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Cadicle #5
Crossroads of Fate
The war's final battles are coming...
With the Primus Elites' training almost complete, Wil and his men relocate to H2 to make their final preparations. Everything seems to be staged for a swift TSS victory over the Bakzen as Wil assumes the position of TSS Supreme Commander with Saera and his most trusted friends by his side.
But, Tek won't let the Bakzen go down easily. He will find Wil's greatest weakness and do anything to make him crumble. The generations-old war began as a feud of races and ideals, but with this fight, it's personal.
Crossroads of Fate chronicles the decisive space battles to end the war with the Bakzen so a new era for Tarans can begin.
372 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2016
About the author
A.K. DuBoff
78 books136 followersA.K. (Amy) DuBoff has always loved science fiction in all its forms, including books, movies, shows, and games. If it involves outer space, even better!
She is an award-winning and USA Today bestselling indie author specializing in space-based science fiction and fantasy. Dubbed the modern “Queen of Space Opera” by her readers, she is most known for her acclaimed Cadicle Universe. Amy’s short fiction has been published by NewCon Press, Seventh Seal Press, and in numerous indie publications.
When she's not writing, she enjoys travel, wine tasting, binge-watching TV series, and playing epic strategy board games.
She is an award-winning and USA Today bestselling indie author specializing in space-based science fiction and fantasy. Dubbed the modern “Queen of Space Opera” by her readers, she is most known for her acclaimed Cadicle Universe. Amy’s short fiction has been published by NewCon Press, Seventh Seal Press, and in numerous indie publications.
When she's not writing, she enjoys travel, wine tasting, binge-watching TV series, and playing epic strategy board games.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 22, 2017
I liked this series at first but have grown to despise all of the main characters. They are nothing more than a bunch of uber rich spoiled brats. The lovey dovey crap is nauseating. The only interesting character was the one dude who was honest but angry with Saera. So what do our protagonists do? Send him off to prison for his thoughts and feelings. Frankly I was about to start cheering for the Baakzen after that. I won't be reading any more of these.
July 17, 2017
An Epic Story
I cannot stress enough how thrilling, and awesome this story has become to me. I become one with the story, and feel the tensions of the characters. It has so many twists and turns, and intricate storylines. I compare the whole story to that of Dune with all the characters, their backgrounds, history and way of life explained. The structure of their society and individual lives are so real feeling to me. I can't wait to finish the rest of the books in this series.
I cannot stress enough how thrilling, and awesome this story has become to me. I become one with the story, and feel the tensions of the characters. It has so many twists and turns, and intricate storylines. I compare the whole story to that of Dune with all the characters, their backgrounds, history and way of life explained. The structure of their society and individual lives are so real feeling to me. I can't wait to finish the rest of the books in this series.
January 14, 2018
Great, great series!!
The storyline is outstanding with soooo much action! On the edge of your seat excitement. One of my peeves is to read a good story but the author doesn't care enough to make you like the characters. Thankfully, Amy DuBoff has it totally in hand. She reminds me of a young Lois Bujold McMasters. A compliment indeed as Lois has kept me enthralled since the 1980's. Keep going, Amy!
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The storyline is outstanding with soooo much action! On the edge of your seat excitement. One of my peeves is to read a good story but the author doesn't care enough to make you like the characters. Thankfully, Amy DuBoff has it totally in hand. She reminds me of a young Lois Bujold McMasters. A compliment indeed as Lois has kept me enthralled since the 1980's. Keep going, Amy!
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February 28, 2019
Crossroads of Fate: Volume 5; an Epic Space Opera Series
Once again I enjoyed reading this volume of the series, I was a little bit disappointed in the parts of the ending, but a fantastic series over all. Some times all the tech got a little boring, but the characters and plot made up for those times
Once again I enjoyed reading this volume of the series, I was a little bit disappointed in the parts of the ending, but a fantastic series over all. Some times all the tech got a little boring, but the characters and plot made up for those times
March 17, 2020
5th book
Of course I liked it. I read the previous books in the series. DuBoff takes different position. Her views of the psychological effects of war time decisions on leaders makes for great stories. Highly recommended!
Of course I liked it. I read the previous books in the series. DuBoff takes different position. Her views of the psychological effects of war time decisions on leaders makes for great stories. Highly recommended!
February 27, 2022
Awesome Adventure
An awesome book 3 of the series and the adventure was great. Seeing the characters grow and mature kept me glued to the story, not wanting to put it down. I really like this book and I highly recommend it.
An awesome book 3 of the series and the adventure was great. Seeing the characters grow and mature kept me glued to the story, not wanting to put it down. I really like this book and I highly recommend it.
June 22, 2017
Love this series! The writing and dialog are awesome! I love how the author has created such a great universe! Check this series out! You won't regret it!
June 30, 2017
Great Ending/Midpoint in the story! This reminded me a lot of Ender's game.
July 22, 2017
Enjoyed
Couldn't put this one down, smart story, believable and likable protagonist well rounded characters, good mix of tech/people, Highly recommended
Couldn't put this one down, smart story, believable and likable protagonist well rounded characters, good mix of tech/people, Highly recommended
July 28, 2018
Very good
Couldnt put it down. Looking forward to the next installment. Ill read this series as long as the author keeps writing it.
Couldnt put it down. Looking forward to the next installment. Ill read this series as long as the author keeps writing it.
March 8, 2017
Fantastic Fifth "Cadicle" Novel
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: AS A DYNASTIC SPACE OPERA EPIC--THIS NOVEL AND THE ENTIRE SERIES
At least SOME of the plotlines seem to be resolved in this fifth novel...but not all. If anything, DuBoff's writing seems to get better in each Cadicle (I still don'r know what Cadicle really means) novel, and she wrote very well to start with. I found this novel to be very enjoyable, but that could have been the masterful manner in which she tied those seemingly divergent plotlines together. In this volume, the war reaches what may be a climax. But what will soldiers do after a 400 year war ends?
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: AS A DYNASTIC SPACE OPERA EPIC--THIS NOVEL AND THE ENTIRE SERIES
At least SOME of the plotlines seem to be resolved in this fifth novel...but not all. If anything, DuBoff's writing seems to get better in each Cadicle (I still don'r know what Cadicle really means) novel, and she wrote very well to start with. I found this novel to be very enjoyable, but that could have been the masterful manner in which she tied those seemingly divergent plotlines together. In this volume, the war reaches what may be a climax. But what will soldiers do after a 400 year war ends?
March 7, 2017
Intriguing
To end the line of books here would have been easy writing. In true old school Sci Fi books from my era ...e e doc Smith times which I always read paper copies of.... keep up the cause
To end the line of books here would have been easy writing. In true old school Sci Fi books from my era ...e e doc Smith times which I always read paper copies of.... keep up the cause
April 4, 2017
I found this story thoroughly captivating... I went through the books, one after another with only brief breaks for the mundane things like sleep and food...
Amy has a story that is not quite like anything else and I strongly recommend it to people who like Military Sci-Fi, Alternate Universe, Matrix or Jedi Knight environments as for anyone who simply likes to find that je ne sais quoi.
Amy has a story that is not quite like anything else and I strongly recommend it to people who like Military Sci-Fi, Alternate Universe, Matrix or Jedi Knight environments as for anyone who simply likes to find that je ne sais quoi.
March 31, 2018
In the 5th book of this intriguing space opera series, war is upon us. Wil, Saera, and the TSS are actively engaged in the fight against the Bakzen. Space battles and an epic defeat of the Bakzen is equally balanced with the affect it has on Wil, his wife and closest friends, and their relationships with each other.
War changes people and as Captain Kirk once stated, "How we deal with death is at least as important as how we deal with life." When you have since before you were born been engineered as the weapon that brings death to a whole race, how do you retain your humanity? Wils struggle to do so and his search to find who he is after completing that goal is central to this story. At the same time, while Duboff brings the battle to a conclusion, externally as to the TSS and internally as to Wil, she sets forth the continuing mystery of the priesthood's actions to control the universe, Banks' efforts to find and continue the missing dynasty, and the Bakzen's seeding of planets with its genetic modifications. The author presents us with enough topics to wonder about and look forward to the next book in the series without leaving us on the edge of a cliff, which I appreciate as personally I resent obvious cliffhanger endings. A solid story with a satisfactory ending.
I have enjoyed this series thus far. A varied cast of supporting characters most of which are developed beyond their usefulness to Wil, cool ships, bad guys that we can find some sympathy for, ESP, and political infighting all contribute to the story. You can sit back and simply enjoy the story. However, underneath the narrative there are important issues like religion for political power, cloning, moral responsibility in war, and relationships. They are there for me to think about if I choose, without feeling like I am being led to someone's point of view, or I can stick to vicariously enjoying the characters' experiences and dilemmas.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
War changes people and as Captain Kirk once stated, "How we deal with death is at least as important as how we deal with life." When you have since before you were born been engineered as the weapon that brings death to a whole race, how do you retain your humanity? Wils struggle to do so and his search to find who he is after completing that goal is central to this story. At the same time, while Duboff brings the battle to a conclusion, externally as to the TSS and internally as to Wil, she sets forth the continuing mystery of the priesthood's actions to control the universe, Banks' efforts to find and continue the missing dynasty, and the Bakzen's seeding of planets with its genetic modifications. The author presents us with enough topics to wonder about and look forward to the next book in the series without leaving us on the edge of a cliff, which I appreciate as personally I resent obvious cliffhanger endings. A solid story with a satisfactory ending.
I have enjoyed this series thus far. A varied cast of supporting characters most of which are developed beyond their usefulness to Wil, cool ships, bad guys that we can find some sympathy for, ESP, and political infighting all contribute to the story. You can sit back and simply enjoy the story. However, underneath the narrative there are important issues like religion for political power, cloning, moral responsibility in war, and relationships. They are there for me to think about if I choose, without feeling like I am being led to someone's point of view, or I can stick to vicariously enjoying the characters' experiences and dilemmas.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 3, 2016
Crossroads of Fate is the final book in the Bakzan war, but potentially not in the Cadicle series…at least I hope not. Wil and his team of Primus Elite are ready to advance their training to the front lines and finally engage the enemy. Their skills quickly turn the tide of the war in favor to the TSS, but the Bakzan haven’t been idle either. New Bakzan weapons are quickly advancing the war to the doorstep of the Teran core worlds. The cost is high on both sides and friends we never thought we’d lose are gone in an instant. Wil and Saera’s relationship is strained when Wil must make a decision between two impossible choices. In a winner take all gamble, Wil throws the dice... Who wins, who loses, and who is left to pay the piper makes Crossroads of Fate an excellent read for anyone who enjoys riveting space operas.
Pros:
• The outcome of the Bakzan war is finally decided…maybe
• We finally have the massive space battle I’ve been waiting for! Amy DuBoff has a great vision of offensive and defensive abilities of the fleet. There are some extremely cool interactions and abilities of the various space stations, capital ships, and the new fighters which are finally put into action.
• Heart wrenching moments as longtime companions make the ultimate sacrifice.
Cons:
• There is always another villain around the corner. Are the Bakzan merely the offshoot of something more sinister?
*Disclaimer: I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Pros:
• The outcome of the Bakzan war is finally decided…maybe
• We finally have the massive space battle I’ve been waiting for! Amy DuBoff has a great vision of offensive and defensive abilities of the fleet. There are some extremely cool interactions and abilities of the various space stations, capital ships, and the new fighters which are finally put into action.
• Heart wrenching moments as longtime companions make the ultimate sacrifice.
Cons:
• There is always another villain around the corner. Are the Bakzan merely the offshoot of something more sinister?
*Disclaimer: I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 20, 2016
“World Building At Its Best.”
With the final war with the Bakzen at hand, Wil is promoted to Supreme Commander, and he leads the TSS in a calculated battle with their enemy, an enemy not truly an alien race. Wil is now aware that the Bakzen are clones of genetically modified Tarans created by the Priesthood, and it’s really the Priesthood who forced the clones out, making them enemies of those who created them. But the hatred of the Bakzens, against their creators cannot be dismissed with less than a war to destroy one or the other. But for Wil, this is something that might destroy him as a person when he’s responsible for innumerable people dying on worlds caught in the crossfire because of his actions. Can he live with the knowledge that his power and leadership is the ultimate weapon that will wipe out an entire race of people? Will he come out of this unscathed, even if he survives the battles? And what of his friends, his parents, and his wife, will they also be damaged by his actions?
Again, the author gives the reader a well thought out novel of mysterious forces moving people around a chessboard to reach a certain goal. It is world building at its best. The writing is smooth, and fast, with realistic dialogue, and memorable characters that you won’t soon forget. Highly recommended.
With the final war with the Bakzen at hand, Wil is promoted to Supreme Commander, and he leads the TSS in a calculated battle with their enemy, an enemy not truly an alien race. Wil is now aware that the Bakzen are clones of genetically modified Tarans created by the Priesthood, and it’s really the Priesthood who forced the clones out, making them enemies of those who created them. But the hatred of the Bakzens, against their creators cannot be dismissed with less than a war to destroy one or the other. But for Wil, this is something that might destroy him as a person when he’s responsible for innumerable people dying on worlds caught in the crossfire because of his actions. Can he live with the knowledge that his power and leadership is the ultimate weapon that will wipe out an entire race of people? Will he come out of this unscathed, even if he survives the battles? And what of his friends, his parents, and his wife, will they also be damaged by his actions?
Again, the author gives the reader a well thought out novel of mysterious forces moving people around a chessboard to reach a certain goal. It is world building at its best. The writing is smooth, and fast, with realistic dialogue, and memorable characters that you won’t soon forget. Highly recommended.
September 27, 2016
In this book we finally come to the war that Wil and his team have been preparing for. Battle scenes are generally not my favorite reading, however, DuBoff has very good pacing in her books which kept the battle scenes moving with just the right amount of suspense to keep me interested. The battle scenes involved the intriguing use of telekinetic and telepathic abilities that were very clever and effective. DuBoff also skillfully raises the ultimate questions about the morality of war and the decisions that have to be made in war. The reader experiences the impact on Wil’s relationships and his sense of self as he fulfills the destiny that has been arranged for him.
As the plot expands we learn more about the Bakzen and the diabolical plans they have laid for the demise of the Tarans. We also learn more about Banks and his efforts to end the hold the Priesthood has on the Tarans. Through Banks we also experience a very poignant and profound moment in the book that explores the reaches of the universe and human consciousness. This scene was one of my favorite scenes in the series.
DuBoff also leaves us with hints about new developments to come in the understanding of the Priesthood and a new generation that perhaps will one day confront them.
I am enjoying the unfolding of this world and highly recommend the series to readers of science fiction.
As the plot expands we learn more about the Bakzen and the diabolical plans they have laid for the demise of the Tarans. We also learn more about Banks and his efforts to end the hold the Priesthood has on the Tarans. Through Banks we also experience a very poignant and profound moment in the book that explores the reaches of the universe and human consciousness. This scene was one of my favorite scenes in the series.
DuBoff also leaves us with hints about new developments to come in the understanding of the Priesthood and a new generation that perhaps will one day confront them.
I am enjoying the unfolding of this world and highly recommend the series to readers of science fiction.
September 3, 2016
While there is a central hero to the story, I like the variety of different character's perspectives, from the hero's family, to his fellow officers, even his enemy. There is a good balance between the main war action, while planting more seeds of curiosity about the Priesthood's secrets. DuBoff has a great talent for giving you just enough closure to feel satisfied with each book's story arc while giving you just enough sneak peaks to make you want to know what will happen in the next book of the Cadicle series. I like that DuBoff grappled with what it means to be human, when your enemy is very similar to you, and the ethics involved in genocide and in creating new forms of life.
September 10, 2016
I Highly Recommend
I have absolutely loved reading this book in the series, it managed to keep me enthralled for every second. I haven't read many sci-fi books before however after reading this series I'm definitely going to start reading more. The only one downside is now I am eagerly awaiting book 6.
I have absolutely loved reading this book in the series, it managed to keep me enthralled for every second. I haven't read many sci-fi books before however after reading this series I'm definitely going to start reading more. The only one downside is now I am eagerly awaiting book 6.
August 25, 2019
I enjoyed reading this.
Vol 5 describes and action packed conclusion to the war. It is marked with death of a major character, revelation of the cause of the war, emotional impact on the leading characters and their marriage and the reorganization of FSS. The effects of PTSD on Will its resolution is realistic and heartwarming. Groundwork is laid for future books
Vol 5 describes and action packed conclusion to the war. It is marked with death of a major character, revelation of the cause of the war, emotional impact on the leading characters and their marriage and the reorganization of FSS. The effects of PTSD on Will its resolution is realistic and heartwarming. Groundwork is laid for future books
November 30, 2016
Great read!
A great read and continuation of the series. Further character development and great action scenes. I can't wait for the next novel to come out!
A great read and continuation of the series. Further character development and great action scenes. I can't wait for the next novel to come out!
October 16, 2017
In general, an enjoyable story.
While it's not a big deal, the number of times the author mentions the tinted glasses the agents wear is odd.
The contrived impossible decision in book 5 was hard for me to get past, because of the holes in the scenario. So much so, that I'm 50-50 if I'll continue reading the story.
While it's not a big deal, the number of times the author mentions the tinted glasses the agents wear is odd.
The contrived impossible decision in book 5 was hard for me to get past, because of the holes in the scenario. So much so, that I'm 50-50 if I'll continue reading the story.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews