What do you think?
Rate this book
War with the aliens has broken out, and they seem to have all the advantages. Engineers and scientists are scrambling to develop weapons to stand up to the threat, but when all is said and done, it is the Navy fighter pilots who have to take the fight to the enemy.
Petty Officer Third Class Floribeth Salinas O’Shea Dalisay, one of the new enlisted fighter pilots, is on the front lines with VFX-99, the “Stingers.” Sent out as guinea pigs, they collect needed data on the enemy weapons systems by being targets. But even guinea pigs have teeth, and if she can survive, Beth is determined to use hers.
Petty Officer Third Class Floribeth Salinas O’Shea Dalisay, one of the new enlisted fighter pilots, is on the front lines with VFX-99, the “Stingers.” Sent out as guinea pigs, they collect needed data on the enemy weapons systems by being targets. But even guinea pigs have teeth, and if she can survive, Beth is determined to use hers.
- GenresScience Fiction
176 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 22, 2018
256 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan P. Brazee
149 books190 followersI 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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
December 31, 2023
It's okay read, if you are looking for a reason to play a drinking game. Child talks about drinking cokes every other sentence
August 9, 2021
Another Great Read
This is the second book in the series. I listened to the audiobook version of this book with the fantastic voice talents of Angela Dawe. Her voice characterizations are brilliant.
Each book appears to be self-contained but maintains a longer-term story arc. In this book, Floribeth along with others in her squadron is, engaging the enemy aliens in order to collect data on their weaponry. Ultimately, this leads to upgrades to her Wasp ship and a serious battle.
The story wraps up nicely but the war is still on with, what they are now called the "Crystals". We get some deeper character development and Beth and her friend Mercy learn more about themselves. Great action and a certain degree of realism from modern-day Navy - the green shirts on deck.
My only negative comment would be the cover art of the book. That is so 1980's in terms of depicting heroines in sexy slinky outfits shooting laser guns ... really?
This is the second book in the series. I listened to the audiobook version of this book with the fantastic voice talents of Angela Dawe. Her voice characterizations are brilliant.
Each book appears to be self-contained but maintains a longer-term story arc. In this book, Floribeth along with others in her squadron is, engaging the enemy aliens in order to collect data on their weaponry. Ultimately, this leads to upgrades to her Wasp ship and a serious battle.
The story wraps up nicely but the war is still on with, what they are now called the "Crystals". We get some deeper character development and Beth and her friend Mercy learn more about themselves. Great action and a certain degree of realism from modern-day Navy - the green shirts on deck.
My only negative comment would be the cover art of the book. That is so 1980's in terms of depicting heroines in sexy slinky outfits shooting laser guns ... really?
July 30, 2025
The Wasps meet the enemy
The Wasps are given the complete military experience of “hurry up and wait” known to all of us who’ve served. They also experience the equally classic conditions of hours of sheer boredom broken up by moments of sheer terror.
The Wasps are running the gamut between their several encounters with the enemy where they suffer severe losses followed by endless weeks of sitting useless as they wait for the brain trust to invent the technology that they have to get to give them a fighting chance against their powerful enemy.
We also have the opportunity to learn more about Beth & Mercy on the personal level. They have definitely had very different origins, which is driven home to both of them.
Hopefully the Navy is able to create the tech needed to stay competitive and remain in the fighting to come…
The Wasps are given the complete military experience of “hurry up and wait” known to all of us who’ve served. They also experience the equally classic conditions of hours of sheer boredom broken up by moments of sheer terror.
The Wasps are running the gamut between their several encounters with the enemy where they suffer severe losses followed by endless weeks of sitting useless as they wait for the brain trust to invent the technology that they have to get to give them a fighting chance against their powerful enemy.
We also have the opportunity to learn more about Beth & Mercy on the personal level. They have definitely had very different origins, which is driven home to both of them.
Hopefully the Navy is able to create the tech needed to stay competitive and remain in the fighting to come…
August 15, 2023
Good military space action listen. Beth and mercy are great characters, flawed, not so sure of themselves, but brave and dedicated.
December 27, 2020
More addictively great story-telling fir fans of military sci-fi. Each of these stories showing a bit of a different role for pilots, combat flying, scouts, survival post crash, etc., all fit into great storytelling with superb character building. Also a perfect happily ever after ending for our heroine lead (though there is room for more tales - hint, hint, Janes P Brazee - if the author ever desires to do so. All in all fantastic stuff and I highly recommend each book in the series as well as the series overall.
August 3, 2022
Jonathan Brazee brings his own vast experience in the military along with the curiosity that all of us who read science fiction share. The result is just the right balance of the nuts and bolts level reality that is life in the service -- any service, with the need to keep the pace interesting. This series, as with Brazee's other series, provide a glimpse of the gritty, terrible, loss-filled life of a soldier. Soldiers and their losses are treated with respect, but not dwelled upon. The horrors are described but not fetishized. The balance achieved makes for a very readable adventure.
January 4, 2019
Someone who has been there
Many similarities to his own service, a recognition of Napoleon s maxim that men will fight for a little piece of cloth, which was interesting with the scene of Floribeth and the marine colonel checking out her rack. I like the story, the angst, the future human society described, etc.
I've been more invested in some of his other series, but this one is interesting enough for me to follow it thru.
Many similarities to his own service, a recognition of Napoleon s maxim that men will fight for a little piece of cloth, which was interesting with the scene of Floribeth and the marine colonel checking out her rack. I like the story, the angst, the future human society described, etc.
I've been more invested in some of his other series, but this one is interesting enough for me to follow it thru.
July 30, 2018
Fire Ant to the rescue.
Alright now we're cooking, so Beth and Mercy survived there first close encounter with the Crystals and Mercy seems to be falling for Rock, the battles are just beginning. Great storyline, characters are really good and I'm getting more excited with each book, keep up the good work Jonathan.
Alright now we're cooking, so Beth and Mercy survived there first close encounter with the Crystals and Mercy seems to be falling for Rock, the battles are just beginning. Great storyline, characters are really good and I'm getting more excited with each book, keep up the good work Jonathan.
July 10, 2019
A great military sci-fi space fighter novel
I have not read many space fighter books but this is a good one. A realistic portrayal of the vastness of battles in the black.
Great characters with lots of action and adventure. With unknown aliens attacking humans out heroes must pull out all the stops to save the day.
I look forward to more from this series 😁
I have not read many space fighter books but this is a good one. A realistic portrayal of the vastness of battles in the black.
Great characters with lots of action and adventure. With unknown aliens attacking humans out heroes must pull out all the stops to save the day.
I look forward to more from this series 😁
May 30, 2018
Better than book 1
I enjoyed this one - more action than the first, with some personal growth for the heroine. I can do without vulgarity, which is why it lost a star, but otherwise very good - I look forward to more in the series.
I enjoyed this one - more action than the first, with some personal growth for the heroine. I can do without vulgarity, which is why it lost a star, but otherwise very good - I look forward to more in the series.
June 11, 2018
I enjoyed the first book and this was a good sequel. A quick, fast paced read. I felt there was good character development which fit well within the plot of the story. I am looking forward to more. (Read as part of Kindle Unlimited)
September 16, 2018
Excellent series
Finally a Sci-fi with real women characters who actually do something in the military. Although there are only two books so far I am hoping the third book is released in the very near future. A great book within a great series.
Finally a Sci-fi with real women characters who actually do something in the military. Although there are only two books so far I am hoping the third book is released in the very near future. A great book within a great series.
June 29, 2019
A good story
Another good story about Floribeth and the other pilots defending against the mysterious aliens. If the author could stop with the “sista” stuff it would be an even better story.
Another good story about Floribeth and the other pilots defending against the mysterious aliens. If the author could stop with the “sista” stuff it would be an even better story.
June 20, 2021
As good as if not better than book one.
Thankfully I only discovered this series long enough after its publication that books one, two and next to read were already published so on this second day of my hols I can ignore everything else and go read book three, NOW!
Thankfully I only discovered this series long enough after its publication that books one, two and next to read were already published so on this second day of my hols I can ignore everything else and go read book three, NOW!
November 30, 2021
A hot read
This is the second book that I have read in this series. It is getting more interesting as I go along. The character build up is impressing. The adding and losing of persons in the book can be felt.
This author is writing from information that he knows. I am impressed
This is the second book that I have read in this series. It is getting more interesting as I go along. The character build up is impressing. The adding and losing of persons in the book can be felt.
This author is writing from information that he knows. I am impressed
April 18, 2023
Short (see what I did there) but satisfying.
Equipment is upgraded, training is complete, enemy engaged. Once again Beth's squadron is in the thick of things. She and Mercy finally get a look at the FALs.
Equipment is upgraded, training is complete, enemy engaged. Once again Beth's squadron is in the thick of things. She and Mercy finally get a look at the FALs.
May 13, 2023
Fun heavy space action book
This was a fun book filled with lots of fun space action sequences. The characters backstories are being filled in as the story progresses, and that is fun to watch. I definitely recommend this book and series.
This was a fun book filled with lots of fun space action sequences. The characters backstories are being filled in as the story progresses, and that is fun to watch. I definitely recommend this book and series.
August 8, 2024
It's kind of a simple series. Nothing too deep, but it is a quick read and kind of fun. Almost like a snack before eating something meatier. I will probably keep reading the series as they climb my queue.
August 31, 2024
https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit... thought the depiction of aliens was more reasonable than the typical fantasy versions. I enjoyed the details of the "grunts" of the space navy doing their work regardless of the circumstances.
January 28, 2025
Second in the series, a predictable and somewhat sappy space opera with hostile alien space warcraft. Read Kindle book using Alexa audio asset. Borrowed this edition on January 27, 2025, Kindle Unlimited Books.
July 22, 2018
Outstanding!
I discovered this series by accident and am glad I did! Books 1 and 2 were thrilling. I can't wait for the next one!
I discovered this series by accident and am glad I did! Books 1 and 2 were thrilling. I can't wait for the next one!
July 30, 2018
Unfortunately, I haven’t read the first book yet, but I will. Characterization good, lots of action, interestingly written.
August 13, 2018
Second was as good as the first.
Good pace and action was at it's best.
This one was a good follow up to the first.
Looking forward to see what happens next. thanks
Good pace and action was at it's best.
This one was a good follow up to the first.
Looking forward to see what happens next. thanks
September 2, 2018
Crystals
Loved the story line, would love to see more in this series, kept my attention and didn't put it down,it was that good!
Loved the story line, would love to see more in this series, kept my attention and didn't put it down,it was that good!
April 24, 2019
The Wasps are back in the thick of things, risking life and limb against the FALs. Good story.
February 10, 2021
Great storyline
Well another great storyline with plenty of blood and guts lol. Looking forward to reading the next book which is already downloaded.
Well another great storyline with plenty of blood and guts lol. Looking forward to reading the next book which is already downloaded.
November 2, 2022
Like the first book it's quick and breezy with slightly more realistic space battles than you get in Star Wars or got in Battlestar Galactica (either version).
November 23, 2022
That is one different type of alien!
A crystal that breaths chlorine? Kinda scary that! Especially when their only weakness is a tube 20 cms big! Thanks!
A crystal that breaths chlorine? Kinda scary that! Especially when their only weakness is a tube 20 cms big! Thanks!
December 3, 2022
If you liked the first book in the series, you'll love this one. We actually get to see the aliens this time, and they're pretty interesting. Looking forward to the next one.
January 22, 2023
Excellent Book
This book is just as good as the first one was. I highly recommend it especially if you liked the first book.
This book is just as good as the first one was. I highly recommend it especially if you liked the first book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews