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Empire Rising #19
Battle of The Wilds
The Second Karacknid War has begun. Tens of thousands of Karacknid warships are pouring south into The Wilds. Their goal is simple; breach the system of Human border forts and strike at Earth. Led by Imperator Tanaka-lan, their numbers are overwhelming, and his tactical skill is second to none.
Emperor Somerville and the Imperial Fleet have no other choice, they must move out and meet Tanaka-lan in The Wilds. While Jonathan and others seek to raid the Karacknid battlefleets’ supply lines, James faces them head on. Across an area more than a thousand light years long and wide, he must use his fleet’s speed and flexibility to try and blunt and slow the Karacknids’ relentless advance.
For twenty-five years Humanity has been preparing for the war they always knew was coming. Now their defenses will be tested to the breaking point, and Humanity’s best commanders will be put to the ultimate test.
Battle of the Wilds is book 19 in the Empire Rising series and continues the Second Karacknid War arc.
Emperor Somerville and the Imperial Fleet have no other choice, they must move out and meet Tanaka-lan in The Wilds. While Jonathan and others seek to raid the Karacknid battlefleets’ supply lines, James faces them head on. Across an area more than a thousand light years long and wide, he must use his fleet’s speed and flexibility to try and blunt and slow the Karacknids’ relentless advance.
For twenty-five years Humanity has been preparing for the war they always knew was coming. Now their defenses will be tested to the breaking point, and Humanity’s best commanders will be put to the ultimate test.
Battle of the Wilds is book 19 in the Empire Rising series and continues the Second Karacknid War arc.
- GenresScience Fiction
726 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 13, 2024
209 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
April 15, 2024
Good!
So, this series has always had a number of issues. 19 books in, and honestly, you'd think they'd get better, but they don't.
Inaccurate numbers of missiles, ships, number of missiles per torpedo, or multi stage missile. Whatever it is is usually wrong. We started the book with a new torpedo style weapon being introduced. It was stated that they launched 4 antimatter missiles when they reached attack range. Almost immediately, every other interaction with this weapon system was shown as only firing 3. This is the same issue we ran into a number of times in earlier books when the mark -whatever- missiles were introduced. Being told they deployed one number, while every other interaction showed a varying number.
The number of ships in a given fleet should be taken with a grain of salt. The number is whatever the author deems is convenient at the time. For example, early on, Johnathan was leading a squad of 340 odd ships, and in the very next instance, numbers were mentioned, all of a sudden, it was only 220 odd.
There were a number of different grammatical errors that really shouldn't have made it through editing.
Even though this review is mostly negative, I love this story and this series. It is up there as one of my favorite series. I always look forward to the date the next book is released.
So, this series has always had a number of issues. 19 books in, and honestly, you'd think they'd get better, but they don't.
Inaccurate numbers of missiles, ships, number of missiles per torpedo, or multi stage missile. Whatever it is is usually wrong. We started the book with a new torpedo style weapon being introduced. It was stated that they launched 4 antimatter missiles when they reached attack range. Almost immediately, every other interaction with this weapon system was shown as only firing 3. This is the same issue we ran into a number of times in earlier books when the mark -whatever- missiles were introduced. Being told they deployed one number, while every other interaction showed a varying number.
The number of ships in a given fleet should be taken with a grain of salt. The number is whatever the author deems is convenient at the time. For example, early on, Johnathan was leading a squad of 340 odd ships, and in the very next instance, numbers were mentioned, all of a sudden, it was only 220 odd.
There were a number of different grammatical errors that really shouldn't have made it through editing.
Even though this review is mostly negative, I love this story and this series. It is up there as one of my favorite series. I always look forward to the date the next book is released.
June 15, 2024
Battle of the Wilds (Empire Rising #19)
D.J. Holmes
726 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 13, 2024
Genres: Science Fiction, Military Fiction
Subgenres: Military Science Fiction
Battle of the Wilds is the nineteenth book in the Empire Rising series by D.J. Holmes. The book serial chronicles the rise of humanity’s Imperial Empire about 400 years in the future and follows the story of James Somerville and his family over the course of decades.
If you managed to read the nineteenth book in this military science fiction series then you know the Second Karacknid War is underway. There are plenty of twists and turns, millions of salvos and horizons of blue, antimatter flashes. I discount other reviews citing the inconsistency missile types, the number of ships, etc. If you’re a fan of the genre and D.J. Holmes, then it makes no difference.
Ever the underdog, Humanity always seems to be on the blink of elimination. This constant state of survival and needed resourcefulness is what makes the series brilliant. Everyone likes the plight of an underdog. Mr. Holmes draws out the emotional ups and downs through the fate of some familiar characters. I admit that after 19 books, I’ve developed a fondness for some of the characters.
I give this book a 5-star review because I was entertained and kept turning the pages. I enjoyed the suspense and the interwoven storylines. On the surface, Battle of the Wilds may seem like another interstellar battle. However, the series has a more subtle story of honor, duty and family. It’s a pleasure to witness the coming of age for the Somerville siblings. The Empire Rising is an enjoyable journey
Reviewed by @SCIFI_GREGORIO (Greg)
• https://www.instagram.com/scifi_grego...
• I will do ARC Reviews.
D.J. Holmes
726 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 13, 2024
Genres: Science Fiction, Military Fiction
Subgenres: Military Science Fiction
Battle of the Wilds is the nineteenth book in the Empire Rising series by D.J. Holmes. The book serial chronicles the rise of humanity’s Imperial Empire about 400 years in the future and follows the story of James Somerville and his family over the course of decades.
If you managed to read the nineteenth book in this military science fiction series then you know the Second Karacknid War is underway. There are plenty of twists and turns, millions of salvos and horizons of blue, antimatter flashes. I discount other reviews citing the inconsistency missile types, the number of ships, etc. If you’re a fan of the genre and D.J. Holmes, then it makes no difference.
Ever the underdog, Humanity always seems to be on the blink of elimination. This constant state of survival and needed resourcefulness is what makes the series brilliant. Everyone likes the plight of an underdog. Mr. Holmes draws out the emotional ups and downs through the fate of some familiar characters. I admit that after 19 books, I’ve developed a fondness for some of the characters.
I give this book a 5-star review because I was entertained and kept turning the pages. I enjoyed the suspense and the interwoven storylines. On the surface, Battle of the Wilds may seem like another interstellar battle. However, the series has a more subtle story of honor, duty and family. It’s a pleasure to witness the coming of age for the Somerville siblings. The Empire Rising is an enjoyable journey
Reviewed by @SCIFI_GREGORIO (Greg)
• https://www.instagram.com/scifi_grego...
• I will do ARC Reviews.
April 25, 2024
This war and this story might have been going on way too long. I found it somewhat hard to slog through all the space battles depicted in this book. It seems like we were just finished with Emperor/Admiral Somerville fighting the Karacknids and now we’re back doing the same thing. Only this time, James and Christine’s children are in the fighting. It has been 25 years since the last Karacknid war and the Karacknids have been fighting a civil war most all of that time. Yet here they are back, just months from finishing that civil war with an armada of a hundred-thousand ships.
On the other hand, the Human Empire doesn’t seem to have done much of anything. They’ve developed a few new weapons and done some static fort building along the border, but they haven’t apparently come close to building the kind of war assets that the Karacknids suddenly have. I find the amount of starships the Karacknids can field now and the lack of starships the Human Empire can field totally out of kilter with what’s previously been happening. James Somerville knew the Karacknids were coming for his Empire as soon as they settled their civil war. He and his staff watched the civil war in fairly great detail, but didn’t seem to raise the necessary alarms throughout his empire. Now they are caught in perilous conditions that could very well see the end of the Human Empire!
He has sent Admiral Becket to the opposite side of the Karacknid Empire to see if she could possibly draw some of his advancing forces away. And to top it off, Admiral Becket, under James and Christine’s orders, actually starts this war with the Karacknids! I don’t know if that was a smart more or not. You’ll have to read the book to find out.
At least James and Christine have gotten Jonathan, their eldest son and heir to the thrown back with James’ fleet. He had wondered around far inside Karacknid space ambushing supply convoys until his small fleet was almost wiped out. If it wasn’t for a timely meet-up with another Human Empire fleet, he would have lost all of his ships and probably gotten killed himself.
Back to the forts that have been built. There’s apparently two layers. The outer layer is where James plans to meet Tanaka-Ian if he can’t defeat him in the Wilds. Due to James’ apparent lack of intelligence about Tanaka-Ian huge build up of ships, which is strange in itself, he really has no chance of defeating the Karacknids in the Wilds or anywhere else. James has called in every ship his Empire and all of his Allies can muster, but it’s not going to be enough. Tanaka-Ian has done some interesting improvements in his war-fighting abilities fielding siege cannons and a new starfighter equal to or better than the humans have fielded. In 25 years, James’ scientists haven’t come up with anything that extends the range of his missiles or makes his ships any more deadly than they were in the previous war.
So, again, slogging through a lot, and I mean a lot of space battles requires a lot of mental imagery that really tires a reader out. It’s not like we can see what’s happening via a huge display on the command bridge of the flag ship. But, it does give you the understanding that, in this book, the Human Empire and Emperor/Admiral James Somerville are going to be thoroughly defeated. Does James lose his life? That’s the big question. What about him losing his son, Jonathan, his heir. You’d think there would be some consideration to getting him out of the combat area, but that probably isn’t going to happen.
We’re left with a lot of question unanswered in this book. I guess that guarantees another book in the series, but I don’t think I like the title. “Empire’s End” (book 20) is not even announced on Amazon and won’t be available until 15 August 2024 so we have awhile to wonder what the hell is going to happen?
On the other hand, the Human Empire doesn’t seem to have done much of anything. They’ve developed a few new weapons and done some static fort building along the border, but they haven’t apparently come close to building the kind of war assets that the Karacknids suddenly have. I find the amount of starships the Karacknids can field now and the lack of starships the Human Empire can field totally out of kilter with what’s previously been happening. James Somerville knew the Karacknids were coming for his Empire as soon as they settled their civil war. He and his staff watched the civil war in fairly great detail, but didn’t seem to raise the necessary alarms throughout his empire. Now they are caught in perilous conditions that could very well see the end of the Human Empire!
He has sent Admiral Becket to the opposite side of the Karacknid Empire to see if she could possibly draw some of his advancing forces away. And to top it off, Admiral Becket, under James and Christine’s orders, actually starts this war with the Karacknids! I don’t know if that was a smart more or not. You’ll have to read the book to find out.
At least James and Christine have gotten Jonathan, their eldest son and heir to the thrown back with James’ fleet. He had wondered around far inside Karacknid space ambushing supply convoys until his small fleet was almost wiped out. If it wasn’t for a timely meet-up with another Human Empire fleet, he would have lost all of his ships and probably gotten killed himself.
Back to the forts that have been built. There’s apparently two layers. The outer layer is where James plans to meet Tanaka-Ian if he can’t defeat him in the Wilds. Due to James’ apparent lack of intelligence about Tanaka-Ian huge build up of ships, which is strange in itself, he really has no chance of defeating the Karacknids in the Wilds or anywhere else. James has called in every ship his Empire and all of his Allies can muster, but it’s not going to be enough. Tanaka-Ian has done some interesting improvements in his war-fighting abilities fielding siege cannons and a new starfighter equal to or better than the humans have fielded. In 25 years, James’ scientists haven’t come up with anything that extends the range of his missiles or makes his ships any more deadly than they were in the previous war.
So, again, slogging through a lot, and I mean a lot of space battles requires a lot of mental imagery that really tires a reader out. It’s not like we can see what’s happening via a huge display on the command bridge of the flag ship. But, it does give you the understanding that, in this book, the Human Empire and Emperor/Admiral James Somerville are going to be thoroughly defeated. Does James lose his life? That’s the big question. What about him losing his son, Jonathan, his heir. You’d think there would be some consideration to getting him out of the combat area, but that probably isn’t going to happen.
We’re left with a lot of question unanswered in this book. I guess that guarantees another book in the series, but I don’t think I like the title. “Empire’s End” (book 20) is not even announced on Amazon and won’t be available until 15 August 2024 so we have awhile to wonder what the hell is going to happen?
July 30, 2024
Marvel fatigue
You know how every new Marvel movie feels less and less compelling because when every movie is a universe ending threat…you just can’t take the universe seriously anymore? It’s kinda like that with Empire rising
Don’t get me wrong, the action is thrilling, the villain is compelling, and the writing is spectacular, but its overall narrative is starting to get irritating.
Each chapter of the book opens with a quote from an in universe history novel from centuries after the events that unfold. So we know humanity doesn’t get destroyed or enslaved. So I get that the author is under pressure then to write the stakes to make us feel afraid. But my God does it start to get formulaic after the 19th book.
I was hoping that after the first Karacknid war that humanity would mature past the stage of being such an underdog that every major conflict could wipe it out. We know from the first books that the story IS still interesting when it isn’t an existential level threat. Yet how many times is humanity going to fight a defensive war, lose almost the ENTIRETY of its fleet, have its colonies ravaged, only for a last minute ex machina swoop in and miraculously end the war despite the entire military being completely wiped out?
Humanity at this point has fought so many war with what appears to be 90% casualties that even Soviet Commissars would complain that it’s a colossal waste of life. Hell, the losses are so damn complete one wonders how humanity even HAS veteran navy personnel to begin with.
And the title of the next book doesn’t exactly give me hope about the empire bucking this trend. Please please please…let the empire be an EMPIRE and actually fight a war where it doesnt see its entire fucking fighting force and be reduced to guerrilla tactics to save the nation…FOR THE THRID TIME. Why even make humanity a big shot empire in this universe if you’re going to insist on reducing it to total ruin with only a handful of ships to save the day every time it encounters a significant problem. It’s such a waste of a concept, you could have just kept humanity to a single system fighting as a minor nation in much larger conflicts if you wanted to write a story about underdogs who are THIS DEEP UNDER. Instead you stretch the narrative beyond the confines of credulity, constantly destroying the ever loving god out of a much larger nation repeatedly, only for it to MIRACULOUSLY BE REBUILT.
I love this series, but despite so many lovingly crafted references to real history and naval battles so clearly inspired by WW2 fleet engagements, the overall narrative of the series sees the empire destroyed more times than any nation in history, more than any nation could possibly survive and claim to be the same nation. Imagine if two thirds of the major conflicts America has fought since independence ended with more than half its territory occupied, 90% of its military personnel dead, and the final battle being fought over the ruins of Washington D.C. Realistically it would be a miracle if it rebuilt the first time, but TWICE? And no looking at a third? I really hope it’s not going the way I think it’s going
You know how every new Marvel movie feels less and less compelling because when every movie is a universe ending threat…you just can’t take the universe seriously anymore? It’s kinda like that with Empire rising
Don’t get me wrong, the action is thrilling, the villain is compelling, and the writing is spectacular, but its overall narrative is starting to get irritating.
Each chapter of the book opens with a quote from an in universe history novel from centuries after the events that unfold. So we know humanity doesn’t get destroyed or enslaved. So I get that the author is under pressure then to write the stakes to make us feel afraid. But my God does it start to get formulaic after the 19th book.
I was hoping that after the first Karacknid war that humanity would mature past the stage of being such an underdog that every major conflict could wipe it out. We know from the first books that the story IS still interesting when it isn’t an existential level threat. Yet how many times is humanity going to fight a defensive war, lose almost the ENTIRETY of its fleet, have its colonies ravaged, only for a last minute ex machina swoop in and miraculously end the war despite the entire military being completely wiped out?
Humanity at this point has fought so many war with what appears to be 90% casualties that even Soviet Commissars would complain that it’s a colossal waste of life. Hell, the losses are so damn complete one wonders how humanity even HAS veteran navy personnel to begin with.
And the title of the next book doesn’t exactly give me hope about the empire bucking this trend. Please please please…let the empire be an EMPIRE and actually fight a war where it doesnt see its entire fucking fighting force and be reduced to guerrilla tactics to save the nation…FOR THE THRID TIME. Why even make humanity a big shot empire in this universe if you’re going to insist on reducing it to total ruin with only a handful of ships to save the day every time it encounters a significant problem. It’s such a waste of a concept, you could have just kept humanity to a single system fighting as a minor nation in much larger conflicts if you wanted to write a story about underdogs who are THIS DEEP UNDER. Instead you stretch the narrative beyond the confines of credulity, constantly destroying the ever loving god out of a much larger nation repeatedly, only for it to MIRACULOUSLY BE REBUILT.
I love this series, but despite so many lovingly crafted references to real history and naval battles so clearly inspired by WW2 fleet engagements, the overall narrative of the series sees the empire destroyed more times than any nation in history, more than any nation could possibly survive and claim to be the same nation. Imagine if two thirds of the major conflicts America has fought since independence ended with more than half its territory occupied, 90% of its military personnel dead, and the final battle being fought over the ruins of Washington D.C. Realistically it would be a miracle if it rebuilt the first time, but TWICE? And no looking at a third? I really hope it’s not going the way I think it’s going
November 22, 2025
I am blown away
Mr. Holmes has not just created a new world, or even a new solar system, but rather an entire new Universe complete with multiple solar systems populated with sentient species.
And in the middle of this, je has crrsyrf this epic conflict between the Karaknid species and everyone else.
What completely blows me away is how well thought out this series is.
Not only does Mr. Holmes truly understand battle tactics, buy he does so in three domensions as one would if he had decades of experience fighting battles in SPACE.
Even more amazing is that this huge story was planned out so well in advance! The characters, the tech, the civilizations...
I'm about to start book 20 and have huge respect for this fine author!
Mr. Holmes has not just created a new world, or even a new solar system, but rather an entire new Universe complete with multiple solar systems populated with sentient species.
And in the middle of this, je has crrsyrf this epic conflict between the Karaknid species and everyone else.
What completely blows me away is how well thought out this series is.
Not only does Mr. Holmes truly understand battle tactics, buy he does so in three domensions as one would if he had decades of experience fighting battles in SPACE.
Even more amazing is that this huge story was planned out so well in advance! The characters, the tech, the civilizations...
I'm about to start book 20 and have huge respect for this fine author!
October 2, 2024
Monotonous but endurable
Although many details are different and some new storylines have developed, the basis of this series has repeated with almost every book, and the author has thought that the increase of the number of ships and missiles has made the story more griping, it hasn't. In many ways, the characters have changed, but the story has just been recycled over and over again and again.
I really enjoy reading multi- book series. That way, I don't have to read through a quarter of the book to be introduced to the characters and set up the base of the story. I think this series has broken me from reading any series this long ever again.
Although many details are different and some new storylines have developed, the basis of this series has repeated with almost every book, and the author has thought that the increase of the number of ships and missiles has made the story more griping, it hasn't. In many ways, the characters have changed, but the story has just been recycled over and over again and again.
I really enjoy reading multi- book series. That way, I don't have to read through a quarter of the book to be introduced to the characters and set up the base of the story. I think this series has broken me from reading any series this long ever again.
April 9, 2024
A really great book with great characters of the Summerville family and their friends. I love the evil Tanaka-lan is a scary character and evil foe. I love how the Holmes gives him life and makes him a believable foe. The battles, science behind the battles and the weapons are first rate. The only ding I can give is the missiles with the pumped lasers or pumped glazer beams, which is it? I can see pumped lasers? You need to explain that weapon in more detail? The particle beam weapons, the direct energy weapons are very believable! Also, who does Edward end up with as his girlfriend?
April 6, 2025
lives for large numbers
(Spoilers) As per usual, a Somerville saves the day, familiar heroes are killed and the Emperor falls to despair only to regain hope. The huge numbers mentioned are tedious by now as well as the heroic save. I like the hard science aspects which are refreshing, but reading the books that follow a set pattern is pedantic. Almost gave it two stars because it is so repetitive.
(Spoilers) As per usual, a Somerville saves the day, familiar heroes are killed and the Emperor falls to despair only to regain hope. The huge numbers mentioned are tedious by now as well as the heroic save. I like the hard science aspects which are refreshing, but reading the books that follow a set pattern is pedantic. Almost gave it two stars because it is so repetitive.
August 6, 2025
Great read.
This book was a great read , it had a lot of things going on in it and for you action junkies there was plenty of battle action . The book was nonstop action with space battle after space battle unfolded and at the end is where the massive battle begins with some surprise help showing up just in time to save the fleet. Read the series and I think you will enjoy it as much as I have.
This book was a great read , it had a lot of things going on in it and for you action junkies there was plenty of battle action . The book was nonstop action with space battle after space battle unfolded and at the end is where the massive battle begins with some surprise help showing up just in time to save the fleet. Read the series and I think you will enjoy it as much as I have.
April 7, 2024
Business as usual
If you're still gripped by a story nineteen books in then it's a good story.
If you still find yourself unsure just who's actually going to survive the latest book, then it's a great story.
None stop action over the vast expanse of the galaxy, but it never feels as if Holmes has lost control. Can't wait for the next one.
If you're still gripped by a story nineteen books in then it's a good story.
If you still find yourself unsure just who's actually going to survive the latest book, then it's a great story.
None stop action over the vast expanse of the galaxy, but it never feels as if Holmes has lost control. Can't wait for the next one.
May 23, 2024
I'm writing this review because there's a significant discrepancy between this and the previous book that I hope someone else can comment on. In the last book, Emily was blinded by Tanaka-Lan. Yet in this book we have this: "Tanaka-lan grinned in satisfaction as he glanced at his prisoner. Tears were running down her cheek out of the one eye that wasn’t swollen shut. “This is just the beginning,” he snarled at her. He then stared at her, almost goading her to give him a defiant look, but she didn’t even turn his way."
How can she "give him a defiant look" if she's blind?
Otherwise, I found this book a slog through interminable battle scenes that I just skimmed through. Yet I keep reading because there are some interesting plots that I'd like to see how they progress.
How can she "give him a defiant look" if she's blind?
Otherwise, I found this book a slog through interminable battle scenes that I just skimmed through. Yet I keep reading because there are some interesting plots that I'd like to see how they progress.
June 18, 2024
Good continuation of the series
Loved the book, great to see development in characters.
Needs some more proof reading though as inconsistencies between fleet numbers after actions and strikes but doesn't ruin the read.
Also a bit easy to predict what would happen at points but it's all leading up to a big ending. Can't have certain things happen too soon.
Loved the book, great to see development in characters.
Needs some more proof reading though as inconsistencies between fleet numbers after actions and strikes but doesn't ruin the read.
Also a bit easy to predict what would happen at points but it's all leading up to a big ending. Can't have certain things happen too soon.
October 12, 2025
great plot, great editing errors
Another book in the series, which still keeps me entertained with engaging characters and stories.
The editing errors abound, breadth in place of breath, characters’ name mixed up.
Nothing drastic, just annoying, jarring and easily fixable if an editor did some work before the publish button was pressed.
Another book in the series, which still keeps me entertained with engaging characters and stories.
The editing errors abound, breadth in place of breath, characters’ name mixed up.
Nothing drastic, just annoying, jarring and easily fixable if an editor did some work before the publish button was pressed.
March 21, 2024
Fun read
It's more of the same, but that's what I want. No other author can depict space battles as well as Mr Holmes. I appreciate the detailed mind he has. Looking forward to the next one and any other series he may author
It's more of the same, but that's what I want. No other author can depict space battles as well as Mr Holmes. I appreciate the detailed mind he has. Looking forward to the next one and any other series he may author
March 21, 2024
A good book and series.
Has good layering of intrigue between the unwinding threads and also a plot that feels reasonable to what the author has created. Now to wait for the next book.
Has good layering of intrigue between the unwinding threads and also a plot that feels reasonable to what the author has created. Now to wait for the next book.
Read
April 1, 2024Great read!
I have never read a book with this magnitude of ships in space battles, the author weathered that storm admirably, well done, now I just have too .and it to august 2024 for the next one!
I have never read a book with this magnitude of ships in space battles, the author weathered that storm admirably, well done, now I just have too .and it to august 2024 for the next one!
April 8, 2024
A gripping continuation of the series
Spoiler alert, a cliffhanger awaits, which I don't usually like. Now I am gonna have to buy the next book in the series to see what happens, but overall, the book was good...
Spoiler alert, a cliffhanger awaits, which I don't usually like. Now I am gonna have to buy the next book in the series to see what happens, but overall, the book was good...
April 9, 2024
totally worth reading
Once again, it’s another great book in the series. Love the progression of the story. Lots of characters lost with new ones coming to the fore. Can’t wait for the next book, but really, not until August? Oh well, I’m sure it will be worth the wait.
Once again, it’s another great book in the series. Love the progression of the story. Lots of characters lost with new ones coming to the fore. Can’t wait for the next book, but really, not until August? Oh well, I’m sure it will be worth the wait.
May 5, 2024
War on an immense scale
Absolutely amazing military sci-fi action.
Great characters with realistic situations and lots of action.
Enough deaths to make David Gemmel happy. If you are going to die, make sure you die well!
I look forward to the next one.
Absolutely amazing military sci-fi action.
Great characters with realistic situations and lots of action.
Enough deaths to make David Gemmel happy. If you are going to die, make sure you die well!
I look forward to the next one.
June 19, 2025
Too long and too depressing
I will probably get the next book as I expect (hope) the good guys have more success. I like this series but could not finish this book. It was too long and too depressing.
I will probably get the next book as I expect (hope) the good guys have more success. I like this series but could not finish this book. It was too long and too depressing.
March 31, 2024
Great story. Terrible loss but hope still alive.
Terrible loss of lives. Hope still shining, the spirit to still fight is strong. Looking forward to the next book.
Terrible loss of lives. Hope still shining, the spirit to still fight is strong. Looking forward to the next book.
April 6, 2024
Griping
Can not wait for the next instalment keep it up. Earth must not fall onwards to go victory. Got excited there😇
Can not wait for the next instalment keep it up. Earth must not fall onwards to go victory. Got excited there😇
April 10, 2024
Long
If you like War and Peace or Encyclopedia Britannica you'll probably like this. I've read all these books and they seem to get longer with each book.
If you like War and Peace or Encyclopedia Britannica you'll probably like this. I've read all these books and they seem to get longer with each book.
May 8, 2024
Engrossing
One of the best series I've read well done looking forward to the next one to be spellbound again yes
One of the best series I've read well done looking forward to the next one to be spellbound again yes
May 26, 2024
the story continues
I enjoy reading this series. Many plots and interesting characters and I especially like the lack of profanity and sex.
I enjoy reading this series. Many plots and interesting characters and I especially like the lack of profanity and sex.
October 1, 2024
Just a super book
What a great read this is really an exciting series I highly recommend you try from book 1 all the way through it's just excellent
What a great read this is really an exciting series I highly recommend you try from book 1 all the way through it's just excellent
November 19, 2024
Wow
It’s amazing that the story is still going strong after 19 books. It’s a tribute to the writer story telling!
It’s amazing that the story is still going strong after 19 books. It’s a tribute to the writer story telling!
January 8, 2025
Space Opera at its best
A great series of books that often keeps you frustratingly on the edge of your seat, great fun read, can’t wait to read more.
A great series of books that often keeps you frustratingly on the edge of your seat, great fun read, can’t wait to read more.
August 11, 2024
good read
I’ve really enjoyed this series,and look forward to the next installment, I just wished it kept a few more of the players alive.
I’ve really enjoyed this series,and look forward to the next installment, I just wished it kept a few more of the players alive.
April 22, 2024
Unlike the other two series from which I last reviewed books, this one is still going strong.
This is my kind of space opera. Huge space battles. Well written and plausible science, heroes, competent military commanders, well done characters etc. etc…
One thing that I really like with this book is that the political leadership of The Empire may be political beasts but they are not completely corrupt assholes like a certain administration in the real world today. When danger calls they all do what is necessary for their nation.
The story continues and the Karacknids are advancing again after having resolved their internal “differences”.
Of course previously mentioned politicians have been a tad shortsighted before, they are politicians after all, so The Empire is in a bit of a pickle.
Well, I do not want to spoil things but this is very good military soap opera thus it involves space battles as I wrote but also preparations, strategy, scouting, alliances and so on and so forth.
All in all, a very good book. Not quite five stars but a solid four star one.
This is my kind of space opera. Huge space battles. Well written and plausible science, heroes, competent military commanders, well done characters etc. etc…
One thing that I really like with this book is that the political leadership of The Empire may be political beasts but they are not completely corrupt assholes like a certain administration in the real world today. When danger calls they all do what is necessary for their nation.
The story continues and the Karacknids are advancing again after having resolved their internal “differences”.
Of course previously mentioned politicians have been a tad shortsighted before, they are politicians after all, so The Empire is in a bit of a pickle.
Well, I do not want to spoil things but this is very good military soap opera thus it involves space battles as I wrote but also preparations, strategy, scouting, alliances and so on and so forth.
All in all, a very good book. Not quite five stars but a solid four star one.
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