The tables have turned. Marshals are going missing.
Marshal Throttle Reyne and her Black Sheep are sent on a mission to investigate the recent surge in pirate attacks. But when the pirates unite and take over Free Station, the headquarters of the Galactic Peacekeepers, the Black Sheep must make a suicide run against the pirates and save the lives of their friends. If they fail, the system will belong to the pirates.
Rachel Aukes is the bestselling author of over forty books, including 100 Days in Deadland, which made Suspense Magazine’s Best of the Year list. She writes in a number of genres, including science fiction, fantasy, horror, thriller, and more. Her series includes Waymaker Wars, Space Troopers, Flight of the Javelin, Fringe, Deadland Saga, Colliding Worlds, and Guardians of the Seven Seals. Her novels have repeatedly been Amazon Top 100 bestsellers and #1 bestsellers in Horror, Post-Apocalyptic, Space Fleet, Space Marine, Galactic Empire, Colonization, Alien Invasion, and Cyberpunk. When not writing, Rachel can be found flying old airplanes with an incredibly spoiled dog over the Iowa countryside.
There is a lot at stake for quick-witted Marshall Reyne and her Black Sheep crew in this second book in the Flight of the Javelin series. They have been through a nightmare of suffering and loss but fate isn’t quite finished with them yet. Exceptional sci-fi adventure with a healthy dose of action, suspense and courage.
Free Station is not filled with space battles but it is filled to the brim with suspense. There is enough action to keep things exciting but the suspense is great. The ending will leave you guessing. All in all this was a well written sci fi adventure story.
Love this series so far I just can't get enough. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time! Extremely well written and characters I will never forget. The ending has left me wanting book 3 now! Don't miss out on this extraordinary series at any cost! Throttle Up! A true must read adventure!
The crew, Throttle, Eadie, Sylvain, Finn and of course, Rusty, are back in the second adventure in the ‘Flight of the Javelin series, and this one picks up almost a year after the events of Book 1. Throttle and her crew have been busy in that time, training, studying and learning the ways of the GP, the Galactic Peacekeepers, the law in the Ross System. Throttle decided that this was the easiest way to be able to capture, and serve justice on Anna East, the woman who killed several of her crew, as well as her love, Brik. As the book opens, Throttle and the crew, all but Eadie are getting their Peacekeeper Badges, having passed. Eadie still hasn’t passed his shooting exam, and Chief won’t pass him without it. At this time, they get a mission to go and look for a ‘seed’ ship, an automated giant of a ship that was attacked by pirates as it was travelling to its next location. This is only the start of the story though, as a Peacekeeper has already been tasked, but has gone dark, the 3rd one in less than 2 weeks. The Chief is not sure what is happening, and tasks Throttle and her crew to go and investigate this, as well as sending another peacekeeper to go and investigate the disappearance of the other peacekeeper. Right off, this is a mystery, thriller starting to form, and you are totally hooked, wanting to know what is going on. Aukes has this beautiful and compelling writing style that is so easy to read, the words flow so easily making it a pleasure to read. We have all read books that feel like you are slogging through mud when you try to read it, even if you like the book, the style can be hard. Aukes is, without doubt, a true master at writing. And she has created a stunning thriller, with a Sci-fi theme, and enough mystery to keep anyone interested. What starts out as lost Peacekeepers, and a mystery, (without trying to give too much away), quickly explodes into a massive life or death situation, not just for her, the crew and Rusty, but the entire system and possibly everyone in it. Whilst everyone else was recovering and getting over the events of Book 1, Anna East has been busy, and things become pretty full-on in this book. It is a really powerful story, with some very emotive and gritty scenes, as characters, both good and bad, fight for their lives. Aukes has created some amazing Character work in this book, we have the core crew we are used to, but are introduced to some new people on both sides. We get a deeper feel for the Galactic Peacekeepers, and it is fascinating getting to peel back the layers of this organisation, and see what is below. At the top of it, is ‘The Chief’, the man who runs the show, and he is an old war Veteran, grizzled, powerful, in that he is very attentive, and he can shoot well, but he is also very fair, willing to give people a fair chance, bend the rules when needed to get things done. His Character is exactly the type of person you would see in this role, he is just so real, so realistic, Aukes is so gifted at creating her characters, and the level of detailing around each of them, it makes her story so much better, with such intricacy. It is not just the Good Guys that get new characters, there are a range of new bad guys (I am not going into detail as I don’t want to ruin anything), but needless to say, Aukes has provided meticulous detail in each of these as well. This is just a great story, with exceptional character work, against an outstanding backdrop – the world building is just exquisite in the detail, from Characters, to ships, to space stations, to weapons, everything is outstanding, making this such an inspired read. The main characters are all back, Throttle, Sylvain, Finn and Eadie, and they all get various bits of time in the book. There has been some effort in developing each of them, which is always great to see in this type of series. The other ‘crew’ member is of course the ship ‘Rusty’, who is just hilarious with his interpretations of things. This is a brilliant sequel, easily the equal of the original, and only bodes well for book 3 – and hopefully we will see books 4, 5, 6… etc down the track. If you love a great Sci-Fi story, thriller, mystery, action-adventure, good character story, (there is even a bit of romance), it really covers all sub-genres in the Sci-fi genre and will make anyone happy who reads it, it is just a fantastic read, and an exceptional series – get into it now!!
The story takes place a couple of years after the first book in the series. Throttle and her crew are now part of the marshalls in Free Station, and one of their first missions makes them face an old enemy.
After how things ended in the previous book, I was eager to read more about the Black Sheep crew. Things are very different for them now, as they are now on the “right” side of the law, even though their motivations and their essence are still the same.
I am especially enjoying Rusty’s part in the story. It was certainly what most intrigued me in the previous book and wanted to know more about it. Since book one, it is clear that there is much more to the Javelin than what the crew believes. We get some more glimpses about the truth behind this abandoned spaceship in this book, but we will have to wait for book three to uncover it.
The dynamics among characters are one of the best parts of this series. I found the characters a bit underdeveloped in the previous book, but I have to say that they are growing on me. I have to say that I terribly missed Birk.
The previous book was about justice and doing the right thing, while this one is more about revenge. I had more difficulties this time in relating to the characters and their motivations. Justice is a subject that works a lot better for me, while revenge does not. It says a lot that Rusty’s part was my favorite in the book.
Emily Woo Zeller’s narration was very enjoyable. She does not only have a very pleasant voice but her characters’ interpretations were spot-on, and the subtle variations in tone and style made dialogs easy to follow almost all the time. There were a couple of times where voices were not consistent. Breathing noises were slightly audible sometimes. It was barely noticeable and I am sure I was able to perceive them because I was using headphones. These were just minor details, and I can honestly say that I loved her narration.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
This was not such a good follow up to the first book.
We get to see our characters become tools of a self serving, corrupt police state. And the book isn't written as a commentary on this, it's just glorifying policing. This is weird because there was a social commentary on corrupt institutions of power not serving all equally, and corrupt/ ineffective police in the first book. I find it so upsetting to see spec fiction prop up and glorify some of the worst parts of our current systems, instead of imagining better ones. If you want your hero to be a cop and not delve into the less savory aspects of this, just write your world without the social issues we are dealing with.
The more I think about it, the more down I get on this. It is 2022 when I read this, alongside Uvalde school shooting(coward cops refused to go in and stop shooter), and so I might just be reeling from the constant news of all the terrible police. In any case I am wholly dissatisfied with the direction of this book and the series and won't be continuing.
Also, their sentient ship was basically absent from this one, which is huge bummer. We just started to get some insight into the ship towards the end of the first book, and I think that the ships story and its interacting with the crew is the most interesting thing here.
What a fantastic book! It's been about a year since I last peeked in on Captain Throttle Reyne and her crew... the Black Sheep! Once again, I found myself transfixed, and I smoothly slipped right back into the series ARC! The entire crew, now newly appointed as part of the Galactic Peacekeepers, find themselves calling Free Station their home port. They're now rested, healthy, and outfitted with needed supplies... and all set to take down some pirates ☠. Only problem is that the pirates have different ideas, and they've got the Peacekeepers in their sights! Once again, Emily Woo Zeller's distinctly nuanced performance captures the entire crew perfectly! From Throttle's kickass attitude, all the way down to engineering, and Eddie's special relationships to the ship and equipment that he maintains... (and no he doesn't speak with a brogue 🤣), Emily is Spot-On! So if you love action and a great read, you won't want to miss this one, because Rachel Aukes and Emily Woo Zeller have one helluva a tale to tell you!
This takes some time after the first book. Throttle and most of her crew are now marshals, well, except for Eddie, the mechanic/engineer. He keeps failing his marksman test. Marshals’ chips have been going out and they have been disappearing.
In the meantime, pirates have attacked one of the Sol’s system government’s ships. Throttle and team have been sent to recover what is left of the ship and tow it to the Peacekeeper Station (Free Station) so the government can get their ship. They don’t want anyone getting their advanced technology. They also expect the Peacekeeper to find the pirates so they can be punished in a few days.
Afterwards, Throttle and team are sent to investigate some of the disappearances. While they are investigating, pirates attack the Peacekeeper Station. Hundreds of peacekeepers are stuck on the station, Throttle and team have to figure out how to save them while also getting Anna East.
In the Rachel Aukes SciFi novel “Free Station”, the second installment of “Flight of the Javelin” series, Halit “Throttle” Reyne has been elevated to rank of Marshall in the profession of Galactic Peacekeepers. She has come a long way in character development from being a pilot for her father in Aukes’ 5 “Fringe” novels and from being the Captain of the colony ship “Gabriela” in the excellent first “Flight of the Javelin” novel, “Black Sheep”. New challenges are afoot for Throttle and her cohorts as adversaries from that first novel return and new enemies emerge, both groups intent on revenge, destruction, and insurrection with Throttle as one of the main goals. Full of action and adventure, Aukes continues her high level of imagination and execution, while she pulls out all of the stops as the novel concludes, leading to the final novel of the series: “Rogue Planet”. Highly Recommended. Five RELENTLESS Stars. 297 pages. Kindle.
While the opening of this series was figuring out what the heck was going on, the 2nd installment features Throttle Reyne doing what she does and taking charge while showing something new from her character - actually trying to trust someone else besides the man whose no longer around. First assignment seems straight-forward enough only to see Jade East and her associates making a play for the entire system. Kind of surprised to see that story line looking like it is completely resolved with the introduction of two interesting antagonists/protagonists... it could go either way for both of them with the history of the Javelin about to be revealed. I was on vacation and wound up staying up way too late and reading this entire novel in one sitting. Really looking forward to the next in the series!!
I was provided with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Very good sci-fi. The Javelin crew are now Galaxy Peacekeepers, although one of the crew has yet to pass his weaponry training and receive his patch. An assignment to retrieve a damaged ‘seed’ ship owned by the Red Sun Consortium and to determine, what happened to an earlier Peacekeeper sent to investigate, is given to Throttle and her shipmates. This assignment has repercussions and creates a ripple effect that then threatens to destroy all the Galactic Peacekeepers, their support personnel and their home base, Free Station. Throttle and her crew on the Javelin are going to have to pull off a miracle or two, to save the space station and their fellow Peacekeepers.
I think author Rachel Aukes had quite the mischievous glint in her eyes when titling this book Free Station. Free Station is the headquarters of the Peacekeeping Corps and simply do not believe that it offers miscreants a lot of freedom in the end. Perhaps that is a minor thought behind the actions of a number of space pirates taking over the running of this place and some wild ideas of claiming control of the entire star system. That is in itself sheer madness though. Yet, that is what they aimed to do. And getting marshall Throttle Reyes . killed. Throttle, though, had other ideas about that. And that is where the fun really started, nevertheless how crazy the idea may have been. Fun? Not at all. Enjoy
I didn't particularly like Black Sheep but I decided to give the trilogy a second chance. It was a mistake. This is as boring, and as shallow, and as uninspired as the first book.
I didn't particularly care about any of the characters- none of them have any depth, personality, or charisma. The setting is very bland, and the technology is very under-developed. The plot is mediocre, and that is putting it generously. In other words, there's nothing for me here. The disability representation is a nice thought, but that's about all this books has in its favor. Honestly, the best thing I can say about Free Station is that it is inoffensive.
Throttle up for space opera action and intrigue! Great story continuing the adventures of the Sheep - I tore through this one. Three sittings and done. It had me constantly asking if I could trust people all the way through - really liked the constant uncertainty on top of the great action/conflict. I really like the way Aukes writes military space opera action/adventure - always some technological components in there that add complications/tensions to character struggles but stay balanced with the character/plot. Great cliffhanger too, can't wait to get to the next one!
Throttle made several enemies in Black Sheep. Some of her friends were murdered. And now that particular enemy is closing in on Throttle The battle for Free Station is a kind of 3D chess, with horrific consequences for the participants on both sides. Like Flight of the Javelin #1 – Black Sheep – this is a standalone novel with a resolution, but there is no pretending that major events lie in the near future. Bring it on.
Throttle and company become Peacekeepers. They have some ulterior motives but, by and large, they really want to keep humanity safe. All is going well until Anna East decides to invade the Peacekeepers' home base, Free Station. Now, Throttle, and crew must get rid of her before she kills everyone. An exciting follow up to Black Sheep.
This is book two in a series. I really liked book one , the characters grow on you and the action is nonstop. Book two involves the invasion of a Galactic Peacekeeper space station and the efforts to retake it before it is obliterated. The end sets up on ongoing threat that promises many more hours of great storytelling.
Can't wait for the next installment. I need to read these slower, but I can't help myself. They are just so entertaining and addictive. Lots of fun banter between the characters. Enjoy!
Another masterful tale by this author. The characters are well developed. The flow of the story is fast paced and engaging. This gem is a keeper. Looking for the next book in this series.
Throttle and the team are sent out to investigate a rash of pirate attacks then get called back to Free Station because Annie East and the pirates have taken over the Free Station. This was a fast paced engaging read waiting for book #3 now.
I am eager to continue reading this series. The crew characters have complexity and the storylines are interwoven well for a fast and bumpy ride. Well done!
There is adequate depth to the characters - you can almost visualize them. A well crafted story. I will certainly follow this author to see what other good stories she has written.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading books 1 and 2 of the series. Good character development and story line. I look forward the reading book 3 of the series and other books from Ms. Aukes.