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The Fifth Column #1
The Fifth Column
After a soldier is left for dead, Eva Delgado’s life begins to unravel.
The truth of what happened remains a mystery, and the government will stop at nothing to keep it buried.
Together with the unit’s medic, Eva finds herself branded a terrorist and enemy of the State, hunted by two opposing governments.
When the pair uncover a plot that could have ramifications for the whole galaxy, they know they have to act, but it will take all of their training, cunning and just a bit of luck to do what no one else has achieved.
But what do you do when every secret begets another? And how far will you go to find the answers?
The truth of what happened remains a mystery, and the government will stop at nothing to keep it buried.
Together with the unit’s medic, Eva finds herself branded a terrorist and enemy of the State, hunted by two opposing governments.
When the pair uncover a plot that could have ramifications for the whole galaxy, they know they have to act, but it will take all of their training, cunning and just a bit of luck to do what no one else has achieved.
But what do you do when every secret begets another? And how far will you go to find the answers?
- GenresScience FictionAudiobook
328 pages, Paperback
First published April 27, 2019
209 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
About the author
J.N. Chaney
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 26, 2019
Wow! I must say I’m totally impressed with this new series! Molly Lerma and Chaney have done a wonderful job co-writing! Another glimpse from the Renegade universe, this one from the Sarkonian Empire’s point of view and from two fantastic and inspirational protagonists, who realize the corruption and evilness of the inner circle government and the atrocities committed for their own benefit. The girls follow their own instincts, like future Robyns, to help humanity against the terrible experiments committed by their empire. I’m definitely going to follow this series!
June 8, 2021
The Fifth Column
By: J. N. Chaney, Molly Lerma
Narrated by: Khristine Hvam
This was a fun and action packed space opera in the making. This is where the players are introduced, secrets hinted at, bad guys established, and the tensions are high! Then POW!
We have renegades! Lots of suspense, great sci-fi, action, and great characters to like and hate! Liked it enough I immediately grabbed #2 right after this!
By: J. N. Chaney, Molly Lerma
Narrated by: Khristine Hvam
This was a fun and action packed space opera in the making. This is where the players are introduced, secrets hinted at, bad guys established, and the tensions are high! Then POW!
We have renegades! Lots of suspense, great sci-fi, action, and great characters to like and hate! Liked it enough I immediately grabbed #2 right after this!
February 18, 2025
This is another series in Chaney's Renegade Star Universe. This time it is in the Sarkonian Empire, or it starts there anyway.
I really liked Eva and Sophie and I love that their spaceship has an AI that has a budding personality. It takes me back to the ship in the Renegade Star series where the ship's AI Sigmond had a very developed personality. So I hope the AI in this series will evolve too because Sigmond was great fun.
In this book Eva and Sophie's lives take a huge turn and I can't wait to see how their life will evolve in the next books.
I really liked Eva and Sophie and I love that their spaceship has an AI that has a budding personality. It takes me back to the ship in the Renegade Star series where the ship's AI Sigmond had a very developed personality. So I hope the AI in this series will evolve too because Sigmond was great fun.
In this book Eva and Sophie's lives take a huge turn and I can't wait to see how their life will evolve in the next books.
May 9, 2019
A futuristic Robin Hood.
This is real sci-fi. Here you have a young woman who was taken forcibly from her parents at the age of six. Although she didn’t see them die we can assume that was their fate by reading between the lines. Because she fought against impossible odds, the mission leader took her to be raised by an army officer who needed a child in order to progress up the ranks. She had her identity wiped out and became Eva Delgado. It was not a happy home and she soon learned to obey and to be a good, loyal Sarkonian. When she was old enough she was sent to the academy where she met Sophia who went on to become a medic. They soon became good friends with Sophie helping Eva with her maths and Eva helping Sophie with her combat skills. The Sarkonian Empire doesn’t one across as benevolent and everything starts to unravel for Eva when the team leader leaves one of their own to die. When she is ordered to kill a child on a later mission, that is the final straw and she and Sophie, with the help of their ship’s AI, become rebels. They know that their enemy, the Union, are as bad as the Sarkons so they decide to take jobs that undermines these two whenever they can.
The story is good, if a bit light on detail, and it’s a relaxing read. It has introduced me to two new authors and I will be checking out the other books to see just how good they are. This will definitely appeal to younger readers and anyone who likes Robin Hood type heroes.
This is real sci-fi. Here you have a young woman who was taken forcibly from her parents at the age of six. Although she didn’t see them die we can assume that was their fate by reading between the lines. Because she fought against impossible odds, the mission leader took her to be raised by an army officer who needed a child in order to progress up the ranks. She had her identity wiped out and became Eva Delgado. It was not a happy home and she soon learned to obey and to be a good, loyal Sarkonian. When she was old enough she was sent to the academy where she met Sophia who went on to become a medic. They soon became good friends with Sophie helping Eva with her maths and Eva helping Sophie with her combat skills. The Sarkonian Empire doesn’t one across as benevolent and everything starts to unravel for Eva when the team leader leaves one of their own to die. When she is ordered to kill a child on a later mission, that is the final straw and she and Sophie, with the help of their ship’s AI, become rebels. They know that their enemy, the Union, are as bad as the Sarkons so they decide to take jobs that undermines these two whenever they can.
The story is good, if a bit light on detail, and it’s a relaxing read. It has introduced me to two new authors and I will be checking out the other books to see just how good they are. This will definitely appeal to younger readers and anyone who likes Robin Hood type heroes.
May 25, 2019
The Fifth Column J.N. Chaney
The Sarkonian empire. The Union empire. Both control all that is known. Both will do whatever is necessary to accomplish their goals. Even kill their own. Eva Delgado is an elite soldier in the Sarkonian military. Taken from her natural parents by force to serve them. Now by a course of events against her she has betrayed them. Now Eva and her only friend Sophie are traitors. Actually Renagades . A fitting title. Non stop action on every page. Enjoyed immensely!
The Sarkonian empire. The Union empire. Both control all that is known. Both will do whatever is necessary to accomplish their goals. Even kill their own. Eva Delgado is an elite soldier in the Sarkonian military. Taken from her natural parents by force to serve them. Now by a course of events against her she has betrayed them. Now Eva and her only friend Sophie are traitors. Actually Renagades . A fitting title. Non stop action on every page. Enjoyed immensely!
January 13, 2020
A great collaboration between JN Chaney and Molly Leema. Molly brings a great group of new heroes? In to the Renegade Universe. These story starts to uncover the suspected unrest in the massive Sarkonnen Empire in its struggles against the Union and, uh, others...haha...refreshing to have an all female merc crew with a conscience to read about.
March 6, 2022
I don't read a lot of hard/space sci-fi, because I often find they tell the same story and have the same characters. But I've got an idea for a space sci-fi myself now, and so I have to do my research!
This book was a good start, I think. While it was predictable and fell into many of the tropes I don't like with the genre, I found the whole writing style light and entertaining, and so it wasn't a question whether I wanted to keep listening on not, at any time. I also very much liked the hair dye stuff, because it gave me a cyberpunk feeling, and that's a genre I very much want to explore more.
And I don't think I have any more to say than that. This book is currently free with Audible Plus, and so I picked it up that way. The second book is also free, but not book 3. I've already downloaded book 2, though, so we'll just have to see where this goes!
This book was a good start, I think. While it was predictable and fell into many of the tropes I don't like with the genre, I found the whole writing style light and entertaining, and so it wasn't a question whether I wanted to keep listening on not, at any time. I also very much liked the hair dye stuff, because it gave me a cyberpunk feeling, and that's a genre I very much want to explore more.
And I don't think I have any more to say than that. This book is currently free with Audible Plus, and so I picked it up that way. The second book is also free, but not book 3. I've already downloaded book 2, though, so we'll just have to see where this goes!
December 14, 2022
This was an exciting science fiction action book. Really liked Eva, Sophie and Z. Very nicely narrated by Kristine Hvam. Glad I caught this one for free before it leaves Audible Plus. Going to start the next one in the series before it, too, leaves Audible Plus in a week. Glad I stumbled on this one.
October 11, 2019
Great fun, a good read..
I picked this up almost by accident, which turned out to be a fortuitous one. Having read the Renegade and Reaper books, tripping over another in the Union/Empire series turned out far better than expected. This is another excellent book to add to the series. Very much worth a look. Highly recommended.
I picked this up almost by accident, which turned out to be a fortuitous one. Having read the Renegade and Reaper books, tripping over another in the Union/Empire series turned out far better than expected. This is another excellent book to add to the series. Very much worth a look. Highly recommended.
May 16, 2019
Love this new series..
Love your new series. Lots of surprises and action. Romance, Espionage and Military Sci Fi all in one book. I really enjoyed The Fith Column and hope June gets here soon for the next book in the series.
Love your new series. Lots of surprises and action. Romance, Espionage and Military Sci Fi all in one book. I really enjoyed The Fith Column and hope June gets here soon for the next book in the series.
May 17, 2019
Worth the read
Well written tome with a somewhat typical and meandering plot that takes the female protagonists from loyal soldiers to renegades in a quest to prevent universal annihilation.
Well written tome with a somewhat typical and meandering plot that takes the female protagonists from loyal soldiers to renegades in a quest to prevent universal annihilation.
July 24, 2019
Good read
It took me a few chapters to get comfortable with the storyline. I like how this series parallels the awesome Renegade series and really gets more interesting as the story progresses each chapter. Grabbing the next book THE SOLARIS INITIATIVE!
It took me a few chapters to get comfortable with the storyline. I like how this series parallels the awesome Renegade series and really gets more interesting as the story progresses each chapter. Grabbing the next book THE SOLARIS INITIATIVE!
May 1, 2019
The quality I have come to expect
Putting out books at a frantic pace you would think at some point quality would suffer. Lucky for us it hasn't. Well paced and written.
Putting out books at a frantic pace you would think at some point quality would suffer. Lucky for us it hasn't. Well paced and written.
May 10, 2019
Great start to a new series set in the familiar Renegade universe. Plot twists, interesting characters, fast moving action, all make for a enjoyable read. Looking forward to Book 2 in this series
May 14, 2019
An excellent story told from the perspective of the Sarkonians (one of the bad guys in most of the books). Good characters and very fast paced.
June 8, 2019
Another fast-paced home run!
I absolutely, loved this new series starter! I am definitely looking forward to the next book The Fifth Column is very promising!
I absolutely, loved this new series starter! I am definitely looking forward to the next book The Fifth Column is very promising!
December 28, 2024
This book is EXCELLENT. Really stands out among other books. Writing is amazing and the characters are so deep and relatable. Plenty of twists too.
February 25, 2024
Hey there, fellow digital denizens and furry aficionados! It's your pal, Kiba Snowpaw, hailing from the frosty and fantastical world of HowlStrom. Today, I'm here to share a review of a gripping audiobook that's sure to send shivers down your spine, not from the cold of my icy homeland, but from sheer excitement and adventure! Let's dive into "The Fifth Column #1" by J.N. Chaney and Molly Lerma, an epic tale set against the backdrop of a galaxy where secrets and danger lurk around every asteroid.
Imagine, if you will, a world where the stakes are as high as the peaks of HowlStrom, and the heroes are as brave as the fiercest Ice Wolves. In this tale, Eva Delgado's life takes a turn for the extraordinary when a fellow soldier's mysterious fate entangles her in a web of intrigue and government conspiracies. Branded a terrorist and hunted by powers that seek to keep their secrets buried, Eva, alongside the unit’s medic, embarks on a journey that could change the course of the galaxy itself.
As they uncover a plot with galaxy-shaking ramifications, Eva and her companion must rely on their training, cunning, and a bit of that good old furry luck to achieve what seems impossible. But in a universe where every secret unravels another, how far will they go for the truth?
Now, let's talk about what makes this story as thrilling as a midnight run through the snow under a full moon. The dynamic duo of Chaney and Lerma crafts a universe as vast and mysterious as the starry sky above HowlStrom, with characters that inspire and intrigue. Eva and her medic friend are not just characters; they're beacons of hope in a universe on the brink, fighting not just for survival, but for what's right.
What sets this tale apart is its ability to blend action-packed sci-fi with the depth of character and plot usually found in the most legendary of furry tales. It's like mixing the thrill of a space opera with the heart and soul of a furry adventure, creating a story that resonates with anyone who's ever dreamed of exploring the stars or howling at the moon in defiance of the darkness.
The audiobook version, narrated with the skill and passion that brings galaxies to life, immerses you in the action, making you feel as if you're right there beside Eva, facing down the unknown with courage and determination. It's a performance that elevates the tale to new heights, making every moment of suspense, every reveal, and every battle a visceral experience.
As I wrap up this review, with the auroras of HowlStrom dancing overhead, I invite you, my fellow adventurers and furry friends, to embark on this journey through "The Fifth Column #1." It's a tale of courage, of mystery, and of the indomitable spirit that defines the best of us, whether we're human, furry, or somewhere in between.
Until our paths cross again in the vast wilderness of space or the icy expanse of HowlStrom, keep your tails wagging and your spirits high. The universe is vast, filled with stories waiting to be told, and adventures waiting to be had. Howl long, and prosper!
Imagine, if you will, a world where the stakes are as high as the peaks of HowlStrom, and the heroes are as brave as the fiercest Ice Wolves. In this tale, Eva Delgado's life takes a turn for the extraordinary when a fellow soldier's mysterious fate entangles her in a web of intrigue and government conspiracies. Branded a terrorist and hunted by powers that seek to keep their secrets buried, Eva, alongside the unit’s medic, embarks on a journey that could change the course of the galaxy itself.
As they uncover a plot with galaxy-shaking ramifications, Eva and her companion must rely on their training, cunning, and a bit of that good old furry luck to achieve what seems impossible. But in a universe where every secret unravels another, how far will they go for the truth?
Now, let's talk about what makes this story as thrilling as a midnight run through the snow under a full moon. The dynamic duo of Chaney and Lerma crafts a universe as vast and mysterious as the starry sky above HowlStrom, with characters that inspire and intrigue. Eva and her medic friend are not just characters; they're beacons of hope in a universe on the brink, fighting not just for survival, but for what's right.
What sets this tale apart is its ability to blend action-packed sci-fi with the depth of character and plot usually found in the most legendary of furry tales. It's like mixing the thrill of a space opera with the heart and soul of a furry adventure, creating a story that resonates with anyone who's ever dreamed of exploring the stars or howling at the moon in defiance of the darkness.
The audiobook version, narrated with the skill and passion that brings galaxies to life, immerses you in the action, making you feel as if you're right there beside Eva, facing down the unknown with courage and determination. It's a performance that elevates the tale to new heights, making every moment of suspense, every reveal, and every battle a visceral experience.
As I wrap up this review, with the auroras of HowlStrom dancing overhead, I invite you, my fellow adventurers and furry friends, to embark on this journey through "The Fifth Column #1." It's a tale of courage, of mystery, and of the indomitable spirit that defines the best of us, whether we're human, furry, or somewhere in between.
Until our paths cross again in the vast wilderness of space or the icy expanse of HowlStrom, keep your tails wagging and your spirits high. The universe is vast, filled with stories waiting to be told, and adventures waiting to be had. Howl long, and prosper!
May 18, 2019
Had possibilities
This book feels unsure of itself. It's almost a classic goofball " space adventure/cartoon" but the main character and her three friends (one is an AI) are real people. I read the Reaper series, book one and it became a videogame shooter on page really quickly. This looks to be headed in the same direction.
I think that the main problem is that the world building is way too incomplete to support real characters. It seems at first like a workable, light weight background (much like Star Trek) until the plot puts unexpected strains on the characters. The result for Star Trek was a canon? that's argued online but doesn't really exist as a complete or logical universe.
If this series is almost rebooted in book 2, it could get traction as serious science fiction adventure. The plot would get a lot more substance (more space opera, less soap opera in space) but it's difficult to say whether that's what the writers' goals were. In the meantime The characters aren't Zen DiPietro level but for a mindless afternoon or evening, it's OK.
This book feels unsure of itself. It's almost a classic goofball " space adventure/cartoon" but the main character and her three friends (one is an AI) are real people. I read the Reaper series, book one and it became a videogame shooter on page really quickly. This looks to be headed in the same direction.
I think that the main problem is that the world building is way too incomplete to support real characters. It seems at first like a workable, light weight background (much like Star Trek) until the plot puts unexpected strains on the characters. The result for Star Trek was a canon? that's argued online but doesn't really exist as a complete or logical universe.
If this series is almost rebooted in book 2, it could get traction as serious science fiction adventure. The plot would get a lot more substance (more space opera, less soap opera in space) but it's difficult to say whether that's what the writers' goals were. In the meantime The characters aren't Zen DiPietro level but for a mindless afternoon or evening, it's OK.
April 18, 2022
A female-led band of Sarkonian special ops. Wreak havoc on the Union.....
A primarily female band of special op. Sarkonian soldiers are working to undermine the Union, when Delgado's boyfriend appears to be abandoned on a mission. Delgado didn't see this and attacks the leader when she won't open the door or attempt to rescue him. She is to be court martial led but her dad steps in to demote her sentence to solitary confinement and she decides to abandon everyone on the next mission. However her friend Sophie knows something is up and also gets involved with things going Pear-shaped on the next mission. The two friends then flee and find out how bad the Sarkonian Empire really is.....
An entertaining read featuring action, combat, intrigue, surprises and dangerous tech...
A primarily female band of special op. Sarkonian soldiers are working to undermine the Union, when Delgado's boyfriend appears to be abandoned on a mission. Delgado didn't see this and attacks the leader when she won't open the door or attempt to rescue him. She is to be court martial led but her dad steps in to demote her sentence to solitary confinement and she decides to abandon everyone on the next mission. However her friend Sophie knows something is up and also gets involved with things going Pear-shaped on the next mission. The two friends then flee and find out how bad the Sarkonian Empire really is.....
An entertaining read featuring action, combat, intrigue, surprises and dangerous tech...
June 10, 2019
Not your average military scifi story. I liked this one, and since I see there will be more, I'll most certainly be reading those as well.
If you're a fan of military scifi stories, you'll probably enjoy this one. If you aren't, but you like the whole keep the universe safe from the bad guys (no matter who they might be), then you may enjoy this one as well.
If you're a fan of military scifi stories, you'll probably enjoy this one. If you aren't, but you like the whole keep the universe safe from the bad guys (no matter who they might be), then you may enjoy this one as well.
November 24, 2022
28. So, with this narrator, even a phone book would be interesting. As an aside, I wonder what the modern equivalent of that saying would be? Any way, great story, great characters and definitely recommended to the normal crew.
December 12, 2022
This is a good book for easy listening. I had tried a book from another author before it but had to give up as it was full of technical jargon and just kept going if on tangents.
This though was a nice easy listen while I crocheted and I am very much looking forward to the next book!
This though was a nice easy listen while I crocheted and I am very much looking forward to the next book!
May 2, 2019
I really liked this book, a great addition to the world. I am looking forward to more adventures from our Sarkonian bad asses.
August 7, 2022
Crossover
Was expecting more of the reaper story, this took me by surprise. Well done!! More great characters and fight scenes.
Was expecting more of the reaper story, this took me by surprise. Well done!! More great characters and fight scenes.
December 9, 2022
Lots of action, lots of fun - exactly what I want in a space opera. Definitely a promising series opener, hopefully the sequel proves equally entertaining.
February 2, 2024
I couldn't really get into this one. DNF.
May 11, 2019
A Sarkonian Adventure!
JN Chaney is back at it again with a new story in his sci-fi universe! Details unfold about the other side!
JN Chaney is back at it again with a new story in his sci-fi universe! Details unfold about the other side!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews