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USS Hamilton #9
USS Washington: The Black Ship
"Okay, this one was fricken Un-Put-Downable!" Ethan Montgomery
In the dying embers of an interstellar war, newly appointed Fleet Commander Galvin Quintos stands as humanity's last hope, staring down the maw of oblivion. Entrusted with the technological marvel, Omninought-Class warship, USS Washington, Quintos embarks on a campaign to engage the merciless Grish Empire's three formidable armadas—Prowess, Torrent, and Pinnacle.
Outnumbered and outgunned, Quintos leads the battered vessels of Alpha Fleet in a desperate bid to avert Earth’s Armageddon. But in the heart of galactic conflict, Chaplain Halman Trent, a cunning predator disguised in piety, preys upon the vulnerable, especially the alluring Petty Officer Aubrey Laramie. With whispers of comfort, he exploits her inner turmoil and fuels her darkest desires. All too soon, Trent's influence expands, casting a dark shadow over the entire ship and crew.
Things go from bad to worse; in a devastating technological catastrophe, a merciless twist of fate may have doomed XO Gail Pristy to her final gasps, ruthlessly stripping away any chance she has to survive. Will Quintos find the strength to confront his deepest emotions while knowing it’s a fight that’s come too late?
Forced to split forces, it’s time to bring the fight to the enemy's doorstep, zero hour has arrived for Quintos and his crew. Orders from Breach the impenetrable 50 Star Gun bulwarks guarding the Grish star system—a defensive gauntlet that has thwarted every allied force before them. There's no sugar-coating it; this is a suicide run that cannot be survived but may just buy precious time for Alpha Fleet light-years away.
Pre-Release
Masterful
Got an early copy of USS Washington. I gotta say, the story was pretty epic. There’s a lot going on, but Mark McGinnis does a masterful job of juggling different storylines, without getting tangled up. Captain Quintos is in top form. And Hardy is, as always, well, my favorite. - Kevin D.
Space Fleet, Battles, and Innovation
USS Washington, the Black Ship kind of blew me away. I’m a simple guy who loves a good story. The author did not let me down. I enjoy BV Larson and other similar authors, and McGinnis is right up there. I like the author’s humor and the time he takes to develop his characters. I’ll be reading more of the USS Hamilton series, and his other books. Hooked. – Marcus
Hardy Rocks
I was afraid that Hardy was still lost in space, but he’s back. I love the camaraderie between Quintos and the ChronoBot. The scenes between them and the rest of the crew are somehow believable, even though the scenarios are far from ordinary. I’m in awe of the author’s imagination. Thanks for the pre-release book. Hats off to you, for a phenomenal space opera sci-fi novel. – Leslie O.
WOW
I did not know what to expect. I get many books before their release date, so this was just another one to read in my spare time. I love science fiction, particularly military sci-fi. I read Craig Alanson, James Corey, Vaugh Heppner, and others. Mark McGinnis is a nice blend of all of them. Irreverent humor, creative technology, out-of-the-box aliens, incredible space battles, and more. So, I ended up reading the whole book in a day, much to the frustration of my wife. But I told her about the book, and now she wants to read it. – Richard E.
In the dying embers of an interstellar war, newly appointed Fleet Commander Galvin Quintos stands as humanity's last hope, staring down the maw of oblivion. Entrusted with the technological marvel, Omninought-Class warship, USS Washington, Quintos embarks on a campaign to engage the merciless Grish Empire's three formidable armadas—Prowess, Torrent, and Pinnacle.
Outnumbered and outgunned, Quintos leads the battered vessels of Alpha Fleet in a desperate bid to avert Earth’s Armageddon. But in the heart of galactic conflict, Chaplain Halman Trent, a cunning predator disguised in piety, preys upon the vulnerable, especially the alluring Petty Officer Aubrey Laramie. With whispers of comfort, he exploits her inner turmoil and fuels her darkest desires. All too soon, Trent's influence expands, casting a dark shadow over the entire ship and crew.
Things go from bad to worse; in a devastating technological catastrophe, a merciless twist of fate may have doomed XO Gail Pristy to her final gasps, ruthlessly stripping away any chance she has to survive. Will Quintos find the strength to confront his deepest emotions while knowing it’s a fight that’s come too late?
Forced to split forces, it’s time to bring the fight to the enemy's doorstep, zero hour has arrived for Quintos and his crew. Orders from Breach the impenetrable 50 Star Gun bulwarks guarding the Grish star system—a defensive gauntlet that has thwarted every allied force before them. There's no sugar-coating it; this is a suicide run that cannot be survived but may just buy precious time for Alpha Fleet light-years away.
Pre-Release
Masterful
Got an early copy of USS Washington. I gotta say, the story was pretty epic. There’s a lot going on, but Mark McGinnis does a masterful job of juggling different storylines, without getting tangled up. Captain Quintos is in top form. And Hardy is, as always, well, my favorite. - Kevin D.
Space Fleet, Battles, and Innovation
USS Washington, the Black Ship kind of blew me away. I’m a simple guy who loves a good story. The author did not let me down. I enjoy BV Larson and other similar authors, and McGinnis is right up there. I like the author’s humor and the time he takes to develop his characters. I’ll be reading more of the USS Hamilton series, and his other books. Hooked. – Marcus
Hardy Rocks
I was afraid that Hardy was still lost in space, but he’s back. I love the camaraderie between Quintos and the ChronoBot. The scenes between them and the rest of the crew are somehow believable, even though the scenarios are far from ordinary. I’m in awe of the author’s imagination. Thanks for the pre-release book. Hats off to you, for a phenomenal space opera sci-fi novel. – Leslie O.
WOW
I did not know what to expect. I get many books before their release date, so this was just another one to read in my spare time. I love science fiction, particularly military sci-fi. I read Craig Alanson, James Corey, Vaugh Heppner, and others. Mark McGinnis is a nice blend of all of them. Irreverent humor, creative technology, out-of-the-box aliens, incredible space battles, and more. So, I ended up reading the whole book in a day, much to the frustration of my wife. But I told her about the book, and now she wants to read it. – Richard E.
- GenresScience Fiction
412 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 19, 2024
318 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 15, 2024
Best yet!
This is by far the best book yet in the series! Action, intrigue, new alien forces attacking, impossible demands placed on Captain Quintos and his crews and friends. With the Allies’ worlds hanging in the balance as the Grish mass armadas and attack, Captain Quintos and Chief Porter must thread the needle repeatedly to emerge victorious. Love for XO Pristy is tested in the quantum realm. Intrigue and plots look to await in the next book. I can’t wait for the next installment.
This is by far the best book yet in the series! Action, intrigue, new alien forces attacking, impossible demands placed on Captain Quintos and his crews and friends. With the Allies’ worlds hanging in the balance as the Grish mass armadas and attack, Captain Quintos and Chief Porter must thread the needle repeatedly to emerge victorious. Love for XO Pristy is tested in the quantum realm. Intrigue and plots look to await in the next book. I can’t wait for the next installment.
August 17, 2025
Time to Deal With the Grish
While choosing to do what you are always told not to the forces of Earth remove their biggest ship and send it directly at the Grish home world. They use the battered Franklin as a stand-in as the fleet goes after the Grish space forces.
With a brilliant battle plan and the panic of the forces around the Grish home world the Earth forces are able to destroy the Grish space fleet and bombard the Grish home world into submission.
While choosing to do what you are always told not to the forces of Earth remove their biggest ship and send it directly at the Grish home world. They use the battered Franklin as a stand-in as the fleet goes after the Grish space forces.
With a brilliant battle plan and the panic of the forces around the Grish home world the Earth forces are able to destroy the Grish space fleet and bombard the Grish home world into submission.
August 13, 2024
Mission impossible
This book continues the series where last book ended. Our heroes continue to defy the odds and you see the action from different viewpoints. The book is a spellbinding each chapter keeps your attention. Lots of action intrigue and character development. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
This book continues the series where last book ended. Our heroes continue to defy the odds and you see the action from different viewpoints. The book is a spellbinding each chapter keeps your attention. Lots of action intrigue and character development. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
April 24, 2024
Crazy. …
But in a good way. The Grish are on the move and Earth is the target. Can Quintos and company save the day? Maybe but so much crap is thrown Galvin’s way it will take a miracle. Love the series and all its oddities.
But in a good way. The Grish are on the move and Earth is the target. Can Quintos and company save the day? Maybe but so much crap is thrown Galvin’s way it will take a miracle. Love the series and all its oddities.
April 25, 2024
Half way thru and then ending.
Some parts interesting, some really boring and overworked. Two many different characters. Find it hard to believe there can be that much disrespect for a captain or a commodore by anyone that wants to do it.
Some parts interesting, some really boring and overworked. Two many different characters. Find it hard to believe there can be that much disrespect for a captain or a commodore by anyone that wants to do it.
May 18, 2024
another page turner
Once again, we have a book that you just can’t put down. Integrated all of the things from prior books in the series and added some new ones.
The characters are well developed and believable for an outer space novel
Once again, we have a book that you just can’t put down. Integrated all of the things from prior books in the series and added some new ones.
The characters are well developed and believable for an outer space novel
July 6, 2024
wat a ride!
I love this series because of the characters and the action. Never a dull moment! Better yet is the building of the story based on the last book! It draws you in in a way that keeps your interest. Please Mark, keep them coming!
I love this series because of the characters and the action. Never a dull moment! Better yet is the building of the story based on the last book! It draws you in in a way that keeps your interest. Please Mark, keep them coming!
July 10, 2024
It just keeps getting better
From the beginning of this series, the action never ceases. USS Washington, from start to finish, continued that tradition. I can't wait for the next book. Please hurry!
From the beginning of this series, the action never ceases. USS Washington, from start to finish, continued that tradition. I can't wait for the next book. Please hurry!
July 14, 2024
Beat one yet
This was probably the best book in the series. I was not a fan of how the book started, but I was able to let that go and just roll with it as the book got better and better. Looking forward to the next one.
This was probably the best book in the series. I was not a fan of how the book started, but I was able to let that go and just roll with it as the book got better and better. Looking forward to the next one.
October 29, 2024
Robert's Review/Comments
Man, that was outstanding. The piglets deserved what they got...LOL I see how 0the Lincoln used the Singularity Lance, but the Washington did not get that far...hmm. Are you saving that tidbit for the next book maybe. Thanks for a GoodRead.
Man, that was outstanding. The piglets deserved what they got...LOL I see how 0the Lincoln used the Singularity Lance, but the Washington did not get that far...hmm. Are you saving that tidbit for the next book maybe. Thanks for a GoodRead.
May 10, 2024
Outstanding
Another Outstanding Book in the USS HAMILTON Series. I found it hard to put down. I cannot wait for the next in the Series.
Another Outstanding Book in the USS HAMILTON Series. I found it hard to put down. I cannot wait for the next in the Series.
May 18, 2024
Very good read
The core member of the groups in this story line are very well thought out and have good cohesion. Cant wait to read yhe next book.
The core member of the groups in this story line are very well thought out and have good cohesion. Cant wait to read yhe next book.
May 24, 2024
a romping good read
A quick read, enjoyable - true scifi soapy. Lighter weight read than previous books i cant wait for the next
A quick read, enjoyable - true scifi soapy. Lighter weight read than previous books i cant wait for the next
May 26, 2024
good
This book has good plots interesting characters and is mostly believable within the range of of science fiction can’t Waite for the next book
This book has good plots interesting characters and is mostly believable within the range of of science fiction can’t Waite for the next book
June 1, 2024
Too much too much
As much as I like excitement and deering-do, the plot gets lost with all the crises after crises. .I would have preferred fewer twists .
As much as I like excitement and deering-do, the plot gets lost with all the crises after crises. .I would have preferred fewer twists .
June 1, 2024
This one was an awesome read, hope there is many more to come in the series.
June 15, 2024
McGinnis at his best!
I loved this book! I won’t talk about any of the storyline, but let me say it caught me by surprise and even a little misty!
I loved this book! I won’t talk about any of the storyline, but let me say it caught me by surprise and even a little misty!
June 21, 2024
Top Notch Science Fiction!
June 24, 2024
An ending that should be it's own book!
Finally, we are actually pursuing the use of tech in total war. Stop being cute about it and save your crew!
Finally, we are actually pursuing the use of tech in total war. Stop being cute about it and save your crew!
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June 24, 2024Goodreads
Another amazing read with plenty of action for all!
Wonder what the next ship will be like and will prissy become more than a crew mate!
Another amazing read with plenty of action for all!
Wonder what the next ship will be like and will prissy become more than a crew mate!
August 19, 2024
Wow what a read! Surprise death, Hardy is back, more space wars, some romance, some other dark story lines but a great read.
September 2, 2024
Great reading
Full of action. The technical explanations even though fiction seemed totally real. Looking forward to uss ike. Would like to see if the characters continue.
Full of action. The technical explanations even though fiction seemed totally real. Looking forward to uss ike. Would like to see if the characters continue.
November 12, 2024
I love this whole series, can't wait for the next one. As another reviewer said "Besy one yet!' I wholeheartedly agree!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews