Coda

The United Federation Marine Corps' Lysander Twins #5.5

by Jonathan P. Brazee

This novelette ties up some loose ends of the Lysander era of the United Federation Marine Corps. Anyone is welcome to read it, of course, but it is primarily intended for those who’ve read either or both of the United Federation Marine Corps and/or the United Federation Marines’ Lysander Twins series.

Unlike the other books in both series, there is no combat action in the story. Regardless, I hope it is a fitting conclusion before the UFMC universe continues a century in the future from where these two series left off.

Genres: Science Fiction

56 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 24, 2017

About the author

I am a retired Marine colonel and now a full-time writer living in Colorado Springs with my wife, Kiwi, and infant twin daughters, Danika Dawn and Darika Marie.

I published my first work back in 1978, a so-so short story titled "Secession." Since then, I have been published in newspapers, magazines, and in book format in fiction, political science, business, military, sports, race relations, and personal relations fields. I returned to writing fiction in 2009, and I currently have over 85 titles published, 52 being novels. My novelette, "Weaponized Math," was a finalist for the 2017 Nebula Award, and my novella, "Fire Ant," was a 2018 Nebula finalist. My novel "Integration" was a 2018 Dragon Award finalist, and my novel "Sentenced to War" was a 2021 finalist. I am a USA Today Bestelling writer.

My undergraduate degree was earned at the U. S. Naval Academy (Class of 1979), and I have attended graduate school at U. S. International University and the University of California, San Diego, earning a masters and doctorate. I am a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the US. Naval Academy Alumni Association, and the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.

I have rather eclectic tastes. I have won awards in photography, cooking, wrting, and several sports, earning national championships in rugby and equestrian events. When I'm not writing, I'm reading, cooking, going to the gym, or traveling. I attend quite a few cons over the course of a year, and love meeting other people who love books.

I write because I love it. I only hope that others might read my work and get a bit of enjoyment or useful information out of my efforts.

As an author, I don't think it is fair for me to rate any other author's books here on Goodreads if that rating is less than five stars. I have certainly read many books that do not deserve five (or four, three, or even two). However, I will not rate any of those here while I am a Goodreads author. Consequently, I will only be listing books that I really like and feel deserve five stars.

If you would like to join my email list and find out about new books or promotions, please sign up at http://eepurl.com/bnFSHH. My website is http://jonathanbrazee.com.

Reviews

[Leif Dolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not the End

The Marines will live on and in our imagination. Just how far are you willing to go to save your country, your world, your galaxy? Or just the small corner of your family?

[Jim Guldner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great way to wrap the series

Touching with of being sappy.

The recent sudden and unexpected death of my wife of 44 years made the family drama and death of the Rick's wife especially poignant poignant to me. Obviously I don't have the drama of Esther and Noah, but I can imagine their pain, joy, and acceptance as indicative of our (and their human nature.)

The series when I started back into it recently really appealed to me as a retired USAF officer, nowhere near the rank they have in these series but it speaks to why people join the service, why they find a calling within it, and the issues of family and how they need to find a bridge to keep connected as their service progresses.

Once again Brazee writes well. He writes interesting scenes, isknowledgeable about military matters and the ability to interpret that into a future military is well thought out.

I've read other books he's written and I will continue to look for more as he continues to put out more.

[carl jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well what can I say it was 55pages long and the first few seemed just like Ryck when he was first made a sprog looie
Looking for that first kipper to be flown to the right side of the head ,so ok up to now nothing new here just family tradition,Then you got the little hush hush up moment trying to get the twins to do something ,The should I do I was good even the flight to the planet was a nice little reminder of what happend all them years ago ,But the rest was rushed realy rushed like ok I’m done with this let’s move on to the next book or new series ,I understand it was a novelette but a few more pages not a bunch of names thrown together to fill out the ending , Ive given it 5 stars because it tide up loose ends and, And that is the end of a realy good series now to lo look at other books

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title says it all

This is shorter than I expected but it does give some of the characters a reasonably happy ending to the series. It doesn’t say much about the remainder of Esther or Noah other than it mentions a few highlights & lowlights in their lives.

It was sad that Noah wasn’t able to hold the marriage together with Miriam but he at least has an amicable relationship with the mother of his children. After the scene where Ryck visits the Globe pub for the last drink in memory of the rest of his NOTC class I saw the possibility of a story like this one but I had hoped for less bitter to the likely bittersweet nature engendered by the idea. However Brazee does remain true to the character of the series.

Now we’ll have to see if he writes another long format series again anytime soon…

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

MAKE THAT 6 STARS 🌟

Fantastic conclusion to two wonderful series. I highly recommend this book! But, if you are like me, have a nice of tissues close by your side. Be sure to read UFMC (United Federation Marine Corps) series and the Lysander Twins' series first. Amazing story telling. In my opinion, Coda is one of the GREAT works of literature, among the top ten science fiction books of all time, at least among the 3 or 4 thousand that I have read.

[Louis N. Webber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read both series bout the Lysander family. I have enjoyed them immensely. This book while entertaining was not up to the standard of the previous books. I’m not sure if it was because of the short length of the book. Or the lack of depth of the storyline. I honestly can’t put my finger on it. While it was entertaining. I found it lacking. I would NOT recommend it to friends or other readers.

[Beach Bum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feel kinda smug

Have been expecting this storyline ever since the event that drove it. Although have to admit thought it would have occurred a lot sooner and formed much more of an aspect of the overall story earlier than this
A little intrigued, a little anger, a lot of sadness and overall a nice tidying up of the whole storyline I think

[Ann Zdunczyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh you've got me crying

I often wondered if Ryck and Hannah would show back just not before one of them passed away. I was hoping that there would be more time for them to reconnect not just a few days. Glad Ryck (Donte) decided to come back with Noah and Esther.

[Zyron Goh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes! Must read!

Definitely a must read for fans of both series, this book serves up a short but enjoyable conclusion to the Lysander family saga. Like a satisfying coffee after a great meal!

[Jeff Rikard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

I'm so glad this series was closed this way. It's been a great series from the beginning and I'm honestly sorry to see it end. I'm sure there will be another great series in the pipe soon. This and Sentenced to War were awesome!

[Tom Stanberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Jonathan, I didn't know.if I wanted to read anything else after Ryck' s death . But I plunged on and o am glad I did. It was an emotional ride ride as you closed out that story

I just had to.stop for awhile.

Thanks, Jomathan

[Gary Stipe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coda did a very good job of tying up loose ends with the Lysander Twins story... As said in the forward, you have to read the other books in the series first for this one to really make any sense...

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fitting end to the series and a closing to both Ryck's and the Twin's stories. Noah gains what he has wanted almost his entire life from Ryck and he escapes Esther's shadow with his final posting and award.

[Ed Graves · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story

I am not a fan of short stories and this one was predictable however it was nice wrap to the series.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect wrap up

This was a wonderful finish to the story of the twins and their families.


I couldn't imagine it any other way.

[Larry Burgess · Rating 1 out of 5]

not happy

This was a good little read but after forgoing on the previous 13 books, I was sorely disappointed at how short it was.

[jeff sanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic series

I enjoyed this series from page one! Can't wait to see what the have coming down
the pipe line. As one retired vet (AF) to another Fair winds and following seas.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short story that ties up a loose end. Enjoyed it very much.

[Howard Brazee]

People who read the two Space Marine series have been waiting (and probably hoping) for this story.

Yes, something must have been bothering my eyes as I read it.

Don't stop at the end of the second series.