Events on Naraka leave Grayson exhausted but hopeful. The invaders may not be as unstoppable as he thought, and the entire weight of the Alliance is about to enter the fray. Rejoining the Navy should bring closure to his ordeal and allow him to return to his life as a pilot.
Except his mesh partner is still stranded on a freezing planet.
Except his past refuses to let go of his future.
Except the man he trusted to rally the defenses may have sabotaged them instead.
Humankind is on the verge of extinction, and if Grayson is going to stop it, he’ll have to outmaneuver opposition from every side of the equation.
M.R. Forbes is the author of a growing number of science-fiction series including Rebellion, War Eternal, Chaos of the Covenant, Stars End, and the Forgotten novels. Having spent his childhood trying to read every sci-fi novel he could find (and write his own too), play every sci-fi video game he could get his hands on, and see every sci-fi movie that made it into the theater, he has a true love of the genre across every medium. He works hard to bring that same energy to his own stories, with a continuing goal to entertain, delight, fascinate, and surprise.
He maintains a true appreciation for his readers and is always happy to hear from them.
To learn more about M.R. Forbes or just say hello:
I don’t have it in me to give up or accept defeat.
So good to be back in this world (and so quickly). This author is amazing. Not only excellent stories but quickly released. Thank you!
Now this story...
“Maybe. But I’m Odin Longknife.” “Careful sir. You might start to believe the hype.” “Me? Never. I’m just an old man doing a young man’s job as best I can.” “That’s why we like you, Commander. Because you really do believe that.”
I know Sheriff Duke is a winner for Forbes, but I love this series! Much like I loved the other space fleet/military sci-fi ones Forbes has written in the past.
Please, please keep writing these kinds of stories, Mr Forbes. I love these books and this one is definitely a winner!
Can't wait to find out what Rozik and Odin get up to next. (I don't trust that Commie!).
Good third part to this story of mankind’s first encounter with an alien race. Fighting for the good of all mankind against the narrow-mindedness of one’s own people and the unknown of the aliens is a daunting task, even for Odin Longknife. Fate makes enemies into strange allies in this entrancing saga stretching across the known universe. Looking forward to the concluding chapter in book 4 - Star Fall!
The whole series is that way. You expect it is mellow out and develop the plot more. It continues the action and the development of the plot with more action. I can’t put it down.
I don't know how writers do it - a new title every four to six weeks; and often when they do the sequel loses the excitement of the firzt. Not here! They keep getting better! And talk about cliff-hangers!!
Another solid entry in the series sees the action contained largely inside spaceships. Forbes does well when constrained in an enclosed space - and thankfully, he doesn’t waste too much time outside the hull - where his technical acumen shows its limits.
The story is good but this should have just been one book. Dividing it into 4 parts just make it much more expensive to read. I won’t be reading anymore of this author because of that.
Another breathtaking, break-neck read filled with action and as usual, Forbes' gritty but very human character, plot twists and unexpected losses.
In the third instalment of Stars End, we learned a little more of Grayson's back story, hints that not all might be with the Commune and Rozik, and of course the sun-killing aliens who seem pretty much unassailable.
I was very sad to learn that Joie had died, but I suspect Grayson might have another mesh partner in Ensign Tejal.
The book ends not so much on a cliff-hanger as an all-is-lost, and Grayson/Odin Longknife is going to have to pull something VERY special out of his arsenal to save the day.
Bring on Book 4, I say!
Many thanks to the author for providing me with a review audiobook copy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.