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Syndicate Wars #1
First Strike
With an alien invasion threatening the survival of the human race, service in the Marines was no longer simply about honor and duty, it was a matter of life and death.
This was especially true for Quinn, a Marine sergeant who was hell-bent on ensuring that her young daughter had a world to grow up in. But one thing separates Quinn from the others:She’s a certifiable badass.
And as the aliens will learn, it’s tough to keep a good woman down.
This was especially true for Quinn, a Marine sergeant who was hell-bent on ensuring that her young daughter had a world to grow up in. But one thing separates Quinn from the others:She’s a certifiable badass.
And as the aliens will learn, it’s tough to keep a good woman down.
334 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2019
509 people are currently reading
335 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
June 3, 2017
Syndicate Wars: First Strike (Seppukarian Book 1)by Kyle Noe, George S. Mahaffey Jr., and Justin Sloan is a non-stop sci-fi action novel. It starts fast and furious and does not stop to let you catch your breath. It is an alien invasion book, a tough group of Marines and Resistance fighters and aliens that some of these Marines get up close with, but not by their choice. Too close...I can't tell more but this is a great plot and eager to see where this story leads. Great job. Love the characters and the book.
June 7, 2019
I was going to start reading Shadow Corps, but felt I should begin with this series to be updated, got a long nerve wrecking ride, lol! It starts with a bang! Sloan takes us direct to the war between humans and the aliens ( Syndicate), and from there through a never ending fast paced action thrill, so realistic and convincing, fighting beside the Marines and the Resistance, a group of human fighters who have united with the marines.
A great plot with high class characters, hearty and emotional!
A great plot with high class characters, hearty and emotional!
May 29, 2017
First Strike
This was a very enjoyable read which has a very interesting main character and her friends. The group share a very camaraderie, and even though their situation is quite dire you don't get that it is a hopeless situation. It has plenty of action and character development. I look forward to reading the next book.
This was a very enjoyable read which has a very interesting main character and her friends. The group share a very camaraderie, and even though their situation is quite dire you don't get that it is a hopeless situation. It has plenty of action and character development. I look forward to reading the next book.
June 8, 2017
The first of five books in the Syndicate Wars series is nonstop action in a war between the earth and the Syndicate - aliens who have come to take over the planet. Tis first book follows several marines in their adventures of fighting the syndicate, and the resistance faction who are also fighting the syndicate.
While this genre is not my typical reading I must say this book held my interest from start to finish and provided a full day's entertainment. It is rare I am able to get thorough a book in one day, but this story grabbed me and kept me engaged until the last page, I'm really looking forward to the second book in this series.
If you are looking for action, intrigue, space aliens and the promise of a mystery not yet revealed in this book, pick up a copy and give First Strike a shot.
While this genre is not my typical reading I must say this book held my interest from start to finish and provided a full day's entertainment. It is rare I am able to get thorough a book in one day, but this story grabbed me and kept me engaged until the last page, I'm really looking forward to the second book in this series.
If you are looking for action, intrigue, space aliens and the promise of a mystery not yet revealed in this book, pick up a copy and give First Strike a shot.
September 6, 2020
Full review: https://girlswithguns.org/first-strik...
Not sure I’ve ever read a book with three authors before, though Amazon omit Noe from the list given on Goodreads. This “novel by committee” might explain some of the problems with this, and its failure to mesh the two strands in any effective way.
Not sure I’ve ever read a book with three authors before, though Amazon omit Noe from the list given on Goodreads. This “novel by committee” might explain some of the problems with this, and its failure to mesh the two strands in any effective way.
June 2, 2017
Kindle Unlimited but actually got one of those freebie copies we hope you review it things, where supposed to add all my own thoughts etc blah blah as if I ever did anything against my will or the TOS. Was reading it because have read quite a bit from Justin Sloan, whose name is spelled wrong here and there by amazon or whoever {it's not Slon}.
There's alien invasion, survival of the human race, mandatory Marine service, so space opera-ish and a time-travel hook included and just look at the stars.
Syndicate Wars: First Strike (Seppukarian Book 1)
Syndicate Wars: The Resistance (Seppukarian Book 2) (Jun 13, 2017)
Syndicate Wars: Fault Line (Seppukarian Book 3)
There's alien invasion, survival of the human race, mandatory Marine service, so space opera-ish and a time-travel hook included and just look at the stars.
Syndicate Wars: First Strike (Seppukarian Book 1)
Syndicate Wars: The Resistance (Seppukarian Book 2) (Jun 13, 2017)
Syndicate Wars: Fault Line (Seppukarian Book 3)
June 3, 2017
An extremely enjoyable read, great characters. They seem to share an amazing camaraderie even in the face of extreme trouble. Received an ARC
August 14, 2020
I struggled through the first five chapters, quite a lot didn’t make much sense. It just felt the author was trying too hard to be a Hollywood screenwriter. It was all about the ‘image’ not the story. I kept going but it became clear this was written for the ‘Call of Duty’ computer gaming generation not an old school SciFi fan.
June 7, 2019
Syndicate Wars: First Strike - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Syndicate Wars: First Strike is a re-release of the first book in the Syndicate Wars An Intergalactic Space Opera Adventure series by George S Mahaffey and Justin Sloan, whose vast experience in the Military/Space Opera sci-fi genre spawned this adventure in the Seppukarian Universe.
As so often in other books in the genre, aliens (these capable of time travel), are readying an apocalyptic attack on Earth. MC Marine Sergeant Quinn has a young (either 2 or 12, depending where in the book you notice it), daughter, yet she is ready, willing and able to risk her personal happiness to save the human race.
Betrayed by lack of training with the advanced weaponry they have to use and captured after yet another (same old description of a) battle, where the aliens' superior technology and weaponry can destroy a mountain, yet when the Marines hide in a mountain are, unbelievable indetectable by their advanced enemy!
After the Marines (again, not explained how), are forced by their alien captors to fight their allies, they're luckily somehow rescued by apparently, 'non-combat-trained' resistance fighters to fight the aliens once more.
Many twists and turns lead to a slightly unsatisfactory conclusion that leaves the reader wondering if the next book in the series will answer their questions without the price rising sharply from this introductory price.
Two great authors like these seem to have decided to write the book they first worked on in their early years of authorhood...?
Have a read of First Strike and decide for yourself!
Syndicate Wars: First Strike is a re-release of the first book in the Syndicate Wars An Intergalactic Space Opera Adventure series by George S Mahaffey and Justin Sloan, whose vast experience in the Military/Space Opera sci-fi genre spawned this adventure in the Seppukarian Universe.
As so often in other books in the genre, aliens (these capable of time travel), are readying an apocalyptic attack on Earth. MC Marine Sergeant Quinn has a young (either 2 or 12, depending where in the book you notice it), daughter, yet she is ready, willing and able to risk her personal happiness to save the human race.
Betrayed by lack of training with the advanced weaponry they have to use and captured after yet another (same old description of a) battle, where the aliens' superior technology and weaponry can destroy a mountain, yet when the Marines hide in a mountain are, unbelievable indetectable by their advanced enemy!
After the Marines (again, not explained how), are forced by their alien captors to fight their allies, they're luckily somehow rescued by apparently, 'non-combat-trained' resistance fighters to fight the aliens once more.
Many twists and turns lead to a slightly unsatisfactory conclusion that leaves the reader wondering if the next book in the series will answer their questions without the price rising sharply from this introductory price.
Two great authors like these seem to have decided to write the book they first worked on in their early years of authorhood...?
Have a read of First Strike and decide for yourself!
June 5, 2017
I give this 3.5 stars. This is the first book in the Seppukarian Book series. The book does not end in a huge cliffhanger, but by the ending you know the story is not over. There is violence, it is a Ali n military thriller, so it might not be suitable for more sensitive readers. The book starts off slow and somewhat confusing but picks up the pace and makes more sense as you get further along in the book..
The book blurb adequately describes the storyline so I'm not going to repeat all of that info here. This is a military thriller filled with aliens headed towards earth and the warriors who are fighting for the survival of earth and humanity. As usual, everything is not as it seems. I look forward to reading more of this series.
The book blurb adequately describes the storyline so I'm not going to repeat all of that info here. This is a military thriller filled with aliens headed towards earth and the warriors who are fighting for the survival of earth and humanity. As usual, everything is not as it seems. I look forward to reading more of this series.
July 9, 2017
Did not like the writing, things happened without adequate explanation, got tired of waiting for a plot or reason to keep reading.
July 17, 2017
Syndicate Wars: First Strike is the first in the Seppukarian series. It's my first introduction to this trio of authors and I overall, liked the story. There is room for improvement, but I am curious to see where the series goes next, and that's an indicator of a good book to me.
First Strike starts off with a bang and doesn't let up. It's mostly action and you're thrown head-first into the struggle for humanity to survive against the alien Syndicate civilization. You meet Quinn, the primary character of this story and our certifiable badass, and the rest of her fellow Marines. I like Quinn, but it took a little to warm up to her for me. That's my primary complaint with this story. It took a while for me to know enough about the characters to know if I liked them or not. Because you're thrown into the action immediately, it takes time in the story before you're given enough insight into the characters to know their backgrounds, motivations, or the reasons you should like or dislike them.
I do like the world-building the authors do in regards to the Syndicate and their technology. They've got some sweet technology in battle armor, weapons, etc. I don't read a lot of this genre of books, but I do enjoy them when I read them and one of my favorite parts is the technology that the authors manage to come up with. This first book in the Seppukarian series doesn't disappoint in this area.
First Strike is a great start to this series. It's not the best writing I've ever read, but it is good and the story is interesting enough to have me looking forward to the next book. The dialogue is a little rough with language, so I wouldn't recommend this series for younger readers. Mature/older teenagers would probably be fine with it. The language makes sense when you're dealing with battle-hardened Marines, so I'm not really taking off a star for that. It's because or the slow introduction to the characters. I prefer stories where I can latch onto the hero of the story, but it's hard to get to that point with this first book. I will be reading the next book to see where the story goes (fair warning, the story is left unfinished, but there's already two other books in the series, so I'm not too surprised by that).
First Strike starts off with a bang and doesn't let up. It's mostly action and you're thrown head-first into the struggle for humanity to survive against the alien Syndicate civilization. You meet Quinn, the primary character of this story and our certifiable badass, and the rest of her fellow Marines. I like Quinn, but it took a little to warm up to her for me. That's my primary complaint with this story. It took a while for me to know enough about the characters to know if I liked them or not. Because you're thrown into the action immediately, it takes time in the story before you're given enough insight into the characters to know their backgrounds, motivations, or the reasons you should like or dislike them.
I do like the world-building the authors do in regards to the Syndicate and their technology. They've got some sweet technology in battle armor, weapons, etc. I don't read a lot of this genre of books, but I do enjoy them when I read them and one of my favorite parts is the technology that the authors manage to come up with. This first book in the Seppukarian series doesn't disappoint in this area.
First Strike is a great start to this series. It's not the best writing I've ever read, but it is good and the story is interesting enough to have me looking forward to the next book. The dialogue is a little rough with language, so I wouldn't recommend this series for younger readers. Mature/older teenagers would probably be fine with it. The language makes sense when you're dealing with battle-hardened Marines, so I'm not really taking off a star for that. It's because or the slow introduction to the characters. I prefer stories where I can latch onto the hero of the story, but it's hard to get to that point with this first book. I will be reading the next book to see where the story goes (fair warning, the story is left unfinished, but there's already two other books in the series, so I'm not too surprised by that).
June 7, 2017
"Toughen up, buttercup. This day's only gettin' started."
Think you've read every combination of the alien invasion of Earth theme? Think again. This one is different. Oh, yes, it starts with the earth's Marine forces awaiting the attack from an alien armada, and, in particular, one of the Marines, Quinn, mother of an eight years old daughter left at home. And yes, the assault is overwhelming, the defenders "outmatched and outnumbered." But then things start to diverge from the norm ...
Who are the attackers? Where are they from? What do they want? Well ...
This is a very well written book with a most ingenious concept. The characterisations are good, conversations genuine and the action and descriptions visceral: so easy to see it, to feel that it is real. There's humour, too. Although not written in the first person, the majority of the story is seen from the point of view of the Marine, Quinn, charting not only her actions but her thoughts, fears and memories. But part of the action is also seen from another viewpoint, that of Giovanni, another Marine and one of Quinn's friends, after they become seperated.
This reader was drawn into the story from the opening lines and constantly surprised as it progressed. A must read for all science fiction fans who like their characters three dimensional, the action exciting and the story unexpected. Can't wait for book two.
Highly recommended.
Think you've read every combination of the alien invasion of Earth theme? Think again. This one is different. Oh, yes, it starts with the earth's Marine forces awaiting the attack from an alien armada, and, in particular, one of the Marines, Quinn, mother of an eight years old daughter left at home. And yes, the assault is overwhelming, the defenders "outmatched and outnumbered." But then things start to diverge from the norm ...
Who are the attackers? Where are they from? What do they want? Well ...
This is a very well written book with a most ingenious concept. The characterisations are good, conversations genuine and the action and descriptions visceral: so easy to see it, to feel that it is real. There's humour, too. Although not written in the first person, the majority of the story is seen from the point of view of the Marine, Quinn, charting not only her actions but her thoughts, fears and memories. But part of the action is also seen from another viewpoint, that of Giovanni, another Marine and one of Quinn's friends, after they become seperated.
This reader was drawn into the story from the opening lines and constantly surprised as it progressed. A must read for all science fiction fans who like their characters three dimensional, the action exciting and the story unexpected. Can't wait for book two.
Highly recommended.
May 10, 2018
First Strike - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Quinn is a Marine Sergeant, sent into space to fight the Syndicate, purported to be hostile alien invaders on their way to conquer Earth, in this wonderful collaboration by Justin Sloan, George Mahaffey and Kyle Noe.
Defeated in battle, Quinn and her Team are taken aboard the Syndicate ship and forced to submit to indoctrination and implantation of programs that ensure absolute obedience - or virtual death! Given training by the superior Syndicate forces plus hitherto unknown weaponry and armor, the Marines are then forced to return and fight their former comrades who escaped capture and joined forces with the resistance, whose HQ is underground.
Who is the resistance leader? Which Marines have survived? What has the resistance got hidden in the jungle?
Who is General Aames and what orders does he give? Who does Quinn secretly ally with? What does this person tell Quinn to seek out?
How will that impact the Marines' future survival? What is Black Sunshine? How and why does Quinn use it?
As the tide turns in the Syndicate's favor it seems time is running out for the Marines and the resistance. Can Quinn survive the deadly mission she's been
sent to complete at all costs - and will she ever hold her young daughter Samantha in her arms in a free world again? Grab your copy today - you'll be glad you did!
Quinn is a Marine Sergeant, sent into space to fight the Syndicate, purported to be hostile alien invaders on their way to conquer Earth, in this wonderful collaboration by Justin Sloan, George Mahaffey and Kyle Noe.
Defeated in battle, Quinn and her Team are taken aboard the Syndicate ship and forced to submit to indoctrination and implantation of programs that ensure absolute obedience - or virtual death! Given training by the superior Syndicate forces plus hitherto unknown weaponry and armor, the Marines are then forced to return and fight their former comrades who escaped capture and joined forces with the resistance, whose HQ is underground.
Who is the resistance leader? Which Marines have survived? What has the resistance got hidden in the jungle?
Who is General Aames and what orders does he give? Who does Quinn secretly ally with? What does this person tell Quinn to seek out?
How will that impact the Marines' future survival? What is Black Sunshine? How and why does Quinn use it?
As the tide turns in the Syndicate's favor it seems time is running out for the Marines and the resistance. Can Quinn survive the deadly mission she's been
sent to complete at all costs - and will she ever hold her young daughter Samantha in her arms in a free world again? Grab your copy today - you'll be glad you did!
June 8, 2017
This is the first book that I read with these writers together. I will say it kept me intrigued on what was going to happen next and still does. You have a Quinn who is better than most men marines and her troop. She has to go against so much and still comes out swing. They are fighting the Syndicate (aliens). You have the resistance fighters who one of Quinn's Marines joined after being left behind. Will they win or will the Syndicate win? And what's this with the Scientist Cody that is trying to help Quinn in the Epilogue? Never seen that coming. Can't wait to see what happens in the next book. The book could explain a little more about the Syndicate so we kind of know what they really are, but that's just my opinion and then again it might ruin the story. I received a arc copy for my honest review.
May 27, 2023
It took three people to write this mess. At the very least you’d think that many eyes could successfully proofread it. Or maybe the dumbness of the story is due to something inherent. For instance, early on the invading aliens are said to be “2,000 miles away” so it will take them 2,000 years to reach Earth. They mean “lightyears” not “miles”. But even then we couldn’t see them. It just a basic misunderstanding of how physics works. And how telescopes work. Stuff like this happens throughout. Once they get to the time travel stuff it dissolves into noise.
The characters are just stock tropes, and making a couple of the marines gay doesn’t change that. The macho posturing is laughable. The dialogue is jejune due to its cliches. Even 80s action flicks were better than this.
The characters are just stock tropes, and making a couple of the marines gay doesn’t change that. The macho posturing is laughable. The dialogue is jejune due to its cliches. Even 80s action flicks were better than this.
August 29, 2017
I didn't think much of this. It's the first of a series, and I won't continue it. I like Military SciFi, which always requires some suspension of logic, but this is asking too much. A lot of it just doesn't make a lot of sense.
The motivations of the characters doing what they do is just unrealistic. Maybe there is some reason that will jump out in the series, but the author needed to get some of that out in the first book. I'm not going to read more on the hope that it will start to make some sense later.
The main character has possibilities, which is why I gave 2 stars instead of 1.
The motivations of the characters doing what they do is just unrealistic. Maybe there is some reason that will jump out in the series, but the author needed to get some of that out in the first book. I'm not going to read more on the hope that it will start to make some sense later.
The main character has possibilities, which is why I gave 2 stars instead of 1.
March 4, 2019
Gripping
It took me a bit to get into this book. at first it v just seems hopeless and nothing is as depressing as reading About characters who can't possibly win. But About 30% I realized I really cared that three characters are in a hopeless situation. About 40% I realized there is always good.
I meandered into this series because I've recently discovered \ devoured Justin Sloan's work on Reclaiming Honor in the Kurtherian Gambit Universe. I loved that series so much I need to check out more. Man am I glad I did.
Read this. It's good.
It took me a bit to get into this book. at first it v just seems hopeless and nothing is as depressing as reading About characters who can't possibly win. But About 30% I realized I really cared that three characters are in a hopeless situation. About 40% I realized there is always good.
I meandered into this series because I've recently discovered \ devoured Justin Sloan's work on Reclaiming Honor in the Kurtherian Gambit Universe. I loved that series so much I need to check out more. Man am I glad I did.
Read this. It's good.
September 20, 2017
Hollywood-style alien invasion with a strong heroine and a diverse cast of characters.
It's a page-turner with short chapters and a good mix between character development and action scenes. Especially the shoot-outs on Earth feel authentic despite the sci-fi setting--probably because of the author's experiences in the military.
The aliens and setting could have been more original, but it's still a fun read. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
It's a page-turner with short chapters and a good mix between character development and action scenes. Especially the shoot-outs on Earth feel authentic despite the sci-fi setting--probably because of the author's experiences in the military.
The aliens and setting could have been more original, but it's still a fun read. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
June 13, 2017
I didn't have high expectations for this book. I was on vacation and wanted a quick, mindless read. It delivered. I thought I might end up panning this book and was sure I would about 50 pages in...but it grew on me. The plot was not predictable, the characters were blunt, but fun. So, if you are sitting on a beach with a few drinks in you - read this book.
July 30, 2017
Interesting, Enjoyable but Confusing
This book is very interesting, and I really enjoyed reading it, but by the end I had no idea where it was leading. I am just going to have to read the next volume. Lots of action, although motives are not always clear. Good dialog, but I don't understand some of the background for it.
This book is very interesting, and I really enjoyed reading it, but by the end I had no idea where it was leading. I am just going to have to read the next volume. Lots of action, although motives are not always clear. Good dialog, but I don't understand some of the background for it.
January 14, 2023
Quinn and some of her Marine crew are taken prisoner by the "Syndicate".
Using various blackmail/electrical methods, Quinn etc have to obey the enemy orders ie attack the other humans. Of course, not all of Quinn's crew were captured and so they've joined the rebels.
Fighting for the good???
Using various blackmail/electrical methods, Quinn etc have to obey the enemy orders ie attack the other humans. Of course, not all of Quinn's crew were captured and so they've joined the rebels.
Fighting for the good???
June 10, 2017
Wow! What an amazing story. A classic sci fi story full of action and
adventure. Loved Quinn, she's a wonderful character. Strong, confident
and caring. You must read her exciting story, you will not
be disappointed. Highly recommend to everyone.
adventure. Loved Quinn, she's a wonderful character. Strong, confident
and caring. You must read her exciting story, you will not
be disappointed. Highly recommend to everyone.
October 7, 2017
An excellent collaboration resulting in a fast paced action adventure.
This has some great facets of character and story development making it easy to get hooked and ask those involved questions from the start.
Looking forward to the next load of books.
This has some great facets of character and story development making it easy to get hooked and ask those involved questions from the start.
Looking forward to the next load of books.
January 16, 2018
I love this series
Reading first few books again because its been awhile and I knew I was forgetting key points when I returned to the series. I am so glad I did was even better than the first time through. I'm on to book two again and can't wait!
Reading first few books again because its been awhile and I knew I was forgetting key points when I returned to the series. I am so glad I did was even better than the first time through. I'm on to book two again and can't wait!
June 3, 2019
Syndicate Wars: First Strike begins the alien invasion in this action packed series with strong, complicated characters including a tough female marine. There’s a lot going on in these books, and it makes for a heck of a ride!
June 11, 2017
I really enjoyed this. The non-stop action, characters, and story line were all gripping and enjoyable. I'm looking forward to the next book.
June 17, 2017
Compelling
A great balance between characters and action. A familiar but different world, humanized but strong, horrific and believable. Well worth your time.
A great balance between characters and action. A familiar but different world, humanized but strong, horrific and believable. Well worth your time.
June 17, 2017
Not very good
Comparing this to Robert Heinlein is a slap in the face to Robert Heinlein. Nazi aliens, full of cliches, very boring.
Comparing this to Robert Heinlein is a slap in the face to Robert Heinlein. Nazi aliens, full of cliches, very boring.
July 4, 2017
good introduction to series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews