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The Ember War Saga #4
Earth Defiant
In the battle for humanity's future, no one can be trusted.
Betrayed by allies.
Beset by new foes.
Earth faces its darkest hour since the Xaros invasion.
The Toth come to the Solar System with a fleet of warships, and they want for the only tool that can rekindle the human race. It falls on Marine Lieutenant Hale to negotiate a pact that will save the human race at the cost of its soul, or start a war with a race of alien predators.
The latest action packed chapter of the Ember War Saga continues with EARTH DEFIANT.
Betrayed by allies.
Beset by new foes.
Earth faces its darkest hour since the Xaros invasion.
The Toth come to the Solar System with a fleet of warships, and they want for the only tool that can rekindle the human race. It falls on Marine Lieutenant Hale to negotiate a pact that will save the human race at the cost of its soul, or start a war with a race of alien predators.
The latest action packed chapter of the Ember War Saga continues with EARTH DEFIANT.
484 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 16, 2016
581 people are currently reading
216 people want to read
About the author
Richard Fox
131 books613 followersRichard Fox is a Nebula Award nominated author, and winner of the 2017 Dragon Award for Best Military Science Fiction or Fantasy novel, author of The Ember War Saga, a military science fiction and space opera series, and other novels in the military history, thriller and space opera genres.
He lives in fabulous Las Vegas with his incredible wife and three boys, amazing children bent on anarchy.
He graduated from the United States Military Academy (West Point) much to his surprise and spent ten years on active duty in the United States Army. He deployed on two combat tours to Iraq and received the Combat Action Badge, Bronze Star and Presidential Unit Citation.
The Ember War Saga:
1. The Ember War
2. The Ruins of Anthalas
3. Blood of Heroes
4. Earth Defiant
5. The Gardens of Nibiru
6. Battle of the Void
7. The Siege of Earth
8. The Crucible
9. The Xaros Reckoning
Terran Armored Corps
1. Iron Dragoons
2. The Ibarra Sanction
3. The True Measure
4. A House Divided
5. The Last Aeon
6. Ferrum Corde
Terran Strike Marines
1. The Dotari Salvation
2. Rage of Winter
3. Valdar's Hammer
4. The Beast of Eridu
5. Gott Mit Uns
The Exiled Fleet:
1. Albion Lost
2. The Long March
3. Finest Hour
4. Point of Honor
The Terra Nova Chronicles
1. Terra Nova
2. Bloodlines
3. Wings of Redemption
4. Hale's War
Subscribe to Richard's spam free email list and get free short stories set during the Ember War Saga (and more as they become available) at: http://eepurl.com/bLj1gf
Like him on Facebook (best place to reach him): https://www.facebook.com/Richard-Fox-...
Website: www.richardfoxauthor.com
He lives in fabulous Las Vegas with his incredible wife and three boys, amazing children bent on anarchy.
He graduated from the United States Military Academy (West Point) much to his surprise and spent ten years on active duty in the United States Army. He deployed on two combat tours to Iraq and received the Combat Action Badge, Bronze Star and Presidential Unit Citation.
The Ember War Saga:
1. The Ember War
2. The Ruins of Anthalas
3. Blood of Heroes
4. Earth Defiant
5. The Gardens of Nibiru
6. Battle of the Void
7. The Siege of Earth
8. The Crucible
9. The Xaros Reckoning
Terran Armored Corps
1. Iron Dragoons
2. The Ibarra Sanction
3. The True Measure
4. A House Divided
5. The Last Aeon
6. Ferrum Corde
Terran Strike Marines
1. The Dotari Salvation
2. Rage of Winter
3. Valdar's Hammer
4. The Beast of Eridu
5. Gott Mit Uns
The Exiled Fleet:
1. Albion Lost
2. The Long March
3. Finest Hour
4. Point of Honor
The Terra Nova Chronicles
1. Terra Nova
2. Bloodlines
3. Wings of Redemption
4. Hale's War
Subscribe to Richard's spam free email list and get free short stories set during the Ember War Saga (and more as they become available) at: http://eepurl.com/bLj1gf
Like him on Facebook (best place to reach him): https://www.facebook.com/Richard-Fox-...
Website: www.richardfoxauthor.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
February 28, 2016
Another win for Richard Fox!
From the first page of the first book to the last page of the last book, this storyteller grabs you and never let's go. The characters are real, the technology is understandable, and the story has more twist than a mountain road. So looking forward to the next book.
From the first page of the first book to the last page of the last book, this storyteller grabs you and never let's go. The characters are real, the technology is understandable, and the story has more twist than a mountain road. So looking forward to the next book.
March 1, 2016
What a great military science fiction novel
Seriously folks, this was the first episode of the novel I've read and I'm hooked! seriously hooked! I've got to get the previous episodes and then anxiously wait for more!
Seriously folks, this was the first episode of the novel I've read and I'm hooked! seriously hooked! I've got to get the previous episodes and then anxiously wait for more!
August 13, 2024
Bad writing but sometimes entertaining
**Spoilers included**
I have 3 big issues with this book. Separated, all but one of these i would consider minor, but together they really shine a light on whats holding this series back. Bad writing and bad planning.
So, my first point of issues comes with the "True born story arc." If you can even call it an arc. For context, humanity is building? Growing? "Proccies" to bolster their numbers in order to crew the new ships needed to fight off the second invasion by the Xaros. These are essentially procedurally generated humans born in tubes. Think something like external wombs as seen in many other sci-fi ip's. When news of the existence of Proccies is announced by the government, we are told there were riots and violence because people were scared of the Proccies, calling them inhuman abominations with no souls. We are shown an example of this in a pizzeria where someone is held up with a shotgun because people think he is a proccie.(this instance might be in a different book but it shows context) and then we see a protest outside the military base of people denouncing the Proccies. People do end up breaking into the base to kidnap one, but up to this point, this is all we have actually seen of this "Trueborn" movement. Then all of a sudden this movement has the means to steal a military dropship and transport a bomb onto the "Lehi", the ship producing a portion of the Proccies and ultimately steal that ship as well. There is much more that happens from this perspective, but my issue is that it feels rushed because of how little page time it had and very much like a manufactured conflict. Which i guess it was? This whole thing was handwaved away at the end with Ibarra saying he "knew all about it and used them to further his own goals."
My next point is connected with the Arc above. Captain Valdar, the man who risked life and limb to save civilians in Okinawa during a war before the Xaros invasion. The man who took his lone ship to evacuate Dotok civilians and, in doing so, faced off against a Xaros invasion fleet and suffers one of the worst character assassinations I've seen in a long time. The man listed above? He tried to have all of the Proccies sold to the Toth to be used like cattle and eaten. Why? Because they are "Souless inhuman abominations." Absolutely insane. But again, don't worry, this is also just handwaved away by a single conversation, and now he's redeemed, i guess?
-"Look at them,” Makarov said, staring at the body bags. “Can you tell which are proccie, and which are true born?” “No, ma’am.” “Neither can I. I couldn’t tell them apart before the battle. I can’t do it now. Maybe the rest of the fleet and any of Fournier’s surviving believers will see it that way too. Circumstances of birth may be different, but we’re all equal in death.” Makarov wiped a hand across her face and walked away. Valdar’s gaze ran over the many dead, and found that he agreed with her.-
And! Valdar actually conspires with the Trueborn faction for all of this and does tasks for them to try and rid earth of the Proccies. Valdar almost had an actual redemption when he went to report himself as a traitor and recieve punishment but, if you've noticed the patern, that gets handwaved away at the end and Ibarra turned out to know all about it and instead of Valdar being redeemed he now has the choice to be Ibarras pawn and its kept secret or essentially destroy his life by admitting what he did.
The third and probably biggest issue comes in the form of the Omnium Reactor. This is just a mcguffin. It served as the purpose as basically the entire plot behind the second book. And its the reason behind the events in the 5th book as well. Why? Because conveniently they found the Toth cloaking device and was able to make it even better, allowing them to take the fight to the Toth. How? The Omnium Reactor made some sort of "significant improvement"!
-“That is the cloaking device from the Naga,” Stacey said. “We found it mostly intact on the wreck. Lafayette examined it with the omnium reactor and was able to make some significant improvement-
Now, maybe all of this isn't a big deal to some people, but it just feels like lazy writing to me. Having the plot rely on a specific set of coincidences and being only possible because of a mcguffin doesn't feel like strong writing to me.
**Spoilers included**
I have 3 big issues with this book. Separated, all but one of these i would consider minor, but together they really shine a light on whats holding this series back. Bad writing and bad planning.
So, my first point of issues comes with the "True born story arc." If you can even call it an arc. For context, humanity is building? Growing? "Proccies" to bolster their numbers in order to crew the new ships needed to fight off the second invasion by the Xaros. These are essentially procedurally generated humans born in tubes. Think something like external wombs as seen in many other sci-fi ip's. When news of the existence of Proccies is announced by the government, we are told there were riots and violence because people were scared of the Proccies, calling them inhuman abominations with no souls. We are shown an example of this in a pizzeria where someone is held up with a shotgun because people think he is a proccie.(this instance might be in a different book but it shows context) and then we see a protest outside the military base of people denouncing the Proccies. People do end up breaking into the base to kidnap one, but up to this point, this is all we have actually seen of this "Trueborn" movement. Then all of a sudden this movement has the means to steal a military dropship and transport a bomb onto the "Lehi", the ship producing a portion of the Proccies and ultimately steal that ship as well. There is much more that happens from this perspective, but my issue is that it feels rushed because of how little page time it had and very much like a manufactured conflict. Which i guess it was? This whole thing was handwaved away at the end with Ibarra saying he "knew all about it and used them to further his own goals."
My next point is connected with the Arc above. Captain Valdar, the man who risked life and limb to save civilians in Okinawa during a war before the Xaros invasion. The man who took his lone ship to evacuate Dotok civilians and, in doing so, faced off against a Xaros invasion fleet and suffers one of the worst character assassinations I've seen in a long time. The man listed above? He tried to have all of the Proccies sold to the Toth to be used like cattle and eaten. Why? Because they are "Souless inhuman abominations." Absolutely insane. But again, don't worry, this is also just handwaved away by a single conversation, and now he's redeemed, i guess?
-"Look at them,” Makarov said, staring at the body bags. “Can you tell which are proccie, and which are true born?” “No, ma’am.” “Neither can I. I couldn’t tell them apart before the battle. I can’t do it now. Maybe the rest of the fleet and any of Fournier’s surviving believers will see it that way too. Circumstances of birth may be different, but we’re all equal in death.” Makarov wiped a hand across her face and walked away. Valdar’s gaze ran over the many dead, and found that he agreed with her.-
And! Valdar actually conspires with the Trueborn faction for all of this and does tasks for them to try and rid earth of the Proccies. Valdar almost had an actual redemption when he went to report himself as a traitor and recieve punishment but, if you've noticed the patern, that gets handwaved away at the end and Ibarra turned out to know all about it and instead of Valdar being redeemed he now has the choice to be Ibarras pawn and its kept secret or essentially destroy his life by admitting what he did.
The third and probably biggest issue comes in the form of the Omnium Reactor. This is just a mcguffin. It served as the purpose as basically the entire plot behind the second book. And its the reason behind the events in the 5th book as well. Why? Because conveniently they found the Toth cloaking device and was able to make it even better, allowing them to take the fight to the Toth. How? The Omnium Reactor made some sort of "significant improvement"!
-“That is the cloaking device from the Naga,” Stacey said. “We found it mostly intact on the wreck. Lafayette examined it with the omnium reactor and was able to make some significant improvement-
Now, maybe all of this isn't a big deal to some people, but it just feels like lazy writing to me. Having the plot rely on a specific set of coincidences and being only possible because of a mcguffin doesn't feel like strong writing to me.
February 21, 2016
Great read
It is a great continuation of the series and can't wait for the next! Mr Fox outdoes himself once again.
It is a great continuation of the series and can't wait for the next! Mr Fox outdoes himself once again.
March 4, 2019
Seria continuă promițător în acest volum al 4-lea. Inițial mă gândeam că noua amenințare nu se ridică la nivelul așteptărilor, dar până la urmă au fost decenți. Totuși, îi dau doar 3 stele pentru că m-am săturat de acest noroc chior care bântuie prin toate sci fi-urile astea noi.
March 29, 2019
I’ve encountered many series which could have been half as long and much better but because the authors where greedy they prolonged the series with much boring stuff just to sell extra books or audiobooks.
NOT THIS AUTHOR !
Audiobook 4 and I can’t stop, truly an amazing series, what an excellent imagination Richard Fox the author have?
Where does he get all the ideas?
And on top of it all his writing never stops from keeping you out of suspense !
Not forgetting Luke Daniels perfect narration through every audiobook till now which I see no reason for it to change.
Absolutely full heartedly recommended !
NOT THIS AUTHOR !
Audiobook 4 and I can’t stop, truly an amazing series, what an excellent imagination Richard Fox the author have?
Where does he get all the ideas?
And on top of it all his writing never stops from keeping you out of suspense !
Not forgetting Luke Daniels perfect narration through every audiobook till now which I see no reason for it to change.
Absolutely full heartedly recommended !
May 15, 2017
Outstanding.
How many times can i keep writing "another fantatsic sequel"? 4 books and 4 fantastic reads. Loved this book. I think it has some pretty deep themes that it touches on without becoming preachy.
Highly recommend!
How many times can i keep writing "another fantatsic sequel"? 4 books and 4 fantastic reads. Loved this book. I think it has some pretty deep themes that it touches on without becoming preachy.
Highly recommend!
May 8, 2018
I've really enjoyed this series! While the overall story arc involves a lot of characters and species, the narrative pace, changing perspectives and the scope of what's in each book keeps it from feeling overwhelming or tedious. Certain characters annoyed me at first, but grew on me (Standish) especially in book 3 and 4. I love the dilemmas the characters are being forced to deal with - both as a race as well as individuals. The author isn't rushing on these issues, which I appreciate, and he keeps the right amount of humor and action going that I can't believe I've already finished ANOTHER book in the series. I bought book 5 right away.
July 7, 2017
Wow, this was the best of the series so far. I was really into the action, and the twists kept coming as Ibarra kept me on my seat.
The Toth threat is a really impressive portion of this series. I thought it was all going to be drones from the start, but adding these guys have made the series have a lot more depth. The political side of the alien congress is also interesting.
Really enjoying the series.
The Toth threat is a really impressive portion of this series. I thought it was all going to be drones from the start, but adding these guys have made the series have a lot more depth. The political side of the alien congress is also interesting.
Really enjoying the series.
September 6, 2017
Now that's an exciting story!
While I understand that an author has to make some sacrifices to his cast of characters in the course of a series, it's very hard to lose them as a reader of the story. It adds a gritty and emotional realism to the plot, but it feels like losing a friend.
That sense of loss wouldn't happen if the characters weren't engaging and didn't have distinctive personalities. So kudos to Richard Fox for making me give a damn. Well done, sir.
While I understand that an author has to make some sacrifices to his cast of characters in the course of a series, it's very hard to lose them as a reader of the story. It adds a gritty and emotional realism to the plot, but it feels like losing a friend.
That sense of loss wouldn't happen if the characters weren't engaging and didn't have distinctive personalities. So kudos to Richard Fox for making me give a damn. Well done, sir.
March 12, 2019
dismissed from the dinner table
the Toths have come to negotiate with Earth, offering protection from the Xaros in exchange for a delicacy only we seem to have. they are procedurals, humans grown at accelerated rates and given constructed memories. many humans on Earth hate them, but when it comes to the comradeship in space, no one will be taking any people and they'll fight like check to prove it
the Toths have come to negotiate with Earth, offering protection from the Xaros in exchange for a delicacy only we seem to have. they are procedurals, humans grown at accelerated rates and given constructed memories. many humans on Earth hate them, but when it comes to the comradeship in space, no one will be taking any people and they'll fight like check to prove it
December 29, 2020
Excellent science fiction series.
This is an excellent book, it depicts the horrors of war in a science-fiction realm. The characters are OK, hail as the main protagonist or one of them could be a bit sharper. There are plenty of machinations going on in the storyline which makes the book very interesting. The science fiction aspects of the book are well done. Going on to read the next book in the series. You may like it as well if you like science fiction space fleet battles, ground battles and plenty of intrigue.
This is an excellent book, it depicts the horrors of war in a science-fiction realm. The characters are OK, hail as the main protagonist or one of them could be a bit sharper. There are plenty of machinations going on in the storyline which makes the book very interesting. The science fiction aspects of the book are well done. Going on to read the next book in the series. You may like it as well if you like science fiction space fleet battles, ground battles and plenty of intrigue.
May 29, 2017
Liked it, but not loved it due to references to how great the US is and how we'd all have died horrible deaths if the US hadn't come and saved us, etc.
What is it with American's (the ones from the USA, not Canada or South America) and not reading history books or knowing what people outside of their borders think of them?
What is it with American's (the ones from the USA, not Canada or South America) and not reading history books or knowing what people outside of their borders think of them?
August 29, 2018
Just hits 4 stars...
The sci-fi action in this series is pretty straightforward and standard. To earn the fourth Star I think the author uses good writing style which certainly helps to bring the story to life. Also, the overall plot-line is quite interesting. You’ve got the feeling after each book that something bigger is going on here and you need to find out what it is.
The sci-fi action in this series is pretty straightforward and standard. To earn the fourth Star I think the author uses good writing style which certainly helps to bring the story to life. Also, the overall plot-line is quite interesting. You’ve got the feeling after each book that something bigger is going on here and you need to find out what it is.
June 11, 2017
Good read
Well written and engaging. Fox has a way of making you feel real empathy for the characters. The action and intrigue keep the reader wanting for more. Recommended for those who like mi!Larry science fiction.
Well written and engaging. Fox has a way of making you feel real empathy for the characters. The action and intrigue keep the reader wanting for more. Recommended for those who like mi!Larry science fiction.
September 13, 2018
Continues to be a good read
Extremely entertaining and engrossing episode with the same band of reluctant heroes. Other alien beings are introduced and mysteries are added. Mankind is still distrusted and must fight with minimal assistance of the Alliance.
Extremely entertaining and engrossing episode with the same band of reluctant heroes. Other alien beings are introduced and mysteries are added. Mankind is still distrusted and must fight with minimal assistance of the Alliance.
February 3, 2019
Enjoyable book
Humanity faces more aliens trying to kill them, do battle and survive to see another day. Sorry guys shore leave is canceled we are off on the next mission, see you in the next book.
Humanity faces more aliens trying to kill them, do battle and survive to see another day. Sorry guys shore leave is canceled we are off on the next mission, see you in the next book.
August 15, 2019
Great!
An excellent continuation of the Ember War Saga! I am really enjoying reading these books! I highly recommend them. The military environment within the stories is spot on, a welcome thing to an old vet.
An excellent continuation of the Ember War Saga! I am really enjoying reading these books! I highly recommend them. The military environment within the stories is spot on, a welcome thing to an old vet.
October 5, 2019
And The Hits Just Keep On Coming
The forces of Earth face off against a second vast force which has assembled to wipe out the human race in this action packed entry. Good social commentary. Some elements are getting repetitive by book 4.
The forces of Earth face off against a second vast force which has assembled to wipe out the human race in this action packed entry. Good social commentary. Some elements are getting repetitive by book 4.
October 30, 2019
A great series
This is my second time reading this series. That’s so i can binge read it without having to wait for the next book to be released. It has great characters and an intriguing storyline with lots of action.
This is my second time reading this series. That’s so i can binge read it without having to wait for the next book to be released. It has great characters and an intriguing storyline with lots of action.
October 15, 2022
Fast moving.
This book in the series kept me reading deep into the night as I did not want to put it down. I had to keep reading to see where we were going next. Thanks for the good read and on to the next in the series
This book in the series kept me reading deep into the night as I did not want to put it down. I had to keep reading to see where we were going next. Thanks for the good read and on to the next in the series
August 6, 2025
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May 10, 2017
all Richard fox knows how to do is win. can't wait to finish the rest!
September 13, 2017
Loved it
This series is never disappointing. Non stop action. Aliens, space Marines, armor. It is great. I read this on Kindle Unlimited.
This series is never disappointing. Non stop action. Aliens, space Marines, armor. It is great. I read this on Kindle Unlimited.
September 22, 2017
Excellent and quick paced, thank you!!
November 8, 2017
Nice addition to the series. Not much else to say.
March 4, 2018
Another great book in the series
August 6, 2018
Must read serries.
I question why i never heard of this serries years ago. Its truly a modern day classic for science fiction.
I question why i never heard of this serries years ago. Its truly a modern day classic for science fiction.
October 9, 2018
Excellent!
Another solid entry in a great series, a great mix of frontline and ship-to-ship combat and interesting, engaging characters. read it in a single five hour sitting.
Another solid entry in a great series, a great mix of frontline and ship-to-ship combat and interesting, engaging characters. read it in a single five hour sitting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews