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Colonial Explorer Corps #2
The Grissom Contention
Fresh from the mission to Earth, Siti Kassis, daughter of the "Hero of Darenti Four," enrolls in the Colonial Explorer Corps academy--the same academy where her father was the captain of the rev-ball team, and still holds flight records for the extreme piloting competitions. As the daughter of an honored alum, she's expected to lead the legacy students to victory in every training scenario and game.
But Siti wants to prove her own worth. Shunned by the other legacies when she refuses to play by their unfair rules, she joins a band of misfits for her class's most arduous trial: Prime Survival Week.
When Siti and her friends discover they've been dropped into a PSW with no rules and no end, will they figure out how to survive? Will they devise a plan to win?
But Siti wants to prove her own worth. Shunned by the other legacies when she refuses to play by their unfair rules, she joins a band of misfits for her class's most arduous trial: Prime Survival Week.
When Siti and her friends discover they've been dropped into a PSW with no rules and no end, will they figure out how to survive? Will they devise a plan to win?
- GenresScience Fiction
345 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 12, 2021
About the author
Julia Huni
53 books194 followersAuthor of the Colonial Exploration Corps, Space Janitor, Recycled World, and Krimson Empire series.
I grew up in the US Pacific Northwest, and after twenty years roaming the country with the US Air Force, I'm back. I have a spouse, three kids, and a dog named Pippin.
I've been an IT guy, a choir director, an executive assistant, a stay-at-home mom, a college instructor, and that lady at the information booth in a tourist town. But writer is the best job ever, because I get to make stuff up. Stuff I wish were true; stuff I'm glad isn't true.
When I'm not writing, I like to knit, read, bake, and ski. I also love to travel.
I grew up in the US Pacific Northwest, and after twenty years roaming the country with the US Air Force, I'm back. I have a spouse, three kids, and a dog named Pippin.
I've been an IT guy, a choir director, an executive assistant, a stay-at-home mom, a college instructor, and that lady at the information booth in a tourist town. But writer is the best job ever, because I get to make stuff up. Stuff I wish were true; stuff I'm glad isn't true.
When I'm not writing, I like to knit, read, bake, and ski. I also love to travel.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 12, 2021
Disclaimer: I read an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for posting my honest opinion of the book in several well known places.
I gave the previous book 5 stars, but was waffling on I should have only given it 4 or not. I was wrong with that one if only because this book is better. Much better.
Previously, the main character, Siti, was a whiny kid that always seemed to screw things up, always said she would do better, never actually did, and never suffered any consequences for her actions. But she really grew up in the short time between that book and this one. Here, instead of tagging along with her father on a mission, she is in her first year at the academy. She is now a self confident leader of her group and making good decisions although she wonders and worries about making the tough choices at times.
Maybe the previous relationship between her and her father reminded me a little too much of friends and family I've seen, and how that behavior often spirals out of control, but it was only seen in the beginning stages there. Here I am happy to see that the pattern was somehow broken and the situation fixed. No longer were the characters annoying, and they were much more fun to follow along the story.
However, this book is not totally without a hitch here or there either. The antagonists are authority figures, but acting like entitled bullies and mafia bosses, and it seemed slightly unrealistic that Siti didn't run into more problems than she did, or make any serious mistakes along the way.
Despite those (this time much more minor) problems, I found the book to be an interesting and entertaining read, not putting it down very often, and finishing it less than 48 hours after I started on it. And now I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series and finding the wait to be annoying.
I gave the previous book 5 stars, but was waffling on I should have only given it 4 or not. I was wrong with that one if only because this book is better. Much better.
Previously, the main character, Siti, was a whiny kid that always seemed to screw things up, always said she would do better, never actually did, and never suffered any consequences for her actions. But she really grew up in the short time between that book and this one. Here, instead of tagging along with her father on a mission, she is in her first year at the academy. She is now a self confident leader of her group and making good decisions although she wonders and worries about making the tough choices at times.
Maybe the previous relationship between her and her father reminded me a little too much of friends and family I've seen, and how that behavior often spirals out of control, but it was only seen in the beginning stages there. Here I am happy to see that the pattern was somehow broken and the situation fixed. No longer were the characters annoying, and they were much more fun to follow along the story.
However, this book is not totally without a hitch here or there either. The antagonists are authority figures, but acting like entitled bullies and mafia bosses, and it seemed slightly unrealistic that Siti didn't run into more problems than she did, or make any serious mistakes along the way.
Despite those (this time much more minor) problems, I found the book to be an interesting and entertaining read, not putting it down very often, and finishing it less than 48 hours after I started on it. And now I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series and finding the wait to be annoying.
June 27, 2023
Reviewed on Lili Lost in a Book
After the very crazy mission on Earth where they discovered people still living there after the planet was supposedly evacuated 500 years ago, Siti heads to Grissom to finally attend Colonial Explorer Academy!
This book goes follows the first couple of training missions Siti and her fellow cadets go through. The missions weren't easy, but what made it worse was that some of the cadets were also legacies like Siti. But unlike Siti, these guys were elitist as fuck. Some were downright psychopaths! It was awful! Some of the things they did? Holy crap! I don't know how Siti kept her cool, but she got through it all and dealt with things in a smart way. It’s one of the things I love about her!
The missions, too, she handled smartly, especially because they always went sideways. I loved it though! It was crazy and engaging and just fun! And with these training missions going all sorts of wrong, it was very interesting to see Siti and her team readjust to all the curve balls being thrown at them. And I think it helped that Siti is turning out to be such a good leader. But one thing I like about Siti is that even though she's the unofficial leader, she isn't the only one making decisions. Her teammates chime in with ideas and she trusts them.
I already mentioned that I love Siti, but I liked the other characters on her team as well. There were two in particular that we saw in the last book that I loved. Their addition to the team was a nice surprise—I was not expecting them to show up at all! But I enjoyed it, and I especially enjoyed the fun banter between them.
I really enjoyed this overall! It took me a bit to get into the series, but I am fully on board now! I wasn't really sure where this story was going, but since I knew to expect a more character-driven story, I didn't mind and I really enjoyed the adventure. It was a wild ride for sure! I didn't have a problem keeping these characters straight, unlike the last book 😅 But I liked the characters, even the ones I didn’t because the elitists made for some good bad guys. Lol. I'm very curious to see where things go from here, especially in relation to some of the legacies 👀
After the very crazy mission on Earth where they discovered people still living there after the planet was supposedly evacuated 500 years ago, Siti heads to Grissom to finally attend Colonial Explorer Academy!
This book goes follows the first couple of training missions Siti and her fellow cadets go through. The missions weren't easy, but what made it worse was that some of the cadets were also legacies like Siti. But unlike Siti, these guys were elitist as fuck. Some were downright psychopaths! It was awful! Some of the things they did? Holy crap! I don't know how Siti kept her cool, but she got through it all and dealt with things in a smart way. It’s one of the things I love about her!
The missions, too, she handled smartly, especially because they always went sideways. I loved it though! It was crazy and engaging and just fun! And with these training missions going all sorts of wrong, it was very interesting to see Siti and her team readjust to all the curve balls being thrown at them. And I think it helped that Siti is turning out to be such a good leader. But one thing I like about Siti is that even though she's the unofficial leader, she isn't the only one making decisions. Her teammates chime in with ideas and she trusts them.
I already mentioned that I love Siti, but I liked the other characters on her team as well. There were two in particular that we saw in the last book that I loved. Their addition to the team was a nice surprise—I was not expecting them to show up at all! But I enjoyed it, and I especially enjoyed the fun banter between them.
I really enjoyed this overall! It took me a bit to get into the series, but I am fully on board now! I wasn't really sure where this story was going, but since I knew to expect a more character-driven story, I didn't mind and I really enjoyed the adventure. It was a wild ride for sure! I didn't have a problem keeping these characters straight, unlike the last book 😅 But I liked the characters, even the ones I didn’t because the elitists made for some good bad guys. Lol. I'm very curious to see where things go from here, especially in relation to some of the legacies 👀
April 12, 2021
A new class of plebes for the CEC suspects the camp leadership is playing favorites - 4.5 stars
It doesn't take long to realize that some plebes have connections that give them expectations that rules don't apply to them.
Siti Kassis is one of the legacy plebes whose father gained recognition in his early days of service with the Colonial Explorer Corps (CEC); Siti thinks that she has to prove herself. Her first roommate, Felicity Meyers, is also a legacy plebe; Felicity plans to coast through three years of training without having to do much work.
This book starts to seem like young adult fiction but gradually settles into separating strivers from slackers. I found the willingness to think objectively, analyzing the environment and the players was top notch. Siti's role as leader of the Blue squad was too perfect.
There are two wilderness Trial by Fire (TbF) exercises that are the best parts of the story. The plebes are set into small groups - squads - intending to survive and complete a mission. The TbF is done in a wilderness area and the plebes need to be inventive. Some groups try to win by cheating.
As you progress into the adventure, you find that the slackers group becomes increasingly aggressive and puts many plebes in danger. You will enjoy being able to weightlessly zoom over the landscape and observe good and bad. The plebes who were electronics and software hackers showed inventiveness that showed brilliance, not just competence; technology is a balance against a significant amount of rule-bending. The plebes' attitudes toward cheating were an important part of the story.
The adventures on an undeveloped planet is an excellent story of preparation and problem-solving thinking in an unfamiliar environment. Excellent. Highly recommended.
It doesn't take long to realize that some plebes have connections that give them expectations that rules don't apply to them.
Siti Kassis is one of the legacy plebes whose father gained recognition in his early days of service with the Colonial Explorer Corps (CEC); Siti thinks that she has to prove herself. Her first roommate, Felicity Meyers, is also a legacy plebe; Felicity plans to coast through three years of training without having to do much work.
This book starts to seem like young adult fiction but gradually settles into separating strivers from slackers. I found the willingness to think objectively, analyzing the environment and the players was top notch. Siti's role as leader of the Blue squad was too perfect.
There are two wilderness Trial by Fire (TbF) exercises that are the best parts of the story. The plebes are set into small groups - squads - intending to survive and complete a mission. The TbF is done in a wilderness area and the plebes need to be inventive. Some groups try to win by cheating.
As you progress into the adventure, you find that the slackers group becomes increasingly aggressive and puts many plebes in danger. You will enjoy being able to weightlessly zoom over the landscape and observe good and bad. The plebes who were electronics and software hackers showed inventiveness that showed brilliance, not just competence; technology is a balance against a significant amount of rule-bending. The plebes' attitudes toward cheating were an important part of the story.
The adventures on an undeveloped planet is an excellent story of preparation and problem-solving thinking in an unfamiliar environment. Excellent. Highly recommended.
April 12, 2021
I received an ARC of this book, the second in the series and read it in 2 sittings in less than 24 hours! It was a fast paced and interesting tale featuring Siti as a new recruit at the Colonial Explorer Corps Academy. She is a little out of sync because of the 20 years she spent in deep sleep on the way to earth. There is a lot about that mission that is not general knowledge so she has to be careful of what she shares and with whom. She finds that as a result of her father's reputation there are certain expectations of her, but she prefers to earn her own place in the corps, and as a result makes enemies of the other "legacy" recruits. Siti however is more than capable of making other friends. they each have their own skills and attributes that contribute to them working well as a team, which is a core element of the CEC training and philosophy. But all is not well within the Academy and it becomes Siti's team's responsibility to figure out what's going on, why and how to fix it... if only in self-defence, so they don't get killed. New characters introduced and a couple of familiar faces re-appear, and of course Liam makes his presence felt. There is lots of action and again the story leaves a few unanswered questions hopefully to be explored in the next book. I enjoyed this book more than the last, in part because Siti's character has matured. I look forward to seeing where the series goes next.
April 12, 2021
I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for posting my honest review.
*No spoilers*. This is the second book in The Colonial Explorer Corps series. Where the first book took place exploring, this one follows the main character Siti, as she attends the Colonial Explorer Corps Academy. The book has good pacing and has good detail worked into the plot. After reading the first book, you can see Siti ‘growing up’ in this book, having to deal with bullies, taking charge of situations and making hard decisions.
The supporting cast were interesting and well written, including two characters who played a part in the first book and also in the authors Recycled World books. I wondered at the end of this book about two of the characters I thought should have been expelled from the Academy. I’m going to imagine that plot line may get picked up in the next book (at least I’m hoping there will be a next book!).
I was very happy to see my second favourite character Liam, (ok ,bordering on my favourite, lol), playing a much larger part in the story.
This book was a fun and enjoyable read and I recommend it as such.
*No spoilers*. This is the second book in The Colonial Explorer Corps series. Where the first book took place exploring, this one follows the main character Siti, as she attends the Colonial Explorer Corps Academy. The book has good pacing and has good detail worked into the plot. After reading the first book, you can see Siti ‘growing up’ in this book, having to deal with bullies, taking charge of situations and making hard decisions.
The supporting cast were interesting and well written, including two characters who played a part in the first book and also in the authors Recycled World books. I wondered at the end of this book about two of the characters I thought should have been expelled from the Academy. I’m going to imagine that plot line may get picked up in the next book (at least I’m hoping there will be a next book!).
I was very happy to see my second favourite character Liam, (ok ,bordering on my favourite, lol), playing a much larger part in the story.
This book was a fun and enjoyable read and I recommend it as such.
April 14, 2021
Told again from the first-person perspective, Siti, having had some hands-on experience of the Explorer Corps in the first book, has decided to enter the space explorer academy. She learns she is a “legacy”, someone whose parent has been in the service – but she will not give up the friendship of the others to please those legacies who consider themselves above the others and privileged. In addition, there is something peculiar going on at the Academy – why do these legacy students get away with flaunting rules, and even attacking other teams during the first exercise? You feel like you’re looking over their shoulders as all sorts of exciting and nefarious things happen. Siti and her group stick together, work together and push through the problems, and the world building – including another planet – is what I have come to expect and enjoy from Julia Huni. I had great difficulty putting this book down and can’t wait for the next!
I received an advance copy and voluntarily leave this honest review.
I received an advance copy and voluntarily leave this honest review.
April 12, 2021
Joining the " Exploratory Corps" aka CEC what was a "little" Turbulence/ or was the a precursor to what lays ahead? To check the "Newbies" resolve? was/ is there a "special treatment" for the "Legacies" aka Children of high ranking officers? what about earning your own way by your own actions?
Do the "entitled" get special treatments/information for success? Can the
" Charlie Squadron" pull together and become a team? Will the "legacies" be allowed to cheat their way through? Who do you go to/turn to when the Highest ranking officers are involved in the scheme and making profits on the "interest"
of the CFC? Fast paced, twisting, turns that you get caught up in, just when you think you can trust .. friend, allies and frenemies and enemies. How can you rely on anyone?
Do the "entitled" get special treatments/information for success? Can the
" Charlie Squadron" pull together and become a team? Will the "legacies" be allowed to cheat their way through? Who do you go to/turn to when the Highest ranking officers are involved in the scheme and making profits on the "interest"
of the CFC? Fast paced, twisting, turns that you get caught up in, just when you think you can trust .. friend, allies and frenemies and enemies. How can you rely on anyone?
April 13, 2021
I enjoyed this classic kids go away to school story. Set in a wacky colonies of Earth future it has a fresh feel and a lot of dry humor that had me chuckling frequently. The conflicts between students were offset by nicely done team bonding and the gradually revealed conflicts with authority genuinely made me laugh when all was revealed. I don't want to give spoilers but I think I can safely say that I was reminded in a good way of early Star Trek episodes. Not the details, mind you, but a delightfully jaunty optimism. It brightened my day to read this book! It would add considerably to anyone's enjoyment to read the previous book first - The Earth Concurrence.
April 12, 2021
An amazing story although initial set in Grissom we are introduced to new Characters, Planets and Villains, corruption will continue even in 2500+ year and someone will always speak against it, we do get a connection with tales of former space Janitor as we again meet Bob before he destroyed his shuttle
October 29, 2022
Stayed Up Way Late to Finish This Book
First year at the academy means new friends, old friends, and idiot bullies. Through it all Siti does her best to uphold the academy values. I enjoyed reading about the adventures and trouble Siti and her friends get into. On to the third book.
First year at the academy means new friends, old friends, and idiot bullies. Through it all Siti does her best to uphold the academy values. I enjoyed reading about the adventures and trouble Siti and her friends get into. On to the third book.
April 11, 2021
A brilliant second book in this excellent exciting sci fi fantasy series! As always so well written, great characters & plot! A joy to read! I do strongly recommend this writer & all of her works! You will not be disappointed!
April 12, 2021
This book turned out to be very hard to put down. Siti and friends at the academy, as you might guess, nothing goes as planned.
We do get more insight into Siti herself as well as her relationships with friends both old and new. An enjoyable and heartwarming story.
We do get more insight into Siti herself as well as her relationships with friends both old and new. An enjoyable and heartwarming story.
April 19, 2021
I really enjoyed reading this book - a continuation of the series, but it would be perfectly easy to read this book as a stand alone. In this book, Siti is now at the Colonial Explorer Corps Academy, trying to fit in and trying to stay in the academy, with a high attrition rate.
I found the book to be really compelling, hard to put down and full of action. The descriptions of the environment and the world they were on were deftly inserted into the prose so that they were not distracting, but very believable. The characters were interesting - some very annoying, but believable all the same. I kept picking this book up and suddenly found I was at the end - a satisfying end, no cliffhangers, but I am definitely looking forward to any further books in this series.
I found the book to be really compelling, hard to put down and full of action. The descriptions of the environment and the world they were on were deftly inserted into the prose so that they were not distracting, but very believable. The characters were interesting - some very annoying, but believable all the same. I kept picking this book up and suddenly found I was at the end - a satisfying end, no cliffhangers, but I am definitely looking forward to any further books in this series.
February 5, 2022
Book 2 in the series
Siti starts her plebe summer at the CEC Academy and soon makes friends with some of her classmates. Things don’t always go smoothly and there’s low activity in high places. A great story.
Siti starts her plebe summer at the CEC Academy and soon makes friends with some of her classmates. Things don’t always go smoothly and there’s low activity in high places. A great story.
April 18, 2022
Homecoming
I’m like this series. It’s been a fun read, and actually plausible as long as FTL is considered possible. Which is has to be eventually if we are to survive as a spaceship Ed.
I’m like this series. It’s been a fun read, and actually plausible as long as FTL is considered possible. Which is has to be eventually if we are to survive as a spaceship Ed.
June 6, 2022
A delightfully fun book
Although filled with drama and a bit of intrigue, it is a fun book to read. I've enjoyed all of Site's adventures. And, Liam's, as well.
Although filled with drama and a bit of intrigue, it is a fun book to read. I've enjoyed all of Site's adventures. And, Liam's, as well.
March 26, 2024
Excellent
What an awesome story. Full of drama and action and wonderful characters. It great to get to spend more time with them.
What an awesome story. Full of drama and action and wonderful characters. It great to get to spend more time with them.
May 2, 2024
Great read!
I really liked book one, this one I wasn’t so sure about at first. But the story was riveting and the pace was good. Can’t wait for book three.
I really liked book one, this one I wasn’t so sure about at first. But the story was riveting and the pace was good. Can’t wait for book three.
March 6, 2026
Great adventure and character development! I really enjoyed the story -- highly recommended!
October 25, 2022
❤❤❤ EXCELLENT SUITE !
Siti/Serinity Kassis is in a shuttle about to land at Grissom, the site of the Colonial Corps Explorer Training Center.
Daughter of a well-known military medalist, Siti chose to follow her father’s professional career and also to become an explorer...
But above all, she must integrate the training center to start her apprenticeship...
--------------
A big crush ❤ with this excellent and incredible sequel, which recounts the sequel to the dangerous adventures of young Siti Kassis.
I love 🧡 this main character !
I really liked the script and the many unforeseen events.
I’m looking forward to the next volume 3 "the Saha Declination" with great impatience !
A MUST READ for lovers of the genre.
Siti/Serinity Kassis is in a shuttle about to land at Grissom, the site of the Colonial Corps Explorer Training Center.
Daughter of a well-known military medalist, Siti chose to follow her father’s professional career and also to become an explorer...
But above all, she must integrate the training center to start her apprenticeship...
--------------
A big crush ❤ with this excellent and incredible sequel, which recounts the sequel to the dangerous adventures of young Siti Kassis.
I love 🧡 this main character !
I really liked the script and the many unforeseen events.
I’m looking forward to the next volume 3 "the Saha Declination" with great impatience !
A MUST READ for lovers of the genre.
December 14, 2021
I love these sci-fi action adventures that Julia Huni writes. Fun adventures, likeable characters and nothing too harrowing. I know everything is going to turn out okay at the end and sometimes that's what I need. Now I'm going to immediately get into the Saha Declination (book 3 of the series) ARC. Bliss.
November 17, 2025
I thorougly enjoyed this story! Siti has grown up a lot since the first book in the series, and it was fun to reconnect with old friends from Earth as well as get to know a whole bunch new ones - not to forget a whole new set of (fr)enemies. This was another well-written, entertaining adventure that kept me up way past my bedtime.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews