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War of the Spheres
When humanity reaches for the stars, our probes are destroyed. They crash into an incredibly advanced piece of a massive force-field. Unknown beings have placed a barrier around our star and planets, enclosing us within. We’re locked inside a Great Sphere. Was this invisible obstacle built to imprison us—or to protect us? No one knows the truth, but it soon becomes clear the barrier has leaks. Aliens infiltrate and try to sabotage our efforts to escape our cage. A warship crewed by military people and scientists beta-test an engine designed to pass through the barrier. Chief Gray, a security officer from Control, is assigned to help. His mission is Earth must escape her bonds at all costs, even if it means war with our hostile neighbors. War of the Spheres is a new novel by James Millington and B. V. Larson, a bestselling SF author with over three million copies sold.
- GenresScience FictionAudiobook
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 14, 2019
336 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
B.V. Larson
135 books1,529 followersBrian Larson is an American science fiction and fantasy author
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 17, 2019
OK. Could not finish this. I have tried. Could not do it. Just not good enough: the misterious man with special abilities, the aliens, the mission (always the mission)... and somehow, the pieces will not go together. Sorry, 60% of the book read and I cannot gather strength to continue. I will start another book.
Three stars, just because I hope that in the end the book starts to make some sense (no, it does not...)
Three stars, just because I hope that in the end the book starts to make some sense (no, it does not...)
February 20, 2019
Great elements of a story but terrible execution
Not the quality I expect from BV. Very wordy, dream like, less than a shell of world building, people acting very stupid and unbelievably.
Just way too much talking and not enough action, a mess really. The last third of the book is “Will Jessup let us turn on the device?”
But there were some very interesting if not original elements. The Sphere, the sleeping agent awakened with no memory and just a mission. I would prob read any sequels and hope they read this review and took my advice to make it readable.
Not the quality I expect from BV. Very wordy, dream like, less than a shell of world building, people acting very stupid and unbelievably.
Just way too much talking and not enough action, a mess really. The last third of the book is “Will Jessup let us turn on the device?”
But there were some very interesting if not original elements. The Sphere, the sleeping agent awakened with no memory and just a mission. I would prob read any sequels and hope they read this review and took my advice to make it readable.
June 6, 2024
This was what I expect from B.V. Larson. It had all the grit and enough detail without getting bogged down in the minutia.
April 13, 2019
This is another of those "loved the idea, liked the execution" reviews. The premise is simply first rate, you could do so much with it. And what Larson and Millington did with it was mostly enjoyable if, occasionally, frustrating. There are perhaps 10 or 15 too many scenes where the hero, after an infodump from one of the other characters, says "I don't understand". And then someone repeats what was perfectly obvious in a way that a 3 year old could come to grips with. Vast swathes of the plot depend on people who hate and distrust our hero not bothering to get in touch with higher authorities to ask obvious questions. Anyhow, presumably the next book will deal with the probability of his bosses either being or being in cahoots with the baddies, and can't wait to find out which it is.
October 4, 2021
I am usually a huge fan of BV larson stuff. but this book just irked me. Characters constantly fighting with the MC because of politics and other bs about the 50th time they tried to stop him from saving the day i just gave up.
December 12, 2022
This book started so well. The basic ideas are attractive and they make for a good story... But
Unfortunately, that's not what happened for the realization of this book.
1 waaaaay too much blah-blah (useless dialogues)
2 waaaaay too much time WASTED on blah-blah.
3 after all the blah-blah, there is ONE chapter dedicated to the whole purpose of the book and even THAT one is botched and boring.
4 even the worst military in the world can't have that much internecine strife and reticence to get anything done, ESPECIALLY under a supposed all powerful security apparatus. Most characters act like bad teen-level kingdom-building jerks.
5 typical wet-dream meaningless "romance"
6 the aliens are pathetic and even anthropomorphized in their behaviour.
This book seems to have been written in one sitting by bored teens playing a role game.
Not recommended... AT ALL.
Unfortunately, that's not what happened for the realization of this book.
1 waaaaay too much blah-blah (useless dialogues)
2 waaaaay too much time WASTED on blah-blah.
3 after all the blah-blah, there is ONE chapter dedicated to the whole purpose of the book and even THAT one is botched and boring.
4 even the worst military in the world can't have that much internecine strife and reticence to get anything done, ESPECIALLY under a supposed all powerful security apparatus. Most characters act like bad teen-level kingdom-building jerks.
5 typical wet-dream meaningless "romance"
6 the aliens are pathetic and even anthropomorphized in their behaviour.
This book seems to have been written in one sitting by bored teens playing a role game.
Not recommended... AT ALL.
April 4, 2019
The premise is interesting and I got caught up by the story itself but the execution was disappointing. I had a hard time to finish this (and I read the Mercenaries books in about a week, ALL of them).
I felt it was one story repeating itself multiple times, characters making the same mistake over and over again and one-dimensional, no emotional depth.
I would like to see what happens next but not with this writing. It’s not as good as Larson’s previous work.
I felt it was one story repeating itself multiple times, characters making the same mistake over and over again and one-dimensional, no emotional depth.
I would like to see what happens next but not with this writing. It’s not as good as Larson’s previous work.
July 4, 2019
Barely a 2 star rating, but I keep buying his books lol.
BV is an audiobook only author for me .. mindless un-inspirational guilty pleasure books.
Every series of BV's has the same character set. The hero who every woman wants to bang, the Zoidberg analog from Futurama, the same empty headed superiors on ships and planetary governments.
And I still keep on buying his books knowing what I will get? ...
BV is an audiobook only author for me .. mindless un-inspirational guilty pleasure books.
Every series of BV's has the same character set. The hero who every woman wants to bang, the Zoidberg analog from Futurama, the same empty headed superiors on ships and planetary governments.
And I still keep on buying his books knowing what I will get? ...
Read
July 3, 2023This book took an interesting idea, of the solar system encased in a sphere that we cannot penetrate, a team of scientists who develop a ship to try and escape this sphere, and something trying to stop them, and made it incredibly boring. I did not like the MC at all, but that could be down to a personal preference. The "badass with no actual human emotions because of big mystery mystery" is not a trope I enjoy.
April 17, 2019
Generally good but with some flaws
There are a few typographical errors to work on. In addition, if weight is emptied from a spinning object unevenly, the wobble would result in catastrophic failure.
With that said the suspense built nicely throughout the book, but if this series continues I would like to see more depth in the characters.
There are a few typographical errors to work on. In addition, if weight is emptied from a spinning object unevenly, the wobble would result in catastrophic failure.
With that said the suspense built nicely throughout the book, but if this series continues I would like to see more depth in the characters.
May 30, 2019
Good outing in this new collaboration. Far better than BV Larson’s Previous attempts to join forces with another author. Really well done second half but this book could have done so much more world building to give this story greater depth. I also felt the threat just wasn’t there. Hopefully this will improve in later books
August 6, 2019
Continuous action. In reality sometimes being the person who gets things done gets you into a lot of trouble. But sometimes that is the person that you need to be.
The book moves fast. But this is life. Life is not always political and nice decisions need to be made and yes people will die. It is not that we should ever want for loss of life, but it will happen.
The book moves fast. But this is life. Life is not always political and nice decisions need to be made and yes people will die. It is not that we should ever want for loss of life, but it will happen.
July 23, 2021
Soon as I started this book it immediately hooked me. Action-packed throughout, leaving you on the edge of your seat the entire time. Chief Grey kicks butt, all the while figuring out the mystery of the sphere.
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Spoilers below
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I was a little shocked that this seems to be a one-time book. It left room for a sequel. Perhaps it will be.
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Spoilers below
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I was a little shocked that this seems to be a one-time book. It left room for a sequel. Perhaps it will be.
February 10, 2019
Where will it lead from here?
Enjoyed it and couldn't put it down. Does not slow down, action throughout. Identifiable characters well described without using pages each to do so. Plenty of options to grow this into a series - which I am looking forward to.
Enjoyed it and couldn't put it down. Does not slow down, action throughout. Identifiable characters well described without using pages each to do so. Plenty of options to grow this into a series - which I am looking forward to.
February 17, 2019
Pretty good
The story line has a lot of potential. There was a common theme that those in charge were reluctant to change. The constant resistance was a bit trying after a while. It would have been nice to have dracula’s interactions have more humor.
The story line has a lot of potential. There was a common theme that those in charge were reluctant to change. The constant resistance was a bit trying after a while. It would have been nice to have dracula’s interactions have more humor.
March 7, 2019
Mr. Larson really knocked it out of the park with this one. I'm a big fan and read every book of his that comes out, but this one is a cut above the normal quality. Read it all in one go! Highly recommended.
April 29, 2019
Loved the hell out of every B.V. Larson book I've read thus far, but this one lacked his usual magic. An interesting plot and somewhat unique science fiction universe but ultimately let down by weak delivery, dialogue and hollow characters.
May 4, 2019
Your usual great writing, BV!
Greatly enjoyed this, and, of course, there’re lots of opportunities for sequels and prequels, Gray’s origins will make for fascinating prose, as will the ensuing interactions beyond our Sphere.
Keep it up!
And thanks!
Greatly enjoyed this, and, of course, there’re lots of opportunities for sequels and prequels, Gray’s origins will make for fascinating prose, as will the ensuing interactions beyond our Sphere.
Keep it up!
And thanks!
May 18, 2019
Sucked me in!
Great plot and mystery in this story. I didn't anticipate the outcome either. I'm looking forward to a sequel as not all is revealed, yet the ending here is very complete.
Great plot and mystery in this story. I didn't anticipate the outcome either. I'm looking forward to a sequel as not all is revealed, yet the ending here is very complete.
June 16, 2019
New Series?
A good start, but Gray needs to be fleshed out. His past, training, family, origin, etc. You have a universe to explore, you don't have to have a man of mystery to accomplish that. Oh yeah, and wars to fight. Go to it!
A good start, but Gray needs to be fleshed out. His past, training, family, origin, etc. You have a universe to explore, you don't have to have a man of mystery to accomplish that. Oh yeah, and wars to fight. Go to it!
August 25, 2019
Another Brilliant Read
BV Larson knocks another one out of the park with this latest story. Very dark. Very scientific. Very profound. I really hope this becomes a series as it will do well among loyal readers.
BV Larson knocks another one out of the park with this latest story. Very dark. Very scientific. Very profound. I really hope this becomes a series as it will do well among loyal readers.
December 1, 2019
Great story!
A wonderful well written story, action pack danger,smart and dedication people if a little eccentric. Would like to see the series where they make ships to match the bugs and go out to find the builders of the Sphere and established themselves in the star's.
A wonderful well written story, action pack danger,smart and dedication people if a little eccentric. Would like to see the series where they make ships to match the bugs and go out to find the builders of the Sphere and established themselves in the star's.
February 8, 2019
Excellent novel
Another fantastic book, picked it up and couldn't put it down till I had finished it.
I would love to see this as a series...
Another fantastic book, picked it up and couldn't put it down till I had finished it.
I would love to see this as a series...
February 25, 2019
Great new series
Larson has another great series.
From cover to cover this book was a page turner.
I've never seen a more prolific or speedy author.
Larson has another great series.
From cover to cover this book was a page turner.
I've never seen a more prolific or speedy author.
March 2, 2019
Good tale
Excellent story line. As always, well written by the author. Great beginning of a new series. It would be a crime if the story did not continue.
Excellent story line. As always, well written by the author. Great beginning of a new series. It would be a crime if the story did not continue.
March 9, 2019
I liked it very entertaining book. I hope he writes another one to continue the story.
July 4, 2019
Excellent new addition
Excellent new addition by Larson. Hoping this will become a long and thoroughly enjoyable series. Another homerun book that was impossible to put down.
Excellent new addition by Larson. Hoping this will become a long and thoroughly enjoyable series. Another homerun book that was impossible to put down.
August 26, 2019
Great storyline
Excellent writing and a great story! I always enjoy reading B V Larson’s novels. Thoroughly recommended if you enjoy good scifi.
Excellent writing and a great story! I always enjoy reading B V Larson’s novels. Thoroughly recommended if you enjoy good scifi.
September 13, 2019
War of the spheres
An interesting take on the "are we being kept safe or kept jailed" nothing too ground breaking, but a good read nonetheless.
An interesting take on the "are we being kept safe or kept jailed" nothing too ground breaking, but a good read nonetheless.
June 25, 2021
Interesting concept, I enjoyed the story and am looking forward to the next installment.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews