and an old friend, they will have to find the truth about the mole and clear their names.
And we also finally get to see how the team is a well-built machine that can work without Kovalic's leadership, with Taylor taking the lead. Addy is still a baddass character, but in this instalment, finally Brody has learnt something from her. Tapper continues being the resourceful man that they can always rely on, and honestly, it was delicious to read a heist full of action and plot twists.
As this novel forms practically a duology together with The Nova Incident, we have a frenetic story full of subterfuge on one side, while the other is totally onboard of what could be a new special operation; all written with the clarity that characterizes Moren. While this book wraps up the arc, I could see Moren revisiting this universe.
After bingeing the full series, I feel a bit sad about having to say goodbye to these characters; but as a final instalment, is all I could ask from this spy-fi series. I totally recommend The Galactic Cold War if you want to read a great series reminiscent of Golden Age films, but with the sci-fi point. Excellent.
The Armageddon Protocol is the fourth and final novel in the spy-fi series The Galactic Cold War, written by Dan Moren, and published by Angry Robot Books. Immediately picking after the ending of The Nova Incident, Kovalic and his team will have to clear their names of the charges of treason, in an adventure full of action and details that are an homage to previous books in the saga.
A story that soon gets divided into two parallel plots: Kovalic and the general will have to uncover the Illyrican mole that has put their names as the treators while evading the capture in Nova; but the rest of the team will flee after Kovalic's signal, and somehow, end being involved in a heist under the threats of one of my favourite antagonists of the saga, Ofeibia Xi.
Kovalic gets a big spotlight in this instalment, as his plot allows him to shine as the smart and cunning operative he is. Together with the general and an old friend, they will have to find the truth about the mole and clear their names.
And we also finally get to see how the team is a well-built machine that can work without Kovalic's leadership, with Taylor taking the lead. Addy is still a baddass character, but in this instalment, finally Brody has learnt something from her. Tapper continues being the resourceful man that they can always rely on, and honestly, it was delicious to read a heist full of action and plot twists.
As this novel forms practically a duology together with The Nova Incident, we have a frenetic story full of subterfuge on one side, while the other is totally onboard of what could be a new special operation; all written with the clarity that characterizes Moren. While this book wraps up the arc, I could see Moren revisiting this universe.
After bingeing the full series, I feel a bit sad about having to say goodbye to these characters; but as a final instalment, is all I could ask from this spy-fi series. I totally recommend The Galactic Cold War if you want to read a great series reminiscent of Golden Age films, but with the sci-fi point. Excellent.
October 8, 2024
Do you like sci-fi adventure? Do you like John LeCarre-style spy thrillers? How about a little Mission: Impossible thrown in there? Have I got a series for you. Dan Moren has done it again, as he closes out his epic Galactic Cold War series with The Armageddon Protocol! Hot on the heels of their last mission in The Nova Incident Simon Kovalic and his intrepid team find themselves out in the cold and on the run from their own government. But don’t count the Commonwealth’s Special Projects Team out just yet. They have more than a few tricks left up their sleeve (and some of them don’t even explode). Burned spies, sinister crime bosses, space train heists(!), and more safe houses than Zillow can even keep track of. This is my second favorite book of 2024!
(Please note, you might find yourself a little lost if you haven’t read the previous books in the Galactic Cold War series. But don’t worry! That just means you get to read 3 or 4 other books that are just as much fun as this one!)
(Please note, you might find yourself a little lost if you haven’t read the previous books in the Galactic Cold War series. But don’t worry! That just means you get to read 3 or 4 other books that are just as much fun as this one!)
October 13, 2024
Dan does it again! Love this series and these characters, and here's hoping we'll get some further adventures out of this universe.
December 31, 2024
Dan Moren delivers an intense new entry in his Galactic Cold War series, full of delicious twists, espionage tension, and plenty of revelations. Old characters make memorable appearances, the team visit new and unexpected places, heists happen, and shenanigans ensue in their search to clear their names.
I absolutely loved it.
Apparently this is the end of this form of the team, but not necessarily of the series itself, so I sure hope we get more! The cold war is not over.
Great book to finish on the last day of the year.
I absolutely loved it.
Apparently this is the end of this form of the team, but not necessarily of the series itself, so I sure hope we get more! The cold war is not over.
Great book to finish on the last day of the year.
January 6, 2025
I couldn’t put this book down. What an amazing series. Really hopeful they release another!
September 26, 2024
Like the best finales, THE ARMAGEDDON PROTOCOL nicely wraps up this narrative arc and includes plenty of homages and returns from the whole series.
Plus, Kovalic’s plot is just excellent espionage fiction. Really fun stuff!
Plus, Kovalic’s plot is just excellent espionage fiction. Really fun stuff!
November 15, 2024
Every book in this series has been a fun read. This one is billed as the end of the series, but I do hope we get more adventures with these characters sometime in the future.
September 22, 2024
4.5/5 stars
The Armageddon Protocol is the final book in the scifi spy thriller series The Galactic Cold War. Simon and the General have been arrested under suspicion of treason, and they must uncover the Illyrican mole within the Commonwealth Intelligence Department that set them up. Meanwhile, the rest of the Secret Projects Team are on the run to find a way to free their leaders and clear their names.
This is the most propulsive installment in the series that just doesn’t stop start to finish. It’s an edge-of-your-seat mission full of intrigue, maneuvering, and action. The team, though, is essentially separated throughout the book with essentially two plotlines running concurrently with minimal overlap. Not what I would have wanted for a final installment, but it does allow for Simon to shine as he holds his own alongside the General while the parallel plotline gives the rest of the team their moments as they escape and encounter an adversary from the past. Nat takes on the leadership role, Tanner grounds the team, Eli steps up, and Addy remains badass.
It’s actually sad to see this end because I’ve had a great time following along with this team in their missions. And honestly? This doesn’t actually feel like an ending. It feels like the closing of a chapter, but there’s certainly still more stories to tell. After all, the Galactic Cold War is still ongoing and there’s always another threat to neutralize. I real wanted to see Simon fulfill his goal of returning home to earth free of the Illyrican Empire’s control. It’s a hearty dream that still isn’t realized despite everything he has done.
One gripe I do have is that the story ties in to the plot of a previous book The Caledonian Gambit which I never got to read since it was released through a different publisher and got designated as “book 0” after the fact. Admittedly, it doesn’t hinder understanding even without having read that earlier book, but it’s just annoying feeling like you are missing out on something.
Although not exactly the ending I would have wanted, The Armageddon Protocol still delivers on the fun and action and ends it in an honest way that feels true to itself.
*Thank you to Angry Robot Books for sending me an advance finished copy of the book to review!
The Armageddon Protocol is the final book in the scifi spy thriller series The Galactic Cold War. Simon and the General have been arrested under suspicion of treason, and they must uncover the Illyrican mole within the Commonwealth Intelligence Department that set them up. Meanwhile, the rest of the Secret Projects Team are on the run to find a way to free their leaders and clear their names.
This is the most propulsive installment in the series that just doesn’t stop start to finish. It’s an edge-of-your-seat mission full of intrigue, maneuvering, and action. The team, though, is essentially separated throughout the book with essentially two plotlines running concurrently with minimal overlap. Not what I would have wanted for a final installment, but it does allow for Simon to shine as he holds his own alongside the General while the parallel plotline gives the rest of the team their moments as they escape and encounter an adversary from the past. Nat takes on the leadership role, Tanner grounds the team, Eli steps up, and Addy remains badass.
It’s actually sad to see this end because I’ve had a great time following along with this team in their missions. And honestly? This doesn’t actually feel like an ending. It feels like the closing of a chapter, but there’s certainly still more stories to tell. After all, the Galactic Cold War is still ongoing and there’s always another threat to neutralize. I real wanted to see Simon fulfill his goal of returning home to earth free of the Illyrican Empire’s control. It’s a hearty dream that still isn’t realized despite everything he has done.
One gripe I do have is that the story ties in to the plot of a previous book The Caledonian Gambit which I never got to read since it was released through a different publisher and got designated as “book 0” after the fact. Admittedly, it doesn’t hinder understanding even without having read that earlier book, but it’s just annoying feeling like you are missing out on something.
Although not exactly the ending I would have wanted, The Armageddon Protocol still delivers on the fun and action and ends it in an honest way that feels true to itself.
*Thank you to Angry Robot Books for sending me an advance finished copy of the book to review!
December 15, 2024
I suppose this is the end of this series and whether it's the end of these characters, seems like it for now? I seem to have seen a comment in passing that sounded like maybe that wasn't the choice of the author, but of an editor/publisher?
I kept hoping for more intrigue? thrills? and I didn't feel there was enough for me. The plot seemed to wander a bit and breaking up the gang didn't really work as well as when they're together, in my opinion. The villain didn't seem to turn out to be much of a formidable villain either. Either one. The decision by a character at the very end, while somewhat hinted at in the previous one, felt forced and abrupt. Almost no reactions given and then - fin.
For a final adventure, it worked well enough, but didn't feel very satisfying. Glad I read it for completeness sake.
I kept hoping for more intrigue? thrills? and I didn't feel there was enough for me. The plot seemed to wander a bit and breaking up the gang didn't really work as well as when they're together, in my opinion. The villain didn't seem to turn out to be much of a formidable villain either. Either one. The decision by a character at the very end, while somewhat hinted at in the previous one, felt forced and abrupt. Almost no reactions given and then - fin.
For a final adventure, it worked well enough, but didn't feel very satisfying. Glad I read it for completeness sake.
October 7, 2024
The final book in the serious does not disappoint, though I’m pretty sad it’s over and hoping there maybe more in future!
I’m really going to miss these characters.
The 4th book wraps up the events from the previous books, especially the 3rd in the series, it’s satisfying and full of all the action and blistering pace I was used to. It kept me on the edge of my seat throughout and is probably my favourite in the series.
Great writing as ever, with an intricate plot that kept me guessing, this is truly a great serious and a unique mosh mash of genres. Highly recommend!
October 16, 2024
Dan Moren's Galactic Cold War series is set in a science fictional universe as a backdrop, but is really about a covert ops team running, well, covert operations. So if you like spy stories at all, you'll like these books. The plotting is good, the characters are great, and the books are just fun! It's a series that is entertaining from beginning to end. The Armageddon Protocol is a worthy conclusion to the series (though I wouldn't be surprised if some additional stories in this universe show up one day).
December 29, 2024
A fantastic wrap to the series, and a fun read over my holiday break.
I really appreciated how this final installment in the story included character and plot callbacks and ties from the earlier books. I’m only now realizing that something I enjoyed about this collection is that the stories are standalone but pay a little extra interest if you’ve read them in order.
Happy to see the team come to a happy wrap up, and maybe hopefully crossing my fingers for a spinoff series from someone else in the crew or universe.
I really appreciated how this final installment in the story included character and plot callbacks and ties from the earlier books. I’m only now realizing that something I enjoyed about this collection is that the stories are standalone but pay a little extra interest if you’ve read them in order.
Happy to see the team come to a happy wrap up, and maybe hopefully crossing my fingers for a spinoff series from someone else in the crew or universe.
September 26, 2024
As with the other fantastic entries in this series, The Armageddon Protocol is full of delightful intergalactic heisty spycraft machinations with characters I've come to love dearly. Endings are hard, but this book lands the series and leaves me feeling satisfied and pleased -- even if it is bittersweet because I'm gonna miss these characters!
November 15, 2024
Once again, Dan has managed to both keep me entertained and guessing right up to the end of the book. I am sad to see this story end (for now, fingers crossed), but this is a good place to end the current storyline. There are still a few loose threads that will make for good plot lines in the next book (hint hint publishers) should it get written.
November 25, 2024
end of a series. bittersweet.
i still hate the use of a train in a sci-fi, but mellowed a bit since racing against it many years ago in a different review. the multiple storylines were nicely paced and woven in the end. the mining planet felt a bit like a casino world inserted as filler - my first pause came as it was starting, probably not a coincidence.
i still hate the use of a train in a sci-fi, but mellowed a bit since racing against it many years ago in a different review. the multiple storylines were nicely paced and woven in the end. the mining planet felt a bit like a casino world inserted as filler - my first pause came as it was starting, probably not a coincidence.
May 27, 2025
I read the first five books in the series and had to know how the story would end! At the time of reading, I was kind of full up on heist, spy novels, so this took me awhile to get through.
But it really is an action-packed read and under other circumstances it would have been hard to put down. This is a good series, well-worth reading!
But it really is an action-packed read and under other circumstances it would have been hard to put down. This is a good series, well-worth reading!
August 22, 2025
The first act was perhaps too much of an extension of the previous book, but after that, this story really took off. Moren plays the hits of his series, bringing back characters, revisiting planets, and mirroring set pieces from the other books. It's a well-done "conclusion-for-now" that makes me wish there were more books on their way. Still, it's a satisfying "end" to the series.
September 28, 2024
ohhh this is so good and really needs to be made into a movie or something. what a good story, and it tied up all thing little plot hints from the previous three books and brought back characters from previous books too. 10/10
October 20, 2024
What is (at least for now) the end of the Galactic Cold War series is a fitting send off and strikes the best balance so far in the series of mixing its likable protagonists with a solid thriller plot. I'm looking forward to seeing what Moren does next.
March 11, 2025
Really great conclusion to the Galactic Cold War series. I'm bummed it's the last, and hope that it gets picked up for more. I've grown to really enjoy the characters and there is definitely more story to tell in that world.
September 24, 2024
A spy thriller crossed with a special ops adventure, in space.
Bit of a slow starter but once it gets going it's a tense, well-plotted novel, with an eclectic cast.
Bit of a slow starter but once it gets going it's a tense, well-plotted novel, with an eclectic cast.
October 26, 2024
A good wrap up to a good series
January 11, 2025
Almost docked it a star because I don't want it to be the final book in this series because it's that good.
March 18, 2025
Solid finale to this series (for now anyway). Still had that strange sci-fi anachronistic feel and plays like an MI storyline but that is not all bad once you buy in.
October 27, 2025
These are okay, but could be a lot better. The plot is ok, but something is missing. I didn't actually find them believable.
November 25, 2024
Love this series, really fun combination of spy shenanigans and space action with some fun characters.
June 21, 2025
Right amount of mystery, spy action, and action packed scenes. From asteroids to desert planets, the character personalities weave with the sci-fi space setting to create a very enjoyable read. While there was not as much character development in this part of the series, the dynamics between characters was still masterfully done.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews