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The Contingency War #2
The Way Station Gambit
They think we’re beaten. They’re so wrong.
I am Captain Taylor Ray. Still reeling from the revelations of the Hedalt threat, my new ally –Commander Sarah Sonner – and I must pull off a daring heist to steal a vital piece of black-market tech from a heavily-guarded Way Station. Without it we have no hope of putting the contingency fleet together and no hope of fighting back against the Hedalt.
With a single ship, out-gunned and outmatched, Sonner and I must rely on our wits and unique abilities to outsmart the enemy and recover the tech. But between us and our prize are brutal racketeers, interstellar pirates with no qualms about murdering those who get in their way.
And to cap it all, Provost Adra is on our trail, tracking our ship through the threads of the Fabric in her formidable War Frigate, determined to stop us at all costs.
If we fail, we lose everything. And this time there are no second chances.
- GenresScience Fiction
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 11, 2019
167 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
G.J. Ogden
82 books121 followersG J Ogden is a proud recipient of the Kindle Storyteller Award and has written over 50 books that have garnered over 15,000 5-star ratings. When he’s not writing, G J Ogden is usually getting whooped in games of Warhammer 40K by his son. Unless he’s playing Adepta Sororitas, then he wins.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 9, 2019
“Revenge was an ugly human emotion.”
I liked this premise better than Contingency #1. It has stimulating concepts, it’s exciting and fast paced, and edge of seat moments. There’s a powerful alien villain, the Provost, intelligent, shrewd and cruel. The “Fabric” is a fantastic way to travel for Taylor the captain, one of the “stimulants”. The humour and witty dialogue is a welcome after going through gruesome and frightening experiences, chases, trying to be one step ahead. A balanced mix of interstellar intrigue, and epic fleet action…with all the hard- and software details and tactical proficiency well described. It has been nerve wrecking and exciting! Ogden weaves a tale that is more than possible as we expand into the vastness beyond the cradle of humanity. Looking forward to reading Rise of Nimrod Fleet #3!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and my review is entirely voluntary.
I liked this premise better than Contingency #1. It has stimulating concepts, it’s exciting and fast paced, and edge of seat moments. There’s a powerful alien villain, the Provost, intelligent, shrewd and cruel. The “Fabric” is a fantastic way to travel for Taylor the captain, one of the “stimulants”. The humour and witty dialogue is a welcome after going through gruesome and frightening experiences, chases, trying to be one step ahead. A balanced mix of interstellar intrigue, and epic fleet action…with all the hard- and software details and tactical proficiency well described. It has been nerve wrecking and exciting! Ogden weaves a tale that is more than possible as we expand into the vastness beyond the cradle of humanity. Looking forward to reading Rise of Nimrod Fleet #3!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and my review is entirely voluntary.
October 13, 2019
Make Me Human💃🐺
Payback Is Hell👺💥
Sci-fi 💫Thriller
A Little Bit Of Truth In The Middle Of A Great Big LIE........
The super militarized Hedalt ship commander, Provost Arda👺, is a sadistic destroyer of even her own people. She gives no quarter to Hedalt👺 pirates who attempt to raid the supply convoy her warship is escorting.
Then her ship, mostly manned with simulants, artificial beings with lab grown human brains, turns to go to the far reaches of the universe💫 to check out the anomaly signal discovered there.
Captain Taylor Ray🐺 is a Hedalt made simulant, although he thought he was a human man seeking out remote Hedalt👺 bases. But in reality, he was a programmed simulant seeking out human bases to destroy! He and his other three crew members were all Hedalt👺 simulants, programmed to believe the Contingency humans had won the war with the Hedalt👺, and the remote sites were Hedalt👺 sites! Completely false!
The base they found was a human outpost, hundreds of years old with its human soldiers in stasis, and only one survived, Commander Sarah Sonner💃🔫🔪. She is probably the last completely human being in the universe.
Taylor🐺 is a unique model, a cybernetic man made with a real human brain, not a lab grown brain like The Hedalt👺 simulants in use now. He is one of four unique models. He was "awakened" and now realizes who and what he is!
Sarah💃🔫🔪 and Taylor's🐺 mission is to find and "awaken" the other unique human brained simulants, who are also in the far reaches of the universe, looking for other remote human bases to destroy. Sarah💃🔫🔪 also hopes to find some human beings still alive.
ARC Received from Booksprout🌱
I also got this ebook with KU.
This is another thought provoking book from sci-fi author GJ Ogden. It's the second book in the series. I read and reviewed the first book, which would be best read first, but isn't completely necessary. The author does explain some of what happened in the first book, to set the stage for this book. 🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠
Payback Is Hell👺💥
Sci-fi 💫Thriller
A Little Bit Of Truth In The Middle Of A Great Big LIE........
The super militarized Hedalt ship commander, Provost Arda👺, is a sadistic destroyer of even her own people. She gives no quarter to Hedalt👺 pirates who attempt to raid the supply convoy her warship is escorting.
Then her ship, mostly manned with simulants, artificial beings with lab grown human brains, turns to go to the far reaches of the universe💫 to check out the anomaly signal discovered there.
Captain Taylor Ray🐺 is a Hedalt made simulant, although he thought he was a human man seeking out remote Hedalt👺 bases. But in reality, he was a programmed simulant seeking out human bases to destroy! He and his other three crew members were all Hedalt👺 simulants, programmed to believe the Contingency humans had won the war with the Hedalt👺, and the remote sites were Hedalt👺 sites! Completely false!
The base they found was a human outpost, hundreds of years old with its human soldiers in stasis, and only one survived, Commander Sarah Sonner💃🔫🔪. She is probably the last completely human being in the universe.
Taylor🐺 is a unique model, a cybernetic man made with a real human brain, not a lab grown brain like The Hedalt👺 simulants in use now. He is one of four unique models. He was "awakened" and now realizes who and what he is!
Sarah💃🔫🔪 and Taylor's🐺 mission is to find and "awaken" the other unique human brained simulants, who are also in the far reaches of the universe, looking for other remote human bases to destroy. Sarah💃🔫🔪 also hopes to find some human beings still alive.
ARC Received from Booksprout🌱
I also got this ebook with KU.
This is another thought provoking book from sci-fi author GJ Ogden. It's the second book in the series. I read and reviewed the first book, which would be best read first, but isn't completely necessary. The author does explain some of what happened in the first book, to set the stage for this book. 🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠
October 4, 2019
The Way Station Gambit is the second book in G.J.Ogden's Contingency War series. This book follows Captain Taylor Ray and Commander Sarah Sonner as they try to get to another Contingency Base. The book also follows Provost Adra and Adjutant Lux as they try to track down Taylor and Sonner.
I am glad to see Adra being given a much bigger part in this book. In the previous one she hardly appeared. She is a force to be reckoned with and most of her scenes were filled with tension. I adore her cruelty and cunning.
This book does give readers an answer to why the Hedalt wanted Earth to begin with. It does make them into a little less of a force of evil that does evil for evil's sake. Though the structure of the Hedalt Empire rewards cruelty over loyalty. At least from what we have seen thus far.
A character from the first book sort of returns in this one. They were one of my favorites and I am glad to be able to see them again. Even if it's not really them.
I would recommend this book to those who have read the previous book and are science fiction fans.
I am glad to see Adra being given a much bigger part in this book. In the previous one she hardly appeared. She is a force to be reckoned with and most of her scenes were filled with tension. I adore her cruelty and cunning.
This book does give readers an answer to why the Hedalt wanted Earth to begin with. It does make them into a little less of a force of evil that does evil for evil's sake. Though the structure of the Hedalt Empire rewards cruelty over loyalty. At least from what we have seen thus far.
A character from the first book sort of returns in this one. They were one of my favorites and I am glad to be able to see them again. Even if it's not really them.
I would recommend this book to those who have read the previous book and are science fiction fans.
October 4, 2019
Starts right off , straight into the action. An Excellent continuation of both , the story and characters . Really enjoying this series .
October 4, 2021
This review covers the entire “G. J. Ogden’s ‘Contingency War’ Series.” And I am not making this up.
I’ve always hand insomnia. When I was a kid, a read the latest Heinlein or Azimov strip from the SF magazines, with a flashlight, under my blanket. (This may have been the reason I did not read much fantasy growing up: scary stuff won’t put you to sleep.) Later, I read military (particularly naval) history books. But well-written non-fiction books also keep you awake.
Over the years, I’ve tried other remedies. Drugs—OTC and prescription. All of them. Sometimes in dangerous combinations. The idea is to knock me out with a wham without making me a morning zombie. The problem is not so much addiction, but getting used to it, so needing ever increasing doses. Nicht so gut.
I’ve tried Transcendental Meditation—took the course in the early 1970s with money earned from working as a cashier. Paid what I think was $25: a lot back then. It was a six-week course, yet I only remember the last day when we were assigned our personal mantras. One-by-one, we went to the guru, who whispered in our ear some meaningless phonemes , followed by a warning to keep all mantras secret. Sixty years later, I never have told anyone my three-syllable mantra. Yet doesn’t everyone think there might be only one mantra given to everyone, then placed under double-secret probation? Anyway, the point is TM is helps if I want to meditate during the day. But it doesn’t get me to sleep.
I also have tried similar phycological gimmicks. Basically, they are designed to slow your thoughts, wipe out daily or long-term concerns, and leave you with nothing but blackness. Blackness matters, to be sure, and if I can get to a fully black environment, I usually sleep. Unfortunately, that is the rare event.
I still read before I sleep, as I’m sure everyone here does. And, at this point—if you’ve made it to this point—you must be saying, “What does this have to do with G. J. Ogden?” Before I answer that, I’ll say that whenever I read a SF, Fantasy, or Techno-thriller written by an author using initials instead of a name, I assume it’s written by a woman. In this case, I’m too lazy to look it up, but I’ll use the feminine pronoun not because I’m Woke, but because I suspect it’s accurate.
Anyway, to continue not to talk about the books, my doctor suggested I might have sleep apnea. And if you’ve ever had that diagnosis, you know what it entails: two nights of sleeping at the basement of some suburban shopping mall with 47/11 wires hooked up to every part of your body. Thinking about peeing is difficult. But if you do, the helpful staff will rush in, unhook you (briefly) from the master control box) and allow me some privacy away from the cameras. Sounds, and is awful.
Your reward for all this diagnosis of profound sleep apnea (how did we not notice those brain cells disappearing before?) is a life sentence to a sleep machine. These machines ensure that enough we breathe through our nose, not mouth, so sufficient Oxygen circulates to keep us alive until there is still less social security. But both at the sleep test and afterward at home, with my machine, any woman would think I look like an alien. I was told “do everything you normally do.” So I did.
Now the wonderful KateBlue recommended the Contingency War Series, and I downloaded all four books the day before my first sleep test. I am astonished to find universal 4 and 5 star ratings for the series. Because my reaction was quite different.
Ms Ogden’s prose is so stilted that she cured my insomnia. Really. At least when reading her books. At the cost of a Kindle. You see, after completing all my ablutions, when I finally lay down in the darkness and started reading any of the four “Contingency War” books (2: The Way Station Gambit; 3: Rise of Nimrod’s Fleet; 4: Earth’s Last War), my eyes would close on their own command. Then I would fall asleep. Then the Kindle would fall out of my right hand and take a hard bounce off the concrete or hardwood floor. So much so that I had to return to my prior Kindle, with its iffy power cord connection.
Ms. Ogden cannot write. Her characters were cardboard—and yes, I know four of them were intended to be cardboard. Yet simply nothing in his series made any sense or was the least bit interesting. I am tempted to buy another of her series and see if it’s similarly bad. But I thought putting this review on-line might guide my path.
Stay away.
I’ve always hand insomnia. When I was a kid, a read the latest Heinlein or Azimov strip from the SF magazines, with a flashlight, under my blanket. (This may have been the reason I did not read much fantasy growing up: scary stuff won’t put you to sleep.) Later, I read military (particularly naval) history books. But well-written non-fiction books also keep you awake.
Over the years, I’ve tried other remedies. Drugs—OTC and prescription. All of them. Sometimes in dangerous combinations. The idea is to knock me out with a wham without making me a morning zombie. The problem is not so much addiction, but getting used to it, so needing ever increasing doses. Nicht so gut.
I’ve tried Transcendental Meditation—took the course in the early 1970s with money earned from working as a cashier. Paid what I think was $25: a lot back then. It was a six-week course, yet I only remember the last day when we were assigned our personal mantras. One-by-one, we went to the guru, who whispered in our ear some meaningless phonemes , followed by a warning to keep all mantras secret. Sixty years later, I never have told anyone my three-syllable mantra. Yet doesn’t everyone think there might be only one mantra given to everyone, then placed under double-secret probation? Anyway, the point is TM is helps if I want to meditate during the day. But it doesn’t get me to sleep.
I also have tried similar phycological gimmicks. Basically, they are designed to slow your thoughts, wipe out daily or long-term concerns, and leave you with nothing but blackness. Blackness matters, to be sure, and if I can get to a fully black environment, I usually sleep. Unfortunately, that is the rare event.
I still read before I sleep, as I’m sure everyone here does. And, at this point—if you’ve made it to this point—you must be saying, “What does this have to do with G. J. Ogden?” Before I answer that, I’ll say that whenever I read a SF, Fantasy, or Techno-thriller written by an author using initials instead of a name, I assume it’s written by a woman. In this case, I’m too lazy to look it up, but I’ll use the feminine pronoun not because I’m Woke, but because I suspect it’s accurate.
Anyway, to continue not to talk about the books, my doctor suggested I might have sleep apnea. And if you’ve ever had that diagnosis, you know what it entails: two nights of sleeping at the basement of some suburban shopping mall with 47/11 wires hooked up to every part of your body. Thinking about peeing is difficult. But if you do, the helpful staff will rush in, unhook you (briefly) from the master control box) and allow me some privacy away from the cameras. Sounds, and is awful.
Your reward for all this diagnosis of profound sleep apnea (how did we not notice those brain cells disappearing before?) is a life sentence to a sleep machine. These machines ensure that enough we breathe through our nose, not mouth, so sufficient Oxygen circulates to keep us alive until there is still less social security. But both at the sleep test and afterward at home, with my machine, any woman would think I look like an alien. I was told “do everything you normally do.” So I did.
Now the wonderful KateBlue recommended the Contingency War Series, and I downloaded all four books the day before my first sleep test. I am astonished to find universal 4 and 5 star ratings for the series. Because my reaction was quite different.
Ms Ogden’s prose is so stilted that she cured my insomnia. Really. At least when reading her books. At the cost of a Kindle. You see, after completing all my ablutions, when I finally lay down in the darkness and started reading any of the four “Contingency War” books (2: The Way Station Gambit; 3: Rise of Nimrod’s Fleet; 4: Earth’s Last War), my eyes would close on their own command. Then I would fall asleep. Then the Kindle would fall out of my right hand and take a hard bounce off the concrete or hardwood floor. So much so that I had to return to my prior Kindle, with its iffy power cord connection.
Ms. Ogden cannot write. Her characters were cardboard—and yes, I know four of them were intended to be cardboard. Yet simply nothing in his series made any sense or was the least bit interesting. I am tempted to buy another of her series and see if it’s similarly bad. But I thought putting this review on-line might guide my path.
Stay away.
April 7, 2020
This is the second book in the series. The story line has settled into a smoothly moving one that certainly establishes the impetus to move to the next book to see what happens. Enjoyable read, ins't that what books are for?
PF Walsh
PF Walsh
May 7, 2020
Captain Roy is still trying to figure out where he fits into this. Now with Casey by his side, part of his crew is back together. He can figure out how to find the other crew members, he should feel like he has a meaning to the plan.
April 19, 2020
Unique Story
It’s entertaining and interesting. Author takes a serious and somewhat depressing concept and adds humor in such a way to make the story entertaining.
It’s entertaining and interesting. Author takes a serious and somewhat depressing concept and adds humor in such a way to make the story entertaining.
August 12, 2020
Easy reaf
I liked that the story is easy to follow but still had aurora along the way. Quick read too. I am enjoying the series.
I liked that the story is easy to follow but still had aurora along the way. Quick read too. I am enjoying the series.
May 16, 2023
The story continues as a small cast of characters continue their journey. Would have liked to see more world building but still a good story.
November 3, 2023
Fun sci fi action book.
October 11, 2019
The second installment of the series takes the action to another level and continues to build on the positive momentum of the first.
The strongest part of the series to me so far is the characters and their development. The idea of the original crew, fragmented and varied with different life experiences, trying to reunite all while led by what may very well be the last organic human is a really compelling idea. It’s like the humans and the Cylons of BSG unified against a common enemy and the idea works well.
The dual plot of the Provost and her crew trying to eliminate the human threat is also fascinating. I don’t want to say much at the risk of spoilers but I appreciate how Adra is trying to end a threat she may have unknowingly created. While she’s vicious and I’m pretty sure we are not supposed to like her or her approach to problems, I do get caught up in her sections and her viewpoint makes some sense to me. That’s a well-written villain and this gives the series a good balance between the characters we want to succeed and our view into the challenges they face.
I liked how there is more of the science fiction and world building in this - we find out more about different elements of technology in their world and some glimpses into the history of the conflict and the species involved. I like that kind of background in a book and it helps take this from just a good story with some actions to a truly engaging story that sucks me and makes it really hard for me to stop.
I did receive an ARC of this book but these are my thoughts and I’m leaving a review because this is a great book. I can’t wait for the next one in the series.
The strongest part of the series to me so far is the characters and their development. The idea of the original crew, fragmented and varied with different life experiences, trying to reunite all while led by what may very well be the last organic human is a really compelling idea. It’s like the humans and the Cylons of BSG unified against a common enemy and the idea works well.
The dual plot of the Provost and her crew trying to eliminate the human threat is also fascinating. I don’t want to say much at the risk of spoilers but I appreciate how Adra is trying to end a threat she may have unknowingly created. While she’s vicious and I’m pretty sure we are not supposed to like her or her approach to problems, I do get caught up in her sections and her viewpoint makes some sense to me. That’s a well-written villain and this gives the series a good balance between the characters we want to succeed and our view into the challenges they face.
I liked how there is more of the science fiction and world building in this - we find out more about different elements of technology in their world and some glimpses into the history of the conflict and the species involved. I like that kind of background in a book and it helps take this from just a good story with some actions to a truly engaging story that sucks me and makes it really hard for me to stop.
I did receive an ARC of this book but these are my thoughts and I’m leaving a review because this is a great book. I can’t wait for the next one in the series.
January 9, 2020
Entertaining, Different, in a good way, Read
Candidly, I was close to stop reading this about a third of the way in Book One. But the characters starting growing on me while reading further, and continued drawing me in, as I read on.
Author does a good job with his character development and doesn’t really stop and move on to plot as most writers do. I would not have normally read on since I’m not a fan of the unusual plot — or just unusual for me.
Author could have gone a lot of ways but he kept hammering away on developing his characters. Hooked me, especially with action, plot developments increasing steadily, starting about halfway through book one, to really get story and characters going.
Can’t speak to science and while the Mil is important to the overall plot, it’s on the light side. Some typos and grammar here n there but I enjoy good character driven stories and this is one. At least book’s one and two are.
Candidly, I was close to stop reading this about a third of the way in Book One. But the characters starting growing on me while reading further, and continued drawing me in, as I read on.
Author does a good job with his character development and doesn’t really stop and move on to plot as most writers do. I would not have normally read on since I’m not a fan of the unusual plot — or just unusual for me.
Author could have gone a lot of ways but he kept hammering away on developing his characters. Hooked me, especially with action, plot developments increasing steadily, starting about halfway through book one, to really get story and characters going.
Can’t speak to science and while the Mil is important to the overall plot, it’s on the light side. Some typos and grammar here n there but I enjoy good character driven stories and this is one. At least book’s one and two are.
September 13, 2020
Fun, action-filled addition to the series. Captain Taylor Ray and Commander Sarah Sonner are up against an entire empire, but they might just have some surprises up their sleeves. The stakes couldn't be any higher. Fun space opera that focuses more of the characters and story than the science. Entertaining read with a good use of humor.
This book offers insight and history into the Hedalt and their motivations as well as a bit more information about the Fabric. Further character development for Ray as he continues to adjust to his new reality.
The books in this series build on each other and this book is a HUGE spoiler for the plot twists in Book 1. If you haven't read The Contingency yet, buy it now, enjoy a great read, and come back for this one. While the books are part of a larger story, each does contain a full story arc.
This book offers insight and history into the Hedalt and their motivations as well as a bit more information about the Fabric. Further character development for Ray as he continues to adjust to his new reality.
The books in this series build on each other and this book is a HUGE spoiler for the plot twists in Book 1. If you haven't read The Contingency yet, buy it now, enjoy a great read, and come back for this one. While the books are part of a larger story, each does contain a full story arc.
December 31, 2019
Interesting concept, it’s not for everyone.
Interesting concept, the earth has been destroyed, the survivors of run and placed them selves in stasis to fight another day. And some humans have been changed into robotic simulant’s to hunt down the remains of mankind. A little weird and depressing. I’m not sure if this book is supposed to be science fiction and part love story, don’t like the captain Taylor Ray. Not sure if he wants to find his love or to say mankind. He doesn’t act properly as a soldier should. The first thing he should be doing is finding a pilot looking for his science officer girlfriend. He knows he’s not a very good pilot so that should be the first thing a captain would do. I am going to finish reading the next two books because I am a completion is and I hope it gets better
Interesting concept, the earth has been destroyed, the survivors of run and placed them selves in stasis to fight another day. And some humans have been changed into robotic simulant’s to hunt down the remains of mankind. A little weird and depressing. I’m not sure if this book is supposed to be science fiction and part love story, don’t like the captain Taylor Ray. Not sure if he wants to find his love or to say mankind. He doesn’t act properly as a soldier should. The first thing he should be doing is finding a pilot looking for his science officer girlfriend. He knows he’s not a very good pilot so that should be the first thing a captain would do. I am going to finish reading the next two books because I am a completion is and I hope it gets better
October 13, 2019
This author writes some wonderful stories. I am hooked on this series and am hoping for more! I love the action and the characters, Captain Ray and Commander Sonner. I love this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 25, 2019
Another step in preparing for war
This story continues the preparation for the war. It's been an exciting 2 books of preparation with the promise that the engagement will begin soon.
This story continues the preparation for the war. It's been an exciting 2 books of preparation with the promise that the engagement will begin soon.
January 25, 2020
Just as good as the first
I continue to enjoy this story. It has some unique twists to the old alien war sci fi story. It is nice to find original concepts in science fiction.
I continue to enjoy this story. It has some unique twists to the old alien war sci fi story. It is nice to find original concepts in science fiction.
January 25, 2020
Good read!
Pretty well written. I enjoyed it. That should be enough, but for the anal jerk that demands 20 words, I will say "pfttttttt".
Pretty well written. I enjoyed it. That should be enough, but for the anal jerk that demands 20 words, I will say "pfttttttt".
January 3, 2020
Great follow up to the first book Contingency War. I am actually enjoying the Audible version *box set*?!!😉. Starting book three now. I recommend this book/series.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews