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Joe Ballen #3
Transformation Protocol
Change can be deadly!
With his life crumbling around him, Joe Ballen is close to going out in a blaze, fueled by cheap alcohol and self-hatred. But when something "out there" starts destroying spaceships and stations, the only JumpShip available to investigate is the Shokasta-locked away by Joe in an attempt to get justice for his family.
But when an old friend offers him the chance to return to space in the hunt for a missing ship, it proves more complicated than either of them imagined. With all sides of the political spectrum looking to grab a piece of the newly explored star systems, Joe soon realizes that some people will go to any lengths to get what they want, and are willing to sacrifice anyone in the process.
And when Joe's past catches up with him in a way he couldn't have seen coming, he must battle enemies new and old as well as his own inner demons.
The Joe Ballen series is a near future, sci-fi noir thriller series, featuring a smart-mouthed space engineer, engaging characters, cynical humor, and plausible science.
With his life crumbling around him, Joe Ballen is close to going out in a blaze, fueled by cheap alcohol and self-hatred. But when something "out there" starts destroying spaceships and stations, the only JumpShip available to investigate is the Shokasta-locked away by Joe in an attempt to get justice for his family.
But when an old friend offers him the chance to return to space in the hunt for a missing ship, it proves more complicated than either of them imagined. With all sides of the political spectrum looking to grab a piece of the newly explored star systems, Joe soon realizes that some people will go to any lengths to get what they want, and are willing to sacrifice anyone in the process.
And when Joe's past catches up with him in a way he couldn't have seen coming, he must battle enemies new and old as well as his own inner demons.
The Joe Ballen series is a near future, sci-fi noir thriller series, featuring a smart-mouthed space engineer, engaging characters, cynical humor, and plausible science.
328 pages, Paperback
Published May 9, 2019
1 person is currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
David M. Kelly
21 books52 followersDavid M. Kelly writes fast-paced, near-future sci-fi thrillers with engaging characters, cynical humor, and (mostly!) plausible science. He is the author of the Joe Ballen series, Logan's World series, and the Hyperia Jones sci-fi humor series. Along with historical suspense and fantasy author Christie Stratos, he also co-hosts the Fun Classic Reads videocast on YouTube, featuring entertaining live reads and very quick costume changes!
David’s interest in science and technology began early. At the age of six his parents allowed him to stay up late into the night to watch the television broadcast of Neil Armstrong stepping on to the surface of the moon. From that day he was hooked on everything related to science and space.
An avid reader, he worked his way through the contents of the mobile library that visited his street, progressing through YA titles (or ‘juveniles’ as they were known back then) on to the classics of Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, and Harry Harrison.
David worked for many years in project management and software development. Along the way his interests have included IPSC combat (target) pistol shooting, crew chief on a drag racing team, and several years as bass player/vocalist in a heavy rock band. He also managed to fit in some real work in manual jobs from digging ditches and work on production lines to loading trucks in a haulage company.
Originally from the wild and woolly region of Yorkshire, England, David emigrated to Canada in 2005 and settled in Northern Ontario with his patient and supportive wife, Hilary. Foot surgery in 2014 temporarily curtailed many of his favourite activities – hiking, camping, piloting his own personal starfighter (otherwise known as a Corvette ZR-1). But on the plus side, it meant a transition from the world of IT into life as a full-time writer—an opportunity he grasped enthusiastically.
David is passionate about science, especially astronomy and physics, and is a rabid science news follower. Never short of an opinion, David writes about science and technology on his blog davidmkelly.com. He has supported various charity projects such as the Smithsonian’s Reboot The Suit and the Lowell Observatory Pluto Telescope Restoration. He also contributes to citizen science projects such as SETI@home.
David’s interest in science and technology began early. At the age of six his parents allowed him to stay up late into the night to watch the television broadcast of Neil Armstrong stepping on to the surface of the moon. From that day he was hooked on everything related to science and space.
An avid reader, he worked his way through the contents of the mobile library that visited his street, progressing through YA titles (or ‘juveniles’ as they were known back then) on to the classics of Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, and Harry Harrison.
David worked for many years in project management and software development. Along the way his interests have included IPSC combat (target) pistol shooting, crew chief on a drag racing team, and several years as bass player/vocalist in a heavy rock band. He also managed to fit in some real work in manual jobs from digging ditches and work on production lines to loading trucks in a haulage company.
Originally from the wild and woolly region of Yorkshire, England, David emigrated to Canada in 2005 and settled in Northern Ontario with his patient and supportive wife, Hilary. Foot surgery in 2014 temporarily curtailed many of his favourite activities – hiking, camping, piloting his own personal starfighter (otherwise known as a Corvette ZR-1). But on the plus side, it meant a transition from the world of IT into life as a full-time writer—an opportunity he grasped enthusiastically.
David is passionate about science, especially astronomy and physics, and is a rabid science news follower. Never short of an opinion, David writes about science and technology on his blog davidmkelly.com. He has supported various charity projects such as the Smithsonian’s Reboot The Suit and the Lowell Observatory Pluto Telescope Restoration. He also contributes to citizen science projects such as SETI@home.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 6, 2019
This is not my ordinary type of read however I got caught up with the first book and have stuck with Joe for kicks. I mean the man's a genius at what he does, but try as he may he can't seem to keep out of trouble. Bad attitude, drunk and everything else that comes with him. What ever can happen does happen as he goes off in space again and finds himself smack dab in the middle of . . . well I can't really tell you that part. Just believe that this author gives us plenty of excitement and quite a few oh crap moments that will have you turning the pages for more. I love this author's style and that while I am not big on space travel I didn't need to be up on the jargon to read it. I love Joe and his troubles and even how he stays true to his one love. Broken heart and all he's still forever faithful. Great read, with emotions that go from laughing out loud to holding your breath, Joe Ballen's got it in spades
February 4, 2020
Follow Joe as he jumps through space on a wild thrillride to discover who's been sabotaging the fragile peace between the Atolls and their earthly rivals. Here's to another gem in the Joe Ballen series and the hope of more to come.
June 9, 2019
This is the third Joe Ballen novel and, for me, the most exciting yet. Joe is in a personal decline, divorced as he is from Dollie, whom nobody else can replace. He and his long-time friend are on a mission (in a craft Joe effectively stole) to search for the remains of a craft, and an atoll, that disappeared. I found this book had an edge-of-the-seat immediacy for me, probably because I know the characters better now. There’s a fair bit of humour in it but the world created by David Kelly is horribly believable – tension between two groups and another faction trying to stir up war. A treat for sci-fi lovers.
August 30, 2019
Love this series. Fast-moving sci-fi with plenty of mystery thrown in. This is the darkest and grittiest so far, but there's still plenty of that cynical Joe Ballen humor. Fans of Logan will be happy as he has a bigger role in this book, and I like that we get to see more of the wider political world and Atoll culture. Also, a great ending that opens up lots of possibilities for future books - I hope!
September 16, 2019
A great conclusion to the final story of the series. There was a part in the final book that I did not like, but as far as a series goes, David did a great job tying it all together. Looking forward to more great work from him.
November 25, 2022
Another great adventure with Joe stumbling around and always ending up on the right side of any issue he runs into. Some of his past enemies come back to wreck his days and there are lots of great battles and mysteries.
HIGHLY recommended series.
HIGHLY recommended series.
October 28, 2021
Why is not Intersection (Book #4) in the books in Goodreads? I tried to add from Amazon, but seems the system see amazon.com (but not amazon.ca?)
Anyway, that was not a review. Enjoyed the book a lot.
Anyway, that was not a review. Enjoyed the book a lot.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews