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The Hegemony strikes again…The Confederation and its allies have won their first victory, retaken their capital from he forces of the Hegemony. But the enemy is not beaten, far from it, and they are back, with an unstoppable weapon, a vast superbattleship, a deadly hybrid of imperial and Hegemony technology, called the Colossus.The great ship is enormously powerful, nearly unstoppable, and in its armored depths it hides a secret, another Hegemony weapon, one that will change the dynamic of the entire war. One that will challenge Admiral Barron, and his officers and spacers, to the greatest test they have ever faced.The battle for the Rim has reached its climactic stage, but even as the Hegemony moves forward to claim victory, an old enemy, a terror from the distant past, is about to return…and change everything.Don’t miss the latest action-packed volume in Jay Allan’s Blood on the Stars series.Blood on the StarsBook 1 - Duel in the DarkBook 2 - Call to ArmsBook 3 - Ruins of EmpireBook 4 - Echoes of GloryBook 5 - Cauldron of FireBook 6 - DauntlessBook 7 - The White FleetBook 8 - Black DawnBook 9 - InvasionBook 10 - NightfallBook 11 - The Grand AllianceBook 12 - The ColossusBook 13 – The Others (Coming)Book 14 – Enemy of My Enemy (Coming)

395 pages, Paperback

Published May 3, 2019

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Jay Allan

80 books1,262 followers

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5 stars
659 (57%)
4 stars
357 (30%)
3 stars
114 (9%)
2 stars
20 (1%)
1 star
4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
Profile Image for jim Utrie.
5 reviews
April 21, 2019
Great Book

Probably the best in the series. Good character development. Liked the several ongoing subplots including those concerning the enemy and their own issues.

Why four stars? One minor criticism is poor editing. Did not take away from the story, but was a bit irritating.

Main concern was how the marines managed entry into Colossus at multiple hull points. This is a very strongly armoured ship yet all of a sudden 1000 marines are on board. Perhaps they just pushed the "in" buttons on the hull. I concluded the author himself had no reasonable explanation so he just put them in.

Let's face it, no entry to Colossus meant certain defeat. Think how the entry was so easily made being ignored made the ending hard to imagine.

Otherwise enjoyed the read and look forward to next book.
Profile Image for Jim.
1,256 reviews55 followers
May 22, 2019
Well, you knew the war with the Hegemony was going to have to end sooner or later, right? Well, it looks like it might end pretty quickly now. The Hegemony have just deployed a secret project named “Zed” and something else called “Red Storm”. Initially, no one on the Confederation side knows anything about either of these secret Hegemony projects. But, it doesn’t take long for them to find out exactly what Project Zed actually was.

Project Zed cruised into Confederation space. It was a colossal starship from the days of the Imperium. The Hegemony had found it and had spent the last 20 years getting it ready for battle. Still, the size of the thing was far larger than the resources even the Hegemony had to bring it to its full warfighting potential to use. Over sixty kilometers long, it massed over five hundred times the size of the Hegemony’s largest starship. There was no doubt that this single ship could destroy the entire Confederation fleet in a single battle and end the war that had been going on for over six years.

Admiral Tyler Barron saw the first saw the Colossus as his fleet entered to do battle with the Hegemony. Even without the Colossus in the Hegemony line, it was dobutful that the Confederation had enough firepower to succeed in this battle. If the Confederation lost here, then the Confederation was certainly doomed to fall under the reign of the Hegemony. And now, with this humungous starship facing them, Admiral Barron couldn’t see how his forces could win. Should he just surrender now, asking for some kind of agreeable terms or should he finish off this war while killing himself and all those with him and not worry about what comes after?

In desparation, Admiral Jake Stockton was sent on a final mission with his entire flying command outfitted as bombers. They were going straight for the Colossus and drop as much ordnance on it as they could carry. In fact, his bombers were overloaded with bombs and all of his ships were configured as bombers, some five thousand. It was hoped that they could at least put a dent in this mighty ship. Truth be told, everyone doubted that they could destroy the Colossus even with this huge bombing run. Then Project Red Storm was released and that more than anything doomed Jake Stockton’s mission and his flyers.

A very well written book as are all of Jay Allen’s books. He’s one of my favorite authors if I haven’t said that before. This story is kind of interesting in that there’s not a mention of the Grand Alliance allies that are still fighting in this war and only a very small chapter was written about any Union activities. No, this focused strictly on Admiral Barron and how he was reacting to so many years of warfare and so many deaths, and now this new threat.

Fortunately, this story isn’t over. Book 13, “The Others” will be out soon and i can’t wait to get my hands on it.
Profile Image for Dennis Zimmerman.
383 reviews
May 11, 2020
The Colossus is another excellent read in the Blood on the Stars series and is gut wrenching - it had me on the edge of my seat as even Tyler finds himself in a funk, his well-spring of hope virtually running on empty. The Hegemony decide to deploy their deadliest weapon - a hybrid ship so powerful that it has the potential to bring the Confederation finally to its knees. Even Tyler is at a loss to see his way to defeating such a powerful instrument of death. However, even the Hegemony has to learn that sometimes running rough-shod of other nations may not be the best move in the long run nor the method that is guaranteed to cause humanities continued existence. In this latest book, the Hegemony finally starts growing a clue and sees the benefits of having a conversation instead of dragging other nations kicking and screaming into the Hegemony fold. Looking forward to start reading the next book in the series.
23 reviews
April 28, 2019
Humanity survives as rim and Hegemony warriors

I was really surprised as two powerful warriors pledged peace as an enemy threatened humanity! The “others” apparently threatened the more powerful Hegemony! I loved the tale as the war was underway, but I don’t want to give the plot away!
Readers should read the prior books in this series! Excellent development of characters-a joy to read! I think this is a great Sci Fy series that is enjoyable and true to human weaknesses and achievement. A very enjoyable worth reading!
Profile Image for Justin.
504 reviews21 followers
May 28, 2023
Simple but drawn out

A Goodreads reviewer pointed out that there is way too much time spent in the characters' headspace. E.g. "I can't fail. I have to push on or else." Or repeatedly saying they underestimated the enemy's resolve. I didn't notice this until now.

But now, I roll my eyes. Not good for the reader. I do wish it would get compressed and skip the emo.

This book is yet another turning point in the narrative with yet another enemy. I think it is good in a sense since it expands the larger universe.
568 reviews10 followers
May 7, 2019
The latest adventures of Tyler Barron, Andi LaForge, and the Confederation in their on-going battle against the Hegemony. Enter the Colossus, Hegemony's latest weapon, a massive space battleship, stretching sixty kilometers (40 miles) from front to back. The effort to defend against this unbelievable weapon, disable, and destroy it, without losing the entire Confederation fleet in the process, makes for a story with lots of twists and turns, and more than one surprise.
4 reviews
May 8, 2019
Interesting Idea, but slow

I haven't read the full series, but I am impressed by Allan:s picturing of the human universe so far into future that there is no longer a tie to "Old Earth. The battle is cataclysmic, beyond belief.

The actual story is TOO SLOW ! Much too full of lovey-dovey and commander's remorse. Cutting the number of pages o this material by half would give it another star.
269 reviews1 follower
December 11, 2020
Well, Jay Allan, you did it to me again. I was reading this book and my heart was in my throat, wondering if Andi was going to be reunited with Tyler or not. And this war! It has taken so much from the Confederation in both people and real estate. Tyler Barron feels each loss all along the way, and you could feel his anger towards the Hegemony just boil over. He lost his humanity as the losses continue to rise. I'm not going to spoil this for other readers. Looking forward to reading the next book in this wonderful series.
149 reviews2 followers
April 20, 2019
As usual

This was another great book by Jay Allan. He even managed to keep the body count down to a somewhat reasonable level. BTW, Jay, I’m STILL waiting to see how Blackhawk got his embedded AI. You keep saying “coming soon” which you’ve been saying for several years now. I would have liked to see The Wolfs Claw finished before you started the Andromeda series.
Profile Image for Hans Melius.
205 reviews
April 23, 2019
Another excellent, fast paced read.

I’ve been enjoying this series for some time now, and it hasn’t dulled or gotten stale, which quite the feat. An Old and powerful foe is on the brink of returning to Hegemony Space. The war for the Rim is at its peak, what will happen? Read on to find out. It’s worth the price of admission.
318 reviews4 followers
April 30, 2019
Awesome

Awesome don’t convey the superb writing skill and storyline that Jay Allan brings to this series. Ever evolving plots and subplots make reading these books very difficult to put down. You may think you know how a storyline is going to turn out but how Jay gets there is so much better than your imagination can come up with. Thank you Jay Allan. Keep them coming.
237 reviews
November 14, 2019
Another great book in a great series

This episode continues the the exploits of the crew of the Dauntless with the stress of continuing war on the psyche of the leadership of the nation systems at war. The series should be read from book one for a greater view of the characters and societies involved.
Profile Image for Harvey Dick.
118 reviews3 followers
March 18, 2020
Tyler Barron and the Hegemony!

I read this book faster than any of the previous in this series! It was full of action and suspense from the beginning to the last page. Jay Allan, I am not going to waste any time diving into the next book in the series. So looking forward to reading.
Profile Image for Craig Dean.
546 reviews3 followers
December 4, 2022
The series changes gear as it ramps up to the appearance of the oft foretold shadowy ’others’. I’m giving it four stars as Allan increasingly struggles to generate real surprise or mystery, and his reluctance to lose his core cast at any reasonable rate drastically diminishes any sense of real peril.
860 reviews3 followers
April 22, 2019
Colossus

Colossus had errors throughout and was a fun read. I still love the characters and plot for this series and the difficult decisions each makes. The time jump from the last book was a bit jarring, but overall was still fun.
339 reviews4 followers
April 23, 2019
Meh

The storyline is still good, but it felt like 9/10 of the book was inner monologing. the whole story could have been about 50 pages and would have actually been much better than all the woe is me war is terrible guilt ridden rants.
27 reviews
April 23, 2019
Next episode please!

Love this series. One of the best in my opinion. Not quite as intimate as it used to be, however that is part of the story. The underdog can't remain the underdog forever. Keep up the great work Jay!
Profile Image for Harold Phipps.
68 reviews3 followers
April 24, 2019
Good read

It is a solid book that ends one storyline while bridging to a new one. Not the best of the series but still solid. I strongly suspect some important foundations were laid down for the upcoming plot line.
56 reviews
April 24, 2019
Great continuing saga

I have been anxiously waiting for this book and it did not disappoint!! I don’t want to spoil it so I will not share the storyline but I am now anxiously awaiting book 13!!! Bring it Jay!!!
24 reviews
April 29, 2019
Another masterwork

Jay Allan once again writes a story that takes the reader deep into the Blood on the Stars universe. If the next book is half as good, it will be great. Keep up the good work and keep the BOTS universe evolving.
3 reviews
April 30, 2019
More work needed to present a truly new story. Predictable from the beginning, the Confederation and the Hegemony become partners against the “Others”. How the Marines can cut their way into an Imperial hull is a mystery. Gigaton nukes can’t do it? Many editing and wording issues.
84 reviews1 follower
April 30, 2019
Battle royal

Tyler is so stubborn yet so patriotic and loyal as the hegemony try to conquer them but with a surprise twist they must now become allies instead of enemies to battle a truly evil race
Profile Image for DAVID.
583 reviews5 followers
May 13, 2019
Another One Bites the Dust

Well another great storyline and again I could not put the book down. I am really looking forward to book 13 The Others I am sure Admiral Barton will ride to the rescue in the Colossus and save the day
73 reviews1 follower
May 13, 2019
Another great read!!

Once again Jay delivers another page turning ..action packed,tear jerking,WFT ending that you're not going to see 👀coming!!Hope you're all ready typing away on the next volume,can't wait to read it!!
47 reviews1 follower
May 22, 2019
Another home run

As always, Jay Allan hits another one out if the park. A well written tight story , (if not a bit predictable ending) . Overall a good story and I anxiously await the next one.
7 reviews
July 12, 2019
Another good read by Jay Allan

Ended up burning through this page turner in a week. Granted, it was a slow week at work, but a week nonetheless. The characters and plot continue to satisfy. Can’t wait to move on to the next book.
Profile Image for Greg Inman.
81 reviews
October 9, 2019
The Colossus

I thought that this time Tyler and Andi had met their match but again I was wrong thank goodness.
I hope that finally them too can get married and enjoy what little time they have before the next adventure!. Keep these books coming.
Profile Image for Michael Grace.
19 reviews
November 24, 2020
When did that happen?

At sometime while reading this I started wishing the bad the best. Why? Because the uber bad guys show up. Then they seemed familiar...where...BOOM! I got it, Babylon 5, Shadows.
Profile Image for Carole Eshenbaugh.
256 reviews
April 18, 2021
Again. Book 12

This story just keeps going and going. Again battles and people lost. Every time I think the story comes close to close a new threat appears. This story is never boring. On to the others.
15 reviews1 follower
April 19, 2019
Good read

Could not put the book down until I had finished it, a really good plot and read can not wait for the next book to come out
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews