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A Captain's Crucible #3
Cradle of War
The arrival of a strange alien ship changes everything for the stranded survivors of Battle Group 72.5. Captain Jonathan Dallas must place his trust in his newfound alien allies if his fleet is to survive the latest threat. He is faced with a terrible choice, one that could lead not only to the destruction of his battle group, but humanity itself. Regardless of his decision, the future remains uncertain, the intertwined fates of two galaxies hanging by a thread. In the shadows, a malevolent being works that thread like a spider, weaving a twisted web that could mean the end of everything. It is here where it all begins. Where history is made. Witness the cradle of war.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 22, 2016
81 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Isaac Hooke
102 books508 followersIsaac Hooke is the best-selling author of the Ethan Galaal series of thriller novels, as well as the SF-themed ATLAS trilogy. When Isaac isn't writing, publishing, and blogging, he's busy cycling and taking pictures in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He has a degree in Engineering Physics.
You can follow Isaac on Twitter @IsaacHooke and his website http://IsaacHooke.com.
You can follow Isaac on Twitter @IsaacHooke and his website http://IsaacHooke.com.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 29, 2016
I haven’t been reading many of Isaac Hooke’s books, but now I’m “hooked” on them. This is the third book in the series (as you probably guessed from the title) and each one is just as good as the last. Captain Jonathan Dallas commands the USS Calloway and a small fleet that has gotten themselevs stuck in a galaxy far, far away. They came through a slipstream gate believing it would take them closer to home. But, someone change the gate endpoint and the USS Calloway plus the fleet wound they know not where. This unknown system also has no return gate so it looks like they may be here quite some time.
Initially, this small United Systems fleet was followed by a hostile band of Raakarr ships that do not need a gate to go from one system to the next. So, Captain Dallas finds himself faced with an enemy whom he must defeat and then find some way to get his ship and the others of his fleet home. Neither task is going to be easy. Fortunately, or maybe unfortunately, his fleet does contain one Raakarr vessel that has a supposedly rogue group of Raakarrs called the Zarafe faction. They wish an alliance with the humans and do not agree with the attacks that have thus far taken place by the Elk faction of Raakarr. Captain Dallas doesn’t yet trust these Raakarr, but he does recognize their ship now called the Talon as a possible way back home.
Then a new alien vessel comes through the other slipstream wormhole. It’s shaped like a Möbius strip and currently just sitting in front of the slipstream wormhole. Who are these guys and what do they want? Captain Dallas doesn’t have unlimited resources and if he and his fleet are to return to human control space, he needs to get his gate builder ship working ASAP. So, as you can see he has a lot of problems to solve in this book.
This did seem like a very fast read. I don’t know if it’s because I knew a lot of the background or if all the characters were just that familiar from reading the previous two books. The author’s writing is very smooth and he keeps the book flowing in a logical progression. It has an excellent editing job since I found no errors of that nature to interrupt my reading. I think the books is about the same length as the other two, but it just seemed to read faster.
The book doesn’t specifically mention the title of the next book in the series. I hope it is being written now or almost ready for publication. This is a very good military science fiction series that I really hopes continues. It better since the USS Calloway and crew are still stranded!
Initially, this small United Systems fleet was followed by a hostile band of Raakarr ships that do not need a gate to go from one system to the next. So, Captain Dallas finds himself faced with an enemy whom he must defeat and then find some way to get his ship and the others of his fleet home. Neither task is going to be easy. Fortunately, or maybe unfortunately, his fleet does contain one Raakarr vessel that has a supposedly rogue group of Raakarrs called the Zarafe faction. They wish an alliance with the humans and do not agree with the attacks that have thus far taken place by the Elk faction of Raakarr. Captain Dallas doesn’t yet trust these Raakarr, but he does recognize their ship now called the Talon as a possible way back home.
Then a new alien vessel comes through the other slipstream wormhole. It’s shaped like a Möbius strip and currently just sitting in front of the slipstream wormhole. Who are these guys and what do they want? Captain Dallas doesn’t have unlimited resources and if he and his fleet are to return to human control space, he needs to get his gate builder ship working ASAP. So, as you can see he has a lot of problems to solve in this book.
This did seem like a very fast read. I don’t know if it’s because I knew a lot of the background or if all the characters were just that familiar from reading the previous two books. The author’s writing is very smooth and he keeps the book flowing in a logical progression. It has an excellent editing job since I found no errors of that nature to interrupt my reading. I think the books is about the same length as the other two, but it just seemed to read faster.
The book doesn’t specifically mention the title of the next book in the series. I hope it is being written now or almost ready for publication. This is a very good military science fiction series that I really hopes continues. It better since the USS Calloway and crew are still stranded!
September 26, 2016
The battles continues
We see that the war between Jonathan's fleet and the raakarr continues. But then a elder appears, will this give the raakarr the advantage. Jonathan decides that he must make a run to warn the United systems of this threat. But this will also place him at arrest. Looking forward to reading more.
We see that the war between Jonathan's fleet and the raakarr continues. But then a elder appears, will this give the raakarr the advantage. Jonathan decides that he must make a run to warn the United systems of this threat. But this will also place him at arrest. Looking forward to reading more.
February 12, 2020
On to the next
Much different than the rade galel series with less of the teen angst but rade is present tho kinda in a frustrating way.
This takes place after the argonauts, and clearly his knowledge of the phants and other details of alien races yet it seems someone put a muzzle on Rade and is out of character for him.
Much different than the rade galel series with less of the teen angst but rade is present tho kinda in a frustrating way.
This takes place after the argonauts, and clearly his knowledge of the phants and other details of alien races yet it seems someone put a muzzle on Rade and is out of character for him.
August 23, 2016
"Captain, the waypoint has already passed."
Still trapped in another galaxy, the route home closed, and with another new threat in the form of an Elder ship emerging, Jonathan must trust the aliens aboard the Raakar ship,Talon, and the traitorous telepath, their only interpreter, if his remaining fleet is to survive.
Once again, Isaac Hooke has written a tension filled episode in this Captain's Crucible series. Characterisations might sometimes be a little flat but, by now, the reader has come to know these people well so it simply doesn't matter any more. The story is all - and it is epic as unexpected twists along the way open up as many possibilities as there are futures. And the battle scenes, even the preparation for such confrontations, are so filled with tension it is hard to put the book down
I received an advanced, complementary copy of Cradle of War in exchange for an honest review. Honestly, I can recommend this book to any science fiction fan or lover of military action. But be aware, this is the third part of an ongoing series and cannot easily be read as a stand alone novel, although it is just possible to.do so. And, if the ending is anything to go by, part four will be even more exciting, explosive and diverse than this book. So catch up on parts one to three now, in anticipation. It is going to be quite a ride
Still trapped in another galaxy, the route home closed, and with another new threat in the form of an Elder ship emerging, Jonathan must trust the aliens aboard the Raakar ship,Talon, and the traitorous telepath, their only interpreter, if his remaining fleet is to survive.
Once again, Isaac Hooke has written a tension filled episode in this Captain's Crucible series. Characterisations might sometimes be a little flat but, by now, the reader has come to know these people well so it simply doesn't matter any more. The story is all - and it is epic as unexpected twists along the way open up as many possibilities as there are futures. And the battle scenes, even the preparation for such confrontations, are so filled with tension it is hard to put the book down
I received an advanced, complementary copy of Cradle of War in exchange for an honest review. Honestly, I can recommend this book to any science fiction fan or lover of military action. But be aware, this is the third part of an ongoing series and cannot easily be read as a stand alone novel, although it is just possible to.do so. And, if the ending is anything to go by, part four will be even more exciting, explosive and diverse than this book. So catch up on parts one to three now, in anticipation. It is going to be quite a ride
December 14, 2016
A great story well told that keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat.
Captain Jonathan Dallas is back, and his challenges continue to mount as he struggles to bring his fleet home. Book 3 - 'Cradle of War' picks up where book 2 left off and dives right into the action. The tension stays high throughout the story, which is just as fast paced as the previous two and just as hard to put down.
As has come expected of his books, Mr. Hooke tells a great action packed story, bringing it to life with vivid descriptions and excellent technical details. The characters are well-rounded and the struggle real and heart-wrenching.
'A Captain's Crucible - Cradle of War' is aptly named.
I am very much looking forward to the next installment in this series
Captain Jonathan Dallas is back, and his challenges continue to mount as he struggles to bring his fleet home. Book 3 - 'Cradle of War' picks up where book 2 left off and dives right into the action. The tension stays high throughout the story, which is just as fast paced as the previous two and just as hard to put down.
As has come expected of his books, Mr. Hooke tells a great action packed story, bringing it to life with vivid descriptions and excellent technical details. The characters are well-rounded and the struggle real and heart-wrenching.
'A Captain's Crucible - Cradle of War' is aptly named.
I am very much looking forward to the next installment in this series
December 14, 2016
Very good book
I enjoyed this book very much except for the fact that there weren't enough action sequences for my taste. I enjoyed the development of the characters and for what may happen with them in the future. The only thing I don't like is leaving a book and a cliffhanger.
I enjoyed this book very much except for the fact that there weren't enough action sequences for my taste. I enjoyed the development of the characters and for what may happen with them in the future. The only thing I don't like is leaving a book and a cliffhanger.
August 24, 2016
The book continues seamlessly from the first 2 books, in fact the 3 books could easily be one long book. It gets its hooks into you in the opening lines, I would have read the book quicker but life and work got in the way.I'm not normally a Sci-Fi reader, but I'm a character reader and Isaac Hooke really gets into character development and by this time , if you've read the first 2 books, you're heavily invested in the characters. Futuristically, believably written this is a very good book and a must read for those who read his first two Captain's Crucible novels. No spoilers here though, buy the books, read the books, get into a very good author I have!
August 24, 2016
Mr Hooke writes one heck of a page turner! The books in this series were the first in this genre of military sci-fi, and I must say that In have enjoyed reading them. The character development is top notch. The storyline is easy to follow, and really kept my attention. I am anxiously awaiting the next installment. Maybe we will finally learn who or what the Phant is, and more importantly what fate awaits Captain Jonathan Dallas after his arrest???
October 7, 2016
Great story!
I really like how this story is moving on so many different levels. The author writes really well and keeps all the plot threads active and engaging without it getting muddy. Intriguing end to the book, too!
I really like how this story is moving on so many different levels. The author writes really well and keeps all the plot threads active and engaging without it getting muddy. Intriguing end to the book, too!
November 6, 2016
Great story because of characters
This is definitely a good storyline that needs to be continued. In real life most people are rarely perfect. Oftentimes good and evil are hard to distinguish. This author mirrors real life in his writing.
This is definitely a good storyline that needs to be continued. In real life most people are rarely perfect. Oftentimes good and evil are hard to distinguish. This author mirrors real life in his writing.
September 13, 2016
An excellent third instalment
Carries on nicely from book two and screams for book four to come sooner rather than later. Entertaining read and found it hard to put down.
Carries on nicely from book two and screams for book four to come sooner rather than later. Entertaining read and found it hard to put down.
September 14, 2016
This book is for the action lover
Very exciting. There's plenty of action in this book. The enemy is strong. A mysterious old alien race appears. Suspenseful ending.
Very exciting. There's plenty of action in this book. The enemy is strong. A mysterious old alien race appears. Suspenseful ending.
March 25, 2024
Amazing book! Must read if you love fast paced, action packed sci-fi.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews