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Ground State
429 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 27, 2026
About the author
Craig Alanson
48 books4,372 followersIf you want to stay up to date on releases, receive promotion alerts and speak to me directly, please join my Facebook Page:
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My Bio:
Craig Alanson used to create financial reports for a large IT services company. Writing fiction at nights and on weekends, he finally independently published three novels on Amazon. Within 6 months of his first ebook release, he was able to quit his day job and pursue a full-time writing career.
The breakout success of Columbus Day (Expeditionary Force, Book 1) reached new heights when Podium Audio released it in audio format, narrated by Audie Award Winner R.C. Bray. The Columbus Day audiobook was a huge hit, and a finalist for an Audie Award as Audiobook of the Year.
The ExForce series, as it is known to fans, has gone on to 10 books/audiobooks, many of which have hit the NYT best-seller list, with a 11th book releasing June 2021 and 14 books planned.
Craig has also published a spin-off series, ExForce: Mavericks; an ExForce audio drama, Homefront; a fantasy trilogy, Ascendent; and a young adult space opera, Aces. Craig lives in Virginia with his wife, who loves him even though he perpetually refuses to clean the garage.
https://www.facebook.com/Craig.Alanso...
My Bio:
Craig Alanson used to create financial reports for a large IT services company. Writing fiction at nights and on weekends, he finally independently published three novels on Amazon. Within 6 months of his first ebook release, he was able to quit his day job and pursue a full-time writing career.
The breakout success of Columbus Day (Expeditionary Force, Book 1) reached new heights when Podium Audio released it in audio format, narrated by Audie Award Winner R.C. Bray. The Columbus Day audiobook was a huge hit, and a finalist for an Audie Award as Audiobook of the Year.
The ExForce series, as it is known to fans, has gone on to 10 books/audiobooks, many of which have hit the NYT best-seller list, with a 11th book releasing June 2021 and 14 books planned.
Craig has also published a spin-off series, ExForce: Mavericks; an ExForce audio drama, Homefront; a fantasy trilogy, Ascendent; and a young adult space opera, Aces. Craig lives in Virginia with his wife, who loves him even though he perpetually refuses to clean the garage.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 22, 2026
This is book ... 19? ... in an on-going series so SPOILER ALERT!
Not as good as the last one but how can you top trying to get something that is inside a sun. Joe and the Merry Band of Pirates (and Skippy, of course) skip around the galaxy trying to come up with ways to defeat the Outsider. Well, how to find it first.
Joe's wife gets some action scenes, which was nice.
There's the usual Jeraptha stuff.
Interestingly the author gives us a scene or two from the POV of the Outsider ships.
In the end they pull off the impossible (just a normal days' work in the Merry Band of Pirates, eh?) but there's an OH NO!!!! at the end because the author loves to tease his audience.
Not as good as the last one but how can you top trying to get something that is inside a sun. Joe and the Merry Band of Pirates (and Skippy, of course) skip around the galaxy trying to come up with ways to defeat the Outsider. Well, how to find it first.
Joe's wife gets some action scenes, which was nice.
There's the usual Jeraptha stuff.
Interestingly the author gives us a scene or two from the POV of the Outsider ships.
In the end they pull off the impossible (just a normal days' work in the Merry Band of Pirates, eh?) but there's an OH NO!!!! at the end because the author loves to tease his audience.
February 11, 2026
Same crap, different book.
If this series wasn’t free and I couldn’t scroll through 90% of the useless filler and repetitive banter, I would have quit reading it. Even then, I think I just have a morbid curiosity now as to how many times this author can repeat the same plot, with different circumstances and get away with it?
Book starts, as usual, after some cliffhanger. As usual, Skippy declares it’s all over for whoever matters (in escalating stakes as the series goes on, now we’re at the whole galaxy phase). As usual, Joe says they can’t give up. As usual, banter and brain storming ensue for a large position of the book until they land on a workable idea. As usual, we go through that whole process for it to fail and/or have unforeseen consequences. GO BACK TO STEP 2. This time at STEP 5, as usual, the plan works, but, as usual, has unforeseen consequences, and start the next book at STEP 1.
When will this story end? I don’t know! Honestly, the author built a cool world to tell stories. It’s just sad that he can’t seem to see that the better option all along was to use Skippy as a touchstone and tell stories over a long chronological (in story) period of his escapades with humanity. That would have got us new characters, new tech, new processes, new procedures, new ways of doing things other than rehashing the same five step process in every single book with the same characters saying the same things over and over times 19!
Instead the only thing this series can do is increase the stakes with each iteration. From protecting Joe and his team to now endangering the entire universe. It’s what I call, the DBZ Effect.
This series will never be more than pulp fiction. Frankly it’s astounding how long the author takes to publish something that’s only a few hundred digital pages. But hey, good for him, if he was an operator, his nickname would “the milkman.”
If this series wasn’t free and I couldn’t scroll through 90% of the useless filler and repetitive banter, I would have quit reading it. Even then, I think I just have a morbid curiosity now as to how many times this author can repeat the same plot, with different circumstances and get away with it?
Book starts, as usual, after some cliffhanger. As usual, Skippy declares it’s all over for whoever matters (in escalating stakes as the series goes on, now we’re at the whole galaxy phase). As usual, Joe says they can’t give up. As usual, banter and brain storming ensue for a large position of the book until they land on a workable idea. As usual, we go through that whole process for it to fail and/or have unforeseen consequences. GO BACK TO STEP 2. This time at STEP 5, as usual, the plan works, but, as usual, has unforeseen consequences, and start the next book at STEP 1.
When will this story end? I don’t know! Honestly, the author built a cool world to tell stories. It’s just sad that he can’t seem to see that the better option all along was to use Skippy as a touchstone and tell stories over a long chronological (in story) period of his escapades with humanity. That would have got us new characters, new tech, new processes, new procedures, new ways of doing things other than rehashing the same five step process in every single book with the same characters saying the same things over and over times 19!
Instead the only thing this series can do is increase the stakes with each iteration. From protecting Joe and his team to now endangering the entire universe. It’s what I call, the DBZ Effect.
This series will never be more than pulp fiction. Frankly it’s astounding how long the author takes to publish something that’s only a few hundred digital pages. But hey, good for him, if he was an operator, his nickname would “the milkman.”
February 26, 2026
GROUND STATE by Craig Alanson is the second of his revived Expeditionary Force trilogy books that has General Joe Bishop up against Skippy as they struggle to save the world from the forces of the Outsiders. Again. The premise is wearing a bit thin at this point as we never have anything other than complete destruction and impossible odds that our heroes always overcome with the power of ridiculousness. I kind of wish we could go for lower stakes and maybe something almost impossible versus mostly impossible. Still, I am going to miss when the series ends.
January 30, 2026
Great book
I loved the book. Well worth the wait. Bring on book 20. It can't come soon enough. Great job Craig and RC
I loved the book. Well worth the wait. Bring on book 20. It can't come soon enough. Great job Craig and RC
February 9, 2026
Good
Good. Idk why but things seemed to putt around, a bit, ( kind of in slow motion) in this book. Thats a first for this opinion. It may just be my life nowadays but it really felt like it was the book. As usual it was written well, different complicated scenarios with the Outsider & other things. The characters were wonderful as usual and the storyline was intriguing. I did find the battle scenes to be rather lax-a daisy, not nearly as intense as some of the previous books. There still action but it was more a one shot deal and then that battle was ended or suspended, etc. Not really the way most battles go. Anyway,… I love this series! I wait in great anticipation for the next release date so I can once again submerge myself into the storyline.. There’s a huge cliffhanger of what seems ti be insurmountable catastrophe so the next book is already set up for immense drama and action. Can’t wait!!
Type faster!! lol
Good. Idk why but things seemed to putt around, a bit, ( kind of in slow motion) in this book. Thats a first for this opinion. It may just be my life nowadays but it really felt like it was the book. As usual it was written well, different complicated scenarios with the Outsider & other things. The characters were wonderful as usual and the storyline was intriguing. I did find the battle scenes to be rather lax-a daisy, not nearly as intense as some of the previous books. There still action but it was more a one shot deal and then that battle was ended or suspended, etc. Not really the way most battles go. Anyway,… I love this series! I wait in great anticipation for the next release date so I can once again submerge myself into the storyline.. There’s a huge cliffhanger of what seems ti be insurmountable catastrophe so the next book is already set up for immense drama and action. Can’t wait!!
Type faster!! lol
March 22, 2026
yeah its the same formula, same recipe of corny jokes and stale pros used over and over again but the the archiving story and premise is fun.
its like a sirloin steak being served on a paper plate with plastic cutlery and beer can. I keep coming back for more. its simple and taste pretty decent tho its key ingredient that has me coming back, its made with love.
so yeah, it would be nice if it read like if Alistar Reynolds had written these adventures or something but its not. and its okay.
looking forward to the next book.
its like a sirloin steak being served on a paper plate with plastic cutlery and beer can. I keep coming back for more. its simple and taste pretty decent tho its key ingredient that has me coming back, its made with love.
so yeah, it would be nice if it read like if Alistar Reynolds had written these adventures or something but its not. and its okay.
looking forward to the next book.
February 2, 2026
Alanson thinks BIG!
This was a very satisfying lead up to what I hope will be an "awesome" ending. I'm sure Alanson is ready to put Joe and Skippy in his rear view mirror but I will miss them. With humans now as the most powerful species in the Galaxy, thanks to Skippy of course, I hope he'll swing back to this story line again.
This was a very satisfying lead up to what I hope will be an "awesome" ending. I'm sure Alanson is ready to put Joe and Skippy in his rear view mirror but I will miss them. With humans now as the most powerful species in the Galaxy, thanks to Skippy of course, I hope he'll swing back to this story line again.
February 19, 2026
Nineteen books in and I'm still letting a shiny beer can run my emotional life. Ground State leans into the familiar chaos of impossible odds, bad ideas that somehow work, and that constant tension between ego and survival. The pacing is sharp, the banter lands, and it reminds you why you signed up for this madness in the first place. I'm clearly not getting off this ride
February 17, 2026
Another outstanding story about Joe Bishop, Skippy and the band of pirates. In and out of trouble through the book. One problem leads to another until the end of the book. At bit of a spoiler, there is another cliffhanger at the end.
March 15, 2026
Great continuation of a great story!
It’s been so much fun following this alien beer can through impossible conditions. Never thought I would still be reading after 19 books! But here I am greatly anticipating the 20th! Great job Craig!
It’s been so much fun following this alien beer can through impossible conditions. Never thought I would still be reading after 19 books! But here I am greatly anticipating the 20th! Great job Craig!
March 27, 2026
I love this series! One more book to go, and this does not disappoint!
The same amazing paste and twists and unique story lines as all of the books earlier. The ending you simply cannot expect. Sad to know there’s only one book left. Highly recommend.
The same amazing paste and twists and unique story lines as all of the books earlier. The ending you simply cannot expect. Sad to know there’s only one book left. Highly recommend.
April 13, 2026
Oh No!
Another fun. Read that ends in another cliffhanger. Will Skippy and Joe save the day. The problem I see is the universe will be swallowed up in4 months and it will take y
6 to 8 to be
Eh the next book!
Another fun. Read that ends in another cliffhanger. Will Skippy and Joe save the day. The problem I see is the universe will be swallowed up in4 months and it will take y
6 to 8 to be
Eh the next book!
February 9, 2026
funny but a lot of fluff, still always good reading exforce
February 12, 2026
great story
This is such a fun and unique story. I have often found myself Lol at the dialogue. How many more unexpected ending scenes can there be?
This is such a fun and unique story. I have often found myself Lol at the dialogue. How many more unexpected ending scenes can there be?
February 16, 2026
Awesome read
As always Mr. Alanson has delivered an excellent story. Its a page turner. Pulled me in quickly. Lots of action and very entertaining. Can't wait for the next book.
As always Mr. Alanson has delivered an excellent story. Its a page turner. Pulled me in quickly. Lots of action and very entertaining. Can't wait for the next book.
February 23, 2026
Most awesome
Great story as usual. The science is of the hook!!! No spoilers here. I'm just fascinated, how is Mr. Alanson going to solve this problem?
Great story as usual. The science is of the hook!!! No spoilers here. I'm just fascinated, how is Mr. Alanson going to solve this problem?
February 25, 2026
always fantastic writing
I have never been disappointed in any of the ExFor and I literally can’t stop reading each new release of this series. Amazing author, amazing series.
I have never been disappointed in any of the ExFor and I literally can’t stop reading each new release of this series. Amazing author, amazing series.
April 9, 2026
Fantastic!
The perfect blend of hard SF, comedy and military SF, what’s not to love? Gimme more, more Joe, more Skippy, and more Mavericks!
The perfect blend of hard SF, comedy and military SF, what’s not to love? Gimme more, more Joe, more Skippy, and more Mavericks!
February 16, 2026
Another Great Book
Joe and Skippy are up to the usual antics! Which of course means things go from bad to worse, they somehow find a way. If you’ve been reading this series you won’t be disappointed.
Joe and Skippy are up to the usual antics! Which of course means things go from bad to worse, they somehow find a way. If you’ve been reading this series you won’t be disappointed.
April 19, 2026
OMG! Fantastic Read
Fantastic. One of the best books in the series! Returning to the roots of the earliest books. The plot and story built up slowly and expanded exponentially towards the end. There were additional bonuses in that characters other than Joe Bishop got to show he was NOT the only clever monkey in the room! I rationed my reading time to have more time to savor the story and I’m glad I did! The only downside is the post dopamine rush collapse that will linger til the release of the finale.
Fantastic. One of the best books in the series! Returning to the roots of the earliest books. The plot and story built up slowly and expanded exponentially towards the end. There were additional bonuses in that characters other than Joe Bishop got to show he was NOT the only clever monkey in the room! I rationed my reading time to have more time to savor the story and I’m glad I did! The only downside is the post dopamine rush collapse that will linger til the release of the finale.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews