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Earth Dawning #2
Jupiter's Sword
We barely won the battle at Mercury's shipyards, but the war is just beginning.
The Telestines, in control of Earth, now pursue us from planet to planet, moon to moon, leaving terrible destruction in their wake. And now, the unthinkable: a new alien weapon with the power to destroy a whole world. Thousands die on Jupiter's moon Io when a bomb detonates, sending apocalyptic storms of debris that threaten millions of people on Ganymede and Callisto.
But that isn't the worst of it. The bomb was detonated by a human. A drone.
And there are thousands of them scattered across the solar system, anonymous, undetectable, and waiting for orders from their Telestine masters.
Our war becomes a race against time: find the bombs, find the drones, find our true enemy, all while under siege from within and without.
Before we all perish.
The Telestines, in control of Earth, now pursue us from planet to planet, moon to moon, leaving terrible destruction in their wake. And now, the unthinkable: a new alien weapon with the power to destroy a whole world. Thousands die on Jupiter's moon Io when a bomb detonates, sending apocalyptic storms of debris that threaten millions of people on Ganymede and Callisto.
But that isn't the worst of it. The bomb was detonated by a human. A drone.
And there are thousands of them scattered across the solar system, anonymous, undetectable, and waiting for orders from their Telestine masters.
Our war becomes a race against time: find the bombs, find the drones, find our true enemy, all while under siege from within and without.
Before we all perish.
398 pages, Paperback
Published August 23, 2017
403 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
About the author
Nick Webb
81 books350 followersNick became a scientist so that he could build starships. Unfortunately, his ship is taking longer to build than he'd hoped, so fictional starships will have to do for now. When he's not adding to his starship collection, you can find him tweeting and facebooking about Nasa, science, space, SciFi, and quoting Star Trek II.
He lives in Alabama with his wife, 2 kids, and 3 motorcycles.
Note: This author also writes books under the name of Endi Webb
He lives in Alabama with his wife, 2 kids, and 3 motorcycles.
Note: This author also writes books under the name of Endi Webb
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
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September 28, 2025Rating: minus 8 on a scale of minus 15 to plus 5.
This is another revision of a weak original criticism. My joy is boundless. I expect no one will read this but a more complete judgement needs be done.
To treat myself for beginning this chore I watched the YouTube channels - Doctor Who/Never Cruel nor Cowardly - Ozar, NCMI, Red Glasgow, LuckyBlackCat, UATV English, The Ritual Kitchen with Laura May, Pozleigh, Rebecca Watson, Gray Army Gaming, Ministry of Miniatures, Keffals, Historical Gamer, Tabletopbattle, New Enlightenment with Ashley, Aid Thompsin, The British Museum, Verilybitchie, Mandy, ScaredKetchup, FAFO, Sailing Melody, Nomadic Crobot, Yarmak -Ragnarok, Times Radio, Keffals, Reads with Rachel, Imperial War Museum, Ukraine Matters, Matriarchetype, Kings and Generals, Fit 2B Read, Shannon Makes, Engineering Knits, NFKRZ, Hazariel Costumes, Lynn Saga, Anna From Ukraine, Vasya in the Hay, Book Jack, SandRhoman History, Abney Park, Alice Cappelle, Abby Cox, Lydia Loves Timelines, Fab Socialism, The Snake Charmer, Belle of the Ranch, Dark Brandon, Cindy's Villa, Riverboat Jack, Supposedly Fun, Jessie Gender, The Bands of HM Royal Marines, The Brothers Gwynne, With Cindy, Lily Simpson, Grace McGuire, aidan knight, Katy Montgomerie, Miniature Realms, Dungeons and Discourse, Tabletop CP, No Justice, Codepink, A Brush with Bekah, Clockwork Reader, Inside Russia, Yoyomi, ATP Geopolitics, The Bands of HM Royal Marines, Kirkpattiecake, Silicon Curtain, Astro Loco, Just a Confused Brit, Cruising the Cut, Cruising Crafts, AllShorts, Eugenia from Ukraine, MoAn Inc, Jean's Thoughts, Sarah Paine, Maggie Mae Fish, Nicole Chilaka-Ukpo, According to Alina, Hannah's Books, Aaron Read a Book, Munecat, Chris Norlund, Owen Jones, Caerhl Irey, Tanya Fiona, MechWest Show, Keith Edwards, Central Crossing, Battle Order, Military History Visualised, Chloe Daniels, Wes O'Donnell, BurbNBougie, Naughty Nana DUZ, Professor Gerdes Explains, Enchanted Bookends, Danainspired, Jack in the Books, Dawn's Book Reviews, Dark Brandon, Laurika Bretherton, Darlyne Rath, Nicole Jenes Entertainment, Jesse Dollemore, Belle of the Ranch.
I saw that a member of the Village Idiot Party who whilst insulting an essayist I list, complain to her that I list other trans creators. The environmental factors responsible
for deficiencies of healthy socialisation among US males seem yet to be identified. A trigger warning seems indicated.
The channels I list include archaeologist, bi, tall, Australian, het, redhaired, culture critic, mathematician, asexual, literary critic, science educator, trans, socialist, WOC, French, painter, cis, philosopher, blond, intersex, astrophysicist, married, lesbian, Scottish, hobbyist, musician, architect, miniatures wargamer, military historian, engineer and other female creators known as Women.
Almost as threatening to the uneducated boor are the neurodivergent, Danish, anarchist, other LGBTQI+, fashion historian, chemist, culture critic, communist, Indian, other BIPOC, short, anthropologist, older, particle physicist, ginger, military boardgamer, Cornish, photographer, boater and other creators labelled Human Beings.
Should the voices insist still, I suggest immediate adoption of a new hobby (not to include assaulting women, which is a mental illness), emergency therapy and/or daily reminders to self "Don't be a bell@nd" and/or adoption of any Mahayana Buddhism.
My feelings towards these self-important clods are surprisingly similar to that of the 13 Ukrainian marines defending Snake Island when their surrender was demanded. Their famous response was "Russian warship, go f@ck yourself." Glory to Ukraine. Glory to the Heroes. Crimea is Ukraine.
On to the book. The background universe of the book and series is limited to the following. Aliens invade and conquer Earth for Reasons. They have trouble eradicating american survivors as alien high technology is handily defeated by American ingenuity? Is the model for every KIndle Unlimited alien invasion, "Independence Day"?
Americans are more or less exterminated. Possibly in the interest of property values. The remainder of Americans are spread across the solar system, I think. Apparently all of non-American humanity were eliminated from the solar population. Who built what, how and when are never answered. World building completed.
I yawned through the first book. Then in a fit of boredom induced madness attempted this second. I had hoped that something like a story or exploration of a big idea of science fiction, would develop. They do not. Characters and dialogue fit the children's adventure storyline.
I have seen comments that "it is just science fiction". The lack of any thought or criticism applied to the quality of writing, uneven prose, holes as accepted plot gaps, contrivance as normal plot advance device in US speculative fiction was stunning.
Support for every racist theme, white nationalist glorification, misogynistic and ableist portrayals, no LGBTQI+ representation and a standard universe creation based on US hegemonic fantasy from a vocal minority (?) of membership ended any expectation of useful commentary from this source. The silence of the "normal"remainder is truly frightening.
US publishers have created three standards for science fiction, fantasy and apparently. romantasy and romance. These are unfortunately Low Effort, No Effort/Insulting and Childish/Abhorrent. Popular science fiction and fantasy titles are written as if for an eight year old reader or early teen male fantasies written by untalented 10 year olds. Goodreads ratings are miscounted or one needs judge the membership accordingly.
Another break is earned. This next is courtesy of YouTube channels Doctor Who/Be Kind -Reality Genre Studios, NCMI, Russian Media Monitor, Fun Size Reader, Political CUSTARD, Dr Fatima, Fiona Hill, Canada Today, Annamarie Forcino, Alice in Wonderland, Lisandra Vazquez, Reads with Cindy, Subha Reads, The String Quartet Channel, Reads with Rachel, Dr Becky, ExtinctZoo, Katie Montgomerie, Knitting Cult Lady, Gutsick Gibbon, Octopus Lady, Chem Thug, Lee Francis, Combat Veteran News, Roomies Digest, Jean's Thoughts, Katerina Reem, Jay Exci, Paul Warburg, Start line Wargaming, Bitchuation Room, Narbe House, Leena Norms, BadEmpanada, Bitchuation Room, The Military Show, Haropones, Mom on the Spectrum, FunkyFrogBait, Tom Nicholas, Maky Abugu, Brittany Page, ICKY, Drama Kween, Sarah Millican, Tennessee Brando, Tom Powell Jr, Winging it on a Budget, Supertanskiii, Dominic Noble, Viva La Dirt League, Hardy's Books, Miniatures Hobbyist.
I began using YouTube in search of useful science fiction commentary. At the start I found recap and criticism of movies and TV. That was followed by discovery of science education, hobbyist, lifestyle, history, broader film criticism and other educational channels.
My first literary essayist was Lindsay Ellis. 😍 She introduced me to the fundamental theories and language of criticism. Neither had successfully been communicated to me in undergraduate modules. I then discovered the BookTube. 😍 These channels host communities of curious, thoughtful and for the most part courteous readers in love with all bookish things. The environment created is far different to that of whatever Goodreads have become.
Consider treating this as a hostile site. 🤔
Goodreads do not encourage discourse. As example, I wrote a short review of a bit of trash posing as a novel. The book was Powers of the Earth, a badly written, rousing salute to the psychotic January 6, 2021 hero. The protagonist is a twat who having inherited a fortune and in order to not pay taxes, enlists the military to overthrow the US government.
I found the theme while common in Kindle titles, to be dangerous and unhealthy. The writer, Travis Corcoran self-described as libertarian (now anarcho capitalist, soon to realise that he is not in fact a capitalist) and advocate for the return of chattel slavery (popular US stance supported by legislative and policy initiatives at provincial and federal levels), veteran, employee of an unnamed US agency and admirer of Putin (another stance popular among MAGA and in the White House).
He and six fellow patriots took exception to my review. They spent nearly a year demanding response to their hysterical comments. I was given new insight into my narcissism in not responding, heretofore unrecognised socialist evil, the social good of slavery, my suspect intelligence and more.
I had hoped that a new understanding of the Bronze Age Collapse would be included in their many contributions. Sadly that was not to be. The levels of irony were painful to this reader.
The last comment was made by Claes Rees Jr aka cgr710 now ka Clayton R Jesse Jr. He declared that They had "won" (?), after a nasty reference to the contents of my last message exchange with a Goodreads friend. 😐
I discovered that They had launched a year long flood of anti-LGBTQ I+, misogynistic, anti-working class, racist and other comments against apparently every channel which I list and it continues still.
Unfortunately They failed to enchant the boater, the couple restoring a historic wooden boat, the astrophysicist, the political historian or other female creators.
Despite that failure the world's overabundance of ugliness was certainly increased and They did deliver an eerily accurate self-portrait of the snowflake (poorly educated, arrogantly ignorant, vicious US man-child) to a multinational audience. That it seems was a Victory.
Goodreads discourse is a modern wonder ??
Another stepaway was earned. This next was courtesy of channels - Bobbing Along, Alizee, Philosophy Tube, Mandy, Verilybitchie, Natasha's Adventures, Abney park, Mia Mulder, Red Viburnam Song, Peter Stefanovic, Shitty Book Club, Read Rant Review, Northern Narrowboaters, Owen Jones, Abby Cox, Crow Caller, Lily Simpson, Jessie Gender, Heather Dale, AllShorts, Ship Happens Adventures, Cracked Comedy, CodePink, Darlyne Rath, RevolutionarythOt, Andrew Watson, What a Day, Alexander Arguelles, Read with Susmitha, Sinead Hanna Craic, Nikki Carreon, Literature Science Alliance, Tori Talks, Abbie Emmons, Lady of the Library, Bardcore, Status Coup News, Offizier Amira, Grammaticus Books, Old Man and the Read, Brittany Broski, Life on Books, Book Lover Laura, Psychology with Dr Ana, Ana Fern, Emily Thompson, Olira Day, The Cosy Creative, Lindsay Ellis, Captured in Words, Alyssa Matesi, Belinda Strnad, Bookfox, Myocore, Siobhan Brier Aguilar, Alt Shift X, Alisha not alihsha, Stevie Lynn Weisend, Supertanskiii, Jackie liu, BBC News, Silver and Solo, Books and Things, Quinn's Ideas, IzzzYzzz, Mia Molin, Imani F, Eleanor Morton, FAFO, Evie Lupine, The Simple Environmentalist, Shazimei, Time with Tata, Raw News and Politics, Marianne Williamson, Motif React, Leah Nicole, We Wargame, The Army Painter, Bard's Craft, Vasya in the Hay, Little Wars TV, Dungeons and Discourse, DianaOfTheRose, Roma Army, Malaiya, Wargames and Painting.
Ominous music begins. 😊 BookTubers have addressed the romantasy/romance comment gangs organised against one and two star reviewers, though Amazon have not acknowledged a single incident. These gangs also engage in doxxing, stalking and threats against reader and their friends/family.
Goodreads gave my limited message history over to this sort. That allowed a request through Pine Gap Centre that Australian Security services interrogate the one friend whom I occasionally messaged. The attempt at my personal information failed but did create two outraged customers.
None of this was acknowledged or found concerning by Amazon until we shared this bizarre event. Then page options were returned to normal, all lurkers whom I had not been Allowed to remove, suddenly were disappeared, all comments were masked and other pettiness ended.
Recently a seventh ex-employee of EBay was sentenced for harassment of a couple whose small ecommerce channel was deemed unkind to EBay. The couple were awarded several millions. The ex-employee had been the EBay Chief of Global Security or some such. I am certain that with the political rise of the data corporations in the US, such behaviours will occur often.
I suggest several precautions. Remove all personal information from Goodreads profile and avoid messaging. Remove the lurker, those friends who never post. They are not admirers but monitors for gangs or dummies for cowardly little employees. Given the Goodreads penchant for customer page and Kindle device Alterations, the screenshot is literally invaluable. If only exposed to Goodreads, that should ensure your safety. There are better reader forums. Storygraph, Fable and others are described by BookTubers.
Kindle are a more serious matter. Do Not use Kindle Files, Contacts, Calendar or Email, I confirmed that Kindle employees read emails without notice or permission. Make of that what you will. Do Not "purchase" Kindle ebooks. You own only the device. The titles may be removed at any time by Amazon. Other e-reader and e-book vendors are suggested by BookTubers, as well as alternatives to e-book purchases.
Visit the FAFO channels for an insight into a dominant segment of the membership and do not forget that these are non-racist, women respecting, freedom loving, free speech obsessed US patriots. Ominous music ends. 🙂
Be safe and may we all find Good Reading! 😊
Some of my favourite channels.
Operator Starsky, History Rediscovered, Mrs Betty Bowers, TVP News, Science of Science Fiction, A Life of Lit, ScaredKetchup, With Olivia, A Day of Small Things, Space 1889, Weir on the Move, Princess Weekes, Jay Exci, Alt Shift X, The Ritual Kitchen with Laura May, Some More News, Kiko1006, Lady Knight the Brave, Kirkpattiecake, Past in Focus, Sabine Hossenfelder, UATV, Some More News, Then & Now, Lilly's Expat Life, I'm Rosa, Autumn's Boutique, Engineering with Rosie, The Welsh Viking, Katie Phang, Lily Alexandre, Alt Shift X, Jasmine Skye, Minimal List, Agro Squirrel Narrates, Words In Time, Eckharts Ladder, Prime of Midlife, Clockwork Reader, Book Pill, Book Furnace, Sci-fi Secrets, Science Insanity, Fit 2B Read, Outlaw Bookseller, The Snake Charmer, Library Ladder, Adult Wednesday Addams -2 seasons, Lady of the Library, Jessica Kellgren Fozard, Cindy's Villa, Just Write, Bernadette Banner, Cruising Crafts, Cruising the Cut, May, Eileen, Three Arrows, Book Furnace, Alice Cappelle, France 24, IzzzYzzz, FAFO, Lily Simpson, NevsBookchannel, Renegade Cut, Nerdy Kathi, Jen the Librarian, Scifi Odyssey, NanyaCim, Elina Charatsidou, The Chloe Connection, Hailey in Bookland, Between the Wars, Real Time History, The Great War,The Kavernacle, The Book Leo, Anton Petrov, Mythic Concepts, Tibees, Chris and Shell, A Day of Small Things, Ben and Emily, Narrowboat Pirate, Narrowboat Girl, Parkrose Permaculture, MoAn Inc, Art Deco, Verilybitchie, KernowDamo, RobWords, Malinda, Imperial War Museums, Books with Chloe, HBomberGuy, Cynthia Zhou, Vlad Vexler, J. Draper, Lady of the Library, Roomies Digest, A Life of Lit, The Leftist Cooks, Owen Jones, Fantasy and World Music by the Fletchers, Tom Nicholas, No Justice MTG, The British Museum, Physics Girl, Chris and Shell, Brickcrafts, Karolina Zebrowska, Interior Design Hub, Zahra, Amy Brown, Ives Toys, DamiLee, Abby Danser, Emilie's Literary Corner, Lena Down Under, Snappy Dragon, It's Black Friday, The Bookworm, Skip Intro, Diary of a Ditch Witch, scholagladiatoria, Reads with Rachel, Zoe Bee, Biz, Amie's Literary Empire, NerdForge, Scallydandling About the Books, Weirdo Book Club, Patty Gurdy, Dark Brandon, Katy One More Time, Words in Time, Just in Time Worldbuilding, JohnTheDuncan, Linguoer Mechanic, Books with Emily Fox, Oxford Medieval Studies, Bron Lewis, Dr Marina Khan, Kady2.0, Victoria Rae, Universo Generalista, Mia Molin, Ember Green, Leah Passaniti, Oceanliner Designs, History of Everything, RFU News, Age of Emoires, Maggie Mae Fish, Sunny Book Nook, Sarah Spaceman, Radio Retrofuture, Kris Atomic, Cruising Alba, Boat Time, Ship Happens, Elizabeth Veronica, Quake it up, Up and Atom, The Witch in the Woods, Lucy Huxley, Foster on the Spectrum, The Book Thing, The Gaze, Upon Reflection, Fran Blanche, Lorica Clothing, HatHistorian, Gingers are Black, Liz Webster.
I wish you a sunny morning, a wonderful afternoon, a pleasant evening, a splendid night and may we all continue learning.
Challenging Evil is brave, not unaware of Dangers.
Morality, Nineteenth Route Trade Fleet
This is another revision of a weak original criticism. My joy is boundless. I expect no one will read this but a more complete judgement needs be done.
To treat myself for beginning this chore I watched the YouTube channels - Doctor Who/Never Cruel nor Cowardly - Ozar, NCMI, Red Glasgow, LuckyBlackCat, UATV English, The Ritual Kitchen with Laura May, Pozleigh, Rebecca Watson, Gray Army Gaming, Ministry of Miniatures, Keffals, Historical Gamer, Tabletopbattle, New Enlightenment with Ashley, Aid Thompsin, The British Museum, Verilybitchie, Mandy, ScaredKetchup, FAFO, Sailing Melody, Nomadic Crobot, Yarmak -Ragnarok, Times Radio, Keffals, Reads with Rachel, Imperial War Museum, Ukraine Matters, Matriarchetype, Kings and Generals, Fit 2B Read, Shannon Makes, Engineering Knits, NFKRZ, Hazariel Costumes, Lynn Saga, Anna From Ukraine, Vasya in the Hay, Book Jack, SandRhoman History, Abney Park, Alice Cappelle, Abby Cox, Lydia Loves Timelines, Fab Socialism, The Snake Charmer, Belle of the Ranch, Dark Brandon, Cindy's Villa, Riverboat Jack, Supposedly Fun, Jessie Gender, The Bands of HM Royal Marines, The Brothers Gwynne, With Cindy, Lily Simpson, Grace McGuire, aidan knight, Katy Montgomerie, Miniature Realms, Dungeons and Discourse, Tabletop CP, No Justice, Codepink, A Brush with Bekah, Clockwork Reader, Inside Russia, Yoyomi, ATP Geopolitics, The Bands of HM Royal Marines, Kirkpattiecake, Silicon Curtain, Astro Loco, Just a Confused Brit, Cruising the Cut, Cruising Crafts, AllShorts, Eugenia from Ukraine, MoAn Inc, Jean's Thoughts, Sarah Paine, Maggie Mae Fish, Nicole Chilaka-Ukpo, According to Alina, Hannah's Books, Aaron Read a Book, Munecat, Chris Norlund, Owen Jones, Caerhl Irey, Tanya Fiona, MechWest Show, Keith Edwards, Central Crossing, Battle Order, Military History Visualised, Chloe Daniels, Wes O'Donnell, BurbNBougie, Naughty Nana DUZ, Professor Gerdes Explains, Enchanted Bookends, Danainspired, Jack in the Books, Dawn's Book Reviews, Dark Brandon, Laurika Bretherton, Darlyne Rath, Nicole Jenes Entertainment, Jesse Dollemore, Belle of the Ranch.
I saw that a member of the Village Idiot Party who whilst insulting an essayist I list, complain to her that I list other trans creators. The environmental factors responsible
for deficiencies of healthy socialisation among US males seem yet to be identified. A trigger warning seems indicated.
The channels I list include archaeologist, bi, tall, Australian, het, redhaired, culture critic, mathematician, asexual, literary critic, science educator, trans, socialist, WOC, French, painter, cis, philosopher, blond, intersex, astrophysicist, married, lesbian, Scottish, hobbyist, musician, architect, miniatures wargamer, military historian, engineer and other female creators known as Women.
Almost as threatening to the uneducated boor are the neurodivergent, Danish, anarchist, other LGBTQI+, fashion historian, chemist, culture critic, communist, Indian, other BIPOC, short, anthropologist, older, particle physicist, ginger, military boardgamer, Cornish, photographer, boater and other creators labelled Human Beings.
Should the voices insist still, I suggest immediate adoption of a new hobby (not to include assaulting women, which is a mental illness), emergency therapy and/or daily reminders to self "Don't be a bell@nd" and/or adoption of any Mahayana Buddhism.
My feelings towards these self-important clods are surprisingly similar to that of the 13 Ukrainian marines defending Snake Island when their surrender was demanded. Their famous response was "Russian warship, go f@ck yourself." Glory to Ukraine. Glory to the Heroes. Crimea is Ukraine.
On to the book. The background universe of the book and series is limited to the following. Aliens invade and conquer Earth for Reasons. They have trouble eradicating american survivors as alien high technology is handily defeated by American ingenuity? Is the model for every KIndle Unlimited alien invasion, "Independence Day"?
Americans are more or less exterminated. Possibly in the interest of property values. The remainder of Americans are spread across the solar system, I think. Apparently all of non-American humanity were eliminated from the solar population. Who built what, how and when are never answered. World building completed.
I yawned through the first book. Then in a fit of boredom induced madness attempted this second. I had hoped that something like a story or exploration of a big idea of science fiction, would develop. They do not. Characters and dialogue fit the children's adventure storyline.
I have seen comments that "it is just science fiction". The lack of any thought or criticism applied to the quality of writing, uneven prose, holes as accepted plot gaps, contrivance as normal plot advance device in US speculative fiction was stunning.
Support for every racist theme, white nationalist glorification, misogynistic and ableist portrayals, no LGBTQI+ representation and a standard universe creation based on US hegemonic fantasy from a vocal minority (?) of membership ended any expectation of useful commentary from this source. The silence of the "normal"remainder is truly frightening.
US publishers have created three standards for science fiction, fantasy and apparently. romantasy and romance. These are unfortunately Low Effort, No Effort/Insulting and Childish/Abhorrent. Popular science fiction and fantasy titles are written as if for an eight year old reader or early teen male fantasies written by untalented 10 year olds. Goodreads ratings are miscounted or one needs judge the membership accordingly.
Another break is earned. This next is courtesy of YouTube channels Doctor Who/Be Kind -Reality Genre Studios, NCMI, Russian Media Monitor, Fun Size Reader, Political CUSTARD, Dr Fatima, Fiona Hill, Canada Today, Annamarie Forcino, Alice in Wonderland, Lisandra Vazquez, Reads with Cindy, Subha Reads, The String Quartet Channel, Reads with Rachel, Dr Becky, ExtinctZoo, Katie Montgomerie, Knitting Cult Lady, Gutsick Gibbon, Octopus Lady, Chem Thug, Lee Francis, Combat Veteran News, Roomies Digest, Jean's Thoughts, Katerina Reem, Jay Exci, Paul Warburg, Start line Wargaming, Bitchuation Room, Narbe House, Leena Norms, BadEmpanada, Bitchuation Room, The Military Show, Haropones, Mom on the Spectrum, FunkyFrogBait, Tom Nicholas, Maky Abugu, Brittany Page, ICKY, Drama Kween, Sarah Millican, Tennessee Brando, Tom Powell Jr, Winging it on a Budget, Supertanskiii, Dominic Noble, Viva La Dirt League, Hardy's Books, Miniatures Hobbyist.
I began using YouTube in search of useful science fiction commentary. At the start I found recap and criticism of movies and TV. That was followed by discovery of science education, hobbyist, lifestyle, history, broader film criticism and other educational channels.
My first literary essayist was Lindsay Ellis. 😍 She introduced me to the fundamental theories and language of criticism. Neither had successfully been communicated to me in undergraduate modules. I then discovered the BookTube. 😍 These channels host communities of curious, thoughtful and for the most part courteous readers in love with all bookish things. The environment created is far different to that of whatever Goodreads have become.
Consider treating this as a hostile site. 🤔
Goodreads do not encourage discourse. As example, I wrote a short review of a bit of trash posing as a novel. The book was Powers of the Earth, a badly written, rousing salute to the psychotic January 6, 2021 hero. The protagonist is a twat who having inherited a fortune and in order to not pay taxes, enlists the military to overthrow the US government.
I found the theme while common in Kindle titles, to be dangerous and unhealthy. The writer, Travis Corcoran self-described as libertarian (now anarcho capitalist, soon to realise that he is not in fact a capitalist) and advocate for the return of chattel slavery (popular US stance supported by legislative and policy initiatives at provincial and federal levels), veteran, employee of an unnamed US agency and admirer of Putin (another stance popular among MAGA and in the White House).
He and six fellow patriots took exception to my review. They spent nearly a year demanding response to their hysterical comments. I was given new insight into my narcissism in not responding, heretofore unrecognised socialist evil, the social good of slavery, my suspect intelligence and more.
I had hoped that a new understanding of the Bronze Age Collapse would be included in their many contributions. Sadly that was not to be. The levels of irony were painful to this reader.
The last comment was made by Claes Rees Jr aka cgr710 now ka Clayton R Jesse Jr. He declared that They had "won" (?), after a nasty reference to the contents of my last message exchange with a Goodreads friend. 😐
I discovered that They had launched a year long flood of anti-LGBTQ I+, misogynistic, anti-working class, racist and other comments against apparently every channel which I list and it continues still.
Unfortunately They failed to enchant the boater, the couple restoring a historic wooden boat, the astrophysicist, the political historian or other female creators.
Despite that failure the world's overabundance of ugliness was certainly increased and They did deliver an eerily accurate self-portrait of the snowflake (poorly educated, arrogantly ignorant, vicious US man-child) to a multinational audience. That it seems was a Victory.
Goodreads discourse is a modern wonder ??
Another stepaway was earned. This next was courtesy of channels - Bobbing Along, Alizee, Philosophy Tube, Mandy, Verilybitchie, Natasha's Adventures, Abney park, Mia Mulder, Red Viburnam Song, Peter Stefanovic, Shitty Book Club, Read Rant Review, Northern Narrowboaters, Owen Jones, Abby Cox, Crow Caller, Lily Simpson, Jessie Gender, Heather Dale, AllShorts, Ship Happens Adventures, Cracked Comedy, CodePink, Darlyne Rath, RevolutionarythOt, Andrew Watson, What a Day, Alexander Arguelles, Read with Susmitha, Sinead Hanna Craic, Nikki Carreon, Literature Science Alliance, Tori Talks, Abbie Emmons, Lady of the Library, Bardcore, Status Coup News, Offizier Amira, Grammaticus Books, Old Man and the Read, Brittany Broski, Life on Books, Book Lover Laura, Psychology with Dr Ana, Ana Fern, Emily Thompson, Olira Day, The Cosy Creative, Lindsay Ellis, Captured in Words, Alyssa Matesi, Belinda Strnad, Bookfox, Myocore, Siobhan Brier Aguilar, Alt Shift X, Alisha not alihsha, Stevie Lynn Weisend, Supertanskiii, Jackie liu, BBC News, Silver and Solo, Books and Things, Quinn's Ideas, IzzzYzzz, Mia Molin, Imani F, Eleanor Morton, FAFO, Evie Lupine, The Simple Environmentalist, Shazimei, Time with Tata, Raw News and Politics, Marianne Williamson, Motif React, Leah Nicole, We Wargame, The Army Painter, Bard's Craft, Vasya in the Hay, Little Wars TV, Dungeons and Discourse, DianaOfTheRose, Roma Army, Malaiya, Wargames and Painting.
Ominous music begins. 😊 BookTubers have addressed the romantasy/romance comment gangs organised against one and two star reviewers, though Amazon have not acknowledged a single incident. These gangs also engage in doxxing, stalking and threats against reader and their friends/family.
Goodreads gave my limited message history over to this sort. That allowed a request through Pine Gap Centre that Australian Security services interrogate the one friend whom I occasionally messaged. The attempt at my personal information failed but did create two outraged customers.
None of this was acknowledged or found concerning by Amazon until we shared this bizarre event. Then page options were returned to normal, all lurkers whom I had not been Allowed to remove, suddenly were disappeared, all comments were masked and other pettiness ended.
Recently a seventh ex-employee of EBay was sentenced for harassment of a couple whose small ecommerce channel was deemed unkind to EBay. The couple were awarded several millions. The ex-employee had been the EBay Chief of Global Security or some such. I am certain that with the political rise of the data corporations in the US, such behaviours will occur often.
I suggest several precautions. Remove all personal information from Goodreads profile and avoid messaging. Remove the lurker, those friends who never post. They are not admirers but monitors for gangs or dummies for cowardly little employees. Given the Goodreads penchant for customer page and Kindle device Alterations, the screenshot is literally invaluable. If only exposed to Goodreads, that should ensure your safety. There are better reader forums. Storygraph, Fable and others are described by BookTubers.
Kindle are a more serious matter. Do Not use Kindle Files, Contacts, Calendar or Email, I confirmed that Kindle employees read emails without notice or permission. Make of that what you will. Do Not "purchase" Kindle ebooks. You own only the device. The titles may be removed at any time by Amazon. Other e-reader and e-book vendors are suggested by BookTubers, as well as alternatives to e-book purchases.
Visit the FAFO channels for an insight into a dominant segment of the membership and do not forget that these are non-racist, women respecting, freedom loving, free speech obsessed US patriots. Ominous music ends. 🙂
Be safe and may we all find Good Reading! 😊
Some of my favourite channels.
Operator Starsky, History Rediscovered, Mrs Betty Bowers, TVP News, Science of Science Fiction, A Life of Lit, ScaredKetchup, With Olivia, A Day of Small Things, Space 1889, Weir on the Move, Princess Weekes, Jay Exci, Alt Shift X, The Ritual Kitchen with Laura May, Some More News, Kiko1006, Lady Knight the Brave, Kirkpattiecake, Past in Focus, Sabine Hossenfelder, UATV, Some More News, Then & Now, Lilly's Expat Life, I'm Rosa, Autumn's Boutique, Engineering with Rosie, The Welsh Viking, Katie Phang, Lily Alexandre, Alt Shift X, Jasmine Skye, Minimal List, Agro Squirrel Narrates, Words In Time, Eckharts Ladder, Prime of Midlife, Clockwork Reader, Book Pill, Book Furnace, Sci-fi Secrets, Science Insanity, Fit 2B Read, Outlaw Bookseller, The Snake Charmer, Library Ladder, Adult Wednesday Addams -2 seasons, Lady of the Library, Jessica Kellgren Fozard, Cindy's Villa, Just Write, Bernadette Banner, Cruising Crafts, Cruising the Cut, May, Eileen, Three Arrows, Book Furnace, Alice Cappelle, France 24, IzzzYzzz, FAFO, Lily Simpson, NevsBookchannel, Renegade Cut, Nerdy Kathi, Jen the Librarian, Scifi Odyssey, NanyaCim, Elina Charatsidou, The Chloe Connection, Hailey in Bookland, Between the Wars, Real Time History, The Great War,The Kavernacle, The Book Leo, Anton Petrov, Mythic Concepts, Tibees, Chris and Shell, A Day of Small Things, Ben and Emily, Narrowboat Pirate, Narrowboat Girl, Parkrose Permaculture, MoAn Inc, Art Deco, Verilybitchie, KernowDamo, RobWords, Malinda, Imperial War Museums, Books with Chloe, HBomberGuy, Cynthia Zhou, Vlad Vexler, J. Draper, Lady of the Library, Roomies Digest, A Life of Lit, The Leftist Cooks, Owen Jones, Fantasy and World Music by the Fletchers, Tom Nicholas, No Justice MTG, The British Museum, Physics Girl, Chris and Shell, Brickcrafts, Karolina Zebrowska, Interior Design Hub, Zahra, Amy Brown, Ives Toys, DamiLee, Abby Danser, Emilie's Literary Corner, Lena Down Under, Snappy Dragon, It's Black Friday, The Bookworm, Skip Intro, Diary of a Ditch Witch, scholagladiatoria, Reads with Rachel, Zoe Bee, Biz, Amie's Literary Empire, NerdForge, Scallydandling About the Books, Weirdo Book Club, Patty Gurdy, Dark Brandon, Katy One More Time, Words in Time, Just in Time Worldbuilding, JohnTheDuncan, Linguoer Mechanic, Books with Emily Fox, Oxford Medieval Studies, Bron Lewis, Dr Marina Khan, Kady2.0, Victoria Rae, Universo Generalista, Mia Molin, Ember Green, Leah Passaniti, Oceanliner Designs, History of Everything, RFU News, Age of Emoires, Maggie Mae Fish, Sunny Book Nook, Sarah Spaceman, Radio Retrofuture, Kris Atomic, Cruising Alba, Boat Time, Ship Happens, Elizabeth Veronica, Quake it up, Up and Atom, The Witch in the Woods, Lucy Huxley, Foster on the Spectrum, The Book Thing, The Gaze, Upon Reflection, Fran Blanche, Lorica Clothing, HatHistorian, Gingers are Black, Liz Webster.
I wish you a sunny morning, a wonderful afternoon, a pleasant evening, a splendid night and may we all continue learning.
Challenging Evil is brave, not unaware of Dangers.
Morality, Nineteenth Route Trade Fleet
September 6, 2017
The sequel to Mercury’s Bane is everything you expect from a Nick Webb story. Each of the characters are just these remarkable pieces of individual writing, entwined together to bring us this extraordinary story about humanity’s desperate plight to save not just themselves, but their homeworld.
This book opens with such a gripping opening as a fairly ordinary guy, following his normal job, enters the spaceport of Io, and then using the equipment there, sets off an explosive that rips the moon to pieces, killing everyone on the colony, and sending a message that the Telestines can now destroy planets if they want.
This is not just another star ships in space book, this is an incredibly in-depth story that looks at the motivations of Political, Cultural, Financial, Religious and Military beliefs and their impacts on war.
This is such a wonderfully realistic look at how things play out from a multitude of different views. As humanity fights for its very existence, the best are not leading, it is about political and religious decisions, or financial backing. Webb does a brilliant job of describing how the Military struggle with every aspect of their role, again hindered by Political and Financial constraints, even though their very future depends on it.
The other aspect of Nick Webb’s work is the technical skill. Nick’s background means that he understands what he is writing about, researches it correctly, and writes it as an appropriate subject matter expert, because he does have a lot of experience in what he writes. It gives his writing, his stories, even his characters a level of authenticity, and standout from other’s in the genre.
In this, the 2nd of the series, Walker is struggling to keep her exile fleet together under tough opposition, both from within and without. As she fights to keep control of the fleet, Pike continues to learn more about his new friend, but with the discovery that drones can be used as weapons, no one is sure of what she is capable of, or if she can be trusted. The Sisters of Ascension take a bigger role in this book as well, and it was interesting getting to read more of their background. It is definitely clear that there is more going on in the Telestine camp than we think – book 3 is going to be very interesting!
This is a desperate hour for Humanity in their fight, it is very obvious that this was the ‘Empire Strikes Back’ of the series as the Rebellion was not doing well.
There are a couple of really cool things as usual – there are so many Easter Eggs in Nick’s book that it would be an awesome drinking game – sit around with a bunch of people and listen to the Audible version and you have to drink (Blue Milk of course) when you pick up a reference!.
I also have to acknowledge that Nick Webb is true to his word as well. He states in his emails that he will name characters etc after you if you do reviews – and he does – Carina station was named after my wife – and a big thanks Nick!!
This is a great read though, with some awesome ship to ship combat, good political intrigue, brilliant characters, and a gripping story in which humanity is fighting for their very existence.
This book opens with such a gripping opening as a fairly ordinary guy, following his normal job, enters the spaceport of Io, and then using the equipment there, sets off an explosive that rips the moon to pieces, killing everyone on the colony, and sending a message that the Telestines can now destroy planets if they want.
This is not just another star ships in space book, this is an incredibly in-depth story that looks at the motivations of Political, Cultural, Financial, Religious and Military beliefs and their impacts on war.
This is such a wonderfully realistic look at how things play out from a multitude of different views. As humanity fights for its very existence, the best are not leading, it is about political and religious decisions, or financial backing. Webb does a brilliant job of describing how the Military struggle with every aspect of their role, again hindered by Political and Financial constraints, even though their very future depends on it.
The other aspect of Nick Webb’s work is the technical skill. Nick’s background means that he understands what he is writing about, researches it correctly, and writes it as an appropriate subject matter expert, because he does have a lot of experience in what he writes. It gives his writing, his stories, even his characters a level of authenticity, and standout from other’s in the genre.
In this, the 2nd of the series, Walker is struggling to keep her exile fleet together under tough opposition, both from within and without. As she fights to keep control of the fleet, Pike continues to learn more about his new friend, but with the discovery that drones can be used as weapons, no one is sure of what she is capable of, or if she can be trusted. The Sisters of Ascension take a bigger role in this book as well, and it was interesting getting to read more of their background. It is definitely clear that there is more going on in the Telestine camp than we think – book 3 is going to be very interesting!
This is a desperate hour for Humanity in their fight, it is very obvious that this was the ‘Empire Strikes Back’ of the series as the Rebellion was not doing well.
There are a couple of really cool things as usual – there are so many Easter Eggs in Nick’s book that it would be an awesome drinking game – sit around with a bunch of people and listen to the Audible version and you have to drink (Blue Milk of course) when you pick up a reference!.
I also have to acknowledge that Nick Webb is true to his word as well. He states in his emails that he will name characters etc after you if you do reviews – and he does – Carina station was named after my wife – and a big thanks Nick!!
This is a great read though, with some awesome ship to ship combat, good political intrigue, brilliant characters, and a gripping story in which humanity is fighting for their very existence.
October 23, 2018
Jupiter's Sword is the second installment of the Earth Dawning Series by Nick Webb. The first book was good and the storylines led me to the second book of the series. The first book was the bait and the second was the hook! I am intensely looking forward to the third book of the trilogy.
In the second book the issues are compounding the story is progressing and the human race is desperately attempting to take back their planet from the invading alien forces that displaced them. There are some twist and revelations in this book that I did not see coming. The only question that came to mine was can you ever truly trust anyone? Do you know what someone's endgame really is?....
I love the confusion and self-doubt that is portrayed among the humans in these books. The human "military" in the world of this book is nothing more than men and women with a lust to reclaim their planet. The Exiled Fleet are cargo ships renovated into warships. These people are a rebel force portraying themselves as the barrier between the future and annihilation of the human race. Put yourself in those shoes and see how clear-minded your decisions would be with the future of the human race in the balance!
September 4, 2017
To any science fiction reader marvellous story telling
I try not to write about grammar, punctuation whatever unless it is really bad, in these books with this author this is not a problem anyway.
As a reader I try to get into their characters to enjoy them with this author this is almost immediately done, I will not go into details of stories and characters what I will say this is a fast-moving thoroughly enjoyable science-fiction epic if you like science fiction then this is simply enjoy.
I try not to write about grammar, punctuation whatever unless it is really bad, in these books with this author this is not a problem anyway.
As a reader I try to get into their characters to enjoy them with this author this is almost immediately done, I will not go into details of stories and characters what I will say this is a fast-moving thoroughly enjoyable science-fiction epic if you like science fiction then this is simply enjoy.
March 20, 2021
Occupied
This is a good story.
This is part 2 of a trilogy, and as soon as I finish this review I’m going to start book 3.
There are a couple of places where the author’s syntax could be better, but the cliffhanger he left here is a doozy.
Read the books in order or you will be hopelessly lost.
I’m not going to give away the plot, beyond saying that mankind got evicted from Earth. Now Some want it back.
This is a good story.
This is part 2 of a trilogy, and as soon as I finish this review I’m going to start book 3.
There are a couple of places where the author’s syntax could be better, but the cliffhanger he left here is a doozy.
Read the books in order or you will be hopelessly lost.
I’m not going to give away the plot, beyond saying that mankind got evicted from Earth. Now Some want it back.
September 19, 2017
Jupiter's Sword
A little boring in the beginning til things started coming together. Especially, near the end, when some very important information came to light. I will continue with this series. I think the next book will show real promise now that we know what to expect...maybe.
A little boring in the beginning til things started coming together. Especially, near the end, when some very important information came to light. I will continue with this series. I think the next book will show real promise now that we know what to expect...maybe.
March 18, 2021
Outstanding performance in writing!
Excellent storytelling and compelling journey through the galaxy. Nick Webb once again spends a tale of intrigue, suspense and drama with a cast of characters that are complex and realistic in their struggles to survive against enemies without and within their world.Another terrific read!
Excellent storytelling and compelling journey through the galaxy. Nick Webb once again spends a tale of intrigue, suspense and drama with a cast of characters that are complex and realistic in their struggles to survive against enemies without and within their world.Another terrific read!
September 11, 2018
Who do you trust?
Twists and turns are abundant in this chapter of the trilogy.
Your characters are well developed and believable in their actions and beliefs.
I have been following you for quite a while and will continue to be reading more from you.
Keep the stories flowing.
Twists and turns are abundant in this chapter of the trilogy.
Your characters are well developed and believable in their actions and beliefs.
I have been following you for quite a while and will continue to be reading more from you.
Keep the stories flowing.
April 21, 2018
Loved the book
Easy to read a story about love of earth and much false understanding of others intent. A love story is coming.
Easy to read a story about love of earth and much false understanding of others intent. A love story is coming.
June 25, 2018
What a Journey!
Earth Dawning is a page turning journey that intensified with each new book! Thank you, Nick. Keep your imagination rolling.
Earth Dawning is a page turning journey that intensified with each new book! Thank you, Nick. Keep your imagination rolling.
February 24, 2019
Quite good when in the mood.
April 20, 2019
Excellent
I can only say WOW!!! This author is a master at making a plot twist and turn and keep you reading!
I can only say WOW!!! This author is a master at making a plot twist and turn and keep you reading!
October 17, 2020
Great story
The author crafted a spell binding tale that held my attention throughout the entire book. One of the best syfy stories I have read in a while.
The author crafted a spell binding tale that held my attention throughout the entire book. One of the best syfy stories I have read in a while.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews