What do you think?
Rate this book
Fallen Empire #0.5
Last Command
In the final days of the empire, Cyborg Corps Colonel Leonidas Adler plans to die in a manner befitting of an imperial officer: he will fight until his last breath, giving his life to defend Emperor Markus. As it was meant to be.
But when the emperor himself summons him for a final special mission, how can he refuse?
But when the emperor himself summons him for a final special mission, how can he refuse?
73 pages, ebook
First published June 25, 2016
12 people are currently reading
576 people want to read
About the author
Lindsay Buroker
176 books6,284 followersI'm a full-time indie fantasy and science fiction author. When I'm not writing, I'm ferrying my dogs to hiking trails for adventures.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
May 6, 2020
Got really unimpressed by this short story. Clumsy and hard to follow at the moments. I think it is for the best to stick to the main series and leave these short stories for ultra super mega fans. 2* - barely.
April 21, 2019
I loved this prequel to the Fallen Empire series. This should really not be read until after the third book in the series as it gives away some spoilers about Leonidas that we don't learn until book three. There was a lot packed into this novella.
June 28, 2016
another Fallen empire (free) novella, this time a prequel that will probably tie in with book 3; way too much "shoot them up" pages per total as the strength of the series is in the characters and the universe, rather than in the B-action movie fights which occasionally get into comic book hero invulnerability territory; however I still enjoyed the dialogue and the series remains a current favorite
July 27, 2019
This prequel novella is part of the Fallen Empire box set and I read it after I read the first 3 books in this series. While chronologically set before book 1 I think it's more fun to read it after book 3 like how it's placed in the box set.
Last Commands follows the point of view of Leonidas and I really liked how this novella adds a bit to this characters. It also covers some interesting events from the end of the war. There is the usual action that I've come to expect from this series and things going wrong.
It ends a bit on a sad note, but I do think we will see more of one of the characters we meet in this novella. And it was an interesting piece of backstory from Leonidas and gives more insight in his character. I quite liked it and it's fun how this answers the question of what Leonidas is doing at Dustor at the start of book.
Last Commands follows the point of view of Leonidas and I really liked how this novella adds a bit to this characters. It also covers some interesting events from the end of the war. There is the usual action that I've come to expect from this series and things going wrong.
It ends a bit on a sad note, but I do think we will see more of one of the characters we meet in this novella. And it was an interesting piece of backstory from Leonidas and gives more insight in his character. I quite liked it and it's fun how this answers the question of what Leonidas is doing at Dustor at the start of book.
June 27, 2018
Another layer added to an already excellent story. I wouldn’t suggest reading this prequel until you’re a few books into the series.
May 21, 2021
Background information more closely connecting characters, one primary and one secondary. Even though the events were before those of book 1, revealing this information could have been part of book 3 or even later just as easily.
This series of 8 books, several short stories and novellas, was published over a period of less than a year, which makes me wonder about the motivations of the author, editor and publisher. Is this really 8 stories, or just 1 story? Why not put the 1 story in 1 book? Of course the bookseller could have mentioned that the 3 books sold as a unit were not the complete series. Or they could have mentioned that all 8 books were also sold as a unit. Especially considering these publications are over 5 years old.
This series of 8 books, several short stories and novellas, was published over a period of less than a year, which makes me wonder about the motivations of the author, editor and publisher. Is this really 8 stories, or just 1 story? Why not put the 1 story in 1 book? Of course the bookseller could have mentioned that the 3 books sold as a unit were not the complete series. Or they could have mentioned that all 8 books were also sold as a unit. Especially considering these publications are over 5 years old.
February 27, 2023
I love Lindsay Buroker! Love her books! I'm not too into sci-fi or space operas, but she pulled me in with this one. Just enough to make me want to read this series. I'm intrigued. I want to know what happens to Leonidas. Does he ever meet someone special, start a family? Does he ever see Thorian again? What happens to Thorian, how does he turn out? Gotta read to find out.
August 13, 2021
I’ll be quite honest, I had a hard time concentrating on this one. I don’t know whether that’s on my side, or just because it was all action, action, action. I only really actually liked the fifth/last chapter. It was definitely nice getting some more background information on Leo and seeing his POV (although I prefer it when he’s interacting with Alisa).
From this information we were given in this one, I’m gonna take a guess and say that maybe the people who kidnapped Jelena are the same ones that now have the Prince? If I’m wrong, pretend you didn’t see this :p
From this information we were given in this one, I’m gonna take a guess and say that maybe the people who kidnapped Jelena are the same ones that now have the Prince? If I’m wrong, pretend you didn’t see this :p
April 28, 2018
End of the empire
protect the only thing left
the boy must be saved.
protect the only thing left
the boy must be saved.
June 9, 2016
Seriously, always a pleasure. I think Ms. Buroker's heroines are sisters, maybe best friends. This seems a lot like a syfy version of EE, wise-cracking woman kind of on the run and gathering similar teams of slightly eccentric, sometimes funny, members. This is not a bad thing. I enjoy these heroines and their teams; they are fun summer reading. I look forward to more books.
August 21, 2017
What a marvelous short story... Lindsay Buroker may have finely won me over to her Space Opera... She gave her Cyborg Colonel Leonidas humanity and that has been missing from the other ones that I've seen...
The edition I listened to was narrated by Kate Reading and she was the perfect pick for the job...
The edition I listened to was narrated by Kate Reading and she was the perfect pick for the job...
August 28, 2018
another terrific series by Lindsay Buroker!
this one will rank as number 2 in my love of her series and characters.
buy the books! read the books! love the books!
the main characters, Alisa and Leonidas, remind me sooooooooooooo very much of Armanthe and Sicarious from The Emperor's Edge Collection
first the women
both women's name start with an A (wish they didn't. since they are so similar, it's a lil confusing.)
both women are tall and can fight and are the leaders of their ragtag bunch
both are witty but Alisa is funnier. she has made me LOL so very many times (and i am on book 6)
both women are attracted to men who are lethal killing machines and none of the crew or eveyday folks they meet gets why that is
both wore uniforms- Alisa- military, Armanthe - local law enforcement
both come up with crazy schemes to get out of hairy situations or to fulfill their missions
both prefer not to kill on their missions or in self defense but will do so when necessary
both have staff that they are paying with hopes & dreams and sometimes money.
the men are similar as well
both are extraordinary and not like normal men
both have lethal fighting and killing skills that the average man cannot defend against
both don't express feelings very well
both are hated and feared by the majority of the population because of what they did by order of their king/emperor
both have looks that make them stand out in a crowd
both are very smart as well in other areas not just fighting, combat, killing, and war strategy.
both soften up and trade barbs with the women and come to care about them
both have this honorable streak to do whatever is necessary to help their kingdom, empire and the young boy emperor/king
both train the rest of the team
similarities in the plots
both have a government that is in turmoil and restarting
both have magicians/psychics with powers like telepathy and telekinesis, that are feared/hated by the mundane folks (she calls them mundanes in both worlds. also it a lil confusing at times)
both keep getting into trouble with all members of the various factions fighting for control of the government even though they don't mean to
both have a team of folks with various skillz that are need for their adventures
both have folks on their team wanted by gang/mafia
both have folks on their team that can cook really well
both have folks wanted by local governments
both never really get a rest from the fighting, scheming, or running away from folks trying to kill them
both make jokes even when they are in the midst of battle
both have favor with the enemy and are let go when they should be arrested or captured or killed
both are VERY lucky and escape many times by the skin of their teeth thanks to some other event that happens at the same time
both have a young heir to the throne
both remind me very much of some of my favorite tv shows which just so happen to be someof lindsay's favorite tv shows like macgyver, stargate sg-1, a-team, BSG, star trek NG, star wars, Firefly (esp firefly cuz space and old ship and rebels and war and snotty doctor and well like so much) etc.
both convinced me to buy more books.
i mean, i didn't even use my gift card to buy the anthologies (Beyond the Stars: New Worlds, New Suns: A Space Opera Anthology andYou Are Here - Tales of Cartographic Wonders) with short stories related to this series or the trilogy that continues this series with the kids as the MC's (The Rogue Prince,Angle of Truth,Stolen Legacy)!!!!
this series also reminds me of the chains of honor series in that both have some things that are in the plot that make me roll my eyes. either a character's inner monologue is way too immature and doesn't match up with how they have acted previously. or characters do something stupid when they have been brilliant in the rest of the story. or they don't fully utilize their lethal men and magician/psychic which would help them avoid major trouble. but like with chains of honor the rest of the story and characters are enjoyable enough to over look these things and continue on reading. cuz they are FUN!
buy the books! read the books! love the books!
this one will rank as number 2 in my love of her series and characters.
buy the books! read the books! love the books!
the main characters, Alisa and Leonidas, remind me sooooooooooooo very much of Armanthe and Sicarious from The Emperor's Edge Collection
first the women
both women's name start with an A (wish they didn't. since they are so similar, it's a lil confusing.)
both women are tall and can fight and are the leaders of their ragtag bunch
both are witty but Alisa is funnier. she has made me LOL so very many times (and i am on book 6)
both women are attracted to men who are lethal killing machines and none of the crew or eveyday folks they meet gets why that is
both wore uniforms- Alisa- military, Armanthe - local law enforcement
both come up with crazy schemes to get out of hairy situations or to fulfill their missions
both prefer not to kill on their missions or in self defense but will do so when necessary
both have staff that they are paying with hopes & dreams and sometimes money.
the men are similar as well
both are extraordinary and not like normal men
both have lethal fighting and killing skills that the average man cannot defend against
both don't express feelings very well
both are hated and feared by the majority of the population because of what they did by order of their king/emperor
both have looks that make them stand out in a crowd
both are very smart as well in other areas not just fighting, combat, killing, and war strategy.
both soften up and trade barbs with the women and come to care about them
both have this honorable streak to do whatever is necessary to help their kingdom, empire and the young boy emperor/king
both train the rest of the team
similarities in the plots
both have a government that is in turmoil and restarting
both have magicians/psychics with powers like telepathy and telekinesis, that are feared/hated by the mundane folks (she calls them mundanes in both worlds. also it a lil confusing at times)
both keep getting into trouble with all members of the various factions fighting for control of the government even though they don't mean to
both have a team of folks with various skillz that are need for their adventures
both have folks on their team wanted by gang/mafia
both have folks on their team that can cook really well
both have folks wanted by local governments
both never really get a rest from the fighting, scheming, or running away from folks trying to kill them
both make jokes even when they are in the midst of battle
both have favor with the enemy and are let go when they should be arrested or captured or killed
both are VERY lucky and escape many times by the skin of their teeth thanks to some other event that happens at the same time
both have a young heir to the throne
both remind me very much of some of my favorite tv shows which just so happen to be someof lindsay's favorite tv shows like macgyver, stargate sg-1, a-team, BSG, star trek NG, star wars, Firefly (esp firefly cuz space and old ship and rebels and war and snotty doctor and well like so much) etc.
both convinced me to buy more books.
i mean, i didn't even use my gift card to buy the anthologies (Beyond the Stars: New Worlds, New Suns: A Space Opera Anthology andYou Are Here - Tales of Cartographic Wonders) with short stories related to this series or the trilogy that continues this series with the kids as the MC's (The Rogue Prince,Angle of Truth,Stolen Legacy)!!!!
this series also reminds me of the chains of honor series in that both have some things that are in the plot that make me roll my eyes. either a character's inner monologue is way too immature and doesn't match up with how they have acted previously. or characters do something stupid when they have been brilliant in the rest of the story. or they don't fully utilize their lethal men and magician/psychic which would help them avoid major trouble. but like with chains of honor the rest of the story and characters are enjoyable enough to over look these things and continue on reading. cuz they are FUN!
buy the books! read the books! love the books!
December 17, 2017
This short prequel story gives quite a lot of information about Leonidas while still keeping him rather mysterious to the reader. When I read the first book back in August, I didn't like Leonidas quite so much, but after reading this short story, I feel like I understand him quite a bit better and I think I made a good decision by reading #0.5 before continuing on with book #2.
Also, I think it made some things quite a bit clearer to me when I was reading Honor's Flight than I would've understood if I hadn't read Last Command before. Some hints seemed quite obvious to me now, but I don't think I could've understood those hints so well if I hadn't read this prequel shortly before.
The Book Challengers blog // The Book Challengers Instagram // The Book Challengers Twitter
Also, I think it made some things quite a bit clearer to me when I was reading Honor's Flight than I would've understood if I hadn't read Last Command before. Some hints seemed quite obvious to me now, but I don't think I could've understood those hints so well if I hadn't read this prequel shortly before.
The Book Challengers blog // The Book Challengers Instagram // The Book Challengers Twitter
June 16, 2018
In the final days of the empire, Cyborg Corps Colonel Leonidas Adler plans to die in a manner befitting of an imperial officer: he will fight until his last breath, giving his life to defend Emperor Markus.
But the Emperor sends him away, with the custody of his son.
***
This one is kind of odd.
Leonidas is with a pilot Sadangi who is basically a male Alisa.
And if this is all the info he’s got for the 200k tindark reward, it isn’t enough.
2 stars
But the Emperor sends him away, with the custody of his son.
***
This one is kind of odd.
Leonidas is with a pilot Sadangi who is basically a male Alisa.
And if this is all the info he’s got for the 200k tindark reward, it isn’t enough.
2 stars
June 14, 2018
Lindsay Buroker's "Last Command (Fallen Empire, #0.5)" is, like her "Starfall Station" written from Leonidas' point of view instead of Alisa's. And, just like that other short story, this one fleshes out Leonidas a bit more. On the plus side, since Alisa isn't present in this story (it happens before they meet), the sexual comments and innuendo are not present here. On the negative side, almost every person in the story has Alisa's personality and spews forth a constant stream of irreverent patter. And, since this story revolves around the military and near-constant fear of physical death, that patter is entirely out of place. Buroker's portrayal of a Major's behavior towards a Colonel are also ridiculously wrong. So, I'm rating this story at a Pretty Bad 2 stars out of 5.
December 5, 2019
I love, love this series and I love, love, love Alisa and Leonidas together. This is a series I will return to over and over.
True story, I read the first few books of this series before the whole thing was published and I PINED for more Alisa and Leonidas so much that I went to read the Emperor's Edge series to take my mind off of the Fallen Empire series. But then I so entirely fell in love with the Amaranthe/Sicarius story of Emperor's Edge and was able to return to Fallen Empire after the series was finished. So these two series are inextricably linked in my mind. All that is to say: When Buroker gives herself a long series in which to spin out one of her super-slow-burn romantic relationships, it is so so so good. Such a blessing to receive.
True story, I read the first few books of this series before the whole thing was published and I PINED for more Alisa and Leonidas so much that I went to read the Emperor's Edge series to take my mind off of the Fallen Empire series. But then I so entirely fell in love with the Amaranthe/Sicarius story of Emperor's Edge and was able to return to Fallen Empire after the series was finished. So these two series are inextricably linked in my mind. All that is to say: When Buroker gives herself a long series in which to spin out one of her super-slow-burn romantic relationships, it is so so so good. Such a blessing to receive.
July 8, 2020
Last Command By Lindsay Buroker
This seems to be a prequel to Star Nomad. I reviewed it back in 2018. Leonidas is a cyborg and he is charged to protect the Emperor’s son, Thorian.
This novella details the cause and the result of the destruction of the Emperor’s last redoubt. Buroker has the ability to insert humor and pathos in a story. She sucks you into another time and placed and you feel for the characters.
I have been impressed with her work before and astounded by her volume of work.
I recommend this book and the series.
This seems to be a prequel to Star Nomad. I reviewed it back in 2018. Leonidas is a cyborg and he is charged to protect the Emperor’s son, Thorian.
This novella details the cause and the result of the destruction of the Emperor’s last redoubt. Buroker has the ability to insert humor and pathos in a story. She sucks you into another time and placed and you feel for the characters.
I have been impressed with her work before and astounded by her volume of work.
I recommend this book and the series.
December 4, 2022
Um.
This feels like a poor attempt at reproducing Firefly – although with only three male characters and a lot more military sci-fi fight scenes (which bore me). Then the ending of part IV almost made me laugh since it's such a ripoff (a scene that isn't funny in Firefly at all, but was funny how close this mimicked it).
Anyway, I love Firefly and may give the rest of this series a try since it's free with Audible Plus. I see a lot of reviews saying the series is a plagiarism of another of the author's own series - but I read that one long enough ago that I don't remember it.
This feels like a poor attempt at reproducing Firefly – although with only three male characters and a lot more military sci-fi fight scenes (which bore me). Then the ending of part IV almost made me laugh since it's such a ripoff (a scene that isn't funny in Firefly at all, but was funny how close this mimicked it).
Anyway, I love Firefly and may give the rest of this series a try since it's free with Audible Plus. I see a lot of reviews saying the series is a plagiarism of another of the author's own series - but I read that one long enough ago that I don't remember it.
November 5, 2022
Very short prequel to the main series, of which I've only read book 1, I was wondering if I should even do this one but it was so short and I was tempted to check off another book for my yearly challenge amongst all of the very big books I'm reading holding up progress.
I found the short-story pretty engaging, and we were introduced to two new characters that I quickly grew fond of and got attached too which is pretty neat skill on the authors part. 4 stars.
I found the short-story pretty engaging, and we were introduced to two new characters that I quickly grew fond of and got attached too which is pretty neat skill on the authors part. 4 stars.
February 15, 2024
It is actually quite common a thing that people mistrust those who differ from themselves. Like the imperialists did the androids.
And the Alliance soldiers. And the Starseers too.
Yet the imperial emperor entrusted his son in this prequel to the care of Leonidas, something that in the end proved to have been indeed the smart choice.
But not before their lives were nearly forfeited a couple of times in harrowing circumstances.
Enjoy.
And the Alliance soldiers. And the Starseers too.
Yet the imperial emperor entrusted his son in this prequel to the care of Leonidas, something that in the end proved to have been indeed the smart choice.
But not before their lives were nearly forfeited a couple of times in harrowing circumstances.
Enjoy.
June 24, 2024
I recently reviewed a series of books that are a spin-off of this series. This short story exemplifies how much I love these characters and the story. It is sold as prequel to the series, but as other reviewers have pointed out, it really belongs to a later part of the story. Frankly, to have The Prince show up in a story when he has yet... well.. never mind. I could follow along, but a new reader to the series might not.
I will probably read this book again.
I will probably read this book again.
September 30, 2018
I thought a book solely about Leonidas could be fun, but even before he met Alisa, he tolerated jokes and back talk. Instead of making him a better character, this book watered his badassery down. It was more confirmation that this book series was not for me. At least I didn’t have to tolerate the rest of the Nomad crew.
April 30, 2023
This is a short prequel to the series and provides background for Leonidas. It is mostly battles.
Note: Although this is a prequel (listed as 0.5 in the series), it should really not be read until after the third book in the series. If you read it earlier, it will give away things and take some of the suspense out of those books. It should probably be marked as a spoiler alert itself.
Note: Although this is a prequel (listed as 0.5 in the series), it should really not be read until after the third book in the series. If you read it earlier, it will give away things and take some of the suspense out of those books. It should probably be marked as a spoiler alert itself.
June 8, 2017
Great, if reading Star Nomad hadn’t already made me eager to read the rest of the series this short story would’ve done it for sure. I am very interested in reading Leonidas’s story along with the series as a whole.
More so now.... Thanks lots Ms. Buroker.
More so now.... Thanks lots Ms. Buroker.
February 7, 2018
So now we know what was the dirty secret that Leonidas kept. A tad emotional, something I hadn't expected. We get an exclusive look at how the war looks like on the losing side. It surprised me how much I liked it.
April 23, 2018
I liked this story, It sets the stage for the series of books with the destruction of the Empire back story. My only complaint is that it has a continuous rise in action as one thrilling adventure immediately leads to another with out a break. 4/5 on Goodreads
January 24, 2020
I really enjoyed this prequel of the Fallen Empire series. It’s nice having a picture of the origins of Leonidas. It might have even convinced me to go ahead in the series, even though the last book had become a little more of a romance than I prefer.
June 15, 2020
An excellent start to the Fallen Empire series. We really learn more about Leonidas and how he got where he was. Lots of action and very cyborg type battles. We now know that the prince has survived.
January 15, 2021
Leonidas is ordered to protect the Prince and take him to the Starseers. The Emperor has been poisoned and will die soon. As the heir, the Prince needs to stay alive.
The interaction between the characters made them real
The interaction between the characters made them real
June 11, 2023
The rest of this series so far (books 1-3, incl) has been better than most! This one though, I didn't even get far into. Sorry I was a soldier, and didn't have a problem with all the previous combat scenes, but this one hit my bs button hard.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews