What do you think?
Rate this book
Adventures of the Starship Satori #7
Ashes of War
The alien Naga tried to destroy all life on Earth, but what doesn't kill us makes us stronger.
Six months ago we fought a short but devastating war against the invaders. Our ships burned, and whole cities were annihilated, but we defeated them.
Now out of the ashes rises a new Space Force, led by the heroes from that final terrible battle. Beth Wynn wants nothing more from life than to retreat back into the design and invention she's always loved most. But Earth needs her mind and leadership now more than ever.
Because not all the ashes are cold and dead. Even in the calm after the fires have gone out, danger lurks close to home. A team sent to the abandoned lunar base vanishes without a trace. Security forces guarding one of the captured Naga starships go silent. Enemies close in, and our very survival will rest on a knife's edge.
In this game of interstellar survival of the fittest, Earth's heroes will need to put all their courage and brilliance into play to win.
Six months ago we fought a short but devastating war against the invaders. Our ships burned, and whole cities were annihilated, but we defeated them.
Now out of the ashes rises a new Space Force, led by the heroes from that final terrible battle. Beth Wynn wants nothing more from life than to retreat back into the design and invention she's always loved most. But Earth needs her mind and leadership now more than ever.
Because not all the ashes are cold and dead. Even in the calm after the fires have gone out, danger lurks close to home. A team sent to the abandoned lunar base vanishes without a trace. Security forces guarding one of the captured Naga starships go silent. Enemies close in, and our very survival will rest on a knife's edge.
In this game of interstellar survival of the fittest, Earth's heroes will need to put all their courage and brilliance into play to win.
- GenresScience FictionSpace
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 25, 2017
589 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Kevin O. McLaughlin
177 books138 followersWhen not practicing hobbies which include sailing, constructing medieval armor, and swinging swords at his friends, Kevin McLaughlin can usually be found in his Boston home. Kevin’s award-winning short fiction is now available in digital form at all major ebook retailers. He writes fantasy in settings both historical and contemporary, and science fiction in both the near and distant future.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
August 8, 2017
Great start
Enjoyed the first book in what I am sure will be a interesting series. Looking forward to the next book.
Enjoyed the first book in what I am sure will be a interesting series. Looking forward to the next book.
December 23, 2018
07/03/18
5 Stars out of 5
Well, you know what happened in book 6, so I won’t dwell on it. Let’s just say, the Starship Satori is now part of the US Air Force and needs a new captain. Dan has gotten the use of his legs back strangely from being tortured by the Naga. One of the devices they used cause incredible pain, but the other one actually heal and repaired his previous spinal injury. They did that only so they could torture him more, but of course he managed to escape. Now he’s back in the Air Force and just recently promoted to Lt. Colonel Dan Wynn and the new commander of the USS Independence. The USS Independence and the USS Constitution were the former Naga battlecruisers that were captured in book 6. Dan had been a major player in capturing the USS Independence so it was fitting that he be her first human commander.
That still left command of the new re-built Starship Satori. This was not the old Satori repaired and ready to go. No, the previous ship was almost totally destroyed saving Earth. Majel had managed to save herself and that precious starship engine which became the nucleus of this new ship. It was bigger, had more firepower and was practically an entirely brand new ship. But, she had no captain. General Hereford even offered to let Majel rename the new ship since it was actually her new body, but she refused so Satori was what it was going to be called.
Then General Hereford shocked everyone when he named Elizabeth Wynn as the new Captain of the Starship Satori! The most shocked person of all was Beth. She had no idea this was going to happen and didn’t have a clue as to why he would do such a thing. The General had stated that the Satori was to be an exploration ship and not a ship of war, therefore, her Captain would be a civilian even thought most of the crew would be Air Force. Beth did immediately demanded an explanation in private from the General. She didn’t know how in heck he considered her qualified to command a starship. But, the General stood firm. He told Beth that she was the only person that had the guts to standup to him when necessary to do the right or better thing and she knew the engineering of the Satori like nobody else. He told her this was her new job and to get on with the mission he had for her and the Satori.
So, even though she couldn’t fathom what it meant to be a Starship Captain, Beth reluctantly took on that role. She immediately found out that ti wasn’t going to be easy since her second in command, Major Ayala, clearly didn’t think she was up to the job and made that clear during their first meeting. He told her that he was commander of the away teams and security detail and that she should remain on the bridge and stay out of his way! That did not set well with Beth.
Their mission was to find out what had happened to the original engineering team that was sent to the old moon base John had built. The Air Force had lost contact with them and the Satori was set to find out why. As you’ll remember, when the Air Force attacked that moon base, they had rampaged through every thing knocking over numerous specimen containers in the labs where Linda was going research on the various alien life-forms that had found. One such life-form was the small infant caterpillar that would grow to a six-foot tall monster if conditions were right.
So, when the Satori docked at the moon base, they found a mess, but not a single human alive or dead. So, Major Aya;a sent out his security teams to secure the place. He did so without Beth’s approval and seemed to be operating as though he was in complete charge of the mission. He then sent out engineering teams to include Charlene when he thought the place was secure. It took Beth looking at a display of his teams positions to notice that one team hadn’t move in quite a while.
When another team was sent to investigate, they found them all dead and they also immediately were being killed. Beth took it upon herself to run to the rescue of this second team since it didn’t appear that Major Ayala was taking the treat seriously. Beth soon found the other team pretty much hacked to bits and she also thought she knew what they were facing. But, back on the Satori bridge, and after several more incidents of clear insubordination, it took a hard slap to the face and a knee to the gut from Beth for Major Ayala to better understand who Captain certainly was and who’s orders he was to follow.
So now the Satori had an infestation problem that had to be handled. General Hereford had his hands full since it appeared a group of surviving Naga had attempted to re-capture the USS Independence and fly it back out into space. He dispatched Lt. Col. Wynn to take charge of the Marine detachment who were attempting to board the vessel and find out just who was flying the thing. So Dan is busy and can’t help Beth and with almost every other space capable ship destroyed in the original battle with the Naga, Beth was on her own.
A good and exciting story. Charlene is here and Andy is mentioned a little. You’ll need to read about what he’s now up to.
5 Stars out of 5
Well, you know what happened in book 6, so I won’t dwell on it. Let’s just say, the Starship Satori is now part of the US Air Force and needs a new captain. Dan has gotten the use of his legs back strangely from being tortured by the Naga. One of the devices they used cause incredible pain, but the other one actually heal and repaired his previous spinal injury. They did that only so they could torture him more, but of course he managed to escape. Now he’s back in the Air Force and just recently promoted to Lt. Colonel Dan Wynn and the new commander of the USS Independence. The USS Independence and the USS Constitution were the former Naga battlecruisers that were captured in book 6. Dan had been a major player in capturing the USS Independence so it was fitting that he be her first human commander.
That still left command of the new re-built Starship Satori. This was not the old Satori repaired and ready to go. No, the previous ship was almost totally destroyed saving Earth. Majel had managed to save herself and that precious starship engine which became the nucleus of this new ship. It was bigger, had more firepower and was practically an entirely brand new ship. But, she had no captain. General Hereford even offered to let Majel rename the new ship since it was actually her new body, but she refused so Satori was what it was going to be called.
Then General Hereford shocked everyone when he named Elizabeth Wynn as the new Captain of the Starship Satori! The most shocked person of all was Beth. She had no idea this was going to happen and didn’t have a clue as to why he would do such a thing. The General had stated that the Satori was to be an exploration ship and not a ship of war, therefore, her Captain would be a civilian even thought most of the crew would be Air Force. Beth did immediately demanded an explanation in private from the General. She didn’t know how in heck he considered her qualified to command a starship. But, the General stood firm. He told Beth that she was the only person that had the guts to standup to him when necessary to do the right or better thing and she knew the engineering of the Satori like nobody else. He told her this was her new job and to get on with the mission he had for her and the Satori.
So, even though she couldn’t fathom what it meant to be a Starship Captain, Beth reluctantly took on that role. She immediately found out that ti wasn’t going to be easy since her second in command, Major Ayala, clearly didn’t think she was up to the job and made that clear during their first meeting. He told her that he was commander of the away teams and security detail and that she should remain on the bridge and stay out of his way! That did not set well with Beth.
Their mission was to find out what had happened to the original engineering team that was sent to the old moon base John had built. The Air Force had lost contact with them and the Satori was set to find out why. As you’ll remember, when the Air Force attacked that moon base, they had rampaged through every thing knocking over numerous specimen containers in the labs where Linda was going research on the various alien life-forms that had found. One such life-form was the small infant caterpillar that would grow to a six-foot tall monster if conditions were right.
So, when the Satori docked at the moon base, they found a mess, but not a single human alive or dead. So, Major Aya;a sent out his security teams to secure the place. He did so without Beth’s approval and seemed to be operating as though he was in complete charge of the mission. He then sent out engineering teams to include Charlene when he thought the place was secure. It took Beth looking at a display of his teams positions to notice that one team hadn’t move in quite a while.
When another team was sent to investigate, they found them all dead and they also immediately were being killed. Beth took it upon herself to run to the rescue of this second team since it didn’t appear that Major Ayala was taking the treat seriously. Beth soon found the other team pretty much hacked to bits and she also thought she knew what they were facing. But, back on the Satori bridge, and after several more incidents of clear insubordination, it took a hard slap to the face and a knee to the gut from Beth for Major Ayala to better understand who Captain certainly was and who’s orders he was to follow.
So now the Satori had an infestation problem that had to be handled. General Hereford had his hands full since it appeared a group of surviving Naga had attempted to re-capture the USS Independence and fly it back out into space. He dispatched Lt. Col. Wynn to take charge of the Marine detachment who were attempting to board the vessel and find out just who was flying the thing. So Dan is busy and can’t help Beth and with almost every other space capable ship destroyed in the original battle with the Naga, Beth was on her own.
A good and exciting story. Charlene is here and Andy is mentioned a little. You’ll need to read about what he’s now up to.
April 11, 2019
A little lacking.
This was a bit of a letdown after books 1-6! Once again, you need to have all your books in a row in order to get the full story.
Satori has been built a new body, but at the price of her cloak. She is traumatised by John’s death and suffering from depression and self doubt.
The team has been split up, Andy taking over John’s empire, Dan off in charge of one of the captured Naga vessels and Beth made captain of the new Satori. Charline is with Beth for the new Satotri’s maiden voyage but has a different path ahead of her and Linda isn’t mentioned.
Dan is rushing down to Florida where the link to the new ship has gone silent and there is concern that one or more Naga have taken it over.
Beth faces her own challenges as a new Captain with an uncooperative First Officer and a monster(s?) lose on Caraday’s moon base.
According to the author, readers have requested that he concentrate on fewer characters! Well, for me, that doesn’t work. The dynamic set up with a team has been lost. Yes there was action but it has all been done (better) in the previous books. I was very disappointed.
This was a bit of a letdown after books 1-6! Once again, you need to have all your books in a row in order to get the full story.
Satori has been built a new body, but at the price of her cloak. She is traumatised by John’s death and suffering from depression and self doubt.
The team has been split up, Andy taking over John’s empire, Dan off in charge of one of the captured Naga vessels and Beth made captain of the new Satori. Charline is with Beth for the new Satotri’s maiden voyage but has a different path ahead of her and Linda isn’t mentioned.
Dan is rushing down to Florida where the link to the new ship has gone silent and there is concern that one or more Naga have taken it over.
Beth faces her own challenges as a new Captain with an uncooperative First Officer and a monster(s?) lose on Caraday’s moon base.
According to the author, readers have requested that he concentrate on fewer characters! Well, for me, that doesn’t work. The dynamic set up with a team has been lost. Yes there was action but it has all been done (better) in the previous books. I was very disappointed.
March 8, 2020
Another gift five
So McLaughlin tries to jump the shark after killing of the lead hero. I can live with that, but if he follows his fans majority advice to not develop his characters, the shark's going to eat him. I'm not enamored over his science, I'm not enamored over his tactical ingenuity, and I'm not enamored over his grammar and editing. I just like his story telling which he better keep up or there won't be anything to read. This story separates our two love birds and sends them on separate missions. One to recover moon base from the insects that got left behind (since Beth was trying to escape she didn't know that the infant was released. Linda knew, but she wasn't along on this mission.) Quite a fiasco of blind leading blind. Dan has to recover his captured battleship from a stowaway Naga that almost gets away with stealing the ship back. Seems there were some capabilities of the ship that the engineers hadn't discovered as they were renovating it for human use. Lots of fun adventure, but McLaughlin better learn where his strong suit is.
So McLaughlin tries to jump the shark after killing of the lead hero. I can live with that, but if he follows his fans majority advice to not develop his characters, the shark's going to eat him. I'm not enamored over his science, I'm not enamored over his tactical ingenuity, and I'm not enamored over his grammar and editing. I just like his story telling which he better keep up or there won't be anything to read. This story separates our two love birds and sends them on separate missions. One to recover moon base from the insects that got left behind (since Beth was trying to escape she didn't know that the infant was released. Linda knew, but she wasn't along on this mission.) Quite a fiasco of blind leading blind. Dan has to recover his captured battleship from a stowaway Naga that almost gets away with stealing the ship back. Seems there were some capabilities of the ship that the engineers hadn't discovered as they were renovating it for human use. Lots of fun adventure, but McLaughlin better learn where his strong suit is.
October 27, 2018
Continuing the saga
What there is of this book is fine. It's well written and it continues the story of the Satori with its great characters. The action is very well plotted and incredibly tense. This volume will suit action fans with all its thrills and spills. Do you sense there is a but? ... But, I wish there had been a bit more elaboration of the tech stuff and more build up of creating the environments they move in. Charline is completely wasted in this book. She hardly figures in it. Her computer skills aren't focused on at all which is disappointing. Her character and the tech details were some of the more enjoyable parts of volume 6 for me. So, it was all slightly underwhelming because of that lack. Dan is also a bit underused in my opinion, though he does have a bigger role than Charline. Anyway, on to the next part, I'm still enjoying the series.
What there is of this book is fine. It's well written and it continues the story of the Satori with its great characters. The action is very well plotted and incredibly tense. This volume will suit action fans with all its thrills and spills. Do you sense there is a but? ... But, I wish there had been a bit more elaboration of the tech stuff and more build up of creating the environments they move in. Charline is completely wasted in this book. She hardly figures in it. Her computer skills aren't focused on at all which is disappointing. Her character and the tech details were some of the more enjoyable parts of volume 6 for me. So, it was all slightly underwhelming because of that lack. Dan is also a bit underused in my opinion, though he does have a bigger role than Charline. Anyway, on to the next part, I'm still enjoying the series.
August 27, 2019
7/10: Good solid read, something to get your teeth into.
“Yeah, Majel. For you, I can do this.”
This next part of the series is all about Dan, Beth & Majel. We do get to see a little of Charline, and Andy is mentioned, but it's all really about the first three.
I loved Majel & liked Dan, so that's cool. But I was never a fan of Beth's, so I'm uncertain about her chapters (which seem to be the majority of the chapters so far). It was still a good read. I've even given it four stars. But I'm taking a break to read a new release of a favourite author of mine and then I'll decide whether to read on or not in this series.
I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
PS. Still lots of editing mistakes. I mean...lots.
“Yeah, Majel. For you, I can do this.”
This next part of the series is all about Dan, Beth & Majel. We do get to see a little of Charline, and Andy is mentioned, but it's all really about the first three.
I loved Majel & liked Dan, so that's cool. But I was never a fan of Beth's, so I'm uncertain about her chapters (which seem to be the majority of the chapters so far). It was still a good read. I've even given it four stars. But I'm taking a break to read a new release of a favourite author of mine and then I'll decide whether to read on or not in this series.
I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
PS. Still lots of editing mistakes. I mean...lots.
March 7, 2018
An excellent follow up!
In true fashion, KEVIN has managed to continue the past story of the fantastic starship in a new setting! I do believe that this will be an author that I will follow up in my reading! I have enjoyed the continuity of this science fiction novel, and look forward to more of the same!!
In true fashion, KEVIN has managed to continue the past story of the fantastic starship in a new setting! I do believe that this will be an author that I will follow up in my reading! I have enjoyed the continuity of this science fiction novel, and look forward to more of the same!!
April 22, 2018
Three and a half stars. McLaughlin is definitely developing as a story teller. This book had a lot going on but it came together nicely in the end. The development of Beth Wynn as a leader and a character added a lot of flavor to the text.
There were a couple small inconsistencies with the earlier Satori books. Not enough to break anything but annoying none the less.
There were a couple small inconsistencies with the earlier Satori books. Not enough to break anything but annoying none the less.
May 15, 2019
Does not disappoint
Book 7 chronicles the adventures of Beth and Adam as the fight to save earth from the aliens. The rebuilt Satori is commanded Beth and an renovated alien ship is commanded by Dan. Two episodes are in one book and the alien space war continues and entices you read book 8.
Book 7 chronicles the adventures of Beth and Adam as the fight to save earth from the aliens. The rebuilt Satori is commanded Beth and an renovated alien ship is commanded by Dan. Two episodes are in one book and the alien space war continues and entices you read book 8.
June 1, 2020
Review of: Ashes of War, (Adventures of the Starship Satori Book 7
This book seemed a little short, or I just read it faster than the other 6 books. Great story line, I really like the characters and story line. There are certain authors that have a knack to telling an interesting story This author is one of those people.
This book seemed a little short, or I just read it faster than the other 6 books. Great story line, I really like the characters and story line. There are certain authors that have a knack to telling an interesting story This author is one of those people.
June 4, 2020
Excitement on each page
This is a more personal account as we focus on the new and enlarged Satori whilst Earth tries to recover from the Naga attack and build its defences. However issues on the Earth and the Moon may mean they have less time than they thought giving us plenty of action and character bonding time.
This is a more personal account as we focus on the new and enlarged Satori whilst Earth tries to recover from the Naga attack and build its defences. However issues on the Earth and the Moon may mean they have less time than they thought giving us plenty of action and character bonding time.
August 7, 2017
A book that grabs you from the start and doesn't let go.
Kevin McLaughlin just keeps on getting better, the only gripe is I finish the books to quickly and want to read more.
Will just have to wait for Kevin's next novel.
Kevin McLaughlin just keeps on getting better, the only gripe is I finish the books to quickly and want to read more.
Will just have to wait for Kevin's next novel.
October 25, 2017
Enjoyable action under testing conditions
New ships ,new commanders a lot of tests in battle conditions makes for an action packed read. I enjoyed and recommend this continuing novella in this series.
New ships ,new commanders a lot of tests in battle conditions makes for an action packed read. I enjoyed and recommend this continuing novella in this series.
January 21, 2019
Only on Chapter 13 but
Good characters especially the new members of the Satori force. Like the twin story lines also - very exciting The typos are a ROYAL PAIN. They seem to be getting worse farther into the book. Did $$ run out on quality control? Grumbling and muttering.
Good characters especially the new members of the Satori force. Like the twin story lines also - very exciting The typos are a ROYAL PAIN. They seem to be getting worse farther into the book. Did $$ run out on quality control? Grumbling and muttering.
March 26, 2019
Little bugs grow into big problems
Book 7 just as well done as books 1-6. Seven focus on Beth taking a crew to the moon to find out why the initial team sent wasn't responding and repair the base. Things quickly evolve to a fight for their lives. Gripping.
Book 7 just as well done as books 1-6. Seven focus on Beth taking a crew to the moon to find out why the initial team sent wasn't responding and repair the base. Things quickly evolve to a fight for their lives. Gripping.
May 6, 2019
Good Follow-up
Enjoyed the seventh book in the series. The characters have become solid and the concept has become filled with tension. Will the aliens attack Earth again? Will the team members survive in the coming action? We shall see!
Enjoyed the seventh book in the series. The characters have become solid and the concept has become filled with tension. Will the aliens attack Earth again? Will the team members survive in the coming action? We shall see!
August 18, 2020
Outstanding continued storyline
Excellent characters return with some interesting new ones to get to know. Looking forward to the journey. Great addition to the collection. Highly recommended!
Excellent characters return with some interesting new ones to get to know. Looking forward to the journey. Great addition to the collection. Highly recommended!
May 22, 2024
Enjoyable read
Great 7th book in this series. Enjoying the characters and the new characters and the plot line. The story continues to involve as the characters grow With many possibility ahead.
Great 7th book in this series. Enjoying the characters and the new characters and the plot line. The story continues to involve as the characters grow With many possibility ahead.
July 31, 2017
Awesome start to a new series.
Thank you Kevin McLaughlin for the awesome start to this series. I am eagerly awaiting for more to read. A fan.
Thank you Kevin McLaughlin for the awesome start to this series. I am eagerly awaiting for more to read. A fan.
October 31, 2017
Great
Very enjoyable and look forward to the next book and hope that it is as good as this one. Humanity one bugs zero.
Very enjoyable and look forward to the next book and hope that it is as good as this one. Humanity one bugs zero.
April 2, 2019
Space
The characters make it. Sad to see some go but the ones still here make it worth my time and admiration.
The characters make it. Sad to see some go but the ones still here make it worth my time and admiration.
April 15, 2019
Enjoy
This was well written and the story and Characters where really believable.The story held me interested through out. The author was right on target
This was well written and the story and Characters where really believable.The story held me interested through out. The author was right on target
April 17, 2019
Excellent reading. I want to carry on with the next series, the follow on. Strong characters, good story lines. Hope that I can afford them.
July 8, 2019
Highly recommended continuation of a most entertaining sefirs.
Great plots and characters supporting the narrative.
Great plots and characters supporting the narrative.
July 21, 2019
Very good
Very good book
Shan it's so hard to get the next one if bab number 8 but I'm finding it hard to get number 9
Very good book
Shan it's so hard to get the next one if bab number 8 but I'm finding it hard to get number 9
October 23, 2019
An amazing series
Full of charismatic characters, awesome battles, fast paced action, and writing that pulls you into investing your emotions in the story!
Full of charismatic characters, awesome battles, fast paced action, and writing that pulls you into investing your emotions in the story!
December 12, 2019
Better
I read the first six books as One. It started very well but bumbled a bit until book 5. Seven brought this back to a place I enjoyed much more. Hope it continues that way.
I read the first six books as One. It started very well but bumbled a bit until book 5. Seven brought this back to a place I enjoyed much more. Hope it continues that way.
December 30, 2019
A fun adventure
Great read, lots of action. I read the first book it was fun to see what happened next. Loved it.
Great read, lots of action. I read the first book it was fun to see what happened next. Loved it.
February 7, 2018
Not a big fan of space opera but this series is great! Love the characters & the aliens are intriguing. Keep 'em coming!
September 25, 2024
Well, it turns out "The Adventures of the Starship Satori" series didn't end after book #6. In fact, there are at least six more. I just finished #7, "Ashes of War". It picks up after the Naga attack on Earth was stoppped, at great cost, by the crew of the Satori and the U.S. military. The Naga only sent three ships to disposenof Earth and the troublesome humans. They didn't expect much resistance so three ships should have been enough.
Now the crew has to figure out what they have learned from their experiences with the Naga and how to use that knowledge to protect their planet and their race from a very unfriendly and dangerous universe.
This book has all the excitement and action that is expected from a Mcaughlin novel.
Now the crew has to figure out what they have learned from their experiences with the Naga and how to use that knowledge to protect their planet and their race from a very unfriendly and dangerous universe.
This book has all the excitement and action that is expected from a Mcaughlin novel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews