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Ark Royal #15
The Lion and the Unicorn
The war isn’t going well.
In five years of heavy fighting, humanity and its alien allies have steadily been pushed back towards Earth, towards the very heart of humanity itself. The virus is steadily wearing the defences down, mounting campaign after campaign to infect and enslave every other alien race. The only hope rests with newer and better weapons, with technology that may turn the tide, but can the weapons and starships be deployed in time?
HMS Lion and HMS Unicorn are two new ships, designed to take the war to the enemy and tip the balance of power in humanity’s favour. But with untested technology, clashes between their commanding officers and trouble below decks, they may find themselves facing more than they can handle...
...And the odds of coming home are very low.
In five years of heavy fighting, humanity and its alien allies have steadily been pushed back towards Earth, towards the very heart of humanity itself. The virus is steadily wearing the defences down, mounting campaign after campaign to infect and enslave every other alien race. The only hope rests with newer and better weapons, with technology that may turn the tide, but can the weapons and starships be deployed in time?
HMS Lion and HMS Unicorn are two new ships, designed to take the war to the enemy and tip the balance of power in humanity’s favour. But with untested technology, clashes between their commanding officers and trouble below decks, they may find themselves facing more than they can handle...
...And the odds of coming home are very low.
- GenresScience Fiction
450 pages, Paperback
First published August 21, 2020
236 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 7, 2023
Good at times, but mostly annoying
Spoilers below
The parallel between Tobias and Collins repective Realization that their tormentors are nothing more than regular people can not go unspoken and is arguably the saving grace of this book. If it wasn't for the character development of these two, then this would be no more than a shallow husk of a novel.
Captain Hammond is easily the most annoying character in this series so far, and almost single handedly ruins the book with his idiocy and illplaced logic. The human race is in a war of survival, pitted against an intelligent bio-engineered virus, with the sole purpose of infecting and expanding. Turning its hosts into lifeless zombies. It has been told to us in no uncertain terms over multiple books, that there is no hope of saving people once the virus has infected the brain. So, people are effectively dead when the virus reaches the brain. But he (Hammond) refuses to see logic and get off his ideological high horse and calls the new "bio bombs" a genocidal weapon. Please make it make sense. Combine that with his utter cowardice in the heat of battle, even when he has the advantage, and you get a badly written character who has no logical reason to be acting this way.
Spoilers below
The parallel between Tobias and Collins repective Realization that their tormentors are nothing more than regular people can not go unspoken and is arguably the saving grace of this book. If it wasn't for the character development of these two, then this would be no more than a shallow husk of a novel.
Captain Hammond is easily the most annoying character in this series so far, and almost single handedly ruins the book with his idiocy and illplaced logic. The human race is in a war of survival, pitted against an intelligent bio-engineered virus, with the sole purpose of infecting and expanding. Turning its hosts into lifeless zombies. It has been told to us in no uncertain terms over multiple books, that there is no hope of saving people once the virus has infected the brain. So, people are effectively dead when the virus reaches the brain. But he (Hammond) refuses to see logic and get off his ideological high horse and calls the new "bio bombs" a genocidal weapon. Please make it make sense. Combine that with his utter cowardice in the heat of battle, even when he has the advantage, and you get a badly written character who has no logical reason to be acting this way.
September 8, 2020
I understand that this is the start of a new 'trilogy' within the "Ark Royal" universe. It just seemed that Nuttall took an exceptionally long time filling in the missing history and developing the new characters. Part of this might well have been that the characters as a group were generally unlikable and pretty much unrelatable. The conflicting styles of the two captains could have been used to build extra tension, instead it resulted in little more than petty squabbles. I'm still interested to see where the story goes, this just wasn't a strong start.
August 29, 2020
Another cracking story from Chris Nuttall
I’ve been following this series since Ark Royal, and have enjoyed the development and arc of the plot line. I’m always left wanting more, enjoying the story through the characters and the situations. I also enjoy the challenge and the makes-you-think woven in as well, which in no way detracts from it being a good story, and easy read but adds a dimension if you want it too.
I’ve been following this series since Ark Royal, and have enjoyed the development and arc of the plot line. I’m always left wanting more, enjoying the story through the characters and the situations. I also enjoy the challenge and the makes-you-think woven in as well, which in no way detracts from it being a good story, and easy read but adds a dimension if you want it too.
September 22, 2020
Naval tactics and technology for everyone
I really enjoy seeing how Chris keeps a terrific story line with each succeeding story. Subtley rising each to the next while introducing new characters with new personalities with characters from previous stories. As a 25 year Navy veteran, I really enjoy the keeping faith with navy fractions while mixing with exciting, realistic sci-fi technology.
I really enjoy seeing how Chris keeps a terrific story line with each succeeding story. Subtley rising each to the next while introducing new characters with new personalities with characters from previous stories. As a 25 year Navy veteran, I really enjoy the keeping faith with navy fractions while mixing with exciting, realistic sci-fi technology.
November 21, 2020
The Lion and the Unicorn by Christopher Nuttall is another gem set in his alternate world, a world he has built masterfully.
We follow two men in two very different warships but, as the men seem to be, for two different styles of attack. Restraint or plunging ahead? Will they tear each other – and their starships – apart or vanquish the enemy. Even their admirals are asking the question.
A wild ride, well written as always.
We follow two men in two very different warships but, as the men seem to be, for two different styles of attack. Restraint or plunging ahead? Will they tear each other – and their starships – apart or vanquish the enemy. Even their admirals are asking the question.
A wild ride, well written as always.
August 29, 2020
Another fast take on the Ark Royal Universe
Two new warship designs, two different personalities commanding them to fight the Virus. A new weapon, a BioBomb, is to be tested as a counter virus. Can it turn the tide? Read this one a find out. Already looking forward to the next novel!
Two new warship designs, two different personalities commanding them to fight the Virus. A new weapon, a BioBomb, is to be tested as a counter virus. Can it turn the tide? Read this one a find out. Already looking forward to the next novel!
September 15, 2020
A difficult one
I have read all the books of the series & have been a fan. This book drove me crazy. It's 90% internal monologue & 10% action. The author is constantly repeating the same thing over & over again between characters. The repeats were so often it's maddening. the author was just filling page space to make the book longer.
I have read all the books of the series & have been a fan. This book drove me crazy. It's 90% internal monologue & 10% action. The author is constantly repeating the same thing over & over again between characters. The repeats were so often it's maddening. the author was just filling page space to make the book longer.
September 24, 2020
Another great entry in the Ark Royal series
If you've enjoyed the past books in this series, don't miss this one. The story continues, mostly as expected, with humanity remaining on the brink of extinction, though now with a little more hope for the future. Looking forward to the next!
If you've enjoyed the past books in this series, don't miss this one. The story continues, mostly as expected, with humanity remaining on the brink of extinction, though now with a little more hope for the future. Looking forward to the next!
September 12, 2020
So much fun to read...
How does Chris Nuttall do it? Another awesome read! A fast paced page turner with great characters, action, plot, and more. Speaking of more...more please!!!
How does Chris Nuttall do it? Another awesome read! A fast paced page turner with great characters, action, plot, and more. Speaking of more...more please!!!
October 25, 2020
So much fun!
Another highly satisfying naval war story in a strong and convincing sf universe. Wonderful shipboard strategy and tactics, as usual. Again, a satisfying tale that points to another larger story. So much fun!
Another highly satisfying naval war story in a strong and convincing sf universe. Wonderful shipboard strategy and tactics, as usual. Again, a satisfying tale that points to another larger story. So much fun!
May 1, 2021
I love the Ark Royal series, but if Mr Nuttall doesn't get out of this formulaic rut (every war is the same thing, over and over again, shoot us all already!), the universe is doomed!
How about we run into an alien species we WANT to be taken over by?
How about we run into an alien species we WANT to be taken over by?
September 12, 2021
A good read
As always a good read so long as you accept there is a formula in a book series and like the formula . The series develops and presents a coherent vision of a future possibility.
As always a good read so long as you accept there is a formula in a book series and like the formula . The series develops and presents a coherent vision of a future possibility.
August 6, 2024
Great military 🪖 concepts presented well
Great read on tactics used in deployment. Considering different setups at vessel level as well as human level interactions. Looking forward to the next part
Great read on tactics used in deployment. Considering different setups at vessel level as well as human level interactions. Looking forward to the next part
September 1, 2020
This is an excellent and well written book and I can’t wait for the next in the trilogy to be published on Kindle.
September 22, 2020
very good
There was a built in conflict of interest between the main two characters, who despite the differences were able to complete the mission
There was a built in conflict of interest between the main two characters, who despite the differences were able to complete the mission
December 5, 2020
Kept me interested
I enjoyed the characters. They had interesting interactions with each other. I can't wait to read the next installment to see what's done to defeat the virus.
I enjoyed the characters. They had interesting interactions with each other. I can't wait to read the next installment to see what's done to defeat the virus.
January 17, 2021
Great read
I found myself really intrigue by the plot , it was a great read through out kept me from put in it down.
I found myself really intrigue by the plot , it was a great read through out kept me from put in it down.
December 30, 2020
Enjoy able read like all the others in series
I have read all the series this far and have enjoyed all. The theme of the books sounds very much like out current situation
I have read all the series this far and have enjoyed all. The theme of the books sounds very much like out current situation
October 1, 2020
I got on well reading this book though I wonder how much longer Chris is going to flog this storyline on. Not sure it is something I want to read about with what is going on in our lives today. Did not appreciate finding the book ended at 92% leaving 8% given to a book I have read already, least I did not have scroll though the usual rant at the end.
October 6, 2020
Exciting read
Great take on the zombie genre in a sci-fi setting. The virus is truly alien which is difficult to achieve, and credit is due to the author.
Great take on the zombie genre in a sci-fi setting. The virus is truly alien which is difficult to achieve, and credit is due to the author.
December 4, 2023
Great idea for a new way of fighting. Desperate times call for innovation and risk. The characters make sense in a war setting and the narrative steers clear of indulgent preaching. The author is a historian and the story has a feeling of reality.
Probably worth a 3.5 star rating but I'll keep it at 3. Looking forward to the next installment.
Probably worth a 3.5 star rating but I'll keep it at 3. Looking forward to the next installment.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews