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Battleship Leviathan #4
Leviathan’s Trial
Peace is earned, not given. Aliens are seizing planets at the edge of Berantz space. Earth Fleet sends an armada to investigate. They’re never heard from again.
Word reaches the Vestrall home planet of the encroachment. Declan Payne knows what has to be done – convince Leviathan to investigate. Peace through superior firepower, through the threat of annihilation. But Lev is retired. And so is Payne and his team. The choice is taken out of their hands.
Join Declan Payne and his team as they return to a new front in a never-ending war to keep humanity safe.
Word reaches the Vestrall home planet of the encroachment. Declan Payne knows what has to be done – convince Leviathan to investigate. Peace through superior firepower, through the threat of annihilation. But Lev is retired. And so is Payne and his team. The choice is taken out of their hands.
Join Declan Payne and his team as they return to a new front in a never-ending war to keep humanity safe.
- GenresScience Fiction
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2022
247 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Craig Martelle
328 books7,884 followersVisit Craig's web page, craigmartelle.com for the latest posts and updates or find him on Facebook, Author Craig Martelle. Send an email to craig@craigmartelle.com to join his mailing list for the latest on new releases, information on old releases, and anything related to his books.
I see my other lives, a career in the Marines, those damn hand-written tests in law school, a business consultant, as if they're stories from a book. I see my books as if I lived there, as if I were friends with the characters. All things we remember are behind us, only those we imagine lie before.
I'm not sure which place I prefer, but I don't have to choose. They live together in my mind. My books have some award nominations, they have bestseller tags across multiple countries. I write about justice, honor, and loyalty because that's what I care about. My stories are mostly set within worlds that haven't been, but could be. We have to be ready for when those times come.
No matter where I went, I always had a book with me. Thanks to 21st Century technology, I now have hundreds of books loaded on my phone and always with me. This breakthrough allows me to binge read my favorites. How many books would I have read on deployments had I not had to have a physical book with me? I paced myself so I wouldn't finish too quickly.
We aren't encumbered like that now. I love the works of Robert Heinlein, Anne McCaffrey, JRR Tolkien, Robert E. Howard, and so many more. I have been compared to Andre Norton and that is humbling - she was an incredible author with a huge list of novels to her credit. With every new book, I aspire to live up to those that you, the readers, have compared me to.
Through a bizarre series of events, I ended up in Fairbanks, Alaska. I never expected to retire to a place where golf courses are only open for four months out of the year. But that's the way it is. It is off the beaten path. My wife and I get to watch the northern lights from our driveway. Our dog has lots of room to run. And temperatures reach fifty below zero. We have from three and a half hours of daylight in the winter to twenty-four hours in the summer.
It's all part of the give and take of life. If we didn't have those extremes, then everyone would live in the sub-arctic.
I see my other lives, a career in the Marines, those damn hand-written tests in law school, a business consultant, as if they're stories from a book. I see my books as if I lived there, as if I were friends with the characters. All things we remember are behind us, only those we imagine lie before.
I'm not sure which place I prefer, but I don't have to choose. They live together in my mind. My books have some award nominations, they have bestseller tags across multiple countries. I write about justice, honor, and loyalty because that's what I care about. My stories are mostly set within worlds that haven't been, but could be. We have to be ready for when those times come.
No matter where I went, I always had a book with me. Thanks to 21st Century technology, I now have hundreds of books loaded on my phone and always with me. This breakthrough allows me to binge read my favorites. How many books would I have read on deployments had I not had to have a physical book with me? I paced myself so I wouldn't finish too quickly.
We aren't encumbered like that now. I love the works of Robert Heinlein, Anne McCaffrey, JRR Tolkien, Robert E. Howard, and so many more. I have been compared to Andre Norton and that is humbling - she was an incredible author with a huge list of novels to her credit. With every new book, I aspire to live up to those that you, the readers, have compared me to.
Through a bizarre series of events, I ended up in Fairbanks, Alaska. I never expected to retire to a place where golf courses are only open for four months out of the year. But that's the way it is. It is off the beaten path. My wife and I get to watch the northern lights from our driveway. Our dog has lots of room to run. And temperatures reach fifty below zero. We have from three and a half hours of daylight in the winter to twenty-four hours in the summer.
It's all part of the give and take of life. If we didn't have those extremes, then everyone would live in the sub-arctic.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 3, 2022
A truly worthy successor!
All I can say, is that Craig Martelle has outdone himself with this book.
In previous reviews I have commented on how much I dislike military opera and military themed stories, and have lamented that Craig’s writing is of such quality that I am compelled to read it regardless. Those facts and lamentations still stand.
I truly, truly enjoyed the first three books. I was even quite content as they wrapped up a compelling and believable story, leaving no real loose ends. So, when I read that he was beginning a fourth book I was certainly curious and intrigued, but I had no idea what he had in store. Let me tell you, this is As much a suspense thriller as it is military opera.
Granted, we are all aware that our heroes will MOST LIKELY prevail, but they getting there… That is the challenge. Let me tell you without the benefit of a cliffhanger, Craig nonetheless manages to raise our blood pressure and push us to the edge of our seats with only a few strokes on the keyboard. And he performs this magic all the while maintaining the hectic and frenetic pace which characterize his military stories.
You most certainly do not need to read the first three books to pick this one up, and you might even in fact consider doing that first.
Although this book certainly contains spoilers to events from the first three, that is unavoidable. But this is a very nice introduction into the world of Leviathan,m and Declan Payne and the imagination of Craig Martelle. You just can’t go wrong.
All I can say, is that Craig Martelle has outdone himself with this book.
In previous reviews I have commented on how much I dislike military opera and military themed stories, and have lamented that Craig’s writing is of such quality that I am compelled to read it regardless. Those facts and lamentations still stand.
I truly, truly enjoyed the first three books. I was even quite content as they wrapped up a compelling and believable story, leaving no real loose ends. So, when I read that he was beginning a fourth book I was certainly curious and intrigued, but I had no idea what he had in store. Let me tell you, this is As much a suspense thriller as it is military opera.
Granted, we are all aware that our heroes will MOST LIKELY prevail, but they getting there… That is the challenge. Let me tell you without the benefit of a cliffhanger, Craig nonetheless manages to raise our blood pressure and push us to the edge of our seats with only a few strokes on the keyboard. And he performs this magic all the while maintaining the hectic and frenetic pace which characterize his military stories.
You most certainly do not need to read the first three books to pick this one up, and you might even in fact consider doing that first.
Although this book certainly contains spoilers to events from the first three, that is unavoidable. But this is a very nice introduction into the world of Leviathan,m and Declan Payne and the imagination of Craig Martelle. You just can’t go wrong.
April 9, 2022
wow!
This by far is the best one yet. Leviathan is an entity that is learning that not all encounters can have a chance at peace. I love the author’s ability to “ humanize “ his different characters .
This by far is the best one yet. Leviathan is an entity that is learning that not all encounters can have a chance at peace. I love the author’s ability to “ humanize “ his different characters .
November 15, 2023
A mildly unbalanced twist
First and foremost, if you enjoyed the previous Leviathan books, you will enjoy this one. The characters are still well written and witty, the action is quick and flashy, and the plot keeps rolling along.
There are a couple spots where things stall out a bit though, namely in order to advance the plot. It's a common sci-fi sticking point: when you introduce a device/person/sentient warship that fixes all problems, the only way to keep going is to introduce even bigger problems. But if you tip the scale too far, it goes from feel-good to insurmountable and that can ruin it.
Luckily, Craig Martelle is a talented writer so the sudden slog doesn't ruin a thoroughly enjoyable book, it just puts a bit of a smudge in it.
First and foremost, if you enjoyed the previous Leviathan books, you will enjoy this one. The characters are still well written and witty, the action is quick and flashy, and the plot keeps rolling along.
There are a couple spots where things stall out a bit though, namely in order to advance the plot. It's a common sci-fi sticking point: when you introduce a device/person/sentient warship that fixes all problems, the only way to keep going is to introduce even bigger problems. But if you tip the scale too far, it goes from feel-good to insurmountable and that can ruin it.
Luckily, Craig Martelle is a talented writer so the sudden slog doesn't ruin a thoroughly enjoyable book, it just puts a bit of a smudge in it.
October 5, 2023
Once again, Craig Martelle has put forth an amazing novel. I absolutely love the characters! As a former Recon Marine, I can completely relate to the characters and the story line. The action is fast paced, and believable. Violence of action is an integral part of combat, and the author presents it a fluid and realistic manner, without being too graphic. I can't recommend this book (and the entire series!) enough.
April 12, 2022
More Intense Battle
Discovery and loss, the battles with this new foe has our team on the ropes for a time. While the expectation was they would survive, the storyline gave no guarantee. Some new technology stymies our ship and crew initially, though they eventually gain a respite in the conflict. This book ends hopeful with a soft lead into the next installment.
Discovery and loss, the battles with this new foe has our team on the ropes for a time. While the expectation was they would survive, the storyline gave no guarantee. Some new technology stymies our ship and crew initially, though they eventually gain a respite in the conflict. This book ends hopeful with a soft lead into the next installment.
April 1, 2022
Go Team Payne!
I love these books. It's a nice break from the KGU. Don't get me wrong I love me some KGU but things are slowing down a bit with Bethany Anne and family. I'll always be ready for new adventures with Craig and the rest of LMBPN.
I love these books. It's a nice break from the KGU. Don't get me wrong I love me some KGU but things are slowing down a bit with Bethany Anne and family. I'll always be ready for new adventures with Craig and the rest of LMBPN.
May 3, 2022
Payneful...
Paycheck to reach the end and realize I have to wait for months to read the book! I love the irreverent and never tongue tied Major Payne and his team. Lev may take his passificity (is that a word?) to extremes, but he's awesome too! Marking time till the sequel...
Paycheck to reach the end and realize I have to wait for months to read the book! I love the irreverent and never tongue tied Major Payne and his team. Lev may take his passificity (is that a word?) to extremes, but he's awesome too! Marking time till the sequel...
June 11, 2022
New alien threat
I love this series. This book introduces a new alien threat with the expectation that they'll be back for the next book. The next book is the last in the series and I'm missing it already.
I love this series. This book introduces a new alien threat with the expectation that they'll be back for the next book. The next book is the last in the series and I'm missing it already.
July 14, 2022
FAST AND FUN READ
Nice fast moving light reading with quippy dialing (kinda like a Marvel movie) Likeable characters and entertaining story.I am looking forward to the final installment
Nice fast moving light reading with quippy dialing (kinda like a Marvel movie) Likeable characters and entertaining story.I am looking forward to the final installment
November 7, 2022
Absolutely not what I thought!
Leviathan's Trial can be interpreted several different ways and throughout the book I tried all the hats on to see if they fit. In the end it wasn't at all what any of my guesses were! Good story still--it just keeps going. Yay!
Leviathan's Trial can be interpreted several different ways and throughout the book I tried all the hats on to see if they fit. In the end it wasn't at all what any of my guesses were! Good story still--it just keeps going. Yay!
February 3, 2023
A new enemy appears
A new enemy the Ga’ee have come from nowhere and are trying to colonize inhabited planets. Payne and crew go after them on one planet and everyone on Leviathan think they are died!
A new enemy the Ga’ee have come from nowhere and are trying to colonize inhabited planets. Payne and crew go after them on one planet and everyone on Leviathan think they are died!
April 3, 2022
Yay! more books!
I’m happy that Team Payne is out of retirement.
This new enemy is scary. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
I’m happy that Team Payne is out of retirement.
This new enemy is scary. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
April 6, 2022
Back in business
I love these people! As usual the story grabbed me from the first page and never let go until the last. Action from start to finish. Go Lev.
I love these people! As usual the story grabbed me from the first page and never let go until the last. Action from start to finish. Go Lev.
April 19, 2022
Fast paced military thriller that is worth a read.
I think the longer Craig gets into his characters,
they grow and evolve over the span of each series.
I liked this book a lot.
I think the longer Craig gets into his characters,
they grow and evolve over the span of each series.
I liked this book a lot.
April 24, 2022
Awesome Adventure
Another outstanding adventure for them. The fast pace action will leave you breathless. I really like this book and I highly recommend it.
Another outstanding adventure for them. The fast pace action will leave you breathless. I really like this book and I highly recommend it.
July 20, 2022
Good Read
Easy read, very fast paced, good story line with interesting characters. Military command and control, action abounds with good humor.
Easy read, very fast paced, good story line with interesting characters. Military command and control, action abounds with good humor.
Read
August 1, 2022An enjoyable series. It is not War and Peace mind you, but if you are looking for some light escapist reading this does it.
March 15, 2023
Nobody Likes Worms
What is the galaxy coming to when the worms try to take over. Not your run of the mill worms. No, they are super smart and deadly. Read it. Big D
What is the galaxy coming to when the worms try to take over. Not your run of the mill worms. No, they are super smart and deadly. Read it. Big D
April 20, 2023
Boring
I liked three first books but this one is a lot of words ghat don't mean anything. I say read the first three and stop, unless you just want to read for the sake of reading.
I liked three first books but this one is a lot of words ghat don't mean anything. I say read the first three and stop, unless you just want to read for the sake of reading.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews