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Argonauts #3
Alien Empress
One man's fight to save a homeworld, and his brothers, from total destruction.
The Green homeworld is under attack by an aquatic species known as the Hydra. The Greens have mounted a desperate defense, but their planet is falling.
Surus, a Green who just so happens to be the current employer of Rade and his Argonauts, plans to return to her homeworld to offer what aid she can. Rade agrees to help, as humanity owes her a great debt.
After Rade and his team arrive in specially constructed Titan battle suits, they are soon tasked with a covert operation involving the Hydra empress.
When the mission turns sour, Rade must call upon all of his training to save himself and his men, and salvage what little of the operation he can.
But it may be too late.
The Green homeworld is under attack by an aquatic species known as the Hydra. The Greens have mounted a desperate defense, but their planet is falling.
Surus, a Green who just so happens to be the current employer of Rade and his Argonauts, plans to return to her homeworld to offer what aid she can. Rade agrees to help, as humanity owes her a great debt.
After Rade and his team arrive in specially constructed Titan battle suits, they are soon tasked with a covert operation involving the Hydra empress.
When the mission turns sour, Rade must call upon all of his training to save himself and his men, and salvage what little of the operation he can.
But it may be too late.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 6, 2017
181 people are currently reading
74 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 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 15, 2017
Another book in one of the better long running series. This is truly a military science fiction book. The story of Rade Galaal continues with his now civilian “security service” group called the Argonauts. The Argonauts are a group of ex-mliltary ex-MOTHs (MObile Tactical Humans) who now have to work for a living. They have acquired a new client, Surus, a Green Phant who is trying to rid the human galaxy of Black Phants who are the enemy of all humanity. In ordered for Phants to interact with humans, they have to occupy a metal container either surgically and painfully attached to an uncooperative human on in the case of Green Phants they occupy Artificial constructs (Androids) with their consent. So, Surus is occupying an Artificial called Emilia Bounty. Due to her releasing several Tech Class IV patents to humanity, Surus has a considerable fortune which she/it uses to hunt down the Black Phants. That money is now flowing to the Argonauts whom she has hired.
None of the Argonauts have any problems with hunting down and exterminating Black Phants. Earth and humanity has already fought wars against the Phants and with the help of the Green Phants have so far defeated them. The Black Phants used to have means of reaching the human galaxy almost instantaneously, but that was destroyed in the last war. Now they are still coming for humanity only they will take another six years to reach us. In the meantime, the Argonauts missions continue under the employment of Surus, until now. Surus has learned that her home world is under attack and is about to be destroyed by a race they have formerly conquered. While the Green Phants weren’t part of that conquest, all Phants have now become the enemy of the Hydras. So Surus tells the Argonauts she must leave and they are free to do whatever other work they can find.
Of course the Argonauts know that their previous security consultant work was pretty boring and didn’t pay nearly as well as what Surus pay. So, they all “volunteer” to assist her and the Green Phants in defending their homeworld. Now they are off on another adventure/mission which has a high probability of them not coming back. They don’t know who the Hydra are and have no idea how they might help the Phants in their war, but if Surus didn’t think they could contribute, she wouldn’t have agreed to them joining her. So, off they go into the unknown. It’s an exciting story with lots of fighting and one of the Argonauts coming near death while one does die, sort of. Shaw and Rade are still a madly in love couple and it gets a little tiring to hear about their love tryst all the time. It’s also really unfair to the others that Rade has Shaw along to relieve his tensions, so to speak. They also don’t try to hide what they are doing all the time. I think it would be fitting for the Argonauts to go recuriting to find some more fighting women.
If it sounds like this story is a "simple go there and fight” type scenario, then you’re in for a surprise. Nothing comes easy for the Argonauts and the Phants aren’t as smart as they appear to be. They certainly lack some in the tactical planning department and assume too much about how the Argonauts will fight and what equipment they need. Surus constantly keeps information to herself which Rade really needs in planning their military missions. She only reveals some of these things after it’s way to late. Of course, that only makes their mission tougher and the books more interesting. Still, there might come a time when the Argonauts will have to re-assess whether or not it’s safe to continue using Surus as a client.
Ok, so on to the next book titled “Quantum Predation”, whatever that means. I’ve noticed that books 5 (“Robot Dust Bunnies”) & 6 (“City of Phants”) are already available.
None of the Argonauts have any problems with hunting down and exterminating Black Phants. Earth and humanity has already fought wars against the Phants and with the help of the Green Phants have so far defeated them. The Black Phants used to have means of reaching the human galaxy almost instantaneously, but that was destroyed in the last war. Now they are still coming for humanity only they will take another six years to reach us. In the meantime, the Argonauts missions continue under the employment of Surus, until now. Surus has learned that her home world is under attack and is about to be destroyed by a race they have formerly conquered. While the Green Phants weren’t part of that conquest, all Phants have now become the enemy of the Hydras. So Surus tells the Argonauts she must leave and they are free to do whatever other work they can find.
Of course the Argonauts know that their previous security consultant work was pretty boring and didn’t pay nearly as well as what Surus pay. So, they all “volunteer” to assist her and the Green Phants in defending their homeworld. Now they are off on another adventure/mission which has a high probability of them not coming back. They don’t know who the Hydra are and have no idea how they might help the Phants in their war, but if Surus didn’t think they could contribute, she wouldn’t have agreed to them joining her. So, off they go into the unknown. It’s an exciting story with lots of fighting and one of the Argonauts coming near death while one does die, sort of. Shaw and Rade are still a madly in love couple and it gets a little tiring to hear about their love tryst all the time. It’s also really unfair to the others that Rade has Shaw along to relieve his tensions, so to speak. They also don’t try to hide what they are doing all the time. I think it would be fitting for the Argonauts to go recuriting to find some more fighting women.
If it sounds like this story is a "simple go there and fight” type scenario, then you’re in for a surprise. Nothing comes easy for the Argonauts and the Phants aren’t as smart as they appear to be. They certainly lack some in the tactical planning department and assume too much about how the Argonauts will fight and what equipment they need. Surus constantly keeps information to herself which Rade really needs in planning their military missions. She only reveals some of these things after it’s way to late. Of course, that only makes their mission tougher and the books more interesting. Still, there might come a time when the Argonauts will have to re-assess whether or not it’s safe to continue using Surus as a client.
Ok, so on to the next book titled “Quantum Predation”, whatever that means. I’ve noticed that books 5 (“Robot Dust Bunnies”) & 6 (“City of Phants”) are already available.
May 13, 2021
Please note that "Ms. Bounty" in book 1, is now called "Surus," a Green Phant, one of the good aliens who fought alongside the humans in the 1st Alien Wars. She/It has been a client of Rade and his Argonauts throughout these first three books.
The story: The Green home world is under attack and barely holding their own. They need allies so the Greens send a representative, Azan, to seek allies. Unfortunately the closest potential ally, Bethesda, is suspicious of Phants. And anyway, she needs rescuing. So... to prove themselves, the Argonauts set out to rescue her. Naturally, it isn't going to be easy with no guarantee that Bethesda will be grateful. What else is new?
Any problems with this story? I found the Argonauts to be amazingly gullible. I don't care if you are dealing with a "good Phant," no group is made up for entirely good people. There is always some bonehead somewhere in the group that didn't get the memo and won't live up to the expectations of the ideals of the group. That happens every time. No exceptions.
I suggest reading "The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements" by Eric Hoffer.
Any modesty issues? The same issues that have applied to the previous books in this series apply here as well. In other words, rude and crude language is used. Sex happens.
The ending more or less resolved most of the issues presented at the beginning. No cliffhangers.
I might read this book again if I decided to read the series again.
The story: The Green home world is under attack and barely holding their own. They need allies so the Greens send a representative, Azan, to seek allies. Unfortunately the closest potential ally, Bethesda, is suspicious of Phants. And anyway, she needs rescuing. So... to prove themselves, the Argonauts set out to rescue her. Naturally, it isn't going to be easy with no guarantee that Bethesda will be grateful. What else is new?
Any problems with this story? I found the Argonauts to be amazingly gullible. I don't care if you are dealing with a "good Phant," no group is made up for entirely good people. There is always some bonehead somewhere in the group that didn't get the memo and won't live up to the expectations of the ideals of the group. That happens every time. No exceptions.
I suggest reading "The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements" by Eric Hoffer.
Any modesty issues? The same issues that have applied to the previous books in this series apply here as well. In other words, rude and crude language is used. Sex happens.
The ending more or less resolved most of the issues presented at the beginning. No cliffhangers.
I might read this book again if I decided to read the series again.
June 20, 2020
3.5 stars
This is the third stand-alone book in Hooke's new Argonauts series. As usual, I must recommend it, though I get the sense that sometimes Mr. Hooke starts rushing the writing just a little. Still, this is a rapidly moving and engrossing story in a universe that is largely hostile to humankind. The characters have now been around long enough to have taken on a life of their own. I will definitely continue to await and read the author's continuing work.
This is the third stand-alone book in Hooke's new Argonauts series. As usual, I must recommend it, though I get the sense that sometimes Mr. Hooke starts rushing the writing just a little. Still, this is a rapidly moving and engrossing story in a universe that is largely hostile to humankind. The characters have now been around long enough to have taken on a life of their own. I will definitely continue to await and read the author's continuing work.
May 19, 2017
FUN Series
The third installment of this series continues the epic action! These books are not just action packed Sci fi but fun action packed Sci fi. Well worth the download.
The third installment of this series continues the epic action! These books are not just action packed Sci fi but fun action packed Sci fi. Well worth the download.
June 27, 2017
Another great adventure in the Argonauts series.
July 7, 2017
An exciting read
I really enjoyed this book. While the Argonauts continue there are some interesting plot twists. The greens have their own conflicts.
I really enjoyed this book. While the Argonauts continue there are some interesting plot twists. The greens have their own conflicts.
March 9, 2017
"No AIs were killed in the making of these mechs."
Rade Gabaal is growing older and feeling the pressure of responsibility for the lives of Shaw, his partner, and the other members of his crew. They are all tired, looking forward to shore leave. But when their client, the Green Phant, Surus, has to return to her home world to help defend it from almost certain destruction, loyalty for the help they received from her in the past prompts him to cancel leave and offer the assistance of the Argonauts instead. They all know that it will be a near impossible rescue mission. But there is just one slim possibility of saving the Green sub hives and that involves another mission - and a trip into even more inhospitable territory with no guarantees even if they succeed.
Another innovative stand alone story in this exciting Argonauts series. The characters are colourful but very human, the dialogue sometimes crude but often funny and the descriptive qualities powerfully invoke the very alien environments with just a few words. The story's good, too. A recommended read (and what a good film this would make.)
Rade Gabaal is growing older and feeling the pressure of responsibility for the lives of Shaw, his partner, and the other members of his crew. They are all tired, looking forward to shore leave. But when their client, the Green Phant, Surus, has to return to her home world to help defend it from almost certain destruction, loyalty for the help they received from her in the past prompts him to cancel leave and offer the assistance of the Argonauts instead. They all know that it will be a near impossible rescue mission. But there is just one slim possibility of saving the Green sub hives and that involves another mission - and a trip into even more inhospitable territory with no guarantees even if they succeed.
Another innovative stand alone story in this exciting Argonauts series. The characters are colourful but very human, the dialogue sometimes crude but often funny and the descriptive qualities powerfully invoke the very alien environments with just a few words. The story's good, too. A recommended read (and what a good film this would make.)
March 13, 2017
Wonderful read!
More new aliens!! Still loving the characters and their banter. Great read, please keep them coming!!! Give me more rade!
More new aliens!! Still loving the characters and their banter. Great read, please keep them coming!!! Give me more rade!
March 9, 2017
Rade Galaal and his faithful crew are back in the conclusion of the Argonauts Trilogy. Hooke’s writing is again, a little more adult in nature with the soldierly banter, but everything that made you love his writing before is present in this new adventure. I look forward to reading more about Rade Galall and his faithful crew in a future work.
March 8, 2017
Ten stars!
This is a Ten Star Reading experience. Aliens of all different types, ex-military mercenaries for hire, led by my favorite, Rade Gallal.
There are stepping stone wormholes, green gaseous Phants, classes of tech and a story worthy of the big screen.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this Book and Series!
This is a Ten Star Reading experience. Aliens of all different types, ex-military mercenaries for hire, led by my favorite, Rade Gallal.
There are stepping stone wormholes, green gaseous Phants, classes of tech and a story worthy of the big screen.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this Book and Series!
April 7, 2022
so are these books just following the only characters that are the only one not programed to be crazy bland NPCs?
March 30, 2017
Enjoyable
Enjoyed this book just as much as the others. Highly recommended though I did find my self rereading a few sections a couple of times because I had gotten lost. Had not happened during my reading of the previous books. Hence 4 vs 5 stars. 4.5 if I could.
Enjoyed this book just as much as the others. Highly recommended though I did find my self rereading a few sections a couple of times because I had gotten lost. Had not happened during my reading of the previous books. Hence 4 vs 5 stars. 4.5 if I could.
April 25, 2017
This was a good read from start to finish. Rade and his rag tag band of men get themselves into some serious trouble. And are faced with ethical and moral implications of an alien race. Who can really say what motivates an alien race?
April 27, 2017
It was OK just a little bit better than #2
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews