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The Transcended #1
Augmented
When hundreds die in a sub-surface alien military facility, two of the Space Corps’ augmented officers – Lieutenants Becky Keller and Joe Nation - are sent to check it out. Deep underground, something waits. It’s hostile and immune to every known weapon. Its arrival threatens much more than this single planet. What begins as a standard in-out mission leads to warfare on a galactic scale and a confrontation between two well-armed fleets. Keller is the best spaceship pilot in the Corps and Nation has his own unique skills. They’re going to have a hard time turning this situation into a positive. Augmented is a high-action science fiction adventure involving massive space battles, overwhelming odds and new technologies. It is the first book in the Transcended series. Book 2: Fleet Vanguard is available now.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 4, 2018
204 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Anthony James
233 books107 followersAnthony James spent his youth reading what might now be called classic sci-fi and fantasy books. These days, he spends time in his study with the door locked against rampant and ferocious toddlers, writing books of his own.
That's the third person stuff out of the way.
For anyone who's read any of my books, you'll know that I write action science fiction that pulls no punches and which doesn't cram the good stuff into the last couple of chapters. The action starts early and it doesn't let up. I also take care to mix in plenty of humanity. The characters I write are all distinctly believable, often facing uncaring enemies and overwhelming odds. When they win, it's because they did their best.
Go on. Punch an alien today. Better yet, check out my series of books, each one filled with action, technology, warfare, aliens and against-the-odds survival. Lots of kick-back-and-enjoy weekend or evening reading.
That's the third person stuff out of the way.
For anyone who's read any of my books, you'll know that I write action science fiction that pulls no punches and which doesn't cram the good stuff into the last couple of chapters. The action starts early and it doesn't let up. I also take care to mix in plenty of humanity. The characters I write are all distinctly believable, often facing uncaring enemies and overwhelming odds. When they win, it's because they did their best.
Go on. Punch an alien today. Better yet, check out my series of books, each one filled with action, technology, warfare, aliens and against-the-odds survival. Lots of kick-back-and-enjoy weekend or evening reading.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
December 22, 2018
This is my kind of sci-fi, I mean you have a fully augmented android, a psi officer that is also augmented, what force can even defeat them, well read this one and you will find out!!!!
Action starts from start to finish, ship to ship, one on one, one against many, every facet of combat, and to think they have a true enemy, but those do not compare to the horror they faced!!!!
Can not wait for the sequel..............
Action starts from start to finish, ship to ship, one on one, one against many, every facet of combat, and to think they have a true enemy, but those do not compare to the horror they faced!!!!
Can not wait for the sequel..............
April 25, 2020
There are some enjoyable things about this book. But it is not the plotting nor the world building. It seems very ‘thin’ ie nothing original or spell binding. Kind of like mental bubblegum but good escapism. Recommended to the normal crew especially those that don’t mind a few light reads in between other weightier tomes.
January 9, 2019
Very cool military sci-fi, very strongly written and with a great deal of interesting tech going for it. I guess the focus on only the 2 main leads could thin after a while, but for now rather enjoyed.
January 24, 2019
Wow what a rollercoaster ride
A great military sci-fi action series in the making.
Great characters with realistic situations and lots of action. I Loved all of this book. From start to finish this was immense. A brilliant adventure and I can't wait for the next one.
A great military sci-fi action series in the making.
Great characters with realistic situations and lots of action. I Loved all of this book. From start to finish this was immense. A brilliant adventure and I can't wait for the next one.
June 23, 2019
Started well. Ended blah..
I was linking the story until the entity was introduced. A creature that can fly faster than lightspeed with no ship? Yeh... na...
I’ll read number two. Just to see if it gets any better.
I was linking the story until the entity was introduced. A creature that can fly faster than lightspeed with no ship? Yeh... na...
I’ll read number two. Just to see if it gets any better.
December 23, 2018
Good read
Wow totally enjoyed this book. I am looking forward to the next instalment hopefully it will be just as good.
Wow totally enjoyed this book. I am looking forward to the next instalment hopefully it will be just as good.
January 29, 2019
Very good
Another great story by James. It was different from the last ones I read, but very good. A thrilling story and kept me reading. Loved it.
Another great story by James. It was different from the last ones I read, but very good. A thrilling story and kept me reading. Loved it.
March 17, 2020
Good book easy to read and holds the attention of the reader
January 15, 2021
The most interesting aspect of this story is the political situation between the Confederation and Estral. Getting thrown into the history between two large interstellar (or is it intergalactic, as hinted in exactly two places in the book) entities seems like a good idea -- but is it really?
Usually "show, don't tell" is a great idea, but taken to an extreme, it means the reader has to piece together why the estral and the humans don't get along well.
What is Istoliar? What is Faor? Another thing the reader has to piece together. It seems like a fuel -- but how does it relate to the speed and effectiveness of technology on ships and in augmentations?
The character development seems barely existent. There are traces of resentment and pride between the two protagonists -- but they don't develop.
The whole book relies on action sequences and vividness of seeing what's happening "in the moment". And these parts, I enjoyed. I even feel like there's a whole built world that I am missing in this book. Beyond just the very first scene -- what happened in the first 8 wars? What triggered the first war? How did humans build their Confederation? These are missing.
After all this is said, I did complete the book and gave it four stars. Because -- I did enjoy it quite a bit. I just feel like neither the characters nor the setting have been explored to a sufficient degree. I'm taking off one star because this just does not feel like a good entry book in any series -- even if it would be a decent third or fourth book.
Usually "show, don't tell" is a great idea, but taken to an extreme, it means the reader has to piece together why the estral and the humans don't get along well.
What is Istoliar? What is Faor? Another thing the reader has to piece together. It seems like a fuel -- but how does it relate to the speed and effectiveness of technology on ships and in augmentations?
The character development seems barely existent. There are traces of resentment and pride between the two protagonists -- but they don't develop.
The whole book relies on action sequences and vividness of seeing what's happening "in the moment". And these parts, I enjoyed. I even feel like there's a whole built world that I am missing in this book. Beyond just the very first scene -- what happened in the first 8 wars? What triggered the first war? How did humans build their Confederation? These are missing.
After all this is said, I did complete the book and gave it four stars. Because -- I did enjoy it quite a bit. I just feel like neither the characters nor the setting have been explored to a sufficient degree. I'm taking off one star because this just does not feel like a good entry book in any series -- even if it would be a decent third or fourth book.
Read
June 11, 2019This was the first space opera book I've read for a while, and I wasn't quite sure what to expect. It was a quick read with clear prose. The two main characters have cool skills (no surprise from the title), and the plot was straightforward and easy to follow.
I didn't feel quite as engaged as I had hoped. Although there's some amusing banter between Keller and Nation, I didn't get a strong sense of either character, even when they were in stressful situations and under attack from all sides. Added to that, from the middle of the book onwards, it felt like Keller and Nation were observing and telling each other what was happening, with the narrator occasionally dropping in for a longer explanation - which to my mind bogged down the action.
Overall, the book's a decent afternoon read, but I'm not driven to grab the next in the series.
I didn't feel quite as engaged as I had hoped. Although there's some amusing banter between Keller and Nation, I didn't get a strong sense of either character, even when they were in stressful situations and under attack from all sides. Added to that, from the middle of the book onwards, it felt like Keller and Nation were observing and telling each other what was happening, with the narrator occasionally dropping in for a longer explanation - which to my mind bogged down the action.
Overall, the book's a decent afternoon read, but I'm not driven to grab the next in the series.
February 2, 2019
If you like a splinter cell adventure you would like this book.
First of all I enjoyed the characters in this book, I also enjoyed the technology. I thought the action was a little slow and plotting like a splinter cell video game adventure. A person Joe in a stealth suit having to sneak around during half of the book while his partner Becky shoots at alien spaceships. Maybe because the author is not from America he does not have that cowboy mentality. Not enough gun play for me. But those who like a splinter cell type book will enjoy this book.
First of all I enjoyed the characters in this book, I also enjoyed the technology. I thought the action was a little slow and plotting like a splinter cell video game adventure. A person Joe in a stealth suit having to sneak around during half of the book while his partner Becky shoots at alien spaceships. Maybe because the author is not from America he does not have that cowboy mentality. Not enough gun play for me. But those who like a splinter cell type book will enjoy this book.
September 20, 2020
Quite interesting and engaging story, it seemed a bit short but that didn't matter too much. I'm reading book 2 so it did something right. The 2 main characters seem interesting but you don't learn a lot about them, they worked together in the past maybe a previous book? Yet not much is given away so I'm left wondering what's going on. Who are the and what happened and why is nation more machine than human?
May 14, 2025
DNF 73%
I normally rate DNFs that fail to actively offend me with two stars. In this case, the first half had promise. Although nothing interesting was done with the titular premise of an augmented super-man, the emerging alien menace had all the signs of becoming a true space horror. Relentless, indestructible, and hungry.
Sadly, the book pivots to a terrible space battle with truly stupid A.I.s fighting each other. Was this the same book? I noped-out almost immediately.
I normally rate DNFs that fail to actively offend me with two stars. In this case, the first half had promise. Although nothing interesting was done with the titular premise of an augmented super-man, the emerging alien menace had all the signs of becoming a true space horror. Relentless, indestructible, and hungry.
Sadly, the book pivots to a terrible space battle with truly stupid A.I.s fighting each other. Was this the same book? I noped-out almost immediately.
July 24, 2020
Disconnected
I read the previous series (?) and logic would assume this as a continuation of the same universe. There are to many inconsistencies for it to be so, yet many of the same entities exist. Because if this, I had a difficult time completing and getting excited about the next one.
I read the previous series (?) and logic would assume this as a continuation of the same universe. There are to many inconsistencies for it to be so, yet many of the same entities exist. Because if this, I had a difficult time completing and getting excited about the next one.
July 7, 2021
Great Story!
Fans of the author will not be disappointed.
Bionic characters are fascinating warriors who each have different super powers but who are loyal to each other.
Technical aspects might be a bit excessive.
“Bad guys” are truly bad; the worst of them is pretty scary.
Crusty admiral is one of this author’s trademarks!
Fans of the author will not be disappointed.
Bionic characters are fascinating warriors who each have different super powers but who are loyal to each other.
Technical aspects might be a bit excessive.
“Bad guys” are truly bad; the worst of them is pretty scary.
Crusty admiral is one of this author’s trademarks!
November 5, 2022
Fans of the author will not be disappointed.
Bionic characters are fascinating warriors who each have different super powers but who are loyal to each other.
Technical aspects might be a bit excessive.
“Bad guys” are truly bad; the worst of them is pretty scary.
Crusty admiral is one of this author’s trademarks!
Bionic characters are fascinating warriors who each have different super powers but who are loyal to each other.
Technical aspects might be a bit excessive.
“Bad guys” are truly bad; the worst of them is pretty scary.
Crusty admiral is one of this author’s trademarks!
November 2, 2024
Tried this one as one of Audible's Plus, so was a free listen. Not too bad, will read/listen to more, only thing I found irritating was when talking over internal implants between main character and crew member on the ship was the changeover to initials instead of names. The narration was so rapid, I lost track of who was talking to who. The use of initials only happened at this time.
April 6, 2021
Wow
This was an excellent read. The continuation of the past two series, in a future full of surprises. I was captivated after the first paragraph. This is going to be a fantastic continuation!
Thank you.,
This was an excellent read. The continuation of the past two series, in a future full of surprises. I was captivated after the first paragraph. This is going to be a fantastic continuation!
Thank you.,
May 27, 2021
I listened to this instead of reading it, and a lot of the book was basically text chat between the main characters, and that got a little annoying verbally when every short statement was prefixed with the initials.
September 14, 2021
Man, Anthony James writes Science Fiction VERY well...!
This is almost like a prequel to the other two sets of books I've just read, and it's quite well written.
Just very enjoyable reading.
Highly recommended!
This is almost like a prequel to the other two sets of books I've just read, and it's quite well written.
Just very enjoyable reading.
Highly recommended!
September 10, 2022
Awesome Adventure
This was an excellent space opera full of thrills and intrigue. The action was fast paced and non-stop. The characters were real, easy to get behind. I really like this book and I highly recommend it.
This was an excellent space opera full of thrills and intrigue. The action was fast paced and non-stop. The characters were real, easy to get behind. I really like this book and I highly recommend it.
October 5, 2025
Good read.
This was a very good and interesting read . There was plenty of action in this book and also a new very powerful enemy shows up that neither side seams to know how to handle . I would suggest this book to any syfy lover.
This was a very good and interesting read . There was plenty of action in this book and also a new very powerful enemy shows up that neither side seams to know how to handle . I would suggest this book to any syfy lover.
March 26, 2019
Good read
I liked reading thievery and look forward to the next one .I enjoy all of Anthony James stories and will be reading more
I liked reading thievery and look forward to the next one .I enjoy all of Anthony James stories and will be reading more
April 10, 2019
Augmented
You have a very good book series going and I look forward to reading more exciting adventures! Thanks keep up the good work.
You have a very good book series going and I look forward to reading more exciting adventures! Thanks keep up the good work.
June 23, 2021
Three and a half stars, just couldn't get into it, the dialogue layout was very distracting. The story itself was a little offputting the way it was layed out.
October 1, 2021
A good read
Not a bad read. The characters are interesting and the plot is as well. A good serial story thus far.
Not a bad read. The characters are interesting and the plot is as well. A good serial story thus far.
April 1, 2024
Not even sure where the action from start to finish comes from? Not reading the other 6. Should have given up after 33%. Dire.
December 30, 2024
4/5 Stars
January 26, 2025
Good book liked the story book narration was ok like the authors over books 📚⭐️⭐️⭐️
February 17, 2022
I really enjoy Anthony James' books and have read many of his series. This first novel of the Transcended series started a bit rougher than many of his books. However, once this first installment got rolling, I was hooked. This series is set in the much later Crimson Tempest (Survival Wars) universe, about a 100+ years after the exploits of Captain John Dugan and then later Captain Charlie Blake (Obsidiar Fleet). Thus, you should start with the Survival Wars then Obsidiar Fleet series before starting The Transcended. They are very easy reading and perfect for reading late in the evening before bed. The books center around one to three characters and have an easy to follow linear plot style. I am an avid Sci-Fi reader, a retired senior naval officer, aviator and military operational planner; and enjoy military Sci-Fi in my older years. These books address that reading thirst. That said, the copies (kindle) are unfortunately beset with editorial issues from missing words to grammatical errors. That is frustrating, but if you overlook the mistakes and immerse yourself in the story, the overall read is quite enjoyable. Already started book 2! Cheers!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews