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"The committee has planned a task series for you, Alex..."
With an alien aristocrat joining the crew, the Fourth Fleet Irregulars embark on a mission that will take them beyond the League's borders - and beyond their wildest dreams.
With an alien aristocrat joining the crew, the Fourth Fleet Irregulars embark on a mission that will take them beyond the League's borders - and beyond their wildest dreams.
659 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 3, 2014
30 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
S.J. MacDonald
23 books75 followersI am a primary school teacher living in Cardiff, Wales, UK. I live in a tiny house full of books, animals, rocks and fossils.
I love travelling by myself because you get to meet more local people that way. My favourite trips so far have been ice fishing in the arctic circle, the Canadian Rockies in winter and camping with my sister in Devon (Every bit as adventurous!)
I have been writing stories since I was a kid but have only recently taken the plunge into publishing. I've also recently started a science fiction review site http://www.starshipsandaliens.com which is nearly as much fun as writing.
I love travelling by myself because you get to meet more local people that way. My favourite trips so far have been ice fishing in the arctic circle, the Canadian Rockies in winter and camping with my sister in Devon (Every bit as adventurous!)
I have been writing stories since I was a kid but have only recently taken the plunge into publishing. I've also recently started a science fiction review site http://www.starshipsandaliens.com which is nearly as much fun as writing.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 13, 2019
I thought the previous book Karadon was very good, but I was slightly worried when I saw the number of pages in this book. I have nothing against a long book, except my only concern with this author’s style is her need to explain and describe everything in far too much detail.
I actually enjoyed the story, it was a more ‘softer’ sort of SciFi with the emphasis on the everyday life and relationships aboard a naval frigate. However at times I thought the author got carried away and the book would definitely have benefited from allowing the reader to use their own imagination rather than describing everything.
I also wonder whether the author has something against the media, as nearly every mention of the media or reporters in these stories has them as rabid, lying, bigoted, monsters.
There were aspects of the story that were worth 5 stars, but I also found myself skipping sections that just went on too long. In the end I gave 4 stars.
I actually enjoyed the story, it was a more ‘softer’ sort of SciFi with the emphasis on the everyday life and relationships aboard a naval frigate. However at times I thought the author got carried away and the book would definitely have benefited from allowing the reader to use their own imagination rather than describing everything.
I also wonder whether the author has something against the media, as nearly every mention of the media or reporters in these stories has them as rabid, lying, bigoted, monsters.
There were aspects of the story that were worth 5 stars, but I also found myself skipping sections that just went on too long. In the end I gave 4 stars.
February 18, 2014
Great read
the story continues in the vein of the first two... if you find them ridiculous based on how everything comes up von strada then prepare for a massive increase in this tendency minus one small negative that lasts a whole page or two
that said if you like the first two for the decent grammar and ever improving story prepare for twists/turns and more delightful hints about the remarkable world being built
While the first had teething issues this series is continuing on its March towards being a hallmark of the field rather than kindle only dross ... I would argue its already there and probably on the way to mark the author as a giant of the entire field itself
the story continues in the vein of the first two... if you find them ridiculous based on how everything comes up von strada then prepare for a massive increase in this tendency minus one small negative that lasts a whole page or two
that said if you like the first two for the decent grammar and ever improving story prepare for twists/turns and more delightful hints about the remarkable world being built
While the first had teething issues this series is continuing on its March towards being a hallmark of the field rather than kindle only dross ... I would argue its already there and probably on the way to mark the author as a giant of the entire field itself
June 25, 2020
The Fourth Fleet Irregulars, led by the uncompromising Alex van Strada, once again face a challenging secret mission. Patrol the spaceways, check out rumors of pirates, solve the mystery of why spacers don't go to the planet Novamas, and attempt to contact extraterrestrials through an impenetrable barrier called the Firewall. Oh, and Alex has to test a secret planet busting weapon and one of the civilians on his ship is a royal pain.
No biggie, for Alex von Supernova.
No biggie, for Alex von Supernova.
October 22, 2018
Lost My Interest
Should have stopped while he was ahead. Logical plots didn't develop, personal relationships didn't happen that I had hoped for. The story was OK for an intellectual exercise but the visual action just wasn't there. Too bad too, because MacDonald had the beginnings of a pretty good tale.
Should have stopped while he was ahead. Logical plots didn't develop, personal relationships didn't happen that I had hoped for. The story was OK for an intellectual exercise but the visual action just wasn't there. Too bad too, because MacDonald had the beginnings of a pretty good tale.
February 10, 2022
Best of the series so far
First let me be clear, I love first contact books. I enjoy the interactions and the descriptions and all the possibilities contained in the stories. This has to be one of the best first contacts I’ve ever read. These characters are some of my favorite people, and I cannot wait to read the next book.
First let me be clear, I love first contact books. I enjoy the interactions and the descriptions and all the possibilities contained in the stories. This has to be one of the best first contacts I’ve ever read. These characters are some of my favorite people, and I cannot wait to read the next book.
February 5, 2015
This book was very slow and plodding. I was about half way through the book before the author revealed the story line. Up until that point it was verbose with descriptions of people and procedures on the space ship, and on land.
The purpose of the space voyage was describes as going to an unoccupied area of space to test a weapon. Then it was to go to another area and clear up a dispute between planets that are members of the alliance of planets. And finally the ship was to try to make first contact with a new alien species.
Now what was not clear was how certain people were considered alien and others were not. But that aside, the story line of the book, in MY opinion, could have been done in about three or four chapters. The rest is what I call fluff; stuff that's nice to know but does not move the story forward. In my opinion the author went down too many "rabbit trails".
I was also disappointed at the end of the book when it just stopped with no further explanation, like a post-log or something. But I think the reason for that is the author is setting up the readers to read his next book in the series.
The purpose of the space voyage was describes as going to an unoccupied area of space to test a weapon. Then it was to go to another area and clear up a dispute between planets that are members of the alliance of planets. And finally the ship was to try to make first contact with a new alien species.
Now what was not clear was how certain people were considered alien and others were not. But that aside, the story line of the book, in MY opinion, could have been done in about three or four chapters. The rest is what I call fluff; stuff that's nice to know but does not move the story forward. In my opinion the author went down too many "rabbit trails".
I was also disappointed at the end of the book when it just stopped with no further explanation, like a post-log or something. But I think the reason for that is the author is setting up the readers to read his next book in the series.
December 14, 2016
Very Captivating Story
Love the story. It grabbed me and held me to the point that I wanted to read it through in one sitting, at the same time lamenting reaching the end and having to leave Alex and his crew. The writing, though, was a bit hard at times. I had to stop and re-read many sentences, often having to add a word or two to clarify their meaning. Also, on multiple occasions, names were switched around, making me stop and re-read sections until I realized the name switch must have been an accident. I had the impression that the prose could have used just a bit more proof-reading and editing. Overall though, I love the storyline. I started with a free sample of XD:317, then bought it's full version and the two previous books and read them in order without much break. I am definitely looking forward to further adventures of the Fourth Fleet Irregulars
Love the story. It grabbed me and held me to the point that I wanted to read it through in one sitting, at the same time lamenting reaching the end and having to leave Alex and his crew. The writing, though, was a bit hard at times. I had to stop and re-read many sentences, often having to add a word or two to clarify their meaning. Also, on multiple occasions, names were switched around, making me stop and re-read sections until I realized the name switch must have been an accident. I had the impression that the prose could have used just a bit more proof-reading and editing. Overall though, I love the storyline. I started with a free sample of XD:317, then bought it's full version and the two previous books and read them in order without much break. I am definitely looking forward to further adventures of the Fourth Fleet Irregulars
November 2, 2015
Yet again Mac Donald astounds me. The "Fourth Fleet" series is just a wonderful science fiction story with Alex joining us again with an Alien Princess who is joining up with the Heron. In this story Mac Donald instantly captivated me with the concept of blowing up planets and an alien princess who wants to leave her world. after the crew gets over the whole "Alien" thing they interact well with her and they start off on a journey to destroy a planet, hopefully shoot a few starseekers and have a fun game of "trip" as crew traverses around the galaxy. This book is thoroughly longer than most of Mac's books but still has the wonderful outlook as if its only a few weeks. Yet many months pass by Mac has crafted the book to be excellent.
October 11, 2019
Fourth Fleet Irregulars......
An extremely well written sci_fi series that is technologically reminiscent of Weber, that has a distinctly Brit/Aussie flavor to it in the story telling.
Set in the far distant future, after a disastrous downfall of civilization, humanity is well on the way to interstellar recovery but with a great fear of other races. The Fleet has its hands full!
Three volumes so far....and I sincerely hope that SJ MacDonald keeps them coming. 5 Stars, absolutely.
An extremely well written sci_fi series that is technologically reminiscent of Weber, that has a distinctly Brit/Aussie flavor to it in the story telling.
Set in the far distant future, after a disastrous downfall of civilization, humanity is well on the way to interstellar recovery but with a great fear of other races. The Fleet has its hands full!
Three volumes so far....and I sincerely hope that SJ MacDonald keeps them coming. 5 Stars, absolutely.
May 8, 2014
This is the third book in the Fourth Fleet Irregulars series, and I don't say this lightly when I saw it's even better than the other two books, both of which I rated 5/5.
It's longer than the other two, and visits many more areas in the universe than the other books. I really enjoyed it, and if you've enjoyed the other two books, this is a must buy
It's longer than the other two, and visits many more areas in the universe than the other books. I really enjoyed it, and if you've enjoyed the other two books, this is a must buy
November 15, 2015
Great series
Once again I have enjoyed reading the adventures of the crew of the Herron. This book has them making first contact with aliens. We see Alex run into a few problems with people who just want to cause him and his crew issues. But I will be interesting to see how the next book continues.
Once again I have enjoyed reading the adventures of the crew of the Herron. This book has them making first contact with aliens. We see Alex run into a few problems with people who just want to cause him and his crew issues. But I will be interesting to see how the next book continues.
July 4, 2016
The misadventures continue
No matter what he dose von Stubbing runs into misadventures that turn out for the better. Political, diplomatic, and sensitive are the normal for him and his crew. Great space opera with plenty of action and adventure.
No matter what he dose von Stubbing runs into misadventures that turn out for the better. Political, diplomatic, and sensitive are the normal for him and his crew. Great space opera with plenty of action and adventure.
March 1, 2021
Getting better and better, one of the best thing is the optimism, general goodness of people (with lots of deserved scorn on politicians), and open vision of the future.
With all the distopian future stories lots of sf writers produce lately, it is a refreshing breath of clean air.
With all the distopian future stories lots of sf writers produce lately, it is a refreshing breath of clean air.
December 3, 2014
Its a great read. Its better than David Weber Honor Series for sure.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews