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Earth builds her first war fleet! The greatest warships ever constructed in known space rise up one by one, soon dominating our skies. They strike fear into the hearts of every citizen and rebel colonist alike. Captain William Sparhawk, the very man who convinced the secretive Council to build this terrifying fleet, now has doubts about the project. What is their exact mission? How could anyone have built these huge ships so quickly? And most puzzling of all, what’s happening out at the isolated laboratory complex on Phobos, Mars’ lop-sided moon?

Audiobook

First published May 26, 2016

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About the author

B.V. Larson

135 books1,529 followers
Brian Larson is an American science fiction and fantasy author

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5 stars
743 (39%)
4 stars
753 (40%)
3 stars
313 (16%)
2 stars
42 (2%)
1 star
13 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
491 reviews25 followers
August 22, 2016
Simply Bad Storyline and Worse Writing

The storyline is simplistic, as in fit for a simpleton. There is no narrative flow, no imagination, and no excitement. Components of the novel are badly hobbled together pieces from other SciFi stories, poorly reworked here in Book 3. The writing is stilted, awkward, and in general, pedestrian.

Read the prior eBooks, which should have steered me clear, but hope springs eternal. This eBook and the author are lost.

NOT recommended.
Profile Image for S.J. Higbee.
Author 15 books42 followers
March 30, 2019
I very much like William, which is important as this trilogy is told in first person viewpoint throughout through his point of view. Rather unbending and more than a bit socially awkward, William is partly cloned from his father’s genes, not that it means they get on – they don’t. And due to what happens during this event-filled foray, as William sets off on a mission he isn’t sure he’ll return from, he discovers the chilling reason why his father is so closed off.

There are plenty of ingredients vital to the success of a cracking series – a likeable protagonist with several character flaws that endear me to him; lots of action that has me turning the pages, providing plenty of excitement; sufficient worldbuilding that means I care about the stakes and situation putting the protagonist in peril and sufficient variety in the way in which our plucky character struggles so that it doesn’t become repetitive.

But what sets apart other series – including this one – is that as it progresses, situations and issues the character and reader thought were fact become something else. There are other layers underneath the apparent structure, which gives a completely different angle to what is actually going on. As a result, this is a series you really must read in the right order to get the very best out of it – and for my money, the best is very, very good.

I loved the dynamic that continued playing out at the end of Dreadnaught and continues on into this book that provides strong answers to all sorts of questions, such as – why is the political situation on Earth quite so stagnant? Why doesn’t the power structure morph and change into something else? Some of those answers are shocking.

I found it hard to put this one down as I was driven to discover how this plays out, hoping that the ending wouldn’t be a disappointment, after all the tension and adventure. I was enormously relieved – and sad – when Larson successfully tied up all the loose ends and brought the book and trilogy to a triumphant conclusion. Highly recommended.
10/10
Profile Image for Michael Wellman.
27 reviews
November 30, 2018
Excellent series

I really like a lot of what Larson writes. Sometimes writers like to have these huge insurmountable scenarios that just couldn't exist in and reality and then there solved by gross use our deux ex Machina but Larson doesn't do this. His characters are fully fleshed out and make reasonable decisions for there character and they continue to act in kind. I hate spoilers so I won't add any but I think the main character was true to form from word one till the last page fell. Further, the main character made Congress that I believe in and feel if I were in his position I would have also made, well I like to think I would; to be honest I have not been tested in that regard.
41 reviews
May 7, 2019
5 - STAR READ!!!!! This series is obviously not just for sci-fi addicts, it is for anyone that enjoys great reading as well as aspires to believe in what it means to be the very best in the human race! Recommended for all ages, it is one of the best I have read in years! Laurie Pitts, Costa Rica

A 5 - STAR READ!!! Not only is this a great read in the Sci-Fi section but this book is written for all ages showing what is BEST in the human race. Highly recommended for all ages and genders!
Profile Image for Jo .
2,681 reviews68 followers
March 31, 2018
Captain Starhawk is once again in the middle of a lot of trouble. Seems that the oldsters need to be removed. Of course Starhawk is the one who may be able to stop them. This is the last book of the trilogy and before it ends there are some very interesting events. Each seems like it will lead to disaster. Every time Starhawk and his crew turn disaster into a step in the right direction. A fun series to listen to.
101 reviews
May 29, 2018
Book two of this series was so good, we got through this book in a day. It was disappointing to say the least.

I didn't like the whole moral of the story, I feel this could have ended in a much more interesting way. I liked the way that Lorne was worked into the story, but I missed Zai. I didn't understand why so much time in book 2 was spent developing her character and then, nothing. It's almost like someone else wrote this book, it doesn't flow with the rest of the series.
Profile Image for HahTse.
18 reviews
November 15, 2020
Ok, this one was much, MUCH, better than its sequels. The characters are finally interesting, the story really does go somewhere and, even while utilizing well-known tropes, manages a few pleasant surprises.

So the series ends on a high note.

Profile Image for Robert.
56 reviews9 followers
October 2, 2021
Better than the second book, but doesn't come close to the great storytelling, tension and character development of book one.
Still a decent conclusion of the trilogy, book #3 makes up for the slightly monotonous stretches of book #2. Eventually lose ends are being tied up, when the crew of the Defiant meets their most dangerous foe yet.
Profile Image for John Yelverton.
4,438 reviews38 followers
October 21, 2025
This was the first book in this series that I didn't really enjoy. The book introduces a massive new plot device that sabotages the previous two books and the characters depicted in those books. Furthermore, the most enjoyable side character disappears for the entire book, and for no apparent good reason. It was definitely a let down from an otherwise great science fiction book series.
Profile Image for James W. Owen II.
32 reviews
December 14, 2016
Lost Colonies Trilogy

I found this trilogy to be a very interesting read on many levels. It was action packed and thought provoking. I would really love to see a follow up to this story in the future. Good work B. V. Larson and thanks for a very enjoyably read!
Profile Image for Scott Ellerbeck.
1 review
August 10, 2017
I have read all your Sci Fi books during my summer reading over the years!
You're outstanding! Keep writing please. I can't even say which series I want the next one from. They are all fabulous!
8 reviews1 follower
August 25, 2017
Military sci-fi trilogy with some good concepts

This is a middling example of the genre, no Dune but an easy enough read. So elements were hard to buy in to but other touches like the protagonists romances worked.
Profile Image for Gillette Thomas.
13 reviews
June 23, 2018
Amazing conclusion!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end. Seeing the relationships between characters and their personalities made it surreal. Finishing this trilogy left me with a satisfaction happy endings give!
28 reviews
July 13, 2018
Star Carrier ( LC Trilogy bk3)

This book provided closure. The villain was predictable before the book’s 1/2 way Point. William Sparhawk is the hero/savior at stories end; just as it was in the 2 previous books.
100 reviews
December 2, 2018
Great trilogy

Very satisfying work of science fiction! My only complaint is that it doesn't continue. So many ways the story line could evolve! I'm a huge fan of Mr Larson's imagination!
8 reviews
March 18, 2020
Another good series

Great trilogy, a good read with aound science and decent story building. Not as in depth as other worlds Larson has developed but overall it was a great read. Sad that there are not more.
Profile Image for John Merrick.
40 reviews2 followers
April 30, 2020
Nothing sophisticated, just an interesting, imaginative space adventure with intriguing characters. Escapist Sci-fi that doesn't strain the brain but also doesn't insult your intelligence. I'm reading all of his series of books. A little more juvie than his other stuff but decent.
Profile Image for Elar.
1,428 reviews21 followers
March 6, 2022
Story felt kind of grinding in some places and this horrible distrustful behaviour on all characters' part is kind of annoying. Fortunately there are decent plot twists which enhance the reading experience.
3 reviews
February 26, 2024
A lot of fun

I'm have read well over 90 books on my fire and have enjoyed this series tremendously!! Mr Larson knows ho
w to p!ease his space opera fans to the max!!! Anxiously awaiting my next adventure!


Profile Image for Ian.
176 reviews3 followers
December 21, 2016
I enjoy this authors work. While the main characters all start to feel the same, the universes are different enough for it to keep drawing me back for more.
Profile Image for Nai Wang.
600 reviews
February 17, 2017
An interesting conclusion to a very odd series. In the end you ended up liking the young swashbuckling Captain Sparrow (Sparhawk). Conspiracy rages, people die, and he still gets the girls.
Profile Image for Kevin Beck.
966 reviews9 followers
July 15, 2017
A good conclusion to the story arc though this series might not be finished.
9 reviews
December 14, 2017
Good Read

Book 3 was just as entertaining as Books 1 & 2. A fitting finish to the trilogy. Will be reading more of Larson 's books.
Profile Image for Dan Evanello.
22 reviews
December 25, 2017
Well done Mr.Larson.;-)

Fast read that leaves you waiting to pick the book up for the next chapter to begin.


Keep it up.
321 reviews5 followers
January 9, 2018
A book I will A rember

The third book did not fail me i will be sad not to read more of the characters i have fallen in love with! Thanks for a trilogy worth reading
18 reviews
March 20, 2018
Entertaining!

The story was well written and very entertaining! Characters, for the most part, were well developed. Perhaps a bit too much deus ex machina.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews

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