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Arise #5
Arise: Explorer
There’s an entire galaxy out there, and Steve’s already started a war with some of it…Steve and his companions have been offered a chance, the slimmest of hopes, that the UC—whatever that is—will protect the earth. But that protection, offered as it is with the full knowledge that it could embroil billions in a new war? It’s never going to come cheap. The UC wants something, and it’s down to Steve to figure out how to pay that debt, or survive without their sheltering hand. The greater galaxy is a harsh place, and in the eyes of those that battle to keep the flame of freedom alive another day, anyone that would give up their freedom to gain a little security?In the galaxy’s eyes, they’d deserve neither.
563 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 10, 2024
174 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 16, 2024
Like and Dislike
I admit, as always I'll be reading the next one and I did enjoy the story. Especially that we aren't just dragging out the whole earth phase until every little thing is done and instead keep moving on to new things.
Now what I dislike? How about every time Ingrid opens her mouth it turns into a 40 minute history lecture and since it's fantasy it's 40 minute fake history lecture. I swear my history teachers in school didn't hammer on about a subject for so long with droning. Like can there be one conversation in this book that doesn't go down 3 tangents before getting to the point? Feel like someone would just say, "Listen, Shut up and get to the point. I don't care about who did what or why, Just tell me can we find it.. Yes or no!"
Worse in this book? Ingrid again. Sorry but I feel like in this book she began majorly bitchy. Like to the point I disliked her. She was always negative in this book, always shooting down Steve's idea and always siding against him. Then she kept blaming him for stuff he couldn't control and throwing fits over it. Guy took off to fast in the plane? Steve's fault. Guys leave trash around when Steve wasn't there. Steve's fault. Constantly nagging and harping on him when it's out of his control.
Then she constantly shoots down his ideas or don't like how he deals with things. Getting pissy and telling him 'this is how it is' with diplomatic stuff and the like. At this point she's treating Steve more like a whipped leashed dog she can order around and give treats to in the form of bedroom fun. Like Steve will be talking and she'll interrupt and be like "Steve, Shut up and let me deal with this"
If Steve said that to her, all hell would break loose. It got bad enough I started to skip when she was talking and go on, hoping she'd die and we could move on from her constant putting down of Steve or arguing with him. Just let his chains loose damnit. If he wants to threaten to blast a nation with missiles. Let him! Can't say he's the leader and in charge one moment then question his every choice the next.
I admit, as always I'll be reading the next one and I did enjoy the story. Especially that we aren't just dragging out the whole earth phase until every little thing is done and instead keep moving on to new things.
Now what I dislike? How about every time Ingrid opens her mouth it turns into a 40 minute history lecture and since it's fantasy it's 40 minute fake history lecture. I swear my history teachers in school didn't hammer on about a subject for so long with droning. Like can there be one conversation in this book that doesn't go down 3 tangents before getting to the point? Feel like someone would just say, "Listen, Shut up and get to the point. I don't care about who did what or why, Just tell me can we find it.. Yes or no!"
Worse in this book? Ingrid again. Sorry but I feel like in this book she began majorly bitchy. Like to the point I disliked her. She was always negative in this book, always shooting down Steve's idea and always siding against him. Then she kept blaming him for stuff he couldn't control and throwing fits over it. Guy took off to fast in the plane? Steve's fault. Guys leave trash around when Steve wasn't there. Steve's fault. Constantly nagging and harping on him when it's out of his control.
Then she constantly shoots down his ideas or don't like how he deals with things. Getting pissy and telling him 'this is how it is' with diplomatic stuff and the like. At this point she's treating Steve more like a whipped leashed dog she can order around and give treats to in the form of bedroom fun. Like Steve will be talking and she'll interrupt and be like "Steve, Shut up and let me deal with this"
If Steve said that to her, all hell would break loose. It got bad enough I started to skip when she was talking and go on, hoping she'd die and we could move on from her constant putting down of Steve or arguing with him. Just let his chains loose damnit. If he wants to threaten to blast a nation with missiles. Let him! Can't say he's the leader and in charge one moment then question his every choice the next.
June 8, 2024
Well developed and captivating series!
Imagine discovering that humans were evolved/created by an ancient space-faring race called the Aendari as Biological Weapons Variants (BWVs) infused with nanites, then abandoned as the first generations deployed to fight in space wars rebelled against their creators! This fascinating series written by Jez Cajiao (who has written several engrossing series with well thought out backgrounds and captivating storylines) follows a somewhat shady Steve who inadvertently enters a submerged and long abandoned creator ship, and gravely injured ends up in a medical capsule that completely rebuilds him and awakens his nanites as the original BWVs were intended. The first 4 books deal with building his team and their adventures dealing with other BWVs such as werewolves, vampires and the original Greek gods whose nanites have made them immortal. However, only Steve has access to and control of his nanites, and only he can harvest them from other BWVs to prevent their further resurrection. In book 5, Steve and his team are required to go to the cosmos to meet the original humans and other races in opposition to the arrogant Aendari. A compelling background and storyline shows how Steve, now developed into a Devourer, has more powers than members of the current species.
Cajiao has become one of my favorite sci-fi/fantasy writers because of his plausible backgrounds, well developed characters, and compelling storytelling. I heartily recommend this series, but please start at Book 1!
Imagine discovering that humans were evolved/created by an ancient space-faring race called the Aendari as Biological Weapons Variants (BWVs) infused with nanites, then abandoned as the first generations deployed to fight in space wars rebelled against their creators! This fascinating series written by Jez Cajiao (who has written several engrossing series with well thought out backgrounds and captivating storylines) follows a somewhat shady Steve who inadvertently enters a submerged and long abandoned creator ship, and gravely injured ends up in a medical capsule that completely rebuilds him and awakens his nanites as the original BWVs were intended. The first 4 books deal with building his team and their adventures dealing with other BWVs such as werewolves, vampires and the original Greek gods whose nanites have made them immortal. However, only Steve has access to and control of his nanites, and only he can harvest them from other BWVs to prevent their further resurrection. In book 5, Steve and his team are required to go to the cosmos to meet the original humans and other races in opposition to the arrogant Aendari. A compelling background and storyline shows how Steve, now developed into a Devourer, has more powers than members of the current species.
Cajiao has become one of my favorite sci-fi/fantasy writers because of his plausible backgrounds, well developed characters, and compelling storytelling. I heartily recommend this series, but please start at Book 1!
May 14, 2024
both
I liked this. I also disliked it.
Some of the concepts are fascinating. Some scenes are amazing.
And then there are the others.
Long discussions or dissertations on whatever topic…during an active combat period. The absolutely immature, over-the-top, unprofessional screwing around…while they are racing a clock and/or in contact with an enemy.
[sigh]
I will probably get the next book. There’s cool stuff happening, and (god help me) I want to see how it ends. But I can’t really recommend it. Too many times I stopped reading to do something else. Because the narrative would get caught up in the details instead of advancing the plot.
I liked this. I also disliked it.
Some of the concepts are fascinating. Some scenes are amazing.
And then there are the others.
Long discussions or dissertations on whatever topic…during an active combat period. The absolutely immature, over-the-top, unprofessional screwing around…while they are racing a clock and/or in contact with an enemy.
[sigh]
I will probably get the next book. There’s cool stuff happening, and (god help me) I want to see how it ends. But I can’t really recommend it. Too many times I stopped reading to do something else. Because the narrative would get caught up in the details instead of advancing the plot.
May 27, 2024
Wow, from sketchy bartender to interstellar conquerer
The MC and his team have only a week to do the impossible. They must defeat a rogue alien, then figure out how to get to a deepspace rendezvous with two warring empires, all while locked out of some of his upgrades. They dont even have a working spaceship or a nav system and local governments are trying to steal their tech.
Then they really have to do some even more impossible stuff. This is some serious space opera, at an Indiana Jones pace. They jump from crisis to emergency to being under attact, to counterattack. Then the realy hard parts show up.
The MC and his team have only a week to do the impossible. They must defeat a rogue alien, then figure out how to get to a deepspace rendezvous with two warring empires, all while locked out of some of his upgrades. They dont even have a working spaceship or a nav system and local governments are trying to steal their tech.
Then they really have to do some even more impossible stuff. This is some serious space opera, at an Indiana Jones pace. They jump from crisis to emergency to being under attact, to counterattack. Then the realy hard parts show up.
June 1, 2024
Amazing LitRPG / SciFi Novel!!!
And Jez does it again!! Jez is the absolute best LitRPG author and with Arise he combines SciFi and urban fantasy, along with his signature action scenes and humor! There’s just no way to put this book down! Action scenes so well written you can feel right in the midst of the fight. A plot with surprise twists and turns I could never have guessed. Then add the light hearted banter between characters and great humor. Oh, and character growth! I’ve been following these wonderful characters through 5 huge novels and now they’re my close friends! Thanks Jez! Can’t wait for book 6!
And Jez does it again!! Jez is the absolute best LitRPG author and with Arise he combines SciFi and urban fantasy, along with his signature action scenes and humor! There’s just no way to put this book down! Action scenes so well written you can feel right in the midst of the fight. A plot with surprise twists and turns I could never have guessed. Then add the light hearted banter between characters and great humor. Oh, and character growth! I’ve been following these wonderful characters through 5 huge novels and now they’re my close friends! Thanks Jez! Can’t wait for book 6!
May 11, 2024
Wow just Wow
With so much amazing action, this series goes off world as Earth can't contain the story. This gives great reason to go even more into Cajiaos' imagination and experience the best book of the series. Love the new side of the adventures and makes the next awaited finale even more eagerly anticipated.
With so much amazing action, this series goes off world as Earth can't contain the story. This gives great reason to go even more into Cajiaos' imagination and experience the best book of the series. Love the new side of the adventures and makes the next awaited finale even more eagerly anticipated.
August 22, 2024
You crazy son of a donkey you did it. This book was excellent. I thought this was going to be a train wreck. I couldn't imagine a way but the author managed to reboot the party into an entirely new adventure. I do have some minor complaints but they are all forgiven for how the story gets handled.
Fair warning if you want more vampires or werewolves you won't get it here.
Fair warning if you want more vampires or werewolves you won't get it here.
March 4, 2025
Waited too long for this audiobook to go on sale, but it did 😁 Absolutely love this series! Steve is such a great MMC, brash, impatient, and a little simple 🤭 The jokes about him getting smarter is too funny 😂 Life is a struggle and this crew repeatedly slams into inconvenient obstacles with gusto and Paul the psychopath 😅
March 29, 2025
Absolutely FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC 😁
If you've read this far then you know what's been happening, if not, start at the beginning 😄. I can't believe how much I'm addicted to this series 😍. It's FREAKING AWESOME 😃. Thanks again Jez, although a little long winded at times, it's still well worth reading and I'll keep reading to the end 🤓.
If you've read this far then you know what's been happening, if not, start at the beginning 😄. I can't believe how much I'm addicted to this series 😍. It's FREAKING AWESOME 😃. Thanks again Jez, although a little long winded at times, it's still well worth reading and I'll keep reading to the end 🤓.
July 2, 2025
Awesome
While this series strays from the traditional LitRPG leveling system. The storyline is awesome, packed with action, and hard to put down once one starts reading. Truly deserves a 5 star rating. Love the cliffhanger at the end of this book. Looking forward to continuing the adventure with Book 6.
While this series strays from the traditional LitRPG leveling system. The storyline is awesome, packed with action, and hard to put down once one starts reading. Truly deserves a 5 star rating. Love the cliffhanger at the end of this book. Looking forward to continuing the adventure with Book 6.
June 15, 2024
Well lets see
Space going super yachts CHECK
universal Soldier style zombies CHECK
Misunderstood devi!s CHECK
Untrustworthy rats with antlers and overgrown god complexes DOUBLE CHECK
Yep its a winner and I can't wait for the last book!
Space going super yachts CHECK
universal Soldier style zombies CHECK
Misunderstood devi!s CHECK
Untrustworthy rats with antlers and overgrown god complexes DOUBLE CHECK
Yep its a winner and I can't wait for the last book!
May 20, 2024
Excellent
Oh what an adventure. So looking forward to reading about Steve 2.0 in the coming books. I also appreciate the detailed summary of previous books in the beginning.
Oh what an adventure. So looking forward to reading about Steve 2.0 in the coming books. I also appreciate the detailed summary of previous books in the beginning.
May 25, 2024
A M A Z I N G
What do you expect from this author simply the best love everything this man has written and it gets better with every god dam book can't wait for the next 1 thanks from brining these characters to life for me man much appreciated
What do you expect from this author simply the best love everything this man has written and it gets better with every god dam book can't wait for the next 1 thanks from brining these characters to life for me man much appreciated
June 22, 2024
Great book
Stellar work once again from Jez Cajiao! Lots of action and adventure, monsters and mayhem. Looking forward to the next one!
Stellar work once again from Jez Cajiao! Lots of action and adventure, monsters and mayhem. Looking forward to the next one!
July 28, 2024
Woot what a roller coaster.
Now that's a story .
I am going to read the next book . Right away.
These books are worth reading and rereading. That is how great they are.
Now that's a story .
I am going to read the next book . Right away.
These books are worth reading and rereading. That is how great they are.
Want to read
August 2, 2024Awesome.
June 28, 2025
Words can NOT
Words can NOT convey the power of this book. So many emotions, nuances and soul examining moments were brought forth in this book. This author leaves me ARISEN!
Words can NOT convey the power of this book. So many emotions, nuances and soul examining moments were brought forth in this book. This author leaves me ARISEN!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews