Fatal Flaws

Gate Ghosts #13

by S.H. Jucha

Admiral Cordelia prosecutes multiple Krackus territories simultaneously with Trident squadrons. However, the success of the Liberation and its Trident escorts to clear territories comes to an end with the loss of multiple warships in a furious engagement against a capable Krackus fleet imperator.

Forced to return to Helgart, Captain Mila Pappas offers a harsh solution to enable the Liberation to return residents to their home worlds. She suggests they no longer engage in ship-to-ship battles against Krackus fleets. Instead, Juno and her companions should fight with the deadly Elvian drones. The idea is readily accepted.

After the integration of Dwerves on the Queller planet of Trevonian, the next Queller world for Dwerves is Pavbleg. The planet’s early colonists suffered setbacks from the primordial fauna. Quellers, Dwerves, and conclave members deliver infrastructure to keep the colonists safe. Dwerves perfectly suited for the wet, dangerous world are integral to the work.

Tocknicka’s troops on Naiad are due to be recalled. This forces the council and the new security commander to scramble to find an alternative means of ensuring peace in Naiad’s domes. The answer arrives from two directions — sisters and Sylians.

Imperium citizens are incensed about an egregious edict enacted by the assembly to search businesses and residences without a legal order to enter. As a confrontation builds, Executor Dakargk plots a dastardly attack to prove to executors and naval headquarters that the conclave can be hurt.

Genres: Science Fiction

505 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 26, 2024

About the author

From my early years to the present, books have been a refuge. They’ve fueled my imagination. I’ve traveled to faraway places and met aliens with Asimov, Heinlein, Clarke, Herbert, and Le Guin. I’ve explored historical events with Michener and Clavell, and I played spy with Ludlum and Fleming.

There’s no doubt that the early sci-fi masters influenced the writing of my first two series, The Silver Ships and Pyreans. I crafted my stories to give readers intimate views of my characters, who wrestle with the challenges of living in space and inhabiting alien worlds.

Life is rarely easy for these characters, who encounter aliens and calamities, but they persist and flourish. I revel in examining humankind’s will to survive. Not everyone plays fair or exhibits concern for other beings, but that’s another aspect of humans and aliens that I investigate.

My stories offer hope for humans today about what they might accomplish tomorrow far from our home world. Throughout my books, humans exhibit a will to persevere, without detriment to the vast majority of others.

Readers have been generous with their comments, which they’ve left on Amazon and Goodreads for others to review. I truly enjoy what I do, and I’m pleased to read how my stories have positively affected many readers’ lives.

If you’ve read my books, please consider posting a review on Amazon and Goodreads for every book, even a short one. Reviews attract other readers and are a great help to indie authors, such as me.

The Silver Ships novels have reached Amazon’s coveted #1 and #2 Best-Selling Sci-Fi book, multiple times, in the science fiction categories of first contact, space opera, and alien invasion.

Reviews

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Fatal Flaws” is the thirteenth book in the Ghost Gates Series by S. H. Jucha, and it's clear that the series is nearing its conclusion. I can't help but feel a twinge of sadness at the thought of it ending. With so many major characters and intriguing side stories, there's an abundance of untold tales that could easily keep this series going indefinitely. My imagination runs wild as I read Jucha's work, and I find myself brimming with questions about the characters and their futures, many of which Jucha leaves open to interpretation.

In this installment, Admiral Cordelia continues her relentless campaign to undermine the Krackus Imperium. The successful rehabilitation of the Radag mercenaries has added even more pressure on the Imperium, pushing it closer to collapse. I envision a future where the conquered worlds, liberated by the Conclave, coexist peacefully, forcing the Imperium to adapt. As much as I dread the end of this series, I eagerly await the next book, which may be the final chapter in this epic saga.

I enjoyed this book as an audiobook, which I downloaded from Audible. It's a thirteen-hour and twenty-four-minute journey, expertly narrated by Nicole Poole, who brings the story to life with her skillful narration.

[Jeff Tix · Rating 4 out of 5]

the cast is getting a bit big,

At times, the cast of active characters got a bit confusing. There were parts when I was wondering why we had these characters….unless there are plans for them in the future.

[Connie Mayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

KEep them coming.

Having read and enjoyed every book in thr Silver Ships and Gate Ghosts series, I recommend you go to the first book, check the reviews and buy the starter set. Prepare for hours and hours of great reading!

[Bob Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoying the crescendo the stories are building to

Every book in this series has been fantastic. This 13th book of the 3rd series has not disappointed. I love the contrast of races that embrace progress with those who are afraid or cling to their old ways. I’m looking forward to the next book that I believe will be the final one in the series. I have to admit I’d have wished for a few more in this series.

[Ernest Dorsett · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not like this book

Most of this book was political bickering back and forth. Almost as bad as some of our bickering in this country. If the next book is like this I will not be reading any more of them. I like previous books in this series.

[Diane WIlt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book makes me sad, sad that the series has spiraled into something that reads like chatGPT wrote it. The world building used to be amazing now it's overdone with little development and mostly tell and no show.

I gave it 3 stars out of my love for the Silver Ships series and the earlier books, this really doesn't deserve more than 1 star.

[John F Nethery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read all the books in the "Silver Ships" series. I got lost somewhere along the way with all of the new systems and civilizations that were introduced. In Fatal Flaws, I got lost trying to remember who was who. I skipped past all of it. I'm trying to stay focused on just the Conclave characters. Even that is beginning to be a challenge.

[Robert J. Murray II · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing stories

Mr. Jucha’s saga, Gate Ghosts, much like Silver Ships before are amazing stories within stories of worlds that boggle the imagination. I find myself wishing that these awesome books and characters will someday find a place in a well produced network series.

[Brad Paterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

thoroughly enjoy Scott’s books!

I’m a huge fan of Scott’s work and can’t wait until the next installment in this series. The continuing character development and growth is as much fun to read as are the activities they get involved with.

[Roger D. Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adventure is slowing as focus shifts to many daily details.

The interaction between Conclave and other worlds parallel situations we face here. It would be good for our politicians to learn from Conclave experiences. Still love the characters but miss the action.

[Don McNeil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series? Waiting for more!

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading these books well as having read the Silver Ships series. I'm anxiously awaiting the next in this series. I'm also waiting for a series on the other colony ship sent out from Earth!

[Ove Toranger · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot thickens

Ie. the plots thicken. The number of characters is going up. The number of situations for the Conclave multiplying and the side-plots and side-characters introduced are numerous. Good read and looking forward to the next book !

[Terry Acres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the silver ship series all off them then have been reading this ghost gate series up to book 14 going to be realy sorry when it finishers but I will wait a couple of years then read everthing again that's how much I have like reading both of these series,s

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read the entire series from silver ships and enjoyed it but this one is really dragging on - I'm not even sure I'll finish it. It's just plain boring, confusing with new characters constantly, and nothing interesting happening. The last few books have gone downhill.