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Expeditionary Force #3
Paradise
Listening Length 15 hours and 53 minutes
While the crew of the starship Flying Dutchman have been trying assure hostile aliens do not have access to Earth, the UN Expeditionary Force has been trapped on the planet they nicknamed 'Paradise'. The Flying Dutchman is headed back out on another mission, and the UN wants the ship to find out the status of the humans on Paradise. But Colonel Joe Bishop warns that they might not like what they find, and they can't do anything about it without endangering Earth.
While the crew of the starship Flying Dutchman have been trying assure hostile aliens do not have access to Earth, the UN Expeditionary Force has been trapped on the planet they nicknamed 'Paradise'. The Flying Dutchman is headed back out on another mission, and the UN wants the ship to find out the status of the humans on Paradise. But Colonel Joe Bishop warns that they might not like what they find, and they can't do anything about it without endangering Earth.
15 pages, Audible Audio
First published October 21, 2016
2651 people are currently reading
2043 people want to read
About the author
Craig Alanson
46 books4,298 followersIf you want to stay up to date on releases, receive promotion alerts and speak to me directly, please join my Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/Craig.Alanso...
My Bio:
Craig Alanson used to create financial reports for a large IT services company. Writing fiction at nights and on weekends, he finally independently published three novels on Amazon. Within 6 months of his first ebook release, he was able to quit his day job and pursue a full-time writing career.
The breakout success of Columbus Day (Expeditionary Force, Book 1) reached new heights when Podium Audio released it in audio format, narrated by Audie Award Winner R.C. Bray. The Columbus Day audiobook was a huge hit, and a finalist for an Audie Award as Audiobook of the Year.
The ExForce series, as it is known to fans, has gone on to 10 books/audiobooks, many of which have hit the NYT best-seller list, with a 11th book releasing June 2021 and 14 books planned.
Craig has also published a spin-off series, ExForce: Mavericks; an ExForce audio drama, Homefront; a fantasy trilogy, Ascendent; and a young adult space opera, Aces. Craig lives in Virginia with his wife, who loves him even though he perpetually refuses to clean the garage.
https://www.facebook.com/Craig.Alanso...
My Bio:
Craig Alanson used to create financial reports for a large IT services company. Writing fiction at nights and on weekends, he finally independently published three novels on Amazon. Within 6 months of his first ebook release, he was able to quit his day job and pursue a full-time writing career.
The breakout success of Columbus Day (Expeditionary Force, Book 1) reached new heights when Podium Audio released it in audio format, narrated by Audie Award Winner R.C. Bray. The Columbus Day audiobook was a huge hit, and a finalist for an Audie Award as Audiobook of the Year.
The ExForce series, as it is known to fans, has gone on to 10 books/audiobooks, many of which have hit the NYT best-seller list, with a 11th book releasing June 2021 and 14 books planned.
Craig has also published a spin-off series, ExForce: Mavericks; an ExForce audio drama, Homefront; a fantasy trilogy, Ascendent; and a young adult space opera, Aces. Craig lives in Virginia with his wife, who loves him even though he perpetually refuses to clean the garage.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 553 reviews
November 21, 2016
Entertaining stories that desperately need an editor
I read the Author's three stories together, so my comments address all three. While the plots are clever, fresh and inventive, and the majority of characters engaging, there are so many mistakes and errors in the writing, that it significantly distracts from the story. Throughout the books passages and phrases commonly repeat themselves almost verbatim. There are a large number of spelling autocorrection mistakes, where the wrong word has been inserted, and even mistakes like confusing the gender of a character, or using different quantities of an item within the same paragraph. Ultimately I found it very distracting.
The stories also are not helped at all (IMO) by the ridiculous idea that a supremely advanced AI, meeting humans for the first time, decides to speak like an snotty human 11 year old boy. The specific interactions between the AI and the hero are so painful, I found myself skipping over the very predictable, and moronic passages that are supposed to be snappy banter. As the repeating pattern throughout the stories is an insurmountable problem, the AI can't resolve, AI mocks hero, hero has brainstorm solution that causes the AI to have a tantrum, AI performs a Deus Ex machina resoution that leads to the next insurmountable problem, the AI protagonist dialogue is throughout.
I think all of these criticisms would have been addressed if the stories had been reviewed and edited sufficiently, and the Author would have a even better story.
I read the Author's three stories together, so my comments address all three. While the plots are clever, fresh and inventive, and the majority of characters engaging, there are so many mistakes and errors in the writing, that it significantly distracts from the story. Throughout the books passages and phrases commonly repeat themselves almost verbatim. There are a large number of spelling autocorrection mistakes, where the wrong word has been inserted, and even mistakes like confusing the gender of a character, or using different quantities of an item within the same paragraph. Ultimately I found it very distracting.
The stories also are not helped at all (IMO) by the ridiculous idea that a supremely advanced AI, meeting humans for the first time, decides to speak like an snotty human 11 year old boy. The specific interactions between the AI and the hero are so painful, I found myself skipping over the very predictable, and moronic passages that are supposed to be snappy banter. As the repeating pattern throughout the stories is an insurmountable problem, the AI can't resolve, AI mocks hero, hero has brainstorm solution that causes the AI to have a tantrum, AI performs a Deus Ex machina resoution that leads to the next insurmountable problem, the AI protagonist dialogue is throughout.
I think all of these criticisms would have been addressed if the stories had been reviewed and edited sufficiently, and the Author would have a even better story.
December 28, 2017
Paradise
Expeditionary Force, Book 3
By: Craig Alanson
Narrated by: R.C. Bray
Series: Expeditionary Force, Book 3
This continues the great fun and adventures of Skippy and Joe as they travel the universe again. This time they are cleverly saving the people on Paradise. It is always a lot of crazy situations, lots of humor, and great banter between the team. Lots of action, adventure, and suspense thrown in there too. I truly love this series. Of course I have to listen to the series so I can hear RC Bray do the voices that really make the story POP!!! I enjoy it so much more with the narration. He is awesomeness! This is my favorite sci-fi soap opera series!!!
Expeditionary Force, Book 3
By: Craig Alanson
Narrated by: R.C. Bray
Series: Expeditionary Force, Book 3
This continues the great fun and adventures of Skippy and Joe as they travel the universe again. This time they are cleverly saving the people on Paradise. It is always a lot of crazy situations, lots of humor, and great banter between the team. Lots of action, adventure, and suspense thrown in there too. I truly love this series. Of course I have to listen to the series so I can hear RC Bray do the voices that really make the story POP!!! I enjoy it so much more with the narration. He is awesomeness! This is my favorite sci-fi soap opera series!!!
July 8, 2025
My favourite yet!
Still as funny and action packed as the previous ones, but more balanced between the action and the day-to-day life.
I also loved that we get more points of view, especially from previous characters still stuck on Paradise.
Still as funny and action packed as the previous ones, but more balanced between the action and the day-to-day life.
I also loved that we get more points of view, especially from previous characters still stuck on Paradise.
December 20, 2025
Different but Good
Unlike the first two, we have two parallel stories here. Joe and The Flying Dutchman's journey through the stars and UNEF in Paradise. It's awesome.
Let's start with UNEF and Paradise. When we said goodbye to Paradise on book 1 there were a lot of stories that were left hanging. What happened to UNEF? What do the hamsters think happened with Joe, Adams, Desai and the rest of the original merry band of pirates? How is UNEF faring now that no one has access to Earth and the hamsters, who they consider their enemies, are in charge? This book answers those questions quite satisfactorily, but that's not the awesome part. The awesome part is that it answers them via Joe's friends, so you know you are going to have a good time.
Then, we have our favourite starship. The addition of Count Chokula was great as well. Joe has grown up a lot and has proven himself a good commander, but it would be unrealistic to think that burocrats on Earth would be happy with that. Chokula also offers a new perspective and a challenge that neither Joe nor Skippy had before and it's nice to see them try to work with him.
All in all, it's a good book. The change from first person to third person when telling us about Paradise was a bit weird at first, but it's really well done. It's hits all the good points of ExForce books, we have an unsolvable problem, an ingeniously clever idea, and all the complications that arise from being dumb monkeys in a galaxy of superinteligent, genetically enhanced aliens.
Unlike the first two, we have two parallel stories here. Joe and The Flying Dutchman's journey through the stars and UNEF in Paradise. It's awesome.
Let's start with UNEF and Paradise. When we said goodbye to Paradise on book 1 there were a lot of stories that were left hanging. What happened to UNEF? What do the hamsters think happened with Joe, Adams, Desai and the rest of the original merry band of pirates? How is UNEF faring now that no one has access to Earth and the hamsters, who they consider their enemies, are in charge? This book answers those questions quite satisfactorily, but that's not the awesome part. The awesome part is that it answers them via Joe's friends, so you know you are going to have a good time.
Then, we have our favourite starship. The addition of Count Chokula was great as well. Joe has grown up a lot and has proven himself a good commander, but it would be unrealistic to think that burocrats on Earth would be happy with that. Chokula also offers a new perspective and a challenge that neither Joe nor Skippy had before and it's nice to see them try to work with him.
All in all, it's a good book. The change from first person to third person when telling us about Paradise was a bit weird at first, but it's really well done. It's hits all the good points of ExForce books, we have an unsolvable problem, an ingeniously clever idea, and all the complications that arise from being dumb monkeys in a galaxy of superinteligent, genetically enhanced aliens.
April 10, 2018
Book 3 continues the antics of Joe, Skippy and The Merry Band of Pirates like the previous two books. R. C. Bray also continues with his excellent character portrayals and storytelling.
After saving earth again in Book 2, The Fly Dutchman is back in earth orbit. Joe is called on the carpet for his judgment calls during the last mission. Much discussion and argument ensues until a new mission is developed. One of mission parameters is find out the status of the earth troops stranded Paradise. Since Joe and company are traveling in an advanced alien technology space carrier, the mission must be accomplished without revealing their existence in the process. The consequence would endanger all of humanity. This causes all sorts of complications but nothing that Joe and his smart-assed beer can AI Skippy can't handle.
Meanwhile, back on Paradise, the situation is not good for the humans stranded there. The Ruhar can't continue to protect the planet and are negotiating to turn the planet over to the Kristang. This means certain death for the humans.
This is an entertaining story with a little more depth and action than Book 2. Even though the elements are different, I found character interactions getting repetitious.
The science fiction aspects of the story make for a great read. I will be continuing with the series.
After saving earth again in Book 2, The Fly Dutchman is back in earth orbit. Joe is called on the carpet for his judgment calls during the last mission. Much discussion and argument ensues until a new mission is developed. One of mission parameters is find out the status of the earth troops stranded Paradise. Since Joe and company are traveling in an advanced alien technology space carrier, the mission must be accomplished without revealing their existence in the process. The consequence would endanger all of humanity. This causes all sorts of complications but nothing that Joe and his smart-assed beer can AI Skippy can't handle.
Meanwhile, back on Paradise, the situation is not good for the humans stranded there. The Ruhar can't continue to protect the planet and are negotiating to turn the planet over to the Kristang. This means certain death for the humans.
This is an entertaining story with a little more depth and action than Book 2. Even though the elements are different, I found character interactions getting repetitious.
The science fiction aspects of the story make for a great read. I will be continuing with the series.
August 27, 2022
Skippy - y'all monkeys who cannot appreciate my intellect
Joe - Brilliant idea
Skippy - duh
rinse repeat
but its fun
Joe - Brilliant idea
Skippy - duh
rinse repeat
but its fun
February 9, 2017
Could have been so much better.
I read a lot. I read a lot of science fiction. I read a lot of military science fiction. A cursory glance at my Kindle library supplies adequate proof. I also write quite a bit. I know that avid readers usually have very active imaginations and actually picture what they are reading in their mind's eye. On the rare occasion when I read a piece of fiction that eventually becomes a movie I always marvel at how differently the director imagined the story than I did.
Author Craig Alanson has constructed a marvelous galaxy peopled (dare I use that expression) with dozens of species from scattered points in the galaxy. His story is imaginative and original to some degree. But when I picture the story in my mind, as I read it, the images are cartoons. Nothing wrong with that. I enjoy animated sci/fi just as much as any other form of the genre. I probably do this because most of the imagined aliens encountered are compared to earth creatures by the author. We have aliens who are described as cat like, rodent like, insect like, lizard like, little green martian like and half machine like, amiable super computers or even disembodied super aliens. I love it.
The technology used to overcome the great distances and time is way beyond me but is explained in reasonable enough terms. All in all a well developed scenario. I wish that it had been better written.
When I read a well written book I experience a connection that is something like watching a movie and the written words are the narrative that supports my imagination's vision. I hope that is recognized by dedicated, nearly addicted readers. Therein lies my big problem with this author, generally, and this trilogy specifically.
I did read all three of the books in this trilogy. I enjoyed them a lot. But it could have been so much better. I can best describe reading author Alanson's books as similar to taking a bike tour through a very scenic location but doing so while riding along a dried up creek bed. The view is spectacular but you are constantly being distracted because the bike is constantly being bucked and tipped by the rocky surface of the creek bed.
Mr. Alanson's books cannot be described as polished. The trail the story path follows is strewn with hundreds of grammatical errors and typos. It causes one's attention to stumble and have to back track to be sure that what the author is trying to convey is the same as what you glean from his words. A shame really. Even one good read by a good editor could have cleaned up so much of these mistakes and made for a much more enjoyable read. At least the author made good use of 'spell check'. The are not many misspellings, thank the stars.
Normally, because of the lack of attention to detail, I would only award three stars to this effort. But, since I thoroughly enjoyed the story for the most part and a lot of imagination went into its telling and the Kindle price was reasonable, I begrudgingly gave it four stars.
Mr. Alanson you are a very entertaining writer. As I have suggested to other writers, 'all you need is a good editor'.
I read a lot. I read a lot of science fiction. I read a lot of military science fiction. A cursory glance at my Kindle library supplies adequate proof. I also write quite a bit. I know that avid readers usually have very active imaginations and actually picture what they are reading in their mind's eye. On the rare occasion when I read a piece of fiction that eventually becomes a movie I always marvel at how differently the director imagined the story than I did.
Author Craig Alanson has constructed a marvelous galaxy peopled (dare I use that expression) with dozens of species from scattered points in the galaxy. His story is imaginative and original to some degree. But when I picture the story in my mind, as I read it, the images are cartoons. Nothing wrong with that. I enjoy animated sci/fi just as much as any other form of the genre. I probably do this because most of the imagined aliens encountered are compared to earth creatures by the author. We have aliens who are described as cat like, rodent like, insect like, lizard like, little green martian like and half machine like, amiable super computers or even disembodied super aliens. I love it.
The technology used to overcome the great distances and time is way beyond me but is explained in reasonable enough terms. All in all a well developed scenario. I wish that it had been better written.
When I read a well written book I experience a connection that is something like watching a movie and the written words are the narrative that supports my imagination's vision. I hope that is recognized by dedicated, nearly addicted readers. Therein lies my big problem with this author, generally, and this trilogy specifically.
I did read all three of the books in this trilogy. I enjoyed them a lot. But it could have been so much better. I can best describe reading author Alanson's books as similar to taking a bike tour through a very scenic location but doing so while riding along a dried up creek bed. The view is spectacular but you are constantly being distracted because the bike is constantly being bucked and tipped by the rocky surface of the creek bed.
Mr. Alanson's books cannot be described as polished. The trail the story path follows is strewn with hundreds of grammatical errors and typos. It causes one's attention to stumble and have to back track to be sure that what the author is trying to convey is the same as what you glean from his words. A shame really. Even one good read by a good editor could have cleaned up so much of these mistakes and made for a much more enjoyable read. At least the author made good use of 'spell check'. The are not many misspellings, thank the stars.
Normally, because of the lack of attention to detail, I would only award three stars to this effort. But, since I thoroughly enjoyed the story for the most part and a lot of imagination went into its telling and the Kindle price was reasonable, I begrudgingly gave it four stars.
Mr. Alanson you are a very entertaining writer. As I have suggested to other writers, 'all you need is a good editor'.
May 2, 2020
Paradise has been my favorite of this series so far. Skippy, as always, is the BEST PART OF THIS BOOK. It had me laughing out loud more than a few times. I enjoyed the story and character progress. Looking forward to continuing this journey with the merry band of pirates!
May 31, 2017
I am soooooooooooo obsessed with this series!!!!!!! I wish there were 100 more hours of traveling the galaxy with Colonel Joe, Skippy, and the merry band of pirates to listen to right now!! Also I wish that RC Bray narrated ALL science fiction books, he is clearly the best. Well actually if he could just narrate all books that would be fine by me as well. I hope Craig Alanson keeps cranking these stories out and that Audible continues to provide them! Will definitely reread again and again!
05/22/17 - OMG. Releasing on Audible in 9 hours!!! Yaaaaaayyyyy!!!!
05/22/17 - OMG. Releasing on Audible in 9 hours!!! Yaaaaaayyyyy!!!!
June 20, 2023
June 2023
Comfort re-read.
December 2020
Oh, the banter. Just as good the second time.
June 2020
This series is just so much fun. This moved at a slower pace than the previous two books, but I'm happy they addressed the humans left behind on Paradise. Fortunately for me, the banter between Skippy and Joe hasn't gotten old yet. And some interesting things were thrown out regarding Skippy, so I'm looking forward to discovering what those are.
And RC Bray - what more can be said about how fantastic a narrator he is? Brilliant.
Comfort re-read.
December 2020
Oh, the banter. Just as good the second time.
June 2020
This series is just so much fun. This moved at a slower pace than the previous two books, but I'm happy they addressed the humans left behind on Paradise. Fortunately for me, the banter between Skippy and Joe hasn't gotten old yet. And some interesting things were thrown out regarding Skippy, so I'm looking forward to discovering what those are.
And RC Bray - what more can be said about how fantastic a narrator he is? Brilliant.
March 19, 2021
I was telling a friend about the Expeditionary Froces, and described it as: you know that scifi show with just enough tropes for you to be caught up in it, and it goes on and on, and every episodes is pretty much the same, but just different enough that you keep at it? You sometimes wonder why you're even here, and then something funny happened and you go on for just a little more. That's the Expeditionary Forces but in a good way.
I'll certainly finish the series, just not this month.
I'll certainly finish the series, just not this month.
December 11, 2016
Amazing reading romp...
This is a recommendation that you read the Expeditionary Force series...not just this book o k but all three. Alanson spins a fun realistic tale with great characters, plot and story. He has created my favorite AI ever...worth the read just to meet him. I can't wait for the next book.
This is a recommendation that you read the Expeditionary Force series...not just this book o k but all three. Alanson spins a fun realistic tale with great characters, plot and story. He has created my favorite AI ever...worth the read just to meet him. I can't wait for the next book.
December 9, 2022
No i witam ponownie! Długo nie mogłam się zebrać za trzeci tom, bo nie było audiobooka do czwartego, a ja chciałam mieć możliwość od razu skończenia w kolejny tom (ten lektor to jest złoto totalne). No ale się pojawił i... TĘSKNIŁAM! Tęskniłam strasznie za Skippym i Bishopem - ta dwójka zawsze potrafi mnie rozbawić. Totalnie kocham humor w tej książce, dialogi i postacie! Jedyne, co mi przeszkadza, to fakt, że mogła by być jednak trochę krótsza. Ale mimo to słucha się błyskawicznie (:.
June 14, 2017
Best beer can ever!
November 3, 2025
Joe Bishop y Skippy ya han salvado a la Tierra dos veces. Dos veces.
Vuelven a tomar al Holandés Herrante para otro voltio, van a averiguar si los Kristangos pretenden dirigirse a la Tierra a montar la marimorena, o si ya están a salvo de sus incursiones.
Mientras los humanos que han quedado aislados en Paraíso, bajo mando rujarra, se las ven y se las desean para encontrar sustento y un mínimo de calidad de vida.
Después de tres libros, uno pensaría que ya era hora que me asentara en la serie, me emocionara en los momentos adecuados, me matara la tensión en otros, y estuviera en vilo para averiguar, qué otra idea loca se le ocurriría al coronel Bishop, para sacar del atolladero a los humanos.
Y sí, la serie me ha ganado, y la estoy disfrutando plenamente, sobre todo esas batallas espaciales que nos han regalado aquí. Me ha gustado especialmente que la acción se dividiera y fuera más allá de Skippy (al que todavía detesto, pero menos) y Joe Bishop.
Vuelven a tomar al Holandés Herrante para otro voltio, van a averiguar si los Kristangos pretenden dirigirse a la Tierra a montar la marimorena, o si ya están a salvo de sus incursiones.
Mientras los humanos que han quedado aislados en Paraíso, bajo mando rujarra, se las ven y se las desean para encontrar sustento y un mínimo de calidad de vida.
Después de tres libros, uno pensaría que ya era hora que me asentara en la serie, me emocionara en los momentos adecuados, me matara la tensión en otros, y estuviera en vilo para averiguar, qué otra idea loca se le ocurriría al coronel Bishop, para sacar del atolladero a los humanos.
Y sí, la serie me ha ganado, y la estoy disfrutando plenamente, sobre todo esas batallas espaciales que nos han regalado aquí. Me ha gustado especialmente que la acción se dividiera y fuera más allá de Skippy (al que todavía detesto, pero menos) y Joe Bishop.
January 1, 2023
The audiobooks are fun!
November 25, 2019
Pretty good!
September 15, 2020
Leaving a long gap between books improves the experience.
February 11, 2018
All reviews in one place: Night Mode Reading
Skippy the Magnificent, the glorious sassy ass of an artificial intelligence created by an ancient, now long gone alien race, and Joe Bishop, continue their questing among the stars in search for answers, and, really, anything that could help Skippy find his own folk, and maybe help protect Earth doing so. While they're at it, Joe, with Skippy's help, does his best to try and help humans left on an alien planned they dubbed Paradise, which is now more of a jail if not a death trap.
In the meantime, humans on the said Paradise are just trying to survive. They're planting the crops and raising animals, seed stock they were given back in the day, when things were still going pretty well, and no one suspected it's the first and last shipment. They're trying to avoid conflicts too, which is very difficult, since humans already split in two camps: those who still support the warring alien race that got them into this mess; and those who understand the truth. On top of it, not even the locals wish to help them, in fear it'll be taken as opposing the overlords. Peace is, after all, a very fragile thing.
The book is a little dragged, I admit, and the whole make-a-plan and break-a-plan got repetitive, since after a third such break you're already conditioned to expect it not go accordingly. But the banter, and even the making of those plans, were amusing to read and/or listen to. I can give it a solid 4 out of 5, and be sure, I'll grab the fourth one sometime soon.
Skippy the Magnificent, the glorious sassy ass of an artificial intelligence created by an ancient, now long gone alien race, and Joe Bishop, continue their questing among the stars in search for answers, and, really, anything that could help Skippy find his own folk, and maybe help protect Earth doing so. While they're at it, Joe, with Skippy's help, does his best to try and help humans left on an alien planned they dubbed Paradise, which is now more of a jail if not a death trap.
In the meantime, humans on the said Paradise are just trying to survive. They're planting the crops and raising animals, seed stock they were given back in the day, when things were still going pretty well, and no one suspected it's the first and last shipment. They're trying to avoid conflicts too, which is very difficult, since humans already split in two camps: those who still support the warring alien race that got them into this mess; and those who understand the truth. On top of it, not even the locals wish to help them, in fear it'll be taken as opposing the overlords. Peace is, after all, a very fragile thing.
The book is a little dragged, I admit, and the whole make-a-plan and break-a-plan got repetitive, since after a third such break you're already conditioned to expect it not go accordingly. But the banter, and even the making of those plans, were amusing to read and/or listen to. I can give it a solid 4 out of 5, and be sure, I'll grab the fourth one sometime soon.
February 7, 2026
Paradise, Book 3 by Craig Alanson — 5/5 ⭐️
Paradise Book 3 delivers one of the strongest entries in Alanson’s spin‑off series, blending grounded colony‑world tension with the sharp humor and character chemistry that define the Expeditionary Force universe. The stakes feel bigger here—political pressure, alien threats, and human desperation all collide—but the story never loses its human core.
Alanson gives the Paradise colony real texture: fragile alliances, messy leadership, and ordinary people trying to survive extraordinary circumstances. The returning cast shines, especially as their choices carry heavier consequences. The pacing is tight, the action hits hard, and the worldbuilding expands in ways that deepen the larger series without overshadowing the colony‑level drama.
What elevates this installment is how confidently it balances heart, humor, and high‑stakes sci‑fi. It’s smart, tense, and surprisingly emotional—easily a standout chapter in the Paradise arc.
A top‑tier entry in the series and a must‑read for fans.
Happy reading from The Void 🚀🪐📚
Paradise Book 3 delivers one of the strongest entries in Alanson’s spin‑off series, blending grounded colony‑world tension with the sharp humor and character chemistry that define the Expeditionary Force universe. The stakes feel bigger here—political pressure, alien threats, and human desperation all collide—but the story never loses its human core.
Alanson gives the Paradise colony real texture: fragile alliances, messy leadership, and ordinary people trying to survive extraordinary circumstances. The returning cast shines, especially as their choices carry heavier consequences. The pacing is tight, the action hits hard, and the worldbuilding expands in ways that deepen the larger series without overshadowing the colony‑level drama.
What elevates this installment is how confidently it balances heart, humor, and high‑stakes sci‑fi. It’s smart, tense, and surprisingly emotional—easily a standout chapter in the Paradise arc.
A top‑tier entry in the series and a must‑read for fans.
Happy reading from The Void 🚀🪐📚
March 24, 2020
Another rousing story with Skippy and the Colonel trying to accomplish their mission.
This time they have a bureaucrat on board in charge which adds an extra dilemma to the colonel.
Very reminiscent of Scalzi's style.
The series continues but I am stopping at book 3 and moving to a new series.
Recommended the first 3 books
This time they have a bureaucrat on board in charge which adds an extra dilemma to the colonel.
Very reminiscent of Scalzi's style.
The series continues but I am stopping at book 3 and moving to a new series.
Recommended the first 3 books
March 13, 2025
Audiobook
July 24, 2020
This series has an interesting mix of bouncing between "here are the hard science facts behind this sci fi thing" and "I can't do this thing bc unknown science". Which, I feel like if you are a true sci fi fan then of course you have to embrace this?? Because no, you cannot have hard science explanations for everything + futuristic technology we don't understand = laymans definitions and explanations for everything. Right? Sometimes those explanations in this series feel a little arbitrary, but I think for me it is more about the switching between the two that confused my brain. Especially because I am not a very knowledgeable person with science and tech, you could literally write nonsense with physics terms and I would probably be like "ok sounds good!"
So while I can't check any of the science in this book, and Skippy gets a little grating at times with the constant snark, I still am very invested in these characters and the story and I can't wait to read more about them. I feel like if you enjoyed the first book that is a good marker at least up to this point in the series, and so far I am really enjoying it!
So while I can't check any of the science in this book, and Skippy gets a little grating at times with the constant snark, I still am very invested in these characters and the story and I can't wait to read more about them. I feel like if you enjoyed the first book that is a good marker at least up to this point in the series, and so far I am really enjoying it!
November 17, 2017
Mai bună a 3-a carte ca precedenta. Partea cea mai bună e că a rămas amuzantă ca a și celelalte cărți, chiar dacă a avut nițică super acțiune hollywoodiană. Mi-ar plăcea să văd seria transformată într-un serial, dar nu cred că am vreo speranță prea curând. Fun fact pentru că tot scriu azi pe 17 noiembrie review-ul ăsta, azi a apărut a 5-a carte.
January 12, 2017
Wicked sense of humor
I couldn't put this or the pervious 2books down and I can't wait to read the next installment all I can so is go Skippy lol
I couldn't put this or the pervious 2books down and I can't wait to read the next installment all I can so is go Skippy lol
January 17, 2018
I have read the entire series and thoroughly enjoyed it. I am a sucker for books who's theme is based around improbable heros.
May 31, 2017
Fun with a snarky AI.
June 12, 2017
These books just keep getting better and better! Can't wait for the next one.
December 19, 2019
I'm really enjoying this series. Creative writing, and the audiobooks are highly entertaining. Bray has a great voice for the characters—particularly the more humorous among them.
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