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The Orion War #3
Orion Rising
The war will come—it is inevitable.
After centuries of struggle, the ISF Intrepid has finally brought its colonists to New Canaan, a star system better than any they imagined. They made landfall and began to build their new home, far from the troubles of Sol and the Inner Stars.
Yet no one in the Orion Arm has forgotten that the colonists possess the most valuable technology known to humankind, least of all Tanis Richards—as she secretly prepares to defend New Canaan against any and all aggressors.
Now things have come to a head. A Transcend fleet has invaded New Canaan, and a Hegemony of Worlds fleet on its way. Tanis Richards must defeat a rogue AI that has its own designs for humanity’s future, while saving her people from invaders.
General, governor, commander of twenty thousand warships, Tanis Richards stands on the edge of a precipice. If she jumps, she will draw all of humanity into total war.
After centuries of struggle, the ISF Intrepid has finally brought its colonists to New Canaan, a star system better than any they imagined. They made landfall and began to build their new home, far from the troubles of Sol and the Inner Stars.
Yet no one in the Orion Arm has forgotten that the colonists possess the most valuable technology known to humankind, least of all Tanis Richards—as she secretly prepares to defend New Canaan against any and all aggressors.
Now things have come to a head. A Transcend fleet has invaded New Canaan, and a Hegemony of Worlds fleet on its way. Tanis Richards must defeat a rogue AI that has its own designs for humanity’s future, while saving her people from invaders.
General, governor, commander of twenty thousand warships, Tanis Richards stands on the edge of a precipice. If she jumps, she will draw all of humanity into total war.
389 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 21, 2017
551 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
M.D. Cooper
187 books523 followersMalorie Cooper likes to think of herself as a dreamer and a wanderer, yet her feet are firmly grounded in reality.
A ‘maker’ from an early age, Malorie loves to craft things, from furniture, to cosplay costumes, to a well-spun tale, she can’t help but to create new things every day.
A rare extrovert writer, she loves to hang out with readers and people in general. If you meet her at a convention, she just might be rocking a catsuit, cosplaying one of her own characters, or maybe her latest favorite from Overwatch!
She shares her home with a brilliant young girl, her wonderful wife (who also writes), a cat that chirps at birds, a never-ending list of things she would like to build, and ideas…
A ‘maker’ from an early age, Malorie loves to craft things, from furniture, to cosplay costumes, to a well-spun tale, she can’t help but to create new things every day.
A rare extrovert writer, she loves to hang out with readers and people in general. If you meet her at a convention, she just might be rocking a catsuit, cosplaying one of her own characters, or maybe her latest favorite from Overwatch!
She shares her home with a brilliant young girl, her wonderful wife (who also writes), a cat that chirps at birds, a never-ending list of things she would like to build, and ideas…
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
January 29, 2018
“Orion Rising (The Orion War #3)” picks up moments in time after the cliffhanger of “New Canaan (The Orion War #2), but…..and I mean BUT….we quickly learn that the author expects you to have read six, yes six!, novellas of the “Perseus Gate” series in between books. WTF?
Throughout each of the books of the Intrepid and the first two of the Orion War books, the author has shifted back and forth between characters, worlds, star systems and even time as events occur independently before people and plots later merge into the main thread. But now, he drops that technique to create a series of books that focus on a tighter group of characters, but that features events that are crucial to the main thread. What really pissed me off is that he even killed off a main character, and we learn of it in “Orion Rising” as a spoiler for reading the “Perseus Gate” series. Worse, only two of six of the “Perseus Gate” books are available on Audible, so we can’t listen to the six in between “Orion War” books 2 and 3. Worse again, there’s yet ANOTHER narrator for the “Perseus Gate” books, and if the Audible sample is any indication, she sounds much MUCH younger than narrators Hvam and Dukehart.
Finally, the REALLY annoying thing is that these six books are novellas….codeword for SHORT. The “Orion War” books have been 10-13 hours each. The “Perseus Gate” books are about 3 hours each. So all six books total the length of only two “Orion War” books. Yet…wait for it….each of the 3 hour short books costs the SAME as the longer books! I love audiobooks, but this strategy just screams ripoff and I may very well use Voice Dream to read the KU books for the “Perseus Gate” series. Interestingly, btw, the longer books are published by Tantor Audio, but these shorties are by The Wooden Pen Press.
Okay…rant over. Mostly over.
The audio quality of “Orion Rising” is much better than it was for “New Canaan”, but unfortunately some significant squeaks appeared during the final two hours to distract and annoy me. Dammit.
Marketing flaws and audio quality flaws aside, “Orion Rising” was hugely entertaining. Great space battles (I love space battles!), well done politics, and it features terrific enemies (both old and new), which always keeps things entertaining by making things difficult for Tanis, Sera and the others!
If you’re reading this series, and the interweaved series on KU, pay attention to the author’s recommended reading order. It’s tough if not impossible to follow that order on Audible, because there are more books released on Kindle that Audible. Plus, did I mention that there are six books with key events that occur between the seconds of elapsed time between “New Canaan” and “Orion Rising”?
As a book, this is a solid 5* - really one of the most enjoyable in the Aeon14 universe that I’ve read/listened to so far (a small sample of the offerings it turns out). But, being expected to shell out six Audible credits for six short stories really dampens my enthusiasm, as does being irritated by the poor audio quality (once again!) for the last couple hours. I rate “Orion Rising” 4*, and I envy those of you who enjoy sitting down with a Kindle…the audio experience is becoming frustrating with M.D. Cooper.
Throughout each of the books of the Intrepid and the first two of the Orion War books, the author has shifted back and forth between characters, worlds, star systems and even time as events occur independently before people and plots later merge into the main thread. But now, he drops that technique to create a series of books that focus on a tighter group of characters, but that features events that are crucial to the main thread. What really pissed me off is that he even killed off a main character, and we learn of it in “Orion Rising” as a spoiler for reading the “Perseus Gate” series. Worse, only two of six of the “Perseus Gate” books are available on Audible, so we can’t listen to the six in between “Orion War” books 2 and 3. Worse again, there’s yet ANOTHER narrator for the “Perseus Gate” books, and if the Audible sample is any indication, she sounds much MUCH younger than narrators Hvam and Dukehart.
Finally, the REALLY annoying thing is that these six books are novellas….codeword for SHORT. The “Orion War” books have been 10-13 hours each. The “Perseus Gate” books are about 3 hours each. So all six books total the length of only two “Orion War” books. Yet…wait for it….each of the 3 hour short books costs the SAME as the longer books! I love audiobooks, but this strategy just screams ripoff and I may very well use Voice Dream to read the KU books for the “Perseus Gate” series. Interestingly, btw, the longer books are published by Tantor Audio, but these shorties are by The Wooden Pen Press.
Okay…rant over. Mostly over.
The audio quality of “Orion Rising” is much better than it was for “New Canaan”, but unfortunately some significant squeaks appeared during the final two hours to distract and annoy me. Dammit.
Marketing flaws and audio quality flaws aside, “Orion Rising” was hugely entertaining. Great space battles (I love space battles!), well done politics, and it features terrific enemies (both old and new), which always keeps things entertaining by making things difficult for Tanis, Sera and the others!
If you’re reading this series, and the interweaved series on KU, pay attention to the author’s recommended reading order. It’s tough if not impossible to follow that order on Audible, because there are more books released on Kindle that Audible. Plus, did I mention that there are six books with key events that occur between the seconds of elapsed time between “New Canaan” and “Orion Rising”?
As a book, this is a solid 5* - really one of the most enjoyable in the Aeon14 universe that I’ve read/listened to so far (a small sample of the offerings it turns out). But, being expected to shell out six Audible credits for six short stories really dampens my enthusiasm, as does being irritated by the poor audio quality (once again!) for the last couple hours. I rate “Orion Rising” 4*, and I envy those of you who enjoy sitting down with a Kindle…the audio experience is becoming frustrating with M.D. Cooper.
January 31, 2019
This is very engaging pulp fiction, but the self-publishing amateur hour is becoming more and more noticeable. I really, really do NOT want the need for a reading guide. Pick and arc and finish it. The fact that the universe is already splintered into a dozen different series and sub-series and "oh wait I *really* meant to write this (put out an updated expanded repackaged version of books you've already sold)" is really killing the buzz. Cooper needs to back off all the tangential series because this thing is spinning out of control.
September 26, 2021
Despite the recommendations listed in the first chapter of this book, I skipped over all the novellas in between the last main book and this one. There was a little bit of abruptness to some of the changes (a significant character death and introduction of some new characters) but it wasn't a bad choice. This series is very daunting and the reading order options are elaborate.
The good: Tanis is at it again, kicking ass and taking names. The brilliant battle-hardened old general. AI characters get a lot of play as well and there's some deeper stuff with linking and merging and a bunch of secrets are revealed. The battles are epic and on an increasingly grand scale as technology improves and the stakes seem ever higher. My favorite improvement: Finally starting to see books without obsessive detailing of skin tight outfits or over sexualizing the female characters!!!! Maybe a little detail to some, but I found it to be a great improvement.
The meh: Although he is only teased a couple times in this book rather than playing a real role, the moustache-twirling Moriarty character is back. There is nothing about this character that I like or find interesting so I'm not too sure I want to see where he's going. I also kind of feel like although queer couples are included there's a little bit too much of making them suffer relationship-related blows (death, betrayal, etc) and I am not a fan of that. It's weird, as the author's bio says she's a trans woman so who knows what's up with that, but it's noticeable. There's also some editing errors, but that's par for the course with kindle unlimited books, and it isn't intrusive.
The final few chapters of this book serve as teasers for future events. If you skip that, this book doesn't really end on a cliffhanger the way all the previous ones have, so I would say this is a relatively good stopping point in the series if you aren't ready to commit to the entire massive collection.
The good: Tanis is at it again, kicking ass and taking names. The brilliant battle-hardened old general. AI characters get a lot of play as well and there's some deeper stuff with linking and merging and a bunch of secrets are revealed. The battles are epic and on an increasingly grand scale as technology improves and the stakes seem ever higher. My favorite improvement: Finally starting to see books without obsessive detailing of skin tight outfits or over sexualizing the female characters!!!! Maybe a little detail to some, but I found it to be a great improvement.
The meh: Although he is only teased a couple times in this book rather than playing a real role, the moustache-twirling Moriarty character is back. There is nothing about this character that I like or find interesting so I'm not too sure I want to see where he's going. I also kind of feel like although queer couples are included there's a little bit too much of making them suffer relationship-related blows (death, betrayal, etc) and I am not a fan of that. It's weird, as the author's bio says she's a trans woman so who knows what's up with that, but it's noticeable. There's also some editing errors, but that's par for the course with kindle unlimited books, and it isn't intrusive.
The final few chapters of this book serve as teasers for future events. If you skip that, this book doesn't really end on a cliffhanger the way all the previous ones have, so I would say this is a relatively good stopping point in the series if you aren't ready to commit to the entire massive collection.
August 7, 2017
As always, well written, full of action & drama, and fully developed characters. I love the characters (especially Tanis and Joe), but I'm tired of war. Let's have some books without full scale war, please.
Also, the story is becoming too unwieldy to follow. There are too many threads going to keep up with. Bring this story to a real conclusion and then just write new books with some of the same characters in the same universe. For instance, write a whole book about what's happening on Airtha, then a whole book about Tanis and Sera's current trip on the I2, and another book about, well, you get the idea.
Also, the story is becoming too unwieldy to follow. There are too many threads going to keep up with. Bring this story to a real conclusion and then just write new books with some of the same characters in the same universe. For instance, write a whole book about what's happening on Airtha, then a whole book about Tanis and Sera's current trip on the I2, and another book about, well, you get the idea.
October 3, 2018
Great Series
She is a fascinating woman, a military genius, a fearless leade, but who can be soft and funny at the same time,
I
It's hard to jump into the Ad on 14 I diverse if ok don't know where to start. There are so many characters, so many AI personalities to keep straight,so many worlds so many back atorirs. Let's be honest nrst, this is e nse, this u universe is complicated. The six-book starter set kinda makes it easier. At the end of the books, you can head off into five different direction. I chose to follow Rika's journey.
I
She's a strong woman, a military genius, but she can be sympathetic empathetic and loving.
I like this universe, it has elements of Star Trek and Star Wars. There are no aliens, but it's so far in the future that humans have spread so far from home that there are many different factions and cultures and alliances. There are politics, spies, high tech. I'm not too interested in the battles, so I found myself skipping over a lot of those. But everything else kept me reading nto the night to find out what happens next. Jump into this universe - you'll like it.
She is a fascinating woman, a military genius, a fearless leade, but who can be soft and funny at the same time,
I
It's hard to jump into the Ad on 14 I diverse if ok don't know where to start. There are so many characters, so many AI personalities to keep straight,so many worlds so many back atorirs. Let's be honest nrst, this is e nse, this u universe is complicated. The six-book starter set kinda makes it easier. At the end of the books, you can head off into five different direction. I chose to follow Rika's journey.
I
She's a strong woman, a military genius, but she can be sympathetic empathetic and loving.
I like this universe, it has elements of Star Trek and Star Wars. There are no aliens, but it's so far in the future that humans have spread so far from home that there are many different factions and cultures and alliances. There are politics, spies, high tech. I'm not too interested in the battles, so I found myself skipping over a lot of those. But everything else kept me reading nto the night to find out what happens next. Jump into this universe - you'll like it.
January 2, 2020
I got started on the Aeon 14 Series after finishing the entirety of the Inteprid Saga. I am enjoying the characters, mostly, but not so much the pages and pages of the continuing/ongoing/constant space battles. The books, so far, have been free on Kindle Unlimited, and I remain unsure if I would have paid actual $ to read this series. But being addicted to science fiction, finding a new author is (almost) always a joy. The size of the space ships (260 kilometers, including the forests, lakes, and many other habitats) boggle the mind; the AIs, and potential for future science and technology is really "out there" but not unbelievable. The primary stumbling block is the continuity of the lead characters that are hundreds and hundreds of years old because of rejuv. I think it's time for some new heroes/antagonists to come on the scene.
For Kindle books they are tightly edited, and appear to have few typos (always a surprise), and I will continue to read as long as they are free.
SPOILER - the monsters that live in the dark matter totally boggled my mind and left this reader totally gobsmacked and not a believer.
For Kindle books they are tightly edited, and appear to have few typos (always a surprise), and I will continue to read as long as they are free.
SPOILER - the monsters that live in the dark matter totally boggled my mind and left this reader totally gobsmacked and not a believer.
January 29, 2018
M. D. Cooper does a great job with his sci-fi series, Aeon 14, and Orion Rising is no exception. He keeps up a pretty steady pace, and with this book picking up right where the previous one left off, the action doesn't let up. I really enjoy Cooper's technology and how he has AI's situated alongside (and sometimes inside) humanity. The almost nonchalant use of nano-technology is fascinating, as is the rising use of pico-tech as well.
Cooper channels his inner David Weber in this book, and he does a good job of it, in his own little way. Though he doesn't quite achieve the visceral intensity and mind-numbing scale of some of the battles which come later in Weber's Harrington saga, Cooper manages to get pretty close in his own way. I loved Weber's space battles, and I've also greatly enjoyed Cooper's as well.
If you haven't read any of the other books in the series, he does provide a little summary in the beginning, but I'd advise you to just move back to the first book and start reading there. Another great little sci-fi book.
Cooper channels his inner David Weber in this book, and he does a good job of it, in his own little way. Though he doesn't quite achieve the visceral intensity and mind-numbing scale of some of the battles which come later in Weber's Harrington saga, Cooper manages to get pretty close in his own way. I loved Weber's space battles, and I've also greatly enjoyed Cooper's as well.
If you haven't read any of the other books in the series, he does provide a little summary in the beginning, but I'd advise you to just move back to the first book and start reading there. Another great little sci-fi book.
October 18, 2022
Author M.D. Cooper brings us the opening battle in the larger Orion War. Tanis, and Sara face both the Orion Guard and the AI that controls the heart of the Transcend. As soon as Sara's old frighter Sabrina returns to New Cannan they are targeted by subverted crews of the Transcend who came to talk with Tanis about turning over the picotech that the newly renamed starship the I2 and the colonists of New Cannan brought with them from the past. Events start to go haywire after the Transcend's President forces Sara to give up her AI (whom Bob knows really is a human elevated to AI status) As soon as he kills her and leaves Sara weeping Tanis comes aboard their ship and her arm is cut off while trying to protect her friend. But Sabrina's return is what sets off the subversively controlled crews to try and destroy the freighter. With so much going on and it all leading to the opening of the war I highly recommend this book and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the Orion War series.
January 12, 2022
A middle book
This reads like it is a middle book stuck at a crossroads it brings in casts from other series and branches out into yet more. This time it did give you a bit of an overview of some of the new people. The Tanis arc is as good as always. But why oh why did you bring Myrrdan back. Its like Holmes's Moriarty always talked about but never resolved. If Myrrdan is an AI that can move from person to person and take control of them how has it not wrecked more havoc. Not a big fan of this plot line. The best story arc was Tanis's children I just hope that if they continue in the series they are in the main one and not some side quest books.
This reads like it is a middle book stuck at a crossroads it brings in casts from other series and branches out into yet more. This time it did give you a bit of an overview of some of the new people. The Tanis arc is as good as always. But why oh why did you bring Myrrdan back. Its like Holmes's Moriarty always talked about but never resolved. If Myrrdan is an AI that can move from person to person and take control of them how has it not wrecked more havoc. Not a big fan of this plot line. The best story arc was Tanis's children I just hope that if they continue in the series they are in the main one and not some side quest books.
June 25, 2017
Sick of the garbage
Is proofreading no longer possible? "Eternal" and "internal" have completely different meanings. I feel like someone was playing with homophones while righting this book (see what happened there? It works, but it's wrong). "Adrianne" is the feminine version; "Adrian" is the masculine.
So frustrating to read a book that is so poorly constructed. If you aren't going to be professional about your product, stop selling it.
Is proofreading no longer possible? "Eternal" and "internal" have completely different meanings. I feel like someone was playing with homophones while righting this book (see what happened there? It works, but it's wrong). "Adrianne" is the feminine version; "Adrian" is the masculine.
So frustrating to read a book that is so poorly constructed. If you aren't going to be professional about your product, stop selling it.
November 30, 2017
New Canaan Governor Admiral Tanis Richards faces her biggest battle yet when several enemy fleets converge on her home world. I’ve enjoyed following Tanis’s escapades until now, but this universe is getting too complex. Multiple viewpoints, diverging plot threads, and the different political factions are getting too confusing to follow. While my interest lies in Tanis and her family, I find myself skimming over the passages told from other viewpoints and caring less about those characters.
February 21, 2018
Whoever makes the marketing decisions need to rehire the illustrator that was responsible for the earliest of this series. I know that is cheap shot but gah, there are times when presentation is important and lead to judging a book by its cover..
Story wise, book/episode whatever has kept on track; still say a better proofreader and editor needs to be employed..
How may of these are their going to be??
Story wise, book/episode whatever has kept on track; still say a better proofreader and editor needs to be employed..
How may of these are their going to be??
February 1, 2018
Still Loving This Series
I thought I might have tired of this series by now. Ready to read something else, something new, but I keep reaching for the next story in this universe. M. D. Cooper has created a cast of characters that I’ve come to care about. People whose development and story arcs I can’t wait to learn about.
I thought I might have tired of this series by now. Ready to read something else, something new, but I keep reaching for the next story in this universe. M. D. Cooper has created a cast of characters that I’ve come to care about. People whose development and story arcs I can’t wait to learn about.
June 26, 2017
The Orion War Book 3
As always Mr.Cooper writes. a winning book. That always leaves you wanting more. I love each and every one of his. This is another great read. It has enough surprise to keep you hooked. I highly recommend this book. Happy reading.
As always Mr.Cooper writes. a winning book. That always leaves you wanting more. I love each and every one of his. This is another great read. It has enough surprise to keep you hooked. I highly recommend this book. Happy reading.
July 18, 2017
Great series
This book continues the story of Tanis and her people, they hoped that settling in at New Canaan would be longer. But as tends to happen, they cannot get a break. War has come a calling, but it doesn't get the result it was expecting. Recommend reading.
This book continues the story of Tanis and her people, they hoped that settling in at New Canaan would be longer. But as tends to happen, they cannot get a break. War has come a calling, but it doesn't get the result it was expecting. Recommend reading.
September 8, 2017
Fun read
I really enjoyed the military battles and all the complex plotlines. I also really enjoy all the different types of relationships this series has between the AI and human characters.
I really enjoyed the military battles and all the complex plotlines. I also really enjoy all the different types of relationships this series has between the AI and human characters.
December 19, 2023
Excellent story !
Interesting and entertaining story of a young woman who is a leader, warrior, wife and mother. The pace of the story is very good. The battles fought are very well written. Enjoy!!!
Interesting and entertaining story of a young woman who is a leader, warrior, wife and mother. The pace of the story is very good. The battles fought are very well written. Enjoy!!!
November 26, 2024
The series has gone downhill--in many different directions (as several folks folks have complained). I was working my way through the series, but, now, I'm done with it. Too many other, better books to read.
July 5, 2017
More
So much is happening in such a short time!! It is crazy, everyone is showing up for the fight. Sera's mother oh lord who knew!!!
So much is happening in such a short time!! It is crazy, everyone is showing up for the fight. Sera's mother oh lord who knew!!!
August 8, 2017
Orion Rising picks up right where New Canaan left off. The story continues its mixture of military, political, and interpersonal action.
January 14, 2018
Excellent Book!
I really couldn’t put this book down just like all the rest in this series! I have to start the next one immediately!
I really couldn’t put this book down just like all the rest in this series! I have to start the next one immediately!
May 24, 2018
Well thought out book with intriguing, developed characters. M.D. Cooper is a great story teller and he has me hooked. I keep coming back for more of his stories.
August 2, 2018
I so enjoyed this series up til now, but it's become an endless chain of betrayal, war, death, etc. Not sure I can be bothered carrying on.
September 30, 2018
3.5 stars. OK continuation. Getting to seem prolonged and wandering. Not sure I'll let myself keep getting led off into the void
November 2, 2018
Good but complicated
Too many characters to keep track off with too much time spent away from the main characters but still a good read
Too many characters to keep track off with too much time spent away from the main characters but still a good read
July 20, 2019
Not the most original space opera I've read but worth a read.
December 7, 2020
A great adventure
I am so impressed by the mind of this writer, what a fantastic imagination. I of course can't wait for the next book.
I am so impressed by the mind of this writer, what a fantastic imagination. I of course can't wait for the next book.
May 17, 2023
This one was a little messy.
June 24, 2017
This series is one of my favorites! I love the Aeon 14 universe, and the creativity of the author writing it! You never know what's going to happen! So many awesome twists, you never see coming! If you haven't read any of the Aeon 14 books, I highly recommend them! You will easily become addicted!
October 9, 2018
Will she jump?
Another fantastic book from Mr Cooper, with plenty of action and intrigue involving both the humans and AI. Never fails to keep me reading.
Another fantastic book from Mr Cooper, with plenty of action and intrigue involving both the humans and AI. Never fails to keep me reading.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews