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Battles of the Republic #1
The Intus Invasion
The stars held more than humanity’s future…
…they revealed an alien menace that could end it all.
First contact wasn’t peaceful. The Zodarks, brutal and unrelenting, tore into the Republic’s defenses. Armed with cunning and unquenchable bloodthirst, the four-armed warriors dominated over every adversary.
Caught off guard as the Republic stumbled into an interstellar war it wasn’t ready to fight—against an adversary born from nightmares. Mankind clung to hope as it healed divisions, forged new alliances, and prepared for the war thrusted upon it.
Amid the chaos, Ripley Willis Lee, a young officer with a brilliant mind for strategy, rose to face the challenge. His courage and determination inspired those around him, but the burden of leadership grew heavier with every battle. During the invasion of Intus, his decisions would mean the difference between survival and annihilation.
The battle for Intus would decide more than victory.
Would humanity survive the trials of the stars—or succumb to them?
The Intus Invasion is the gripping first entry in a new series set in the Rise of the Republic universe. If you crave high-stakes battles, dark revelations, and the fight for humanity’s survival, this is your next great read.
Grab your copy today and step into the fight.
…they revealed an alien menace that could end it all.
First contact wasn’t peaceful. The Zodarks, brutal and unrelenting, tore into the Republic’s defenses. Armed with cunning and unquenchable bloodthirst, the four-armed warriors dominated over every adversary.
Caught off guard as the Republic stumbled into an interstellar war it wasn’t ready to fight—against an adversary born from nightmares. Mankind clung to hope as it healed divisions, forged new alliances, and prepared for the war thrusted upon it.
Amid the chaos, Ripley Willis Lee, a young officer with a brilliant mind for strategy, rose to face the challenge. His courage and determination inspired those around him, but the burden of leadership grew heavier with every battle. During the invasion of Intus, his decisions would mean the difference between survival and annihilation.
The battle for Intus would decide more than victory.
Would humanity survive the trials of the stars—or succumb to them?
The Intus Invasion is the gripping first entry in a new series set in the Rise of the Republic universe. If you crave high-stakes battles, dark revelations, and the fight for humanity’s survival, this is your next great read.
Grab your copy today and step into the fight.
- GenresScience Fiction
394 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 15, 2025
200 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 6, 2025
This series is of to great start
May 21, 2025
Recently, I was fortunate enough (or selected) for the opportunity to read an ARC version of a new space combat thriller, “Intus Invasion”, by James Rosone and Brandon Ellis. In the past, I have had the opportunity to read a number of other thrilling series by James Rosone (usually in tandem with Miranda Watson, but also with other authors such as Alex Aaronson, T.C. Manning, and Matt Jackson).
“Intus Invasion” is the first book in what will likely be a new series that is set in the Rise of the Republic universe. While I have read a number of James Rosone's military fiction series in the past, this was my first foray into the military sci-fi sub-genre with this series. Based upon my experience with this new series, this will not be my last.
One of the more endearing parts that I found with this first book in the series was how Rosone not only created a story from a certain point in time involving his characters, but built a backstory to the story examining the political machinations that form the foundation for his novel (The great AI War of the 2040s – which was a war that had reshaped the world—leading to the rise of the Republic, the Greater European Union, and the Asian Alliance. It had also led to the creation of the Space Exploration Treaty (SET), the very thing that had set humanity on its path to the stars). In addition to providing a back story to the story, he provides diagrams that allows the reader to better picture some of the ships that are illustrated throughout his book.
The first part of the novel provides us with strong character development as the story introduces the reader to a number of the main protagonists (including Ripley Willis Lee, Jack Hannigan, Troy Alden, and Naomi Love), as they begin their sojourn through “basic training” in Colorado Springs, CO. In 2086
The second part of the story begins a few years later as in 2091, as the Republic Navy cadets continue their careers at the Republic Navy Advanced Flight School in Huntsville, AL. This is when the cadets are made aware of the results of the expedition to Rhea Ab system, as humanity continues its expedition to find hospitable planets to colonize. It is on one of these recent expeditions to New Eden that humanity realizes that it is not the only life force in the universe, with a violent introduction to an alien species known as the Zodarks.
The Zodarks are a four-armed humanoid alien species, standing three metres in height and blue in skin tone, with a cunning and unquenchable blood thirst, who demonstrate their blood thirst by utilizing their multiple appendages to both slash with swords and fire blasters at their opponents.
Due to this violent first encounter, humanity officially goes to an interstellar war setting that it was not ready to fight – against an adversary that was born from nightmares and the survival of humanity forces the rapid advancement in the rank of the cadets as humanity is placed in an unenviable position of having to fight for its survival. Ensign Lee begins his career aboard the RNS Trenton while the other protagonists continue their career as Osprey pilots stationed on Earth.
A few years in the future (2093) and after two years of conflict, the protagonists that were introduced in the first part of the book once again come together as Tactical Action Officer (TAO) Lee is now stationed onboard the RNS Kentucky, and Lieutenants Naomi Love and Jack Hannigan, now married, are passengers aboard the Blue Horizon Meridian Transport Vessel CIT-890.
Ripley Willis Lee, with a brilliant mind for strategy and as a result of casualties suffered at a battle on the other side of the New Eden Star gate, receives a battlefield commission to become the command of the Republic Navy Ryan-class battleship.
For historical context,a battlefield commission is a commission granting an enlisted soldier a battlefield promotion to the rank of commissioned officer. The granting of a battlefield commission has its historical precursor in the medieval practice of the knighting or ennoblement of a plebeian combatant on the battleground for demonstration of heroic qualities in an exceptional degree.
As a result of an error with the faster-than-light propulsion system the Blue Horizon Meridian Transport Vessel CIT-890 appears in close proximity to a battle between the Republic Navy and the Zodarks just of the other side of the star gate Lieutenants Naomi Love and Jack Hannigan are placed in a perilous situation where they have to assume control of the ship.
Amid the chaos, Ripley Willis Lee, a young officer with a brilliant mind for strategy, rose to face the challenge. His courage and determination inspired those around him, but the burden of leadership grew heavier with every battle. During the invasion of Intus, his decisions would mean the difference between survival and annihilation.
As the book continues (a so-called “fourth part”), Rosone and Gillis expertly introduce new characters and weave them into their tale which leaves the reader wondering how much of a role each character will play in the future.
The “final” section of the book deals with the massive space battle above the planet of Intus between the Republic (including their allies, the Altairians and the Galactic Empire) and the Zodarks (their forces also ncluding the Orbots) and the beginning efforts to land troops on the planet of Intus.
On my self-determined five star rating system, I would easily give this book a solid four stars as I massively enjoyed my first foray into this sub-genre of Military Sci-Fi. I would definitely recommend this book for aficionados of the sub-genre of military science fiction, and would likely be a favourite for those readers who enjoy authors such as James S. A. Corey, Ann Leckie, and Joe Haldeman.
As with all my literary ramblings, this is just my five cents' worth.
“Intus Invasion” is the first book in what will likely be a new series that is set in the Rise of the Republic universe. While I have read a number of James Rosone's military fiction series in the past, this was my first foray into the military sci-fi sub-genre with this series. Based upon my experience with this new series, this will not be my last.
One of the more endearing parts that I found with this first book in the series was how Rosone not only created a story from a certain point in time involving his characters, but built a backstory to the story examining the political machinations that form the foundation for his novel (The great AI War of the 2040s – which was a war that had reshaped the world—leading to the rise of the Republic, the Greater European Union, and the Asian Alliance. It had also led to the creation of the Space Exploration Treaty (SET), the very thing that had set humanity on its path to the stars). In addition to providing a back story to the story, he provides diagrams that allows the reader to better picture some of the ships that are illustrated throughout his book.
The first part of the novel provides us with strong character development as the story introduces the reader to a number of the main protagonists (including Ripley Willis Lee, Jack Hannigan, Troy Alden, and Naomi Love), as they begin their sojourn through “basic training” in Colorado Springs, CO. In 2086
The second part of the story begins a few years later as in 2091, as the Republic Navy cadets continue their careers at the Republic Navy Advanced Flight School in Huntsville, AL. This is when the cadets are made aware of the results of the expedition to Rhea Ab system, as humanity continues its expedition to find hospitable planets to colonize. It is on one of these recent expeditions to New Eden that humanity realizes that it is not the only life force in the universe, with a violent introduction to an alien species known as the Zodarks.
The Zodarks are a four-armed humanoid alien species, standing three metres in height and blue in skin tone, with a cunning and unquenchable blood thirst, who demonstrate their blood thirst by utilizing their multiple appendages to both slash with swords and fire blasters at their opponents.
Due to this violent first encounter, humanity officially goes to an interstellar war setting that it was not ready to fight – against an adversary that was born from nightmares and the survival of humanity forces the rapid advancement in the rank of the cadets as humanity is placed in an unenviable position of having to fight for its survival. Ensign Lee begins his career aboard the RNS Trenton while the other protagonists continue their career as Osprey pilots stationed on Earth.
A few years in the future (2093) and after two years of conflict, the protagonists that were introduced in the first part of the book once again come together as Tactical Action Officer (TAO) Lee is now stationed onboard the RNS Kentucky, and Lieutenants Naomi Love and Jack Hannigan, now married, are passengers aboard the Blue Horizon Meridian Transport Vessel CIT-890.
Ripley Willis Lee, with a brilliant mind for strategy and as a result of casualties suffered at a battle on the other side of the New Eden Star gate, receives a battlefield commission to become the command of the Republic Navy Ryan-class battleship.
For historical context,a battlefield commission is a commission granting an enlisted soldier a battlefield promotion to the rank of commissioned officer. The granting of a battlefield commission has its historical precursor in the medieval practice of the knighting or ennoblement of a plebeian combatant on the battleground for demonstration of heroic qualities in an exceptional degree.
As a result of an error with the faster-than-light propulsion system the Blue Horizon Meridian Transport Vessel CIT-890 appears in close proximity to a battle between the Republic Navy and the Zodarks just of the other side of the star gate Lieutenants Naomi Love and Jack Hannigan are placed in a perilous situation where they have to assume control of the ship.
Amid the chaos, Ripley Willis Lee, a young officer with a brilliant mind for strategy, rose to face the challenge. His courage and determination inspired those around him, but the burden of leadership grew heavier with every battle. During the invasion of Intus, his decisions would mean the difference between survival and annihilation.
As the book continues (a so-called “fourth part”), Rosone and Gillis expertly introduce new characters and weave them into their tale which leaves the reader wondering how much of a role each character will play in the future.
The “final” section of the book deals with the massive space battle above the planet of Intus between the Republic (including their allies, the Altairians and the Galactic Empire) and the Zodarks (their forces also ncluding the Orbots) and the beginning efforts to land troops on the planet of Intus.
On my self-determined five star rating system, I would easily give this book a solid four stars as I massively enjoyed my first foray into this sub-genre of Military Sci-Fi. I would definitely recommend this book for aficionados of the sub-genre of military science fiction, and would likely be a favourite for those readers who enjoy authors such as James S. A. Corey, Ann Leckie, and Joe Haldeman.
As with all my literary ramblings, this is just my five cents' worth.
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July 8, 2025MWSA Review
Authors James Rosone and Brandon Ellis have done it again with their new book, The Intus Invasion. Set at the end of the twenty-first century, mankind has moved into space and in doing so have finally encountered other intelligent species. Unfortunately, one of these species, the Zodarks, are an aggressive species seeking to dominate and enslave all forms of life they encounter. They attack an Earth space vessel without warning killing everyone. Earth has made allies with other intelligent species who have already encountered the Zodarks and have lost their home worlds to the Zodarks.
This book follows the adventures of a handful of young Academy graduates who join Earth's Republic Navy and travel into space to join the battle. The book moves fast and kept my attention throughout. I recommend it to all fans of science fiction.
Review by Bob Doerr (July 2025)
Authors James Rosone and Brandon Ellis have done it again with their new book, The Intus Invasion. Set at the end of the twenty-first century, mankind has moved into space and in doing so have finally encountered other intelligent species. Unfortunately, one of these species, the Zodarks, are an aggressive species seeking to dominate and enslave all forms of life they encounter. They attack an Earth space vessel without warning killing everyone. Earth has made allies with other intelligent species who have already encountered the Zodarks and have lost their home worlds to the Zodarks.
This book follows the adventures of a handful of young Academy graduates who join Earth's Republic Navy and travel into space to join the battle. The book moves fast and kept my attention throughout. I recommend it to all fans of science fiction.
Review by Bob Doerr (July 2025)
May 25, 2025
I was suspicious when I saw book 1 in the title. I have read all the others and was looking for the next one to come. This isn’t it and frankly, it was disappointing. This is more of a prequel. Instead of taking us to the anticipated battle for the Zodark home world, it goes back years, to introduce new characters and follow them, bouncing back and forth from year to year, leading up to the invasion if Intus. Even then it only covers part of the naval battle for Intus, not the ground war. It seemed like a rehash of previous books rather than moving forward. At this point I’m not sure if I will bother with any more book in the series.
June 25, 2025
This book was great to read. I felt like I was there in the battle scenes. And speaking of which, congratulation on keeping the interest going and not missing any scenes in your writing. It all seemed to flow so effortlessly. You must have fantastic notes from all your previous books and from your military contacts, to be able to pull off such great writing. I am really looking forward to reading the second book in this series. B.Z guys.
June 30, 2025
GOOD PLOT, POOR STORYTELLING SKILLS
There is a situation with the way this story is told. There's are a handful of main characters in the story, Lee, Love, Cooper, but they disappear when important things are happening and other characters come out of the blue to take center stage. The authors should concentrate on developing the main characters, and then, show us the story through for actions and words.
There is a situation with the way this story is told. There's are a handful of main characters in the story, Lee, Love, Cooper, but they disappear when important things are happening and other characters come out of the blue to take center stage. The authors should concentrate on developing the main characters, and then, show us the story through for actions and words.
May 27, 2025
What a fantastic start
What a fantastic start to a new.series.always liked the Rise of the republic series so thought to give this spinoff a try . Very happy I did , really really like the development of the characters , the arcs are.Really good and I'm very impressed with the whole story.Overall highly recommend
What a fantastic start to a new.series.always liked the Rise of the republic series so thought to give this spinoff a try . Very happy I did , really really like the development of the characters , the arcs are.Really good and I'm very impressed with the whole story.Overall highly recommend
June 22, 2025
Fantastic. This book is so cool. What a great prequel / alternative perspective of the Rise of the Republic Universe. To see the characters introduced in the original series fleshed out in detail is really fun. I will be starting book 2 today and look forward to book 3 in the series as soon as it is released.
June 1, 2025
Outstanding
Rosone and Ellis have created just a great military sci-fi story and a whole new civilization and cast of characters. If you like Galaxy's Edge you're gonna like this one. Writing is on that same level as on the edge of the galaxy.
Rosone and Ellis have created just a great military sci-fi story and a whole new civilization and cast of characters. If you like Galaxy's Edge you're gonna like this one. Writing is on that same level as on the edge of the galaxy.
June 4, 2025
Another hit
Another hit from the author! Been waiting for this book for a while. Looking forward to the next book in the seires
Another hit from the author! Been waiting for this book for a while. Looking forward to the next book in the seires
June 30, 2025
First contact
A deeper look into the Republics interactions with the Zodarks.
Concentrated on several individuals, but does not hesitate to throw in surprises
A deeper look into the Republics interactions with the Zodarks.
Concentrated on several individuals, but does not hesitate to throw in surprises
July 11, 2025
Great start to a series. Interesting characters.
August 27, 2025
Outstanding
This is a 1st Great Book in the Battle of the Republic Series. I found it exciting read and easy to Follow. I have already downloaded Book #2, Battle for Intus.
This is a 1st Great Book in the Battle of the Republic Series. I found it exciting read and easy to Follow. I have already downloaded Book #2, Battle for Intus.
September 16, 2025
Good read
Plenty of action and plenty of heroes. Many stories of individuals starting from the bottom and rising to the top. Looking forward to reading the next volume.
Plenty of action and plenty of heroes. Many stories of individuals starting from the bottom and rising to the top. Looking forward to reading the next volume.
November 6, 2025
Great read
Fantastic high adrenaline read.highly recommend. Reminds me of E E Smith lens man series and Robert Heinlein stories,you will not be able to put down
Fantastic high adrenaline read.highly recommend. Reminds me of E E Smith lens man series and Robert Heinlein stories,you will not be able to put down
February 5, 2026
Totally enjoyed it! This is a well written and has well developed characters. The story is catching and with the strong characters makes for a very enjoyable read. Great Reading Everyone!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews