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Future War #3
Orbital
"Tom Clancy and Dan Brown, step aside... Explosive, ingenious and thought provoking. I was not able to put this novel down because I had to find out what happened next."
5 Stars Readers' Favorite
In 2034, a cataclysmic meteorite shower rains down on Saudi Arabia, destroying the world's largest oil processing facility and sending the price of oil into the stratosphere.
But was it an act of God, or of man?
At Cape Canaveral, Colonel Alicia Rodriguez takes over the fledgling US Space Force 615th Combat Operations Squadron’s three X-37C remotely piloted spacecraft and their new mission: to determine whether a foreign State was behind the attack.
At the Titov Main Test and Control Center in Moscow, Lieutenant General Yevgeny Bondarev is trying to balance the ambitions of his political masters with the demands of his Chief Scientist, the scarred, blind and emotionally disturbed Anastasia Grahkovsky.
In Switzerland, Italian External Intelligence Agency deep-cover source, Roberta D'Antonia, is witness to a confrontation between Russia and Saudi Arabia on the sidelines of an OPEC meeting that could set the world on fire.
And 1,200 miles above the earth, in the British Skylon D4 spacecraft, Flight Lieutenant 'Meany' Papastopolous finds his craft under fire as he gets too close to the closest guarded secret in space.
Taking military technologies that are on the drawing board today and putting them into the domain of space 15 years from now, the much anticipated third volume in the Future War series, 'Orbital', is a high-octane look at what the growing militarization of space could lead to in the all too near future.
5 Stars Readers' Favorite
In 2034, a cataclysmic meteorite shower rains down on Saudi Arabia, destroying the world's largest oil processing facility and sending the price of oil into the stratosphere.
But was it an act of God, or of man?
At Cape Canaveral, Colonel Alicia Rodriguez takes over the fledgling US Space Force 615th Combat Operations Squadron’s three X-37C remotely piloted spacecraft and their new mission: to determine whether a foreign State was behind the attack.
At the Titov Main Test and Control Center in Moscow, Lieutenant General Yevgeny Bondarev is trying to balance the ambitions of his political masters with the demands of his Chief Scientist, the scarred, blind and emotionally disturbed Anastasia Grahkovsky.
In Switzerland, Italian External Intelligence Agency deep-cover source, Roberta D'Antonia, is witness to a confrontation between Russia and Saudi Arabia on the sidelines of an OPEC meeting that could set the world on fire.
And 1,200 miles above the earth, in the British Skylon D4 spacecraft, Flight Lieutenant 'Meany' Papastopolous finds his craft under fire as he gets too close to the closest guarded secret in space.
Taking military technologies that are on the drawing board today and putting them into the domain of space 15 years from now, the much anticipated third volume in the Future War series, 'Orbital', is a high-octane look at what the growing militarization of space could lead to in the all too near future.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 23, 2020
633 people are currently reading
853 people want to read
About the author
F.X. Holden
22 books192 followersFX Holden writes action thrillers (The 'Aggressor' and 'Future War' Series) and Science Fiction (The 'Coruscant' and 'Red Legion' Series). He has been awarded two US Publishers' Weekly Stars (the Michelin Star of publishing), the US Readers' Favorite award for Best Political Thriller (twice, including in 2025), and the US Book Excellence award for Best Military Fiction!
FX Holden is a pen name for author Tim (TJ) Slee, winner of the HarperCollins Banjo Prize for Australian fiction and the US Publishers Weekly BookLife Prize for Fiction.
FX Holden is a pen name for author Tim (TJ) Slee, winner of the HarperCollins Banjo Prize for Australian fiction and the US Publishers Weekly BookLife Prize for Fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
June 12, 2020
As the title indicates, Orbital takes the future of war into space. Scary shit, people! I was happy to see familiar names returning in this book. As in previous books, there are lots of agency names, weapons, vehicles, rockets, etc., and their acronyms in various nations. It might take some getting used to, but they lend authenticity.
The story felt surreal, but the author explains what already exists and what is probable in the future. Most people will be shocked. This good earth is in a whole lot more trouble than we think. Each of us needs to better vet the people we elect to positions of power. With regard to China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, India, and other countries, we need people who know how to speak softly and carry a big stick.
The author includes a portion of his next book at the end of Orbital. I won’t read it; I’d rather be surprised. I am looking forward to it, though! Keep the stories coming, Mr. Holden!
The story felt surreal, but the author explains what already exists and what is probable in the future. Most people will be shocked. This good earth is in a whole lot more trouble than we think. Each of us needs to better vet the people we elect to positions of power. With regard to China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, India, and other countries, we need people who know how to speak softly and carry a big stick.
The author includes a portion of his next book at the end of Orbital. I won’t read it; I’d rather be surprised. I am looking forward to it, though! Keep the stories coming, Mr. Holden!
May 24, 2020
FX Holden has again presented a realistic, engaging, and action-packed look into what armed conflict could look like in the very near future. The technology is not fanciful but drawn from that which is in use today (e.g. the USAF X37B) and either in development or on the drawing board. I love his characters. They are not the ‘cookie-cutter’ characters seen in so many ‘thrillers’ but rich, flawed, and relatable. Add to that the fact that he tells a good story and you have a book, and series, that are entertaining and definitely worth reading!
June 15, 2020
While I still think the first book in this series Bering Straitwas the best, this one came very close to living up to that standard of excellence. In particular the specifics of space warfare are either extant or right around the corner. Fascinating and quite realistic. I'm very much looking forward to reading the prequel for the entire series he has coming out next year.
March 8, 2021
This series just keeps getting better.
More extension of possible future war. Although it does reference the previous books, the conflict and technology are not contingent upon them, which makes it even more fun. As the title suggests, this one is about space and satellite warfare. It is even more interesting to think that between space and cyber nations could be at war (even kinetic war) without anyone knowing. Should be required reading for Space Force.
More extension of possible future war. Although it does reference the previous books, the conflict and technology are not contingent upon them, which makes it even more fun. As the title suggests, this one is about space and satellite warfare. It is even more interesting to think that between space and cyber nations could be at war (even kinetic war) without anyone knowing. Should be required reading for Space Force.
October 7, 2020
Great read with realistic possibilities
Enjoyed this book, realistic character development, and situations seemed probable. A military techno thriller with probable future advances in military technology.
Enjoyed this book, realistic character development, and situations seemed probable. A military techno thriller with probable future advances in military technology.
May 24, 2020
The Russian economy is on the brink of collapse, and the only thing that could save it is an increase in world oil price for its exports. To bring that about, the Saudis need to drastically reduce production, which they refuse. In retaliation, the Russians cripple a major Saudi processing complex using one of their kinetic weapon satellites blanketing Earth. The plant is obliterated and everyone pretends it was done by a meteor shower. This was not enough for Russia, and they destroy a Chinese gas distribution hub. The American Space Force seek to neutralize this threat by Russia, but the weapon satellites have defenses, which the Space Force and the British suborbital fighter find out the hard way. Russia does not want an all-out war with America, but China and the physically and emotionally scarred Chief Scientist, designer of the Russian weapon satellites, have agendas of their own. War threatens the world when Cape Canaveral is obliterated, forcing America to unveil its own secret space weapon. Will the ICBMs fly? And what has China to gain from an exchange?
With ‘Orbital’, FX Holden plunges the reader into his superbly written techno-thriller from the first page. Blinded by a meteor strike as a child, Anastasia Grahkovsky becomes the designer and Chief Scientist of the Russian kinetic weapon satellites. It is her creation, her baby, and nothing will stand in her way to protect it, even her superiors. The Russian Energy Minister entices the lovely Italian-born Roberta D’Antonia to be his personal strategic advisor and help him become the Defense Minister. However, Roberta has another master, and it does not take the Russian secret service long to uncover that she is a Western spy. FX Holden handles the interplay between his characters with deft skill, but the focus of his novel is unmistakably on military action sprinkled with a wealth of acronyms techno-thriller readers will devour with relish. Tom Clancy and Dale Brown stand aside. ‘Orbital’ is a gripping story of possible warfare in space that forces readers to keep turning the pages. The ending is somewhat forced and rushed, but lovers of this type of genre will hardly notice this, their eyes focused on space.
With ‘Orbital’, FX Holden plunges the reader into his superbly written techno-thriller from the first page. Blinded by a meteor strike as a child, Anastasia Grahkovsky becomes the designer and Chief Scientist of the Russian kinetic weapon satellites. It is her creation, her baby, and nothing will stand in her way to protect it, even her superiors. The Russian Energy Minister entices the lovely Italian-born Roberta D’Antonia to be his personal strategic advisor and help him become the Defense Minister. However, Roberta has another master, and it does not take the Russian secret service long to uncover that she is a Western spy. FX Holden handles the interplay between his characters with deft skill, but the focus of his novel is unmistakably on military action sprinkled with a wealth of acronyms techno-thriller readers will devour with relish. Tom Clancy and Dale Brown stand aside. ‘Orbital’ is a gripping story of possible warfare in space that forces readers to keep turning the pages. The ending is somewhat forced and rushed, but lovers of this type of genre will hardly notice this, their eyes focused on space.
Read
June 6, 2020This is a great, realistic view of a scary future world. Some of the weapons described in the book, I believe, are not too far from being employed, if they already are not in place. Anti- satellite devices are well underway and manned weapons out there are quite achievable. In this Trumpian world, unbalanced characters as written in the book are already in place. This is an author with real ideas about the threats facing our present world and presents them in authentically in all of the books he has written. They are exciting, brutal and realistic.
Look forward to all his writings!
Look forward to all his writings!
June 22, 2020
Hold on and strap in.
Well another totally entertaining and very possible book. Love the details and the depth, the characters interactions and the sheer scale of the story. It would make a great movie!! Loved it and 2021 is a long time until the next in the series but I will wait if I must. Thanks for the journey, it was a o blast.
Well another totally entertaining and very possible book. Love the details and the depth, the characters interactions and the sheer scale of the story. It would make a great movie!! Loved it and 2021 is a long time until the next in the series but I will wait if I must. Thanks for the journey, it was a o blast.
June 27, 2020
Another "page turner" in the Future of War series!
I read a lot of good books, but each of the books in the series is so good that I've read each two times and each was better the 2nd read.
The author"s style is riviting, and the addition of future weaponry and compelling characters is magical.
I couldn't recommend all of them more highly!
I read a lot of good books, but each of the books in the series is so good that I've read each two times and each was better the 2nd read.
The author"s style is riviting, and the addition of future weaponry and compelling characters is magical.
I couldn't recommend all of them more highly!
July 8, 2020
A great future book on possible warfare in fifteen years. Sometimes gets a bit long in descriptions and has a couple of extra characters. But overall, a good read and a great extension of the series.
June 16, 2020
This latest installment in the Future War series is an absolutely absorbing read - I couldn't put it down!
May 30, 2020
I have read all of his books, have not been disappointed with any of them, set not to far into the future makes you wonder how true this will become . Great read great story believable
June 19, 2020
Great
I really Enjoyed reading this Great Book. It was really hard to put down. Hopefully there will be many more Books in this series.
I really Enjoyed reading this Great Book. It was really hard to put down. Hopefully there will be many more Books in this series.
June 24, 2020
Not my review of course as I am the author! I thought I would post the trade reviews that have come in:
Reviewed By Lesley Jones for Readers’ Favorite 20 May 2020. 5 Stars.
In Orbital by FX Holden, in 2013, Chelyabinsk, Russia, 9-year-old Anatasia Grahkovsky is injured along with 1200 others when a meteor falls on their city. By 2032, Anatasia is the chief scientist of the Russian Aerospace test center, overseeing a research program called Groza. Groza's capabilities cannot be matched by any other superpower and the Russians intend to use them to gain maximum military and economic control. In 2033, the US military discovers that satellites the Russians have deployed to protect Earth from dangerous meteors are not what they seem. When a Saudi oil facility is destroyed, many believe it is an act of God in the form of a meteor. However, when further attacks take place, the US and some unlikely allies join forces to stop the Russians' deadly plan.
Orbital by FX Holden is an extremely well-written and realistic plot with multi-layered areas of interest. The main characters are all compelling and the author has included some great backstories within the story which make their motivations and actions believable. There are some excellent strong and intelligent female characters too, which I loved. The whole concept of the story is quite a frightening, showing the disregard for human life and military sanctions which are intended to keep us protected. The plot moves at a fantastically exciting pace and the areas of conflict were superb. There were many clever twists and revelations throughout the main storyline and sub-plots. The author includes so much detail, you actually feel the emotions of the characters. I was not able to put this novel down because I just had to know what would happen next. The ending was explosive, ingenious, and really thought-provoking.
Reviewed by Publishers Weekly BL Prize 2020
BookLife Prize - 2020
Visibility : public
Plot/Idea: 10 out of 10
Originality: 9 out of 10
Prose: 9 out of 10
Character/Execution: 10 out of 10
Overall: 9.50 out of 10
Assessment:
Plot: The plot of Holden’s hard science fiction novel is masterfully elaborated and executed. Its panoramic unfolding through a multiplicity of characters’ experiences as they grapple with the consequences of a near-future spaced-based kinetic weapons system gives it a global scope, but also sense of personal intimacy. The story is suspenseful, audacious, and full of thrilling surprises.
Prose/Style: Holden’s prose mixes abundant technological and military jargon with its characters’ regular conversation. Whether or not it is technically accurate, it certainly convinces the reader that it is.
Originality: Holden’s novel is the latest in a tradition of military thrillers with science fiction overtones, harking back to Wheeler and Burdick’s Fail-Safe (1962) and even earlier. That said, it has a satisfyingly fresh feel.
Character Development: Holden’s novel is told through a diverse array of character viewpoints, each them credibly rendered. Each has their own personality with its attending complexities, none more so than Anastasia Grahkovsky, creator of Russia’s Groza weapons system, whose defense of it at the expense of the considerable human deaths it causes is chilling but, given her backstory, understandable.
Editor's Choice Review, BookLife
Holden’s nail-biting third Future War military thriller (after Okinawa) gives readers a front-row seat to an international tactical assault on a devastating orbiting weapon. In 2034, the blind, disfigured, and unstable Russian scientist Anastasia Grahkovsky develops a kinetic bombardment satellite weapon system that mimics the destruction of meteor strikes. She names it Groza, meaning thunderstorm. When Saudi Arabia refuses to curb oil production, Groza obliterates the country’s largest oil processing facility to boost the price of Russian oil and revitalize its economy. The Russians then escalate, targeting a Chinese pipeline and Cape Canaveral. American, British, and Chinese forces unite to destroy Groza’s 16 orbital platforms before more people die.
Futuristic exoskeletons and artificial intelligence bring a speculative edge to the story, which is grounded by international political maneuvering and old-fashioned espionage. Holden populates this political blockbuster of a novel with a cast of sympathetic and intriguing characters. Col. Alicia Rodriguez of the U.S. Space Force joins forces with Scotland-based Lt. Meany Papastopoulos, who leads the R.A.F.’s suborbital missile launch system. Cpl. Maqsud Khan, charged with deploying Groza, must balance Grahkovsky’s orders against his pacifist beliefs, humanizing the antagonistic side...
Though the nonstop action is sometimes tiring, readers will be captivated by Holden’s deft battle sequences and his characters’ constantly shifting strategy. Holden expertly pulls from recent military history, technology, and international relations to fuel his prescient epic about the militarization of space. While keeping an eye on the big picture, he also delves into technologically driven warfare’s devastating effects on individual lives. Thriller readers with an interest in the future of politics and warfare will find a lot to chew on in this exciting and thoughtful novel.
Takeaway: Military enthusiasts and science fiction fans will delight in this action-packed political thrill ride set 900 miles up.
Great for fans of James Rosone’s Into the Stars, Matthew Mather’s CyberSpace.
Reviewed By Lesley Jones for Readers’ Favorite 20 May 2020. 5 Stars.
In Orbital by FX Holden, in 2013, Chelyabinsk, Russia, 9-year-old Anatasia Grahkovsky is injured along with 1200 others when a meteor falls on their city. By 2032, Anatasia is the chief scientist of the Russian Aerospace test center, overseeing a research program called Groza. Groza's capabilities cannot be matched by any other superpower and the Russians intend to use them to gain maximum military and economic control. In 2033, the US military discovers that satellites the Russians have deployed to protect Earth from dangerous meteors are not what they seem. When a Saudi oil facility is destroyed, many believe it is an act of God in the form of a meteor. However, when further attacks take place, the US and some unlikely allies join forces to stop the Russians' deadly plan.
Orbital by FX Holden is an extremely well-written and realistic plot with multi-layered areas of interest. The main characters are all compelling and the author has included some great backstories within the story which make their motivations and actions believable. There are some excellent strong and intelligent female characters too, which I loved. The whole concept of the story is quite a frightening, showing the disregard for human life and military sanctions which are intended to keep us protected. The plot moves at a fantastically exciting pace and the areas of conflict were superb. There were many clever twists and revelations throughout the main storyline and sub-plots. The author includes so much detail, you actually feel the emotions of the characters. I was not able to put this novel down because I just had to know what would happen next. The ending was explosive, ingenious, and really thought-provoking.
Reviewed by Publishers Weekly BL Prize 2020
BookLife Prize - 2020
Visibility : public
Plot/Idea: 10 out of 10
Originality: 9 out of 10
Prose: 9 out of 10
Character/Execution: 10 out of 10
Overall: 9.50 out of 10
Assessment:
Plot: The plot of Holden’s hard science fiction novel is masterfully elaborated and executed. Its panoramic unfolding through a multiplicity of characters’ experiences as they grapple with the consequences of a near-future spaced-based kinetic weapons system gives it a global scope, but also sense of personal intimacy. The story is suspenseful, audacious, and full of thrilling surprises.
Prose/Style: Holden’s prose mixes abundant technological and military jargon with its characters’ regular conversation. Whether or not it is technically accurate, it certainly convinces the reader that it is.
Originality: Holden’s novel is the latest in a tradition of military thrillers with science fiction overtones, harking back to Wheeler and Burdick’s Fail-Safe (1962) and even earlier. That said, it has a satisfyingly fresh feel.
Character Development: Holden’s novel is told through a diverse array of character viewpoints, each them credibly rendered. Each has their own personality with its attending complexities, none more so than Anastasia Grahkovsky, creator of Russia’s Groza weapons system, whose defense of it at the expense of the considerable human deaths it causes is chilling but, given her backstory, understandable.
Editor's Choice Review, BookLife
Holden’s nail-biting third Future War military thriller (after Okinawa) gives readers a front-row seat to an international tactical assault on a devastating orbiting weapon. In 2034, the blind, disfigured, and unstable Russian scientist Anastasia Grahkovsky develops a kinetic bombardment satellite weapon system that mimics the destruction of meteor strikes. She names it Groza, meaning thunderstorm. When Saudi Arabia refuses to curb oil production, Groza obliterates the country’s largest oil processing facility to boost the price of Russian oil and revitalize its economy. The Russians then escalate, targeting a Chinese pipeline and Cape Canaveral. American, British, and Chinese forces unite to destroy Groza’s 16 orbital platforms before more people die.
Futuristic exoskeletons and artificial intelligence bring a speculative edge to the story, which is grounded by international political maneuvering and old-fashioned espionage. Holden populates this political blockbuster of a novel with a cast of sympathetic and intriguing characters. Col. Alicia Rodriguez of the U.S. Space Force joins forces with Scotland-based Lt. Meany Papastopoulos, who leads the R.A.F.’s suborbital missile launch system. Cpl. Maqsud Khan, charged with deploying Groza, must balance Grahkovsky’s orders against his pacifist beliefs, humanizing the antagonistic side...
Though the nonstop action is sometimes tiring, readers will be captivated by Holden’s deft battle sequences and his characters’ constantly shifting strategy. Holden expertly pulls from recent military history, technology, and international relations to fuel his prescient epic about the militarization of space. While keeping an eye on the big picture, he also delves into technologically driven warfare’s devastating effects on individual lives. Thriller readers with an interest in the future of politics and warfare will find a lot to chew on in this exciting and thoughtful novel.
Takeaway: Military enthusiasts and science fiction fans will delight in this action-packed political thrill ride set 900 miles up.
Great for fans of James Rosone’s Into the Stars, Matthew Mather’s CyberSpace.
February 8, 2021
Another good one
I truly enjoy this authors writing. Just seems logical. All the events seem plausible even though I don't know that to be true. Very good character development and what I especially like is i never think " nobody would ever say that " Ok, that's 3 good ones, let's see if you can keep it going. Pressure is on!
I truly enjoy this authors writing. Just seems logical. All the events seem plausible even though I don't know that to be true. Very good character development and what I especially like is i never think " nobody would ever say that " Ok, that's 3 good ones, let's see if you can keep it going. Pressure is on!
July 28, 2021
Slower beginning than the other books by Holden, but the action really takes off. Outstanding
FX Holden is masterful at weaving together future war stories. The base characters are familiar from the preceding books and there is genuine evil insanity in the main antagonist that chills the reader. Very highly recommended, you won't be able to put it down.
FX Holden is masterful at weaving together future war stories. The base characters are familiar from the preceding books and there is genuine evil insanity in the main antagonist that chills the reader. Very highly recommended, you won't be able to put it down.
July 25, 2021
Great series!
This book started at a slower pace than the previous ones, but built nicely to an excellent ending. Can't recommend this author enough. My only wish is that FX would write faster.
This book started at a slower pace than the previous ones, but built nicely to an excellent ending. Can't recommend this author enough. My only wish is that FX would write faster.
June 20, 2022
This was actually an interesting read.
(Second best behind Kobani.)
Fortunately the author toned down his know everything, do everything, annoying heroine.
So far she ("Bunny") has piloted airplanes (and drones), [a helicopter next in book 6], naval vessels, and flown spaceships.
When is she going to join the army?
(Second best behind Kobani.)
Fortunately the author toned down his know everything, do everything, annoying heroine.
So far she ("Bunny") has piloted airplanes (and drones), [a helicopter next in book 6], naval vessels, and flown spaceships.
When is she going to join the army?
December 13, 2020
Dynamite
Book so well written hard to believe it's fiction. Scenarios seem very lifelike and characters are extremely believable. Top read.
Book so well written hard to believe it's fiction. Scenarios seem very lifelike and characters are extremely believable. Top read.
May 27, 2021
Continues to Deliver
Everyone of the books so far have been absolutely as promised. On par with some of the late Tom Clancy. Golan is next can hardly wait. A damn fine read
Everyone of the books so far have been absolutely as promised. On par with some of the late Tom Clancy. Golan is next can hardly wait. A damn fine read
April 18, 2021
Great near future war series
Holden does an amazing job of incorporating technology, tactics, politics and personnel into a riveting and very plausible future. Highly recommend.
Holden does an amazing job of incorporating technology, tactics, politics and personnel into a riveting and very plausible future. Highly recommend.
June 22, 2020
I have read the previous books in the Future War series and enjoyed them all. I was pleased to see in this book that Bunny O'Hare and Alicia Rodriguez are reunited to battle against a common foe. Alicia is now in command of the fledgling US Space Force and needs Bunny's skills to train the pilots of the remotely piloted spacecraft.
When Saudi Arabia's oil facilities are bombarded from outer space by meteorites and then shortly afterwards one of China's oil pipelines and a nearby town are also hit by meteorites, serious questions start to be asked. Are they meteorites or something far sinister? And who will gain from the sudden rise in the oil price?
I won't spoil the story for readers by giving the plot away, but will say that an old enemy of Bunny and Alicia's, Lieutenant General Yevgeny Bondarev, now in command of the Titov Main Test and Control Center in Moscow, comes into the story as one of the main protagonists.
A great read and one that I couldn't put down. I read this on Kindle Unlimited.
When Saudi Arabia's oil facilities are bombarded from outer space by meteorites and then shortly afterwards one of China's oil pipelines and a nearby town are also hit by meteorites, serious questions start to be asked. Are they meteorites or something far sinister? And who will gain from the sudden rise in the oil price?
I won't spoil the story for readers by giving the plot away, but will say that an old enemy of Bunny and Alicia's, Lieutenant General Yevgeny Bondarev, now in command of the Titov Main Test and Control Center in Moscow, comes into the story as one of the main protagonists.
A great read and one that I couldn't put down. I read this on Kindle Unlimited.
June 29, 2020
Into The Future
Just like the previous "Future of War" books, Orbital provides a very realistic picture of how warfare may look in the near future. The idea of seeing the plot play out from the viewpoints of all sides makes it that much more believable. Great read. Waiting for number 4.
Just like the previous "Future of War" books, Orbital provides a very realistic picture of how warfare may look in the near future. The idea of seeing the plot play out from the viewpoints of all sides makes it that much more believable. Great read. Waiting for number 4.
July 25, 2020
Future History.
A great book that presents a highly likely near future scenario. Terrific technothriller. A bit scary, to be honest.
This series and the author get better with every book.
And there's more to come!
A great book that presents a highly likely near future scenario. Terrific technothriller. A bit scary, to be honest.
This series and the author get better with every book.
And there's more to come!
September 22, 2020
Not for those wanting riveting read
Bering Straight was good, Okinawa was fairly good - but this offering - forget it! Quite a boring book all round, even allowing for conjectural weaponry and spacecraft- I for one will give future offerings a miss.
Bering Straight was good, Okinawa was fairly good - but this offering - forget it! Quite a boring book all round, even allowing for conjectural weaponry and spacecraft- I for one will give future offerings a miss.
July 16, 2020
Enjoyable read
Entertaining, could use it bit more substance on the theory of the “rods from god”. Still a fun read and glad to see Bondarev will be in a prequel
Entertaining, could use it bit more substance on the theory of the “rods from god”. Still a fun read and glad to see Bondarev will be in a prequel
July 30, 2020
Enjoyed this book. Looking forward to his next book in this series
August 4, 2020
Still ok
Still ok read although still too many military acronyms. It is hard to keep up with so many of them.
Still ok read although still too many military acronyms. It is hard to keep up with so many of them.
August 29, 2021
How many more ways do we need to kill each other?
As a die-hard Star Trek fan, I expect the weapons and space vehicles to be imagined, such as the Star Trek "Phaser" was really a salt shaker. Not so with FX Holden! He describes a weapon, I look it up and am shocked to find it either exists or is in the design and testing phase. There are usually pictures of it on the Internet. I do not know if its possible, but it would be fun for Holden to print a picture of what he describes or possibly a website link right in the text. In any event, these systems and what they are designed for are terrifying. How many more ways do we need to kill each other? The story itself is fun. My only criticism is that there may be too many characters and not enough time to develop them or tell their story. The descriptions of devastation that these weapons do is well described without being too gruesome. Great story. Thank you Mr. Holden.
As a die-hard Star Trek fan, I expect the weapons and space vehicles to be imagined, such as the Star Trek "Phaser" was really a salt shaker. Not so with FX Holden! He describes a weapon, I look it up and am shocked to find it either exists or is in the design and testing phase. There are usually pictures of it on the Internet. I do not know if its possible, but it would be fun for Holden to print a picture of what he describes or possibly a website link right in the text. In any event, these systems and what they are designed for are terrifying. How many more ways do we need to kill each other? The story itself is fun. My only criticism is that there may be too many characters and not enough time to develop them or tell their story. The descriptions of devastation that these weapons do is well described without being too gruesome. Great story. Thank you Mr. Holden.
February 2, 2022
The Future of War gos into space from top author FX Holden
This either book 3 or 5 depending on the reading order you did for the series and if it’s the first you can see a big improvement over the first novels in a steady and balanced plot that uses ides only on drawing boards and gets truly into the science and realism of how they work and can work in the wars of tomorrow. The story takes into a Russia after political and military changes from previous events in the series has come to the relishing that that economy is danger of failing from a world becoming less dependent on fossil fuels and begin a dastardly plan to emplantment Space-based kentic weapons to fires from the sky and define any involvement but has the story progresses where shown there more to his creation then even the Russians will learn has they slowly push the world towards WW3.
This either book 3 or 5 depending on the reading order you did for the series and if it’s the first you can see a big improvement over the first novels in a steady and balanced plot that uses ides only on drawing boards and gets truly into the science and realism of how they work and can work in the wars of tomorrow. The story takes into a Russia after political and military changes from previous events in the series has come to the relishing that that economy is danger of failing from a world becoming less dependent on fossil fuels and begin a dastardly plan to emplantment Space-based kentic weapons to fires from the sky and define any involvement but has the story progresses where shown there more to his creation then even the Russians will learn has they slowly push the world towards WW3.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews