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Silver Ships #3
Méridien
The Méridiens are fleeing to their far colonies—and they have reason to run. Over the course of decades, they have lost hundreds of ships, billions of people, and seven Confederation colonies to an alien enemy: an advancing swarm of silver ships transported in the bowels of a gigantic, spherical vessel.
Alex Racine, who once enjoyed the solitary life of an explorer-tug Captain, is now an Admiral and responsible for the lives of a quarter million Librans. Further complicating his life, Alex’s Librans have made it clear they don’t want to settle on his home world. They want a new home, and he must secure them one.
The silver ships await Alex’s makeshift flotilla at Libre, the last colony they consumed. Thus far, Alex’s people have succeeded in skirmishes against the enemy’s fighters. Now, though, they’re preparing to attack the entire alien fleet and halt the devastation of the colonies.
To the surprise and chagrin of his officers and crew alike, Alex concocts a new plan, because he believes humanity faces not one but two alien species, and one may be enslaved to the other. If so, Alex believes slaves should be liberated, not obliterated.
To test Alex’s theory, his people must capture a wholly intact silver ship—a feat never before accomplished. The crew remains doubtful, but their Admiral is determined to communicate with the aliens before he’s forced to destroy them, and his wish is their command.
Alex Racine, who once enjoyed the solitary life of an explorer-tug Captain, is now an Admiral and responsible for the lives of a quarter million Librans. Further complicating his life, Alex’s Librans have made it clear they don’t want to settle on his home world. They want a new home, and he must secure them one.
The silver ships await Alex’s makeshift flotilla at Libre, the last colony they consumed. Thus far, Alex’s people have succeeded in skirmishes against the enemy’s fighters. Now, though, they’re preparing to attack the entire alien fleet and halt the devastation of the colonies.
To the surprise and chagrin of his officers and crew alike, Alex concocts a new plan, because he believes humanity faces not one but two alien species, and one may be enslaved to the other. If so, Alex believes slaves should be liberated, not obliterated.
To test Alex’s theory, his people must capture a wholly intact silver ship—a feat never before accomplished. The crew remains doubtful, but their Admiral is determined to communicate with the aliens before he’s forced to destroy them, and his wish is their command.
403 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2015
626 people are currently reading
277 people want to read
About the author
S.H. Jucha
45 books469 followersFrom my early years to the present, books have been a refuge. They’ve fueled my imagination. I’ve traveled to faraway places and met aliens with Asimov, Heinlein, Clarke, Herbert, and Le Guin. I’ve explored historical events with Michener and Clavell, and I played spy with Ludlum and Fleming.
There’s no doubt that the early sci-fi masters influenced the writing of my first two series, The Silver Ships and Pyreans. I crafted my stories to give readers intimate views of my characters, who wrestle with the challenges of living in space and inhabiting alien worlds.
Life is rarely easy for these characters, who encounter aliens and calamities, but they persist and flourish. I revel in examining humankind’s will to survive. Not everyone plays fair or exhibits concern for other beings, but that’s another aspect of humans and aliens that I investigate.
My stories offer hope for humans today about what they might accomplish tomorrow far from our home world. Throughout my books, humans exhibit a will to persevere, without detriment to the vast majority of others.
Readers have been generous with their comments, which they’ve left on Amazon and Goodreads for others to review. I truly enjoy what I do, and I’m pleased to read how my stories have positively affected many readers’ lives.
If you’ve read my books, please consider posting a review on Amazon and Goodreads for every book, even a short one. Reviews attract other readers and are a great help to indie authors, such as me.
The Silver Ships novels have reached Amazon’s coveted #1 and #2 Best-Selling Sci-Fi book, multiple times, in the science fiction categories of first contact, space opera, and alien invasion.
There’s no doubt that the early sci-fi masters influenced the writing of my first two series, The Silver Ships and Pyreans. I crafted my stories to give readers intimate views of my characters, who wrestle with the challenges of living in space and inhabiting alien worlds.
Life is rarely easy for these characters, who encounter aliens and calamities, but they persist and flourish. I revel in examining humankind’s will to survive. Not everyone plays fair or exhibits concern for other beings, but that’s another aspect of humans and aliens that I investigate.
My stories offer hope for humans today about what they might accomplish tomorrow far from our home world. Throughout my books, humans exhibit a will to persevere, without detriment to the vast majority of others.
Readers have been generous with their comments, which they’ve left on Amazon and Goodreads for others to review. I truly enjoy what I do, and I’m pleased to read how my stories have positively affected many readers’ lives.
If you’ve read my books, please consider posting a review on Amazon and Goodreads for every book, even a short one. Reviews attract other readers and are a great help to indie authors, such as me.
The Silver Ships novels have reached Amazon’s coveted #1 and #2 Best-Selling Sci-Fi book, multiple times, in the science fiction categories of first contact, space opera, and alien invasion.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
August 8, 2016
A great story idea Ruined by the lead character.
he regularly violates people physically and psychologically prime examples are house Bergfalks leader bombarded with images and information having had his security removed.
Leader of the Meridien assembly similarly treated and physically restrained held hostage by alex forcing her to listen to him.
the entire assembly gate crashed because alex wanted to do it. then chimed on about respect for other people while threatening people.
he doesn't like opposition and singling out Angelina Monti for voicing her opinion in their new Harken administration. all the time banging on about respect for SADES and his people , and showing no or little respect for other people or their privacy.
He colludes in criminal and antisocial acts as long as they serve him and his friends, the whole investigation on new terra and the imposition on Meridien as ive mentioned.
he is also corrupt and gives his best palls all the best jobs and licence to print credits. the sades get all the profits from the bank, and other top paid jobs.
he continues the practice of the deserving rich with his capitalistic system, ensuring only those who were business leaders on terra and meridian ( or his palls) get to start large enterprise.
despite the fact that so far everyone had volunteered themselves and what appeared to be a meritocracy or equal stake society he changes it to benefit his mates.
there are so many thing that Alex says and does as the story grows, that are just wrong, and dangerous he would in most societies have been arrested and locked up by the end of book 2 while the story has a lot going for it and a lot of potential the reality is I no longer like Alex and cant stand to be in his presence any longer.
Having happily read the first 2 books i was getting a little concerned about Alex and his attitude towards others. in Book 3 we see he is a Sociopath possibly even Psychopath.
he regularly violates people physically and psychologically prime examples are house Bergfalks leader bombarded with images and information having had his security removed.
Leader of the Meridien assembly similarly treated and physically restrained held hostage by alex forcing her to listen to him.
the entire assembly gate crashed because alex wanted to do it. then chimed on about respect for other people while threatening people.
he doesn't like opposition and singling out Angelina Monti for voicing her opinion in their new Harken administration. all the time banging on about respect for SADES and his people , and showing no or little respect for other people or their privacy.
He colludes in criminal and antisocial acts as long as they serve him and his friends, the whole investigation on new terra and the imposition on Meridien as ive mentioned.
he is also corrupt and gives his best palls all the best jobs and licence to print credits. the sades get all the profits from the bank, and other top paid jobs.
he continues the practice of the deserving rich with his capitalistic system, ensuring only those who were business leaders on terra and meridian ( or his palls) get to start large enterprise.
despite the fact that so far everyone had volunteered themselves and what appeared to be a meritocracy or equal stake society he changes it to benefit his mates.
there are so many thing that Alex says and does as the story grows, that are just wrong, and dangerous he would in most societies have been arrested and locked up by the end of book 2 while the story has a lot going for it and a lot of potential the reality is I no longer like Alex and cant stand to be in his presence any longer.
February 6, 2017
So, three stars isn't terrible, mind you. On goodreads, it means "i liked it". And I did. But the conflict in these books is so thin as to be almost non-existent. There are enough interesting ideas in this world that I want to read more, though.
That said, I find Alex to be a real bore. He's good at everything. Which makes him a very un-interesting protagonist. He's supposed to be a loner, but every decision he makes is absolutely contrary to that initial characterization.
I'm going to read the rest of the series, since I've ventured this far. But these books really have turned out to be a lot of fluff.
That said, I find Alex to be a real bore. He's good at everything. Which makes him a very un-interesting protagonist. He's supposed to be a loner, but every decision he makes is absolutely contrary to that initial characterization.
I'm going to read the rest of the series, since I've ventured this far. But these books really have turned out to be a lot of fluff.
November 13, 2015
I really loved the first 1/3 of this book! It tied up the story of the silver ships and how the new Meridien's handled the threat of the aliens future attacks. It also dealt with the problem that they encountered at the end of the last book when Alex' home planet showed outright hostility toward them upon their entrance into their system. I truly enjoyed this part of the book.
But then it started on what really could have been a totally new book topic as the Meridien's went on to establish their own home world where all lifeforms were a welcome part of their society. I felt that it got bogged down in details on how they started their governing body, going into minute detail of positions held by whom and how they were building Silver Ships of their own, as well as how they were terra-forming the new planet they were going to call home. Not being a scholar of government formulation, and not caring to go into detail regarding its formulation had me yawning and struggling to push through to the end of the book. Also, the fact that everyone is so perfect, other than the President and his cohorts in government who made life difficult for Alex and his people at the beginning of the book is like having a bit too much sugar in your tea.
Don't get me wrong, I loved the idea of the story and still think that S.H. Jucha is a writer with much potential, but I would have been content to stop with the first part of the book.
But then it started on what really could have been a totally new book topic as the Meridien's went on to establish their own home world where all lifeforms were a welcome part of their society. I felt that it got bogged down in details on how they started their governing body, going into minute detail of positions held by whom and how they were building Silver Ships of their own, as well as how they were terra-forming the new planet they were going to call home. Not being a scholar of government formulation, and not caring to go into detail regarding its formulation had me yawning and struggling to push through to the end of the book. Also, the fact that everyone is so perfect, other than the President and his cohorts in government who made life difficult for Alex and his people at the beginning of the book is like having a bit too much sugar in your tea.
Don't get me wrong, I loved the idea of the story and still think that S.H. Jucha is a writer with much potential, but I would have been content to stop with the first part of the book.
November 3, 2015
A bit underwhelming again. I really enjoy this series for it's pace and the interesting techs and interactions between species (and SADE's) but it just lacks so much in the department of believe-ability. People still seem to fall in love instantly and everyone's meeting their soulmates left and right. On top of that there is hardly any conflict at all, ever... Even the confrontation with the evil aliens that have been threatening the universe since the very beginning of the series was a big anti climax for me. Sure this is not meant as a military science fiction but the manner in which everything just constantly falls into place makes for a story that's bordering on boring sometimes.
Still there's positives in with the negatives. First of all, as I said, it's a fast paced story and there's some interesting world building going on. On top of that the interactions between some characters can be quite entertaining and I found myself chuckling out loud a few times while I was reading this book in the train.
I am hoping Jucha gets rid of the negative elements of his story telling and expands on the positives but so far in the first three stories very little progress has been made. Not sure where the story will go from here but I hope future installments will have a bit more excitement to add to the interesting settings.
Still there's positives in with the negatives. First of all, as I said, it's a fast paced story and there's some interesting world building going on. On top of that the interactions between some characters can be quite entertaining and I found myself chuckling out loud a few times while I was reading this book in the train.
I am hoping Jucha gets rid of the negative elements of his story telling and expands on the positives but so far in the first three stories very little progress has been made. Not sure where the story will go from here but I hope future installments will have a bit more excitement to add to the interesting settings.
March 9, 2022
I continue to really enjoy this series!
July 26, 2017
At the end of the last book, the Meridien from Libre and Alex arrived back in his home world. In this episode, Alex finds a government controlled by a man who is against Alex and the Meridien. Alex discovers the people are still with him and the Meridien but they decided to find a world of their own. At the end of the last book, Alex put forth a theory that the silver ships are possibly slaves of the alien in the giant ship. That would make the discovery of two different alien species instead of one. Alex sets out to attempt to communicate with the aliens in the silver ships. I was taken by surprise by the world they chose to settle.
The book is well written and the plot twists and turns. The politics are also heating up. The characters are evolving and the Meridien are having problems adjusting from their pacifist beliefs. At times, Jucha seems to over simplify; I would enjoy a more complex situation and characters. I am enjoying reading about the building of a new society and world. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is just over fourteen hours long. Grover Gardner does an excellent job narrating the book. Gardner is an actor and award-winning audiobook narrator.
The book is well written and the plot twists and turns. The politics are also heating up. The characters are evolving and the Meridien are having problems adjusting from their pacifist beliefs. At times, Jucha seems to over simplify; I would enjoy a more complex situation and characters. I am enjoying reading about the building of a new society and world. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is just over fourteen hours long. Grover Gardner does an excellent job narrating the book. Gardner is an actor and award-winning audiobook narrator.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2017
The book starts with Downing as the new president and wholesale clearout of many of the important ‘New Terrans’. I found the explanation a bit weak, the population have an inbuilt revulsion to people believing they are an ‘elite’, yet they seem to have supported the obnoxious self serving Downing far too easily.
Although I suppose I only have to look at Trump for an example of an obnoxious self serving president.
The main part of the book concerns the release and cultivation of the ‘Swei Swee’. This was interesting but I did find the chapters were they learned to communicate with each other did become a bit tedious. The book had several small highlights but overall it was a fairly ‘gentle’ read.
Although I suppose I only have to look at Trump for an example of an obnoxious self serving president.
The main part of the book concerns the release and cultivation of the ‘Swei Swee’. This was interesting but I did find the chapters were they learned to communicate with each other did become a bit tedious. The book had several small highlights but overall it was a fairly ‘gentle’ read.
January 13, 2020
3.5 Stars
November 22, 2015
This series is one of the best written series of science fiction books I have ever read. If I were younger and just starting out to read science fiction, this would be the series that would have brought me into the science fiction genre and kept me there. As is, I've already enjoyed many, many great science fiction books, but none quite like Mr. Jucha's Silver Ships series. If you haven't read the first two books, I highly encourage you to do so.
Now, about Méridian. It happens just after the Réveur, with a mix of New Terrains and Meridians, head back to the vicinity of Libré to confront the Silver Ships. Strangely, Admiral Racine, Alex, believes the Silver Ships are not acting of their own accord and believes they are actually an enslaved race doing the bidding of whomever controls the giant mothership. He wants to capture a Silver ship and try to talk to its crew.
Now, this is no easy feat. Every encounter with a single Silver Ship has destroyed more than one of his small Daggers and its crew. If he were to place the Libré and its accompanying ships too close to the mothership, his entire flotilla could be overwhelmed and destroyed. And, there is no guarantee that the occupants of a Silver ship would want to talk to him. So, there is going to be some fast moving military action. Unfortunately, like most encounters with the Silver Ships, it does cost Admiral Racine some very valuable pilots and Daggers. Yet, they accomplish what they set out to do and that is capture a Silver Ship intact. Now to find out just who has done so much damage to the Meridian civilization.
How the story plays out from here is something you’re going to have to read to find out. It is a marvelous story. The interaction between numerous characters and even the SADEs (self-aware digital entities) is very heartwarming. I hate to say it, but this is a very nice book. The characters all seem to want to work together and treat each other with respect and dignity. Even the SADEs are treated as humans while they actually occupy crystal cores acting as ship's computers. Admiral Racine, Alex, is there leader and he leads by example. He doesn’t force people to do anything. What he does is always in the best interest of both the New Terrans and Meridians under his command. And, that is one thing they all know. A society built on this kind of trust can do wonders.
You need to get into this book and enjoy the details of the further exploits of this New Terran and Meridian community. I was kind of disappointed when the opening of the book by the author indicated that this was the end of his initial three book series. I thought that was that, but you have a surprise waiting for you at the end of this book!
Now, about Méridian. It happens just after the Réveur, with a mix of New Terrains and Meridians, head back to the vicinity of Libré to confront the Silver Ships. Strangely, Admiral Racine, Alex, believes the Silver Ships are not acting of their own accord and believes they are actually an enslaved race doing the bidding of whomever controls the giant mothership. He wants to capture a Silver ship and try to talk to its crew.
Now, this is no easy feat. Every encounter with a single Silver Ship has destroyed more than one of his small Daggers and its crew. If he were to place the Libré and its accompanying ships too close to the mothership, his entire flotilla could be overwhelmed and destroyed. And, there is no guarantee that the occupants of a Silver ship would want to talk to him. So, there is going to be some fast moving military action. Unfortunately, like most encounters with the Silver Ships, it does cost Admiral Racine some very valuable pilots and Daggers. Yet, they accomplish what they set out to do and that is capture a Silver Ship intact. Now to find out just who has done so much damage to the Meridian civilization.
How the story plays out from here is something you’re going to have to read to find out. It is a marvelous story. The interaction between numerous characters and even the SADEs (self-aware digital entities) is very heartwarming. I hate to say it, but this is a very nice book. The characters all seem to want to work together and treat each other with respect and dignity. Even the SADEs are treated as humans while they actually occupy crystal cores acting as ship's computers. Admiral Racine, Alex, is there leader and he leads by example. He doesn’t force people to do anything. What he does is always in the best interest of both the New Terrans and Meridians under his command. And, that is one thing they all know. A society built on this kind of trust can do wonders.
You need to get into this book and enjoy the details of the further exploits of this New Terran and Meridian community. I was kind of disappointed when the opening of the book by the author indicated that this was the end of his initial three book series. I thought that was that, but you have a surprise waiting for you at the end of this book!
January 13, 2020
Meridien Asleep Yet?
Meridien asleep yet is all I asked during this work. Okay, so it was okay, but there was really only one incident in the in the work that gave conflict.
Starting conflict ended to easily for a group of space travelers who have never been in a fight. And to take out their entire force by stealing one ship and figuring out their language in a few hours. Well, you get the idea.
Our Mary Sue main character is elevated once again to a high level and we see yet another aspect of the his invincibility leak out.
I’m not sure if Jucha realizes what type of book he wrote. In fact, it’s rather boring to go through and I’m still wondering why I’m reading it. I do want to stop, but also want to know the direction.
For the most part, we need to see more action and less, “We’ll do this.” The novel is more a retrospect of what the group does. So why was it so popular? As we read the words its hard to understand.
This is the third book of the Silver Ships series. If you like to read about things that happen in the lives of others that is not confrontational, then this book is for you. But if you are like most and want action, walk away from this series.
I’ve read a lot of books over the last many years, and this series is more about the main character winning. Yes, he is a Mary Sue and wins at everything. He’s too nice, too perfect, and loved by all. So when you come across this type of character you’ll know what to call them. It is either for males or females, a character just too perfect to be believable.
Meridien asleep yet is all I asked during this work. Okay, so it was okay, but there was really only one incident in the in the work that gave conflict.
Starting conflict ended to easily for a group of space travelers who have never been in a fight. And to take out their entire force by stealing one ship and figuring out their language in a few hours. Well, you get the idea.
Our Mary Sue main character is elevated once again to a high level and we see yet another aspect of the his invincibility leak out.
I’m not sure if Jucha realizes what type of book he wrote. In fact, it’s rather boring to go through and I’m still wondering why I’m reading it. I do want to stop, but also want to know the direction.
For the most part, we need to see more action and less, “We’ll do this.” The novel is more a retrospect of what the group does. So why was it so popular? As we read the words its hard to understand.
This is the third book of the Silver Ships series. If you like to read about things that happen in the lives of others that is not confrontational, then this book is for you. But if you are like most and want action, walk away from this series.
I’ve read a lot of books over the last many years, and this series is more about the main character winning. Yes, he is a Mary Sue and wins at everything. He’s too nice, too perfect, and loved by all. So when you come across this type of character you’ll know what to call them. It is either for males or females, a character just too perfect to be believable.
October 12, 2015
I was one of the people who were invited to preview this book. I just want to say I really loved this series and this most recent book. I highly recommend it to any sci-fi fantasy fan. Since I was able to read it before it was officially released and I am so pleased with what I read. I will be buying a copy when it is released on amazon next month or after Oct 20th. It is very well written and in this 3rd book, the author completely wraps up all previous story lines very nicely. I was very surprised at the length of the book, which is substantial. Meridien picks up right where book 2 left off. I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! Although this last installment seems to resolve all issues in the first 2 books, The author is very clear that our adventure is not over, and there will be a 4th in the series (yay). For reasons unknown to me this book had my emotions running the gambit. I am not one to normally get emotionally invested in fiction but this book and series did it to me. When it comes down to it I can really only say that this latest in the series was great and I look forward to the next installment. Highly recommend this series!
October 27, 2015
I received a preview copy of this book from the author to review. I've really enjoyed this series so far and this is an excellent third installment to The Silver Ships series. It is much longer than the first 2 books and I think it could actually have been split into 2 separate books. This book wraps up the trilogy nicely though, while setting up for a fourth and possibly fifth book to come.
June 9, 2017
Na bun, am rezistat eroic dar cam atat pot. Eroul geniu devine supra om.... da-o in colo de treaba. Vine o rasa extraterestra sa te extermine si tu stai sa le faci analize psihologice.... nope. eu zic pas. A fost faina prima carte, asa usor naiva ea, dar acu e prea de tot. 2 stele e chiar prea mult si cred ca nu voi termina prea curand cartea.
March 8, 2016
a struggle
SUCH good world-building but the clumsiness of the writing is becoming an increasing challenge to overcome. I almost had PHYSICAL nausea when a kiss was described as "her tongue working deep into his mouth."
SUCH good world-building but the clumsiness of the writing is becoming an increasing challenge to overcome. I almost had PHYSICAL nausea when a kiss was described as "her tongue working deep into his mouth."
March 18, 2017
Readable
I never understood why the Earther's didn'tattack and just sat there waiting. Getting a little tired of Alex being the only adult in the story. Everyone is lost until Alex leads the way.
I never understood why the Earther's didn'tattack and just sat there waiting. Getting a little tired of Alex being the only adult in the story. Everyone is lost until Alex leads the way.
October 13, 2015
Moved along at a good pace. Enjoyed seeing how everything unfolded. Well done.
May 17, 2016
Continues the narration driven story, almost a space romance in parts, and a lot of politics, but interesting as the last one, hoping for some more ass kicking in the next.
October 15, 2019
A little boring compared to the previous two. Most of the book is spent declaring how awesome Captain/Admiral/President Alex is.
May 10, 2024
Good grief does the CO leader do anything but feed and fornicate her partner?
August 23, 2020
There is a competence to Jucha's writing, whether it be the intriguing technologies, which are at least moderately interesting, though scientifically inexplicable; or varied worlds, which at least promise more than the Hollywood staple 'Monument Valley with a filter'. No more is this competence exemplified by his ability to capture aliens which feel more substantial than a bad actor in cheap prosthetics. Though he doesn't rise to the mastery on display by the likes of Adrian Tchaikovsky, his aliens are at least above average.
Where he struggles, surprisingly, is in producing a plausible plot. For example, the opening premise of Book 3 is the idea that our protagonist, Alex, somehow discerns the enslavement of an entire species based on the most tenuous of evidence. Jucha's clumsy justifications require him to lean all too heavily on 'instinct'. Sadly, it reads more as an author desperate to shoehorn a plot direction without expending even the slightest effort to prepare the ground - a task which would not have taken much to accomplish. The result is satisfying, but the payoff is diminished by the desperate desire to ape Spartacus, without any rich historical justification.
This plausibility vacuum extends, most egregiously, to the protagonist himself. Our humble, reluctant hero archetype is surrounded by sycophantic worshippers. Instead of creating a sense of optimism and hope - a treatise on the power of the selfless - which appears to have been the Author's intent - it instead stirs ups a great deal of disquiet that has grown through the first 3 books. Yes, Alex is the epitome of benevolence, but a benevolent dictator, remains a dictator, even if it 'his people' who earnestly desire to anoint him as life President.
Perhaps Jucha realises this as he closes the book with his descriptions of state-building and constitutional democracy. However, the autocratic, and undiplomatic nature, of the ex-Admiral lean uncomfortably towards the building of a fascist state.
My hope is that this is all part of a long game that will see paradise slowly corrupted by power and will eventually lead to a worthy cautionary tale, with a dose of last act redemption. On its own, however, the series has, thus far, been unjustifiably triumphalist and lacks sufficient foreshadowing to make it clear that the reader should beware. Without any consequences for the protagonist's self-righteousness and the dangers of hero-worship, this novel stands as a seductive corruptor, a siren call to evil, an apologetic for fascism.
Where he struggles, surprisingly, is in producing a plausible plot. For example, the opening premise of Book 3 is the idea that our protagonist, Alex, somehow discerns the enslavement of an entire species based on the most tenuous of evidence. Jucha's clumsy justifications require him to lean all too heavily on 'instinct'. Sadly, it reads more as an author desperate to shoehorn a plot direction without expending even the slightest effort to prepare the ground - a task which would not have taken much to accomplish. The result is satisfying, but the payoff is diminished by the desperate desire to ape Spartacus, without any rich historical justification.
This plausibility vacuum extends, most egregiously, to the protagonist himself. Our humble, reluctant hero archetype is surrounded by sycophantic worshippers. Instead of creating a sense of optimism and hope - a treatise on the power of the selfless - which appears to have been the Author's intent - it instead stirs ups a great deal of disquiet that has grown through the first 3 books. Yes, Alex is the epitome of benevolence, but a benevolent dictator, remains a dictator, even if it 'his people' who earnestly desire to anoint him as life President.
Perhaps Jucha realises this as he closes the book with his descriptions of state-building and constitutional democracy. However, the autocratic, and undiplomatic nature, of the ex-Admiral lean uncomfortably towards the building of a fascist state.
My hope is that this is all part of a long game that will see paradise slowly corrupted by power and will eventually lead to a worthy cautionary tale, with a dose of last act redemption. On its own, however, the series has, thus far, been unjustifiably triumphalist and lacks sufficient foreshadowing to make it clear that the reader should beware. Without any consequences for the protagonist's self-righteousness and the dangers of hero-worship, this novel stands as a seductive corruptor, a siren call to evil, an apologetic for fascism.
March 26, 2019
Not very good
I couldn't finish the book. I saw in the first book, how shallow the MC is, how incomplete his relationships are and how impossibly perfect he was supposed to be. On the other hand, the two societies as described were interesting and different from the usual fare. I focused on that and hoped that the characters would flesh out a bit by the second book.
In book Two, the second society got a little more detail but it did seem a little awkwardly structured. Seven hundred years of exiled bad influences yields less than a half million refugees (even though life span is in excess of two hundred years and children of the exiles are also exiled). Despite this and other flaws in Meridien society, the simplistic description of the hero's home system government/economics/politics gets even more simplistic and is actually surreal. The fully engaged citizenry and representatives don't notice the theft and concentration of alien technology in the hands of a few wealthy individuals and their corporations. They don't notice a massive restructuring of the government and its agencies. No one notices the cultural shift in all these agencies and they all continue to work for them. The press is too scared to oppose a government crackdown on reporting which consists of their possible denial to governmental press briefings?
The handsome young genius hero sets it all right in three days beginning with a broadcast interview conducted by his tween sister? By page 167, I gave up on the series.
The premise and the original brief description of the two social systems were promising. The characters were thin and the MC was funny over-the-top but I thought there was hope for development of other characters and a serious exploration of all three societies (aliens, the beautiful people and the frontiersmen) but it wasn't going to happen.
This series is somewhere between a romance series and something else (?) and doesn't have the charm of at least above average writing. It's still better than most of space opera that I've come across in the last three years but the bar is so low that it's non-existent. Hence the 2 stars, instead of 1 star.
I couldn't finish the book. I saw in the first book, how shallow the MC is, how incomplete his relationships are and how impossibly perfect he was supposed to be. On the other hand, the two societies as described were interesting and different from the usual fare. I focused on that and hoped that the characters would flesh out a bit by the second book.
In book Two, the second society got a little more detail but it did seem a little awkwardly structured. Seven hundred years of exiled bad influences yields less than a half million refugees (even though life span is in excess of two hundred years and children of the exiles are also exiled). Despite this and other flaws in Meridien society, the simplistic description of the hero's home system government/economics/politics gets even more simplistic and is actually surreal. The fully engaged citizenry and representatives don't notice the theft and concentration of alien technology in the hands of a few wealthy individuals and their corporations. They don't notice a massive restructuring of the government and its agencies. No one notices the cultural shift in all these agencies and they all continue to work for them. The press is too scared to oppose a government crackdown on reporting which consists of their possible denial to governmental press briefings?
The handsome young genius hero sets it all right in three days beginning with a broadcast interview conducted by his tween sister? By page 167, I gave up on the series.
The premise and the original brief description of the two social systems were promising. The characters were thin and the MC was funny over-the-top but I thought there was hope for development of other characters and a serious exploration of all three societies (aliens, the beautiful people and the frontiersmen) but it wasn't going to happen.
This series is somewhere between a romance series and something else (?) and doesn't have the charm of at least above average writing. It's still better than most of space opera that I've come across in the last three years but the bar is so low that it's non-existent. Hence the 2 stars, instead of 1 star.
April 4, 2019
Super Alex is back and he continues to solve every problem he is faced with, with relative ease.
The longest book of the series so far, and it could easily have been broken up into 2 books, as there is a definite separation about half way through.
However, the series continues to be enjoyable, if predictable and a little bland. It is an interesting story, with likable characters and a main character who can do no wrong. Still no growth on the main characters' part, and nothing but the right moves.
I feel with this series could be so much more if the main character was fallible, and maybe didn't have a (correct) answer for everything he encounters. The human opponents he is faced with are 1 dimensional and predictable. His ally's never question him or disagree with his methods. Even the silver ship menace can easily be side stepped.
It is stated several times, the first 3 books take place over a 2 year period. In that time, Alex has gone from a loner on a ship to a perfectly articulated, person manipulating god.
I do enjoy the books. the Narrator is very good and the story is interesting. But I am frustrated because it could be so much better.
The longest book of the series so far, and it could easily have been broken up into 2 books, as there is a definite separation about half way through.
However, the series continues to be enjoyable, if predictable and a little bland. It is an interesting story, with likable characters and a main character who can do no wrong. Still no growth on the main characters' part, and nothing but the right moves.
I feel with this series could be so much more if the main character was fallible, and maybe didn't have a (correct) answer for everything he encounters. The human opponents he is faced with are 1 dimensional and predictable. His ally's never question him or disagree with his methods. Even the silver ship menace can easily be side stepped.
It is stated several times, the first 3 books take place over a 2 year period. In that time, Alex has gone from a loner on a ship to a perfectly articulated, person manipulating god.
I do enjoy the books. the Narrator is very good and the story is interesting. But I am frustrated because it could be so much better.
June 10, 2024
A good book, but far too much confusion this time.
I enjoy this series. I have had a great time following the story and this is a relaxing series where things go right more often than not, but not so often that there is no tension at all.
I would give it a solid four stars if it weren’t for one problem. I found it confusing to the point of distraction when trying to figure out what was being communicative when Alex first met the Swei Swee - it would have been much more enjoyable if the SADEs just figured out their language and told us what was being said.
I still don’t fully understand their story or what was involved in rescuing them and much more. It wasn’t necessary for it to be so confusing, and the “realism” of the difficult communication between an alien race and humanity was not worth the confusion that STILL exists even now.
I’m hoping book four gets back to the smooth storytelling of the first couple of books.
I enjoy this series. I have had a great time following the story and this is a relaxing series where things go right more often than not, but not so often that there is no tension at all.
I would give it a solid four stars if it weren’t for one problem. I found it confusing to the point of distraction when trying to figure out what was being communicative when Alex first met the Swei Swee - it would have been much more enjoyable if the SADEs just figured out their language and told us what was being said.
I still don’t fully understand their story or what was involved in rescuing them and much more. It wasn’t necessary for it to be so confusing, and the “realism” of the difficult communication between an alien race and humanity was not worth the confusion that STILL exists even now.
I’m hoping book four gets back to the smooth storytelling of the first couple of books.
June 18, 2025
I love this series!
The Silver Ships is a thrilling blend of space adventure, human resilience, and AI companionship. S.H. Jucha crafts a universe where a lone survivor, Alex Racine, discovers a derelict alien ship—and in doing so, triggers a story of exploration, alliance, and resistance against tyranny. The pacing is tight, the tech is imaginative yet grounded, and the characters—especially the sentient AIs—add a warm, emotional depth to the story. If you love stories about found families, moral courage, and underdogs rising to the occasion, this series delivers again and again.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A must-read for sci-fi lovers craving heart, hope, and high-stakes across the stars.
The Silver Ships is a thrilling blend of space adventure, human resilience, and AI companionship. S.H. Jucha crafts a universe where a lone survivor, Alex Racine, discovers a derelict alien ship—and in doing so, triggers a story of exploration, alliance, and resistance against tyranny. The pacing is tight, the tech is imaginative yet grounded, and the characters—especially the sentient AIs—add a warm, emotional depth to the story. If you love stories about found families, moral courage, and underdogs rising to the occasion, this series delivers again and again.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A must-read for sci-fi lovers craving heart, hope, and high-stakes across the stars.
July 6, 2019
A captivating page-turner!
This fast-paced space opera continues to fulfill my best expectations for exciting, well-written science fiction! In this installment Alex and his entourage barely escape treachery on New Terra only to plunge headlong into an attempt to vanquish the evil Nu’all’s mothership and save all humankind. Will the prevail against all odds?
There are twists, turns and fast paced action as well as levity, satisfying speculative science and future tech along with skilled character development which leave the reader cheering for the good guys and booing the villains. At least it did for me!
This fast-paced space opera continues to fulfill my best expectations for exciting, well-written science fiction! In this installment Alex and his entourage barely escape treachery on New Terra only to plunge headlong into an attempt to vanquish the evil Nu’all’s mothership and save all humankind. Will the prevail against all odds?
There are twists, turns and fast paced action as well as levity, satisfying speculative science and future tech along with skilled character development which leave the reader cheering for the good guys and booing the villains. At least it did for me!
March 13, 2017
This is the third installment of the Silver Ships series, in which our intrepid hero and his followers save the human race by defeating one alien species and at the same time freeing another species that had been enslaved. And that's all in the first half of the book. Then they go on to settle on a new world and our hero is promoted from General to President of the planet.
I'll grant that it sounds a little unbelievable, but I enjoyed it. Maybe Alex has more good fortune than any one person is entitled to, but he's such a likeable character that I've so far been willing to accept.
I'll grant that it sounds a little unbelievable, but I enjoyed it. Maybe Alex has more good fortune than any one person is entitled to, but he's such a likeable character that I've so far been willing to accept.
January 18, 2018
A wonderful book about two distant civilizations and different species meeting for a first time and working to defeat a common enemy and accomplish mutual goals.
A wonderful book about two distant civilizations and different species meeting for a first time and working to defeat a common enemy and accomplish mutual goals. A question raises for me and is Alex Racine controlled by Julien all this time or Alex has grown to become the leader of a new world. Is Alex being affected by his two implants or his anger leads him to some actions that threat others.
A wonderful book about two distant civilizations and different species meeting for a first time and working to defeat a common enemy and accomplish mutual goals. A question raises for me and is Alex Racine controlled by Julien all this time or Alex has grown to become the leader of a new world. Is Alex being affected by his two implants or his anger leads him to some actions that threat others.
March 2, 2022
I'm really enjoying this series mainly for the feel good factor of them. The story is quite intriguing and I never know whats going to happen next but the main reason I keep reading them is the hope and humour endowed by the main characters.
I really think Craig Alanson who wrote the Expeditionary Force books should take note of the relationship between Alex and Julian as it knocks spots of the Joe / Skippy dynamic and these Silver Ships books are genuinely funny instead of the repetetive banter of Expeditionary Force.
I really think Craig Alanson who wrote the Expeditionary Force books should take note of the relationship between Alex and Julian as it knocks spots of the Joe / Skippy dynamic and these Silver Ships books are genuinely funny instead of the repetetive banter of Expeditionary Force.
January 5, 2018
Better than book two!
It still kind of peaked early but this book didn't suffer the issue book two struggled with: a slow, plodding pace. More happened! It was almost all in the first half of the book, though. I'm hoping they continue to improve with time.
It was good enough that I'll read the next one, at least.
It still kind of peaked early but this book didn't suffer the issue book two struggled with: a slow, plodding pace. More happened! It was almost all in the first half of the book, though. I'm hoping they continue to improve with time.
It was good enough that I'll read the next one, at least.
June 25, 2018
Explore the future.
This series presents some of the best aspects of science fiction, exploring ideas and cultures, considering the interactions of various beings and cultures. The pace of the series is not frenetic, but takes its time to examine the issues, and refreshingly does not assume that an explosion is the solution to every problem.
This series presents some of the best aspects of science fiction, exploring ideas and cultures, considering the interactions of various beings and cultures. The pace of the series is not frenetic, but takes its time to examine the issues, and refreshingly does not assume that an explosion is the solution to every problem.
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