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Omega War #8
A Pale Dawn
The tides of war have shifted, and humanity has the Galactic Union on the run. After a stunning victory at the Merc Guild shipyard of Golara, the leaders of the Four Horsemen mercenary units of Earth have decided it’s time to take back the colonies the Merc Guild has captured, and the Horsemen split up to liberate them. While the Merc Guild still has humanity outnumbered, Alexis Cromwell, the leader of the Winged Hussars, has incorporated the ships captured in Golara into her fleet, and she hopes the Humans can achieve local superiority across four systems with her new battleships and her Egleesius cruisers. And…if the attacks go well, the next target might even be…Earth, itself? But Peepo, the leader of the Merc Guild forces, didn’t get to her position by being stupid, and she continues not only to thwart the Humans, but also in her efforts to find the Hussars’ secret base in New Warsaw. If she can find it, she has a fleet ready to destroy it, and then the Humans will have nowhere left to run. The forces are on a collision course, with all sights set on Earth. A pale dawn is rising, and there’s only one question that remains—who will be left standing when the clock reaches noon? Dragon Award Finalist for Best Military Science Fiction Novel!
529 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 29, 2019
255 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Chris Kennedy
138 books163 followersA Webster Award winner and three-time Dragon Award finalist, Chris Kennedy is a Science Fiction/Fantasy author, speaker, and small-press publisher who has written over 50 books and published more than 400 others. Get his free book, “Shattered Crucible,” at his website, https://chriskennedypublishing.com.
Called “fantastic” and “a great speaker,” he has coached hundreds of beginning authors and budding novelists on how to self-publish their stories at a variety of conferences, conventions, and writing guild presentations. He is the author of the award-winning #1 bestseller, “Self-Publishing for Profit: How to Get Your Book Out of Your Head and Into the Stores.”
Chris lives in Coinjock, North Carolina, with his wife. Follow Chris on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ckpublishing/.
Called “fantastic” and “a great speaker,” he has coached hundreds of beginning authors and budding novelists on how to self-publish their stories at a variety of conferences, conventions, and writing guild presentations. He is the author of the award-winning #1 bestseller, “Self-Publishing for Profit: How to Get Your Book Out of Your Head and Into the Stores.”
Chris lives in Coinjock, North Carolina, with his wife. Follow Chris on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ckpublishing/.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 5, 2019
Long awaited!
I've been waiting for this book for so long. Well worth it, as always. Now I get to wait even longer to find out what Sato was up to.
I've been waiting for this book for so long. Well worth it, as always. Now I get to wait even longer to find out what Sato was up to.
February 2, 2019
A stunning, yet bittersweet read
Excellent writing and a hugely developed universe lead to what I believe to be one of the best books in an amazing series. This book will take you on a rollercoaster of emotion as you join the four horsemen in their bid to retake earth. Old friends return, and some old friends go, but Humanity for Earth Endures!
Excellent writing and a hugely developed universe lead to what I believe to be one of the best books in an amazing series. This book will take you on a rollercoaster of emotion as you join the four horsemen in their bid to retake earth. Old friends return, and some old friends go, but Humanity for Earth Endures!
February 12, 2019
Raknar, Cavanar and Fae, Oh My!
Holy Minerva where do I begin to describe how action packed this book is. General Peepo, hellbent to destroy humanity has stopped at nothing to ensure that this comes to fruition. Each commander of the 4 Horsemen have set out to take back those areas currently held by the Merc Guild. The cost is heavy, both sides taking massive causalities.
Jim Cartright even has to pull out his raknar Dash into the fight, but is it enough.?
Why is the Merc guild still using banned Cavanar to hold a town in fear?
And what of the Fae, deceptively clever, mysterious and intriguing. What is their roll in all of this?
You will just have to read the book to find out. A couple plot twists had me blown away causing me to say, "what just happened here!?" These are the type of stories that both Chris Kennedy and Mark Wandrey write. It leaves you on the edge of your seat like a wild roller coaster ride and at the end, with your heart racing and blood pumping, you look for the next book so you can do it all over again! Seriously, go and buy this book! You won't be disappointed.
Holy Minerva where do I begin to describe how action packed this book is. General Peepo, hellbent to destroy humanity has stopped at nothing to ensure that this comes to fruition. Each commander of the 4 Horsemen have set out to take back those areas currently held by the Merc Guild. The cost is heavy, both sides taking massive causalities.
Jim Cartright even has to pull out his raknar Dash into the fight, but is it enough.?
Why is the Merc guild still using banned Cavanar to hold a town in fear?
And what of the Fae, deceptively clever, mysterious and intriguing. What is their roll in all of this?
You will just have to read the book to find out. A couple plot twists had me blown away causing me to say, "what just happened here!?" These are the type of stories that both Chris Kennedy and Mark Wandrey write. It leaves you on the edge of your seat like a wild roller coaster ride and at the end, with your heart racing and blood pumping, you look for the next book so you can do it all over again! Seriously, go and buy this book! You won't be disappointed.
February 3, 2019
Did I Just Cross the Rubicon, or the Event Horizon!?!
I remember the first I really got involved in an epic story, it was as a child sitting under a layer of cigarette smoke on the linoleum floor of our living room watching "The Longest Day" on our old 19" black and white Admiral. The overwhelming feeling of awe and amazement at the conclusion of the film left an indelible mark on my mind and created a new filter through which I passed all that I saw and read from that point on. That filter was occasionally expanded as I consumed the classics in literature and film (Azimov, Heinlein, Kubrick, Kurosawa, Niven, Pournelle, Serling, Tolkien, Tolstoy, Zelazny... the list goes on!) over the last half-century, but now comes "A Pale Dawn"... my filter has gone from "mere expansion" to "Total Paradigm Shift!". Bravo to the creators; add my 5 stars to the galaxy of stars as this universe of the four horsemen expands!
I remember the first I really got involved in an epic story, it was as a child sitting under a layer of cigarette smoke on the linoleum floor of our living room watching "The Longest Day" on our old 19" black and white Admiral. The overwhelming feeling of awe and amazement at the conclusion of the film left an indelible mark on my mind and created a new filter through which I passed all that I saw and read from that point on. That filter was occasionally expanded as I consumed the classics in literature and film (Azimov, Heinlein, Kubrick, Kurosawa, Niven, Pournelle, Serling, Tolkien, Tolstoy, Zelazny... the list goes on!) over the last half-century, but now comes "A Pale Dawn"... my filter has gone from "mere expansion" to "Total Paradigm Shift!". Bravo to the creators; add my 5 stars to the galaxy of stars as this universe of the four horsemen expands!
February 10, 2019
Ultimate Cliffhanger!!!
Amazing on the non stop action! I had been plodding my way thru another marine book that went way too detailed on training (ex marine - feels like honoring his boot camp experience with Sci Fi writing), picked this up, what a difference!
And my faith In Peepo was restored!
And a huge cliffhanger at the end.
I hope the next book gets published fast!
Amazing on the non stop action! I had been plodding my way thru another marine book that went way too detailed on training (ex marine - feels like honoring his boot camp experience with Sci Fi writing), picked this up, what a difference!
And my faith In Peepo was restored!
And a huge cliffhanger at the end.
I hope the next book gets published fast!
February 6, 2019
Another solid installment
Another solid installment of the Omega war series. They pulled in threads from different books while adding new twists and turns. Ends with you wanting more and wanting it now! ;)
Another solid installment of the Omega war series. They pulled in threads from different books while adding new twists and turns. Ends with you wanting more and wanting it now! ;)
February 11, 2019
Outstanding
Very well thought out and unexpected ending. You could use the plot as a great explanation of strategy. Starts a bit slow laying a foundation for the twist at the end.
Very well thought out and unexpected ending. You could use the plot as a great explanation of strategy. Starts a bit slow laying a foundation for the twist at the end.
February 9, 2019
Fantastic
Just when you think you can see the light at the end of the tunnel you find its an oncoming train!
This series continues to go from strength to dtrength. Plenty of action and a good plot that continues to unfold.
Just when you think you can see the light at the end of the tunnel you find its an oncoming train!
This series continues to go from strength to dtrength. Plenty of action and a good plot that continues to unfold.
June 5, 2019
A Pale Dawn
Book Eight of The Omega War By Chris Kennedy & Mark Wandrey
I am so far behind on my reading and reviewing that I have just abandoned any pretense of submitting these reviews in any kind of order. I'm just cranking through, and hoping that any spoilers are cryptic enough, that nobody has their reading experiences, well, spoiled.
Along those lines I DO wish to make one POSSIBLE criticism: at the end of the books, there is the excellent feature of providing chapters from future books. Y'all be CAREFUL about those! Some facts not in evidence might get presented, to use some of the legal phrases I picked up from watching 'Law and Order.'
First, for all you military science fiction fans (like me) out there: Even if you have never read a single one of the prequels, you are going to LOVE this book! High tech, low tech; boomers, bangers, boppers and stompers. Plenty of exploding spaceships! SIGNIFICANT military planning, tactics, strategy, and LOGISTICS! If you SHOULD happen to be stuck in some minor corner of the world, and this one comes into your hands, go ahead and read it. When you return to the world, you can get caught up. Yes. My friends, it is that well done.
HOWEVER, for the vast majority who are pulling down these books as soon as they appear, like a pack of ravenous wolves after bunnies and caribou, this answers questions, asks more, and moves the story along in decidedly lovely ways.
Peepo, the villainous villain who has betrayed the entire universe, but Humans most of all, almost seems to be on the ropes. The pesky Humans, despite suffering losses, have had the dice roll their way too many times, and may even be starting an end game. Wonder how she will react to all this bad news?
On the desert rock known as Paradise, Lt Col Walker has to dig in with the few Winged Hussar troops he has, along with a pitifully small defense force, because all of the rest of the troops and equipment had to flee the system in the face of an overwhelming Mercenary Guild force.
Taiko Sato, the inquisitive genius who saves lives and also gets people killed when his plans go wrong, is quite busy. He is attempting to get back into the good graces of his commander, by repairing and improving everything he touches. Even so, he is first on close confinement, then given permission to move about, but ONLY under the direct guard of two Marines, and close observation by a member of the Geek Squad. Nobody could do anything sneaky under that kind of supervision! Could they?
Sansar Enkh has visions; Alexis Cromwell attempts to maintain iron control of herself and her company, despite being all squishy inside at the thought of Nigel Shiraz; and Jim Cartwright is learning more about his Fae Splunk and the Ragnar than he really wanted to know.
And it all leads up to an assault on Earth. Don't miss this one!
Book Eight of The Omega War By Chris Kennedy & Mark Wandrey
I am so far behind on my reading and reviewing that I have just abandoned any pretense of submitting these reviews in any kind of order. I'm just cranking through, and hoping that any spoilers are cryptic enough, that nobody has their reading experiences, well, spoiled.
Along those lines I DO wish to make one POSSIBLE criticism: at the end of the books, there is the excellent feature of providing chapters from future books. Y'all be CAREFUL about those! Some facts not in evidence might get presented, to use some of the legal phrases I picked up from watching 'Law and Order.'
First, for all you military science fiction fans (like me) out there: Even if you have never read a single one of the prequels, you are going to LOVE this book! High tech, low tech; boomers, bangers, boppers and stompers. Plenty of exploding spaceships! SIGNIFICANT military planning, tactics, strategy, and LOGISTICS! If you SHOULD happen to be stuck in some minor corner of the world, and this one comes into your hands, go ahead and read it. When you return to the world, you can get caught up. Yes. My friends, it is that well done.
HOWEVER, for the vast majority who are pulling down these books as soon as they appear, like a pack of ravenous wolves after bunnies and caribou, this answers questions, asks more, and moves the story along in decidedly lovely ways.
Peepo, the villainous villain who has betrayed the entire universe, but Humans most of all, almost seems to be on the ropes. The pesky Humans, despite suffering losses, have had the dice roll their way too many times, and may even be starting an end game. Wonder how she will react to all this bad news?
On the desert rock known as Paradise, Lt Col Walker has to dig in with the few Winged Hussar troops he has, along with a pitifully small defense force, because all of the rest of the troops and equipment had to flee the system in the face of an overwhelming Mercenary Guild force.
Taiko Sato, the inquisitive genius who saves lives and also gets people killed when his plans go wrong, is quite busy. He is attempting to get back into the good graces of his commander, by repairing and improving everything he touches. Even so, he is first on close confinement, then given permission to move about, but ONLY under the direct guard of two Marines, and close observation by a member of the Geek Squad. Nobody could do anything sneaky under that kind of supervision! Could they?
Sansar Enkh has visions; Alexis Cromwell attempts to maintain iron control of herself and her company, despite being all squishy inside at the thought of Nigel Shiraz; and Jim Cartwright is learning more about his Fae Splunk and the Ragnar than he really wanted to know.
And it all leads up to an assault on Earth. Don't miss this one!
November 26, 2021
Wow! What a book. The action really ramps up in this book, but it ends in almost all of the Human Mercs defeated, dead or running for their lives, after Peepo manages to pull off a huge trap that even I could see coming, but didn't know how she was going to pull it off.
The Four Horsemen are in disarray as Alexis is killed (or is she?), Jim is captured, and Nigel and Sansar manage to escape back to the Winged Hussars secret base.
And what about Splunk and her Fae companions. It's revealed that they are in fact the legendary Dusman, back from the long distant past, and I'm not sure I like this development. They seem far more cold-blooded than they've been depicted before, and unconcerned at all the human casualties they cause while using the Raknar. I suspect Jim will be horrified (at least, I hope so) when he realises just what they have done. Can't wait to read the next book.
The Four Horsemen are in disarray as Alexis is killed (or is she?), Jim is captured, and Nigel and Sansar manage to escape back to the Winged Hussars secret base.
And what about Splunk and her Fae companions. It's revealed that they are in fact the legendary Dusman, back from the long distant past, and I'm not sure I like this development. They seem far more cold-blooded than they've been depicted before, and unconcerned at all the human casualties they cause while using the Raknar. I suspect Jim will be horrified (at least, I hope so) when he realises just what they have done. Can't wait to read the next book.
February 14, 2019
Alexis! No!
For a long time I've replaced reality with books. It has also been a long time since I have been sucked into a storyline that left my heart racing and tears in the corners of my eyes.
Chris Kennedy does a masterful job of writing amazing action scenes and interesting and emotionally full characters.
I'm taking the time to write this because I want to say thanks to him and Mark for creating a series that I haven't been able to put down. Thank you guys and keep it up.
For a long time I've replaced reality with books. It has also been a long time since I have been sucked into a storyline that left my heart racing and tears in the corners of my eyes.
Chris Kennedy does a masterful job of writing amazing action scenes and interesting and emotionally full characters.
I'm taking the time to write this because I want to say thanks to him and Mark for creating a series that I haven't been able to put down. Thank you guys and keep it up.
April 27, 2019
The "Four Horsemen" books are numerous and this universe is big enough that not all of it holds my attention as much as the "main sequence" characters stories do. This is one of those latter books, and it certainly kept me reading.
There is lots of action, suspense, mystery (some a bit telegraphed if you're paying attention) and wheels-within-wheels galactic politics. I had a hard time putting it down, and I'm forcing myself to read book 9 instead of skipping to 10 to see how the multiple cliffhangers from the end of this one play out.
There is lots of action, suspense, mystery (some a bit telegraphed if you're paying attention) and wheels-within-wheels galactic politics. I had a hard time putting it down, and I'm forcing myself to read book 9 instead of skipping to 10 to see how the multiple cliffhangers from the end of this one play out.
February 14, 2019
The Horseman are Coming
If you have been reading these then hold on. This book doesn't disappoint. Many secrets finally revealed. Many surprises still in store. I kept reading all night long. Just when you think you reach a point you can put the book down, another surprise happens.
If you have been reading these then hold on. This book doesn't disappoint. Many secrets finally revealed. Many surprises still in store. I kept reading all night long. Just when you think you reach a point you can put the book down, another surprise happens.
April 8, 2021
Lots of 4HU action, hard to put down
As usual, another great 4HU Book with plenty of fighting and surprises. Only one criticism is that the setup for the Sol system battle was a little lacking and it was hard to comprehend how certain elements were set in place, had to read that part twice.
As usual, another great 4HU Book with plenty of fighting and surprises. Only one criticism is that the setup for the Sol system battle was a little lacking and it was hard to comprehend how certain elements were set in place, had to read that part twice.
February 26, 2019
This one was good.
Think Empire Strikes Back. No spoilers here. Really enjoyed the fresh direction, action, characters and plot. The book also does a good job tying up multiple loose threads from prior books by other authors
Think Empire Strikes Back. No spoilers here. Really enjoyed the fresh direction, action, characters and plot. The book also does a good job tying up multiple loose threads from prior books by other authors
February 14, 2019
Great !
As usual, it's been a great story. I enjoy the Four Horsemen universe, and would like to see more artists renderings of the different species.
As usual, it's been a great story. I enjoy the Four Horsemen universe, and would like to see more artists renderings of the different species.
June 23, 2019
Action everywhere and things aren't as good as they seem.
August 18, 2019
wow, what a rollercoaster of a book, i really enjoyed it and was surprised by events in some parts and looking forward to reading more about some events hopefully in the future
October 28, 2019
An excellent book though a little predictable.
November 11, 2019
I thought this was good but some portions of it seemed a little slow paced.
December 14, 2019
I love this series
Nothing new you say, just filling space so Amazon counts the review. Only 6 more little words are still required...
Nothing new you say, just filling space so Amazon counts the review. Only 6 more little words are still required...
February 9, 2020
Going out with whimper
Otherwise good book full of action etc.
But how can commanders be so stupid when preparing for battles. No recon, no strategy.
Otherwise good book full of action etc.
But how can commanders be so stupid when preparing for battles. No recon, no strategy.
September 23, 2020
Raknars - Heck yeah!
The Battle to retake Earth begins.
The Battle to retake Earth begins.
February 21, 2024
Well thought out, although not a fun read.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews