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Across the Galactic Gulf lies Quarus, a world so strange that decades of human diplomatic effort have failed. With the quarians about to close their borders, there is one last hope to save the relationship: Alex von Strada and the Fourth Fleet Irregulars.
This is a mission which will take them further than the Fourth has ever been. They have no plan, no idea what will happen. All they can do is embrace the chaos that is exodiplomacy... oh, and get naked.
- GenresScience Fiction
572 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 15, 2018
17 people are currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
S.J. MacDonald
23 books75 followersI am a primary school teacher living in Cardiff, Wales, UK. I live in a tiny house full of books, animals, rocks and fossils.
I love travelling by myself because you get to meet more local people that way. My favourite trips so far have been ice fishing in the arctic circle, the Canadian Rockies in winter and camping with my sister in Devon (Every bit as adventurous!)
I have been writing stories since I was a kid but have only recently taken the plunge into publishing. I've also recently started a science fiction review site http://www.starshipsandaliens.com which is nearly as much fun as writing.
I love travelling by myself because you get to meet more local people that way. My favourite trips so far have been ice fishing in the arctic circle, the Canadian Rockies in winter and camping with my sister in Devon (Every bit as adventurous!)
I have been writing stories since I was a kid but have only recently taken the plunge into publishing. I've also recently started a science fiction review site http://www.starshipsandaliens.com which is nearly as much fun as writing.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 3, 2019
I quite enjoy the more relaxed, less violent SciFi stories in these books, but I did think this one got a bit too cosy, more soap opera than space opera. The story was still enjoyable, but I began to feel there was something missing the further I got into the book. I think my problem was the lack of any sort of tension, everybody gets on with everybody else and there was no external threat to add some contrast to the overwhelming niceness.
There were also some quite ridiculous ideas in this story. Alex getting somebody sacked because Silvie wanted to introduce higher primates into an eco-system that didn’t even have reptiles never mind other mammals.
Towards the end of the book I hoped it might get a bit more exciting, but it turned into a sort of alien travelogue.
I still enjoyed the book, but unlike most other reviewers I thought that the story was a bit one dimensional and just lacked a bit of an edge.
There were also some quite ridiculous ideas in this story. Alex getting somebody sacked because Silvie wanted to introduce higher primates into an eco-system that didn’t even have reptiles never mind other mammals.
Towards the end of the book I hoped it might get a bit more exciting, but it turned into a sort of alien travelogue.
I still enjoyed the book, but unlike most other reviewers I thought that the story was a bit one dimensional and just lacked a bit of an edge.
February 7, 2018
Exploration Science in the Fiction Story
This is a great space opera without any war. Very hard to find. Even though the story revolves around a military starship division commander. He is basically a trouble shooter when all else fails. I really enjoyed the different species that this author channels.
This is a great space opera without any war. Very hard to find. Even though the story revolves around a military starship division commander. He is basically a trouble shooter when all else fails. I really enjoyed the different species that this author channels.
March 27, 2018
Yet again what a ride from Ms MacDonald, she gives the reader a book that they will fully enjoy reading. A great book that continues the adventures of the Fourth Fleet. If you have not read any of these books then you are missing out on not just a great series, but a excellent books. Looking forward to the next books, I need to know what happens the Alex when the unexpected guest appears on the command deck.
March 28, 2018
Absolutely extraordinary. Characters, dialogue, plot, and descriptions are mind boggling good. The understanding of human motivations could be used to teach. I rarely write reviews,but this was too good to put down without comment.
Accolades for a witty, charming series that combines humor, action, and just plain interesting stuff. One can only look forward to future books.
Accolades for a witty, charming series that combines humor, action, and just plain interesting stuff. One can only look forward to future books.
July 9, 2020
I struggled a bit to get through the first half of this book. There were a lot of character interrelationships and not much plot.
Then they landed on Quarus, a water world occupied by Quarians, one of the first alien species humans ever met. They'd been in a diplomatic standoff for eighty years with neither side understanding the other.
Then the Quarians sent a genetically engineered citizen of theirs, Silvie to the humans as their ambassador. She appeared as an small, exotically attractive woman. She caused an uproar everywhere she went until she came to the Heron, captained by Alex von Strada.
She stepped aboard, saw Alex and said, 'Gorgeous!'
That was in the last book 'Carriannis'. In this one, she prepares humanity for meeting her people.
And nothing will ever be the same again.
Then they landed on Quarus, a water world occupied by Quarians, one of the first alien species humans ever met. They'd been in a diplomatic standoff for eighty years with neither side understanding the other.
Then the Quarians sent a genetically engineered citizen of theirs, Silvie to the humans as their ambassador. She appeared as an small, exotically attractive woman. She caused an uproar everywhere she went until she came to the Heron, captained by Alex von Strada.
She stepped aboard, saw Alex and said, 'Gorgeous!'
That was in the last book 'Carriannis'. In this one, she prepares humanity for meeting her people.
And nothing will ever be the same again.
January 20, 2018
Excellent
Really fascinating adventure. Love the characters, both old friends and new. So interesting to get a glimpse into a possibility for the future. Such a nice change from space eats and things going wrong. This is an optimistic future that I would love to experience. Thank you for sharing and I can't wait for the next story. So many wonderful adventures ahead for the Fourth Fleet Irregulars.
Really fascinating adventure. Love the characters, both old friends and new. So interesting to get a glimpse into a possibility for the future. Such a nice change from space eats and things going wrong. This is an optimistic future that I would love to experience. Thank you for sharing and I can't wait for the next story. So many wonderful adventures ahead for the Fourth Fleet Irregulars.
July 28, 2018
Excellent
This is the 6th book in a series that I highly recommend. Readers who want slam bang military action will be disappointed, but I think this book in particular shows the potential for science fiction as literature. It says so much about us as humans, and is still awesome sci-fi. This is one of the authors that makes me feel, and feel good, every book.
This is the 6th book in a series that I highly recommend. Readers who want slam bang military action will be disappointed, but I think this book in particular shows the potential for science fiction as literature. It says so much about us as humans, and is still awesome sci-fi. This is one of the authors that makes me feel, and feel good, every book.
May 3, 2025
Excellent story
The Fourth's first contact stories are always engaging. This wonderful book was no exception. I cannot even begin to explain how vivid the descriptions are, how much I felt like I was very much with them in this story. It was wonderful.
The Fourth's first contact stories are always engaging. This wonderful book was no exception. I cannot even begin to explain how vivid the descriptions are, how much I felt like I was very much with them in this story. It was wonderful.
January 23, 2018
A joy to read
I just love thse books, so out there from normal space opera books . Lots of laughing and some moments where you realise how contradictory we are as a species
I just love thse books, so out there from normal space opera books . Lots of laughing and some moments where you realise how contradictory we are as a species
February 1, 2018
Love it!
Love them soooo much, can't wait for the next one! Wish I could follow the author though as it tends to be by chance that I find the newest book.
Love them soooo much, can't wait for the next one! Wish I could follow the author though as it tends to be by chance that I find the newest book.
February 2, 2018
Loved it
The Fourth Fleet Irregulars is just a fun and exciting adventure. A wonderful afternoon read. Looking forward to the next installment with bated breath. Thank you😺
The Fourth Fleet Irregulars is just a fun and exciting adventure. A wonderful afternoon read. Looking forward to the next installment with bated breath. Thank you😺
May 13, 2018
Another great book
Another great book of this series. More adventures for the 4th. I bet the next book of this series will be just as fun as this one was lol
Another great book of this series. More adventures for the 4th. I bet the next book of this series will be just as fun as this one was lol
July 3, 2018
Fantastic exploration sci fi
Every book in this series has been different and extremely good fun to read. One of the best series I've ever read
Every book in this series has been different and extremely good fun to read. One of the best series I've ever read
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews