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Ark Royal #16
Fighting For the Crown
HMS Lion and HMS Unicorn have made it home from their first mission against the alien virus, opening the way for humanity to take the offensive. Now, a major fleet is readying itself to depart into enemy space, intent on smashing the virus’s ability to wage war and destroy the threat once and for all. And Captains Hammond and Campbell will take the lead.
But humanity itself is buckling under the strain of endless war. The stresses of fighting are tearing the fleet apart. And a very personal betrayal threatens to plunge the captains and their crews into a bitter feud, deep in alien territory. The stakes could not be higher...
...And the risk of total defeat has never been so great.
But humanity itself is buckling under the strain of endless war. The stresses of fighting are tearing the fleet apart. And a very personal betrayal threatens to plunge the captains and their crews into a bitter feud, deep in alien territory. The stakes could not be higher...
...And the risk of total defeat has never been so great.
412 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 20, 2020
105 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 15, 2021
I’ve read this series from the beginning it’s beginning to get very repetitive and boring this book really never went anywhere found the last few chapters interesting the thoughts of the characters is really not relevant to the story he’s already set up the characters about the time you’re halfway through the book we have a good idea what the characters thoughts should be to keep going over and over and over it’s really rather boring I found myself skipping there’s bits. I’ll probably still read the next book just to see how it ends if in fact after 16 books there is an ending
January 18, 2021
I was mildly disappointed with this book. It seems Nuttall has painted himself into a corner with this new enemy. There was a great deal of back-pedaling from the early discoveries of "the Virus". I felt that the author took a step away from his usual action and drama and just filled the scenes with gratuitous sex. This almost felt like a different author trying to 'fill in' for Nuttall. It just wasn't as good as the rest of the series.
March 3, 2021
There was SOME Good action. But the book is not up to his standards.
The first third of the book was not very good, no action and the only thing of note was an affair, which reappears later in the book. I still have not been able to wrap my mind around a virus that thinks. I assume it is a metaphor for something else. Almost all the action appears in the final third of the book.
The first third of the book was not very good, no action and the only thing of note was an affair, which reappears later in the book. I still have not been able to wrap my mind around a virus that thinks. I assume it is a metaphor for something else. Almost all the action appears in the final third of the book.
June 10, 2023
Hmm...
May contain spoilers
I was initially excited with the plot of this book, it had alot of potential. But issues that have been prevalent throughout the series hamper it beyond saving.
The space combat is dreadfully dull, this was apparently the biggest fleet humanity had ever put together with the assistance of their alien allies, but the author did a dreadful job portraying the scale and/or importance of the events throughout the book.
The viruses host bodies are compared relentlessly to zombies, and yet major characters are constantly in a "moral" battle with themselves for committing "genocide" even though we are only aware of one character ever to survive an infection. This fake battle with morality is honestly so annoying. Not to mention, the virus was a bio-engineered weapon made by some unknown advanced race.
There is so much filler. You could take out 15%-20% of the word count and I would argue the book would be much better. The author has a need to CONSTANTLY repeat things that have been part of the known canon of this universe since the first book. I understand that there is typically a period of time between publications, so we might need a reminder towards the beginning of each new book (I have the luxury of reading them all in one shot) but this is something that's repeated chapter after chapter and book after book, sometimes almost copy pasted from previous chapters or books. Super annoying and artificially inflating word count.
The premise of the entire series is great, but aside from a few outliers, the majority of the books have been average or below.
On to the next.
May contain spoilers
I was initially excited with the plot of this book, it had alot of potential. But issues that have been prevalent throughout the series hamper it beyond saving.
The space combat is dreadfully dull, this was apparently the biggest fleet humanity had ever put together with the assistance of their alien allies, but the author did a dreadful job portraying the scale and/or importance of the events throughout the book.
The viruses host bodies are compared relentlessly to zombies, and yet major characters are constantly in a "moral" battle with themselves for committing "genocide" even though we are only aware of one character ever to survive an infection. This fake battle with morality is honestly so annoying. Not to mention, the virus was a bio-engineered weapon made by some unknown advanced race.
There is so much filler. You could take out 15%-20% of the word count and I would argue the book would be much better. The author has a need to CONSTANTLY repeat things that have been part of the known canon of this universe since the first book. I understand that there is typically a period of time between publications, so we might need a reminder towards the beginning of each new book (I have the luxury of reading them all in one shot) but this is something that's repeated chapter after chapter and book after book, sometimes almost copy pasted from previous chapters or books. Super annoying and artificially inflating word count.
The premise of the entire series is great, but aside from a few outliers, the majority of the books have been average or below.
On to the next.
February 8, 2021
Another well written and engaging story from Nuttall
I've been following Chris since before he became famous.
As a fellow engineer I appreciate his straightforward workmanlike style of writing.
His insights into the contradiction between the Classist toadies who clog up the Admiralty and the Actual Naval warriors who defend the Crown and it's interests is sad but true. I appreciate Chris' realistic portrayal of these realities.
As a student of military history this is no different than any Other nation's Military realities.
In the US military the Intrenched Buearaucracy is if anything worse. The greedy functionaries in the Military establishment up to the Cabinet Level are always at war with the actual Warmakers on the front lines of the Conflict. They frequently cause more battlefield casualties than the enemy does.
The Classist Aristrcracy in England are not alone in their contempt for thier commn people who bleed and die to defend tkeir outrageous and totally undeserved Privilege.
I appreciate Chris' realism and the projection of current practices into the near Future Space Warfare world.
I highly recommend Chris' latest novel and eagerly await his next installment.
Cheers Chris.
Dave 😉
I've been following Chris since before he became famous.
As a fellow engineer I appreciate his straightforward workmanlike style of writing.
His insights into the contradiction between the Classist toadies who clog up the Admiralty and the Actual Naval warriors who defend the Crown and it's interests is sad but true. I appreciate Chris' realistic portrayal of these realities.
As a student of military history this is no different than any Other nation's Military realities.
In the US military the Intrenched Buearaucracy is if anything worse. The greedy functionaries in the Military establishment up to the Cabinet Level are always at war with the actual Warmakers on the front lines of the Conflict. They frequently cause more battlefield casualties than the enemy does.
The Classist Aristrcracy in England are not alone in their contempt for thier commn people who bleed and die to defend tkeir outrageous and totally undeserved Privilege.
I appreciate Chris' realism and the projection of current practices into the near Future Space Warfare world.
I highly recommend Chris' latest novel and eagerly await his next installment.
Cheers Chris.
Dave 😉
January 10, 2021
Quite an action packed story this from start to finish that had be wondering what would happen next. Have to wonder about the story line about a virus in the current climate but at lest we have a vaccine now where the one in the story does not. I would have thought that Chris would have finished the series by now but in stead added the sex into the twist something I have seen very little of in SiFi making me wonder if they ever did that. An interesting end to the book with I look forward to seeing how it turns out in the next. Hope the book is a good as this one
October 19, 2023
A monumental singeing of the king of Spain’s beard. I do like an outrageous plan, happily forgiving almost anything in the face of audacity. Except Independence Day and the Apple laptop.
The experimental, two ship team continue to torment the enemy. The missile cruiser Lion, commanded by the cautions aristocrat Hammond. The scout ship Unicorn, captained by
devil-may-care Campbell, whose role is to covertly sneak into the enemies back pockets and guide the missiles. Campbell is also covertly bonking Hammond's wife every chance he gets and she's loving it. They already despise each other - even though the human race is on the verge of extinction.
The experimental, two ship team continue to torment the enemy. The missile cruiser Lion, commanded by the cautions aristocrat Hammond. The scout ship Unicorn, captained by
devil-may-care Campbell, whose role is to covertly sneak into the enemies back pockets and guide the missiles. Campbell is also covertly bonking Hammond's wife every chance he gets and she's loving it. They already despise each other - even though the human race is on the verge of extinction.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2020
Moving this along nicely
I've been following this since the start and the books stay as good now as the first Ark Royal back quite a while now. I'm desperately keen for Drakes Drum to come along but I very much enjoyed this one and would recommend the series to anyone. How this is concluded will be intriguing
I've been following this since the start and the books stay as good now as the first Ark Royal back quite a while now. I'm desperately keen for Drakes Drum to come along but I very much enjoyed this one and would recommend the series to anyone. How this is concluded will be intriguing
January 16, 2021
Just a joy. There are a few repetitions throughout the book, but thankfully no pages are wasted on helping the reader catching up from the previous 15 volumes of the story - a feat other multi-volume authors could learn from - hardly any reader starts in the middle of the volumes.
And I can't wait for the next volume
And I can't wait for the next volume
May 20, 2022
Excellent hit and run battle with realistic Sci-fi scenarios. 👏
A fine enjoyable sequence of books and I have enjoyed the whole series so far. With a British space navy amongst several space super powers being attractive for most British readers. This beats a wide variety of other Sci-fi reads with USA influences. Keep up the good work Chris Nuttall 😁👍🙏
A fine enjoyable sequence of books and I have enjoyed the whole series so far. With a British space navy amongst several space super powers being attractive for most British readers. This beats a wide variety of other Sci-fi reads with USA influences. Keep up the good work Chris Nuttall 😁👍🙏
January 7, 2021
Good story nice page turner.
Reply great story even if the bully is a bit unbelievable chances he would have seen jail in today's world .Really nice way to show how cultures change during war.
Reply great story even if the bully is a bit unbelievable chances he would have seen jail in today's world .Really nice way to show how cultures change during war.
January 30, 2021
Ok good a little to much on sex though
Another great read, not a fan of the hero binning the other hero's wife... Ok on to the virus, let's end this and get in to a better part of the series
Another great read, not a fan of the hero binning the other hero's wife... Ok on to the virus, let's end this and get in to a better part of the series
February 2, 2021
Another thrilling Navy of the future story
Great combination of nava! tradition and futuristic technology with relatable interactions of characters.
Working some continuity with longitudinal storylines of premiums stories.
Keep them coming
Great combination of nava! tradition and futuristic technology with relatable interactions of characters.
Working some continuity with longitudinal storylines of premiums stories.
Keep them coming
January 11, 2021
Its time to wrap this series up. (consider the covid environment). Your other series have become much more interesting.
January 15, 2021
As usually - excellent
From the very start of this epic series I have been kept engaged and on the edge of my seat by the authors imagination, continuity and skill as a writer.
From the very start of this epic series I have been kept engaged and on the edge of my seat by the authors imagination, continuity and skill as a writer.
February 11, 2021
Good read
Good read. Space operas getting a little crowded. Hard to differentiate between one book from another. still a good read though.
Good read. Space operas getting a little crowded. Hard to differentiate between one book from another. still a good read though.
March 26, 2021
Great read
Great story and ending. Look forward to the next book in the series. Keep up the great work author and
Great story and ending. Look forward to the next book in the series. Keep up the great work author and
June 17, 2021
Disappointed to the point that this is the last book I will purchase.
January 9, 2021
This is the 16th book in the Ark Royal series by Christopher Nuttall and I’ve read them all. Pretty much all of them have been 4 or 5 star ones with only two in the 3 star range.
This one is a 4 star one. This book continues the virus story arc and our heroes struggle to move from the loosing side to the winning one. As usual Mr. Nuttall’s writing is excellent. There’s a reason why he is one of my favorite authors.
I’m not really sure there’s much I can write about this one that I haven’t said already. I like the main characters, the interaction and, of course, the combat action. As usual there was a bit of politics as well which I didn’t really care that much for.
My biggest gripe is about the stupid love affaire and the so called “betrayal”. That part I could have been without altogether.
Apart from that this book is a solid entry in the series. If I should make a wish it would be that Mr. Nuttall wrap up this virus arc soon and get back to fighting more regular enemies. I’m not too sold on the virus story.
This one is a 4 star one. This book continues the virus story arc and our heroes struggle to move from the loosing side to the winning one. As usual Mr. Nuttall’s writing is excellent. There’s a reason why he is one of my favorite authors.
I’m not really sure there’s much I can write about this one that I haven’t said already. I like the main characters, the interaction and, of course, the combat action. As usual there was a bit of politics as well which I didn’t really care that much for.
My biggest gripe is about the stupid love affaire and the so called “betrayal”. That part I could have been without altogether.
Apart from that this book is a solid entry in the series. If I should make a wish it would be that Mr. Nuttall wrap up this virus arc soon and get back to fighting more regular enemies. I’m not too sold on the virus story.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews