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Zenith
A perplexing distress call. A missing crew. Only one marine can save them.
Sergeant Andrea “Andy” Dolan leads a squad of fearless marines into the depths of space. After the Star Chaser receives a distress call from the star base Zenith, Andy’s squad is sent to investigate. When all heck breaks lose, there is only one person who can save the crew of the Zenith and her own squad.
Zenith is the first book in the ESS Space Marines series. If you like fast paced space adventures with engaging, and quirky, characters, you will love Zenith.
Buy Zenith and get started on your next space adventure!
Sergeant Andrea “Andy” Dolan leads a squad of fearless marines into the depths of space. After the Star Chaser receives a distress call from the star base Zenith, Andy’s squad is sent to investigate. When all heck breaks lose, there is only one person who can save the crew of the Zenith and her own squad.
Zenith is the first book in the ESS Space Marines series. If you like fast paced space adventures with engaging, and quirky, characters, you will love Zenith.
Buy Zenith and get started on your next space adventure!
63 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2017
239 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
James David Victor
200 books94 followersJames David Victor is the pen name used by science fiction and fantasy author David J. VanBergen Jr. for co-authored projects. It is his way of sharing more stories with you than he could write by himself.
If you would like to check out all of his books, under both pen names, and get a free short story, be sure to sign up for his Science Fiction newsletter by visiting:
fairfieldpublishing.com/sci-fi-newsle...
If you would like to check out all of his books, under both pen names, and get a free short story, be sure to sign up for his Science Fiction newsletter by visiting:
fairfieldpublishing.com/sci-fi-newsle...
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 25, 2021
This story is told from the point of view of Marine Sergeant Andy Dolan! Oorah!
January 12, 2023
Intriguing
I wasn't sure what to expect with this story, but Space Marines catch my interest nearly every time. Sgt Andy seems like a really cool character that I want to know more about. And I'm so very grateful that this story wasn't about zombies.
I wasn't sure what to expect with this story, but Space Marines catch my interest nearly every time. Sgt Andy seems like a really cool character that I want to know more about. And I'm so very grateful that this story wasn't about zombies.
July 13, 2017
This is an interesting first book in a new series, a quite short but well written story. There was plenty of tension and the character of 'Andy', the leader of a team of Space Marines is quite well developed. Unfortunately the other members of the team are not described in any depth at all, and this was a bit of a disappointment. But overall a slightly different treatment of a fairly standard Sci-Fi theme, that of a space station which isn't responding to messages, and where 'something bad' has happened.
There is plenty of scope for future adventures with this team, and perhaps we will learn a bit more about the other team members in future books.
I was provided with a complimentary copy of the book and have voluntarily written it.
There is plenty of scope for future adventures with this team, and perhaps we will learn a bit more about the other team members in future books.
I was provided with a complimentary copy of the book and have voluntarily written it.
December 25, 2017
Well done
Very nicely written and again, well done. The characters and the situation were so real, that I could picture their distress.
I've read a lot of junk lately and am suspicious of any title featuring a military unit or the words "liberty" or "freedom". Boy, was this worth it. Real reactions to danger from both the men and women involved and the situation being resolved by a female officer, who is described by her rank, abilities and duties and not by her shapely good looks or other silliness was awesome.
This is a series that I will definitely read and again this author writes better then Weber, Flint or Drake in some ways. This is not to take anything away from those three and I think that you'll like this book.
Very nicely written and again, well done. The characters and the situation were so real, that I could picture their distress.
I've read a lot of junk lately and am suspicious of any title featuring a military unit or the words "liberty" or "freedom". Boy, was this worth it. Real reactions to danger from both the men and women involved and the situation being resolved by a female officer, who is described by her rank, abilities and duties and not by her shapely good looks or other silliness was awesome.
This is a series that I will definitely read and again this author writes better then Weber, Flint or Drake in some ways. This is not to take anything away from those three and I think that you'll like this book.
September 3, 2017
A quick read; we are introduced to a military unit known as Space Marines and treated to essentially an early Star Trek episode with multiple races represented (yeah, we are talking different colors--like purple and pearl), each with special capabilities unique to their species. Everything is grimly serious and redshirts are falling out all over but there was enough of an over-the-top quality that kept me happily reading along and looking forward to seeing what will happen next.
April 23, 2018
More a serialization than a book IMO
I enjoyed the beginning story in the series. Unfortunately it also exemplifies one of my pet peeves: short serialized segments of an ongoing story. I only abhor cliffhangers more!! I like the author (couple) so will probably read a few more but I won’t write any more evaluations. As of now you know my opinion — where is my HEA???
I enjoyed the beginning story in the series. Unfortunately it also exemplifies one of my pet peeves: short serialized segments of an ongoing story. I only abhor cliffhangers more!! I like the author (couple) so will probably read a few more but I won’t write any more evaluations. As of now you know my opinion — where is my HEA???
August 28, 2017
My kind of Sci Fi/Space Opera - high energy, lots of action, super fast pace, short, sweet, and to the point. I already know that I will thoroughly enjoy reading the adventures of this group of Space Marines!
September 14, 2017
Very Good Military Space Opera Novella
Just a bit short to be considered a book, this novella covers a single ESS Space Marines mission. One mission, one problem, and the Marines know what to do with problems...
Just a bit short to be considered a book, this novella covers a single ESS Space Marines mission. One mission, one problem, and the Marines know what to do with problems...
September 17, 2017
Space Suspence story
I could not put the reader down once I started reading. Mysteries are my passion and combined with space marines leave me wanting more. I already ordered the next one.
I could not put the reader down once I started reading. Mysteries are my passion and combined with space marines leave me wanting more. I already ordered the next one.
July 16, 2017
Very enjoyable short story set out in space. The characters are very interesting and the book is very well written. I enjoyed it and cannot wait to see what is next for Andy.
October 14, 2017
Enjoyable space marine romp my only problem is that shortly before the characters begin to grow on you the book ends so is much more a chapter than a book.
October 20, 2017
Good Book
It is good and interesting book. It was keeping me continuously interested what will happen next.
I will for sure read the next one from Serie.
It is good and interesting book. It was keeping me continuously interested what will happen next.
I will for sure read the next one from Serie.
December 25, 2017
Interesting start to a new series about space marines and there first encounter with an alien species who instill fear to create chaos. Looking forward to the next installment
July 4, 2018
It got me hooked from the first page to the last. It did feel like the ‘end’ fight could have been dragged out a bit more, some more suspense and well just more (blood, guts, ninja skills eg). I really want to read the next in the series, so it has done it job really well.
I just like how everything went to poop pretty fast, that the main character picked up on small things very quickly and knew stuff wasn’t right. You could tell she knew her team really well, you didn’t get to know a lot about her team or even her, but the little you did know. You wanted to find out more.
I just like how everything went to poop pretty fast, that the main character picked up on small things very quickly and knew stuff wasn’t right. You could tell she knew her team really well, you didn’t get to know a lot about her team or even her, but the little you did know. You wanted to find out more.
November 27, 2019
Three and a half stars
I found the plot original and interesting but felt it was too short of details. The characters also needed to be fleshed out more, other than Andy, they were rather flat. I realise that it is a first of a series but it left me perplexed. I will try the second book though.
I found the plot original and interesting but felt it was too short of details. The characters also needed to be fleshed out more, other than Andy, they were rather flat. I realise that it is a first of a series but it left me perplexed. I will try the second book though.
February 29, 2020
Outstanding suspense building and wonderful new story!
I started last evening and got about half way, before i got to tired and went to bed. I have been thinking about this all day at work,and just finished after dinner. Great new story direction, characters, and premise. Hope he keeps the story going, looking forward to reading more of this squad!
I started last evening and got about half way, before i got to tired and went to bed. I have been thinking about this all day at work,and just finished after dinner. Great new story direction, characters, and premise. Hope he keeps the story going, looking forward to reading more of this squad!
November 12, 2018
Short, but enjoyable
I thought the characters were well developed in a short amount of time. I feel like I know the whole team a bit and want to know more. The action was good and I want to hear the next part of the story.
I thought the characters were well developed in a short amount of time. I feel like I know the whole team a bit and want to know more. The action was good and I want to hear the next part of the story.
November 13, 2018
Not good
I did not enjoy this book at all. Not nice reading about space marines running away from fights, crying from fright etc. Will definitely not be buying the rest of the series.
I did not enjoy this book at all. Not nice reading about space marines running away from fights, crying from fright etc. Will definitely not be buying the rest of the series.
March 7, 2020
Wonderfully refreshing
I loved the story line! It was different enough from anything else I've ever read that it was truly enjoyable. I would recommend this story to anyone who enjoys sci-fi!
I loved the story line! It was different enough from anything else I've ever read that it was truly enjoyable. I would recommend this story to anyone who enjoys sci-fi!
August 30, 2017
Good
This is a good story but the author needs to fill out his characters. I think he shows promises. He just needs more meat to his story
This is a good story but the author needs to fill out his characters. I think he shows promises. He just needs more meat to his story
December 14, 2018
Good story
It is a good story, way to short. However it is listed as a novella. Can't wait to read the next book.
It is a good story, way to short. However it is listed as a novella. Can't wait to read the next book.
September 5, 2019
A very short book. But really enjoyed the story & main character. Will read book 2.
September 6, 2019
Just not for me
No background, not a lot of plot or character development, some might like but but not my cup of tea
No background, not a lot of plot or character development, some might like but but not my cup of tea
June 9, 2020
Short and Sweet
Very good book. Only problem was entirely too short. It needed more content even though what was there will keep your attention.
Very good book. Only problem was entirely too short. It needed more content even though what was there will keep your attention.
May 15, 2022
Popsugar Reading Challenge - A book that fulfills your favorite prompt from a past POPSUGAR reading challenge
2016: a science fiction novel
A quick, tense closed room mystery...in space.
2016: a science fiction novel
A quick, tense closed room mystery...in space.
August 27, 2020
3.5 stars
A good short story introducing the Marines of the Earth Space Service. Called on to investigate a distress beacon, they find things aren't as they seem.
It focuses on Sergeant Andrea (Andy) Dolan and her squad in a quite tense story.
The other squad members could have done with some more detail, but this is a really short story that moves the action on rather than loads of filler.
A good short story introducing the Marines of the Earth Space Service. Called on to investigate a distress beacon, they find things aren't as they seem.
It focuses on Sergeant Andrea (Andy) Dolan and her squad in a quite tense story.
The other squad members could have done with some more detail, but this is a really short story that moves the action on rather than loads of filler.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews