The quadrant is on fire, and it seems that everyone wants to see it burn.In the wake of the Galactic Republic’s fall, Magnus and the Gladio Umbra learn of a new superpower that hopes to unit all orphaned star systems in peace. But Magnus’s suspicions grow as the Luma Alliance of Worlds uses anything but peaceful methods to co-opt allegiance in the post-Republic landscape.Meanwhile, on the fringe of the galaxy, a dark shadow looms. Moldark, the sworn enemy of a growing number of species, amasses power through a new partnership with the Obscura. With their combined forces, there is no telling what evil may rain down upon the galaxy’s sentient worlds.Magnus, Awen, and the warriors of the Gladio Umbra have no choice but to keep So-Elku from building a totalitarian state. But they also must keep Moldark from blowing everything they hold dear into oblivion.Find out what happens to the Gladio Umbra next this eighth entry to the critically acclaimed series from Christopher Hopper and USA Today Bestselling Author J.N. Chaney
Book #8 “The violence, the chaos, and the power play—it was all wrong.” “Do good because you love things, love people. Deeply. In the end, it’s all you have. All we have.” What a fantastic cover, one of the best of the series! An underwater SciFi? Bring it on! Staggering discoveries are made in this premise, which one more impressive, otherworldly skills more powerful and never encountered before..Politics are highly involved in this premise, without an official governing system to rule the Galaxy, the situation is chaotic, disrupted. With attacks from various fronts The Gladias have more dire moments than they can hold up to. The appearance of a new player, a sinister and powerful entity, brings up a huge twist to the plot, a dangerous turnover filled with daunting and terrifying perspectives. A story full of characters you will both love and despise. One of the best instalments of the series, full of heart breaking , lump in throat scenes, emotions run deep..it’s about a ferocious loyalty, hope, determination, overwhelming strength, true and loving feelings of unity. I love the way everything is described with perfection, the military strategies discussed and employed are incredible and realistic. The battle scenes are very dramatic and overpowering . An edge of seat, action full story, gripping, gritty and thrilling story! I was snagged from the beginning, following the tortuous scenarios, a tension filled read! The fast paced plot kept me gripped from start to finish. I’m impatient to read Rise of The Gladias #9!
Book 8 see the Gladius trying to come to grips with the state of the Galactic Republic, as the galaxy is still reeling from the destruction of Capriana Prime, but now a new power has emerged as So-Elku has created the new “Luma Alliance of Worlds”. Whilst they talk a very peaceful rhetoric, their actions leave a lot to be desired, as they move through the galaxy, co-opting systems with strong arm tactics, or just down right force. The “LAW” as they have come to be known move quickly to capitalise on the shattered Republic, trying to bring systems into their fold whilst the remnants of the Republic are still trying to come to terms with everything that has happened. In the midst of this, the Gladio Umbra have gone to the Sekmit homeworld to try and find some much needed rest. But Ni Freya asked for their help in return for their stay on Aluross. As a result, at the end of book 7, the Gladius went to the Governors house on Sekmit to retrieve some information, but instead, came across some incredibly powerful Unity users operating for So-Elku. In the ensuing battle, Governor Littleton was killed, as were several others and the Gladio Umbra had their first real run in with the LAWs new Unity Soldiers. At the start of Book 8, it has become apparent that So-Elku is moving against all of the Trinium deposits in the galaxy, making sure that he can secure this vital resource for his own ships, and to put a stranglehold on all future supplies for transportation across the galaxy. It is here that we learn one of the largest of such deposits has been kept secret on Aluross. However, Littleton new about it, which was why So-Elku’s forces raided his property, and they now have the information. As the story builds, it becomes obvious, that So-Elku intends to take the Sekmit’s Trinium, either by them surrendering it (which they have no intention of doing), or by taking it by force. And so begins a full scale preparation to defend Aluross against such an attack. This provides for a strategical and tactical look at how such a military operation will be carried out, as the Gladii and the Sekmit prepare, but it also provides for a multitude of humorous moments in language and cultural breakdowns. The Sekmit are incredibly literal, much like the Jujari, and whilst they seem to understand each other, it makes for some highly amusing conversational moments between Magnus and his team and the Sekmit forces, as well as the two AI – Azelon and TO-96. It adds some levity to a series that can at times get almost oppressive in the constant conflict, loss of life, and decimation that occurs around (and to) the main characters. It’s the moments of levity that make this series a standout amongst others and stop it spiraling. Without giving too much away, the focus of Quantum Assault becomes largely about the defence of the Sekmit homeworld and their Trinium. But there are also several political ramifications to this decision that become apparent as the book unfolds. As with the other books, there is not just a military sci-fi story, but there is also a strong political thriller aspect to the story, as we see the fall of the Galactic Republic, the remnants of that Republic trying to survive and protect its people, as well as several other parties vying for control for power. In the middle of all of it, not only enjoying the chaos, but looking to add more and destroy everything, is Moldark. He has found a new ally, the Obscura, and with them, he may well have found the answers to several of his problems. As with the other books in this series, the character work continues to be outstanding, as we see our two main characters Awen and Magnus, along with the multitude of other ‘semi-major’ characters (too many to list), all continue to grow and evolve. Magnus is still struggling with his position, both in the Gladius, but also his new role in the galaxy as no longer being a Repub Marine, but rather his own person, and someone who is very much in love. Awen is very similar, no longer a ‘Luma’, instead, a Gladii, but of the Unity variety, her own person as well, and in love with Magnus. Separately, they are incredibly powerful, together, they are nigh on unstoppable. There is also little Piper, who may well yet hold the galaxy in her hands. Quantum Assault is the penultimate book in the series, and this is a brilliant lead up to the final story for the climatic end to what has been an exceptional read. This is a must read for anyone who has not only enjoyed the previous books, but has enjoyed any of Hopper’s or Chaney’s books.
The Gladio Umbra have thwarted an initial plan by So-Elku to obtain a rule over the planet Aluross, home of the Sekmit. It is also a planet that contains vast amounts of trinium, a mineral that runs starships! The mining of trintium on Aluross has been a Republic secret for a long time. The Sekmit are not accustomed to having outsiders on their worlds. They had made an arrangement with the Republic to keep their privacy and for protection. The Republic was paid for their services in trinium. The Sekmit knew that the amount of trinium they had to pay for this protection was far in excess of what they should be paying, but they didn’t have much of a choice. While the Semkit were a warrior race on their own planet, they didn’t build starships and had no space navy. Now that the Republic has been crippled, the Neo-Republic is trying to take it’s place. They don’t have the same resources as the old Republic and the Sekmit know it!
So-Elku had co-opted Governor Blackwell and wanted him to get control of the trinium operations on Aluross, but the Gladio Umbra stepped in and stopped that action cold. They knew that Blackwell was actually working for So-Elku when they had to fight large numbers of Li-Dain just to get to him. Blackwell was killed in the exchange, but the Gladio Umbra and Sekmit were working on a plan to get So-Elku into a trap. He was invited to Aluross by one of the tribal chiefs to discuss trade arrangements with the Lumina Alliance of Worlds (LAW). Would he fall for it?
Meanwhile, Rohoar, had ample evidence that Moldark was still alive and building up an army some where. They didn’t know who he was now working with or why and they didn’t know what his new agenda would be since he pretty much destroyed the Republic by wiping out Capriana Prime. But, Moldark was after So-Elku. He felt betrayed by the man, and wanted him dead!
This was pretty good reading. Most interesting were the trips to the spaceport and the fighting in the underwate minining operations. Yes, part of these battles take place underwater. It’s a good thing the Gladio Umbra found the Novia Minoosh starship and their ability to use the Unity was going to be paramount in these battles. I hope everyone lives through all this stuff.
Book 8 of 9 and they just keep getting better and better!
No plot spoilers, just to say that Magnus, Awen, Rohoar and the rest of the teams adventures race along at breakneck speed in this the penultimate episode of the brilliant Ruins of the Galaxy series.
Well, we are moving right along. The characters are becoming like old friends. The battles continue. In fact I think I have battle fatique. Ends with a cliff hanger, that some thing is coming. I think it is book 9?
Just as fine as any of the other seven books in the series. If I had one reservation, it would be the numerous spelling errors which should have been picked up in editing. Only in Sci-Fi literature do you find glaring simple spelling snafus…