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Empire Rising #2
A King's Ship
The war with China is over. But for Captain James Somerville there is a task still unfinished.
Former Politburo Intelligence Minister Chang has evaded capture and escaped from Chinese space. Declared a war criminal by the UN and British law courts, James is given the Royal Space Navy’s newest exploration cruiser and sent after Chang.
His chase will threaten to stir up old rivalries and take him to the edge of explored space. What he will discover there will radically reshape humanity’s position in the galaxy and throw him into a series of desperate battles. Alone and outnumbered he will come to realize what it really takes to command a King’s Ship.
A King’s Ship is the second book in the Empire Rising military science fiction series that follows the career of Captain James Somerville as he takes command of HMS Endeavour.
Former Politburo Intelligence Minister Chang has evaded capture and escaped from Chinese space. Declared a war criminal by the UN and British law courts, James is given the Royal Space Navy’s newest exploration cruiser and sent after Chang.
His chase will threaten to stir up old rivalries and take him to the edge of explored space. What he will discover there will radically reshape humanity’s position in the galaxy and throw him into a series of desperate battles. Alone and outnumbered he will come to realize what it really takes to command a King’s Ship.
A King’s Ship is the second book in the Empire Rising military science fiction series that follows the career of Captain James Somerville as he takes command of HMS Endeavour.
490 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 30, 2016
491 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
September 25, 2016
Good action and political intrigue
I find it refreshing to get a good military sci-fi book written from the perspective of a nation other than america. I am American but I still find it cool. The action is spaced out with political intrigue in between. The plot is well thought out and the book flows very nicely. I found a few editing mistakes but not many. The book is well written. I will be anticipating the next book in this series.
I find it refreshing to get a good military sci-fi book written from the perspective of a nation other than america. I am American but I still find it cool. The action is spaced out with political intrigue in between. The plot is well thought out and the book flows very nicely. I found a few editing mistakes but not many. The book is well written. I will be anticipating the next book in this series.
October 13, 2016
Great follow up
Really enjoyed reading book two of this series. We continue to follow Captain Somerville and his crew have a new ship. They have been given a task to capture Crang, but as normal things never go as planned. James finds himself in the middle of a fight, and first contact with alien forces. I recommend that if you enjoy a great read pick up this series of books.
Really enjoyed reading book two of this series. We continue to follow Captain Somerville and his crew have a new ship. They have been given a task to capture Crang, but as normal things never go as planned. James finds himself in the middle of a fight, and first contact with alien forces. I recommend that if you enjoy a great read pick up this series of books.
May 4, 2017
Disappointing weak sci war fantasy
It's like the author has little knowledge and less interest in science, physics or anything related.
They also depict people as simple, 1 dimensional caricatures.
I can't find anything to recommend about this book, thoroughly dull.
It's like the author has little knowledge and less interest in science, physics or anything related.
They also depict people as simple, 1 dimensional caricatures.
I can't find anything to recommend about this book, thoroughly dull.
March 12, 2022
(78%)B+ | A Solid Improvement
Oftentimes, a prologue is hard to get right. Unfortunately it this book the prologue as well as the first few chapters were rocky. Initially giving a bad outlook for the rest of the book. Luckily, after these first chapters the book really improves. The storyline has expanded and I find myself totally engrossed in it.
Unfortunately the book still suffers from grammatical errors and weird POV changes. But overall I felt this book took a turn in the right direction and I am very excited to see where this series goes.
Oftentimes, a prologue is hard to get right. Unfortunately it this book the prologue as well as the first few chapters were rocky. Initially giving a bad outlook for the rest of the book. Luckily, after these first chapters the book really improves. The storyline has expanded and I find myself totally engrossed in it.
Unfortunately the book still suffers from grammatical errors and weird POV changes. But overall I felt this book took a turn in the right direction and I am very excited to see where this series goes.
December 20, 2024
A military space opera continues by chasing a war criminal and finding aliens. Read Kindle unlimited book using Alexa audio asset.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2018
A King’s Ship continues the adventures of Captain James Somerville that started in The Void War. The Chinese war is over and, as the blurb states, James is assigned the task of apprehending the communist war criminal Minister Chang. Little does he know that this is just the meager beginning of his adventures.
As usual I am behind with my reviews and I have actually already finished books 3 and 4 as well and, without making any spoilers, this book starts a story arc that spans at least this book and the next two books as well. For those of you who do not like long a book series without an end I want to say that each book do indeed have a proper conclusion to its own part of the main story arc.
This book has much of the same qualities as the previous book of course. A true and true hero in Captain Somerville and nice and well done characters overall. Nice world building. I still do like the British Monarchy in space universe. Very good action, especially the space combat but also the marine action. Everything in the universe makes sense, or at least as much sense as one can expect from a work of fiction, including when it comes to technology, physics, strategy and tactics.
Apart from what I liked in the previous books there are also a number of additional goodies that are on my things to like list. Like mystery, discovery and…okay a minor spoiler here…ALIENS!
Unfortunately there are also some of the elements that I was not so keen on in the first book remaining in this one. Primarily bullshit politics and constipated assholes in the form of politicians and oxygen wasting superior officers.
Well, one cannot have it all I guess. Overall I quite liked this book but then you probably guessed that when I wrote that I have already read the next two ones.
As usual I am behind with my reviews and I have actually already finished books 3 and 4 as well and, without making any spoilers, this book starts a story arc that spans at least this book and the next two books as well. For those of you who do not like long a book series without an end I want to say that each book do indeed have a proper conclusion to its own part of the main story arc.
This book has much of the same qualities as the previous book of course. A true and true hero in Captain Somerville and nice and well done characters overall. Nice world building. I still do like the British Monarchy in space universe. Very good action, especially the space combat but also the marine action. Everything in the universe makes sense, or at least as much sense as one can expect from a work of fiction, including when it comes to technology, physics, strategy and tactics.
Apart from what I liked in the previous books there are also a number of additional goodies that are on my things to like list. Like mystery, discovery and…okay a minor spoiler here…ALIENS!
Unfortunately there are also some of the elements that I was not so keen on in the first book remaining in this one. Primarily bullshit politics and constipated assholes in the form of politicians and oxygen wasting superior officers.
Well, one cannot have it all I guess. Overall I quite liked this book but then you probably guessed that when I wrote that I have already read the next two ones.
July 24, 2017
The continuing adventures of Captain James Sommerville. This book packs quite a lot into its pages, maybe too much. The discovery of Haven and not one, but two alien races could maybe been told as two separate books. I can not review my wishes, I must review the book as written. I like the way the characters continue to develop and even change as the universe around them changes. Life isn'[t static and characters shouldn't always be either. Some of the development seems stretched, but that may very well be from trying to cram so much into just one book.
The military engagements are more spaced out with greater diversity. It's nice to see something besides one ship going alone against a superior force (although there is plenty of that as well). Some of the action seems repetitious but the addition of politics and intrigue begin to add more dimension not only to the characters but to the story as well.
There were some miss used words and some questionable punctuation but it was by no means enough to hinder the story. This is a middle book setting up the transition to a deeper tale and it mostly hits the mark.
The military engagements are more spaced out with greater diversity. It's nice to see something besides one ship going alone against a superior force (although there is plenty of that as well). Some of the action seems repetitious but the addition of politics and intrigue begin to add more dimension not only to the characters but to the story as well.
There were some miss used words and some questionable punctuation but it was by no means enough to hinder the story. This is a middle book setting up the transition to a deeper tale and it mostly hits the mark.
November 1, 2017
This is how you tank potential.
I thought the series had potential, it wasn’t exactly breaking new ground but there was promise. I can’t even really say when this happened, but somewhere through this I had this realization that this was a bad book.
It was neither the setting nor the action – although the battles suffer badly from “space is the ocean” idiocy and a warship is somehow crewed by about ten people – but the characters that killed it. Well, the main character. The Hero. The person who defines what is right and wrong and who sucks every bit of suspense and tension out of the story. The opposition ranges from “cartoonishly evil” to “disagrees with the Hero” and that one had me shouting at the text.
I soon realized I didn’t care about the character or the rest of the story. It developed exactly as I suspected and I am convinced it will continue to do so on a larger scale. I don’t care.
I thought the series had potential, it wasn’t exactly breaking new ground but there was promise. I can’t even really say when this happened, but somewhere through this I had this realization that this was a bad book.
It was neither the setting nor the action – although the battles suffer badly from “space is the ocean” idiocy and a warship is somehow crewed by about ten people – but the characters that killed it. Well, the main character. The Hero. The person who defines what is right and wrong and who sucks every bit of suspense and tension out of the story. The opposition ranges from “cartoonishly evil” to “disagrees with the Hero” and that one had me shouting at the text.
I soon realized I didn’t care about the character or the rest of the story. It developed exactly as I suspected and I am convinced it will continue to do so on a larger scale. I don’t care.
June 30, 2024
Great characters and very good storyline that's fun and easy to get engrossed in.
Holmes does a very good job of telling a story with believable characters. The keeps the story flowing without getting bogged down. I've read other series where the author fills much of each book with retelling so much of what he's happened in previous books. Therefore, only about half of each book is used to advance the story. Holmes doesn't waste the reader's time with unnecessarily retelling past parts of the story I've and over again. He's uses just enough to remind the reader.
Of you're looking for a military sci-fi series that flows nicely with characters you can easily imaging and relate to, then you've found what you've been looking for. I highly recommend D.J. Holmes's Empire Rising series.
Holmes does a very good job of telling a story with believable characters. The keeps the story flowing without getting bogged down. I've read other series where the author fills much of each book with retelling so much of what he's happened in previous books. Therefore, only about half of each book is used to advance the story. Holmes doesn't waste the reader's time with unnecessarily retelling past parts of the story I've and over again. He's uses just enough to remind the reader.
Of you're looking for a military sci-fi series that flows nicely with characters you can easily imaging and relate to, then you've found what you've been looking for. I highly recommend D.J. Holmes's Empire Rising series.
September 3, 2017
Summary: Classic space opera, some politics, plenty of action. Odd to have Great Britain as a major space power. A lost colony, 2 sets of alien races and a war criminal dealt with - all gets packed in to book 2, non-stop action
Plotline: This is the second series I have recently with an unnecessary and sill mutiny. Apart from that loads of action, a little far fetched in places, but great reading. Subtlety is not one of DH's strengths.
Premise: Not particularly detailed but the 'shift drive' seems to work, more intrigue added in this book
Writing: Simple descriptive, the reader is right their in the midst of the action
Ending: Well complete British victory ... what else ?
Pace: Never a dull moment!
Plotline: This is the second series I have recently with an unnecessary and sill mutiny. Apart from that loads of action, a little far fetched in places, but great reading. Subtlety is not one of DH's strengths.
Premise: Not particularly detailed but the 'shift drive' seems to work, more intrigue added in this book
Writing: Simple descriptive, the reader is right their in the midst of the action
Ending: Well complete British victory ... what else ?
Pace: Never a dull moment!
April 2, 2024
This was very much an over-the-top Space Opera, but it also had the feel of a Napoleonic Naval Fiction story. It doesn’t have the realism of a Patrick O’Brian’s ‘Jack Aubrey’, but it's more like a Dudley Pope ‘ Ramage’ book.
Very ‘Gung-ho’ with combat that often has unlimited ammunition and time that is elastic contracting and expanding at the author’s whim.
Having said that, I still enjoy the ‘Ramage’ books and I enjoyed this one.
However I have one other major annoyance with these books, I really dislike the introduction to each chapter, especially when they make reference to things that are going to happen in the future.
If possible I would have given 3.5 stars
Very ‘Gung-ho’ with combat that often has unlimited ammunition and time that is elastic contracting and expanding at the author’s whim.
Having said that, I still enjoy the ‘Ramage’ books and I enjoyed this one.
However I have one other major annoyance with these books, I really dislike the introduction to each chapter, especially when they make reference to things that are going to happen in the future.
If possible I would have given 3.5 stars
June 2, 2018
Outstandingly done
I think any sci fi ppl will love this. I promise it's worth the read. Holmes is cementing his place with the likes of Hubbard and Asimov and other great space sci-fi novelists. I much prefer him to the older crew.
Three books are destined to become classics among the greats. I know you have a life Mr Holmes but please never stop sharing your stories. You are predicting mankind's future.i really believe that.
I think any sci fi ppl will love this. I promise it's worth the read. Holmes is cementing his place with the likes of Hubbard and Asimov and other great space sci-fi novelists. I much prefer him to the older crew.
Three books are destined to become classics among the greats. I know you have a life Mr Holmes but please never stop sharing your stories. You are predicting mankind's future.i really believe that.
July 31, 2019
Book two
Mistakes: I found three. Also I found repeated references to the same exact moments in his last to be annoying. One reminder of each point spread across the book is all that is needed to refresh a readers memory.
Plot: Lost colony, alien races, space battles, and some ground action.
Characters: I like seeing how the MC's actions ripple through those around him, the changes it brings.
7/10
Mistakes: I found three. Also I found repeated references to the same exact moments in his last to be annoying. One reminder of each point spread across the book is all that is needed to refresh a readers memory.
Plot: Lost colony, alien races, space battles, and some ground action.
Characters: I like seeing how the MC's actions ripple through those around him, the changes it brings.
7/10
November 4, 2021
Failed in its potential
This book had a lot of potential in the main plot line of chasing after Chang and interstellar politics with Haven. However, this book tried to fit too much in at once so that most of the book, specifically regarding the discovery of aliens and ensuing interstellar war, felt rushed, cheesy and ridiculous. This book should have stopped with the Chang, India, Haven plot line and left aliens for a separate book.
This book had a lot of potential in the main plot line of chasing after Chang and interstellar politics with Haven. However, this book tried to fit too much in at once so that most of the book, specifically regarding the discovery of aliens and ensuing interstellar war, felt rushed, cheesy and ridiculous. This book should have stopped with the Chang, India, Haven plot line and left aliens for a separate book.
June 5, 2022
Once you start reading this you won't put it down
DJ Holmes is a master at character development. He just doesn't write about a Navy captain, he writes about a man who has conflicts and his personal life and his professional life. A man who grows as life reaches him. His characters develop through trials and tribulations that they have to deal with... Even the ugly head of politics comes up. Excellent book.
DJ Holmes is a master at character development. He just doesn't write about a Navy captain, he writes about a man who has conflicts and his personal life and his professional life. A man who grows as life reaches him. His characters develop through trials and tribulations that they have to deal with... Even the ugly head of politics comes up. Excellent book.
December 4, 2022
Good book but still pissed at last one.
Good book but got mad when author gave P.O.S. (piece of sh..) Chinese a princess instead of demands for justice from a War Crime POS nation in book one. Pulled a LAME democrats party move = Self serving regardless of any ill affects to ANY others while Spewing how it's for the citizens "best" interest! Geez, beginning to sound like a CNN report! Ha ha ha.
Good book but got mad when author gave P.O.S. (piece of sh..) Chinese a princess instead of demands for justice from a War Crime POS nation in book one. Pulled a LAME democrats party move = Self serving regardless of any ill affects to ANY others while Spewing how it's for the citizens "best" interest! Geez, beginning to sound like a CNN report! Ha ha ha.
July 23, 2018
I found that the story was a good progression from the first book. Lovable characters and I wanted to see their adventures which kept me wanting to read.
It is not the most technical book I have ever read but in this case, that's not a bad thing. Nice and easy to read and looking forward to getting started on the third book
It is not the most technical book I have ever read but in this case, that's not a bad thing. Nice and easy to read and looking forward to getting started on the third book
February 29, 2020
Another Good Read
Well written, good character development, smooth introduction of new threads, great use of foreshadowing. Loved it! 4/5 because there was a point in the middle there (no spoilers) where ‘perhaps’ a few too many leaps were made, logic dictates some more lead people should’ve croaked - just saying.
Well written, good character development, smooth introduction of new threads, great use of foreshadowing. Loved it! 4/5 because there was a point in the middle there (no spoilers) where ‘perhaps’ a few too many leaps were made, logic dictates some more lead people should’ve croaked - just saying.
September 12, 2023
Shades of Horatio
Gold series and entertaining. It is way different than the military science fiction I generally read. I like the excerpts of the future, reminds me of Dune. The character development is also good to see. It took me awhile to get used to the British way of talking.
Gold series and entertaining. It is way different than the military science fiction I generally read. I like the excerpts of the future, reminds me of Dune. The character development is also good to see. It took me awhile to get used to the British way of talking.
May 14, 2018
Possibilities Abound
James the son of a disgraced Duke looks to the space navy for meaning since the love of his life is now someone else's wife for political reasons. James is a competent compelling character. The characters feel real. I like the action and a bit of romance. Will James hook up with Susanna in Haven? I look forward to the next book.
James the son of a disgraced Duke looks to the space navy for meaning since the love of his life is now someone else's wife for political reasons. James is a competent compelling character. The characters feel real. I like the action and a bit of romance. Will James hook up with Susanna in Haven? I look forward to the next book.
January 20, 2020
Robert's Review and Comments
Good follow on, anxious to see technological upgrades to the fleet following the first contacts.
It would nice to see more Marines in action especially in a mech on mech engagement. Thanks for a GoodRead.
Good follow on, anxious to see technological upgrades to the fleet following the first contacts.
It would nice to see more Marines in action especially in a mech on mech engagement. Thanks for a GoodRead.
August 20, 2020
Awesome story
Lots of interesting twists & turns not the usual, predictable story lines. This is my second time reading these books and I am enjoying them just as much again.....Bravo
Lots of interesting twists & turns not the usual, predictable story lines. This is my second time reading these books and I am enjoying them just as much again.....Bravo
November 4, 2021
Enjoyable reading.
Reasonable likeable characters. Much going on. Greedy nations. Discoveries. Apprehension. Solutions. Fears. All in all time well spent. Star crossed lovers meet Destiny.
Reasonable likeable characters. Much going on. Greedy nations. Discoveries. Apprehension. Solutions. Fears. All in all time well spent. Star crossed lovers meet Destiny.
January 2, 2022
The Greedy. Also how someone cou
This was a great story. It brought in our compassion and our greed. Also how someone could turn into a coward, and do drastic things to protect himself and others with their misguided thinking.
This was a great story. It brought in our compassion and our greed. Also how someone could turn into a coward, and do drastic things to protect himself and others with their misguided thinking.
January 3, 2022
Wonderfully writen
D. J. Holmes has written a story that is engaging, active, and fun to read. EXCELLENT characters with enough twists to keep the reader engaged with the story and the primary cast.
Good job!!
D. J. Holmes has written a story that is engaging, active, and fun to read. EXCELLENT characters with enough twists to keep the reader engaged with the story and the primary cast.
Good job!!
September 16, 2022
all too lucky
Really enjoyed the story and the characters involved . I do dislike when the main character seems to have incredible luck and surviving Space battles unscathed. Other than that I really enjoyed the story Thus far and intend on reading it through to the end.
Really enjoyed the story and the characters involved . I do dislike when the main character seems to have incredible luck and surviving Space battles unscathed. Other than that I really enjoyed the story Thus far and intend on reading it through to the end.
January 6, 2023
This is the 3rd book i read of this series (first was the prequel) and i liked it. It is not hard science-fiction but the combat was well written, character development is good. It is not Expanse or The Lost Fleet but for me it is worth reading and i plan to read as much as i can.
April 12, 2023
Loving this series!
I'm loving this series, lots of battles, new alien races, interesting travel dynamics, well written, fun plot twists and some politics thrown in for good measure!
I'm loving this series, lots of battles, new alien races, interesting travel dynamics, well written, fun plot twists and some politics thrown in for good measure!
October 17, 2024
Packed with Action
Tons of action in this book! Space battles, ground combat, and political intrigue makes this book an engrossing read! I love just how detailed are the ship to ship combat sequences!
Tons of action in this book! Space battles, ground combat, and political intrigue makes this book an engrossing read! I love just how detailed are the ship to ship combat sequences!
April 26, 2025
Great read.
This book had it all from strange weapons to strange aliens. The book was full of action and at times I had my doubts if they were even going to make it out alive. Plenty of space battles and a battle of mutant on the ship during a space battle.
This book had it all from strange weapons to strange aliens. The book was full of action and at times I had my doubts if they were even going to make it out alive. Plenty of space battles and a battle of mutant on the ship during a space battle.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews