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AL:ICE #5
AL:ICE Alliance
It's been more than 10 years since the war with the NeHaw ended in an uneasy truce. During that time, Jake Thomas has been relegated from battlefield commander and chief to the role of interstellar bureaucrat. To add to his frustrations, he is now father to a passel of teens and preteens, all with their father's propensity for getting into trouble. However, unexplained violations around the Human/NeHaw Neutral Zone and the mysterious disappearances of people in a remote backwater town in Arizona has everyone, Human and NeHaw alike, pointing fingers and threatening war. As things come to the boiling point, it becomes clear that a powerful third party has entered the game, and it may just require former enemies to unite to overcome their common threat.
- GenresScience Fiction
261 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 2, 2020
182 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
August 11, 2020
The long delay between books led me to a lot of trying to remember who everyone was and what all was going on in the story. Still enjoyed the story, I think Jake's control freak nature and Sara's jealousy could be dialed back a bit.
July 18, 2020
Some problems
Some of the snap, crackle and fizz of the first books is missing. A lot of time is taken up re-introducing the clan, and if you haven't read the prior books you might be a little curious about why Sarah gets to crack the whip, or just what's going on in England, and what a stasis field really is. The story itself is a great follow on to the original series in that we have a new enemy which forces us enter into a mutual cooperation defense agreement so as to unite against the new intruder. Mr Lamb sets up situations and believably addresses them so our side wins, but not without circumstances getting close. There's too much going on for Mr Lamb to keep up the sexual energy found in the first books. I guess Jake's getting tired at his age. I remember the editing being better in the earlier books. There are extra words, inappropriate words, and improper use of idioms. There was one sentence so garbled I could not fathom what the meaning was. At one place the single word insight was used when the two words in sight should have been used. Different meaning altogether. Despite the above, I liked the book, and I hope I don't have to wait so long for the next one.
Some of the snap, crackle and fizz of the first books is missing. A lot of time is taken up re-introducing the clan, and if you haven't read the prior books you might be a little curious about why Sarah gets to crack the whip, or just what's going on in England, and what a stasis field really is. The story itself is a great follow on to the original series in that we have a new enemy which forces us enter into a mutual cooperation defense agreement so as to unite against the new intruder. Mr Lamb sets up situations and believably addresses them so our side wins, but not without circumstances getting close. There's too much going on for Mr Lamb to keep up the sexual energy found in the first books. I guess Jake's getting tired at his age. I remember the editing being better in the earlier books. There are extra words, inappropriate words, and improper use of idioms. There was one sentence so garbled I could not fathom what the meaning was. At one place the single word insight was used when the two words in sight should have been used. Different meaning altogether. Despite the above, I liked the book, and I hope I don't have to wait so long for the next one.
June 10, 2020
Anxiously Awaiting This Sequel: About Time C.W. Lamb
Had to fit a colon in there befitting the AL:ICE series, right? Partly the lack of 5 * is the time it took to get here but mostly it's because it did take so.long it took a good while to put the people and places together with all the terminology and military abbreviations used. I found it to be a slow start. I could have used more background in the first few.chapters or paragraphs at least. I strongly encourage readers to spend the time reading the first section on Al the names, relationships and places. It helped a lot when it wasn't in the dialogue where I needed it to be. Truly am anticipating book 6. I have read much of the other books he wrote while taking a break from AL:ICE. They are worth reading as well. Book 5 takes place 10 years after the interplanetary war with the NEHAW race. An alliance has held while tested frequently by the NEHAW likely through smugglers in the region of space of a DMZ, Kim of a neutral zone equivalent.
Had to fit a colon in there befitting the AL:ICE series, right? Partly the lack of 5 * is the time it took to get here but mostly it's because it did take so.long it took a good while to put the people and places together with all the terminology and military abbreviations used. I found it to be a slow start. I could have used more background in the first few.chapters or paragraphs at least. I strongly encourage readers to spend the time reading the first section on Al the names, relationships and places. It helped a lot when it wasn't in the dialogue where I needed it to be. Truly am anticipating book 6. I have read much of the other books he wrote while taking a break from AL:ICE. They are worth reading as well. Book 5 takes place 10 years after the interplanetary war with the NEHAW race. An alliance has held while tested frequently by the NEHAW likely through smugglers in the region of space of a DMZ, Kim of a neutral zone equivalent.
June 12, 2020
Yay new books
So happy they the author picked this series up again. This series is fun And had a large scope that just got larger. The earth pacification/reconciliation is still an ongoing concern as there is a lot of planet left to bring into the fold and the future. Now Jake must deal with a new stellar power and the technology it has to threaten earth. If that wasn't enough moral dilemmas abound as Jake must deal with the choices for Alice births and his own harem-esk problems with the women I his life and there importance to the Alices . Jake gets little rest in this book but it's all fun for us readers. Can't wait for more... And soon of course.
So happy they the author picked this series up again. This series is fun And had a large scope that just got larger. The earth pacification/reconciliation is still an ongoing concern as there is a lot of planet left to bring into the fold and the future. Now Jake must deal with a new stellar power and the technology it has to threaten earth. If that wasn't enough moral dilemmas abound as Jake must deal with the choices for Alice births and his own harem-esk problems with the women I his life and there importance to the Alices . Jake gets little rest in this book but it's all fun for us readers. Can't wait for more... And soon of course.
June 10, 2020
Alice series
Another great read in this series. The Artificial Life (AL) sentients increase their numbers. A new enemy is discovered. Detente and collaboration with the old Nehew enemy begins. Looking forward to the next book in this series.
Another great read in this series. The Artificial Life (AL) sentients increase their numbers. A new enemy is discovered. Detente and collaboration with the old Nehew enemy begins. Looking forward to the next book in this series.
June 13, 2020
A worthy addition to a great series.
Finally another book to continue one of my favorite stories. I am looking forward to the next one already. One final comment. Please have more proofing done. There were too many grammatical errors.
Finally another book to continue one of my favorite stories. I am looking forward to the next one already. One final comment. Please have more proofing done. There were too many grammatical errors.
July 10, 2020
Like slipping into a favorite jacket.
The Al-Ice's are back! Thought it's been a while, the Al-Ice series is easy to engage, it's characters, familiar and the plot easy to pick up again.
The Al-Ice's are back! Thought it's been a while, the Al-Ice series is easy to engage, it's characters, familiar and the plot easy to pick up again.
August 8, 2020
Outstanding!!!
Charles Lambs writes a great book! This series is so endearing. Terrific characterization as well as good editing makes this one of my favorites. Storyline is steller!
Charles Lambs writes a great book! This series is so endearing. Terrific characterization as well as good editing makes this one of my favorites. Storyline is steller!
August 19, 2020
Love this series. Glad to see the introduction of some new AL's, some growing of the members of the family, & the develop of
Some new adversaries???:-)
RPM
Some new adversaries???:-)
RPM
June 13, 2020
Excellent story as usual
Story flows well - slow beginning builds up to an exciting conclusion plus anticipation for the continuing of the series. 👍
Story flows well - slow beginning builds up to an exciting conclusion plus anticipation for the continuing of the series. 👍
July 14, 2020
Enjoyable tale of future space war
I enjoyed the life style of Jake and his extended family
. His extended family is every man:a dream.Tonne so umlivkly
I enjoyed the life style of Jake and his extended family
. His extended family is every man:a dream.Tonne so umlivkly
July 15, 2020
Last but not least
All space operas must end sometime,however this series has been wonderful,unusual,entertaining.and addictive.Leaves only the fervent which for it to continue. Read the series and join the begging
All space operas must end sometime,however this series has been wonderful,unusual,entertaining.and addictive.Leaves only the fervent which for it to continue. Read the series and join the begging
July 2, 2020
Worth the wait!
As a fan of this series. I enjoyed reading book 5 and am looking forward for more. Still a fan!
As a fan of this series. I enjoyed reading book 5 and am looking forward for more. Still a fan!
August 1, 2020
Another good story
Keep up the good work, I'm enjoying your writing. But I need another seven words and I don't want to
Keep up the good work, I'm enjoying your writing. But I need another seven words and I don't want to
September 4, 2020
Great Return
I held out for the return of this series for a long time and I'm glad to see it back. Very entertaining.
I held out for the return of this series for a long time and I'm glad to see it back. Very entertaining.
October 4, 2020
It has been three and a half years since the previous book ALICE Space War and I struggled to pickup on the series, it didn’t help that ALICE Space War wasn’t particularly memorable. To make matters worse at the start of the book the author jumps around from one location and numerous characters to another, seemingly at random.
If you are new to the series and have read the five books in one go, then this will not be a problem, but I think the author has introduced too many plotlines too early in the book.
It wasn’t until halfway through the book I began to feel comfortable with the story, this was partly as I became reacquainted with the characters, but also because the pace began to pick up after a slow start.
One very minor annoyance was my Kindle version had a strange font size change at chapter 7 that made the text harder to read even after adjusting the Kindle. Fortunately it changed back in chapter 8.
Overall not a bad book with what might be a reasonable ending, unless it’s a three and a half year wait until the next book.
If you are new to the series and have read the five books in one go, then this will not be a problem, but I think the author has introduced too many plotlines too early in the book.
It wasn’t until halfway through the book I began to feel comfortable with the story, this was partly as I became reacquainted with the characters, but also because the pace began to pick up after a slow start.
One very minor annoyance was my Kindle version had a strange font size change at chapter 7 that made the text harder to read even after adjusting the Kindle. Fortunately it changed back in chapter 8.
Overall not a bad book with what might be a reasonable ending, unless it’s a three and a half year wait until the next book.
November 25, 2021
I got the flue and had 2 weeks bedrest, so started this Audio Book series... and it was simply Wow! Excellent! Well worth the time and read/listen, highly enjoyable and this whole series would make an excellent TV series similar to the Expanse series, but much much better! Love this series!
This AL:ICE series reminds me of Mark Wayne McGinnis style story telling, and my only complaint is that both Mark Wayne McGinnis and Chales W. Lamb need to tripple their story telling output :)
The premise of the AL:ICE facilities is not far fetched, as I worked in the Marine Corps and served in the R&D compliance & oversight all over the U.S., and the authenticity to protocol and military structure was highly enjoyable, as stories based in reality with the "What If" leaps of imagination is appealing to the best characters of humanity, which is well worth the time and money to simply let the "movie" unfold in your mind as you listen! Better than a movie... in my mind!
This AL:ICE series reminds me of Mark Wayne McGinnis style story telling, and my only complaint is that both Mark Wayne McGinnis and Chales W. Lamb need to tripple their story telling output :)
The premise of the AL:ICE facilities is not far fetched, as I worked in the Marine Corps and served in the R&D compliance & oversight all over the U.S., and the authenticity to protocol and military structure was highly enjoyable, as stories based in reality with the "What If" leaps of imagination is appealing to the best characters of humanity, which is well worth the time and money to simply let the "movie" unfold in your mind as you listen! Better than a movie... in my mind!
December 21, 2020
Overall I think this was better than the previous books. I appreciated the lessening of the personal sexual drama.
The book started quite good but somewhere around halfway through it seemed to drop off a bit in quality. Still, a good book.
Some of the voice acting felt off to me, more focus on the accent than on a good reading. But still, overall a good reading.
The book started quite good but somewhere around halfway through it seemed to drop off a bit in quality. Still, a good book.
Some of the voice acting felt off to me, more focus on the accent than on a good reading. But still, overall a good reading.
January 7, 2021
Wow been two years since i finished book 4. I like the time hop but this reads as a part one of a two part episode. Stop if you heard this before, two old space enemies patrolling a neutral zone must work together for a new alien threat...And memory is a little fuzzy on the series but wasn't Jake infused with alien genes and having side effects last book. Is that a lost story thread?
February 9, 2025
Never a dull moment.
We don't even have things straightend out on Earth and aliens are poking around at us. Then yet another alien race makes an appearance.
So far we are holding our own, but the weapons race is challenging to all sides.
Looking forward to future installations of ALICE stories.
We don't even have things straightend out on Earth and aliens are poking around at us. Then yet another alien race makes an appearance.
So far we are holding our own, but the weapons race is challenging to all sides.
Looking forward to future installations of ALICE stories.
November 9, 2020
Lots going on.
There is lots going on in this book. Time, family, adventure, a new enemy, and alias, the list goes on and on. We need another book or two to clarify all that will be. Great to have the series restarted. Thank you for it. I look forward to more.
There is lots going on in this book. Time, family, adventure, a new enemy, and alias, the list goes on and on. We need another book or two to clarify all that will be. Great to have the series restarted. Thank you for it. I look forward to more.
January 19, 2021
Loved the series
The books were easy to read and moved at a fast pace. The store behind Jake and the ALICEs relationship was interesting. It was nice to see the AL develop personalities.
The books were easy to read and moved at a fast pace. The store behind Jake and the ALICEs relationship was interesting. It was nice to see the AL develop personalities.
July 10, 2021
Great addition
This is a quality addition to the series. Great efforts went into the story. Not overly puffed with extra words and flows very well. Keep it up
Already bought 6. Can't wait to read it.
This is a quality addition to the series. Great efforts went into the story. Not overly puffed with extra words and flows very well. Keep it up
Already bought 6. Can't wait to read it.
August 7, 2021
Okay but needless drama
I finished the book but it like reading a race in which the MC is trailing the whole time only to kind of catch up at the end, but not really. No real advancement to the story other that an alliance.
I finished the book but it like reading a race in which the MC is trailing the whole time only to kind of catch up at the end, but not really. No real advancement to the story other that an alliance.
June 22, 2022
Happy to return to the series!
Took a break from reading the excellent Al:ice series. Thank you Charles Lamb for this book that is recommended by me for summer beach enjoyment. A fan!
Took a break from reading the excellent Al:ice series. Thank you Charles Lamb for this book that is recommended by me for summer beach enjoyment. A fan!
January 28, 2024
Still absorbing, an intriguing ride, indeed
It's encouraging seeing the editing improving noticeably with each book. Still a lot of room for improvement, though. Very absorbing stories intertwining. Still a five-star read.
It's encouraging seeing the editing improving noticeably with each book. Still a lot of room for improvement, though. Very absorbing stories intertwining. Still a five-star read.
June 1, 2025
Great story telling
Charles Lamb is very, very good at keeping details and story lines straight and interesting! You can safely ignore the naysayers. Enjoy yourselves, stay up late without the tv.
Charles Lamb is very, very good at keeping details and story lines straight and interesting! You can safely ignore the naysayers. Enjoy yourselves, stay up late without the tv.
November 6, 2020
Quick read
January 6, 2021
Good as always
Good as always. Does end with a hint of a cliff hanger, but that sets it up nicely for the next book!
Good as always. Does end with a hint of a cliff hanger, but that sets it up nicely for the next book!
February 21, 2021
Good but a tad verbose
Good read but wordy with too many plots. Also too many main characters could not keep them straight. Still not clear on Jake’s descendants
Good read but wordy with too many plots. Also too many main characters could not keep them straight. Still not clear on Jake’s descendants
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews