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Independence: Starship Jericho Book 5
The stunning conclusion to the Starship Jericho seriesIn a galaxy held in bondageOne ship can make a differenceIf only it can survive long enoughCaptain Zeke Darius is in command of the Arodoni ship, the Renegade. It is the most technologically advanced ship in the galaxy, but it isn’t home. Humanity awaits his return to the Sol system and the advancement of their own understanding of the universe, but danger is at his heels. The Galactic Imperium is determined to take the Renegade, and they will stop at nothing to get it.
Master Sergeant Steel has taken command of the Renegade’s Space Marine platoon, but they are divided over the best way forward. Some want to go home; others want to stay and fight the Imperium. Life and death are in the balance, and it’s up to the rugged Marine Master Sergeant to find a way to lead his people into the best future for them and for the entire human race.
Independence is the exciting conclusion to the Starship Jericho series, which started with the best-selling first installment, Artifact. It has all the excitement and adventure you love, along with amazing characters that you can’t help but cheer for. Join the journey through a hostile galaxy in Independence, book 5 of the Starship Jericho series.
Master Sergeant Steel has taken command of the Renegade’s Space Marine platoon, but they are divided over the best way forward. Some want to go home; others want to stay and fight the Imperium. Life and death are in the balance, and it’s up to the rugged Marine Master Sergeant to find a way to lead his people into the best future for them and for the entire human race.
Independence is the exciting conclusion to the Starship Jericho series, which started with the best-selling first installment, Artifact. It has all the excitement and adventure you love, along with amazing characters that you can’t help but cheer for. Join the journey through a hostile galaxy in Independence, book 5 of the Starship Jericho series.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 13, 2025
123 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 10, 2025
Independence is the sixth book in a series of 6 by Toby Neighbors. Main characters were Zeke Darius, Remmy Steele, and Laila McPherson. The book was not at a loss for space war,action, along with a myriad of alien characters, ranging anything from humanoids to reptiles to insects. Of course, the renegade ship was this massive, unbelievably huge war, ship with state of the art, state of the art technology, above and beyond any species in the entire galaxy. Captain Darius‘ Mission eventually became one of saving oppressed species in various worlds in the galaxy and protecting them against the Ashi a race of warriors that were very powerful, and dominated the entire galaxy, but did not have knowledge of our solar system. The various sub plots were well written, and entertaining. There was a lot of advanced weaponry, graphic action and some romance. The renegade could also travel through hyper space. On reflection, this book, along with the other five books were very well written, and I would recommend them. But, there were just a few weaknesses here, and there that were actually of no consequence.
May 10, 2025
Excellent
Great ending and epilogue. One of the few books I have read recently that didn't have me scanning. What's next? I've read several of his and they all get 5 stars. 🙂
Great ending and epilogue. One of the few books I have read recently that didn't have me scanning. What's next? I've read several of his and they all get 5 stars. 🙂
April 23, 2025
Great Ending
Terrific book series. Characters stayed true to their development. The storyline moved along keeping you from falling asleep! Characters didn’t suddenly leave character. Writing was solid as was editing. Ending was a tad predictable but still good…..more adventures down the line and what was behind that firewall? Enjoyed the book.
Terrific book series. Characters stayed true to their development. The storyline moved along keeping you from falling asleep! Characters didn’t suddenly leave character. Writing was solid as was editing. Ending was a tad predictable but still good…..more adventures down the line and what was behind that firewall? Enjoyed the book.
August 20, 2025
Nice little story about a very powerful starship with a questionable Captain! And no, the starship in the title is completely misleading. In fact, the book cover looks very similar to some Lego™️ that I’ve seen! No this story begins after the Arodoni starship *Renegade* has fought a major battle against the Ashi Imperium and a huge space station that was used specifically for slave trading.
The crew had found humans living at the lowest levels of the space station. These were the lowest of the low, barely living on trash and refuse sent down by the others in higher levels of the space station. They were living mostly in the dark and were used mostly to birth other humans to be turned into more slaves. Master Sergeant Remmy Steel and his Marines found these humans living in these conditions and swore he would do what it took to free these humans.
The starship *Renegade* wasn’t like any other starship Captain Zeke Darius had commanded. This obviously had a tremendous amount of technology that Earth hadn’t even thought of yet. But, he was afraid that if he took this ship straight back to Earth, the Ashi Imperium would follow him. Earth had no way to defend itself from the Empire. While this ship had technology far superior to Earth’s, so did the Ashi Imperium. Even a small fleet of Ashi ships arriving in the Solar System would mean that humans were soon to be slaves of the Empire. Captain Darius wasn’t going to let that happen even if he could never return home.
Meanwhile, the Ashi Empire was attempting to track down the *Renegade*. They believed the ship still have their Emperor Vang as prisoner although he had been wounded during a battle on the planet Casasil. Unknown to the Ashi was that their Emperor was dead! He had been killed by his former slave, Nurek, a Dudonus, against the wished of Captain Darius. Still, Captain Darius believed the Ashi fleets might be reluctant to fire upon his ship for a couple of reason. One, they wanted the ships technology and two, they would like to rescue their Emperor. Of those two reasons, Sheika Kahn, commander of the Ashi fleet and potentially the next Emperor, cared only about the second reason.
Sheika Kahn was also furious since they had arrived at the devastated space station after the *Renegade* had departed. He wanted his ship’s commanders to understand that they must follow the Arodoni ship and eventually capture it at all cost. This would certainly get him confirmed by the Council as the next Emperor! Yet, the Arodoni ship had been able to allude his fleets for quite some time. The *Renegade* was also providing much more powerful than his entire fleet. He had lost more ships in fighting this one ship in the past hundreds years and it had to stop.
Captain Darius now had a ship full of aliens, former slaves, that he needs to take somewhere. They have heard of a free worlds unknown to the Ashi Empire. This is where they must go but they cannot lead the Ashi fleet there also. So, they head out to a hidden warp gateway using knowledge gained from some of the former slaves.
This is where things start to fall apart. They do in fact lead the Imperium fleet to the free worlds, but in the meantime, Captain Darius has a plan to send some of his people back to Earth. Will this be a mistake? You’ll have to read the story to find out.
I would have thought this would be the end of the story, but know, I think the author has more in store for the *Renegade* and Captain Darius. Unfortunately, the next book isn’t identified on Amazon so we’ll just have to wait and see what comes out later.
==[Note: As of 12/03/2023, this will not be published on Amazon since I have been banned from posting reviews for some unknown reason. Once the ban is lifted, assuming it does get lifted, I’ll go back and post this to Amazon.]==
The crew had found humans living at the lowest levels of the space station. These were the lowest of the low, barely living on trash and refuse sent down by the others in higher levels of the space station. They were living mostly in the dark and were used mostly to birth other humans to be turned into more slaves. Master Sergeant Remmy Steel and his Marines found these humans living in these conditions and swore he would do what it took to free these humans.
The starship *Renegade* wasn’t like any other starship Captain Zeke Darius had commanded. This obviously had a tremendous amount of technology that Earth hadn’t even thought of yet. But, he was afraid that if he took this ship straight back to Earth, the Ashi Imperium would follow him. Earth had no way to defend itself from the Empire. While this ship had technology far superior to Earth’s, so did the Ashi Imperium. Even a small fleet of Ashi ships arriving in the Solar System would mean that humans were soon to be slaves of the Empire. Captain Darius wasn’t going to let that happen even if he could never return home.
Meanwhile, the Ashi Empire was attempting to track down the *Renegade*. They believed the ship still have their Emperor Vang as prisoner although he had been wounded during a battle on the planet Casasil. Unknown to the Ashi was that their Emperor was dead! He had been killed by his former slave, Nurek, a Dudonus, against the wished of Captain Darius. Still, Captain Darius believed the Ashi fleets might be reluctant to fire upon his ship for a couple of reason. One, they wanted the ships technology and two, they would like to rescue their Emperor. Of those two reasons, Sheika Kahn, commander of the Ashi fleet and potentially the next Emperor, cared only about the second reason.
Sheika Kahn was also furious since they had arrived at the devastated space station after the *Renegade* had departed. He wanted his ship’s commanders to understand that they must follow the Arodoni ship and eventually capture it at all cost. This would certainly get him confirmed by the Council as the next Emperor! Yet, the Arodoni ship had been able to allude his fleets for quite some time. The *Renegade* was also providing much more powerful than his entire fleet. He had lost more ships in fighting this one ship in the past hundreds years and it had to stop.
Captain Darius now had a ship full of aliens, former slaves, that he needs to take somewhere. They have heard of a free worlds unknown to the Ashi Empire. This is where they must go but they cannot lead the Ashi fleet there also. So, they head out to a hidden warp gateway using knowledge gained from some of the former slaves.
This is where things start to fall apart. They do in fact lead the Imperium fleet to the free worlds, but in the meantime, Captain Darius has a plan to send some of his people back to Earth. Will this be a mistake? You’ll have to read the story to find out.
I would have thought this would be the end of the story, but know, I think the author has more in store for the *Renegade* and Captain Darius. Unfortunately, the next book isn’t identified on Amazon so we’ll just have to wait and see what comes out later.
==[Note: As of 12/03/2023, this will not be published on Amazon since I have been banned from posting reviews for some unknown reason. Once the ban is lifted, assuming it does get lifted, I’ll go back and post this to Amazon.]==
June 21, 2025
Ugh, what a letdown. I don’t mind suspending disbelief for good sci-fi, but the technological inconsistencies in Independence were hard to ignore. With Renegade’s advanced fabrication capabilities, there should have been hundreds of smarter ways to boost its offensive and defensive power. The idea that mech suits or marines clinging to a hull could destroy battleships at these power levels was implausible at best.
What disappointed me most, though, was the character development. I found myself liking the main characters less and less, especially the captain. The author never really made Earth or its political leadership seem corrupt or antagonistic enough to justify the captain going AWOL, which made that major plot point fall flat.
What disappointed me most, though, was the character development. I found myself liking the main characters less and less, especially the captain. The author never really made Earth or its political leadership seem corrupt or antagonistic enough to justify the captain going AWOL, which made that major plot point fall flat.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2025
Excellent
Great series by Neighbors. When I read a series of books, many times I wait until I have read each book before writing a review......so here it is.....
This 5 book series of Starship Jericho is one of the best I have ever read. Great story, great characters, great ending.....which is not really the end !!!
More to come and I'm anxious to read more.
Great series by Neighbors. When I read a series of books, many times I wait until I have read each book before writing a review......so here it is.....
This 5 book series of Starship Jericho is one of the best I have ever read. Great story, great characters, great ending.....which is not really the end !!!
More to come and I'm anxious to read more.
July 28, 2025
Space Military Tale
This series of 5 books are well written, good character development and interesting individuals. Action and surprise unexpected events happen in well developed sequences.
This series of 5 books are well written, good character development and interesting individuals. Action and surprise unexpected events happen in well developed sequences.
August 23, 2025
Great book
This book and the previous books in this series are why I enjoy SiFi so much from the select books I read as a teenager 60 years ago. I only wish I could be there on the bridge.
This book and the previous books in this series are why I enjoy SiFi so much from the select books I read as a teenager 60 years ago. I only wish I could be there on the bridge.
October 30, 2025
Excellent plot
I really enjoyed this series. Granted there were stretches between some of the actions but really still credible. And book 5 had me going in sympathy regarding self sacrifice for the cause. I look forward to further adventures.
I really enjoyed this series. Granted there were stretches between some of the actions but really still credible. And book 5 had me going in sympathy regarding self sacrifice for the cause. I look forward to further adventures.
April 23, 2025
Good book
This was a great book. Like the other books I the series it was a good read. The story was well written. I recommend this series.
This was a great book. Like the other books I the series it was a good read. The story was well written. I recommend this series.
May 1, 2025
Additional Armament
Great read and story line. Next Jericho series needs a couple of rear facing laser cannons. I want to find out what ended up happening to Kahn?
Great read and story line. Next Jericho series needs a couple of rear facing laser cannons. I want to find out what ended up happening to Kahn?
June 21, 2025
disappointed end
Hated the ending— let down and not satisfied with conclusion— this ends my reading 9f anything T9by Neighbors— do not read space opera for this
Hated the ending— let down and not satisfied with conclusion— this ends my reading 9f anything T9by Neighbors— do not read space opera for this
October 28, 2025
loved the series
Great series; great characters. And right on about the government. Look what they did to to crew that did return.
Great series; great characters. And right on about the government. Look what they did to to crew that did return.
January 9, 2026
Superb reading from a great author
Tony Neighbors is one of the very best Science fiction authors. Top of the game with a great story telling imagination
Tony Neighbors is one of the very best Science fiction authors. Top of the game with a great story telling imagination
October 20, 2025
Generally enjoyed this series. Had a jarring moment when marine Dirk Oliver was killed and then magically restored in the next book with no explanation??
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews