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Kris Longknife #15.6
Kris Longknife's Relief: Grand Admiral Santiago on Alwa Station
Sandy Santiago has problems coming out her ears. Granny Rita is out of control. The workers are out on strike. Worse, the murderous alien raiders are testing Alwa's defense perimeter. Once she has her hous in order, Sandy is strongly thinking of getting her own good look at what appears to be the alien home world. Last time Kris Longknife visited the place, she threw some serious shade on the aliens. Dare Sandy return? Might the aliens be waiting for her? What could a serious, organized scientific look at this world tell Sandy? Assuming she survives the look!
302 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2017
55 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
About the author
Mike Shepherd
78 books564 followersA pseudonym used by Mike Moscoe.
Mike was born in the Philadelphia Navy Yard Hospital -- and left that town at the age of three days for reasons he does not presently recall. But they had to draft him to get him back there. He missed very little of the rest of the country. Growing up Navy, he lived about everywhere you could park an aircraft carrier.
Mike was one of those college students who didn't have to worry about finding a job after graduation. In 1968, his Uncle Sam made him an offer he couldn't refuse. Two days into boot camp, the Army was wondering if they might not have been a bit hasty. Mike ended the day in the Intensive Care Unit of the local Army hospital. Despite most of Mike’s personal war stories being limited to "How I flunked boot camp," he can still write a rollicking good military SF yarns.
Mike didn’t survive all that long as a cab driver (he got lost) or bartender (he made the drinks too strong) but he figured he could at least work for the Navy Department as a budget analyst. Until he spent the whole day trying to balance the barracks accounts for paint. Finally, about quitting time, a grinning senior analyst took him aside and let him in on the secret. They'd hidden the money for refitting a battleship in that little account. Slowly it dawned on Mike that there were a few things about the Navy that even a kid who grew up in it would never understand.
Over the next twenty years, Mike branched out into other genres, including instruction memos, policies, performance standards and even a few labor contracts. All of those, you may notice, lack a certain something. Dialogue ... those things in quotes. In `87, Mike’s big break came. He landed on a two year special project to build a digital map showing where the trees, rivers, roads, Spotted Owls and other critters were in western Oregon. The list went on and on with no end in sight and two years became ten.
Since there was no writing involved in his new day job, Mike had to do something to get the words out. He signed up for a writing class at Clark Community College and proudly turned in a story ... Star Wars shoots down the second coming of Christ.
Two years later, Analog bought "Summer Hopes, Winter Dreams" for the March, 1991 issue. Four years later he sold his first novel. In the ten years since then, Mike’s turned in twelve novels and is researching the next three.
Mike's love for Science Fiction started when he picked up "Rocket Ship Galileo" in the fifth grade, and then proceeded to read every book in the library with a rocket sticker on its spine.
Mike digs for his stories among people and change. Through his interest in history, he has traces the transformations that make us what we are today. Science launches us forward into an ever changing universe. Once upon a time, the only changes in peoples lives came with the turning of the seasons and the growing wrinkles on their brows. Today, science drives most of the changes in our daily lives. Still, we can't avoid the pressure of our own awakening hormones or hardening arteries. Mike is happiest when his stories are speeding across thin ice, balanced on the edge of two sharp blades, one anciently human, the other as new as tomorrow's research.
Trained in International Relations and history, salary administration and bargaining, theology and counseling, Mike is having a ball writing about Kris Longknife ... coming of age while the world her grand parents built threatens to crash down around her ears. These are books I think you’ll love ... and my granddaughter and grandsons too!
Mike lives in Vancouver, Washington, with his wife Ellen, his mother-in-law and any visiting grandkids. He enjoys reading, writing, watching grand-children for story ideas and upgrading his computer -- all are never ending.
Mike was born in the Philadelphia Navy Yard Hospital -- and left that town at the age of three days for reasons he does not presently recall. But they had to draft him to get him back there. He missed very little of the rest of the country. Growing up Navy, he lived about everywhere you could park an aircraft carrier.
Mike was one of those college students who didn't have to worry about finding a job after graduation. In 1968, his Uncle Sam made him an offer he couldn't refuse. Two days into boot camp, the Army was wondering if they might not have been a bit hasty. Mike ended the day in the Intensive Care Unit of the local Army hospital. Despite most of Mike’s personal war stories being limited to "How I flunked boot camp," he can still write a rollicking good military SF yarns.
Mike didn’t survive all that long as a cab driver (he got lost) or bartender (he made the drinks too strong) but he figured he could at least work for the Navy Department as a budget analyst. Until he spent the whole day trying to balance the barracks accounts for paint. Finally, about quitting time, a grinning senior analyst took him aside and let him in on the secret. They'd hidden the money for refitting a battleship in that little account. Slowly it dawned on Mike that there were a few things about the Navy that even a kid who grew up in it would never understand.
Over the next twenty years, Mike branched out into other genres, including instruction memos, policies, performance standards and even a few labor contracts. All of those, you may notice, lack a certain something. Dialogue ... those things in quotes. In `87, Mike’s big break came. He landed on a two year special project to build a digital map showing where the trees, rivers, roads, Spotted Owls and other critters were in western Oregon. The list went on and on with no end in sight and two years became ten.
Since there was no writing involved in his new day job, Mike had to do something to get the words out. He signed up for a writing class at Clark Community College and proudly turned in a story ... Star Wars shoots down the second coming of Christ.
Two years later, Analog bought "Summer Hopes, Winter Dreams" for the March, 1991 issue. Four years later he sold his first novel. In the ten years since then, Mike’s turned in twelve novels and is researching the next three.
Mike's love for Science Fiction started when he picked up "Rocket Ship Galileo" in the fifth grade, and then proceeded to read every book in the library with a rocket sticker on its spine.
Mike digs for his stories among people and change. Through his interest in history, he has traces the transformations that make us what we are today. Science launches us forward into an ever changing universe. Once upon a time, the only changes in peoples lives came with the turning of the seasons and the growing wrinkles on their brows. Today, science drives most of the changes in our daily lives. Still, we can't avoid the pressure of our own awakening hormones or hardening arteries. Mike is happiest when his stories are speeding across thin ice, balanced on the edge of two sharp blades, one anciently human, the other as new as tomorrow's research.
Trained in International Relations and history, salary administration and bargaining, theology and counseling, Mike is having a ball writing about Kris Longknife ... coming of age while the world her grand parents built threatens to crash down around her ears. These are books I think you’ll love ... and my granddaughter and grandsons too!
Mike lives in Vancouver, Washington, with his wife Ellen, his mother-in-law and any visiting grandkids. He enjoys reading, writing, watching grand-children for story ideas and upgrading his computer -- all are never ending.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 28, 2017
This is book two of the Admiral Santiago Series. Sandy has been having problems with Granny Rita. Now that Kris has left, Granny is more difficult to deal with. The workers have decided to go out on strike and to top it off the Alien Raiders are testing Awa’s defense perimeter.
Santiago still does not have her own smart computer (one of Nellie’s children) and is relying on Mimsy. Santiago has her first big space battle with the aliens which provides for some exciting action and use of the smart metal. The archeologists put the smart metal to use in their digging in the cave for a skeleton.
The book is well written. Shepherd has continued to grow his characters. The author is a great storyteller. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is eight hours long. Vanessa Chambers is a well-known voice over artist. She is noted for her cartoon work. For example, she does the voice for Eleanor on Alvin and the Chipmunks. Chambers does a good job narratoring the story.
Santiago still does not have her own smart computer (one of Nellie’s children) and is relying on Mimsy. Santiago has her first big space battle with the aliens which provides for some exciting action and use of the smart metal. The archeologists put the smart metal to use in their digging in the cave for a skeleton.
The book is well written. Shepherd has continued to grow his characters. The author is a great storyteller. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is eight hours long. Vanessa Chambers is a well-known voice over artist. She is noted for her cartoon work. For example, she does the voice for Eleanor on Alvin and the Chipmunks. Chambers does a good job narratoring the story.
September 4, 2017
Unfortunately, this spin-off of the main Longknife timeline is really just a retread. Mostly the same characters, mostly the same situations, mostly the same solutions.
Also, the editor didn't read the entire book, as there were several errors in the last 25%.
I'll keep reading these, mostly on momentum.
Also, the editor didn't read the entire book, as there were several errors in the last 25%.
I'll keep reading these, mostly on momentum.
January 19, 2020
Nice story
But to much typos and such to be a great read.
It needs a thorough proofread by a few, and a redo to iron out the errors.
But to much typos and such to be a great read.
It needs a thorough proofread by a few, and a redo to iron out the errors.
March 14, 2019
I was disappointed in this book. It really didn't get interesting until the last 1/4 to 1/3 of the book. The beginning was spent describing endless boring meetings. The characters seemed to spend a lot of time reflecting on how Kris Longknife handled or would handle things. The characters are not well developed. There were times I found myself putting the book down in the middle of a chapter or even a paragraph, so it took me forever to finish.
I had noticed that the first books in this series were sorely lacking in editing, despite the fact they were professionally published. Things improved midway through the series. Now that the books are being self-published, we're back to the poor editing. This author has problems with homophones, i.e. shown for shone. Sometimes he just plain uses the wrong word altogether.
I'll stick with the series for now, as I've invested a lot of time in it but I sure hope the editing improves. I'd volunteer to be a B reader if I wasn't so busy with other commitments.
I had noticed that the first books in this series were sorely lacking in editing, despite the fact they were professionally published. Things improved midway through the series. Now that the books are being self-published, we're back to the poor editing. This author has problems with homophones, i.e. shown for shone. Sometimes he just plain uses the wrong word altogether.
I'll stick with the series for now, as I've invested a lot of time in it but I sure hope the editing improves. I'd volunteer to be a B reader if I wasn't so busy with other commitments.
July 2, 2017
No, this book doesn't work. This spinoff of the Kris Longknife series pairs minor characters from that series with a dull replacement for Kris Longknife. It feels as if they spend most of the book in meetings. Hundreds of pages of exposition, interrupted by short, dull, space battles.
I'm continuing to read the main series, but the spinoffs seem to be tossed off without much care, and I've given up on them.
I'm continuing to read the main series, but the spinoffs seem to be tossed off without much care, and I've given up on them.
August 30, 2017
Aliens be damned
Kris has left the building and Sandy is charge. Dealing with the birds, cats, and humans, not to mention aliens that are hell bent on destroying you. Taking care of the Alwa problems she and her fleet are off to the aliens home world to learn more and get some of their own. Great story, want the sequel now!
Kris has left the building and Sandy is charge. Dealing with the birds, cats, and humans, not to mention aliens that are hell bent on destroying you. Taking care of the Alwa problems she and her fleet are off to the aliens home world to learn more and get some of their own. Great story, want the sequel now!
September 10, 2017
The editing in this book is horrible. Simply using spell check would have caught errors. The author mistakenly uses shown when he means shone. The Admiral's Chief of Staff becomes a Chief of State at one point. While I applaud the self publishing, a professional editor needs to be hired.
February 4, 2018
Excellent, as usual .
I love this whole series. The Santiago branch of the story fills in some back story.
You don't have to read it, to follow the main story line, but it's still good reading.
I love this whole series. The Santiago branch of the story fills in some back story.
You don't have to read it, to follow the main story line, but it's still good reading.
February 18, 2018
Good read with some holes filled on. Folks expecting Sandy to be like Kris will be disappointed. Sandy’s story gets into the details and debates that go along with interstellar species differences. I still feel it’s worthy of a read.
February 28, 2018
Aw, come on! Plenty of loose ends left making me tear my hair out hoping for a sequel! Another book full of all sorts of action on land and space. The action isn't all military - it's scientific too. Worth reading.
December 26, 2018
Santiago 2. Sandy Santiago heads back to the BEM's home planet to do the standard things all characters do in Shepherd's books. Kris mentioned every 3-4 paragraphs, as usual. Typical Shepherd space opera, you know what you get.
July 14, 2017
Loved it
This side of the Longknife series is going to take off. I usually do not like offshoot stories but I really like this one.
This side of the Longknife series is going to take off. I usually do not like offshoot stories but I really like this one.
July 21, 2017
Brings a new branch of the universe out and Admiral Santiago is a nice and interesting character. Worth the time and the money.
August 28, 2017
Good story, but still needs a decent proofreader.
November 28, 2017
Once Kris Longknife leaves Alwa, how does Admiral Sandy Santiago handle it? With starship war, blood, possible genocide, and battles...
May 19, 2019
I love Kris Longknife and wish he would crank out some more books featuring her.
August 16, 2018
Alwa remains
It’s good to know Alwa is still screwed and has someone else protecting it. Santiago is her own woman and has her own way of doing things.
It’s good to know Alwa is still screwed and has someone else protecting it. Santiago is her own woman and has her own way of doing things.
March 3, 2023
3 stars.
Mar 2023 - re-listened. I preferred this narrator (Vanessa Chambers) to the first one (Ali Ahn) for this sub-series. At least there's an attempt to make the secondary characters sound similar to how Dina Pearlman voiced them in the main arc.
___________
May 2021
Poor Sandy just doesn't have all the different persona like Kris Longknife to take on the whole Alwa station and being career Navy, she's had to learn pretty fast how to deal with civilians and contractors. I really like that this series gives us so many kick-ass female characters and that in general, the men provide good moral support without sounding emasculated.
Unlike the main series where we have the same narrator all the way through, this spin-off series has had different narrators and they tend to pronounce things slightly differently and gave the characters different voices. It would have been better if the same narrator was used for all the books. So taking 1/2 star off for that.
Mar 2023 - re-listened. I preferred this narrator (Vanessa Chambers) to the first one (Ali Ahn) for this sub-series. At least there's an attempt to make the secondary characters sound similar to how Dina Pearlman voiced them in the main arc.
___________
May 2021
Poor Sandy just doesn't have all the different persona like Kris Longknife to take on the whole Alwa station and being career Navy, she's had to learn pretty fast how to deal with civilians and contractors. I really like that this series gives us so many kick-ass female characters and that in general, the men provide good moral support without sounding emasculated.
Unlike the main series where we have the same narrator all the way through, this spin-off series has had different narrators and they tend to pronounce things slightly differently and gave the characters different voices. It would have been better if the same narrator was used for all the books. So taking 1/2 star off for that.
April 8, 2021
As the new leader of a colony under the threat of constant attack by a xenophobic alien race the author does a good job of keeping the tension going. There are periods of time between attacks during which the characters struggle with what to build and how. The multiple competing factions never bog down the story but give it a greater depth. I love that the characters continue to try and learn about their enemy reveal more of their history. The enemy is not passive either. They are starting to grow beyond just being a nasty threat.
November 7, 2018
I keep coming back to the same thing with this series again and again. We need to get in touch with who Santiago is to carry this series. We see shots of her but then the writer turns into sing song kris longknife speak. I'd hate to see this series go up in smoke
February 18, 2020
This new publishing company is not treating Mr. Shepherd's books very well. There are obvious problems with names. According to the way the book is edited Sandy is in multiple places in the galaxy at one time. And Captain Drago's first name has been changed
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews