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Orphan Wars #1
Orphan Wars
What would you do if you woke up in another world?
When leading archeologist Dr. Hank Murphy discovers an alien artifact on the Moon, corporate interests are quick to get involved.
A discovery like this could change everything, but more importantly, someone stands to make a fortune.
But Murphy just wants to understand what this thing is and how it works. After months of research, he finally manages to locate the power source.
The gate is soon activated...
And Murphy is pulled through.
Moments later, he finds himself in a war-torn corner of the galaxy where strangers like him are called Orphans...and they are considered extremely dangerous.
Somehow altered by the experience, the archeologist now has enhanced strength, speed, and agility. He is more than human. He is an Orphan. And he must survive a deadly new reality unlike anything he can imagine.
Worse still, Murphy is not the only so-called Orphan in this region of the galaxy. There are many others.
And not all of them are created equal.
When leading archeologist Dr. Hank Murphy discovers an alien artifact on the Moon, corporate interests are quick to get involved.
A discovery like this could change everything, but more importantly, someone stands to make a fortune.
But Murphy just wants to understand what this thing is and how it works. After months of research, he finally manages to locate the power source.
The gate is soon activated...
And Murphy is pulled through.
Moments later, he finds himself in a war-torn corner of the galaxy where strangers like him are called Orphans...and they are considered extremely dangerous.
Somehow altered by the experience, the archeologist now has enhanced strength, speed, and agility. He is more than human. He is an Orphan. And he must survive a deadly new reality unlike anything he can imagine.
Worse still, Murphy is not the only so-called Orphan in this region of the galaxy. There are many others.
And not all of them are created equal.
- GenresScience FictionAudiobook
408 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 17, 2021
378 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
About the author
J.N. Chaney
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 8, 2022
Orphan Wars is set on an beautifully described planet littered with giant bug-like creatures, and warring alien races.
Murphy reminds me of Star-Lord from Guardians of the Galaxy. He’s a super cheesy, robust hero - who is completely ridiculous at times - but lots of fun to follow. He’s far more intelligent than Star-Lord, though, I’ll give him that.
I found the ‘to and fro’ between Murphy and Zedas humorous. Unlike Murphy, Zedas’ personality is dry and serious.
There are a lot of unique characters/alien races in this audiobook, and Luke Daniels does a great job of differentiating each of them.
If you are a fan of Starship Troopers or Guardians of the Galaxy you should definitely check out this audiobook.
Murphy reminds me of Star-Lord from Guardians of the Galaxy. He’s a super cheesy, robust hero - who is completely ridiculous at times - but lots of fun to follow. He’s far more intelligent than Star-Lord, though, I’ll give him that.
I found the ‘to and fro’ between Murphy and Zedas humorous. Unlike Murphy, Zedas’ personality is dry and serious.
There are a lot of unique characters/alien races in this audiobook, and Luke Daniels does a great job of differentiating each of them.
If you are a fan of Starship Troopers or Guardians of the Galaxy you should definitely check out this audiobook.
April 25, 2021
Another series to follow
Another series to follow and enjoy the escapism. I thought a author I like and one I have never heard of so was slightly concerned what I was going to be reading. But and it's a big but I am glad I did give it a go. There does not seem a lot of action more describing the characters and the general story but you still can't put it down or if you do you keep wanting to pick it up again. When you get to the end you suddenly realise aahh now I understand you just had the starting point of what could be a great series explained in a way that makes you think I can't wait for the next book. I would say read and enjoy and to the authors good work one of the best first books of a series read in a long time and look forward to the rest of the series. Trying to explain what happens in the book is easy a group of people meet learn about each other and become a team each other can trust and rely on but done in such a way it draws you in and has you wanting to know more well done keep up the good writing.
Another series to follow and enjoy the escapism. I thought a author I like and one I have never heard of so was slightly concerned what I was going to be reading. But and it's a big but I am glad I did give it a go. There does not seem a lot of action more describing the characters and the general story but you still can't put it down or if you do you keep wanting to pick it up again. When you get to the end you suddenly realise aahh now I understand you just had the starting point of what could be a great series explained in a way that makes you think I can't wait for the next book. I would say read and enjoy and to the authors good work one of the best first books of a series read in a long time and look forward to the rest of the series. Trying to explain what happens in the book is easy a group of people meet learn about each other and become a team each other can trust and rely on but done in such a way it draws you in and has you wanting to know more well done keep up the good writing.
March 6, 2021
Very disjointed book, ineffectual hero, too much Exposition not enough action.
I have read other books by these authors, but this one was the worst so far.
If you like Battlestar Galactica firefly you will not like this book. The hero is ineffectual, not very interesting, just unlikable. He’s an archaeologist goes to another planet supposedly get super powers and abilities such a super speed and strength and agility where were they in this book? His sidekicks were more interesting than he was. Too much Exposition was in this book, too much world building and description not enough action. I personally did not like it you may, give it a shot if you want.
I have read other books by these authors, but this one was the worst so far.
If you like Battlestar Galactica firefly you will not like this book. The hero is ineffectual, not very interesting, just unlikable. He’s an archaeologist goes to another planet supposedly get super powers and abilities such a super speed and strength and agility where were they in this book? His sidekicks were more interesting than he was. Too much Exposition was in this book, too much world building and description not enough action. I personally did not like it you may, give it a shot if you want.
January 9, 2024
In Orphan Wars the author introduces ancient gates, aka Star Gate, with a key difference- every time someone goes through a gate they are enhanced in some way - stronger, faster, more intelligent, for instance. Evidently the gates were a part of an ancient empire with galactic conquest as their purpose. For the protagonist, a scientific researcher, this book is about him learning to live in the new world (an orphan) he has accidentally been transported into. I listened to the audiobook and found it engaging and original.
May 1, 2021
Pinball
I found myself frustrated at times reading this book. The main character seems to bounce around from one problem to another. And every time he’s about to get some answers he decides it’s not time. In fact the only character who seems to be doing anything is the “big baddie” at the end of the book. Over all it wasn’t the worst book I’ve read. And I’ll read the next one in the hopes that I’ll finally get some insight into the story.
I found myself frustrated at times reading this book. The main character seems to bounce around from one problem to another. And every time he’s about to get some answers he decides it’s not time. In fact the only character who seems to be doing anything is the “big baddie” at the end of the book. Over all it wasn’t the worst book I’ve read. And I’ll read the next one in the hopes that I’ll finally get some insight into the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2021
Ok
This book was written good, but it was the slowest starting book I have read in a while. The story line may have been juiced up in the front quarter, I was that close to dumping and getting another
Book, but.. no internet connection so kept Reading along. The books pace picked up and enjoyed it finally.
This book was written good, but it was the slowest starting book I have read in a while. The story line may have been juiced up in the front quarter, I was that close to dumping and getting another
Book, but.. no internet connection so kept Reading along. The books pace picked up and enjoyed it finally.
March 9, 2021
Lots of Fighting
Liked the preview, not so much the rest of the story. If you want lots of action, fights, arguments and general mayhem. The story has tech and magic, neither is well defined, most incidents just seem to happen. My interest in the storyline faded about 78% and I just skipped to the end.
Liked the preview, not so much the rest of the story. If you want lots of action, fights, arguments and general mayhem. The story has tech and magic, neither is well defined, most incidents just seem to happen. My interest in the storyline faded about 78% and I just skipped to the end.
April 8, 2021
Shaina, Dr. Hank Murphy, Zedas-Durian
Dr, Hank Murphy is an archeogist studying an artifact on the moon. He is sent by the device to an area in another part of the universe. He finds friendship with Zedas-Durian, an alien, and a pilot Shaina. They are trying to find a way to defeat the Overlords.
Characterization and plotting are excellent.
Dr, Hank Murphy is an archeogist studying an artifact on the moon. He is sent by the device to an area in another part of the universe. He finds friendship with Zedas-Durian, an alien, and a pilot Shaina. They are trying to find a way to defeat the Overlords.
Characterization and plotting are excellent.
August 9, 2021
Military Sci-Fi through Alice's Lookinglass
The initial writing is average at best but gets a little better as the story moves along. Professor Murphy falls through a one-way teleporter to a piece of the galaxy gripped in a generations long struggle. Can his archeological training help him survive?
The initial writing is average at best but gets a little better as the story moves along. Professor Murphy falls through a one-way teleporter to a piece of the galaxy gripped in a generations long struggle. Can his archeological training help him survive?
September 16, 2022
unorthodox space adventure
Wow! An unorthodox, unbelievable! Space adventure. Travelling thru space portal holes would be something that the we humans would either love be to have and use, or hated with passion as we’d so worried that someone, or thing, might pop out uninvited , and scare us to death!! Can’t wait to read Orphan Wars 2
Wow! An unorthodox, unbelievable! Space adventure. Travelling thru space portal holes would be something that the we humans would either love be to have and use, or hated with passion as we’d so worried that someone, or thing, might pop out uninvited , and scare us to death!! Can’t wait to read Orphan Wars 2
May 26, 2023
Interesting story line and the characters are interesting but damn the way this is written is not very good.....something is off about it, like too much exposition maybe. I feel we are being told about lots of the action instead of living it through live action so to speak.
This doesn't feel like a JN Chaney book as I quite liked lots of his other books.
This doesn't feel like a JN Chaney book as I quite liked lots of his other books.
February 27, 2021
2021 is looking better
Yes! Chaney and Moon, the dynamic duo, are back! I was supremely disappointed that the Reaper series ended, but this takes the sting out of it. Love the portal fiction aspect and a new character to follow.
Yes! Chaney and Moon, the dynamic duo, are back! I was supremely disappointed that the Reaper series ended, but this takes the sting out of it. Love the portal fiction aspect and a new character to follow.
March 7, 2021
Excellent!!
I thoroughly enjoy reading J.N. Chaney's books. And this is no exception. Wonderful new universe new characters to follow and wonder what's going to happen next. New bad guys and new ways to kill them. Can't wait to see where this goes next
I thoroughly enjoy reading J.N. Chaney's books. And this is no exception. Wonderful new universe new characters to follow and wonder what's going to happen next. New bad guys and new ways to kill them. Can't wait to see where this goes next
March 15, 2021
Stargate SG1, my all time favourite TV show, meets Indiana Jones.
Albeit more violent and less tech than SG1 but asin SG1 has the unknown "Ancients" as the original builders with Protheons being the books verson of the Goa'uld.
All told a good read.
Albeit more violent and less tech than SG1 but asin SG1 has the unknown "Ancients" as the original builders with Protheons being the books verson of the Goa'uld.
All told a good read.
April 12, 2021
Great read
Wasn’t sure what I was expecting going into this one but it was a great read. Very enjoyable and will definitely be reading the rest of the series as they become available.
Wasn’t sure what I was expecting going into this one but it was a great read. Very enjoyable and will definitely be reading the rest of the series as they become available.
July 29, 2021
A decent book
This was a decent book. The plot was interesting and characters were written pretty well. Felt like the main character’s attitude to his situation was good. But not completely realistic.
This was a decent book. The plot was interesting and characters were written pretty well. Felt like the main character’s attitude to his situation was good. But not completely realistic.
May 15, 2025
DNF'd at about 50%. I just lost interest. The main character didn't really have much depth and the action was kind of hollow. There just wasn't much going here.
Luke Daniels isn't my top narrator, so that may have had something to do with it.
Luke Daniels isn't my top narrator, so that may have had something to do with it.
March 3, 2021
Great Story
What a great story. I can hardly wait to read the next book in this series. I loved the characters and the plot.
What a great story. I can hardly wait to read the next book in this series. I loved the characters and the plot.
March 17, 2021
Another good book by this author. Not as good as some of his other books. What I want to know how did Jack get there 5 years before Murf, when Murf went first.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2021
Great Storyline
Well that was a interesting and great storyline with plenty of blood and guts lol. Totally looking forward to the next episode War Song. Well worth five star's
Well that was a interesting and great storyline with plenty of blood and guts lol. Totally looking forward to the next episode War Song. Well worth five star's
April 30, 2021
Was alright
May 16, 2021
New book from the Chaney content factory, but I really like the sidekick, so I'll stick with it.
June 27, 2021
Starts slow. 3.5 stars
Hard to get into this book. Starts slow and the protagonist comes across as whiny and annoying. Stay with it though and it ends well.
Hard to get into this book. Starts slow and the protagonist comes across as whiny and annoying. Stay with it though and it ends well.
August 7, 2021
👍
Up all night to read the whole. Now I'm happy but tired , worth it. To sleepy for five more words.
Up all night to read the whole. Now I'm happy but tired , worth it. To sleepy for five more words.
September 17, 2021
Good concepts
How to judge a story with extreme science that verges on magic for all the participants? Worthy of the time doesn't reading.
How to judge a story with extreme science that verges on magic for all the participants? Worthy of the time doesn't reading.
July 5, 2022
Another fun space opera from Chaney. Reminded me of a cross between Stargate and Farscape with its own unique twist.
July 7, 2025
DNF. So boring could not get through another word. Terrible narration.
March 5, 2021
An enjoyable read..
A good story from two talented authors that kept me entertained throughout.. I look forward to the next installment. Good fun.
A good story from two talented authors that kept me entertained throughout.. I look forward to the next installment. Good fun.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews