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Mavericks #2
Freefall
The Alien Legion has a new mission, and this time, they are working for the enemy. Also against the enemy. Like every operation that Emily Perkins plans, it’s complicated. But plans require good intel, and when the plan falls apart, the Mavericks are in Freefall…
380 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 2, 2020
344 people are currently reading
554 people want to read
About the author
Craig Alanson
43 books4,273 followersIf you want to stay up to date on releases, receive promotion alerts and speak to me directly, please join my Facebook Page:
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My Bio:
Craig Alanson used to create financial reports for a large IT services company. Writing fiction at nights and on weekends, he finally independently published three novels on Amazon. Within 6 months of his first ebook release, he was able to quit his day job and pursue a full-time writing career.
The breakout success of Columbus Day (Expeditionary Force, Book 1) reached new heights when Podium Audio released it in audio format, narrated by Audie Award Winner R.C. Bray. The Columbus Day audiobook was a huge hit, and a finalist for an Audie Award as Audiobook of the Year.
The ExForce series, as it is known to fans, has gone on to 10 books/audiobooks, many of which have hit the NYT best-seller list, with a 11th book releasing June 2021 and 14 books planned.
Craig has also published a spin-off series, ExForce: Mavericks; an ExForce audio drama, Homefront; a fantasy trilogy, Ascendent; and a young adult space opera, Aces. Craig lives in Virginia with his wife, who loves him even though he perpetually refuses to clean the garage.
https://www.facebook.com/Craig.Alanso...
My Bio:
Craig Alanson used to create financial reports for a large IT services company. Writing fiction at nights and on weekends, he finally independently published three novels on Amazon. Within 6 months of his first ebook release, he was able to quit his day job and pursue a full-time writing career.
The breakout success of Columbus Day (Expeditionary Force, Book 1) reached new heights when Podium Audio released it in audio format, narrated by Audie Award Winner R.C. Bray. The Columbus Day audiobook was a huge hit, and a finalist for an Audie Award as Audiobook of the Year.
The ExForce series, as it is known to fans, has gone on to 10 books/audiobooks, many of which have hit the NYT best-seller list, with a 11th book releasing June 2021 and 14 books planned.
Craig has also published a spin-off series, ExForce: Mavericks; an ExForce audio drama, Homefront; a fantasy trilogy, Ascendent; and a young adult space opera, Aces. Craig lives in Virginia with his wife, who loves him even though he perpetually refuses to clean the garage.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
July 23, 2023
July 2023
I had forgotten about the ship being shot out of orbit. Who survives that? Apparently the Mavericks! Totally enjoyed Em and Dave too there at the end. The names of the Jeraptha ships never fail to make me laugh out loud. I never get tired of this series.
February 2021
I actually came back to this story specifically because of the line "Is it too much to ask for someone to kill that asshole?" (Surgun Jates). That character is priceless. The story is great, the characters are priceless and I could stay in this world for days and days and days. Definitely worth the re-read.
July 2020
Two words: SURGUN JATES.
Wow, what a ride. This is the kind of military sci-fi I like - lots of humor, complicated battles, edge-of-your-seat suspense, certain death except, wait! Possibly not certain death! This story has it all. I was kind of meh about the series after the Joe & Skippy show in Expeditionary Force, but now I'm sold.
Plus there's a tiny touch of romance and I love that.
I don't know what I'll do when I have to leave this world to wait for another book. But I'm glad the world is continuing with the Mavericks series. If the future books are as good as this one, I know I won't be disappointed.
And RC Bray. It absolutely has to be RC Bray that narrates.
I had forgotten about the ship being shot out of orbit. Who survives that? Apparently the Mavericks! Totally enjoyed Em and Dave too there at the end. The names of the Jeraptha ships never fail to make me laugh out loud. I never get tired of this series.
February 2021
I actually came back to this story specifically because of the line "Is it too much to ask for someone to kill that asshole?" (Surgun Jates). That character is priceless. The story is great, the characters are priceless and I could stay in this world for days and days and days. Definitely worth the re-read.
July 2020
Two words: SURGUN JATES.
Wow, what a ride. This is the kind of military sci-fi I like - lots of humor, complicated battles, edge-of-your-seat suspense, certain death except, wait! Possibly not certain death! This story has it all. I was kind of meh about the series after the Joe & Skippy show in Expeditionary Force, but now I'm sold.
Plus there's a tiny touch of romance and I love that.
I don't know what I'll do when I have to leave this world to wait for another book. But I'm glad the world is continuing with the Mavericks series. If the future books are as good as this one, I know I won't be disappointed.
And RC Bray. It absolutely has to be RC Bray that narrates.
August 6, 2020
I don't know if it was because of COVID or what but I could not enjoy this book. The start and the ending was great, but the middle of the book and fights dragged. I also prefer when the book follows one person at a time, but the main heroes split into gazillion separate groups which bamboozled me quite a lot.
December 17, 2020
This book could not have been more action filled if it tried. It was fun and exciting and damn! do the mavericks know how to cause trouble.
I like exploring the beetle culture with the Mavericks. The name of their ships, especially "Plausible Deniability", "Parole Violation", "Will do Sketchy Things" and "I'm As Shocked As You Are" had me laughing out loud.
The verd-kris and Achakai were also quite fascinating to learn more about.
Now, onto book 10, I need to know what happens next,
I like exploring the beetle culture with the Mavericks. The name of their ships, especially "Plausible Deniability", "Parole Violation", "Will do Sketchy Things" and "I'm As Shocked As You Are" had me laughing out loud.
The verd-kris and Achakai were also quite fascinating to learn more about.
Now, onto book 10, I need to know what happens next,
February 5, 2024
Freefall is part of a side story to the main Expeditionary Force storyline. It was good to re-engage with Major Perkins and her team. It offers an enjoyable break from the exploits of Skippy. This novel was engaging and as is expected an edge of your seat nail biter of an experience. I'm looking forward to when this storyline merges back with the rest of the team.
July 7, 2020
I'm beginning to enjoy this series as much as Alanson's Expeditionary Force books, as both are set in the same universe. For all the people that want more action and less Bishop-Skippy banter, this is the series for you. This whole book is action-packed military sci-fi. My only drawback is that it's tough to keep track of the alien hierarchy, knowing which name is associated with each alien. Really looking forward to the next book in the series.
March 17, 2021
Not my favorite book of the series. Too much battle, not enough character development.
March 28, 2022
Freefall by Craig Alanson is a great follow-up in the Mavericks spin-off series of the Expeditionary Force universe. The Mavericks and Alien Legion get involved in trying to aid a disgraced band of lizard assassins take over a planet controlled by the squids (one of the effects of listening to audiobooks is that I have no idea how to spell any of the unique proper nouns in this series 😆). It’s a great military sci-fi story. While I missed Skippy, Joe, and the other Merry Band of Pirates, I noticed that Alanson still brought the same kind of banter into this book…just put into the mouths of other characters. I don’t know if this is good, or an indication of repetitive one-trick-pony writing, but it was enjoyable nevertheless. R.C. Bray, predictably, was outstanding! Looking forward to getting back to the main series now after the cliffhanger ending of Valkyrie. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 28, 2022
FREEFALL is the sequel to DEATHTRAP and the second book of the MAVERICKS series to spin off from the main EXPEDITIONARY FORCE one. The Alien Legion of Paradise has proven itself effective and has now decided to hire themselves out to Earth's Kristang enemies in hopes of furthering their civil war. Unfortunately, Lt. Colonel Emily Perkins doesn't know she's been targeted by her own allies with the caveat they plan to eliminate her as soon as their contract is up.
As usual, the book is full of action, snark, and excellent world-building. I also love the Kristang and think they're the best of the EF aliens.
As usual, the book is full of action, snark, and excellent world-building. I also love the Kristang and think they're the best of the EF aliens.
June 4, 2022
This was by no means my favourite in the series, which was disappointing because I thoroughly enjoyed the last Mavericks book. That said, I still mostly enjoyed it. Just, for me, the taking of the planet just took too long.
April 17, 2024
The Mavericks are part spinoffs, part continuation, of the same story. Half way through, I forgot that this was part of the same ExForce universe because it felt like Black Hawk Down in space. I am referring to the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993 where an elite force of US Army Rangers and Delta Force was trapped in the heart of enemy territory - controlled by the very warlord they were trying to take down. Two helicopters had been shot down and the mission had gone pear shape fast soon after. Alanson has his own twists and telling and the only way I am pulled back into the ExForce universe is the continuity and back story. I am pulled back by the same alien races and tech he introduced in books 1-3.
The 8, 9 primary characters - their threads I can follow without a problem. However, sometimes I do miss the banter between Joe and Skippy. Sometimes that banter, however grating, is what makes ExForce what it is. The Mavericks have to rely on their own wits and sketchy alliances with the Ruhar and Verd-Kris, so no super-intelligent alien able to mess with space-time helping them is a different story altogether.
The only way this was a continuation are the characters commenting on the news/ intelligence reports /rumors for what Bishop/ Skippy are up to in Book 9 Valkyrie. You'll have to read that book to find out. no spoilers.
The 8, 9 primary characters - their threads I can follow without a problem. However, sometimes I do miss the banter between Joe and Skippy. Sometimes that banter, however grating, is what makes ExForce what it is. The Mavericks have to rely on their own wits and sketchy alliances with the Ruhar and Verd-Kris, so no super-intelligent alien able to mess with space-time helping them is a different story altogether.
The only way this was a continuation are the characters commenting on the news/ intelligence reports /rumors for what Bishop/ Skippy are up to in Book 9 Valkyrie. You'll have to read that book to find out. no spoilers.
June 9, 2020
This was - well, I can't say it was underwhelming, because the standards have been set so high by the last few ExForce books (in terms of the grand scheme). Because of that, this story seemed kind of tiny - even though it was big in many senses. It still feels as if we have surpassed that level sometime around Armageddon.
For me, this whole story had the feel of "Black Hawk Down" - in space, with a twist. It is a non-stop straight action story, with a lot less contemplating, scheming or creative solutions compared to the usual ExForce book (including Deathtrap). That said, I loved "Black Hawk Down" as a movie, but translated into the ExForce universe setting, it felt like a filler sometimes - especially taking into account it is a long book.
All in all - a very worthy read and time-spender - just not the best Craig Alanson has produced in his career.
For me, this whole story had the feel of "Black Hawk Down" - in space, with a twist. It is a non-stop straight action story, with a lot less contemplating, scheming or creative solutions compared to the usual ExForce book (including Deathtrap). That said, I loved "Black Hawk Down" as a movie, but translated into the ExForce universe setting, it felt like a filler sometimes - especially taking into account it is a long book.
All in all - a very worthy read and time-spender - just not the best Craig Alanson has produced in his career.
June 12, 2020
These books are hard for me to judge. I love the main series. The Mavericks books are very different. They still have all the military sci-fi of the Expeditionary Force books, but without much of the humor that makes me love that series. I enjoyed this book, but mostly as it seemed to connect to the larger story, rather than on its own.
June 26, 2020
A great spinoff series that is outstanding in its own right. If you read it in conjunction with the Expeditionary Force Series, great. You get more out of it. But it's possible to read the Mavericks series as a standalone and not regret it. It's just quality storytelling and fun sci-fi.
July 6, 2021
Probably among my least favorites from the series. Half of the book felt like a filler and it was probably over stretched.
April 13, 2021
The Mavericks do it on their own
I looked at some comments before writing this review, and I see where some of the critical comments are coming from. The one that thought that Skippy had a hand in the ending miracle seems to have skipped a critical part of the story, maybe because it was too boring. It is true that this book reads like a compilation of various episodes of "platoon". Everything is in the story for a reason, so don't skip the mission out in the asteroid belt. So we have a busted invasion of the wurgalan planet. Rather than landing where they were supposed to go. The Mavericks and their allies are spread out all over the planet. We have the patron Ashakai unable to work together or with others. The Verd-Kris are trying to prove themselves, and they don't like our patrons. The Ruhar are to provide support, but they are bell weather friends that duck out at the first sign of trouble. The bugs aren't supposed to be involved. So we get mini stories of the various splintered off groups. We bounce from one to the other as the time line progresses. The end result is that despite all, the planet is captured. So to answer one critic, the theme was to capture the planet demonstrating the innovation and motivation of the human combatants.
Now for my gripes. Don't go off the deep end with science. Galileo did not prove that everything falls at the same speed. Everything accelerates at the same rate in a vacuum, which is different. Further, there is such a thing as terminal velocity, and I'm unaware of any terminal velocity that gets closer to mach. So why do meteors hit the ground at speeds greater than mach? It's because they started with a tremendous initial velocity. No one is going to fall out of the sky at greater than mach. Someone is going to say not true if you start falling from space, but you'll still slow to below mach when you get to the thicker air. Next is the outrageous speeds everything is going. Mach 7 for instance. It takes an incredible expenditure of energy to reach this speed, and the cost benefit just doesn't justify the expenditure. So quit bandying these fancy words around because they take away from the story. In combat there is a certain reality applied to the physics. You don't do things because you can. Every pilot of the F-4 has flown at mach 2.0 between Las Vegas and Los Angeles because that was the training exercise. For many, that was the last time they ever saw mach because efficient combat was performed at slower speeds.
The sentient AI's are amusing, but I'm beginning to wonder if they are actually copies of ancient technology. Don't any of these aliens recognize that sometimes these AI's decide to go contrary to their instructions just for the pure amusement of it all? I'm not going to shoot today. Heck with it, I'm going to blow that sucker up anyway. Oh no, I'm not going to kill myself today. I'm going for the Guinness book on lowest atmospheric jump reaching jump altitude in a poorly repaired Kristang cruiser.
With attitude like this one would think the aliens might decide a little TLC of their AI's would be a good idea. They definitely should not be ignored
I looked at some comments before writing this review, and I see where some of the critical comments are coming from. The one that thought that Skippy had a hand in the ending miracle seems to have skipped a critical part of the story, maybe because it was too boring. It is true that this book reads like a compilation of various episodes of "platoon". Everything is in the story for a reason, so don't skip the mission out in the asteroid belt. So we have a busted invasion of the wurgalan planet. Rather than landing where they were supposed to go. The Mavericks and their allies are spread out all over the planet. We have the patron Ashakai unable to work together or with others. The Verd-Kris are trying to prove themselves, and they don't like our patrons. The Ruhar are to provide support, but they are bell weather friends that duck out at the first sign of trouble. The bugs aren't supposed to be involved. So we get mini stories of the various splintered off groups. We bounce from one to the other as the time line progresses. The end result is that despite all, the planet is captured. So to answer one critic, the theme was to capture the planet demonstrating the innovation and motivation of the human combatants.
Now for my gripes. Don't go off the deep end with science. Galileo did not prove that everything falls at the same speed. Everything accelerates at the same rate in a vacuum, which is different. Further, there is such a thing as terminal velocity, and I'm unaware of any terminal velocity that gets closer to mach. So why do meteors hit the ground at speeds greater than mach? It's because they started with a tremendous initial velocity. No one is going to fall out of the sky at greater than mach. Someone is going to say not true if you start falling from space, but you'll still slow to below mach when you get to the thicker air. Next is the outrageous speeds everything is going. Mach 7 for instance. It takes an incredible expenditure of energy to reach this speed, and the cost benefit just doesn't justify the expenditure. So quit bandying these fancy words around because they take away from the story. In combat there is a certain reality applied to the physics. You don't do things because you can. Every pilot of the F-4 has flown at mach 2.0 between Las Vegas and Los Angeles because that was the training exercise. For many, that was the last time they ever saw mach because efficient combat was performed at slower speeds.
The sentient AI's are amusing, but I'm beginning to wonder if they are actually copies of ancient technology. Don't any of these aliens recognize that sometimes these AI's decide to go contrary to their instructions just for the pure amusement of it all? I'm not going to shoot today. Heck with it, I'm going to blow that sucker up anyway. Oh no, I'm not going to kill myself today. I'm going for the Guinness book on lowest atmospheric jump reaching jump altitude in a poorly repaired Kristang cruiser.
With attitude like this one would think the aliens might decide a little TLC of their AI's would be a good idea. They definitely should not be ignored
February 15, 2022
These books have become a sort of guilty pleasure. The characters are likeable. It's sort of cute that the female characters are quite smart and the male characters tend to be dufuses who can get themselves out of jams due to quick thinking. The stories are well paced. There is plenty of action. Admittedly, they are quite repetitive, given that Mavericks is a spin off of Expeditionary Force, which now has a gazillion books in its series. I could do without the lovey dovey couples element, but this is where the author is choosing to go with the cast.
Freefall was interesting as the humans try to form unlikely alliances with various aliens. It continues to build on the idea that the human contingent is trying to make itself more valuable while stranded in the nether reaches of the galaxy with little hope of ever getting back to earth.
Freefall was interesting as the humans try to form unlikely alliances with various aliens. It continues to build on the idea that the human contingent is trying to make itself more valuable while stranded in the nether reaches of the galaxy with little hope of ever getting back to earth.
December 18, 2024
A thrilling, action-packed continuation—Freefall keeps the series moving forward!
Freefall is another exciting installment in the Expeditionary Force Mavericks series. The Alien Legion is sent on a complex mission, working for the enemy while also fighting against them. As expected, things quickly fall apart, throwing the Mavericks into a tense situation.
The story is fast-paced and filled with action, with Emily Perkins leading the charge through a high-stakes operation. The plot keeps you engaged, though at times, the chaotic action can be a bit hard to follow. Overall, Freefall delivers an enjoyable and thrilling continuation to the series.
Listened to as an audiobook on Audible.
Freefall is another exciting installment in the Expeditionary Force Mavericks series. The Alien Legion is sent on a complex mission, working for the enemy while also fighting against them. As expected, things quickly fall apart, throwing the Mavericks into a tense situation.
The story is fast-paced and filled with action, with Emily Perkins leading the charge through a high-stakes operation. The plot keeps you engaged, though at times, the chaotic action can be a bit hard to follow. Overall, Freefall delivers an enjoyable and thrilling continuation to the series.
Listened to as an audiobook on Audible.
November 28, 2025
I haven't finished the book yet, I'm about a third of the way through, and I am really bored. Currently listening to the audiobook, about 2 hours into a battle with characters that have never been introduced to me, that I don't care about, and probably will never come back to again. I don't know why I care about what I'm listening to at all, and I'm fairly certain that's a a pretty huge writing flaw. Honestly, I'm only doing this book because when I asked AI, it said slipping this book would make me miss important information and motivations of characters in the other books if I skipped it.
November 14, 2024
Overall, a great book! It was cool that the pace was a little slower than other books so instead of rushing from mission to mission or planet to planet, the story was slower and gave more details about the conflict between the humans and the squids. Not a whole lot seemed to happen though to add to the overall story, so I thought it could have been shortened. Still a great book in the series though!
February 28, 2021
Another great read
The build-up did not stop from page 1 onwards
Craig A. has written another exciting page turner, this is my third time reading and the humor is as funny as ever. Looking forward to book twelve. Since r have already read everything in enforce universe twice now.
The build-up did not stop from page 1 onwards
Craig A. has written another exciting page turner, this is my third time reading and the humor is as funny as ever. Looking forward to book twelve. Since r have already read everything in enforce universe twice now.
October 18, 2021
Awesome…… love this serious. I found the the 1st book on Audible I could stop listen. Craig Alanson one of the four authors I font on Audible that I loved the books so much I had to buy the paperback book. I found Craig Alanson website and found out you can buy in autograph hardback book of Columbus Day which I love hardbacks better.
October 21, 2022
Great story, good action and suspense
If you've enjoyed other books by this author, you'll enjoy this one.
The story is great. Watching our cast struggle to compete while they lack the trump card used by the Band of Merry Pirates from the other UNEF books is good. The ending was a bit too Deus Ex Machina.
If you've enjoyed other books by this author, you'll enjoy this one.
The story is great. Watching our cast struggle to compete while they lack the trump card used by the Band of Merry Pirates from the other UNEF books is good. The ending was a bit too Deus Ex Machina.
November 19, 2025
I read it because I felt like I had to.
I did really enjoy it though, the detail into space warfare and ground warfare make up for it. Gives you different perspectives. Think (without spoilers) the resolution of one of the plot points as set out in the start (I know that’s not very helpful but ifykyk) is lazy.
Otherwise great end to the mavs spin off series
I did really enjoy it though, the detail into space warfare and ground warfare make up for it. Gives you different perspectives. Think (without spoilers) the resolution of one of the plot points as set out in the start (I know that’s not very helpful but ifykyk) is lazy.
Otherwise great end to the mavs spin off series
March 20, 2021
Well, that's sixteen books ina' row
I have now read each and every book in the Ex-Force Universe.
(that has been published to date with a few exceptions)
...And I can say that I LOVE this series, but I can't say that it is good.
I have now read each and every book in the Ex-Force Universe.
(that has been published to date with a few exceptions)
...And I can say that I LOVE this series, but I can't say that it is good.
November 26, 2021
While the space aliens are highly familiar and might as well be Earth nationalities, the action sequences sandwiched by the bantery bookends is good fun and kept me entertained. Plus it was a very long action sequence!
January 28, 2022
I love this series but this one was a little bogged down in the middle for me. Still I enjoyed it and I liked the direction it was going at the end. As always RC Bray is the GOAT and his bloopers at the end were hilarious!!!!
July 3, 2023
Czajka and Jates: the odd couple, lol
I love the Mavericks cast, especially Czajka and Jates. The Surgun is hilarious. Such a great character. I can't wait to see what happens in the rest of Critical Mass.
I love the Mavericks cast, especially Czajka and Jates. The Surgun is hilarious. Such a great character. I can't wait to see what happens in the rest of Critical Mass.
Read
August 1, 2024Another good one
I read all the Expedition books then found I didn't read this one. Good to learn more about Perkins. Kinda missed Skippy though. This collection would make a good TV series. Too much material to fit into one movie.
I read all the Expedition books then found I didn't read this one. Good to learn more about Perkins. Kinda missed Skippy though. This collection would make a good TV series. Too much material to fit into one movie.
April 6, 2021
I like the series.
June 2, 2021
Great read!
Ready for the next books.
Bandsaw
Word
Health
CPO
U.S. Navy
Retire
19
Year
Brat
Went
Navy
Excellent
Choice
Bye
Ready for the next books.
Bandsaw
Word
Health
CPO
U.S. Navy
Retire
19
Year
Brat
Went
Navy
Excellent
Choice
Bye
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews