What do you think?
Rate this book
Spacers #4
The Fall
The galaxy’s first super-ship is here A rogue private military corporation has begun construction on the first privately owned super-ship, and it threatens to massively upset the balance of power throughout the Dawn Cluster. Commander Thatcher and Veronica Rose have teamed up with a new mega-alliance led by Simon Moll. Together, they plan to destroy the super-ship before it ever finishes construction. But all is not as it seems. As war expands to engulf even more of the star cluster, Thatcher begins to doubt whether uniting humanity to fight the Xanthic is even possible anymore. A darkness coalesces at the edges of known space. New forces are emerging. New forms are taking shape. It may be time for Thatcher to lower his expectations…from uniting humanity, to simply making sure his crew survives what’s coming.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 7, 2021
About the author
Scott Bartlett
123 books321 followersScott Bartlett writes his books from inside a mech, which is inside the hangar bay of a light armored cruiser stationed just past Jupiter.
Certain parts of the last sentence may not be completely true.
Here are some more believable statements:
Scott was born in St. John’s, Newfoundland – the easternmost province of Canada.
During his decade-long journey to become a full-time author, he supported himself by working an assortment of jobs…
...salmon hatchery technician, grocery clerk, youth care worker, ghostwriter, research assistant, pita maker, and freelance editor.
In 2014, he succeeded in becoming a full-time novelist, and he’s been writing science fiction at light speed ever since.
Get 3 FREE military space opera ebooks:
https://www.scottplots.com
Certain parts of the last sentence may not be completely true.
Here are some more believable statements:
Scott was born in St. John’s, Newfoundland – the easternmost province of Canada.
During his decade-long journey to become a full-time author, he supported himself by working an assortment of jobs…
...salmon hatchery technician, grocery clerk, youth care worker, ghostwriter, research assistant, pita maker, and freelance editor.
In 2014, he succeeded in becoming a full-time novelist, and he’s been writing science fiction at light speed ever since.
Get 3 FREE military space opera ebooks:
https://www.scottplots.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 28, 2026
This is the complete Starship New Jersey series, all 10 books in one complete audiobook.
The series follows Tad Thatcher, a young Commander who is initially with the US Space Forces, but without a command. His Superiors recognise that he is ready for command, but more than that, Thatcher has the potential to be something special.
In this future, several things have happened. A wormhole between our galaxy and another galaxy known as the Dawn Cluster has been found, and humanity has colonised multiple systems. This has been possible, because ‘Corporations’ have taken over space, with dozens of competing factions fighting for resources. The Corps as they are known, each have their own military and space fleets – but these are limited under an agreement.
One of these, Frontier Security, offers Thatcher a Captain’s position on a Light Cruiser, the New Jersey. Their CEO, Veronica Rose is keen to have her company become one of the main players in the Dawn Cluster, and she sees Thatcher as the key to her plans.
Thatcher is initially reluctant to leave the Sol sector and join Frontier, as he has a pregnant wife on Earth, and the Sol sector has been dealing with attacks from an alien race known as the Xantic. But his wife convinces him that it is the right thing to do – and so he goes.
However, things don’t go to plan.
Shortly after entering the cluster, the wormhole closes for unknown reasons, separating the Dawn Cluster from Earth and Thatcher from his wife.
Thatcher though, doesn’t miss a beat, taking up the challenge, and rallying the crew of the New Jersey, leading them in several one sided victories in battles in which they are severely outnumbered. Thatcher has a keen eye for tactics and the flow of battle, being able to follow everything that happens.
Without giving too much away, we follow Thatcher as he, and the CEO of Frontier, Veronica Rose, try and take a grip on the Dawn Cluster as it has become rife with pirates and squabbles with greedy Corporations. The closure of the wormhole has only made things more desperate.
This is a fascinating series, one that is part military sci-fi in which we have epic space battles following Thatcher and his tactical genius, but at the same time, the story is also a complex political thriller, as we follow the different corporations fight for dominance in a sector that is full of precious resources.
As the series moves from book 1 through 10, we get to learn more about Thatcher, his history and how he becomes this brilliant genius, mainly from time with his grandfather who was a Captain in the US Space Force. Bartlett has always written powerful, and clever character driven stories, and this is no exception, with Thatcher, Veronica Rose, and multiple other major characters amongst the crew and Corporations.
The story is not just about the Corporations though, threading through this constant intrigue, and political interplay of the Dawn Cluster, there is a much more insidious threat at play. The same threat that has plagued humanity in the Sol Region, that they had to fight off 50yrs ago, and are now fighting again, is in the Dawn Cluster – the Xanthic. It was Thatcher’s grandfather that defeated the Xanthic all those years ago, and inspired Tad to become a Captain in the Space Fleet.
Bartlett has created something special with this series, with his unique blend of characters, epic story telling, and meticulously detailed battle scenes – this is one series that just shouldn’t be missed. And with all 10 books in one boxset – it is an absolute bargain!! This is Scott Bartlett at his best!
The series follows Tad Thatcher, a young Commander who is initially with the US Space Forces, but without a command. His Superiors recognise that he is ready for command, but more than that, Thatcher has the potential to be something special.
In this future, several things have happened. A wormhole between our galaxy and another galaxy known as the Dawn Cluster has been found, and humanity has colonised multiple systems. This has been possible, because ‘Corporations’ have taken over space, with dozens of competing factions fighting for resources. The Corps as they are known, each have their own military and space fleets – but these are limited under an agreement.
One of these, Frontier Security, offers Thatcher a Captain’s position on a Light Cruiser, the New Jersey. Their CEO, Veronica Rose is keen to have her company become one of the main players in the Dawn Cluster, and she sees Thatcher as the key to her plans.
Thatcher is initially reluctant to leave the Sol sector and join Frontier, as he has a pregnant wife on Earth, and the Sol sector has been dealing with attacks from an alien race known as the Xantic. But his wife convinces him that it is the right thing to do – and so he goes.
However, things don’t go to plan.
Shortly after entering the cluster, the wormhole closes for unknown reasons, separating the Dawn Cluster from Earth and Thatcher from his wife.
Thatcher though, doesn’t miss a beat, taking up the challenge, and rallying the crew of the New Jersey, leading them in several one sided victories in battles in which they are severely outnumbered. Thatcher has a keen eye for tactics and the flow of battle, being able to follow everything that happens.
Without giving too much away, we follow Thatcher as he, and the CEO of Frontier, Veronica Rose, try and take a grip on the Dawn Cluster as it has become rife with pirates and squabbles with greedy Corporations. The closure of the wormhole has only made things more desperate.
This is a fascinating series, one that is part military sci-fi in which we have epic space battles following Thatcher and his tactical genius, but at the same time, the story is also a complex political thriller, as we follow the different corporations fight for dominance in a sector that is full of precious resources.
As the series moves from book 1 through 10, we get to learn more about Thatcher, his history and how he becomes this brilliant genius, mainly from time with his grandfather who was a Captain in the US Space Force. Bartlett has always written powerful, and clever character driven stories, and this is no exception, with Thatcher, Veronica Rose, and multiple other major characters amongst the crew and Corporations.
The story is not just about the Corporations though, threading through this constant intrigue, and political interplay of the Dawn Cluster, there is a much more insidious threat at play. The same threat that has plagued humanity in the Sol Region, that they had to fight off 50yrs ago, and are now fighting again, is in the Dawn Cluster – the Xanthic. It was Thatcher’s grandfather that defeated the Xanthic all those years ago, and inspired Tad to become a Captain in the Space Fleet.
Bartlett has created something special with this series, with his unique blend of characters, epic story telling, and meticulously detailed battle scenes – this is one series that just shouldn’t be missed. And with all 10 books in one boxset – it is an absolute bargain!! This is Scott Bartlett at his best!
February 20, 2021
First off l have to say that Scott Bartlett is one of my favorite writers, with all his series now in my library and fully recommended his works to anyone looking for a good series to sit down with. Now in Book 4 we continue the development of Captain Tad Thatcher, and his relationship with his boss 😊 and companion Veronica Rose. But it is need to manage his ship and crew that his main issue, which he is trying to address. Scott always leaves you waiting for the next book in the series and this one is just the same.
I have to point out that I have the honour of being a member of Scott’s ARC team, and receive this book for a honest review.
I have to point out that I have the honour of being a member of Scott’s ARC team, and receive this book for a honest review.
February 24, 2021
The Fall is the fourth book in the Spacers series. This book continues the story of Captain Thatcher. You can read this as a standalone, though I recommend you read the previous books in the series to fully understand the storyline. There is violence. This is a space war series afterall. I really like the main characters of both Captain Thatcher and Rose who is the CEO. The book is definitely worth reading, as is the entire Spacers series!
April 3, 2021
Since the wormhole home to Earth is now gone, each corporate group is jockeying for positions of power.
But one group, one super group in particular is taking a serious lead in the space lanes; and one man leads that group. Simon Moll of the new and prestigious Coalition of Giants group; a group he created; has taken the lead in taking control of the many spacer groups. This is with the intention of bringing peace to the space lanes.
But there is something rather strange about Simon Moll. He either has some really extraordinary spies in the dark corners of each group, or he is gaining his knowledge some other way, a way that no one knows about. I really love how he is such a dubious character; he's one that it's easy to hate.
I loved the way Tad Thatcher; one of the main characters; continued to stretch and grow as a person and how he sees himself through others eyes. In many ways he is just as interesting a character as Simon Moll, but for a lot of very different reasons.
Veronica Rose; another major character; as the head of Frontier Security who once were the peacekeeping force for the space lanes that operated successfully before the wormhole collapsed; has been pushed into a corner by things happening around her.
This book is another very good one of the Spacers series. The entire series to date has been a great ride and well worth reading. It's exciting in the best of ways, and it rings all the right bells for me. At no point did I feel like I wanted to get to the end or that I was bored with the story. In fact, if anything, I found myself reaching the end of the book well before I was ready. I take that as a mark of a decent story and a riveting series. We are at book 4 and still my interest is piqued and I want, and need, to read more.
But one group, one super group in particular is taking a serious lead in the space lanes; and one man leads that group. Simon Moll of the new and prestigious Coalition of Giants group; a group he created; has taken the lead in taking control of the many spacer groups. This is with the intention of bringing peace to the space lanes.
But there is something rather strange about Simon Moll. He either has some really extraordinary spies in the dark corners of each group, or he is gaining his knowledge some other way, a way that no one knows about. I really love how he is such a dubious character; he's one that it's easy to hate.
I loved the way Tad Thatcher; one of the main characters; continued to stretch and grow as a person and how he sees himself through others eyes. In many ways he is just as interesting a character as Simon Moll, but for a lot of very different reasons.
Veronica Rose; another major character; as the head of Frontier Security who once were the peacekeeping force for the space lanes that operated successfully before the wormhole collapsed; has been pushed into a corner by things happening around her.
This book is another very good one of the Spacers series. The entire series to date has been a great ride and well worth reading. It's exciting in the best of ways, and it rings all the right bells for me. At no point did I feel like I wanted to get to the end or that I was bored with the story. In fact, if anything, I found myself reaching the end of the book well before I was ready. I take that as a mark of a decent story and a riveting series. We are at book 4 and still my interest is piqued and I want, and need, to read more.
December 17, 2025
4 Stars
The Fall is the fourth book in the Spacers Series by Scott Bartlett. It is a thrilling, character-driven space opera series that blends high-stakes action with moments of camaraderie and personal growth.
Across its ten books, we meet and follow Captain Tad Thatcher on a journey from an inexperienced rookie to a seasoned leader navigating the vast, dangerous expanse of space.
The battles are cinematic, the political intrigue is layered, and the stakes feel real - whether it’s a skirmish in deep space or a moral dilemma in the captain’s chair. The world-building is rich yet accessible, with just enough technical detail to satisfy sci-fi enthusiasts without bogging down the story.
I also discovered that Mr. Bartlett has a knack for injecting humor into tense and dramatic moments, making the series as entertaining as it is gripping.
A binge-worthy read for fans of fast-paced military sci-fi with relatable characters, clever twists, and a touch of heart.
Happy Reading…
The Fall is the fourth book in the Spacers Series by Scott Bartlett. It is a thrilling, character-driven space opera series that blends high-stakes action with moments of camaraderie and personal growth.
Across its ten books, we meet and follow Captain Tad Thatcher on a journey from an inexperienced rookie to a seasoned leader navigating the vast, dangerous expanse of space.
The battles are cinematic, the political intrigue is layered, and the stakes feel real - whether it’s a skirmish in deep space or a moral dilemma in the captain’s chair. The world-building is rich yet accessible, with just enough technical detail to satisfy sci-fi enthusiasts without bogging down the story.
I also discovered that Mr. Bartlett has a knack for injecting humor into tense and dramatic moments, making the series as entertaining as it is gripping.
A binge-worthy read for fans of fast-paced military sci-fi with relatable characters, clever twists, and a touch of heart.
Happy Reading…
September 10, 2025
I gave up on this series in this book. I hoped for a long time that it would get better, but they're not. This series is getting less and less interesting.
The american jingoism is just getting worse. The squandered opportunity of the corporate private militaries and the dynamics between them is getting more and more moronic. The protagonist is still not self aware. People are doing stupid stuff to bring the plot along.
It is bad. And interestingly all these things are plot and logic things. The writing style is actually pretty good. The sentence building, dialogue presentation and overall language is rather enjoyable. If only the actualy story had been better, Bartlett would have been able to present it really good.
The american jingoism is just getting worse. The squandered opportunity of the corporate private militaries and the dynamics between them is getting more and more moronic. The protagonist is still not self aware. People are doing stupid stuff to bring the plot along.
It is bad. And interestingly all these things are plot and logic things. The writing style is actually pretty good. The sentence building, dialogue presentation and overall language is rather enjoyable. If only the actualy story had been better, Bartlett would have been able to present it really good.
February 20, 2021
I was very excited to get this book as I really liked the previous 3 books in the series. This book inherits all the excellent world building and characters that the previous books in the series delivered. But above and beyond this is military sci-fi at it’s best. I recommend this book to all. However you need to read the first three Spacers books to understand the story. Don’t worry though the first three books are also very enjoyable.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 6, 2021
Scott Bartlett delivered yet another great book. The personal conflict Captain Tad Thatcher has is just boiling in him. You can't help but feel for him and you're waiting for that ah-ha moment when things will fall into place for him. Plus, I am waiting for the shoe to drop on who or what exactly Simon Moll is. I always felt he is very duplicitous sort, and his retreating as he did proved it. This is just a story, but boy, I'd like to throttle him! I've already got the next book in the series lined up and ready to read. Thank you, Scott Bartlett.
February 15, 2021
In the mood for a bit of a thrill ride on military sci-fi? Then look no further than Scott Bartlett’s Spacers 4: The Fall. This is well done stuff that definitely punches the ticket and is, well, fun to read.
September 8, 2024
I enjoyed the previous books , but in this one Characters started making stupid decisions just to move the plot forward. Also not a fan of the whole time Loop thing it was kind of sort of introduced in this book
September 13, 2022
Can't recall the specifics but I think this is where shit starts hitting the fan and Maul starts making moves to tear up Frontier.
September 15, 2024
An Unexpected Ending
Anther great installment in the series. The ending shocked me, I’m off to the next book to see just what really happened.
Anther great installment in the series. The ending shocked me, I’m off to the next book to see just what really happened.
January 13, 2025
Once again.... great book though I wish a few things were different in it, and it's getting more and more... not sure how to put it, "out of whack?".
BUT... still a good read!
BUT... still a good read!
February 21, 2021
Excellent book. The writing let me imagine the setting. This one has everything, mystery traitor
huge space battles and a lot of really good characters. If you have followed this series then you must have this one.
huge space battles and a lot of really good characters. If you have followed this series then you must have this one.
June 11, 2026
Book 4.of the Spacers series was easily the best book yet in the series, with some fantastic battle action and plot twists. I am left wanting to know all about Simon Moll. Tell me more about Simon Moll, Scott! I'm definitely looking forward to the next installment in the series.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews