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The Spiral Wars #7
Qalea Drop
The UFS Phoenix embarks on a dangerous quest for the AI Ceephay Queen who rules at the heart of the Reeh Empire. For cover, Phoenix will use the enormous war being launched by the new rulers of the croma, Croma'Dokran, into reeh space. This war is intended in part to evacuate the corbi homeworld of Rando, thus righting a great wrong of croma history by rescuing two hundred million corbi from reeh tyranny.
While Lisbeth defies her parren seniors to use drysine and parren firepower in assisting the evacuation, Erik captains Phoenix, accompanied by Styx's four drysine warships, to the world of Eshir, where Styx insists the Ceephay Queen was once located. There, in the ancient, ruined city of Qalea, Trace and Styx must lead an away mission through buried layers of Reeh Empire history to uncover its long-forgotten secrets. Discovering the Ceephay Queen's present location could set them on the road to saving humanity. But Qalea's secrets have been hidden by the reeh for millennia, secrets that could rock their Empire, and they will stop at nothing to keep hidden.
While Lisbeth defies her parren seniors to use drysine and parren firepower in assisting the evacuation, Erik captains Phoenix, accompanied by Styx's four drysine warships, to the world of Eshir, where Styx insists the Ceephay Queen was once located. There, in the ancient, ruined city of Qalea, Trace and Styx must lead an away mission through buried layers of Reeh Empire history to uncover its long-forgotten secrets. Discovering the Ceephay Queen's present location could set them on the road to saving humanity. But Qalea's secrets have been hidden by the reeh for millennia, secrets that could rock their Empire, and they will stop at nothing to keep hidden.
590 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 2, 2020
250 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
About the author
Joel Shepherd
27 books775 followersJoel Shepherd is an Australian science fiction author. He moved to Perth, Western Australia with his family when he was seven, where he later studied film and television arts at Curtin University. He now lives in Adelaide.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
November 20, 2020
Some minor spoilers below.
Interesting developments. More alien species. An enjoyable read, but unlike the first six books, it felt a bit too long, and at times I was mentally gunning my engines. Maybe it’s because book seven has multiple points of view across three stages: On one stage, we see Lisbeth and queen Liala evacuating the corbi from Rando. This gets dangerous and politically interesting, although it went on too long for me. On another stage, we see Phoenix running silently somewhere in Keijir System, home to planet Eshir — and Captain Debogande finds surprising action out there. Meanwhile Major Thakur leads a small party down to Eshir, into the ancient city of Qalea.
Personally, I didn’t mind the treasure hunt theme or even the chase scenes, even though it smacked of Kantovan Vault. However, I found the ancient papers impossible to believe. They’d be dust after so many thousands of years.
I’m not sure how I feel about some of the interpersonal interactions — Styx, Skah, Trace, Erik... I need to let that steep for a while.
So the book takes us further into reeh territory and sets the stage for book eight, where we might learn more about the reeh, the alo, and the ceephay queen.
I will listen to the audiobook when John Lee adds his magic touch. I’m sure it will be even more enjoyable.
Interesting developments. More alien species. An enjoyable read, but unlike the first six books, it felt a bit too long, and at times I was mentally gunning my engines. Maybe it’s because book seven has multiple points of view across three stages: On one stage, we see Lisbeth and queen Liala evacuating the corbi from Rando. This gets dangerous and politically interesting, although it went on too long for me. On another stage, we see Phoenix running silently somewhere in Keijir System, home to planet Eshir — and Captain Debogande finds surprising action out there. Meanwhile Major Thakur leads a small party down to Eshir, into the ancient city of Qalea.
Personally, I didn’t mind the treasure hunt theme or even the chase scenes, even though it smacked of Kantovan Vault. However, I found the ancient papers impossible to believe. They’d be dust after so many thousands of years.
I’m not sure how I feel about some of the interpersonal interactions — Styx, Skah, Trace, Erik... I need to let that steep for a while.
So the book takes us further into reeh territory and sets the stage for book eight, where we might learn more about the reeh, the alo, and the ceephay queen.
I will listen to the audiobook when John Lee adds his magic touch. I’m sure it will be even more enjoyable.
November 17, 2020
Very good
This series as a whole and this installment in particular is very good, lots going on, with quite a few characters, but the story always progresses, there are no wild inconsistencies or sudden fits of stupidity, the whole things just flows. Very good storytelling, hope to read the next one soonish.
This series as a whole and this installment in particular is very good, lots going on, with quite a few characters, but the story always progresses, there are no wild inconsistencies or sudden fits of stupidity, the whole things just flows. Very good storytelling, hope to read the next one soonish.
December 30, 2020
The revelation that there's yet another surviving AI species at the heart of the reeh's Empire has left Phoenix needing to penetrate much further into reeh space to investigate. Major Trace Thakur has returned from her experiences on Rando healthy, but broken emotionally, which is unfortunate because she needs to lead an undercover mission in the city of Qalea on the planet Eshir. Undercover, because there's a significant human population on Eshir, in the middle of reeh space, traded to the reeh by the crim during their occupation of Earth. And with the drysine queen Styx in tow. And in the space above Eshir, Erik Debogande has his own discoveries to make.
Meanwhile the croma under their new leadership lead the evacuation of the corbi from their doomed homeworld of Rando, with the assistance of Lisbeth Debogandi and her parren faction and the parren's drysine queen Liala. With so many species, all with different goals, and under continuous counterattack by the reeh, Lisbeth has her hands full.
As the author says in his note at the beginning, this is a different sort of book from many of the earlier ones, with many different point-of-view characters, including even some of the drysines and corbi. This is his "big multi-pov space opera" chapter in the overall series. I find myself really enjoying this mode of story-telling, particularly with the three different theatres of action for most of the story.
It's also really great to see that Trace's experiences from the previous book have left their mark even despite advanced PTSD therapies. The sorts of decisions she was forced to make their are life-changing, and deserve to be reflected on. The choice in this one to directly pair her with Styx is a brilliant one, particularly as this book explores the relationship between organics and AI races. Having Styx perform actions that Trace considers immoral but pragmatic, puts her own actions in stark relief (and given how super-intelligent Styx is, that may have been the intention).
These books just keep getting better.
Meanwhile the croma under their new leadership lead the evacuation of the corbi from their doomed homeworld of Rando, with the assistance of Lisbeth Debogandi and her parren faction and the parren's drysine queen Liala. With so many species, all with different goals, and under continuous counterattack by the reeh, Lisbeth has her hands full.
As the author says in his note at the beginning, this is a different sort of book from many of the earlier ones, with many different point-of-view characters, including even some of the drysines and corbi. This is his "big multi-pov space opera" chapter in the overall series. I find myself really enjoying this mode of story-telling, particularly with the three different theatres of action for most of the story.
It's also really great to see that Trace's experiences from the previous book have left their mark even despite advanced PTSD therapies. The sorts of decisions she was forced to make their are life-changing, and deserve to be reflected on. The choice in this one to directly pair her with Styx is a brilliant one, particularly as this book explores the relationship between organics and AI races. Having Styx perform actions that Trace considers immoral but pragmatic, puts her own actions in stark relief (and given how super-intelligent Styx is, that may have been the intention).
These books just keep getting better.
November 5, 2020
The adventure continues...
Loose ends can be a bitch. Too few or too many and we're always wondering about that outcome, or what happened where and when. The author prefaced Qalea Drop with a warning that it would be multi viewed, a lot of different viewpoints. But the loose ends from Rando Splicer are neatly tied up, making this almost a sequel, but keeping the series moving forward!
Loose ends can be a bitch. Too few or too many and we're always wondering about that outcome, or what happened where and when. The author prefaced Qalea Drop with a warning that it would be multi viewed, a lot of different viewpoints. But the loose ends from Rando Splicer are neatly tied up, making this almost a sequel, but keeping the series moving forward!
December 9, 2020
Not as good an installment. The focus on the corbi evacuation really slowed down the flow of the story and kind of made this one drag along. I much prefer the focus on Phoenix. The other big piece missing from this book was a marine assault and higher stakes naval battle. Sheperd leaned very heavily on the drysine superiority in this one that all the organic characters felt superflous. Hoping for a more balanced 8th novel.
November 10, 2020
Book 7 continues an excellent series
Every book in the series adds something new to the spiral, while continuing the overall saga.
This is one of the most enjoyable series I've read in a long time
Every book in the series adds something new to the spiral, while continuing the overall saga.
This is one of the most enjoyable series I've read in a long time
November 15, 2020
I really enjoy the author's books. Once I found about the 7th Spiral Wars installment, I put all other reading aside. The author now states that the series may end up being 12 books in length. Wow. Previously it was 10. He asks that we are patient as it takes time to keep all of the threads of the complex story moving forward.
This time around, we are given more insight into the reeh. Each of the previous books have detailed one of the many races in the Spiral. Here we get to see the reeh, not embedded within them, but a research trip. Here Styx and the rest of the Phoenix crew are peeling back the layers of the reeh. There is excellent commentary of what happens when organics become more like their machines & how that bodes for a society.
Be ready for a lot of introspection by the characters. We are even privy to the internal thoughts of the drysines. There is much to learn about Phoenix's new allies.
As usual, it is a lot of fun & it finishes too quickly after many a late night. I look forward to the next book.
There are always quotable passages throughout. Some I found either funny or spot on as commentary of our world today:
Humanity found a mathematical law to benefit from, and they've been exploiting that law ever since, like miners excavating a vein of precious metal. -Styx
Trace had seen enough of the Purist attitude among Earth Front supporters back home. Those people had never managed to explain how their refusal to engage with aliens on any level qualified as strength and not cowardice. ...But with some people, once the emotions took over, it was impossible to reengage the logical faculties.
"Every totalitarian bloodbath begins with a vision of harmonious uniformity" - Kaspowitz
"But we're not in a fight yet."
"You're with Phoenix Command Squad. Wait five minutes." - Terez
"You can beat them all on your own?" - Trace
"No. But we will slow them considerably, and they will not enjoy it." - Styx
"A people well informed cannot be enslaved." - Taj
This time around, we are given more insight into the reeh. Each of the previous books have detailed one of the many races in the Spiral. Here we get to see the reeh, not embedded within them, but a research trip. Here Styx and the rest of the Phoenix crew are peeling back the layers of the reeh. There is excellent commentary of what happens when organics become more like their machines & how that bodes for a society.
Be ready for a lot of introspection by the characters. We are even privy to the internal thoughts of the drysines. There is much to learn about Phoenix's new allies.
As usual, it is a lot of fun & it finishes too quickly after many a late night. I look forward to the next book.
There are always quotable passages throughout. Some I found either funny or spot on as commentary of our world today:
Humanity found a mathematical law to benefit from, and they've been exploiting that law ever since, like miners excavating a vein of precious metal. -Styx
Trace had seen enough of the Purist attitude among Earth Front supporters back home. Those people had never managed to explain how their refusal to engage with aliens on any level qualified as strength and not cowardice. ...But with some people, once the emotions took over, it was impossible to reengage the logical faculties.
"Every totalitarian bloodbath begins with a vision of harmonious uniformity" - Kaspowitz
"But we're not in a fight yet."
"You're with Phoenix Command Squad. Wait five minutes." - Terez
"You can beat them all on your own?" - Trace
"No. But we will slow them considerably, and they will not enjoy it." - Styx
"A people well informed cannot be enslaved." - Taj
June 10, 2021
I've really enjoyed this series. The characters are growing, changing. Yes, the good guys are too good: unselfish, servants of all humanity. Still, I like them, they are like friends, and it's great to see them when they come around.
The author opens the book with an opinion about the difference in taking a year to write a book, versus a month or two. I have seen books I really liked come from both processes, but there is always something to be said for doing your own thing your way, and Mr Shepherd is very good at what he does.
In this story, we have Lisbeth and Liala at Rondo, where they are evacuating corbi to the other side of the Chroma Wall. Jindi is trying to reach an evacuation center. Erik and Trace are in reeh space, looking for information about the ceephay queen. Shepherd weaves these threads well. I get so wrapped up in whatever is going on that sometimes I forget that there are three other parallel stories going on. It's that engrossing.
I have no idea where this story is going, but I'm not going to miss the adventure.
The author opens the book with an opinion about the difference in taking a year to write a book, versus a month or two. I have seen books I really liked come from both processes, but there is always something to be said for doing your own thing your way, and Mr Shepherd is very good at what he does.
In this story, we have Lisbeth and Liala at Rondo, where they are evacuating corbi to the other side of the Chroma Wall. Jindi is trying to reach an evacuation center. Erik and Trace are in reeh space, looking for information about the ceephay queen. Shepherd weaves these threads well. I get so wrapped up in whatever is going on that sometimes I forget that there are three other parallel stories going on. It's that engrossing.
I have no idea where this story is going, but I'm not going to miss the adventure.
November 19, 2020
This was everything it needed to be, though perhaps a bit short of what I wanted it to be. Joel himself mentioned the challenge of writing this one from many more points of view than his previous books, and that is certainly true. This volume did a fantastic job diving into the head of our favorite character, Trace Thakur, and the entire story arc is so much richer for it. This book also expands our view into what makes the AI minds tick, and dangles so many tantalizing future story leads, it kinda boggles the mind on where this story arc might go.
Sadly, we still need to wait for little Debogande's running around harassing Uncle Dale...but we are getting there :-)
Can't wait for the John Lee narration in Audibook form!
Sadly, we still need to wait for little Debogande's running around harassing Uncle Dale...but we are getting there :-)
Can't wait for the John Lee narration in Audibook form!
November 16, 2020
Some authors like to set expectations and then subvert them. Shepherd sets expectations and then exceeds them. Every time I come back to this series I am impressed and this time was no different.
December 13, 2021
A little weak compared to the previous books
Continuing with the structure from the last books with multiple storylines, primarily the evacuation of Rando with the combined Croma/Parren forces and Phoenix and Styx at Eshir at yet another quest for some ancient secrets.
The storytelling is still good and the overall storyline moves forward to an acceptable point to take a break for a couple of years (would have been horrible if this one ended with a cliff hanger as there's no sign of the next novel yet).
There also some hard to swallow charity / Love your neighbor/alien sentiments in the ending of the novel which feels somewhat out of place.
I had two major issues with this installment:
Firstly the evacuation of Rando just dragged on without too much happening.
Secondly (and worse), the setup at Eshir felt totally unbelievable and unnecessary.
Finding a whole planet of "forgotten" humans who by a miracle have managed to keep their whole culture even though they were taken as captives without any warning seems somewhat farfetched, and there's no apparent reason for adding this to the story as it's not really used for anything.
Continuing with the structure from the last books with multiple storylines, primarily the evacuation of Rando with the combined Croma/Parren forces and Phoenix and Styx at Eshir at yet another quest for some ancient secrets.
The storytelling is still good and the overall storyline moves forward to an acceptable point to take a break for a couple of years (would have been horrible if this one ended with a cliff hanger as there's no sign of the next novel yet).
There also some hard to swallow charity / Love your neighbor/alien sentiments in the ending of the novel which feels somewhat out of place.
I had two major issues with this installment:
Firstly the evacuation of Rando just dragged on without too much happening.
Secondly (and worse), the setup at Eshir felt totally unbelievable and unnecessary.
Finding a whole planet of "forgotten" humans who by a miracle have managed to keep their whole culture even though they were taken as captives without any warning seems somewhat farfetched, and there's no apparent reason for adding this to the story as it's not really used for anything.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2022
A great overall story, book 7 of the spiral wars still feels like the first misstep of the series. As large epic series scale they maintain the awe and freshness critical for all sci-fi tales. It’s important, though, that each thread contributes to the overall rope so that it remains strong and doesn’t fray. Honestly, some of the threads here were confused, uninteresting or plain boring. That made them hard to follow and detracted from the core tale. For example, we continue to follow the Major and Styx (though there’s too much well trod ground), yet the Captain is largely abandoned to focus instead on an important, but largely redundant, evacuation plot line - that drags. Meanwhile, the Captain’s own thread, and exciting discovery, is extremely short-changed.
All that said, I’m not yet entirely put off.
All that said, I’m not yet entirely put off.
February 16, 2022
Joel Shepherd again leads us through adventure, danger and discovery with the intrepid United Fleet Ship Phoenix, her crew, and the Marines assigned to her. Their quest for long lost information about relationships between the species in the galaxy has been rewarded. Historical wrongs are righted. Former enemies learn the truth and they begin work together against a common enemy. Information emerges shedding light on various clusters of Artificial Intelligence (machines?) hidden for tens of thousands of years. The stage is set for a big dust-up in the galaxy between the various AI groups and the “organics” with whom they are aligned. Shepherd’s battle scenes, be they in space or on land, remain top notch, from the characters to the military maneuvering and strategy.
September 30, 2025
Qalea Drop continues the Spiral Wars saga with high-stakes tension and sharp spacefaring conflict, but this instalment did not quite land for me. While the technical worldbuilding and character threads remain strong, the narrative felt weighed down by overemphasis on xenophobic themes. It is easy to sense the influence of the time in which it was written, but some of that framing distracted from what has otherwise been a very character- and strategy-driven series.
The action and tactical elements are still on form, and the plot moves the series forward meaningfully, but the tone veers into territory that feels more heavy-handed than necessary. Still worth reading to stay with the arc, but not as balanced or engaging as earlier entries.
The action and tactical elements are still on form, and the plot moves the series forward meaningfully, but the tone veers into territory that feels more heavy-handed than necessary. Still worth reading to stay with the arc, but not as balanced or engaging as earlier entries.
November 19, 2020
A true science fiction classic series. The series is amazing, with each novel in the 600 page range. It is one you need to start from the beginning to follow the characters and galaxy building plot. Very creative as the narrative explores the complex plot, deeply evolved and complex characters. AI evolution, space ship battles, boarding's in space, relationships between AI and organics - complex governments on numerous planets and systems - with fully fleshed out alien cultures. Exploring what is the difference between Sentient Life Forms - organic vs inorganic. Fleet battles, and underground resistance.
December 12, 2020
Great book complex story line just Gorgeous
The authors commented that it’s a challenge to write such a complex and Integrative storyline and it takes long to write.
Anyone who reads this review should embrace this stories wide breath and depth with in the series. Great books and greater series require amazing authorship. Making this latest book the most intriguing and interesting and drawing reason to be read it.
May “The Spiral Wars” get to book 12plus in under 5 years. Please keep writing them for years to come.
I’d love some of his other storylines to be continued as well
- thank you for this book sir.
The authors commented that it’s a challenge to write such a complex and Integrative storyline and it takes long to write.
Anyone who reads this review should embrace this stories wide breath and depth with in the series. Great books and greater series require amazing authorship. Making this latest book the most intriguing and interesting and drawing reason to be read it.
May “The Spiral Wars” get to book 12plus in under 5 years. Please keep writing them for years to come.
I’d love some of his other storylines to be continued as well
- thank you for this book sir.
March 20, 2021
It's Such a Pleasure...
....to read a book that has all of my favorite elements and this one, like all the books in the Spiral Wars series, delivers. There is wonderful military sci-fi action, fascinating conceptualization of aliens and their physiology and cultures, and mysteries to be unraveled. The pacing is excellent and the character growth realistic and compelling. But the author truly captures that most terrifying thing about all fictional glimpses into fantastical futures, that even if surrounded by hostile aliens, humans will continue to be the biggest threat to humanity. Bravo.
....to read a book that has all of my favorite elements and this one, like all the books in the Spiral Wars series, delivers. There is wonderful military sci-fi action, fascinating conceptualization of aliens and their physiology and cultures, and mysteries to be unraveled. The pacing is excellent and the character growth realistic and compelling. But the author truly captures that most terrifying thing about all fictional glimpses into fantastical futures, that even if surrounded by hostile aliens, humans will continue to be the biggest threat to humanity. Bravo.
March 17, 2022
This series has been going down hill ever since that Vault one. It was once about desperate starship duels with Earth at stake and really scary ancient AIs lurking around every corner. Now it's about rescuing cute little monkey people and everybody's emotions. It's gone from content I can only find in good space opera books, to content I got tired of in episodes of Deep Space 9 and Stargate. It's also dropped about 30 IQ points, for those of us counting. Even if you're a fan you have to admit that. Six years ago I was thinking Shepherd might be the next Peter F Hamilton, now I'm thinking his next series might feature people with cat heads.
December 29, 2020
I really, really love this series! The world building and story line is phenomenal. I loved that this book centred a lot on the characters of Styx and Trace. Their interactions are some of my favourites in the series and getting a bit of a glimpse into Styx’s “thoughts” was great. And Trace! Definitely my favourite character amongst a ton of great characters. Lots of great character development here. It’s hard to believe this is the 7th book in and it feels like the story is just on the cusp of really taking off. I love it! I kind of wonder if we are going to see the character of Taj again. Such a great series. Can’t wait for the next one to come out!
January 21, 2021
Potential tipping point for this franchise
More and more action is dictated in the story by the various AI's and less by the human and other "organic" species. This creates less suspense as the AI's have apparently unlimited potential capabilities. Plot devices are created as opposed to the previously (if a bit overly fantastic) well designed scenarios that focus on the the tension of combat and the emotion of loss afterwards. Still a very engrossing read but if not careful there's a shark out there ready to be jumped.
More and more action is dictated in the story by the various AI's and less by the human and other "organic" species. This creates less suspense as the AI's have apparently unlimited potential capabilities. Plot devices are created as opposed to the previously (if a bit overly fantastic) well designed scenarios that focus on the the tension of combat and the emotion of loss afterwards. Still a very engrossing read but if not careful there's a shark out there ready to be jumped.
February 13, 2021
Great read
Mr. Shepard created a great follow up novel to the Rando adventure. Well written, as always, with just enough new characters to keep things interesting. The Spiral series is turning into a long arc but very well built along the way. While other SF authors can lose their way after this many books in a series, Mr. Shepard maintains a crisp vision he’s methodically filling out. Trace continues to be an immensely interesting character filled with substantially more complexity than earlier novels. Can’t wait for his next book.
Mr. Shepard created a great follow up novel to the Rando adventure. Well written, as always, with just enough new characters to keep things interesting. The Spiral series is turning into a long arc but very well built along the way. While other SF authors can lose their way after this many books in a series, Mr. Shepard maintains a crisp vision he’s methodically filling out. Trace continues to be an immensely interesting character filled with substantially more complexity than earlier novels. Can’t wait for his next book.
April 29, 2025
Styx is once again running the show, and I mean she is RUNNING THE SHOW!
Poor humans better stay on her good side, is all I can say. So far, so good. We're closing in the the Ceephay Queen in this book, and (I assume) will be introduced to her in the next.
Most of the book was full of tension, though there were a few brief passages that I'd speed-read through, mostly the refugee evacuations. They tended to be same-ole, same-ole after a while. Other than that, another wonderful book in the series and a continued delight to look at the world through the eyes of an ASI.
Poor humans better stay on her good side, is all I can say. So far, so good. We're closing in the the Ceephay Queen in this book, and (I assume) will be introduced to her in the next.
Most of the book was full of tension, though there were a few brief passages that I'd speed-read through, mostly the refugee evacuations. They tended to be same-ole, same-ole after a while. Other than that, another wonderful book in the series and a continued delight to look at the world through the eyes of an ASI.
December 10, 2020
*Writing Subpar Downward Spiral Continues In ‘Mary Sue’ Universe*
“Qalea Drop” Book 7 of “The Spiral Wars” series - 9, 10 or 11 in total as author keeps moving goalposts, has continued the downward spiral of basic writing structure since Book 1, and ‘Mary Sue’ in many forms is the device chosen by the author with abandon.
Devolution is a thing, especially when it comes to hubris and avarice.
Read via Kindle Unlimited.
“Qalea Drop” Book 7 of “The Spiral Wars” series - 9, 10 or 11 in total as author keeps moving goalposts, has continued the downward spiral of basic writing structure since Book 1, and ‘Mary Sue’ in many forms is the device chosen by the author with abandon.
Devolution is a thing, especially when it comes to hubris and avarice.
Read via Kindle Unlimited.
December 11, 2020
Another amazing installment
This book is quite the length. But boy is it worth it. It's very hard to put down and Joel does an amazing job juggling so many different facets and scenes. Then make them gel together so well. It's been a long wait and as the author himself mentioned, likely a longer wait for the remaining installments. A sad thing but the story is hugely complex so understandable. Well done.
This book is quite the length. But boy is it worth it. It's very hard to put down and Joel does an amazing job juggling so many different facets and scenes. Then make them gel together so well. It's been a long wait and as the author himself mentioned, likely a longer wait for the remaining installments. A sad thing but the story is hugely complex so understandable. Well done.
March 29, 2021
This book was a masterpiece. Best yet, of the series. He's telling this kind of story like no one else. It's fast-paced military high-concept sci-fi adventure. The author makes you care so much for each character and each story line. The AI is fascinating, mysterious, and chilling. The author doesn't seem to run out of incredible novel wonderlands and nightmares to explore across the galaxy--I hope he never does.
September 30, 2021
The evacuation does slow the book down, agreed, but still, its the Spiral Wars ongoing saga so im in, thumbs and toes. Joel has a easy reading style and his books remain consistently enjoyable to read but i do suspect that the ongoing saga is becoming unwieldy as we expand our horizons. At its core the story remains focused on the ship and its crew and the unknown plans of Styx and im good with that.
April 10, 2022
Drysines Assume Command
Driven by the alo/deepynine threat to Human and Tavalai populations Phoenix, Styx and her newly assembled drysine fleet move stealthily into reeh space in search of an ancient AI queen. Meanwhile, the second drysine queen, Liala, with Lisbeth Debogande in tow, journey to Rando to watch the evacuation of the corbi.
This complex space opera continues to amaze with the depth of its story and characters, along with the spectacular battles.
Driven by the alo/deepynine threat to Human and Tavalai populations Phoenix, Styx and her newly assembled drysine fleet move stealthily into reeh space in search of an ancient AI queen. Meanwhile, the second drysine queen, Liala, with Lisbeth Debogande in tow, journey to Rando to watch the evacuation of the corbi.
This complex space opera continues to amaze with the depth of its story and characters, along with the spectacular battles.
August 30, 2022
A bit of a change in style from previous books, more space opera than mil-sci-fi in this one. It had a bit of a noir feel to it as well, with the giant city playing a large role along with the dark undercity and several heart pounding speeder bike chases. I'm really interested to see what the long term goal is for the AI factions in this and to see how the series will wrap up the threads that it has spun out.
December 13, 2024
disappointed
4 of the past 6 novels in this series are in my top 10 sci-fi books of all time. But this is such a shift in tone and style I’m tapping out and not going to finish. Mr Shepherd has abandoned all the deep and interesting characters that I’ve grown to love, added some thinly veiled “modern” ideology, and abandoned what have been some of the most intense FTL combat scenes and crazy unique creative mechanics.
Sad
4 of the past 6 novels in this series are in my top 10 sci-fi books of all time. But this is such a shift in tone and style I’m tapping out and not going to finish. Mr Shepherd has abandoned all the deep and interesting characters that I’ve grown to love, added some thinly veiled “modern” ideology, and abandoned what have been some of the most intense FTL combat scenes and crazy unique creative mechanics.
Sad
February 8, 2025
Multi Faceted Happenings
A lot goes on in this book with introductions of so many different sentients and their interactions. Plus so many characters become familar to you with varying personalities. I love how Major Trace vunderabities are examined and how she seeks to endure despite the mental trauma. The interaction between her and Captain Debogande is heart warming and hope their love for each
other will be revealed.
A lot goes on in this book with introductions of so many different sentients and their interactions. Plus so many characters become familar to you with varying personalities. I love how Major Trace vunderabities are examined and how she seeks to endure despite the mental trauma. The interaction between her and Captain Debogande is heart warming and hope their love for each
other will be revealed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews