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Battlegroup Z #1
Weapons Free
Thirty-five years of peace. One vicious attack destroys it all.
Reservist Lieutenant Justin Spencer loves every minute of flying fighters through space during his annual two-week tour with the Coalition Defense Force. The job back home isn’t nearly as thrilling as blowing up asteroids with the squadron under his command, but it keeps him close to his wife and daughter. After all, joining the CDF was only for the free education. Justin never expected a battle, much less a war.
With one shot across his cockpit, peacetime fades into memory.
An unexpected enemy emerges with overwhelming force designed to obliterate the Terran Coalition. The League of Sol has a different name, but it’s the same communist regime that chased away much of Earth’s population hundreds of years ago.
Illusions of returning home are shattered in a single instant. Simulated battles become all too real, and it’s full-on engagement or permanent elimination. Death and destruction erupt across the Terran Coalition and leave Justin in a protracted war with only one truth remaining.
The battlefield will leave no one unscathed.
Reservist Lieutenant Justin Spencer loves every minute of flying fighters through space during his annual two-week tour with the Coalition Defense Force. The job back home isn’t nearly as thrilling as blowing up asteroids with the squadron under his command, but it keeps him close to his wife and daughter. After all, joining the CDF was only for the free education. Justin never expected a battle, much less a war.
With one shot across his cockpit, peacetime fades into memory.
An unexpected enemy emerges with overwhelming force designed to obliterate the Terran Coalition. The League of Sol has a different name, but it’s the same communist regime that chased away much of Earth’s population hundreds of years ago.
Illusions of returning home are shattered in a single instant. Simulated battles become all too real, and it’s full-on engagement or permanent elimination. Death and destruction erupt across the Terran Coalition and leave Justin in a protracted war with only one truth remaining.
The battlefield will leave no one unscathed.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 15, 2021
743 people are currently reading
325 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
July 8, 2021
I stumbled on this series in one of my I-really-feel-like-reading-something-new spells. Well, with something new I didn’t really mean venture into some new genre of course but some new series and/or author.
I’m glad I did pick up this series because I find it really good. For me to like a military science fiction series there are certain things it needs to have. A good story of course, likable and competent characters, a well defined enemy and space fights, lots of space fights. Obviously this series have all that.
There are some things, or rather one thing in particular, that I don’t really like in my books and that is bullshit politics. Thankfully this series tones down the politics. Actually, when shit hits the fan the various political parties, unlike the asshats we are plagued by in real life, actually behaves responsibly. I guess that was the biggest part of fiction in the entire book.
I quite like the main protagonist who suddenly have to go from being reservist enjoying his flying to frontline pilot in a war no one saw coming. He is generally likable as well as competent.
Another thing I quite liked was the choice of bad guy. It’s about time someone used the most obvious enemy in history, the communists, as the enemy in a book series. After all they are the enemy to the free world and will continue to be so until people actually learns from history instead of believing that the previous socialism was not “the right kind” of socialism.
Space fights! Yes there are lots of action, space fights and things that go boom in this series. The science, even if it is fiction, is well done. Overall these books are quite well written.
One thing that has irked me throughout the entire series though is that the author seems to have put the phrase for when they fire their main weapons on some quick copy paste shortcut. Every single time in every single book he mentions that the beams move at the speed of light when they fire it. That’s maybe half a dozen times or more in each book. Seriously?
I could also be without the constant harping about religion even though the author makes a very good job of being neutral and making all the main religions be part of the universe he has created, in a positive way of course.
Overall a very good series with all the books in the series getting a 4 out of 5 rating from me except the fourth one which dipped down to a 3 out of 5 mostly because some rubbish moralizing from the president in the middle of a war for the survival of the free humanity.
I’m glad I did pick up this series because I find it really good. For me to like a military science fiction series there are certain things it needs to have. A good story of course, likable and competent characters, a well defined enemy and space fights, lots of space fights. Obviously this series have all that.
There are some things, or rather one thing in particular, that I don’t really like in my books and that is bullshit politics. Thankfully this series tones down the politics. Actually, when shit hits the fan the various political parties, unlike the asshats we are plagued by in real life, actually behaves responsibly. I guess that was the biggest part of fiction in the entire book.
I quite like the main protagonist who suddenly have to go from being reservist enjoying his flying to frontline pilot in a war no one saw coming. He is generally likable as well as competent.
Another thing I quite liked was the choice of bad guy. It’s about time someone used the most obvious enemy in history, the communists, as the enemy in a book series. After all they are the enemy to the free world and will continue to be so until people actually learns from history instead of believing that the previous socialism was not “the right kind” of socialism.
Space fights! Yes there are lots of action, space fights and things that go boom in this series. The science, even if it is fiction, is well done. Overall these books are quite well written.
One thing that has irked me throughout the entire series though is that the author seems to have put the phrase for when they fire their main weapons on some quick copy paste shortcut. Every single time in every single book he mentions that the beams move at the speed of light when they fire it. That’s maybe half a dozen times or more in each book. Seriously?
I could also be without the constant harping about religion even though the author makes a very good job of being neutral and making all the main religions be part of the universe he has created, in a positive way of course.
Overall a very good series with all the books in the series getting a 4 out of 5 rating from me except the fourth one which dipped down to a 3 out of 5 mostly because some rubbish moralizing from the president in the middle of a war for the survival of the free humanity.
March 21, 2021
Not your everyday space fleet story
First book I’ve read from Daniel Gibbs, loved the equality of religions and the fleet action. Reminded me of battlestar galactica. Characters are likeable and the story flows smoothly. Really liked the story and totally entertaining.
First book I’ve read from Daniel Gibbs, loved the equality of religions and the fleet action. Reminded me of battlestar galactica. Characters are likeable and the story flows smoothly. Really liked the story and totally entertaining.
March 16, 2021
Action Packed Space Opera
As always Daniel Gibbs has put together a storyline and caste of characters that are second to none. This action packed adventure will leave you gasping for breath when you finish reading. I really liked this book and I highly recommend it.
As always Daniel Gibbs has put together a storyline and caste of characters that are second to none. This action packed adventure will leave you gasping for breath when you finish reading. I really liked this book and I highly recommend it.
March 9, 2021
This book started off pretty good. I mean, I know what it's like to be a "Reservist" in the military. You're never considered equal to your full-time military counterparts because they only see you doing your "active" duty for just two weeks of the year, if that! My counter to that is that the Reservist concentrates on his available active duty tours to do those thing combat related that they have to be able to do. The Reservist doesn't get bogged down by all the administrative stuff that an active office is bombarded with on a daily basis. Oh, yeah, the Reservist has to do his share of paperwork, but that's usually done on his weekend duty periods, not during his activity duty tours. I rambled on about this because we start off this book with four Reservist pilots on a routine combat patrol during training. They are getting some good flight time in their space fighters which is required to maintain their flight status. But, out of the depth of space, come an unknown group of hostiles directly heading for an engagement with Alpha flight. It's not training any more.
1st Lieutenant(1Lt) Justin Spencer is our main character and he's a hot-shot star-fighter pilot! On paper, he's just as qualified as anyone else placed in a cockpit of an SF-76 Sabre. He and three other Reserve Lieutenants form Alpha flight and are preparing for their entire world to change! The sudden attack on them isn't just all that's happening. Several other capital ships have just warped in and are now attacking the CSV Zvika Greengold. This is a space carrier which is thirty-five years old and pretty much belongs in the reserve fleet if anywhere. Still, the star ship is very capable when manned by a competent and highly trained crew, which, thankfully, it is today.
While Alpha flight is managing their problem with four enemy star-fighters, the CSV Greengold is now finding out just how competent the crew really is. They don't know who their new enemy is and no one recognizes the type ships that are attacking and until they can recover debris from the battle, they know they just have to survive or the debris will be their ship floating dead in space. Since the star ship was on a training mission, they don't have a full complement of everything they would take to war, but war has apparently came to them. It's always a possibility, but usually never happens, but when a military person goes onto a base or a star ship, in this situation, the first thing that usually happens when the base or star ship goes into combat is that all outside communications stop! That means there's no calling your spouse or significant other and letting them know you won't be home for dinner! And you might not be able to contact those people again for a long time. This is what's happened to Alpha flight and the young Lieutenants who are now caught up in an unexpected war.
Still, the biggest thing they really have to worry about is staying alive. As a star carrier, the ship doesn't have a lot of external weapons. She relies on her starcraft to provide protection and right now there are just too few of the available. And those pilots they do have are not as experienced as you'd like to have, but they will get that experience very quickly as Alpha flight finds out. There's a lot of combat in this book. When they mention having a target rich environment, that's exactly what happens to the CSV Zvika Greengold. It is out number in every engagement in this book! That makes for an exciting read, so that part I did really enjoy.
It will also be a surprise to everyone when they do find out who their new enemy really is. They didn't think this would happen, but it has and now they are in for the fight of their lives. While the enemy is a surprise and an interesting twist on the story, I was immediately turned off by the military organization used in this book. First, and this just might be my opinion, these star ships should be part of a space Navy. That means their officer and enlisted ranks should be Navy whereas the Captain of the star ship is most likely a full-bird Captain. His Executive Officer or Second in Command should be a Commander. In this book we have a Colonel and a Major as Captain and XO. Why a Major is totally unknown and not reasonable. Then the Commander, Air Group (CAG) should be either a Commander or Lieutenant Commander, but once again, we have a Major. That just throws off the whole military scheme in my opinion. If you're going to write a story about the military, then get the organization right. It's not that hard. Secondly, there's way too much "survivability" with this Alpha Flight. They see a lot of very heavy combat which should have resulted in casualties, some very close to home, but not in this book. Very unrealistic. So, there are my rants about this book. I have a few others that I won't mention since they are my own very personal dislikes, but I'll just say I probably won't be reading any more of the series.
Still, it looks like this story will continue since the war has apparently just started. It looks like their are two more books in the series already available. So that's good for anyone who really enjoyed this first book.
1st Lieutenant(1Lt) Justin Spencer is our main character and he's a hot-shot star-fighter pilot! On paper, he's just as qualified as anyone else placed in a cockpit of an SF-76 Sabre. He and three other Reserve Lieutenants form Alpha flight and are preparing for their entire world to change! The sudden attack on them isn't just all that's happening. Several other capital ships have just warped in and are now attacking the CSV Zvika Greengold. This is a space carrier which is thirty-five years old and pretty much belongs in the reserve fleet if anywhere. Still, the star ship is very capable when manned by a competent and highly trained crew, which, thankfully, it is today.
While Alpha flight is managing their problem with four enemy star-fighters, the CSV Greengold is now finding out just how competent the crew really is. They don't know who their new enemy is and no one recognizes the type ships that are attacking and until they can recover debris from the battle, they know they just have to survive or the debris will be their ship floating dead in space. Since the star ship was on a training mission, they don't have a full complement of everything they would take to war, but war has apparently came to them. It's always a possibility, but usually never happens, but when a military person goes onto a base or a star ship, in this situation, the first thing that usually happens when the base or star ship goes into combat is that all outside communications stop! That means there's no calling your spouse or significant other and letting them know you won't be home for dinner! And you might not be able to contact those people again for a long time. This is what's happened to Alpha flight and the young Lieutenants who are now caught up in an unexpected war.
Still, the biggest thing they really have to worry about is staying alive. As a star carrier, the ship doesn't have a lot of external weapons. She relies on her starcraft to provide protection and right now there are just too few of the available. And those pilots they do have are not as experienced as you'd like to have, but they will get that experience very quickly as Alpha flight finds out. There's a lot of combat in this book. When they mention having a target rich environment, that's exactly what happens to the CSV Zvika Greengold. It is out number in every engagement in this book! That makes for an exciting read, so that part I did really enjoy.
It will also be a surprise to everyone when they do find out who their new enemy really is. They didn't think this would happen, but it has and now they are in for the fight of their lives. While the enemy is a surprise and an interesting twist on the story, I was immediately turned off by the military organization used in this book. First, and this just might be my opinion, these star ships should be part of a space Navy. That means their officer and enlisted ranks should be Navy whereas the Captain of the star ship is most likely a full-bird Captain. His Executive Officer or Second in Command should be a Commander. In this book we have a Colonel and a Major as Captain and XO. Why a Major is totally unknown and not reasonable. Then the Commander, Air Group (CAG) should be either a Commander or Lieutenant Commander, but once again, we have a Major. That just throws off the whole military scheme in my opinion. If you're going to write a story about the military, then get the organization right. It's not that hard. Secondly, there's way too much "survivability" with this Alpha Flight. They see a lot of very heavy combat which should have resulted in casualties, some very close to home, but not in this book. Very unrealistic. So, there are my rants about this book. I have a few others that I won't mention since they are my own very personal dislikes, but I'll just say I probably won't be reading any more of the series.
Still, it looks like this story will continue since the war has apparently just started. It looks like their are two more books in the series already available. So that's good for anyone who really enjoyed this first book.
March 22, 2021
Choices
Statism vs spirituality something that every person has a choice about and that choice is the most precious that we make well done and well written
Statism vs spirituality something that every person has a choice about and that choice is the most precious that we make well done and well written
March 11, 2021
One hell of a read.
You hear the other tetm " Non-stop Action" used a lot. But with this book it's true, from beginning to end. One hell of a read.
You hear the other tetm " Non-stop Action" used a lot. But with this book it's true, from beginning to end. One hell of a read.
March 6, 2021
Non-stop action
Great action Sci fi novel. A little contrived, but who cares when action puts you in the cockpit of a space fighter. I am definitely looking forward to book 2.
Great action Sci fi novel. A little contrived, but who cares when action puts you in the cockpit of a space fighter. I am definitely looking forward to book 2.
Read
March 1, 2021Oh heck yeah!
Woohoo, I loved this book! Great story, well written, really intense long battle scenes, it you like battles, this book is for you!
Woohoo, I loved this book! Great story, well written, really intense long battle scenes, it you like battles, this book is for you!
February 18, 2021
I have been a fan of Daniel Gibbs books since I first read (Echoes Of War) The Good Fight. Book #1
After I read the book I was compelled to write the author. This was the first time I've ever ridden the author because of a book that I've read from them.
I was very happy to find a series that was for adults that dealt with war and religion that was not filled with profanity or sex.
That the characters now only wore against each other while so the war within themselves.
This new series weapons free seems to follow in that same concept which I'm happy to see in the first book I was pleased to see some historical figures and what they portrayed in history and how they live up to that name in these books it does not going to detail about this hysterical figures that gives you enough information so you can find out on your own.
Within the first few minutes of reading you're thrown into action and throughout the book it tells some of the history of not only the war but of the people that you have yet to meet I can't wait to see the next books in this series
Thank you
After I read the book I was compelled to write the author. This was the first time I've ever ridden the author because of a book that I've read from them.
I was very happy to find a series that was for adults that dealt with war and religion that was not filled with profanity or sex.
That the characters now only wore against each other while so the war within themselves.
This new series weapons free seems to follow in that same concept which I'm happy to see in the first book I was pleased to see some historical figures and what they portrayed in history and how they live up to that name in these books it does not going to detail about this hysterical figures that gives you enough information so you can find out on your own.
Within the first few minutes of reading you're thrown into action and throughout the book it tells some of the history of not only the war but of the people that you have yet to meet I can't wait to see the next books in this series
Thank you
February 27, 2021
Suddenly War
It was supposed to be a training mission for reservists: unexpectedly they were attacked, after 30 years of peace. WOW!
It was supposed to be a training mission for reservists: unexpectedly they were attacked, after 30 years of peace. WOW!
March 15, 2021
Fast paced
Sometimes you have to mature quickly. Those times it's do or die. This is realistic story telling in many ways. Life is challenging.
Sometimes you have to mature quickly. Those times it's do or die. This is realistic story telling in many ways. Life is challenging.
March 14, 2021
The action starts quickly, in Weapons Free, it very quickly had me ingrosed on the edge of my chair. In Daniel's traditional method he includes everyone in his writing; from non believers, agnostics to true believers, just as there is in life all around us. Daniel is able to bring us to the edge of our chairs back to the true emotions of sadness and loss while showing how us "humans" struggle to handle losing those around us and the true decisions and Espri De Corp of men and women in times of war that wrench our hearts. I'm looking forward to to the next installment of Battle Group Z - Hostile Spike.
GODSPEED Daniel! SHALOM
GODSPEED Daniel! SHALOM
February 16, 2021
Daniel Gibbs has written an exciting story, and we his readers have come to expect from him. In the first book of the Battlegroup Z series Weapons Free. Weapons Free introduces to 1st Lieutenant Justin Spencer who is flying in an asteroid field on the Terran Coalition border zone. When he and the other planes of his team are fired on. Begins the invasion of the League of Sol on Canon. I had the honor of receiving an arc copy for my honest review.
February 15, 2021
Weapons Free is Book 1 in Battlegroup Z. Daniel Gibbs has written an exciting story. Although this series is written about the beginning of the war between the Coalition and the League of Sol from the Echoes of War series, you can begin with Weapons Free and read Echoes of War afterword. Weapons Free has 1st Lieutenant Justin Spencer flying in an asteroid field in the Terran Coalition border zone when he and the other planes are fired on. Thus begins the invasion of the League of Sol on Canon. Mr. Gibbs’writing of the fighting in space as well as on the CSV Zvika Greengold is outstanding. He brings the story to life and I could see the scenes in my mind. I couldn’t read fast enough to see what happens next. I can’t wait to read book 2 and see what Justin Spencer does next as the Coalition is pulled into the war. I received an arc for my honest review.
May 19, 2021
Jingoistic and religion intertwined
Although the action sequences were pretty good, the religious aspect that was mentioned seemingly on every other page was a bit much. It also used stereotypes that haven't been seen since the Cold War. I do like the ideas that finally after centuries all religions are tolerated and respected, but it was very heavy-handed.
Although the action sequences were pretty good, the religious aspect that was mentioned seemingly on every other page was a bit much. It also used stereotypes that haven't been seen since the Cold War. I do like the ideas that finally after centuries all religions are tolerated and respected, but it was very heavy-handed.
Read
August 14, 2025Loved this book couldn't put it down, can't wait to read the next one in the series.
June 11, 2021
Style
I find your style very captivating. Your telling is well done . great stories . I have read a number of them . I would like to paint out 1 or 2 things however . you write about several main characters in several concurrent. And intertwined timelines keeping track of and separating them skillfully. BUT one thing u have fails in is individual character style almost all of them use the same commands word god word in all the battle scenes. While commanders will use the STANDARD COMMANDS. The way they are done may very instead of match bearings etc they may say lock on and engage. Remove that trash from my sky is that TARGET STILL THERE? LOCK EM UP AND FIRE AT WILL the intent is the same or some other veriation especially as a seasoned crew will have a few signals and such that are not standard AN OFFICER WILL USE VERYING FORMS OF The SAME WORDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEir BACK GROUND AND ENVIROMENT this will also help FLESH OUT THE CHRACTERS MORE AS IT WILL IN DIVIDUALISE THEM MORE AND GIVE EACH TRAITS FOR FAN IDENTIFICATIO N U HAVE ALREADY STARTED THIS WITH IDENTIFIING COLONYS WITH CERTAIN ACCENTS JUST TAKE IT A LITTLE FURTHER WITH REMEMBERED PHRASES AND COLLOQULIMS. And a few choice curses in the background language is don't know if a military that dies have a FEW profanity experts not that u need profanity just the reference to a supposed expert such might be how a rev. Once lost it after a particularly vulgar remark from gunny sargent gave him a dose of same resulting in the gunny attending services from then on to the comment that any man o god at can out cuss me deservers to be listened to! Hope this helps as I do enjoy your writing as a S.R.V . Southern Redneck Vet. Whatever it takes ATTENTION . PRESENT ARMS. JOB WELL DONE . DISSSMISSSED
I find your style very captivating. Your telling is well done . great stories . I have read a number of them . I would like to paint out 1 or 2 things however . you write about several main characters in several concurrent. And intertwined timelines keeping track of and separating them skillfully. BUT one thing u have fails in is individual character style almost all of them use the same commands word god word in all the battle scenes. While commanders will use the STANDARD COMMANDS. The way they are done may very instead of match bearings etc they may say lock on and engage. Remove that trash from my sky is that TARGET STILL THERE? LOCK EM UP AND FIRE AT WILL the intent is the same or some other veriation especially as a seasoned crew will have a few signals and such that are not standard AN OFFICER WILL USE VERYING FORMS OF The SAME WORDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEir BACK GROUND AND ENVIROMENT this will also help FLESH OUT THE CHRACTERS MORE AS IT WILL IN DIVIDUALISE THEM MORE AND GIVE EACH TRAITS FOR FAN IDENTIFICATIO N U HAVE ALREADY STARTED THIS WITH IDENTIFIING COLONYS WITH CERTAIN ACCENTS JUST TAKE IT A LITTLE FURTHER WITH REMEMBERED PHRASES AND COLLOQULIMS. And a few choice curses in the background language is don't know if a military that dies have a FEW profanity experts not that u need profanity just the reference to a supposed expert such might be how a rev. Once lost it after a particularly vulgar remark from gunny sargent gave him a dose of same resulting in the gunny attending services from then on to the comment that any man o god at can out cuss me deservers to be listened to! Hope this helps as I do enjoy your writing as a S.R.V . Southern Redneck Vet. Whatever it takes ATTENTION . PRESENT ARMS. JOB WELL DONE . DISSSMISSSED
January 24, 2023
Following a war against an alien race for dominace in their area of the Galaxy, the Coaltion has been at peace for 35 years.
Lt Spencer is a reservist pilot in the Coalition Defence Force. He's almost at the end of his 2 week training period for the year where he can return to his family and civilian job... but then some unknowns fire at him and his team as they are running a sortie through the asteroids.
War breaks out in the Coalition against the League of Sol. The communist regime has sent out a fleet from Earth to attack those that fled the communists several hundreds of years earlier.
We follow Spencer and his squadron along with the officers of his carrier and their support group. Spencer joined the CDF for the education benefits but his CAG, Maj. Whatley seems to mistreat him for having joined for the 'wrong reason'. Col Tehrani, captain of the carrier is determined to uphold the reputation of her ship but isn't used to losing those under her command.
The action is pretty much non-stop from the start but no real character development or philosophical reflection occurs. I would've liked to have seen some of the inner-dialogue of the characters and their motivations. Even some idea of how their beliefs are affected by the outbreak of war would be cool.
Having said that, I did enjoy the action, as I enjoy a good action movie, but there was no real depth here.
I enjoyed it - 3 stars
Lt Spencer is a reservist pilot in the Coalition Defence Force. He's almost at the end of his 2 week training period for the year where he can return to his family and civilian job... but then some unknowns fire at him and his team as they are running a sortie through the asteroids.
War breaks out in the Coalition against the League of Sol. The communist regime has sent out a fleet from Earth to attack those that fled the communists several hundreds of years earlier.
We follow Spencer and his squadron along with the officers of his carrier and their support group. Spencer joined the CDF for the education benefits but his CAG, Maj. Whatley seems to mistreat him for having joined for the 'wrong reason'. Col Tehrani, captain of the carrier is determined to uphold the reputation of her ship but isn't used to losing those under her command.
The action is pretty much non-stop from the start but no real character development or philosophical reflection occurs. I would've liked to have seen some of the inner-dialogue of the characters and their motivations. Even some idea of how their beliefs are affected by the outbreak of war would be cool.
Having said that, I did enjoy the action, as I enjoy a good action movie, but there was no real depth here.
I enjoyed it - 3 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2022
Weapons Free (Battlegroup Z Book 1). My sixth read from author Daniel Gibbs and the first book in yet another series Weapons Free (Battlegroup Z Book 1). I grew up reading C.S. Forester’s Hornblower books, as a young adult I was captivated by Alexander Kent’s Bolitho books, never getting enough of them. An outstanding, enjoyable read! I was given a Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. The book was well-written & flowed smoothly & quickly laying out the background for the series. I look forward to more books in this series as well as others from this author. It bears mentioning that I was also given a Kindle copy of A Simple Mission the prequel to the Breach of Faith series, yet nowhere I can find to review this excellent book, so now I have 3 series to choose from. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
March 9, 2023
Fast Mover
This is an action packed read. No place to take a break, no place to put it down. And why would you want to?
There appears to me to be several "heros" to keep track of. Naturally the fighter pilots but also repair crews and inspiring leadership.
In a nutshell a training carrier conducting normal mission activities is caught up in a lopsided surprise attack. From one hectic encounter to the next they are tested and pushed past the limits they thought they were capable of. They work with other ships and support each other in the face of certain defeat. Grit, determination and a bit of intervention or luck they succeed. But at the cost of an entire civilizations innocents. Now it's time to rebuild and counter attack. Shades of WWII Pearl Harbor.
If you like fast moving space action without completely unbelievable science this book will appeal to you. To bad it's a short read.
This is an action packed read. No place to take a break, no place to put it down. And why would you want to?
There appears to me to be several "heros" to keep track of. Naturally the fighter pilots but also repair crews and inspiring leadership.
In a nutshell a training carrier conducting normal mission activities is caught up in a lopsided surprise attack. From one hectic encounter to the next they are tested and pushed past the limits they thought they were capable of. They work with other ships and support each other in the face of certain defeat. Grit, determination and a bit of intervention or luck they succeed. But at the cost of an entire civilizations innocents. Now it's time to rebuild and counter attack. Shades of WWII Pearl Harbor.
If you like fast moving space action without completely unbelievable science this book will appeal to you. To bad it's a short read.
February 9, 2021
I have never watched the movie "Pearl Harbor" but I think that this novel captured the essence of what the naval ratings in Hawaii felt when they first came under attack. Lt. Spencer may have joined the Navy for the "wrong" reasons; he definitely stood up to fight for the right reasons. What surprised me is how quickly Lt. Spencer made that decision and when he made it - is this normal for soldiers to make that kind of life-determining decision so? The never-ending action, the emotional stress, the almost-panicking suspense - wow. The author is not-so-gently shepherding this clump-footed noob through combat while showing me what I am grateful to be able to avoid. This is probably as close as I will (or want) to get to actual combat.
I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 2, 2024
I enjoyed this book in the same way I enjoyed playing the Wing Commander video games. There is some background for the setting, the bones of a motivation for hostilities, and some cut scenes where the main characters get to know each other, but the primary draw here is the non-stop, slam-bang, seat-of-your-pants starfighter shoot-outs.
The opening novel of Battlegroup Z is pure comfort food. As soon as I meet Justin and Whately, I know who these characters are and what their role in the story will be. When the fighters launch into the void with guns blazing and shields sparkling, I understand the tech and know what to the expect. It lets me relax and enjoy the action.
There's a lot to like about this book. The action scenes are exciting and vivid, calling to mind my favorite dogfighting video games and movies. The characters are distinct in voice, approach, and motivation; it makes them easy to follow and keeps the large cast from getting muddled. The bad guys are clearly painted, nicely despicable, and a credible threat. The consequences of the engagements are bleak and impactful. The writing is smooth, clear, and natural.
The military ranks are based on the Air Force instead of the Navy, which took some adjustment but is okay. The biggest thing that challenged me when reading was the premise that the worlds of the Terran Confederation all have disparate religions that perfectly get along with and accept each other as valid viewpoints. It made it a bit easier to understand when one character described herself as "a Muslim, but a cultural Muslim rather than religious." The religious focus is on the individual lives of the characters, where it works well to differentiate and motivate them. The book benefits from keeping the various religious doctrines removed from the reader by making it part of the characters, but the book suffers from having characters with opposing religious tenets endorsing each other's views.
All in all, I'm looking forward to a good war in space fought by complex and conflicted characters against a remorseless and underhanded enemy. Good stuff!
The opening novel of Battlegroup Z is pure comfort food. As soon as I meet Justin and Whately, I know who these characters are and what their role in the story will be. When the fighters launch into the void with guns blazing and shields sparkling, I understand the tech and know what to the expect. It lets me relax and enjoy the action.
There's a lot to like about this book. The action scenes are exciting and vivid, calling to mind my favorite dogfighting video games and movies. The characters are distinct in voice, approach, and motivation; it makes them easy to follow and keeps the large cast from getting muddled. The bad guys are clearly painted, nicely despicable, and a credible threat. The consequences of the engagements are bleak and impactful. The writing is smooth, clear, and natural.
The military ranks are based on the Air Force instead of the Navy, which took some adjustment but is okay. The biggest thing that challenged me when reading was the premise that the worlds of the Terran Confederation all have disparate religions that perfectly get along with and accept each other as valid viewpoints. It made it a bit easier to understand when one character described herself as "a Muslim, but a cultural Muslim rather than religious." The religious focus is on the individual lives of the characters, where it works well to differentiate and motivate them. The book benefits from keeping the various religious doctrines removed from the reader by making it part of the characters, but the book suffers from having characters with opposing religious tenets endorsing each other's views.
All in all, I'm looking forward to a good war in space fought by complex and conflicted characters against a remorseless and underhanded enemy. Good stuff!
August 4, 2023
This book grabbed me immediately. The author describes exciting space combat/dogfights extremely well. I was easily picturing the action and following along.
Much of the military combat environment feels like a BSG clone, but that didn’t detract from my enjoyment. Like many military sci-fi novels I encounter, the nature of the opposing sides is rooted in 20th/21st century geo-political lines. If you can accept that, I would definitely recommend this novel.
One pleasantly surprising aspect is the authors handling of religion. The ship crew is composed of several religions, and each respect and celebrate one another’s beliefs. Makes a refreshing change.
Enjoyed the book and will continue with further volumes!
Much of the military combat environment feels like a BSG clone, but that didn’t detract from my enjoyment. Like many military sci-fi novels I encounter, the nature of the opposing sides is rooted in 20th/21st century geo-political lines. If you can accept that, I would definitely recommend this novel.
One pleasantly surprising aspect is the authors handling of religion. The ship crew is composed of several religions, and each respect and celebrate one another’s beliefs. Makes a refreshing change.
Enjoyed the book and will continue with further volumes!
June 30, 2025
In my opinion, not being a fan of this style, the book is well done. It is science fiction, which I love, but it is focused more on battle details and strategy than on strong storyline. Don't get me wrong, there is a story and we do meet several strong characters. Those parts I enjoyed. Those scenes were in the minority with the majority of the book being one battle after another.
I'm not a reader of military battles, so a lot of what's written went over my head, but I did get the gist from watching many Star Trek episodes. The common friction between enlisted and officers was well-represented with added prejudices particular to the time period and norms, such as reserve personnel being there only for the education benefits.
I'm not a reader of military battles, so a lot of what's written went over my head, but I did get the gist from watching many Star Trek episodes. The common friction between enlisted and officers was well-represented with added prejudices particular to the time period and norms, such as reserve personnel being there only for the education benefits.
April 6, 2021
An excellent book if you like fighter jockeys in outer space.
I enjoyed the story, it was fast-paced. There were some parts that gave a bit of backstory concerning the main protagonist and his family. The characters in the book are beginning to be flushed out, and some of them seem very interesting. I do not know if this book takes place concurrently with the authors earlier books echoes of war or not, it is obviously in the same universe with the same enemy. The thing I do not like is why do all these independent authors and some main stream ones want to put the main protagonist and an old dilapidated 30-year-old ship, that scenario has been done to death.
I enjoyed the story, it was fast-paced. There were some parts that gave a bit of backstory concerning the main protagonist and his family. The characters in the book are beginning to be flushed out, and some of them seem very interesting. I do not know if this book takes place concurrently with the authors earlier books echoes of war or not, it is obviously in the same universe with the same enemy. The thing I do not like is why do all these independent authors and some main stream ones want to put the main protagonist and an old dilapidated 30-year-old ship, that scenario has been done to death.
June 18, 2021
Propaganda
I liked the description of battle, the chaos and the emotional impact it brings. But the rest? Space communists? Come on, thats just lazy writing! The Soviet union collapsed more than 30 years ago, to imply that a world revolution has taken place, and that all God fearing people just left the planet is silly. Add to that a lot of religious mumbo jumbo, and im left thinking that the author is some religious nut with a agenda. I was gonna say someone with a full quiver and lots of guns (for self defence ofc)! But i was to stomach sick to bother Google him, this book gave me the runs!
I liked the description of battle, the chaos and the emotional impact it brings. But the rest? Space communists? Come on, thats just lazy writing! The Soviet union collapsed more than 30 years ago, to imply that a world revolution has taken place, and that all God fearing people just left the planet is silly. Add to that a lot of religious mumbo jumbo, and im left thinking that the author is some religious nut with a agenda. I was gonna say someone with a full quiver and lots of guns (for self defence ofc)! But i was to stomach sick to bother Google him, this book gave me the runs!
June 14, 2021
Dying Aces and Red Barons
This is good. Good story. Great characters. Pretty good emotional conflicts of war. As always in this type of story ignore the rules of physics. The speeds at which these vehicles operate are almost incomprehensible. They fly as fast as bullets. In that respect, dogfights as in WWI wood airplanes is totally unrealistic. Can you imagine two bullets passing each other and having time to shoot at one another? Still, it's fun to imagine flying aces and Red Barons.
This is good. Good story. Great characters. Pretty good emotional conflicts of war. As always in this type of story ignore the rules of physics. The speeds at which these vehicles operate are almost incomprehensible. They fly as fast as bullets. In that respect, dogfights as in WWI wood airplanes is totally unrealistic. Can you imagine two bullets passing each other and having time to shoot at one another? Still, it's fun to imagine flying aces and Red Barons.
May 2, 2021
An excellent addition to the universe.
Loved this first book in the new series. All out action from the first page to the last. Great characters driven storyline, with space battles galore.
I could not put it down and it was over way too soon. While waiting for this new series, I went back and re-read the first series and still enjoyed every page.
Such a unique look at a future war and very well imagined universe.
I look forward to the next one 😀
Loved this first book in the new series. All out action from the first page to the last. Great characters driven storyline, with space battles galore.
I could not put it down and it was over way too soon. While waiting for this new series, I went back and re-read the first series and still enjoyed every page.
Such a unique look at a future war and very well imagined universe.
I look forward to the next one 😀
June 26, 2021
Too much religious hokum
Good battle scenes and character development. Good premise.
Space warfare a little silly as they are old fighter tactics and weapons. Say 2010.
Having the soldiers either become religious or more so, does not follow the patterns of belief in either word war, and is a little sick when everyone prays for safety yet no one mentions those that parlayed and dies, in spite of prayer. Kinda stupid today.
Good battle scenes and character development. Good premise.
Space warfare a little silly as they are old fighter tactics and weapons. Say 2010.
Having the soldiers either become religious or more so, does not follow the patterns of belief in either word war, and is a little sick when everyone prays for safety yet no one mentions those that parlayed and dies, in spite of prayer. Kinda stupid today.
September 19, 2021
As far as military scifi goes, this is an excellent story, and normally, one I'd have no issue recommending. However, the preachy aspects of it turn me off entirely. I read fiction to be entertained, not to be preached to, there's other outlets for that sort of thing, such as churches, mosques and synagogues. I much prefer to keep my religion out of my pleasure reading. I won't be continuing with this series.
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