Libris Cartash

Fourth Fleet Irregulars #10

by S.J. MacDonald

‘It’s been ages since they let us blow anything up.’

A year ago, the Fourth Fleet Irregulars were taken to a distant planet they found was the legendary Libris Cartash, the Lost Library of Cartasay. There, they discovered a mysterious crystalline artefact buried deep underground, which they were unable to reach at the time.Now they’re back, setting up a base for a team to excavate the artefact. With the base established, though, they are re-tasked to a secondary mission. Sixships, a world colonised by six fanatical and mutally hostile groups, has been at war for nearly two centuries. Can the Fourth find a way to impose a ceasefire?

To Commodore Alex von Strada’s delight, their efforts will require quite a lot of blowing things up, with the kind of spectacular destruction the Fourth always enjoys.It will be their return to Libris Cartash, though, which will truly challenge Alex and the Fourth, as the excavation of the Library reveals an extraordinary legacy.

Genres: Science Fiction

395 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2020

About the author

I am a primary school teacher living in Cardiff, Wales, UK. I live in a tiny house full of books, animals, rocks and fossils.

I love travelling by myself because you get to meet more local people that way. My favourite trips so far have been ice fishing in the arctic circle, the Canadian Rockies in winter and camping with my sister in Devon (Every bit as adventurous!)

I have been writing stories since I was a kid but have only recently taken the plunge into publishing. I've also recently started a science fiction review site http://www.starshipsandaliens.com which is nearly as much fun as writing.

Reviews

[Andy Zach · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished the 4th Fleet Irregulars series (so far) with this book, and it's one of her better ones. S.J. MacDonald has written a very psychological scifi series, focused on adjusting peoples' personalities individually and collectively.

What made this book unique was the point of view of the book was Jom, and League Intelligence Agent (LIA) who was present to report on Captain Alex von Strada and whether he was a threat to the League. He was there with Alex's knowledge and acceptance. His personality development and change through the book was fascinating.

[Aaron Floyed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just gets better

By book 10 you know what you are in for. alex and the crew are off to do more of what they do best, trouble shot and problem solve. We get to see a return to one of the pivotal locations outlined in book 9 and visit sixshipa again. This time the LIA are along for the ride and I enjoyed this change immensely.

I will say the start was a little bit different from previous books. It felt like the first chapter was missing as if was already into the mission at the very start, but it became apparent that this was a style change for the author and it made sense by chapter 2. I have to say that I am now awaiting book 11 and hope it will be out soon.

[Mick Bird · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series

Once again, we see Alex and the Fourth tasked with sorting out the mess that the league has go gotten in. But they have to first sort out the dig at the lost library of Cartasay. Once he and his crew have set up a base for the excavate team, they set of for Sixships. The people of Sixships are in for a few shocks as we have come to expect from the fourth, they don't do anything small. S J, has left us with as we have come to expect from him a cliff hanger. Looking forward to reading the next book.

[Tony Hisgett · Rating 3 out of 5]

After book nine Venturi I gave this series a bit of a break, actually over five years. Unfortunately I had forgotten the problems I had with the author’s writing style, especially finding ways of skipping past some of the repetitive descriptions and explanations.
The story wasn’t uninteresting and there is an fascinating range of characters, but it takes such a long time to get anywhere.
If possible I would have given 2.5 stars.

[Robert John · Rating 3 out of 5]

A disappointment

Having read and enjoyed the previous 9 books I was really looking forward to the revelations that might be uncovered once the library began giving up its secrets. Without giving any spoilers it was a total let down.

The rest of the book was OK in the normal way for 4th Fleet stories but felt a bit unfinished.

[Mike Goodman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic

This story is from an intelligent officer who is tasked with following Alex around. Of course after seeing the fourths methodology he finds out what a truly great commander he is

[Sherry Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Worthy Entry in the Series

I enjoyed this book as I have all other books in the series. This one was not available on Kindle Unlimited, but worth the cost!