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Amanda Garrett #1
Choosers Of The Slain
2006. Argentinië bezet een aantal onderzoeksbases op het Antarctisch schiereiland en claimt het poolgebied voor eigen gebruik. Door schijnonderhandelingen te voeren willen de Argentijnen internationaal militair ingrijpen voorkomen, maar Engeland en de Verenigde Staten laten deze stille annexatie niet over hun kant gaan.
In de haven van Rio de Janeiro ligt sinds het begin van het conflict de USS Cunningham voor anker. Het is een uitzonderlijke, van onder tot boven bewapende oorlogsbodem. Het schip behoort tot de Stealth-klasse en kan zich onttrekken aan radardetectie, waardoor het nagenoeg onzichtbaar is voor zijn tegenstanders. De kapitein van de Cunningham is trouwens even bijzonder: achter Amanda Garretts sexy uiterlijk gaan een even grote intelligentie en een keiharde wil schuil.
Garrett en haar schip komen voor een enorme uitdaging te staan als zij naar de zuidelijke poolzee worden gedirigeerd om orde op zaken te stellen. Amanda weet dankzij haar vernuft, haar koelbloedigheid en alle technische mogelijkheden van de Cunningham een eerste serie aanvallen af te weren. Maar dan komen zij en de bemanning tussen de hele Argentijnse marine en de rijkdom aan grondstoffen van Antarctica in te liggen: een vernietigende afrekening lijkt onafwendbaar...
In de haven van Rio de Janeiro ligt sinds het begin van het conflict de USS Cunningham voor anker. Het is een uitzonderlijke, van onder tot boven bewapende oorlogsbodem. Het schip behoort tot de Stealth-klasse en kan zich onttrekken aan radardetectie, waardoor het nagenoeg onzichtbaar is voor zijn tegenstanders. De kapitein van de Cunningham is trouwens even bijzonder: achter Amanda Garretts sexy uiterlijk gaan een even grote intelligentie en een keiharde wil schuil.
Garrett en haar schip komen voor een enorme uitdaging te staan als zij naar de zuidelijke poolzee worden gedirigeerd om orde op zaken te stellen. Amanda weet dankzij haar vernuft, haar koelbloedigheid en alle technische mogelijkheden van de Cunningham een eerste serie aanvallen af te weren. Maar dan komen zij en de bemanning tussen de hele Argentijnse marine en de rijkdom aan grondstoffen van Antarctica in te liggen: een vernietigende afrekening lijkt onafwendbaar...
320 pages, Paperback
First published August 6, 1996
691 people are currently reading
874 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
February 13, 2014
This is one of my favorite novels. I've read it at least seven times. Anyone who likes Cobb's Amanda Lee Garrett character can't be all bad. CHOOSERS OF THE SLAIN is the first in a 4-part series of Amanda Lee Garrett novels.
CHOOSERS OF THE SLAIN
SEA STRIKE
SEA FIGHTER
TARGET LOCK
Disclaimer: I have a weakness for sea stories. I own all the Hornblower novels, and have many other "wet works" by C.S. Forester. THE CRUEL SEA by Nicholas Monsarrat is considered a World War Two masterpiece, but I actually slightly prefer Forester's WWII novel THE GOOD SHEPHERD because it exhaustively shows what it meant to be a captain of a ship during that war, and makes me believe that I am that captain driven beyond exhaustion fighting to hold his convoy together who doesn't even have the time to drink the coffee he has ordered. I own a bunch of Patrick O'Brian novels, but confess they don't really work for me as entertainment. I've got 15 or 20 Douglas Reeman WWII naval novels, which for me is the standard of reference for WWII naval action. DAS BOOT. IN HARM'S WAY. THE ENEMY BELOW. Don't forget WINDS OF WAR and WAR AND REMEMBRANCE (which has the best treatment of "Midway" I've ever read anywhere) by Herman Wouk. For a change-of-pace on contemporary sea stories, you might try David Poyer's Dan Denson series, which focuses on a single character as he rises up the naval ranks.
Amanda Lee Garret is captain of a U.S. stealth destroyer which happens to be the only ship the U.S. has, or any other nation has, positioned to stop Argentina from gaining total control of the Antarctic, due to surprise and bad weather. I love the mix of Tom Clancy high-tech (done better than Clancy in any of his novels), romance at sea (done better than Wilbur Smith in HUNGRY AS THE SEA), the descriptions of the battles at sea, the characters, the . . . it's a hell of a novel. If you like contemporary sea novels, check it out.
Don't bother complaining about some uppity female taking command in "this man's navy," anything you can do, Amanda can do better, backwards, wearing high-heels, while under fire.
Enjoy!
@hg47
June 15, 2021
Sharp characters, action and pace but the technical, Tom Clancy-like detail was overkill and distracted from a good story.
August 15, 2008
Between 1997 and 2002, James H Cobb published four novels featuring Amanda Garrett, a naval officer with a can-do attitude. Choosers of the Slain was the first, and in my opinion, the best, so I've entered it as representative of all four. Three of the four are among the outstanding examples of their genre- the military techno-thriller. Technically, they are speculative fiction as each is set in a future a few years later than the publication date and some of the technology described was not fully realized at the time of publication. You can skip Target Lock. If you like this type of book, the airport novel par excellence, you will love the first three, Choosers, Sea Strike and Sea Fighter.
March 5, 2021
Eerste boek uit een serie van 4 over/met Amanda Garrett, een marineofficier die de leiding heeft over een futuristisch oorlogsschip.
De Argentijnen bezetten een deel van de Zuidpool, om het te kunnen exploiteren. Via onderhandelingen proberen zij ingrijpen van de rest van de wereld te voorkomen.
Het nieuwe oorlogsschip USS Cunningham ligt in Rio de Janeiro voor anker, maar vertrekt al snel richting de Zuidpool. Het schip behoort tot de Stealth-klasse vaartuigen, en is zo goed als onzichtbaar op de radar. Dankzij de vernuft van de kapitein en de technische mogelijkheden van het schip weet Amanda een aanval te voorkomen. Daarna ligt zij als enige schip tussen de Argentijnse marine en de rijkdommen van het poolgebied in. Zal zij het stand kunnen houden?
Spannend verhaal dat lekker wegleest, geen al te technische verhandelingen. Plot loopt lekker door. Er is een beetje romantiek. Het verhaal speelt zich af in de nabije toekomst en is zeker een aanrader.
De Argentijnen bezetten een deel van de Zuidpool, om het te kunnen exploiteren. Via onderhandelingen proberen zij ingrijpen van de rest van de wereld te voorkomen.
Het nieuwe oorlogsschip USS Cunningham ligt in Rio de Janeiro voor anker, maar vertrekt al snel richting de Zuidpool. Het schip behoort tot de Stealth-klasse vaartuigen, en is zo goed als onzichtbaar op de radar. Dankzij de vernuft van de kapitein en de technische mogelijkheden van het schip weet Amanda een aanval te voorkomen. Daarna ligt zij als enige schip tussen de Argentijnse marine en de rijkdommen van het poolgebied in. Zal zij het stand kunnen houden?
Spannend verhaal dat lekker wegleest, geen al te technische verhandelingen. Plot loopt lekker door. Er is een beetje romantiek. Het verhaal speelt zich af in de nabije toekomst en is zeker een aanrader.
August 7, 2021
Heroes
This is an awesome story. There will be some squabbles about Naval protocol and if a Navy ship Captain would ever be allowed to put themselves in the physical danger as the Captain did, but it sure made for a good story. I want to comment on one thing I REALLY liked: The Captain is a woman. Cobb makes this woman extremely capable and yet caring and feminine at the same time. He does this with several characters. There is a male co-star and Cobb makes him extremely capable but caring and masculine at the same time. The characters in this story are examples of what people can be and every one of them are heroes in my book. I enjoyed every second.
This is an awesome story. There will be some squabbles about Naval protocol and if a Navy ship Captain would ever be allowed to put themselves in the physical danger as the Captain did, but it sure made for a good story. I want to comment on one thing I REALLY liked: The Captain is a woman. Cobb makes this woman extremely capable and yet caring and feminine at the same time. He does this with several characters. There is a male co-star and Cobb makes him extremely capable but caring and masculine at the same time. The characters in this story are examples of what people can be and every one of them are heroes in my book. I enjoyed every second.
July 13, 2021
So good................
Another book I found very hard to put down, even for a minute. The author obviously knows and more importantly, loves his subject matter. Spotlights the effect of conflict on the humans involved starkly, whilst showing up the political stupidity that most times is the cause of those conflicts.
From a mariner's point of view, the battle scenes (against both the human and environmental enemies) are both gripping and believable. I am now going to immediately obtain the next book in the series.
Another book I found very hard to put down, even for a minute. The author obviously knows and more importantly, loves his subject matter. Spotlights the effect of conflict on the humans involved starkly, whilst showing up the political stupidity that most times is the cause of those conflicts.
From a mariner's point of view, the battle scenes (against both the human and environmental enemies) are both gripping and believable. I am now going to immediately obtain the next book in the series.
May 1, 2012
This book, like most titles in the field of high-tech military fiction, definitely counts as an "airport novel" - it's very easy to read, the plot moves along at a good pace, and it doesn't worry too much about letting the facts get in the way of a good story. If you like this style of novel - the Dale Brown, Tom Clancy's Op-Centre type - then this is a good read.
August 10, 2021
Keep it Coming
I surely wish this series with Amanda Garrett would never end. Accuracy of war fighting, equipment, and geopolitical possibilities are spot on. Most importantly, this very talented author has penned the delicate balance of human interactions without compromising the seriousness of warfare. A rigid salute.
Thank you, and do not stop!
I surely wish this series with Amanda Garrett would never end. Accuracy of war fighting, equipment, and geopolitical possibilities are spot on. Most importantly, this very talented author has penned the delicate balance of human interactions without compromising the seriousness of warfare. A rigid salute.
Thank you, and do not stop!
April 17, 2008
This was the Seminal Book of the Series, and also the first. If you want to read the best--this one is the one. The rest tend to slide from here. But for sheer get up and romp military action--this book is IMPOSSIBLE to beat! I loved it
January 10, 2022
Best book I have ever read about a DDG or Guided Missile Destroyer .
This is a great sea story book written about a Guided Missile Destroyer or DDG 79 USS Cunningham and an unbelievably experienced and Tech Savvy Captain who knows her ship like the back of her hand has no choice but to go up against an entires countries Fleet of war ships and attack aircraft to defend the world against one of the most environmental disasters that will have massive impact against the entire world and have to do it on their own until help that is far away can help them.
There is a whole lot of sea action between these sea and air forces and a touch of romance between the Captain and a pilot but mostly between her and her ship and her crew who she is bond to protect.
This shows off the New Navy’s computer run weapons systems including advanced evasive systems I sure haven’t heard of however I was stationed on the USS Hoel DDG-13 a DDG only able to call itself a guided missile destroyer because we had different hull define made for the high seas worst days and one sea to air missile system plus an ASROC system (Anti Submarine Rocket ) launching system which is a MK 43 torpedo with a rocket engine on its butt in an 8 cell launching block above deck that would train and / or elevate much like a gun Mount but had two cells stacked together one on top the other and each double cell side by side with 3 other double cells giving you eight cells full of these rocket launched torpedos that could be shot out past 25 miles away and come down right on top of a submarine contact such that the sub had no chances of getting away.
This system is utilized in this book but it now is upgraded to a vertical launched system with a newer MK 50 Torpedo with a more powerful rocket booster on its butt
What they aren’t telling you is that either of those those launchers also can launch a rocket thrown depth charge with a nuclear warhead that is many many time larger in explosive ability than both those combined dropped on Japan in World War II.
They can kill numerous submarines in a given area and can also bring havoc to a surface fleet as well.
I know because from 1965 to 1968 I was trained and ran the ASROC system aboard my ship listed above the USS Hoel DDG-13 and we test launched one and it shot out of it cell like a bullet out of a high powered rifle so fast you couldn’t actually see it leave the launcher unless you filmed it and could slowdown the play back. All we heard was s big bang and it was long gone.
It’s incredible just how much the new DDGs have changed in size and lethality not to mention their ability to literally disappear from enemy radar contact from other surface ships and aircraft including literally making itself hard to even see with MK 1 eyeball at a distance.
You will really enjoy this book, the characters are all very believable and well written into the story and it’s very believable in its entirety as well.
I can’t vouch for all the technology used in this story but I do know that much of it is true and those that may be stretching the truth a little are under development.
I have been out of the Navy since 1970 and so much has changed since then it’s not hard to believe this stuff actually exists these days
I know that my ship DDG-13 was surpassed by DDG113 a year or more ago so I’m pretty sure a lot has changed in over a hundred more DDGs being built since then.
I could put the book down because they keep you aboard most of the time figuring out how just one ship is going to stop an entire enemy fleet and enemy attack jet aircraft from getting through that would destroy the Antarctic forever
You need to read it to find out just what actually happens.
This is a great sea story book written about a Guided Missile Destroyer or DDG 79 USS Cunningham and an unbelievably experienced and Tech Savvy Captain who knows her ship like the back of her hand has no choice but to go up against an entires countries Fleet of war ships and attack aircraft to defend the world against one of the most environmental disasters that will have massive impact against the entire world and have to do it on their own until help that is far away can help them.
There is a whole lot of sea action between these sea and air forces and a touch of romance between the Captain and a pilot but mostly between her and her ship and her crew who she is bond to protect.
This shows off the New Navy’s computer run weapons systems including advanced evasive systems I sure haven’t heard of however I was stationed on the USS Hoel DDG-13 a DDG only able to call itself a guided missile destroyer because we had different hull define made for the high seas worst days and one sea to air missile system plus an ASROC system (Anti Submarine Rocket ) launching system which is a MK 43 torpedo with a rocket engine on its butt in an 8 cell launching block above deck that would train and / or elevate much like a gun Mount but had two cells stacked together one on top the other and each double cell side by side with 3 other double cells giving you eight cells full of these rocket launched torpedos that could be shot out past 25 miles away and come down right on top of a submarine contact such that the sub had no chances of getting away.
This system is utilized in this book but it now is upgraded to a vertical launched system with a newer MK 50 Torpedo with a more powerful rocket booster on its butt
What they aren’t telling you is that either of those those launchers also can launch a rocket thrown depth charge with a nuclear warhead that is many many time larger in explosive ability than both those combined dropped on Japan in World War II.
They can kill numerous submarines in a given area and can also bring havoc to a surface fleet as well.
I know because from 1965 to 1968 I was trained and ran the ASROC system aboard my ship listed above the USS Hoel DDG-13 and we test launched one and it shot out of it cell like a bullet out of a high powered rifle so fast you couldn’t actually see it leave the launcher unless you filmed it and could slowdown the play back. All we heard was s big bang and it was long gone.
It’s incredible just how much the new DDGs have changed in size and lethality not to mention their ability to literally disappear from enemy radar contact from other surface ships and aircraft including literally making itself hard to even see with MK 1 eyeball at a distance.
You will really enjoy this book, the characters are all very believable and well written into the story and it’s very believable in its entirety as well.
I can’t vouch for all the technology used in this story but I do know that much of it is true and those that may be stretching the truth a little are under development.
I have been out of the Navy since 1970 and so much has changed since then it’s not hard to believe this stuff actually exists these days
I know that my ship DDG-13 was surpassed by DDG113 a year or more ago so I’m pretty sure a lot has changed in over a hundred more DDGs being built since then.
I could put the book down because they keep you aboard most of the time figuring out how just one ship is going to stop an entire enemy fleet and enemy attack jet aircraft from getting through that would destroy the Antarctic forever
You need to read it to find out just what actually happens.
June 19, 2022
Author tells a captivating story. However, the actual story line of the book is a bit far fetched. The story line reminded me of Tom Clancy’s novel SSN.
May 5, 2024
Lot of detail which makes it interesting but the love story is totally unbelievable. Would a captain of a warship mess around with someone in her command?..... oh wait the captain is female therefore can't handle the situation on her own and needs a strong man.
By this story line the author lowers himself to the same level of macho BS he accuses the Argentinians of.
Sad !
By this story line the author lowers himself to the same level of macho BS he accuses the Argentinians of.
Sad !
November 11, 2021
An exciting tale
I rarely offer thoughts even on the many good books read but this story grabbed me by the short hair (I'm bald too) . Tight writing, character development is top shelf. I don't spend much time on weapons technology as most writers go into entirely too much detail. Mr. Cool is a very good teller of tales.
I rarely offer thoughts even on the many good books read but this story grabbed me by the short hair (I'm bald too) . Tight writing, character development is top shelf. I don't spend much time on weapons technology as most writers go into entirely too much detail. Mr. Cool is a very good teller of tales.
January 29, 2022
Ugh... I fell for the general idea of what this book promised and was sadly left disappointed. Where to start... The story opens with the captain of a powerful US Navy destroyer lying on a beach about to go home with a stud she attracted when she is suddenly called back to her ship... And the story goes downhill from there. Daughter of a highly respected admiral (of course she is), she has a superb service jacket and appears highly qualified to do what she does. Unfortunately, her weakness is men, or perhaps one man; the one she nearly hooked up with on the beach turns out to be a helicopter pilot transferred to her ship. Wait, it gets worse. After fighting her ship against the dreaded Argentines on one occasion, while the ship remains at general quarters, this captain decides to slip off to the ship's gym to do some ballet (really), and who does she meet there? Why her dashing helicopter pilot, of course. As the story plods on, the apple of her eye brings her tea on the bridge on several occasions, he saves her from a ship's roll while they are strolling down a passageway (while the ship is at general quarters, of course), and her subordinate officers comment on how handsome he is to her several times. There are around three men serving on this high-tech destroyer, with the remainder women, and all of them are so proud of their captain for what they see as budding love. The silliness of this story just never ends. The bridge detail is run like a cruise ship, this captain can do things like race to the helicopter deck to take charge while her ship is at general quarters... Blah. Another graduate of Google University writing miliary romance garbage. This book is not believable in any stretch of the imagination and follows no known protocol for any captain to fight a US Navy warship. The captain is the ultimate authority and the bridge to whether the sailors of said warship will live or die. This ship would have been sunk with the first missile launch. Don't waste your time. Any references comparing this to something Tom Clancey would write is pure slander. A truly shameful batch of garbage that should have never been printed.
March 9, 2025
2025 Review 028. USS Cunningham Quintet #1 Choosers of the Slain by James H. Cobb, narrated by Nicol Zanzarella
Audio duration : 11 hours 17 mins
Choosers of the Slain and it's 4 sequels are some of my favourite naval thrillers. I've probably read these books more than any other naval thrillers in my collection.
I first read Choosers of the Slain in the late 90s and found it a gripping story with a fantastic cast of characters including an incredible naval heroine in the main character.
I found these books in audio format last year and immediately listened to them. I loved them just as much as whenever I've read them physically.
The narrator, Nicol Zanzarella does an amazing job of narrating this book and successfully portrays the number of characters that she has to put voices to. Each character is very easy to identify.
I will never get bored of reading or listening to these books and can't recommend them enough.
If you like naval thrillers with lots of action and fantastic characters then these books will be perfect for you.
These books are available as Kindle books, audio books and physical books (if you can find them used as they are becoming harder to find now).
I definitely recommend the audio books of these books.
5*
*****
Audio duration : 11 hours 17 mins
Choosers of the Slain and it's 4 sequels are some of my favourite naval thrillers. I've probably read these books more than any other naval thrillers in my collection.
I first read Choosers of the Slain in the late 90s and found it a gripping story with a fantastic cast of characters including an incredible naval heroine in the main character.
I found these books in audio format last year and immediately listened to them. I loved them just as much as whenever I've read them physically.
The narrator, Nicol Zanzarella does an amazing job of narrating this book and successfully portrays the number of characters that she has to put voices to. Each character is very easy to identify.
I will never get bored of reading or listening to these books and can't recommend them enough.
If you like naval thrillers with lots of action and fantastic characters then these books will be perfect for you.
These books are available as Kindle books, audio books and physical books (if you can find them used as they are becoming harder to find now).
I definitely recommend the audio books of these books.
5*
*****
August 7, 2023
Lost in the Technical
The story was lost with all the technical descriptions. Some technical stuff is good but when it starts to read like a repair manual or class for trainees my eyes glass over. I wanted to give this story a higher rating, however, I got so lost with the jargon I almost tossed the book.
The story was lost with all the technical descriptions. Some technical stuff is good but when it starts to read like a repair manual or class for trainees my eyes glass over. I wanted to give this story a higher rating, however, I got so lost with the jargon I almost tossed the book.
August 19, 2012
I absolutely love this book and have read it many many times. It's written with a female lead as captain of a navel ship that has stealth technology. There is romance and action, all of which held my attention in a definite couldn't put it down kind of book, well for me anyway.
July 3, 2021
Still amazing the second time around
I am reading all 4 books Because they still stand out 2 years later and Is still refreshing to read. It has everything you would want With heroic Folks A little love And lots of actions Orchestrated Bye an amazing woman
I am reading all 4 books Because they still stand out 2 years later and Is still refreshing to read. It has everything you would want With heroic Folks A little love And lots of actions Orchestrated Bye an amazing woman
July 13, 2021
The authors depth of knowledge on the details of operating a modern naval warship is impressive. I was amazed at the complexity of the weaponry used and the procedures followed on a ship in today's Navy. Very well done. You will enjoy it.
February 28, 2010
Naval porn. Honor Harrington on a ship. I liked the part where the shot stuff and stuff blew up.
February 14, 2013
A excellent book by James Cobb. This author knows about the Navy and it was good to read as an Ex navy man. I highly recommend this book.
March 23, 2013
In 'Choosers of the Slain', James Cobb brings into the book thorough knowledge of naval and aviation technologies, combining both into a powerful story populated by very real charafters.
January 16, 2023
Not for me
I love reading action/adventure/thrillers/etc, and thought I'd try out a new to me author. The premise was intriguing, and seemed like the type of stories that I enjoy. I read approximately 7% of the story, but by then I realized that it just wasn't appealing to me. My biggest issue was that there was more written about the ship and all of the technology being used than about the actual plot itself. I enjoy when authors include details about these types of things, especially when I don't know what they're referring to. However, out of the 7% of the book that I read, at least 6% of it was giving specified details of every single thing. For example, there was an overwhelming amount of details about the ship itself, the specifics of the Captain's sleeping quarters and every issue with it, and the exact technology being used for a conference call between the ship and the base where they're receiving orders (from the computer sign in and how it's confirmed, what satellite is used, how/where it's routed, etc...). I don't understand why that much knowledge is necessary, or what it has to do with the actual plot. I would much rather have details about the characters and the plot itself, but that's just my opinion.
Honestly, there wasn't anything wrong with what little that I read, but there was just too much about the other things that it took away from actual story. I believe that if the details were not as excessive, it would be a great story. I would like to try a different series by this author to see if I would enjoy it.
I will suggest that you try a sample if you are interested in reading this book to see for yourself if it's something that you would enjoy. As I have stated, these are only my opinions and preferences, which may be completely different from yours.
I love reading action/adventure/thrillers/etc, and thought I'd try out a new to me author. The premise was intriguing, and seemed like the type of stories that I enjoy. I read approximately 7% of the story, but by then I realized that it just wasn't appealing to me. My biggest issue was that there was more written about the ship and all of the technology being used than about the actual plot itself. I enjoy when authors include details about these types of things, especially when I don't know what they're referring to. However, out of the 7% of the book that I read, at least 6% of it was giving specified details of every single thing. For example, there was an overwhelming amount of details about the ship itself, the specifics of the Captain's sleeping quarters and every issue with it, and the exact technology being used for a conference call between the ship and the base where they're receiving orders (from the computer sign in and how it's confirmed, what satellite is used, how/where it's routed, etc...). I don't understand why that much knowledge is necessary, or what it has to do with the actual plot. I would much rather have details about the characters and the plot itself, but that's just my opinion.
Honestly, there wasn't anything wrong with what little that I read, but there was just too much about the other things that it took away from actual story. I believe that if the details were not as excessive, it would be a great story. I would like to try a different series by this author to see if I would enjoy it.
I will suggest that you try a sample if you are interested in reading this book to see for yourself if it's something that you would enjoy. As I have stated, these are only my opinions and preferences, which may be completely different from yours.
September 7, 2022
Note that this story is set in 2006, but the book was first published in 1996.
A retired veteran recommended that I add this military thriller to my eclectic TBR list. I approached this book as a near-future, military science-fiction/thriller—which is what I believe the author intended. For a book published in 1996, it’s refreshingly progressive, because it features a woman captain who commands the first blue-water stealth warship—during wartime in 2006. I read several reviews, including a few using the pejorative “woke,” which is eye-rollingly 2021-22. The author also includes ecological lessons about the Antarctic, although I don’t recall PC complaints.
Overall, this is an excellent military sci-fi/thriller with a focus on the wartime, naval-action storyline. The various settings—especially the Southern Ocean—are beautifully described; the action fast-paced, and the dialogue snappy. There is a plethora of military technobabble, which I expected, but reading Kindle is a plus because of quick search capabilities. The Glossary explains about a quarter of the acronyms and tech terms—like Black Hole System and Raven’s Roost.
I docked a star for the ridiculous and unneeded romance between the female captain and a male helo pilot. The odd title led me to search within the book for an explanation, which is given, but I’m of two minds regarding the source material.
A retired veteran recommended that I add this military thriller to my eclectic TBR list. I approached this book as a near-future, military science-fiction/thriller—which is what I believe the author intended. For a book published in 1996, it’s refreshingly progressive, because it features a woman captain who commands the first blue-water stealth warship—during wartime in 2006. I read several reviews, including a few using the pejorative “woke,” which is eye-rollingly 2021-22. The author also includes ecological lessons about the Antarctic, although I don’t recall PC complaints.
Overall, this is an excellent military sci-fi/thriller with a focus on the wartime, naval-action storyline. The various settings—especially the Southern Ocean—are beautifully described; the action fast-paced, and the dialogue snappy. There is a plethora of military technobabble, which I expected, but reading Kindle is a plus because of quick search capabilities. The Glossary explains about a quarter of the acronyms and tech terms—like Black Hole System and Raven’s Roost.
I docked a star for the ridiculous and unneeded romance between the female captain and a male helo pilot. The odd title led me to search within the book for an explanation, which is given, but I’m of two minds regarding the source material.
August 31, 2022
This is an action packed story of an incredible ship, crew and captain, facing overwhelming odds. If you like naval military action, this is the book for you.
As a political conservative, I was slightly bothered by the subtle, underlying wokeness of a female captain taking her crew into a war fought over the environment. But author Cobb doesn’t beat the reader over the head with it and the action at sea is exciting enough to keep a 5 star rating.
The book goes into to great detail about the various weapons systems aboard this stealth ship. While I would hope that in the year 2022, we have a vessel as capable as the US Cunningham in this tail from 2006, I doubt we do. I found the weapons and tactics fascinating.
I think there are other books about this ship and crew, and I’ll likely check them out.
As a political conservative, I was slightly bothered by the subtle, underlying wokeness of a female captain taking her crew into a war fought over the environment. But author Cobb doesn’t beat the reader over the head with it and the action at sea is exciting enough to keep a 5 star rating.
The book goes into to great detail about the various weapons systems aboard this stealth ship. While I would hope that in the year 2022, we have a vessel as capable as the US Cunningham in this tail from 2006, I doubt we do. I found the weapons and tactics fascinating.
I think there are other books about this ship and crew, and I’ll likely check them out.
April 11, 2022
One of the few naval action stories I have read and I must say this has hooked me to the character, Amanda Garrett. The technology mentioned is possible today but back in 2016 when the novel was published, it may have been in the early development or testing phase.
Argentina has captured the British research base in the Antarctic with a well-thought-out strategy. to play the powers and eventually grab the mineral and oil-rich continent for themselves. USS Cunningham, one of the most advanced US Navy Destroyer, is blockading the logistical supply route to Antarctica to prevent Argentineans from establishing a firm base.
Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Argentina has captured the British research base in the Antarctic with a well-thought-out strategy. to play the powers and eventually grab the mineral and oil-rich continent for themselves. USS Cunningham, one of the most advanced US Navy Destroyer, is blockading the logistical supply route to Antarctica to prevent Argentineans from establishing a firm base.
Looking forward to the next book in the series.
July 17, 2024
Choosers Of The Slain made me feel like I was on the stealth destroyer during the battles. The characters felt like real people, folks I would like to be friends with. You'll love the Captain, as strong and brave as anyone could be, yet still vulnerable, and fighting insecurity as she and the crew she was responsible for faced incredible danger in one of the harshest environments on Earth.The action was non-stop, and so realistic. At points it was so intense I almost wanted to put the book down and a deep breath to calm down, but I didn't. Can't wait to start the rest of the series.
Bill Capo
Author of
Category 5
Lights, Camera, Kill
Bill Capo
Author of
Category 5
Lights, Camera, Kill
September 22, 2024
This is how to write mitary fiction!
Heavily based on facts. No single hero who knows all, does all, and saves the day. Instead, a well-trained team of experts work on problems and develop solutions. No make-believe technology the author used to get past a plot problem they couldn't actually solve. Brilliantly written, believable dialog. Characters who erred and grew from the experience. I was Army, not Navy. But these were the kind of military professionals I knew. I'd give it ten stars if I could because it is twice as good as any other military fiction I've read this year.
Heavily based on facts. No single hero who knows all, does all, and saves the day. Instead, a well-trained team of experts work on problems and develop solutions. No make-believe technology the author used to get past a plot problem they couldn't actually solve. Brilliantly written, believable dialog. Characters who erred and grew from the experience. I was Army, not Navy. But these were the kind of military professionals I knew. I'd give it ten stars if I could because it is twice as good as any other military fiction I've read this year.
July 5, 2021
Wow - action by the bucket load.
Mr Cobb has excelled himself on this tome.
Take an untested, but still amazing, ship with a tested skipper and crew and put them all against an armed force under the will of a government putting all eggs in one basket. Take all this and put it in the harshest environment on earth - buckle yourself in a get ready for the ride.
I will say that you MUST get past the expected ‘America vs the world’ syndrome and just enjoy a great read - it’s worth it.
Mr Cobb has excelled himself on this tome.
Take an untested, but still amazing, ship with a tested skipper and crew and put them all against an armed force under the will of a government putting all eggs in one basket. Take all this and put it in the harshest environment on earth - buckle yourself in a get ready for the ride.
I will say that you MUST get past the expected ‘America vs the world’ syndrome and just enjoy a great read - it’s worth it.
December 30, 2021
Well written, highly entertaining modern surface ship warfare
Mr. Cobb has created an interesting female character who captains a modern destroyer in a highly believable situation. He populates the ship with very believable characters and maintains a tense and fascinating plot all the way to the end. His navel knowledge and weaponry expertise seems flawless. For me, one of the most enjoyable aspects is his ability to keep the action moments incredibly exciting while never losing the clarity of exactly what's happening. A book that is well worth your time.
Mr. Cobb has created an interesting female character who captains a modern destroyer in a highly believable situation. He populates the ship with very believable characters and maintains a tense and fascinating plot all the way to the end. His navel knowledge and weaponry expertise seems flawless. For me, one of the most enjoyable aspects is his ability to keep the action moments incredibly exciting while never losing the clarity of exactly what's happening. A book that is well worth your time.
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