Defiant

Lightship Chronicles #3

by Dave Bara

With his critically acclaimed military science fiction debut series, Dave Bara launched readers on a star-spanning journey of discovery, diplomacy, and danger.

Peter Cochrane and his new wife, Karina, have been married less than a year. And although things have been quiet in relation to the old Empire during that time, they're about to get a lot hotter. Peter and Karina have embarked on a diplomatic mission to Sandosa, an old ally of Pendax, the newest member of the Union.

But during their mission the government of Sandosa attacks Peter's new command, Defiant, and tries to assassinate Karina and him. Peter responds the only way he can, with all the power at his disposal to protect both his wife and Defiant.

Then suddenly Defiant is called away to Skondar, where Peter's old flame Dobrina Kierkopf and her new ship Impulse II have come under attack by the Butcher of Carinthia, Prince Arin. Though Defiant chases away the prince, it is not before some pretty devastating events have occurred.

And soon Peter finds himself racing toward the mysterious world of Altos, where he discovers an unpleasant truth about the Union's allies, the Historians of Earth.

Each encounter with Arin and his allies leaves Peter and the Union Navy fleet reeling, even as they continue to pursue this elusive enemy. But all of this can only have one conclusion, a final confrontation in which Peter and Arin will battle over the future of humanity--Union or Empire.

Genres: Science Fiction, Space Opera

368 pages, Hardcover

Published January 3, 2017

About the author

Dave Bara was born at the dawn of the space age and grew up watching the Gemini and Apollo space programs on television. He dreamed of becoming an astronaut one day. This soon led him to an interest in science fiction, especially on television. His early years were filled with dozens of episodes of the original Star Trek, Lost in Space, The Outer Limits, and The Twilight Zone.

He began to read science fiction voraciously in his teens, with authors like Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, Frederick Pohl, Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle, Gordon Dickson, and Joe Haldeman being among his favorites. This led him to try his hand at writing, which he continued all through his college years, even using a novel project as part of his undergraduate degree studies. During these years the story concepts for what would become The Lightship Chronicles series began to take form.

Dave's writing is influenced by the many SF novels he has read over the years, but most notable were books like Dune (Herbert), The Mote In God's Eye (Niven and Pournelle), Dorsai! (Dickson), The Forever War (Haldeman), Tau Zero (Poul Anderson) and the Foundation novels (Asimov), among many others.

Dave looks forward to bringing SF fans many years of exciting and interesting writing, heroic characters, and soaring adventure in the years to come.

Look for IMPULSE: The Lightship Chronicles, Volume I on February 3, 2015 from DAW Books in the US and Del Rey Books in the UK and Europe. Volume II, STARBOUND, should be coming later in 2015.

Reviews

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of Defiant in return for an honest review. Defiant is pure Space Opera. Once again Peter Cochrane and his actions are the focus of the story. This is book three in the series and I think that the world building would be very confusing if you started here. I enjoyed the book. It is very action packed; some of which is predictable and some that is surprising. I liked Peter's new wife, Karina, got tired of hearing about his past loves. The story line did make it difficult to ignore either one as they play an important part in the story line. The big problem in the series is solved in Defiant but a new and much bigger problem is highlighted at the end so look for more of Peter and Karina in future books.

[Janet Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the weakest episode in a fun space opera sort of series. The limp romance elements and battle choreography took over and the character development and excellent world building got lost. Still, this book was fun and I will continue to look for more from Bara

[Lance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional series. Really loved all three books. Hopefully Mr Bara will be able to continue this story in the future.

[John Purvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Defiant” eBook was published in 2017 and was written by Dave Bara (https://www.davebara.info). Mr. Bara has published four novels and this is the third in his “Lightship Chronicles” series.

I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘PG’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The story is set in the far future. The Union is on the brink of war with the Empire. The main character is Union Lightship Captain Peter Cochrane.

Cochrane is now married to Karina. She is an officer on his Lightship as well as a princess. Both come from Royal lineages. Cochrane and his crew are sent to the planet Sandosa on a diplomatic mission. Soon though they are called away to Skondar to rescue the Lightship Impulse II which is captained by Cochrane’s former fiancé.

While saving the Impulse II, Cochrane encounters arch enemy Prince Arin and battle ensues. Not only is Cochrane confronted with Prince Arin, but he discovers that their allies from Earth, the Historians, have been less than truthful.

I thoroughly enjoyed the 8.5 hours I spent reading this 336 page Science Fiction novel. I had read the first in the “Lightship series”, Impulse, a little over two years ago. I enjoyed that first book as well. I like the character of Cochrane, though he lets his temper get control sometimes. While reading the prior books in the series would be a plus, this can be read stand-alone. If you like Science Fiction with space battles, you will probably enjoy this series. The cover art is a good choice. I give this novel a 4.4 (rounded down to a 4) out of 5.

Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter Cochrane, in command of the Union Navy’s ship, Defiant, heads to Sandosa on a diplomatic mission with his wife, Princess Karina. Things quickly head downhill as their convoy is attacked and they’re dragged into a conflict against Peter’s old enemy, Prince Arin. Allies and enemies take sides as the war escalates, and Peter’s forces face weapons of unimaginable power. Can the fragile Union prevail, or will the old Empire regain control? In a battle to the death, Peter will determine humanity’s future. Defiant is an action-packed military space adventure with a likeable hero that will make you wish for more in this series.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

ok so this is 3rd and finally book in series and it gives a good ending..left it open for a 4th book if they wanted to..anyways so it is the end game battle between Defiant's Captain and Vixis's Captain to see who will save mankind from the evil Founders that are returning to take back their galaxy..if you like sci-fi fantasy and space battles you would like it..I have now read 2 of the 3 books..

[Frederick Grambs · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first two books in this series were well written - this one was not. It was an easy quick read and fitted in with the standard Space Opera tropes, but the writing felt stilted and the actions and attitudes of the main character, Peter Cochrane, made me dislike his character.

[Gary Weinman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The end of a trilogy. The author left it open in case he wanted to revisit this world, but from what I can tell he decided against it. I enjoyed the books. They won't go down as the greatest of all time, but they were a nice read.

[Aurora · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final book? In the series... maybe..... Lots if battles with the duke-captain main character showing his ability not wreck complete destruction on the empires of the enemies. Of course, Kota of fantastic scenarios. Overall, good read.

[Patricia Litz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Glad this book is over. I remembered reading something like it a while ago. This is light reading not much backbone. Good characters. I think the one where he married Karina was better.

[Tim McGowan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit better than the last but not up to the original. It has that big reveal quick conclusion that marked so many episodes of Star Trek.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in the Lightship Chronicles by Dave Bara. Reading this book makes me both glad and sad simultaneously. I am glad to see how the story of Peter Cochrane plays out but also sad because the story has come to it's conclusion, at least for now. In this one Peter and his new wife Karina must face a final battle with Karina's brother Prince Arin and his allies from the old Empire for the fate of the fledgling Union and of mankind. Also the mysterious Historians have an agenda of their own which will affect the entire human race also. This book is a great read in the Space Opera/Military Science Fiction genres and I highly recommend it and this entire trilogy. I will definitely be reading more of Dave Bara's works as they become available.

[Steven Minniear · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably the best of the three books in the series. If you love unlikely, come from behind stories, this will work for you. I don't think it's as good as Jack Campbell but it fun. As an indicator, I bought it in hardcover because I wanted to see how the series ended sooner, rather than later.

[BBFlyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part 3 ending of a great space opera. The good guys destroy the bad guys and save the Union for democracy.