USS Ironfist: USS Hamilton, Book 13

USS Hamilton #13

by Mark Wayne McGinnis, Jimmy Moreland (Narrator)

Captain Galvin Quintos, along with the love of his life, XO Gail Pristy, thought retirement meant a fresh start together within the Colorado wilderness—not being pulled into the latest galactic conspiracy by EUNF High Command. Quintos is given little choice but to spearhead a secret mission to the distant Tammarine sector. But things quickly go from bad to worse when he discovers he'll be skippering the notorious USS Ironfist—a rickety old dreadnought and running joke amongst all U.S. Space Navy personnel for being a career killer. Absolutely nobody wants to be assigned to this relic of a warship.

Quintos has been granted permission to bring together a small skeleton crew. Their mission is to deliver Ironfist to a burgeoning potentially allied alien race, the Tharokyns, dead ringers for Earth's own primitive Neanderthals. But this goodwill mission soon goes spectacularly off the rails.

This new enemy trumps all others—the Varapin, the Grish, even the insectile Krygians. Simply put, Techno-Mycoids are what nightmares are made of. With his hobbled-together crew who'd rather be anywhere else—ChronoBot Hardy, his niece Sonya, Max's small team of Marines, Science Officer Stephan Derrota, and a cherry-picked bridgecrew—it quickly becomes apparent they've brought what amounts to a slingshot to a gunfight.

Now, as the Techno-Mycoids’ fungal networks spread through local space like a plague, and the all-too-familiar cult faction, Inheritors of Tenebrosity, reveal their deadly ambitions, Quintos finds himself trapped between duty and survival. Making things so much worse, a devastating betrayal leaves him with an impossible choice—sacrifice his ship or watch an entire civilization fall. Quintos begins to understand that… sometimes, the only way to win is to become the very monster you're fighting against.

Audible Audio

Published June 3, 2025

Reviews

[Robert Minish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good series, but some issues here

I’ve enjoyed this series of books, but this one starts right off with a big hole in the plot; no available medical facility on a star ship construction base? Then the promised “completely refurbished” ship is untouched and decrepit, but that’s never mentioned again? There are also some points later where the main character is captured and fighting a duel, but has successfully captured the bridge at the same time and two pilots are standing close together after being described as running to their fighters. Needs better editing.

[Jaime Garza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Wayne McGinnis does it again. I find it amazing that he has his own publishing and can put successful books without an editor or agent. Just him and his wife. He does a wonderful job like that.

In a new adventure, he manages to defeat the Techno-Mycoids while flying in an old dreadnaught. He manages to also embed not two, but three love stories, one of them between an alien and a human woman that actually gets pregnant with a hybrid race!

I like reading and listening at the same time and this time the audiobook took a while to become available.

It is a great soap opera no matter how many books he has written in the series.

[Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Series With Characters That Keep Giving

I read a number of authors that are prolific with additions to their series, Mark is one of them. He has created a story universe with characters that have attained substance as real people in all aspects that come alive in each volume.
As an author myself, I can attest that keeping the continuity and quality over multiple volumes is a daunting task, but Mark keeps on delivering, book after book of excellence.

[Ray Schaeffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

another twist in the cosmic adventure of the Hamilton series

The author has always is very creative in his scenarios and what he sets up. Always amazed at the twist and turns he uses in creating his books just like this one you sit on the edge of your seat until the very end. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

[Jeff Rikard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read!

Every time one of these books pops in my notifications, I get excited. I've enjoyed this series from the start and am looking forward to the next one. We all know Quintos and Pristy won't be able to live the slow life!

[Gayne Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun to read, good escape. Enjoy the characters, especially Hardy.

[Peter Anthony Roland (PARoland) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant


Author never fails to write amazingly thrilling science fiction stories..
This is one of his Best!

Peter Anthony Roland
Miami Beach Florida
April, 2025

[Tomiko V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great thrilling and heartwormiing adventure

Exciting journey full of friends you're always routing for. Can't wait to find more about theTechno Microids. Eagerly waiting for #14

[Randal Gritzner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top Notch Science Fiction!

[Michael Sanak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner in the series!!

Another great read. This series has been fantastic to read. The characters are real, the plots even better. I cannot wait to see the next adventure.

[David McNamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

good read

Always nice to spend time with these characters.
Novels are starting to be a bit repetitive but nice to see the Devolopment of the people.

[Tom Stanberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Series

Thanks, Mark. Excellent combination of history, science, and personal relationships. Throw in the difficulties of being in command makes.for.a great read

[Allen Kuhns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding

Another really Outstanding Book in the USS HAMILTON Series. It is a very exciting read that was easy to follow

[Mike Hatch · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best series of SciFi Books

I loved this edition of the USS Hamilton books! Of course they all draw you in for a wonderful ride!!

[Bill Birdseye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent series of books

Could hardly stop reading. I could not put the books in this series down. Would suggest to anybody who like this kind of book.

[Bert Pearsall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

I have been following this adventure for several years and look forward to the next book. Thanks for the fun

[Kyleen Brannen · Rating 5 out of 5]

waiting for the next one!

I love this series. It keeps me reading until the very end. I can’t wait to see what comes at this crew next!

[Leanne Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one felt back to form after the last book.
Had my staying up late into the night to know what happens next :)
Loved Hardy being back. Good humour & loved the big foot characters in this book.