What do you think?
Rate this book
Spinward Fringe #3
Spinward Fringe Broadcast 3: Triton
Captain Valance has taken the Triton to the Enreega System. The Samson crew man the massive Sol Defence vessel with the help of deserters and are soon joined by recently displaced refugees. Though they may have taken possession of the mighty ship, the battle to keep and tame her is only beginning. She's filled with surprises and secrets. While the Samson crew and their new allies fight for control over their new ship, the Fourth Fall Of Mankind is beginning. Billions of lives will irrevocably change and those who managed to find a reprieve will have to choose a side in a war few are given the opportunity to comprehend. This is the third book in the Spinward Fringe series, continuing the adventures of characters first introduced in the First Light Chronicles Omnibus.
Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2008
113 people are currently reading
270 people want to read
About the author
Randolph Lalonde
45 books497 followersBorn in 1974, Randolph Lalonde has worked in customer service, sales, played drums for several heavy metal bands you've never heard of, dealt blackjack in a traveling casino, and serviced countless computers. He's also owned businesses in the design, printing, collectible and custom computer fields.
He completed writing his first novel in the fantasy adventure genre at the age of fifteen and has been writing ever since.
He self published his first novel;
Fate Cycle: Sins of the Past in 2004 and after taking a break has begun to release his work again starting with the First Light Chronicles series.
Randolph Lalonde has sold thousands of eBooks to date, enough to keep writing full-time for fifteen years so far. He is deeply grateful for his following of readers and strives to improve his skills to entertain them better. The Spinward Fringe Space Opera series has proven to be his most popular offering.
He currently resides in Sudbury Ontario and manages a chapter a day writing habit.
In his diminishing spare time he reads voraciously, tinkers with design, video editing and reviews the occasional film or television show. A science fiction and fantasy fan, he often comments on the state of the entertainment industry on his website, www.randolphlalonde.com.
He completed writing his first novel in the fantasy adventure genre at the age of fifteen and has been writing ever since.
He self published his first novel;
Fate Cycle: Sins of the Past in 2004 and after taking a break has begun to release his work again starting with the First Light Chronicles series.
Randolph Lalonde has sold thousands of eBooks to date, enough to keep writing full-time for fifteen years so far. He is deeply grateful for his following of readers and strives to improve his skills to entertain them better. The Spinward Fringe Space Opera series has proven to be his most popular offering.
He currently resides in Sudbury Ontario and manages a chapter a day writing habit.
In his diminishing spare time he reads voraciously, tinkers with design, video editing and reviews the occasional film or television show. A science fiction and fantasy fan, he often comments on the state of the entertainment industry on his website, www.randolphlalonde.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
August 2, 2011
Spinward Fringe Triton is the continuing story of Jonas Valent/Jake Valence. After five novellas in the series, this is Lalonde's first full-length novel, and it feels like he is really hitting his stride.
I won't spoil the reunion wth Jonas and Jake, but I will say the outcome really caught me by surprise. It was also great seeing some familiar faces from the First Light crew brought back into the story. Lalonde is setting up an epic war, and this book continues to layout the different sides, the crew of the ships that will participate, and most importantly the resolve to fight back against oppression.
This is a fun space opera on one level, but it also has some moving speaches from the Captain to his crew -- such as the Captain recruiting, motivating his people to stand up against the tyranny of the corporations, and remembering those lost in battle.
Of all the stories I've read in the series, I thought this one was the best so far. The title of the next book is Frontline, and I am eagerly anticipating to read about how the crew brings the fight directly to the bad guys!
I won't spoil the reunion wth Jonas and Jake, but I will say the outcome really caught me by surprise. It was also great seeing some familiar faces from the First Light crew brought back into the story. Lalonde is setting up an epic war, and this book continues to layout the different sides, the crew of the ships that will participate, and most importantly the resolve to fight back against oppression.
This is a fun space opera on one level, but it also has some moving speaches from the Captain to his crew -- such as the Captain recruiting, motivating his people to stand up against the tyranny of the corporations, and remembering those lost in battle.
Of all the stories I've read in the series, I thought this one was the best so far. The title of the next book is Frontline, and I am eagerly anticipating to read about how the crew brings the fight directly to the bad guys!
November 3, 2014
So enjoyable, the whole series is.
June 4, 2020
Space opera as it should be
Relatable, lovable characters with nice twists and jaw dropping story lines. Fascinating. Makes you rethink some fundamentals about life. Great.
Relatable, lovable characters with nice twists and jaw dropping story lines. Fascinating. Makes you rethink some fundamentals about life. Great.
June 2, 2014
Spinward Fringe Broadcast 0, 1 & 2 were very enjoyable reads and all deserve 4 stars; however, Broadcast 3 Triton is a different story and deserves 2.5 stars, but I'm rounding up to 3 stars. Most of the little irritating aspects of the first five novelas were tolerable because of great characters and enjoyable storylines. Those same irritations have become BIG in Triton. I mean really, how many times do I have to read about a vac suit? Or the color of room decor and furnishings? Or how somebody who was missing three quarters of their body but were miraculously rebuilt from nanobots? The shiney happy crew that is always smiling, smirking, chuckling, chortling, grinning...even during deadly fire fights really grated my nerves too. These books read more like YA because the story is sexless, bloodless, and lacking any real grit that you would expect from battles in space. And if a character dies, please leave them dead! I took the time to read a lot of reviews for the next book in the Broadcast series and found similar complaints. This is where I stop. I can no longer recommend. Oh, and I am currently reading "To Honor You Call Us" by Paul Honsinger. Now THAT is how you write good military SF.
January 14, 2013
The continuation of the Spinward Fringe Saga by Randolp Lalonde. Please see my review on the "First Light Chronicals."
The story continues and it's exciting, fun and enjoyable. Jake Valance works his warrior magic while his supporting cast of mostly new characters from the Sampson, become integrated with the old cast from the First Light. A new evil arises and the galaxy is in turmoil.
Great story, great heroes and villains. Some wonderful general themes of inclusion and human nature as well as scientific ethics, "Just because we can do something does that mean we should do it?"
4 stars. It's a continuation of a great story. I'm a fan.
The story continues and it's exciting, fun and enjoyable. Jake Valance works his warrior magic while his supporting cast of mostly new characters from the Sampson, become integrated with the old cast from the First Light. A new evil arises and the galaxy is in turmoil.
Great story, great heroes and villains. Some wonderful general themes of inclusion and human nature as well as scientific ethics, "Just because we can do something does that mean we should do it?"
4 stars. It's a continuation of a great story. I'm a fan.
June 22, 2013
I really am enjoying this series. I am loving the old, new and slightly different characters. This book in particular had some parts that made me say "really, what are you doing" commenting to the author as I am reading. And then there was a little bit of predictability near the end for me. But that is ok because at the end something happened that surprised me. Looking forward to the next book.
July 22, 2012
Very well done. The resurrection of the most dangerous woman in the history of this universe is pleasantly terrifying. I've already purchased the rest of the series based on this book.
Thank you once again, for another great book!
Thank you once again, for another great book!
April 21, 2019
Fairly enjoyable, why only 3 stars? Well it looks like it's been badly edited (or not at all): it's sometimes difficult to tell which character the author is referring to and there are inconsistencies which would be considered lack of 'continuity ' in a film or TV show eg. the female freight captain who suddenly becomes 'he'. LOTS of typos which may account for some of the above and may only appear in the Kindle version (I don't know). Killing off a major character was (in my opinion) laziness on the author's part, although this series is better for being written in the 3rd person, there is a lack of character development outside of the main protagonist. I'm trying to avoid spoilers but keeping the important main character, that was killed off, could have led to an interesting alliance and some inspiring contrasts. Maybe he's resurrected in a future book, anything can happen, I am too disappointed to bother reading on to find out.
March 1, 2018
It’s getting better all the time.
The author has outdone himself. He has written a series that reads like a group of individual stories with similar characters and changing storylines. Although the characters are the same they are changing due to medical advancements. So they have their old memories, but different psychological makeups. It keeps the characters interesting and evolving. The storyline is constantly changing and, even with the same protagonists, it doesn’t get repetitive. Usually by this time in the series I am looking to find another book to read. Not so with this series. Can’t wait to get to the next volume.
The author has outdone himself. He has written a series that reads like a group of individual stories with similar characters and changing storylines. Although the characters are the same they are changing due to medical advancements. So they have their old memories, but different psychological makeups. It keeps the characters interesting and evolving. The storyline is constantly changing and, even with the same protagonists, it doesn’t get repetitive. Usually by this time in the series I am looking to find another book to read. Not so with this series. Can’t wait to get to the next volume.
October 18, 2020
Another good entry in the Spinward Fringe series. A lot of good world building and some interesting character development, but it's one of the slower books in the series and continues the trend from book 2 of building up to something bigger on the horizon.
Much of the pacing comes from the shift away from back-to-back action towards multiple character POV's in order to better explore the consequences of the fewer high-intensity scenes.
Having read this book many years before, Triton still stands out in my memory for the large developments and twists in the story.
A thoroughly good read.
Much of the pacing comes from the shift away from back-to-back action towards multiple character POV's in order to better explore the consequences of the fewer high-intensity scenes.
Having read this book many years before, Triton still stands out in my memory for the large developments and twists in the story.
A thoroughly good read.
December 14, 2020
Good, a little disjointed, partly because it was a while since I had read the previous installment. I was sorry to see some characters lost. But all in all the book moved the saga along. There was some lack of plot thread, like he was just trying to get us to the next book. I was a little lost thru part of the beginning. But I still like the characters and the world building is interesting. I will probably read the nest installment, but it may be a little while before I get there, just too many books to read.
April 7, 2018
Book 3 continues the saga of Captain Valance, and adds some very interesting characters and starts to tie together the plotlines from book 0: Origins. It's interesting what he's doing with the characters, taking the reader in unexpected directions. I do wish that sometimes he would ease up on the plot twists and action, but it is not too distracting. There are a lot of books to go, so I hope this series remains as fresh by book 8.
February 14, 2021
Another great addition to the Spinward Fringe Broadcasts. These books are a lot of fun. Some of the character interactions seem off like its moving too fast and there's not enough time given to develop a relationship before it exists. It does seem to keep the pace up though. I recommend it for anyone that likes scifi and just wants an easy enjoyable read.
February 26, 2024
2ND TIME THROUGH
I absolutely love Spinward Finge! I have read all the books, including the novelas.
Since I am waiting for Samurai Squadron 3 to come out, I have started over.
Randolph, the way you write allows me as a reader to come to know each and every character. Some series you read, you love a good ending. I hope that you never end this series. Lol
I absolutely love Spinward Finge! I have read all the books, including the novelas.
Since I am waiting for Samurai Squadron 3 to come out, I have started over.
Randolph, the way you write allows me as a reader to come to know each and every character. Some series you read, you love a good ending. I hope that you never end this series. Lol
August 22, 2023
Dear god help me, ive fallen onto another space opera series that i simply cannot put away.
10/10, the pacing and writing is superb, this should have been the extreme success that the expanse is.
Highly, highly recommend.
10/10, the pacing and writing is superb, this should have been the extreme success that the expanse is.
Highly, highly recommend.
February 6, 2017
As with the rest of this series so far, I would say the plot is showing some interesting twists and turns. The science, though, is less than stellar (pun intended). I keep reading though.
March 18, 2019
The story continues, with Alice getting in the action as well.
August 13, 2019
I can't stop reading this series. Once you start you just feel like you have to read the next book.
October 20, 2019
Spinward book series is a space opera that has good characters, interesting science and entertaining plots and sub-plots. The writing is very good.
December 17, 2019
Bought them all
What a treasure. Love these stories. Only complaint I have is a bit too mushy at times. And overuse of the word "whisper". Small complaints
What a treasure. Love these stories. Only complaint I have is a bit too mushy at times. And overuse of the word "whisper". Small complaints
Read
May 3, 2020Great Sci Fi
A masterfully written book and imagination. Cant wait to read the next book. Once you start reading the must find out what happens next kicks in.
A masterfully written book and imagination. Cant wait to read the next book. Once you start reading the must find out what happens next kicks in.
August 5, 2025
starts out well but rambles later
The new storyline is good. Then it turns into an emotion driven mess. The mix of characters from the prior book isn’t great.
The new storyline is good. Then it turns into an emotion driven mess. The mix of characters from the prior book isn’t great.
June 10, 2013
Spinward Fringe Broadcast 3: Triton, Randolph Lalonde
I must say that I was slightly disappointed with Triton and think that the book has fallen short of the quality of its predecessors. Sadly, I found the dialogue weak, the action bland and there was no real plot to the book. It had purpose, yes, and is unarguably important to the series, but it's far from a page-turner and became quite boring in parts.
As with the rest of Spinward Fringe, Triton begins right where the last book left off and picks up with Jake Valent and his crew as they begin adjusting to their newly secured prize - a hugely powerful warship from the Sol System called the Triton. It quickly becomes evident that the Triton is beyond them, however, in both in technology and size, and Lalonde focuses the story on how his characters come to terms with and adapt to this.
In all fairness many of Lalonde’s ideas regarding this matter are good, although many were a little to ‘convenient’ for my taste. I could easily have let this go though, if the rest of the book had been up to scratch. His unusually poor characterisation, however, along with a significant lack of excitement, made this very difficult for me to do. In fact, I frequently found that Lalonde didn't develop his ideas as fully as he could have and think that he has sold Triton short of its potential.
This isn't to say that Triton didn't have its merits though, and there were parts that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Aside from the obvious attractions of space battles and lower-key scuffles, Lalonde has finally begun to bring many strings from the previous books together, which should prove interesting developments for the later books.
So all in all then, Triton was a bit a let-down. I feel that it failed to live up to its potential and should have been much more enjoyable to read than it was. Despite this, I'm still a huge fan of the series and will definitely be reading the next installment - I just hope it’s a bit more of a page-turner! Please, Lalonde! Please!
I must say that I was slightly disappointed with Triton and think that the book has fallen short of the quality of its predecessors. Sadly, I found the dialogue weak, the action bland and there was no real plot to the book. It had purpose, yes, and is unarguably important to the series, but it's far from a page-turner and became quite boring in parts.
As with the rest of Spinward Fringe, Triton begins right where the last book left off and picks up with Jake Valent and his crew as they begin adjusting to their newly secured prize - a hugely powerful warship from the Sol System called the Triton. It quickly becomes evident that the Triton is beyond them, however, in both in technology and size, and Lalonde focuses the story on how his characters come to terms with and adapt to this.
In all fairness many of Lalonde’s ideas regarding this matter are good, although many were a little to ‘convenient’ for my taste. I could easily have let this go though, if the rest of the book had been up to scratch. His unusually poor characterisation, however, along with a significant lack of excitement, made this very difficult for me to do. In fact, I frequently found that Lalonde didn't develop his ideas as fully as he could have and think that he has sold Triton short of its potential.
This isn't to say that Triton didn't have its merits though, and there were parts that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Aside from the obvious attractions of space battles and lower-key scuffles, Lalonde has finally begun to bring many strings from the previous books together, which should prove interesting developments for the later books.
So all in all then, Triton was a bit a let-down. I feel that it failed to live up to its potential and should have been much more enjoyable to read than it was. Despite this, I'm still a huge fan of the series and will definitely be reading the next installment - I just hope it’s a bit more of a page-turner! Please, Lalonde! Please!
August 29, 2011
The series has petered out for me on this volume. I may have had my fill of it. When the author confines himself to military sci-fi, it works well. But, this volume is all about developing relationships and here he falls down. The characters are stereotypical, for the most part, all bad-asses in their own way, and when the author shows them as being vulnerable or just less than bad-ass, it rings hollow.
Another problem I had is that this volume goes on and on about the ship the characters are in. At first, it was a nice touch and played to the author's strengths. But, it was overkill in the end. I could have done without detailed descriptions of quad mass drivers and the care and feeding of ammunition handler's suits.
Which leads me to my final big issue with this volume: not much really goes on. Sure, there is some character "development", but as I stated above, this is not where the author is at his best.
I will probably wait a bit before picking up the next volume, if I do so at all.
Another problem I had is that this volume goes on and on about the ship the characters are in. At first, it was a nice touch and played to the author's strengths. But, it was overkill in the end. I could have done without detailed descriptions of quad mass drivers and the care and feeding of ammunition handler's suits.
Which leads me to my final big issue with this volume: not much really goes on. Sure, there is some character "development", but as I stated above, this is not where the author is at his best.
I will probably wait a bit before picking up the next volume, if I do so at all.
May 27, 2016
The magic continues!
OK, so you know how some series start out strong and then get kind of anemic by the time they get to the third or fourth book? Well, that's not happening here! This was a strong story in its own right but also added so much to the Spinward Fringe saga.
The new characters that we meet are wonderful. Engineer Liam is in my mental image almost like a Jedi Knight but without the Force and light sabre. Sort of a cross between Obiwan Kenobi and, just to annoy purists, Scott AND Spock from Star Trek, he knows everything and can fix everything while maintaining a sort of calm spiritual strength about him. I hope we see more of him on future books. I won't detail all the things I like about this book because I just am too impatient to get to reading the next book.
The story also touches on grief and growth of the Captain and crew of the Triton. Toss in a few mind twisting plot twists and the result is a very fine novel indeed. I can't wait to start the next book in the series.
OK, so you know how some series start out strong and then get kind of anemic by the time they get to the third or fourth book? Well, that's not happening here! This was a strong story in its own right but also added so much to the Spinward Fringe saga.
The new characters that we meet are wonderful. Engineer Liam is in my mental image almost like a Jedi Knight but without the Force and light sabre. Sort of a cross between Obiwan Kenobi and, just to annoy purists, Scott AND Spock from Star Trek, he knows everything and can fix everything while maintaining a sort of calm spiritual strength about him. I hope we see more of him on future books. I won't detail all the things I like about this book because I just am too impatient to get to reading the next book.
The story also touches on grief and growth of the Captain and crew of the Triton. Toss in a few mind twisting plot twists and the result is a very fine novel indeed. I can't wait to start the next book in the series.
January 25, 2013
The book picks up from the previous, quickly throwing the reader into the middle of fast action and the unexpected deaths of characters, old and new. One death early on really took me by surprise.
Not a bad read but I was bothered at times by something which is probably quite trivial - smiling.
Perhaps I'm being a bit glum during this cold winter month but people seemed to be smiling a lot in this book. Things were too often said 'with a smile' or with characters 'smirking', in particular when the Captain was talking to the opposite sex. I don't know, it just seemed mostly inappropriate to me, or perhaps it's just me being a grouch!
Also, the book (or maybe the series) seems to suffer a lot from people coming back from the dead.
Just seemed to make any deaths encountered (no matter how well written) a bit meaningless knowing that they might not be dead after all.
Not a bad read but I was bothered at times by something which is probably quite trivial - smiling.
Perhaps I'm being a bit glum during this cold winter month but people seemed to be smiling a lot in this book. Things were too often said 'with a smile' or with characters 'smirking', in particular when the Captain was talking to the opposite sex. I don't know, it just seemed mostly inappropriate to me, or perhaps it's just me being a grouch!
Also, the book (or maybe the series) seems to suffer a lot from people coming back from the dead.
Just seemed to make any deaths encountered (no matter how well written) a bit meaningless knowing that they might not be dead after all.
May 25, 2014
It'd been a while since I read the previous installment of this series and in the beginning of this one it really showed as I couldn't really recall who everyone was and how they fit in to the narrative. It wasn't a huge problem though as I gradually started to fit the pieces together and whilst not remembering everything that has happened before I was quickly immersed in the story nonetheless. That being said this book felt to me like a transit between the previous stories and what is yet to come. Things seemed to be getting together, elements were starting to move together and there's the prospect of great things yet to come. As I seem to be on a sci-fi streak at the moment it's likely that I'll pick up the next installments soon and start reading more of this series as it's definitely left me wanting more
October 31, 2012
A very creative, well written space series. Much like reading Star Trek, or Battle Star Galactica, but I belive with characters I like much more. The author is VERY creative and comes up with stuff I haven't heard of before, the story is shaping up in ways that can be very interesting. The writing is very clean (no overt sex) and vulgarities are very few and far between (kudos for writing something family friendly, yet involved enough to draw in adults). Very intersted in reading the remainder of the series.
(spoiler alert)One small point of dislike but it seems aweful convenient that all the protaginists and antagonists are all being ressurected/cloned/found and all about the same time, it seems to put a little bit of a damper on some of the believability.
(spoiler alert)One small point of dislike but it seems aweful convenient that all the protaginists and antagonists are all being ressurected/cloned/found and all about the same time, it seems to put a little bit of a damper on some of the believability.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2011
The way Lalonde has pulled all the various plot points together is amazing. I was fully ready to give this installment at least four stars. However, there are three points in the plot that kind of jarred me out of the story line. There are some reunions and character meetings you have been waiting for for quite some time, and it just kind of goes ... not wrong, but not the way you think it should.
As a writer, I understand why Mr. Lalonde makes the choices he does, but as a reader, I was a bit disappointed. The story is still good, and definitely interesting, but I don't feel like I got the emotional payout I could have from this installment.
As a writer, I understand why Mr. Lalonde makes the choices he does, but as a reader, I was a bit disappointed. The story is still good, and definitely interesting, but I don't feel like I got the emotional payout I could have from this installment.
November 6, 2012
Every bit as good as the first two books in the Spinward Fringe series and another captivating book by one of the most under rated writers in Military Science Fiction. Lalonde's potential is endless. If you like Battlestar Galactica, the Lost Fleet series, Starship Troopers, or the Forever War, then this series is for you.
SPOILER ALERT
Some people that we thought were lost returned (Finn and Minh Chu) and others were lost forever in the form that we knew them at least (Ayan and Jonas). All in all, a good plot that went in directions new and exciting that I didn't see coming. I'm honestly not sure if I like the series more for the plot or the tech.
SPOILER ALERT
Some people that we thought were lost returned (Finn and Minh Chu) and others were lost forever in the form that we knew them at least (Ayan and Jonas). All in all, a good plot that went in directions new and exciting that I didn't see coming. I'm honestly not sure if I like the series more for the plot or the tech.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews