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Exodus #2
Der Freiheit letzter Atemzug
Eine intelligente und unterhaltsame Geschichte. (Kirkus Reviews): Priya ist begeistert, als sie für den Dienst beim Weltraummilitär rekrutiert wird. Bald jedoch ist sie gezwungen, sich freiwillig zu einer gefährlichen Mission zu melden - und plötzlich steht ihr Leben auf dem Spiel ...
Wer einen nervenzerfetzenden Science-Fiction-Thriller will, braucht nur zu einer von Rothmans Geschichten zu greifen. (New York Times-Bestsellerautor Larry Correia)
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Aliens existieren - und wie sich herausstellt, sind die meisten relativ harmlos. Gefährlicher sind die Menschen selbst.
Priya Radcliffe war noch nicht mal geboren, als die ersten Terroristen zuschlugen. Als sich die Anschläge wiederholten, war sie vierzehn, und dabei bezahlten ihre Eltern den höchsten Preis.
Das war vor sieben Jahren. Seither haben sich die Vereinten Nationen letztlich darauf geeinigt, das erste Weltraumheer überhaupt aufzustellen. Priya träumt davon, an Bord eines der ersten echten Raumschiffe zu dienen. Darauf zielen all die Jahre ihrer Ausbildung und Schulung ab.
Kurz vor dem Abschluss jedoch tritt ein Offizier eines militärischen Zweigs an Priya heran, von dem sie noch nie gehört hat. Er konfrontiert sie mit einer Entscheidung: Sie kann sich freiwillig für eine riskante Mission an einem gefährlichen, gesetzlosen Außenposten melden, oder sie wird vom Dienst ausgeschlossen.
Priya bleibt nur eine Wahl.
Wer einen nervenzerfetzenden Science-Fiction-Thriller will, braucht nur zu einer von Rothmans Geschichten zu greifen. (New York Times-Bestsellerautor Larry Correia)
----
Aliens existieren - und wie sich herausstellt, sind die meisten relativ harmlos. Gefährlicher sind die Menschen selbst.
Priya Radcliffe war noch nicht mal geboren, als die ersten Terroristen zuschlugen. Als sich die Anschläge wiederholten, war sie vierzehn, und dabei bezahlten ihre Eltern den höchsten Preis.
Das war vor sieben Jahren. Seither haben sich die Vereinten Nationen letztlich darauf geeinigt, das erste Weltraumheer überhaupt aufzustellen. Priya träumt davon, an Bord eines der ersten echten Raumschiffe zu dienen. Darauf zielen all die Jahre ihrer Ausbildung und Schulung ab.
Kurz vor dem Abschluss jedoch tritt ein Offizier eines militärischen Zweigs an Priya heran, von dem sie noch nie gehört hat. Er konfrontiert sie mit einer Entscheidung: Sie kann sich freiwillig für eine riskante Mission an einem gefährlichen, gesetzlosen Außenposten melden, oder sie wird vom Dienst ausgeschlossen.
Priya bleibt nur eine Wahl.
- GenresScience FictionFiction
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 26, 2020
246 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
M.A. Rothman
83 books325 followersUSA TODAY bestselling author, M.A. Rothman, is one of the most unlikely novelists you'll ever meet. He's an engineer first and foremost, with a background in the sciences, and somehow or another, this writing habit of his has turned into a bit more than just a run-of-the-mill hobby.
He primarily writes stories that focus on two things: technology and international intrigue. This writing tends to span the genres of science fiction, techno-thriller, and mainstream thrillers.
When not writing, he enjoys cooking, learning about new technology, travel, and spending time with his family.
He primarily writes stories that focus on two things: technology and international intrigue. This writing tends to span the genres of science fiction, techno-thriller, and mainstream thrillers.
When not writing, he enjoys cooking, learning about new technology, travel, and spending time with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
July 21, 2020
Jingoism and nativism ruin a good story
I'll start by saying thai I loved the prequel to this novel: Primordial Threat. This one hardly seems written by the same author. Themes of jingoism and nativism run through it and the characters simply follow along magically. The UN is a big bully which has turned into a repressive world government and they want to destroy a mining colony because of the threat of rebellion, which the author casts as a David and Goliath story.
There's no science here. No inventive solutions to tough problems. The heroes are security forces in fatigues with sidearms. A character from the first novel returns and is now comfortable killing hundreds of invaders without a second thought.
A secret cabal of defenders take part in a mission called Operation Freedom and they all put their hands in and yell "freedom"! One of the mission leaders broadcasts a prayer to the Lord at the commencement of the mission. We get to hear all about how the evil UN has outlawed all religion along with meat, guns, independent thought, blah blah blah.
If you voted for Trump, binge-watch Fox News, and believe anything Alex Jones says, this is the book for you. If you love science, reason, and thinking, you'll hate it. After 87%, I couldn't take any more and quit reading.
I'll start by saying thai I loved the prequel to this novel: Primordial Threat. This one hardly seems written by the same author. Themes of jingoism and nativism run through it and the characters simply follow along magically. The UN is a big bully which has turned into a repressive world government and they want to destroy a mining colony because of the threat of rebellion, which the author casts as a David and Goliath story.
There's no science here. No inventive solutions to tough problems. The heroes are security forces in fatigues with sidearms. A character from the first novel returns and is now comfortable killing hundreds of invaders without a second thought.
A secret cabal of defenders take part in a mission called Operation Freedom and they all put their hands in and yell "freedom"! One of the mission leaders broadcasts a prayer to the Lord at the commencement of the mission. We get to hear all about how the evil UN has outlawed all religion along with meat, guns, independent thought, blah blah blah.
If you voted for Trump, binge-watch Fox News, and believe anything Alex Jones says, this is the book for you. If you love science, reason, and thinking, you'll hate it. After 87%, I couldn't take any more and quit reading.
July 2, 2020
Umm. What is this? This is a shame on the first book of the series. I started off with having okay feelings (4-star territory), then when the story started getting fast, I was really liking it (5-star territory) and then it took a nosedive with an abrupt ending and unoriginal conspiracy theories actualizations. Giving it 2 stars.
The first book was great, quite a lot of time was spent in building characters and enough time providing interactions showing how people can be smart and a bit annoying at the same time. The first book showed that it is hard to steer a world as everyone wants different things and not everyone agrees.
Fast forward to this book and not a single character was developed storyline or personality. GLobal world government? Seriously? Such an unoriginal concept. Every terrible thing done by UN government can be done by the current day's government of every country. You don't need a world UN government to be authoritarian. It sounds like straight from Alex Jones podcast.
Another part which stood out was not that the author was trying to show a contract between authoritarian government vs free government per se, but using shorthand partisan hacks. Casual reminders of Ronald Reagan was just the tip of the iceberg. The people in the authoritarian world were vegans whereas people on free world were omnivores. Is this an allegory that vegans are authoritarians? Am I really listening to an Alex Jones podcast? Did I mention that the folks on the free world had a super strict immigration system and didn't take any other world people as their own? Much freedom!
The ending was stupid. Suddenly some people were not dead and then they used a magic wand to blow up stuff and solve the problem which they had been dealing with 200 years. This bombing was called "Operation ..... Freedom". How unoriginal.
The first book was great, quite a lot of time was spent in building characters and enough time providing interactions showing how people can be smart and a bit annoying at the same time. The first book showed that it is hard to steer a world as everyone wants different things and not everyone agrees.
Fast forward to this book and not a single character was developed storyline or personality. GLobal world government? Seriously? Such an unoriginal concept. Every terrible thing done by UN government can be done by the current day's government of every country. You don't need a world UN government to be authoritarian. It sounds like straight from Alex Jones podcast.
Another part which stood out was not that the author was trying to show a contract between authoritarian government vs free government per se, but using shorthand partisan hacks. Casual reminders of Ronald Reagan was just the tip of the iceberg. The people in the authoritarian world were vegans whereas people on free world were omnivores. Is this an allegory that vegans are authoritarians? Am I really listening to an Alex Jones podcast? Did I mention that the folks on the free world had a super strict immigration system and didn't take any other world people as their own? Much freedom!
The ending was stupid. Suddenly some people were not dead and then they used a magic wand to blow up stuff and solve the problem which they had been dealing with 200 years. This bombing was called "Operation ..... Freedom". How unoriginal.
May 30, 2020
Original science fiction
I am 72 years old an a fan since a very early age of Assimov and Bradbury. I am delighyed to have found during the quarantine a new voice in science fiction that takes me back to those years. Of course I would like ,another book that follows this marvellous story. But meanwhile, thank you for hours of entertainment. MariaTeresa Smith
I am 72 years old an a fan since a very early age of Assimov and Bradbury. I am delighyed to have found during the quarantine a new voice in science fiction that takes me back to those years. Of course I would like ,another book that follows this marvellous story. But meanwhile, thank you for hours of entertainment. MariaTeresa Smith
February 25, 2024
This was was quite a disappointment. When I read the first book in the series I thought it was very good. Like four out of five stars good.
This one is a completely different beast from the first one. The first one was a lot about science, technology and how to save Earth. Yes there was bunch of dumbass politics in it as well but overall it was a very good book.
This one goes straight down the path of bullshit politics, and thus down the drain, right away.
Apart from a few cool parts towards the end this book bored me and annoyed me in equal parts. It does not help that the political adversary is the ever corrupt UN and they get fucked over, as they should, the political crap sucks.
Now, for those who like that kind of stuff. The book is very well written. There’s not doubt about that and that is really the only reason I do not give this book a one star rating.
But for me, this was a really disappointing read. I do not think I have been that disappointed in a book in a long time.
This one is a completely different beast from the first one. The first one was a lot about science, technology and how to save Earth. Yes there was bunch of dumbass politics in it as well but overall it was a very good book.
This one goes straight down the path of bullshit politics, and thus down the drain, right away.
Apart from a few cool parts towards the end this book bored me and annoyed me in equal parts. It does not help that the political adversary is the ever corrupt UN and they get fucked over, as they should, the political crap sucks.
Now, for those who like that kind of stuff. The book is very well written. There’s not doubt about that and that is really the only reason I do not give this book a one star rating.
But for me, this was a really disappointing read. I do not think I have been that disappointed in a book in a long time.
January 7, 2023
Freedom’s Last Gasp is a sequel to Primordial Threat and, sadly, a very poor one. The first book was a good, but not brilliant, piece of largely hard SF, this second book rapidly degenerates into poor political story of American libertarianism fighting against a United Nations that has become a totalitarian world government, and frankly became quite distasteful. Even the writing was worse with one dimensional characters and completely lacking any sense of plausibility. Even if you have enjoyed the first book, I would recommend skipping this one; it is not necessary and doesn’t continue or enhance the original story in any meaningful way. I probably wouldn't have finished it if it had been any longer than it was.
September 28, 2022
Ugh. The author took an interesting and engaging concept in the first book and turned it into an old, tired, and, frankly, deluded worldview of monocultural superiority. Even that he messed up on, where his "defenders of freedom" are a colony run by a charismatic effectively immortal centenarian running a government where her appointees to security positions are her own suns, running an unelected government which stands for freedom...as long as you agree with them about everything. Otherwise, it's indefinite detention without trial, torture, and extrajudicial executions!
The heroes of the first book became empty shells who, in over a century, display no more growth and depth than a rotting cabbage, defending an ideal that isn't even internally logically consistent. Yet, somehow, the "freedom fighters" can come up with all the answers to bring down the one world government...but then to heck with it, let's tie it up with the extrajudicial murders.
It's a sad end of unrealized potential to an interesting concept.
The heroes of the first book became empty shells who, in over a century, display no more growth and depth than a rotting cabbage, defending an ideal that isn't even internally logically consistent. Yet, somehow, the "freedom fighters" can come up with all the answers to bring down the one world government...but then to heck with it, let's tie it up with the extrajudicial murders.
It's a sad end of unrealized potential to an interesting concept.
October 6, 2020
The sequel to Primordial Threat was well written, but with a quite different tone than the first. This story was driven by politics rather than a physical threat. It was somewhat different than what I was expecting.
Priya was the main character, and the only one fully developed. Terry, Tom and the governor were also prime characters and we saw some development, but not as much as in Priya. The settings and science were interesting, but not quite as big of a point in the story this time.
While the story was engaging and well paced. I just wasn't as drawn into it as with Primordial Threat. Part of that might be that I was expecting a story more driven by the discovery of alien technology and life than a story driven by political machinations and power grabs by tyrants. The title probably should have been a clue to me that this was a different type of story. Still, it's worth reading.
The eBook was formatted well, with only a couple of small spelling/grammar errors.
Priya was the main character, and the only one fully developed. Terry, Tom and the governor were also prime characters and we saw some development, but not as much as in Priya. The settings and science were interesting, but not quite as big of a point in the story this time.
While the story was engaging and well paced. I just wasn't as drawn into it as with Primordial Threat. Part of that might be that I was expecting a story more driven by the discovery of alien technology and life than a story driven by political machinations and power grabs by tyrants. The title probably should have been a clue to me that this was a different type of story. Still, it's worth reading.
The eBook was formatted well, with only a couple of small spelling/grammar errors.
Read
September 26, 2021Upon reading the first book in the series I was impressed with the plot and Mr. Rothman's ability to write a story without needless stories of sex or needless uncouth language. I really did wonder where he was going in the second book since the first view was from the UN ruled Earth, a direction that many in our own day are wanting to follow. I was pleased that he chose to show that what we have inherited in this country, a system of individual liberty and the chance to do with our lives our own best. The quotes from Ronald Regan were very well placed.
Science wise, I found two things in the first book I could not accept. One was the idea that at 8,000 feet Ecuador would be hot and humid. We lived for 17 years near the Equator at or above a mile above sea level and the weather was anything but humid. Whenever we traveled to parts of the country 8,000 feet or above we often needed sweaters or jackets. The other science related thing I questioned was the idea of electric powered jets. But who knows what future discoveries await. Thanks for a really great read.
Science wise, I found two things in the first book I could not accept. One was the idea that at 8,000 feet Ecuador would be hot and humid. We lived for 17 years near the Equator at or above a mile above sea level and the weather was anything but humid. Whenever we traveled to parts of the country 8,000 feet or above we often needed sweaters or jackets. The other science related thing I questioned was the idea of electric powered jets. But who knows what future discoveries await. Thanks for a really great read.
February 20, 2025
Note: Spoilers for Primordial Threat.
Freedom’s Last Gasp takes place several generations after the Earth was relocated to Tau Ceti at the end of Primordial Threat. The UN is in charge of a world government opposed by rebel miners on a gas giant’s moon.
We follow Priya Radcliffe, a bright graduate student who is shanghaied into the UN secret service. She is an engaging, competent character in the Heinleinian mode and the story sags when she is not on stage.
The plot’s big reveal is a cheesy deus ex machina meant to justify the story’s libertarian themes. I did not buy in.
I enjoyed the big-idea adventure of Primordial Threat, but Freedom’s Last Gasp substitutes Paleolithic politics for the scientific puzzle that made Primordial Threat a winner.
Freedom’s Last Gasp takes place several generations after the Earth was relocated to Tau Ceti at the end of Primordial Threat. The UN is in charge of a world government opposed by rebel miners on a gas giant’s moon.
We follow Priya Radcliffe, a bright graduate student who is shanghaied into the UN secret service. She is an engaging, competent character in the Heinleinian mode and the story sags when she is not on stage.
The plot’s big reveal is a cheesy deus ex machina meant to justify the story’s libertarian themes. I did not buy in.
I enjoyed the big-idea adventure of Primordial Threat, but Freedom’s Last Gasp substitutes Paleolithic politics for the scientific puzzle that made Primordial Threat a winner.
August 20, 2024
Really liked the first book- lots of hard sci-fi but this is nothing like it. Unfortunately it has too much right wing American politics in it for me to really enjoy- the evil UN, the woke society making everyone eat none meat, the plucky pioneers and the rebels, the dream of when we used to have countries and everything was amazing! It does not really add anything to the story and the weird flirtation between the main female and one of the characters 'oh there are no seats, it's OK I will just sit on your lap!'. Science fiction should be about politics but this was just all too much and just written really clunky!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2025
A really good second book
While I enjoyed the first book of the series, I felt there was too much emphasis on the science and not enough character development. Freedoms Last Grasp, whi!e still heavy on the technical (which I enjoy), does a much better job with the character development and p!ot pacing. I also feel the quality of the writing overall vastly improve.
As a person of faith, I appreciate his respectful treatment of the Church and the characters having faith and even a heartfelt prayer at a critical juncture.
If there is a third book in this series, I will definitely be along for the ride. Bravo.
While I enjoyed the first book of the series, I felt there was too much emphasis on the science and not enough character development. Freedoms Last Grasp, whi!e still heavy on the technical (which I enjoy), does a much better job with the character development and p!ot pacing. I also feel the quality of the writing overall vastly improve.
As a person of faith, I appreciate his respectful treatment of the Church and the characters having faith and even a heartfelt prayer at a critical juncture.
If there is a third book in this series, I will definitely be along for the ride. Bravo.
December 7, 2020
Not a bad read but for me, the flow of the story felt a little off....like the author hit all the hilights but the transitioning between these parts felt a bit rushed and light on the explanations or background. To be fair, apparently there was a book that preceded this one that I probably should have read first. That, and the author adds some technical background as an addendum to the book. I still maintain that a bit of that information as the story progressed would have improved the overall flow.
June 2, 2023
A worthy work in the vein of Heinlein’s “The Moon is a Harsh Mistress”
I loved the Star Trek TOS references, as well as those to Star Wars, Jerry Pournelle, and other worthies. I thoroughly enjoyed this sequel in story, characters, ideas, and tech. I really enjoyed this from first to last word. While I would enjoy further sequel(s), but it was a very satisfying close.
However, I think “Freedom’s Last Gasp” is most significant in its echoes of Robert A. Heinlein’s libertarian TMIAHM. As such, it has earned a spot on my shelves in hard copy.
Well done, Mr. Rothman!
I loved the Star Trek TOS references, as well as those to Star Wars, Jerry Pournelle, and other worthies. I thoroughly enjoyed this sequel in story, characters, ideas, and tech. I really enjoyed this from first to last word. While I would enjoy further sequel(s), but it was a very satisfying close.
However, I think “Freedom’s Last Gasp” is most significant in its echoes of Robert A. Heinlein’s libertarian TMIAHM. As such, it has earned a spot on my shelves in hard copy.
Well done, Mr. Rothman!
September 8, 2023
Excellent complex SF book
This book and the first book of the series reminds me a little bit of Atlas Shrugged. This book is a social commentary about our current One World dystopia. As I write this review we are very close to having a global thermonuclear war brought to us by our evil hidden elite. This book is highly relevant for those who can see the unfolding nuclear horror.
This book and the first book of the series reminds me a little bit of Atlas Shrugged. This book is a social commentary about our current One World dystopia. As I write this review we are very close to having a global thermonuclear war brought to us by our evil hidden elite. This book is highly relevant for those who can see the unfolding nuclear horror.
May 7, 2024
This story was not what I was expecting… but that made it interesting, I was not sure where it was going for a good while, bit of a slow build. But thoroughly enjoyed it, not as much as primordial threat, but definitely recommend as a good episode 2. Not sure a third will follow, from the writer or me…. More interested in the geology and catastrophe than what I guess would be politics and a world culture change. But thank you. I had a great time.
May 30, 2024
Great read!
I enjoyed this book so much that I stayed up way too late and the next day dove into the sequel immediately. The characters are well developed and believable. Some (not the bad guys) I would love to meet. And the science! The afterword and addendum were pretty cool too! I appreciate the author including them. The entertainment and science together won both books five stars!
I enjoyed this book so much that I stayed up way too late and the next day dove into the sequel immediately. The characters are well developed and believable. Some (not the bad guys) I would love to meet. And the science! The afterword and addendum were pretty cool too! I appreciate the author including them. The entertainment and science together won both books five stars!
October 19, 2020
Great Sequel
I really enjoyed this book. It was a little difficult from the first but I find I like that. IMO the quotes are not overly “political”. One little bit, in a museum on Trump starting space program. Quotes from Reagan on freedom which fit in perfectly with the theme of this book. I would definitely read a book 3.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a little difficult from the first but I find I like that. IMO the quotes are not overly “political”. One little bit, in a museum on Trump starting space program. Quotes from Reagan on freedom which fit in perfectly with the theme of this book. I would definitely read a book 3.
April 18, 2022
I enjoyed this as much as Primordial Threat despite the quote from Thatcher's chum, Reagan. Didn't realise, until getting to the author's notes at the end, that this sequel wasn't originally planned until after the opening in the series was written but I do hope that a third in the series is currently being written. I do enjoy discovering a new, to me, sci-fi author.
July 24, 2022
I'd like more of this story line
Great Hard Sci Fi, and good characters, only 150-200 years in the future. Plausible, yet innovative enough to say yes it should happen. Including finding an alien civilization long ago deceased but with remaining tech. All well placed in story line. I'd like more of this series and characters.
Great Hard Sci Fi, and good characters, only 150-200 years in the future. Plausible, yet innovative enough to say yes it should happen. Including finding an alien civilization long ago deceased but with remaining tech. All well placed in story line. I'd like more of this series and characters.
May 12, 2023
Exciting follow-up to "Primordial Threat."
It's been over a hundred-fifty years since the exodus and all is not well in the "utopia" created on earth. There is contention between Chrysalis Station and Earth for predominance in thought, history, and the way forward. How will the descendants of the saviors navigate these contentions and, with what otherworldly help?
It's been over a hundred-fifty years since the exodus and all is not well in the "utopia" created on earth. There is contention between Chrysalis Station and Earth for predominance in thought, history, and the way forward. How will the descendants of the saviors navigate these contentions and, with what otherworldly help?
April 21, 2020
Please write another in the series!
I've totally enjoyed the series so far and hope there is more to come. Science fiction as it used to be, detailed and plausible. Dare I say Heinleinesque? Political intrigue and alien tech. Can't get much better than that.
I've totally enjoyed the series so far and hope there is more to come. Science fiction as it used to be, detailed and plausible. Dare I say Heinleinesque? Political intrigue and alien tech. Can't get much better than that.
April 2, 2022
A real talent
Another splendid read from Mr Rothman, full of the kind of science that makes SF a thrill to read. Up there with the best. Hopefully there will be another instalment in the way.
Another splendid read from Mr Rothman, full of the kind of science that makes SF a thrill to read. Up there with the best. Hopefully there will be another instalment in the way.
May 22, 2022
An absolutely wonderful hard science fiction read. Well written.
This is one read that keeps one reading as it’s hard to put down. You are just sorry that there are no more pages to read when the story ends.
This is one read that keeps one reading as it’s hard to put down. You are just sorry that there are no more pages to read when the story ends.
November 23, 2022
Wow. Was nervous about the chronological time between the two books, but it actually added so much value to the storyline. This has the makings of so much more too. I hope to see a 3rd book. And a 4th…
July 10, 2024
Freedoms Last Gasp
I found this book to be fascinating. After somehow saving the planet from destruction and taking it to a new star to start over what happens to civilization after 150 years? If you guessed corruption you read the author’s mind. The, question is how to fix it.
I found this book to be fascinating. After somehow saving the planet from destruction and taking it to a new star to start over what happens to civilization after 150 years? If you guessed corruption you read the author’s mind. The, question is how to fix it.
April 8, 2025
wow very amazing story
The two exodus book are an excellent science fiction tale of extremely creative alternate possibilities. The tale is gripping and the characters fun and engaging.
The two exodus book are an excellent science fiction tale of extremely creative alternate possibilities. The tale is gripping and the characters fun and engaging.
April 12, 2020
Outstanding follow on to his 'Primordial Threat', which you should read. If his readership demands, there could be a third book in the series, and I really hope that's the case.
July 7, 2020
An excellent techno thriller (I call sci/fi). As always Rothman knocks it out ofp the park!!
October 1, 2020
Progresses exponentially from book 1 !
Practically read through in one sitting. M.A. Rothman really hits his stride in Freedom's Last Gasp. Hoping he continues this saga!
Practically read through in one sitting. M.A. Rothman really hits his stride in Freedom's Last Gasp. Hoping he continues this saga!
October 6, 2020
Wow again!
Still writing entertaining novels, this is part two of a series (possibly) if enough readers demand it. I add my demand and hope for more. Thank you, Mr. Rothman.
Still writing entertaining novels, this is part two of a series (possibly) if enough readers demand it. I add my demand and hope for more. Thank you, Mr. Rothman.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews