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The Frontiers Saga (Part 1): Discovery #8
Celestia CV-02
Episode 8
A world divided…
A ship under construction…
A military scrambling to prepare a defense…
A moment that everyone hoped would never come…
The Earth Defense Force must find a way to defend their world against invasion by the Jung Empire. More importantly, they must protect their newest ship, the UES Celestia, as she may be their last hope.
A world divided…
A ship under construction…
A military scrambling to prepare a defense…
A moment that everyone hoped would never come…
The Earth Defense Force must find a way to defend their world against invasion by the Jung Empire. More importantly, they must protect their newest ship, the UES Celestia, as she may be their last hope.
9 pages, Audible Audio
First published August 14, 2013
267 people are currently reading
441 people want to read
About the author
Ryk Brown
61 books855 followersBorn in 1960 and raised on an overdose of television, NASA, and science fiction, Ryk Brown has worked as a cook, rock guitarist, stage lighting technician, and paramedic. He currently resides in Northern California with his wife, daughter, and cat. By day he fixes computers, and by night he creates stories.
Having spent his entire life "thinking stuff up", the advent of digital publishing has finally given him an excuse to write it all down and share it with others. ("Others" meaning someone other than his poor wife and daughter.)
A long-time fan of all things science and space, his goal is to write and publish an on-going series of sci-fi adventures. To be set in his own version of humanity's future, his characters will explore the vast reaches of the galaxy, and perhaps even the universe. He invites you all to join him on this journey through his vivid imagination.
Having spent his entire life "thinking stuff up", the advent of digital publishing has finally given him an excuse to write it all down and share it with others. ("Others" meaning someone other than his poor wife and daughter.)
A long-time fan of all things science and space, his goal is to write and publish an on-going series of sci-fi adventures. To be set in his own version of humanity's future, his characters will explore the vast reaches of the galaxy, and perhaps even the universe. He invites you all to join him on this journey through his vivid imagination.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
November 1, 2016
At the end of the last book, the Earth was now under control of the Jung Empire and the Aurora barely escaped capture. She is very low on fuel and must find some immediately. This series must be read in order.
Brown uses this episode to tell how Earth fell to the Jung Empire while the Aurora was trying to find its way back to Earth. The Celestia is the sister ship to the Aurora. We are introduced to some new characters in this episode. The ending caught me by surprise and is a cliff hanger.
Brown’s writing abilities have improved with each book in the series. He is rapidly becoming a master storyteller. The book seems a bit slow but I think the feeling comes from the effect of filling in what had happened on earth while the Aurora was away.
Jeffrey Kafer does an excellent job narrating this series. Kafer is an actor and award winning audiobook narrator.
Brown uses this episode to tell how Earth fell to the Jung Empire while the Aurora was trying to find its way back to Earth. The Celestia is the sister ship to the Aurora. We are introduced to some new characters in this episode. The ending caught me by surprise and is a cliff hanger.
Brown’s writing abilities have improved with each book in the series. He is rapidly becoming a master storyteller. The book seems a bit slow but I think the feeling comes from the effect of filling in what had happened on earth while the Aurora was away.
Jeffrey Kafer does an excellent job narrating this series. Kafer is an actor and award winning audiobook narrator.
August 18, 2013
The 8th instalment in The Frontiers Saga more or less sets the stage for what you could call “part 2” in this book series. I have seen some reviews saying that this book is 85% filler. I disagree with this statement. It is true that much of the book do not tell the story of the Aurora, Nathan Scott or his friends but it does tell the story of how Earth fell to the Jung and, as I said already, sets the stage for future things to come. I am sure you can already guess from the title of the book that Celestia (CV-02), Auroras sister ship, plays, or rather will play, an important role in this future.
If the previous instalment was somewhat devoid of action this one makes up for it. This book is pretty much all action which is perhaps not so surprising since it tells the story of a planetary invasion. All of it is well written. The physics is believable. A least as much as one can expect from a Sci-Fi novel. Quite a few new characters are introduced that I suspect will play a role on some of the future books.
When the book, rather abruptly, switched from telling the story of Aurora to the past and the story of the Jung invasion I was a bit put off since I generally do not like these back flashes were you really know how it ends. At the end of the book I found myself having enjoyed the book quite a lot though. It is true that you know how it ends…kind of. However, there are still some interesting bits of information, with a probable impact on future events, in this part and as I said, it is well written and quite enjoyable to read.
This book was a big improvement over the previous one which left me rather disappointed and now I am indeed looking forward to the next instalments in this series.
If the previous instalment was somewhat devoid of action this one makes up for it. This book is pretty much all action which is perhaps not so surprising since it tells the story of a planetary invasion. All of it is well written. The physics is believable. A least as much as one can expect from a Sci-Fi novel. Quite a few new characters are introduced that I suspect will play a role on some of the future books.
When the book, rather abruptly, switched from telling the story of Aurora to the past and the story of the Jung invasion I was a bit put off since I generally do not like these back flashes were you really know how it ends. At the end of the book I found myself having enjoyed the book quite a lot though. It is true that you know how it ends…kind of. However, there are still some interesting bits of information, with a probable impact on future events, in this part and as I said, it is well written and quite enjoyable to read.
This book was a big improvement over the previous one which left me rather disappointed and now I am indeed looking forward to the next instalments in this series.
September 16, 2013
With this installment, it seems like Ryk Brown might be growing up as an author. I've enjoyed the previous entries in the Frontiers Saga as competent adventures in space, with no silly trappings like a sense of pacing or a desire to structure stories with a beginning, middle, and end. His universe isn't entirely original but is fun, and the space combat is one of the better systems I've seen people use — the ways in which his core FTL and warping mechanics apply to that are particularly inventive.
But in the previous novel Brown started introducing new mechanics (non-infinite starship propellant) that are being dealt with here and hint at more complex plots and a less travelogue-style structure to future installments. This entry spends a good portion of its time on Earth after the Aurora departed on its mission in the first novel and picks up some of the characters from the series' opening again for the first time. After finishing it I don't think there's likely to be any of the serious political intrigue I had been hoping for, but there are going to be multiple plot lines running with clearly motivated characters coming into conflict.
Finally, while it's too early to be sure, there don't seem to be so many of the wasted spaces in this novel that there were in earlier installments — characters continue to be introduced and disappear quickly, but they all serve to move the plot forward and are compelling in their own right. The few secrets are either clearly telegraphed to the reader or left as genuine secrets. This stands in stark contrast to earlier issues such as introducing a spy assassin who is dealt with ten pages later to no purpose, or the "mysterious" questions about Tug's origin and role.
To readers of the series, this novel will provide more of what you've enjoyed about previous installments and the promise of even better things in the future. To those who haven't liked anything before, or are wondering if they should start the series, it's not yet enough to change their minds.
But in the previous novel Brown started introducing new mechanics (non-infinite starship propellant) that are being dealt with here and hint at more complex plots and a less travelogue-style structure to future installments. This entry spends a good portion of its time on Earth after the Aurora departed on its mission in the first novel and picks up some of the characters from the series' opening again for the first time. After finishing it I don't think there's likely to be any of the serious political intrigue I had been hoping for, but there are going to be multiple plot lines running with clearly motivated characters coming into conflict.
Finally, while it's too early to be sure, there don't seem to be so many of the wasted spaces in this novel that there were in earlier installments — characters continue to be introduced and disappear quickly, but they all serve to move the plot forward and are compelling in their own right. The few secrets are either clearly telegraphed to the reader or left as genuine secrets. This stands in stark contrast to earlier issues such as introducing a spy assassin who is dealt with ten pages later to no purpose, or the "mysterious" questions about Tug's origin and role.
To readers of the series, this novel will provide more of what you've enjoyed about previous installments and the promise of even better things in the future. To those who haven't liked anything before, or are wondering if they should start the series, it's not yet enough to change their minds.
March 22, 2020
After a run of really good books in this series, Celestia CV-02 is a bit of a breather. After the ending of the previous book (which I’m not going to say anything about… writing reviews of long series without including spoilers about any of the books is hard!), a book like this had to happen. It’s a transition from one arc of the story to the next arc. A lot of the book follows new, unfamiliar characters, making me realise how much of my enjoyment of this series has been down to feeling invested in its characters. My feelings toward the book almost feel unfair – the goings on in this book are interesting and well written – but without caring about the characters, or even knowing which characters I needed to care about, I never found it engaging.
That said, this series as a whole has more than earned my trust, and I’m sure the events set up by this book will more than justify my lack of engagement with it. The Frontiers Saga is developing into a rather complex, epic, series of books, and I am, as I have been for a while, very excited to see where these books will lead.
That said, this series as a whole has more than earned my trust, and I’m sure the events set up by this book will more than justify my lack of engagement with it. The Frontiers Saga is developing into a rather complex, epic, series of books, and I am, as I have been for a while, very excited to see where these books will lead.
August 18, 2013
Really enjoyed this one. The author is getting better at story telling. I felt the difference in style added to the overall plot and made me feel the story as a whole more complete and less like previous novels in the series. I have enjoyed each and every novel but have never seen the quality at this level from this author. It was an amazing read and a very large improvement for Ryk Brown.
I must say from first page to last I did not put the ebook down. Very few authors can have me enthralled from beginning to end without pause to even eat. I felt the story was complete and led into a follow up ebook quite well. I will pick up the next one as soon as it becomes available.
I must say from first page to last I did not put the ebook down. Very few authors can have me enthralled from beginning to end without pause to even eat. I felt the story was complete and led into a follow up ebook quite well. I will pick up the next one as soon as it becomes available.
June 3, 2024
This is a good, very well written space opera, but this book doesn't stand alone as it's just one more chapter in a long saga. The strength of this work is in the well written characters, their interactions, the logical and realistic flow of the story, the relatively believable technology, and the relative lack of improbable escapes or situations. The novel is exciting, interesting, and throws in enough relatively unpredictable plot twists to keep the tension up, the reader on edge, and the pages flipping to find out how the story will play out. The book ends with a lot of plot options to be explored, and sets up the next book quite nicely.
As noted above, this book doesn't stand alone, and someone new to this story needs to start at the beginning with "Aurora: CV-01". Reading from the beginning to this book will take awhile, but the good news is that you will have a lot of enjoyable reading ahead. Who knows, maybe episode #9 will come out by the time you finish this novel (we all can hope)!
For me the Frontiers Saga, of which this book is a part, provides an imaginative, enjoyable, escape that is certainly better than most of the stuff on TV, often more satisfying than surfing the net, and better than a lot of half-baked movies on Netflix (Homeland, some DVD movies, and some streaming documentaries being marked exceptions). This series and this book also engage my analytical mind, and I find myself asking how the author does what he does, look at the sentence structure, the relationships between the characters, and their dialog, and fantasize about whether or not I could write something like this. In summary, I highly recommend this book and this series.
As noted above, this book doesn't stand alone, and someone new to this story needs to start at the beginning with "Aurora: CV-01". Reading from the beginning to this book will take awhile, but the good news is that you will have a lot of enjoyable reading ahead. Who knows, maybe episode #9 will come out by the time you finish this novel (we all can hope)!
For me the Frontiers Saga, of which this book is a part, provides an imaginative, enjoyable, escape that is certainly better than most of the stuff on TV, often more satisfying than surfing the net, and better than a lot of half-baked movies on Netflix (Homeland, some DVD movies, and some streaming documentaries being marked exceptions). This series and this book also engage my analytical mind, and I find myself asking how the author does what he does, look at the sentence structure, the relationships between the characters, and their dialog, and fantasize about whether or not I could write something like this. In summary, I highly recommend this book and this series.
August 27, 2019
This is not so much a review of Celestia CV-02, but of The Frontiers Saga to this point.
I won't go over the synopsis, because you probably already know that.
If your a fan of military sci-fi, this is a good light-read series. The books are short and present some cool ideas that touch on everything from FTL to genetic engineering. I am a big fan of the ways that the different civilizations have forked in their development after leaving Earth to colonize new worlds.
I also enjoy the character development as situations test the knowledge, skills, and morals of the cast of characters.
What I am a little disappointed with is the development seems to peak with certain protagonists. Once they reach a certain point, it seems that Ryk Brown moves on and leaves the a bit stagnant.
This feels like it was originally written with all the volumes in one story, then chopped up into separate books. Sometimes the ending point of a book doesn't feel like the end, but more of a pause to let you go purchase another book. This isn't a BAD thing, per say, but sometimes the ending of the book is awkward.
The series is light enough to pickup and put down at will. It's not a space opera with tons of characters and interwoven plots.
I would recommend this series to anyone who is into military sci-fi. Its an enjoyable light read with enough originality to make you think.
I won't go over the synopsis, because you probably already know that.
If your a fan of military sci-fi, this is a good light-read series. The books are short and present some cool ideas that touch on everything from FTL to genetic engineering. I am a big fan of the ways that the different civilizations have forked in their development after leaving Earth to colonize new worlds.
I also enjoy the character development as situations test the knowledge, skills, and morals of the cast of characters.
What I am a little disappointed with is the development seems to peak with certain protagonists. Once they reach a certain point, it seems that Ryk Brown moves on and leaves the a bit stagnant.
This feels like it was originally written with all the volumes in one story, then chopped up into separate books. Sometimes the ending point of a book doesn't feel like the end, but more of a pause to let you go purchase another book. This isn't a BAD thing, per say, but sometimes the ending of the book is awkward.
The series is light enough to pickup and put down at will. It's not a space opera with tons of characters and interwoven plots.
I would recommend this series to anyone who is into military sci-fi. Its an enjoyable light read with enough originality to make you think.
October 24, 2013
From My Newsletter Number 49:
This review is on Celestia CV-02 from The Frontiers Saga Episode 8 by Ryk Brown. It is part of a continuing series of ebooks that have been very entertaining from the beginning. I anxiously await each new release with high expectations.
Episode 8 is what I was expecting in Episode 7. The Aurora has returned home and found that the Jung has already invaded and conquered Earth and Nathan Scott and his new crew is too late to prevent it. Nathan has serious doubts that he is worthy of being the captain of the Aurora. Fortunately, his crew still thinks he is the man for the job and Nathan begins to think of a plan to defeat the Jung.
First, they need to get more intelligence on what happened on Earth. One way is to use “old light”. You will understant what this means when you read the book, if you haven’t already guessed what this means. One big problem is the Aurora is almost out of fuel after making so many dam jumps home (Episode 7). They must solve the fuel problem quickly if they are to have any chance of defeating the Jung. Once Nathan learns what happened on Earth, he begins to plan his strategy to save Earth.
Meanwhile, the story backtracks to tell exactly what happened in the battles for Earth. It includes what happens to Nathan’s family and who is left alive to fight again. Nathan learns of a sister ship called the Celestia that seems to have escaped with important people or items on board. Nathan plans to find it before the Jung does. Nathan also plans to work with resistance teams on Earth and other planets that can help defeat the Jung. This episode ends with everyone poised for action, which now continues in Episode 9.
I give this book four stars because the story is much improved over Episode 7, which got bogged down in too much technical detail. This story is much better all around. I look forward to reading Episode 9 now available for sale.
This review is on Celestia CV-02 from The Frontiers Saga Episode 8 by Ryk Brown. It is part of a continuing series of ebooks that have been very entertaining from the beginning. I anxiously await each new release with high expectations.
Episode 8 is what I was expecting in Episode 7. The Aurora has returned home and found that the Jung has already invaded and conquered Earth and Nathan Scott and his new crew is too late to prevent it. Nathan has serious doubts that he is worthy of being the captain of the Aurora. Fortunately, his crew still thinks he is the man for the job and Nathan begins to think of a plan to defeat the Jung.
First, they need to get more intelligence on what happened on Earth. One way is to use “old light”. You will understant what this means when you read the book, if you haven’t already guessed what this means. One big problem is the Aurora is almost out of fuel after making so many dam jumps home (Episode 7). They must solve the fuel problem quickly if they are to have any chance of defeating the Jung. Once Nathan learns what happened on Earth, he begins to plan his strategy to save Earth.
Meanwhile, the story backtracks to tell exactly what happened in the battles for Earth. It includes what happens to Nathan’s family and who is left alive to fight again. Nathan learns of a sister ship called the Celestia that seems to have escaped with important people or items on board. Nathan plans to find it before the Jung does. Nathan also plans to work with resistance teams on Earth and other planets that can help defeat the Jung. This episode ends with everyone poised for action, which now continues in Episode 9.
I give this book four stars because the story is much improved over Episode 7, which got bogged down in too much technical detail. This story is much better all around. I look forward to reading Episode 9 now available for sale.
December 25, 2017
More silliness
Wars aren't won with a single ship, a single elite division, even a single great commander. I refer you to either the Napoleonic Wars or the American Civil War and Napoleon Bonaparte and Robert E Lee respectively.
Waging war is a team effort and if your entire society isn't on board, you can expect to lose your war.
I refer you to the unprepared Red Army of 1940 versus the Red Army of 1944 and the famous "Destruction of Army Group Center". The Soviet Union suffered millions of dead and in the next four years had produced tens of thousands of tanks, aircraft and artillery pieces. Between their production and their numbers, made possible by The sacrifices of food and more by the Soviet people, the Red Army destroyed the cream of The best army in Europe.
The U.S. navy/marine/army were not fighting forces but cadres. They were to provide the trainers of the army and navy, when war began. The Navy presented a White Paper or Yellow Paper (I forget which is the five year threat assessment) in1905 which identified the Japanese Empire as the number one naval threat to the U.S. in the Pacific. The Japanese held that distinction for the next thirty five years, I believe. The head of the Japanese navy, let himself be shot down over the Pacific after realizing that he missed the only ships worth worrying about (the carriers) in the Pearl Harbor attack. He realized that Japan would lose to massive American production. Rosie, the riveter freed up the hundreds of thousands troops and sailors to destroy the Japanese navy and army.
I'm sure the writer knows all that and simplified it for his readers. In keeping with the story so far, thrills and chills as expected.
Wars aren't won with a single ship, a single elite division, even a single great commander. I refer you to either the Napoleonic Wars or the American Civil War and Napoleon Bonaparte and Robert E Lee respectively.
Waging war is a team effort and if your entire society isn't on board, you can expect to lose your war.
I refer you to the unprepared Red Army of 1940 versus the Red Army of 1944 and the famous "Destruction of Army Group Center". The Soviet Union suffered millions of dead and in the next four years had produced tens of thousands of tanks, aircraft and artillery pieces. Between their production and their numbers, made possible by The sacrifices of food and more by the Soviet people, the Red Army destroyed the cream of The best army in Europe.
The U.S. navy/marine/army were not fighting forces but cadres. They were to provide the trainers of the army and navy, when war began. The Navy presented a White Paper or Yellow Paper (I forget which is the five year threat assessment) in1905 which identified the Japanese Empire as the number one naval threat to the U.S. in the Pacific. The Japanese held that distinction for the next thirty five years, I believe. The head of the Japanese navy, let himself be shot down over the Pacific after realizing that he missed the only ships worth worrying about (the carriers) in the Pearl Harbor attack. He realized that Japan would lose to massive American production. Rosie, the riveter freed up the hundreds of thousands troops and sailors to destroy the Japanese navy and army.
I'm sure the writer knows all that and simplified it for his readers. In keeping with the story so far, thrills and chills as expected.
October 24, 2013
I thought, after reading some other reviews, that I would not like this book because it basically catches us up with what happened on Earth. New people, new groups, new politics... I felt vested in the Aurora's story and didn't want to start over. I'm glad that I don't have a problem admitting when I'm wrong about something because I was wrong about that!! This was fantastic! It was the perfect time to marry past to present and move the story forward. Excellent installment and it did not disappoint!
September 19, 2013
In this book the ship with a full crew has returned to Earth and found it taken over by the Jung. The ship immediately jumps away when it receives a message that instructions it received were a trap. They jump away and then reassess and position themselves to intercept radio signals sent months ago from Earth.
Then the story goes into explaining what happened while the Aurora was gone and how the Jung took over Earth. Still a good story. Can hardly wait for book 9 and others.
Then the story goes into explaining what happened while the Aurora was gone and how the Jung took over Earth. Still a good story. Can hardly wait for book 9 and others.
November 26, 2019
As one could probably guess from the title, Celestia CV-02 is the first book (after 7!) of the series that doesn't focus on the Aurora and her crew.
On one hand, it's a nice change of pace and gives a much broader view of the universe the Aurora (and now Celestia) and their crews inhabit. On the other, we've spent a lot of time with the Aurora now! I want to know what's next! (We do get some Aurora time though.)
Other than that, we get a good amount of backstory on Earth and see the invasion of Jung. One thing that has been missing this entire time and is still missing--which is starting to grow somewhat annoying--is any real insight into the Jung or view of their society. They're this big bad evil empire... that we know nothing about. I just hope we're not going to get a 'they were right all along twist at the end of this...
Overall, you can tell that Ryk Brown's skill is getting far stronger as the series progresses and he wanted a more complicated structure. It's jarring at times, but I think it works. I'm especially glad that the overarching story around Earth is moving forward. I'm curious to see where it goes from here.
On one hand, it's a nice change of pace and gives a much broader view of the universe the Aurora (and now Celestia) and their crews inhabit. On the other, we've spent a lot of time with the Aurora now! I want to know what's next! (We do get some Aurora time though.)
Other than that, we get a good amount of backstory on Earth and see the invasion of Jung. One thing that has been missing this entire time and is still missing--which is starting to grow somewhat annoying--is any real insight into the Jung or view of their society. They're this big bad evil empire... that we know nothing about. I just hope we're not going to get a 'they were right all along twist at the end of this...
Overall, you can tell that Ryk Brown's skill is getting far stronger as the series progresses and he wanted a more complicated structure. It's jarring at times, but I think it works. I'm especially glad that the overarching story around Earth is moving forward. I'm curious to see where it goes from here.
September 19, 2017
To start, this is book eight in the series - you need to start with Book 1, Ep.#1 - "Aurora: CV-01" (The Frontiers Saga) as this is not a standalone read.
What usually happens with continuations of a series is they start going downhill as the author has either exhausted his or her creativity or the story should have ended long ago. That's not the case with this series, as you have the exact opposite effect: it slowly started getting better; long-time readers of the series should enjoy this one, as the author gives background on the attack by the Jung on Earth, which sets the stage for the next book in the series - yes, there is another abrupt ending with a teaser and reference to a soon-to-be-published book. Parts of it do seem a little slow, as I'm ready to move forward in the story and see where it goes.
One of the better things (to me, at least) is the technology leaps are believable and didn't make you want to call a foul: you can get your arms and head around it without having to stop and think of the science.
The author continues to get you into the action, albeit at a little slower pace than prior novels
What usually happens with continuations of a series is they start going downhill as the author has either exhausted his or her creativity or the story should have ended long ago. That's not the case with this series, as you have the exact opposite effect: it slowly started getting better; long-time readers of the series should enjoy this one, as the author gives background on the attack by the Jung on Earth, which sets the stage for the next book in the series - yes, there is another abrupt ending with a teaser and reference to a soon-to-be-published book. Parts of it do seem a little slow, as I'm ready to move forward in the story and see where it goes.
One of the better things (to me, at least) is the technology leaps are believable and didn't make you want to call a foul: you can get your arms and head around it without having to stop and think of the science.
The author continues to get you into the action, albeit at a little slower pace than prior novels
August 11, 2017
POTENTIAL SPOILERS......
This is the first book in the series that I haven't completely enjoyed. Granted, I know Mr. Brown is setting up the next chapter so to speak, but there is a huge amount of the book that centers completely around a whole new set of characters. In addition, he sets this up as if the crew of the Aurora is watching past events due to the distance of space. But he narrates events that they could not possibly have seen or have knowledge of. This leaves the reader in the position of not really having a good idea of what they know and what they don't know.
In addition, maybe it is because I am a computer person, but the whole scenario revolving around the data cores is just too far fetched. They have a computer device they can read from, but not copy? They haven't made a back up of this data? It's not like they found it yesterday, and I realize the security aspect of it. But you still make a backup!!!!!! You certainly don't trust the wealth of the human knowledge to centuries old tech.
This is the first book in the series that I haven't completely enjoyed. Granted, I know Mr. Brown is setting up the next chapter so to speak, but there is a huge amount of the book that centers completely around a whole new set of characters. In addition, he sets this up as if the crew of the Aurora is watching past events due to the distance of space. But he narrates events that they could not possibly have seen or have knowledge of. This leaves the reader in the position of not really having a good idea of what they know and what they don't know.
In addition, maybe it is because I am a computer person, but the whole scenario revolving around the data cores is just too far fetched. They have a computer device they can read from, but not copy? They haven't made a back up of this data? It's not like they found it yesterday, and I realize the security aspect of it. But you still make a backup!!!!!! You certainly don't trust the wealth of the human knowledge to centuries old tech.
February 23, 2019
Pretty Good
Another high point in story telling. Even mix of action and character interaction. Only flaw is the elevation in usage of unexplained FTL "active" scans replacing the far more plausible passive scans of very distant objects. I suspect this is writer laziness where the author has allowed himself to become slave to the well understood patterns of operations for today's military technology and to fall back on the well established drama and dangers of those operations. TBH without FTL tachoyon or similar sensors and communications - which have so far explicitly been unavailable in the story - there simple is not a role for active scans in space combat beyond a few light seconds. Position accuracy is mushy as time for scan pulse to return is doubled and fast moving objects are changing position. Even recon scans are not useful in active mode when you need to wait hours for active AM pulses to return. With FTL drive the target can easily be alerted and arrive before return pulse if you scan out more than 30 light minutes in this novel.
Another high point in story telling. Even mix of action and character interaction. Only flaw is the elevation in usage of unexplained FTL "active" scans replacing the far more plausible passive scans of very distant objects. I suspect this is writer laziness where the author has allowed himself to become slave to the well understood patterns of operations for today's military technology and to fall back on the well established drama and dangers of those operations. TBH without FTL tachoyon or similar sensors and communications - which have so far explicitly been unavailable in the story - there simple is not a role for active scans in space combat beyond a few light seconds. Position accuracy is mushy as time for scan pulse to return is doubled and fast moving objects are changing position. Even recon scans are not useful in active mode when you need to wait hours for active AM pulses to return. With FTL drive the target can easily be alerted and arrive before return pulse if you scan out more than 30 light minutes in this novel.
July 24, 2017
The Frontiers Saga series is a fun read but only if you are getting it free from your library. Celestia CV-02 is a direct continuation of Frontiers Saga #7 The Expanse. This episode covers the fall of Earth to the invaders called the Jung Empire. This really isn't a book in itself but rather a chapter of a larger space opera. One of the failings of this series is that Jung have no voice. The reader sees the universe through the eyes of the protagonists only. Also there seems to be little time invested in showing how the characters change over time. None the less this "book" continues to be great brain candy. I am listening to the audiobook version of the series and am getting those from my public library. I would suggest anyone needing a break from serious stories do that with this series.
May 19, 2019
For 7 books I've been trying to guess what it will be like when they returned to Earth. I was even somewhat afraid of the "Gilligan's Island" trope where they would keep running into problems that would keep them from returning home. Sure enough they return home and there are enough problems there that you don't need the Gilligan's Island trope. I will say that I had been so invested in the current characters that I got a little impatient with the flashback. All in all this was a good book that has kept me hooked to the series.
December 20, 2019
I am a sucker for space operas.
This series has sucked me in.
I am only able to the works available on Overdrive, so I will not be reviewing the whole series.
In fact I'll give the same review for all of them.
Ryk Brown writes a consistent space opera and any fan will enjoy the action and little twists.
Suspend disbelief and enjoy.
This series has sucked me in.
I am only able to the works available on Overdrive, so I will not be reviewing the whole series.
In fact I'll give the same review for all of them.
Ryk Brown writes a consistent space opera and any fan will enjoy the action and little twists.
Suspend disbelief and enjoy.
July 9, 2021
I think of all the episodes, this is my least favorite. I think the title is a bit of a spoiler of where the story is going. The appearance of Celestia CV-02 could have been a bit more of a surprise.
Stop reading here if you don't want mild spoilers.
Also most of this book is a sort of flashback and I only enjoy them in very small quantities.
Stop reading here if you don't want mild spoilers.
Also most of this book is a sort of flashback and I only enjoy them in very small quantities.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2022
I wonder what happens next?
Okay, I liked this book because some new characters were introduced, but there were a lot of battle scenes, which I dont like too much. I know, I know, they are necessary, but all of the techno-babble makes my eyes roll back in my head.
On to the next book!
Okay, I liked this book because some new characters were introduced, but there were a lot of battle scenes, which I dont like too much. I know, I know, they are necessary, but all of the techno-babble makes my eyes roll back in my head.
On to the next book!
September 19, 2023
Ryk Brown is looking to stretch this series unnecessarily so. He has a group of good characters from the first 7 novels. Devoting a whole novel to another set of characters before resolving the first series is annoying. There were some good parts to the novel, and some interesting characters, but do an offshoot of this series after it's over!
July 29, 2017
Change of scenery — refreshing
This book kept the action moving in a new locale. Despite setting up for the next books, this book was riveting and revisited some characters and plot points that we haven't seen for a long time. This book was a real exciting read!
This book kept the action moving in a new locale. Despite setting up for the next books, this book was riveting and revisited some characters and plot points that we haven't seen for a long time. This book was a real exciting read!
August 12, 2017
Can't stop reading the series
Back to earth with a major broadening of the story. An Eastside view of battles with the Jung. The unfinished sister ship of the Aurora makes an appearance.
Back to earth with a major broadening of the story. An Eastside view of battles with the Jung. The unfinished sister ship of the Aurora makes an appearance.
September 26, 2018
So far a wonderful series.
So far this series has been flawless. Multiple storiy-lines of space and some ground-based warfare mixed with future tech. Politics, humanity, survival, sacrifice... All the good stuff.
So far this series has been flawless. Multiple storiy-lines of space and some ground-based warfare mixed with future tech. Politics, humanity, survival, sacrifice... All the good stuff.
February 11, 2023
A very decent novel
It is amazing the coherency and logic of the story remains stable. That is almost unheard of with some of these self-published authors through Amazon unlimited. Very impressed with Ryk Brown!
It is amazing the coherency and logic of the story remains stable. That is almost unheard of with some of these self-published authors through Amazon unlimited. Very impressed with Ryk Brown!
January 21, 2024
CELESTIA CB-02
CELESTIA CB-02, Frontier Saga Book 8 wasted 3-4 Chapters on Review of the Lost Battle of Earth. The crew of the Aurora already knew that the Jung had captured the Earth and Fleet Command was lost.
CELESTIA CB-02, Frontier Saga Book 8 wasted 3-4 Chapters on Review of the Lost Battle of Earth. The crew of the Aurora already knew that the Jung had captured the Earth and Fleet Command was lost.
June 17, 2017
Even more explosions
Take the time to read the entire series. Excellent military dare doing, solving problems with bombs and science, spies and soldiers. Mayhem everywhere.
Take the time to read the entire series. Excellent military dare doing, solving problems with bombs and science, spies and soldiers. Mayhem everywhere.
November 24, 2017
Fun and enjoyable
Truly an enjoyable read, following the ships attempt to return home,while dealing with unexpected and expected events, let's your imagination run!
Truly an enjoyable read, following the ships attempt to return home,while dealing with unexpected and expected events, let's your imagination run!
March 23, 2018
This is just a continuation of a good story. I'm not sure I would read this series but it's excellent listening material
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