Gates of Hell

Echoes of War #4

by Daniel Gibbs

The League of Sol is down but not out.  Now Colonel David Cohen tackles his most challenging task yet.

Ferreting out a traitor.

The League fleet has finally been driven from the Terran Coalition’s galactic arm. But enemies left behind on the planets that dot the local cluster won’t go quietly.

Under orders direct from the President, David dispatches a commando team to recon a League-held world, entrusting them with one of his top officers as a guide on the planet she once called home. Unexpected enemy fire leaves the team stranded in hostile territory with no means of escape unless they can disable the planetary defense system.

But David faces an all-new battle of his own. As a wave of League ships consistently stays one step ahead of him, his worst fears are realized.

The CDF has a mole.

Alongside the intelligence ship Oxford, David and the crew of the Lion of Judah race to discover the wolf in a CDF uniform and rescue those planetside before they are lost to a crazed League commander intent on annihilation over surrender.

If they fail, they’ll sacrifice more than just a battle.

They’ll lose the war.

Genres: Science Fiction

412 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 24, 2019

Reviews

[Kath Ibbotson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have so enjoyed this series. I have marked 16th October 2019 in my diary as a reminder for when the next one comes out. Need I say more?

[Ramona Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The League Army Headquarters on Freiderwelt which they were occupying, Lieut. Col. Haun Pan hated being posted there. Major Vladislav Pavlik reminded him that Freiderwelt had no active resistance the population was compliant with the orders and produce fresh fruit and vegetables for them and he had been subjected to for workers. Pan informed him that he had been on the fast track to general and now he babysit farmers so backwards they wouldn't even use a robot tractor. In some ways I have the perfect socialism which is why our political commissars won't allow me to execute them all which if they would we could get off of this rock Pavlik. Col. David Cohen awoke from a dream that had him being ripped apart by monster caused him to hit his head on the top bunk. He was captain CSV Lion of Judah and his ships heading and relative position were displayed on the underside of his bunk this was to allow him better sleeping conditions on the advice of Dr. Izmet Tural. He said his morning prayers exercised preparing himself for the day and had his breakfast then he remembered he really needed to change up his routine forcing his brain to function better. When he got to the officers mess he said he wanted the usual two eggs over easy with hash browns wheat toast and coffee then to change it a small bowl of oatmeal. Aibek, a Saurian, was his XO they wanted to get back into the battle with the league. Calvin Demood The Terrien Coalition Marine Corps MEU commander was reading when David rang the time to his room he said it was a visit to a friend not a visit of the CO but Kevin still called him Sir he wanted to know how his treatment was going and he said rough but Dr. Ellison was excellent and it was a long way back. He asked if he was ready for action and Calvin answered he was born ready. Asking if he had a target. At the SHAEF, which stood for Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force, its mission was to defeat the League of Sol when Pres. Spencer entered the room he was given an overall update on the war. They discussed the shipbuilding efforts and it was estimated that it would be three months before the antimatter reactor based heavy cruisers were online and operational and they had they would have to decide whether to give them a shakedown cruise or just place them in with the fleet. Spencer wanted to know how many ships were ready for combat telling the Saurian assets there were 923 starships including frigates, destroyers, cruisers, battleships, and carriers. The Saurian made Ajax class destroyers would be entering the service next week with no additional movement on the addition of Saurian ground troops. It was then decided that since they could not send their fleet to free those Citizens of the Terrian Coalition that they had a proposal to send a six man space special warfare team to see if there was a way to disable the league's planetary defenses. Using the latest generation stealth assault Lander prototype would be quiet enough and with the low signature that hopefully the league computers would not see them coming. The Lion of Judah off combat assignments for a few months and would please Col. Cohen and his special warfare units would be up to the task. The proposed planet for this experiment would be Friederwelt; this planet fits the profile of a bunch of successful lead attacks on the prize lines to unity station. The Lion could drop off her team and then go on for convoy duty at this Pres. Spencer left. Gen. McIntosh appeared on Col. Cohen's tablet where he was fixing to get his new orders. First he was to take an insert a special warfare unit onto the planet Friederwelt and then he was to take up convoy duty to see if I couldn't stop the attacks on the supply lines to unity station. To see if the attacks on the supply lines to unity station were stopped, Freiderwelt was able to be rescued you have to read the rest of the book. It's a very good book...

[The Mysterious Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love military sci-fi stories about “duty, sacrifice, and the unseen scars of those who serve.” Daniel Gibbs’ Echoes of War takes you to the heart of this. It has just the feel of the Babylon 5 series it’s publisher’s blurb references (I should know, I watched that addictively when it first aired, and have binge viewed it more than once years later thanks to Netflix). I just addictively ran through Echoes four books, Fight the Good Fight (Book 1), Strong and Courageous (Book 2), So Fight I (Book 3) and Gates of Hell (Book 4). I love the hero of this tale, rabbinical student turned military man David Cohen who needs to “must square the tenets of his faith against his responsibility to crew and country ... in the face of a ruthless regime’s threat to the freedom of billions in his homeland. This is wonderful stuff. Complex, thoughtful yet full of thrills and action. A totally wild ride of a series that is amazing fun to read - and amazingly fun. Be careful here as you may very well find yourself as drawn as I was into reading these books one after the other. Frankly, but for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed, I could go on and on with praises. This series definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that each of these books is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend all of them.

[Adena Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daniel Gibbs really has his writing act together. It is hard to remember that he is a newbie to writing when his writing, like David Weber, David Drake, Elizabeth Moon and John Ringo, bring the emotional and ethical aspects of the duty of military service to life, along with the internal cost of that service, especially to those whom those who serve do not know are looking up at them. Military sci fi fans, follow this author - you will not regret it.

I received a copy of this book from Hidden Gems and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Linda Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

David has to fight on two regions. he has one crew on planet and his ship in space.

David has divided his team this time. He has a special team that Ruth joined on planet to do what they can to see how to free it. His second is the Lion of Judah, his ship, and its thousands of men and women. Thee Lion is on special duty to help keep the convoys moving. He finds something isn’t right and finds traitors in the convoy he must handle. This keeps his ship and men in constant battle and somehow they must find the way.

[Icy-Cobwebs-Crossing-SpaceTime · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't generally gravitate to Military Science Fiction (I prefer hard scifi) but I never miss any by Daniel Gibbs. Excellently written and fascinating, these novels feature characters of great moral strength and integrity, women and men who are unafraid to rely on their faith and to be guided by it, whichever faith they adhere to. There are villains too, of course; but realistic. The plots are engrossing.


GATES OF HELL is Book 4 in the outstanding ECHOES OF WAR Series.

[Malcolm Moos · Rating 3 out of 5]

SF novel or religious tract?

Excellent plotting, skillfully rendered characters, great action, and not too many grammatical errors (a rarity nowadays). However, the author's obsession with religion is so overdone that it detracts greatly from the narrative and adds little of interest ,just well worn cliches.

[Caleb · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author does such an amazing job at introducing and decoupling characters that it feels like you personally know each one of them. In novels with so many characters, it's easy to forget details about some and others altogether. The author does such an amazing job at writing dialogue that is funny, completing, and spiritual. It makes you relate to each personality he develops during the story.

The different regions are shown with grace and respect and each character struggles with their own morals, religion or not, which is very touching!

[Lou Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book!

Well-written with good plot and follow through development of the characters.

The League is out to destroy “The Lion” because this lovely large warship regularly kicks them back to earth.

The Colonel who runs the show is determined that the League will be destroyed and its hatred of all faith based civilizations will end.

[C.S. Wachter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again I could not put down the next book in this series. Compelling mix of suspense, action, and well-developed characters. I look forward to starting book five. As I noted at the end of my review of book 3, the language tends to get stronger as the story progresses. But in balance, the religious themes become stronger as well.

[GREGG CORDELL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good read.

This book had a little bit of everything from traders to the bad guys helping out the good guys in ways you just don't see coming. There was also plenty of action as they freed a planet from the bad guys and a lot of the enemy surrendered to the good guys also a lot of ground battle took place in this one also.

[Gerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good one!

I’m continuing to enjoy the series and pulling for David Cohen and his compatriots. All realistic action and personal attachment with the individuals. By the way, the Gung Ho statement was “Ooorah” when I was in. Hope they never change it!

[Larry B Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Great Space Opera

Another excellent book in the series, full of action and adventure. The storyline is great and the characters are awesome. I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it.

[Ronald Rader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

This is the fourth book of seven and it is getting better. God is ever present. The fact that everyone one seeks him in there own was is conforming. Keep up the good work, and Godspeed to you.

[A.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!

Military S-F featuring character -driven action in space and planetside, as the Lion of Judah fights to protect civilian freighters and free a planet from League domination. Don't miss this series!

[David Harcourt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story

Again I enjoyed a great story. I can"t wait for where the next book will take me. I loved the tank battle.

[Bernard K. Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

very powerful story line
DUNE is what I use to measure
this series is very close to Dune

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an outstanding continuation o the “Gates of Hell” novels. I am looking forward to reading the nex novel in this series.

[Wayne Burdett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Book 4 didn’t disappoint. David and the Lion of Judah continue to take it too the League. Highly recommend all 4 books on the series so far, now onto book 5.

[C.M. Rutherford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoying this series. I also really like the commando team that is featured throughout this installment.

[ROBERT Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story that kept me going non-stop from start to finish. I like the character development and the pace of the story and I can not wait to start reading the next book in the series.

[Larry Ginn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timely

Even in the distant future, the threat of socialism rears its ugly head. There are passages in these books that could be from the news today.

[Allen Kuhns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding

Another Outstanding Book in the Echoes of war Series. I found it an exciting read and easy to follow. I have already started Book # 5 Keep the Faith.

[Tim Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly Enjoyed This Book

Great Book. Characters are very believable and human. It’s just a great story where the good guys can still win.

[Per Gunnar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good one. Plenty of action, both in space and on the ground.

The Colonel gets to do quite some League of Sol (aka The Commies) ass kicking.

I was a bit worried about the mole/traitor crap in the book blurb but luckily the author did not drag that crap out forever and the traitors got dealt with in a satisfactory manner.

Unfortunately, despite this being a very good book, I will probably procrastinate quite a bit before starting the next one. The book blurb hints that the story is going to go down a road of government corruption and such like bullshit which is not at all my kind of story.