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Rise of the Free Fleet #3
No Rest For The Wicked
Earth is safe for now, with it came some much needed surprises. Though if Salchar was expecting a break he’s in for a rude awakening, well he’s already done that once…. but anyway.
Lady Fairgate has sensed something has gone wrong at Parnmal. Thinking that Jorsht is now trying to carve out his own little kingdom, she sends Captain Kelu, one of her favourite enforcers with the largest Syndicate Fleet assembled since the Syndicate and the Union went head to head.
Though Kelu is in for some nasty surprises when he reaches Parnmal, Jorsht isn’t home and this little bit of space is defended by the Free Fleet. Salchar and his people are going to have to pull some major tricks out of their hats to survive the defense of Parnmal. It’s time to see if the Free Fleet has what it takes to survive. No matter what the outcome, their going to make sure no one is going to forget their names.
Lady Fairgate has sensed something has gone wrong at Parnmal. Thinking that Jorsht is now trying to carve out his own little kingdom, she sends Captain Kelu, one of her favourite enforcers with the largest Syndicate Fleet assembled since the Syndicate and the Union went head to head.
Though Kelu is in for some nasty surprises when he reaches Parnmal, Jorsht isn’t home and this little bit of space is defended by the Free Fleet. Salchar and his people are going to have to pull some major tricks out of their hats to survive the defense of Parnmal. It’s time to see if the Free Fleet has what it takes to survive. No matter what the outcome, their going to make sure no one is going to forget their names.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 31, 2022
197 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
About the author
Michael Chatfield
69 books1,384 followersMichael Chatfield is a Canadian Army veteran and international bestselling author who writes the kind of books he always wanted to read—character-driven, gritty, tactical, and grounded in reality.
He doesn’t write one-dimensional killers wrapped in plot armor, charging toward an objective without thought. His stories are built for readers who want earned progression, tight, understandable logic, and realistic strategy. Every stat system has structure. Every decision is deliberate (except when there is Jaeger involved).
And the pacing? It's locked at two hundred percent. From alleyway brawls to starship armadas clashing over galactic sovereignty, from tactical dungeon assaults to city-states warring over a continent’s fate—Chatfield commits to every battle like it’s his last.
With millions of books and audiobooks sold, and tens of thousands of reviews his work spans LitRPG, military sci-fi, fantasy, and post-apocalyptic survival. He writes for readers who value systems that make sense, loyalty that lasts, and power that’s earned, not handed out.
Whether you're listening on a long drive, grinding through a shift, or up past midnight planning the next in-game raid—this is where you’ll find sagas to binge. Where strength is earned, logic rules, and camaraderie is forged in fire.
You can connect with him on Patreon and don't forget to follow him on social media!
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/authormichael...
Website: http://michaelchatfield.com/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authormichael...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormicha...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormichae...
Facebook Group: The Chatfield Connection - https://www.facebook.com/groups/37693...
He doesn’t write one-dimensional killers wrapped in plot armor, charging toward an objective without thought. His stories are built for readers who want earned progression, tight, understandable logic, and realistic strategy. Every stat system has structure. Every decision is deliberate (except when there is Jaeger involved).
And the pacing? It's locked at two hundred percent. From alleyway brawls to starship armadas clashing over galactic sovereignty, from tactical dungeon assaults to city-states warring over a continent’s fate—Chatfield commits to every battle like it’s his last.
With millions of books and audiobooks sold, and tens of thousands of reviews his work spans LitRPG, military sci-fi, fantasy, and post-apocalyptic survival. He writes for readers who value systems that make sense, loyalty that lasts, and power that’s earned, not handed out.
Whether you're listening on a long drive, grinding through a shift, or up past midnight planning the next in-game raid—this is where you’ll find sagas to binge. Where strength is earned, logic rules, and camaraderie is forged in fire.
You can connect with him on Patreon and don't forget to follow him on social media!
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/authormichael...
Website: http://michaelchatfield.com/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authormichael...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormicha...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormichae...
Facebook Group: The Chatfield Connection - https://www.facebook.com/groups/37693...
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 15, 2019
So the MC makes an "I'm screaming at him not to do it" kind of mistake and then he and his allies get tortured a LOT. So they get free and he's back to normal, but now it's on the author to not have the MC "be better than they are" and actually get some decent vengeance on everyone involved in that fiasco, or I'm done.
There was the asshole spy that made it all possible, the leaders who MADE them take the asshole spy on (and then the MC said if the spy broke the rules they would be back to kill the leaders), the one who captured them, and the torturers. Seriously, Mr. Chatfield, you made me hate QUITE a lot of characters, don't forget to follow up on that.
There was the asshole spy that made it all possible, the leaders who MADE them take the asshole spy on (and then the MC said if the spy broke the rules they would be back to kill the leaders), the one who captured them, and the torturers. Seriously, Mr. Chatfield, you made me hate QUITE a lot of characters, don't forget to follow up on that.
July 31, 2022
What the heck went wrong with this one?
For some reason you turned well developed and strong characters into complete idiots in this book.
So the syndicate has cruelly ruled for decades now, thier propensity to put vicious and evil people in charge was established in books 1 & 2.
Salchar and his people knew something was wrong, but went into a trap anyway, why because it shows distrust if we don't. Hey our first team has 100% disappeared, so lets let Salchar walk right in.
Once the betrayal is fully exposed, again knowing the history of toture and enslavement the syndicate and those they prop up in power use, they order Salchar to surrender or his missing 8 people will be killed. These same betraying fools have also broken thier word twice... So what does Salchar do? Gives up and his people end up tortured and murdered.
His supporting cast is no better... A Syndicate leader challenges the free fleet to battle at a time of thier choosing... And what does free fleet command do? They accept the challenge letting the syndicate establish the when, where, and how of battle. Which is lunacy.
Meanwhile thier intelligence head Knows Salchar was in danger but did nothing because they would break cover by sending a message. Again if protecting your leader is not worth breaking cover what the hell are you doing?
I am only at 54% done with the book, but I find myself repeatedly stopping reading because I am annoyed that characters I had come to like are acting like fools.
I am sure some last-minute heroics and strategy will see Free Fleet victorious. But I can not be bothered, Micheal Chatfield ruined a large number of key characters at this point. He made Salchar from a strong leader into a fool who in any real-world military would need to be replaced. He was directly responsible for knowingly walking his people into a trap, knowingly told them surrender, and got them all tortured and most killed.
So here ends my desire to read about the Free Fleet. Which is a shame as I enjoyed the 10 realms and trapped mind project series also by Chatfield.
For some reason you turned well developed and strong characters into complete idiots in this book.
So the syndicate has cruelly ruled for decades now, thier propensity to put vicious and evil people in charge was established in books 1 & 2.
Salchar and his people knew something was wrong, but went into a trap anyway, why because it shows distrust if we don't. Hey our first team has 100% disappeared, so lets let Salchar walk right in.
Once the betrayal is fully exposed, again knowing the history of toture and enslavement the syndicate and those they prop up in power use, they order Salchar to surrender or his missing 8 people will be killed. These same betraying fools have also broken thier word twice... So what does Salchar do? Gives up and his people end up tortured and murdered.
His supporting cast is no better... A Syndicate leader challenges the free fleet to battle at a time of thier choosing... And what does free fleet command do? They accept the challenge letting the syndicate establish the when, where, and how of battle. Which is lunacy.
Meanwhile thier intelligence head Knows Salchar was in danger but did nothing because they would break cover by sending a message. Again if protecting your leader is not worth breaking cover what the hell are you doing?
I am only at 54% done with the book, but I find myself repeatedly stopping reading because I am annoyed that characters I had come to like are acting like fools.
I am sure some last-minute heroics and strategy will see Free Fleet victorious. But I can not be bothered, Micheal Chatfield ruined a large number of key characters at this point. He made Salchar from a strong leader into a fool who in any real-world military would need to be replaced. He was directly responsible for knowingly walking his people into a trap, knowingly told them surrender, and got them all tortured and most killed.
So here ends my desire to read about the Free Fleet. Which is a shame as I enjoyed the 10 realms and trapped mind project series also by Chatfield.
July 24, 2022
Abs0-fucking-ridiculous
It's amazing that all these Scifi novels have one thing in common; NONE of the characters have ever read a Scifi novel, which they can draw inspiration from. So fully knowing that US wants to get their glory days back, and they want the control of their ships, Salchar agrees with the US demands for an Envoy. He could have told them to pound dirt, but his inexperience shows.
Almighty, Salchar, agrees to go down to the planet and then agrees to be captured. What a bumbling leader. 59 people died coz of his arrogance.
And what's the bloody point of these mech-suits if knives and bullets can Pierce them. Are they made out of butter?
It's amazing that all these Scifi novels have one thing in common; NONE of the characters have ever read a Scifi novel, which they can draw inspiration from. So fully knowing that US wants to get their glory days back, and they want the control of their ships, Salchar agrees with the US demands for an Envoy. He could have told them to pound dirt, but his inexperience shows.
Almighty, Salchar, agrees to go down to the planet and then agrees to be captured. What a bumbling leader. 59 people died coz of his arrogance.
And what's the bloody point of these mech-suits if knives and bullets can Pierce them. Are they made out of butter?
February 14, 2025
Wow what an action-driven book. And while the Free Fleet have had a few wins they can't just sit on their laurels, because as the title claims there's no rest for the wicked. And Salchar and his small band known as the Free Fleet have there work cut out for them. With ups and downs, as friends die, and at one point Salchar even loses his way in a morass of self incriminating doubt. Can Salchar find his way? To be the leader he is meant to be... just get the book. I've actually gotten to the point where Military Syfi has become almost boring to me. But not this one Michael Chatfield has made this book, this series real again.
December 9, 2019
Great read
Really enjoying the pacing of the story, the character development and multiple story arcs are fascinating, a real page turner.
The negative thing I found was the introduction of too many names and abbreviations, it is the 3 book so there are bought to be new characters... But that's what I found. The other being at the beginning of chapters, I wish I know the character I was reading from straight away instead of reading of few lines from an ' unknown' perspective.
Overall, great book and so glad there are many more!
Really enjoying the pacing of the story, the character development and multiple story arcs are fascinating, a real page turner.
The negative thing I found was the introduction of too many names and abbreviations, it is the 3 book so there are bought to be new characters... But that's what I found. The other being at the beginning of chapters, I wish I know the character I was reading from straight away instead of reading of few lines from an ' unknown' perspective.
Overall, great book and so glad there are many more!
May 21, 2021
Seems like a different author
I enjoyed the first two books of the series, but this one was disjointed with terrible grammar and punctuation. Supporting characters come and go with no introduction, but they all seem to be copies of the same crusty old wagon train cook anyway. Occasionally a patrician Japanese woman or a random alien will also sound just like "Old Beans" McGee. Well, I best be wrappin' this review up so I can get back to stirrin' these here beans and sharpenin' my mecha-samurai sword.
I enjoyed the first two books of the series, but this one was disjointed with terrible grammar and punctuation. Supporting characters come and go with no introduction, but they all seem to be copies of the same crusty old wagon train cook anyway. Occasionally a patrician Japanese woman or a random alien will also sound just like "Old Beans" McGee. Well, I best be wrappin' this review up so I can get back to stirrin' these here beans and sharpenin' my mecha-samurai sword.
October 17, 2023
It's a rip roaring fun read
No idea why people are rating less than 3*. If you want serious sci-fi there is plenty out there for you
This is well thought out and intelligent story telling
Ok so there are misspellings galore, punctuation a 5yr old could do better than, but the story, characters and detail are well written
One other thing, the Free Fleet could almost be a cult, there are enough motivational moments and speeches to embarrass a business seminar, but given the whole concept it does work
No idea why people are rating less than 3*. If you want serious sci-fi there is plenty out there for you
This is well thought out and intelligent story telling
Ok so there are misspellings galore, punctuation a 5yr old could do better than, but the story, characters and detail are well written
One other thing, the Free Fleet could almost be a cult, there are enough motivational moments and speeches to embarrass a business seminar, but given the whole concept it does work
January 12, 2019
3 in and they are brilliant
Loving this series (despite grammatical errors) it’s really none stop action with politics thrown in and unlike a lot of books the MCs don’t just survive at all costs. In fact some of the losses have hurt. Being ex military (UK) that sense of camaraderie really does shine thru an makes the battles that more readable.
Loving this from nearly the first few pages till the end of the epilogue in this book - although I though Eddies brother was Etil???
Loving this series (despite grammatical errors) it’s really none stop action with politics thrown in and unlike a lot of books the MCs don’t just survive at all costs. In fact some of the losses have hurt. Being ex military (UK) that sense of camaraderie really does shine thru an makes the battles that more readable.
Loving this from nearly the first few pages till the end of the epilogue in this book - although I though Eddies brother was Etil???
September 23, 2025
Finally gave up on this one
I read the first two books and enjoyed the storyline, but the proofreading was spotty at best. This installment was obviously written very quickly and published without being proofread at all. I am at 14% read of the book, and though I'd love to know how things turn out, it just isn't worth trying to wade through the multitude of errors. I've never seen such a sloppy effort from Mr. Chatfield. Very disappointed!
I read the first two books and enjoyed the storyline, but the proofreading was spotty at best. This installment was obviously written very quickly and published without being proofread at all. I am at 14% read of the book, and though I'd love to know how things turn out, it just isn't worth trying to wade through the multitude of errors. I've never seen such a sloppy effort from Mr. Chatfield. Very disappointed!
November 24, 2020
Man, this was a bit of a chore to read. If anything, the grammar and vocabulary have declined rather than improved. Add to that, a quarter of the book explores a mental health narrative for the protagonist, only to be resolved in a trite and unrealistic way.
It's not a bad book, just frustrating.
It's not a bad book, just frustrating.
January 3, 2025
Exciting space opera
Space battles, family reunions, AI plans bear fruit. Then, betrayal by planetary warlords, more space battles. Reload, rearm and repeat. Good people go into the dark and former enemies are recruited to face a great nemesis. Exciting stuff!
Space battles, family reunions, AI plans bear fruit. Then, betrayal by planetary warlords, more space battles. Reload, rearm and repeat. Good people go into the dark and former enemies are recruited to face a great nemesis. Exciting stuff!
October 9, 2025
Good story, in need of a proof reader
Great pace, exciting story, but I put the book down as the spelling and grammar errors kept distracting me from the story, to the point I just couldn't any more.
Great pace, exciting story, but I put the book down as the spelling and grammar errors kept distracting me from the story, to the point I just couldn't any more.
January 23, 2019
3.5 stars maybe 4, pretty good, not as good as the first book but better than the 2nd. I am enjoy these books and I will continue with the series.
February 28, 2019
Good continuation of story.
May 20, 2020
3.95☆
July 12, 2023
Love this whole series, but there some internal consistency issues. Otherwise, love it!
February 19, 2020
Without a doubt, this series is awesome!!! Love reading this book!
February 16, 2016
Plotlines thicken
There really is no rest in this book. While I feel the first half of this book is filler, there are several main plot points that happen there to set the stage for the rest of the book. The action is a mix of space and ground. As a whole, this book really sets up what is to come. This isn't going to be a two sided war now.
Out of the three novels so far, this one had the worst editing so far. I still liked this book a lot, but there are at least 1 mistake every page, but true to my brain, it seems to auto correct the mistake while I am reading. This isn't true for everyone, but indie authors don't have the resources of publishers.
The story does have some great twists in it, and some rumors get verified. The free fleet can't keep winning these battles undermanned, and out gunned can they. Read it and find out.
There really is no rest in this book. While I feel the first half of this book is filler, there are several main plot points that happen there to set the stage for the rest of the book. The action is a mix of space and ground. As a whole, this book really sets up what is to come. This isn't going to be a two sided war now.
Out of the three novels so far, this one had the worst editing so far. I still liked this book a lot, but there are at least 1 mistake every page, but true to my brain, it seems to auto correct the mistake while I am reading. This isn't true for everyone, but indie authors don't have the resources of publishers.
The story does have some great twists in it, and some rumors get verified. The free fleet can't keep winning these battles undermanned, and out gunned can they. Read it and find out.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews