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Halberd #2
In Harm's Way
The continuing adventures of Captain Jonah Halberd, Royal Navy of the Interplanetary Commonwealth. Join Captain Halberd in the Commonwealth's fight against the Rodinan Federation. A thinker as well as a man of action, Halberd finds ways to improve his odds when he finds himself 'In Harm's Way.'
- GenresScience FictionFiction
227 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2022
About the author
John Spearman
46 books52 followersJohn Spearman is an award-winning author. In the past, he served a Latin teacher and coach at a prestigious New England boarding school. Before joining the world of academia, Spearman had been a sales and marketing executive for 25 years.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 2, 2025
Moved at great pace
John's take on today's world projected onto a conflict across world's is genius. Depth in knowledge of navel warfare .If only the Royal Navy was this good.
John's take on today's world projected onto a conflict across world's is genius. Depth in knowledge of navel warfare .If only the Royal Navy was this good.
August 4, 2021
Wow
These are the first books I have read by John Spearman and they are great! Lots of action and the ending of this book makes you buy the next one!
These are the first books I have read by John Spearman and they are great! Lots of action and the ending of this book makes you buy the next one!
April 21, 2026
Good read.
This book was great , there was a lot that went on in it . The Upgrade to the one hundred year old ships was a game changer as they say in the old days things were made out of strong metal and ment to take a beating and last. They found a few traders in the works passing of information to the other side and getting rich off it and now our hero captain is in a life and death battle for his life . Lots of action and some behind the scenes look at what's going on with the war. On to the next one.
This book was great , there was a lot that went on in it . The Upgrade to the one hundred year old ships was a game changer as they say in the old days things were made out of strong metal and ment to take a beating and last. They found a few traders in the works passing of information to the other side and getting rich off it and now our hero captain is in a life and death battle for his life . Lots of action and some behind the scenes look at what's going on with the war. On to the next one.
March 14, 2026
A Great story continues delivered upon its pages.
Very pleased with this story line. Very good characters and unexpected situations.
A caption who feels for his crew, and turns them into, a well oiled team "challenged" with overwealming odds...
I found these books often pulling me into the figuring
out, of how to survive in many hopeless situations.
I Recommend this series that keeps giving me wanting more.....
CharlesR
Very pleased with this story line. Very good characters and unexpected situations.
A caption who feels for his crew, and turns them into, a well oiled team "challenged" with overwealming odds...
I found these books often pulling me into the figuring
out, of how to survive in many hopeless situations.
I Recommend this series that keeps giving me wanting more.....
CharlesR
April 11, 2026
Continued complex adventures
The story goes on and takes several turns not anticipated. Halberd. finally is wounded severely and taken out of action. This seems appropriate given his ability to wend his way through many prior suicidal missions. Character development continues for several other people, and the ship with Halberd makes it out of another crisis. We are left at the end with discovery of a plot to kill Halberd. Generally well written.
The story goes on and takes several turns not anticipated. Halberd. finally is wounded severely and taken out of action. This seems appropriate given his ability to wend his way through many prior suicidal missions. Character development continues for several other people, and the ship with Halberd makes it out of another crisis. We are left at the end with discovery of a plot to kill Halberd. Generally well written.
May 3, 2023
3.5 stars. About as expected. Fairly shallow book that continues the story of the MC's rise in the navy of a "British" type of space empire. The action is continuous but but forget about any character development or deep plot development. Having said that, I'll read the next in the series. I eat ice cream more than I should as well.
May 4, 2026
I gave the author the benefit of the doubt with the first book giving three stars, but there were too many problems with this book for that to continue.
This is really “Pulp” Science Fiction, where sense is sacrificed to keeping the story moving, having said that, there are worse ways to spend a few hours.
This is really “Pulp” Science Fiction, where sense is sacrificed to keeping the story moving, having said that, there are worse ways to spend a few hours.
July 19, 2026
No fingernails left = GREAT BOOK. !!!!
Mr. Spearman crafted this story perfectly. A vast number of characters were blended in perfectly. There are no unbelievable heros, predictable sequences, nor an evolution of only non-realistic black and white story lines. Grey at it's finest !
Mr. Spearman crafted this story perfectly. A vast number of characters were blended in perfectly. There are no unbelievable heros, predictable sequences, nor an evolution of only non-realistic black and white story lines. Grey at it's finest !
September 4, 2020
Enjoying the series
Enjoying this series thus far...have focused on the action and twists and turns and have not paid too much attention to the hard mechanics of space travel,cosmic distances,etc.
Enjoying this series thus far...have focused on the action and twists and turns and have not paid too much attention to the hard mechanics of space travel,cosmic distances,etc.
February 14, 2023
Exciting, Entertaining Series
Jonah Halberd is a star ship Captain for the British, involved in a battle with Russian opponents. The characters are beguiling, the situations fraught, action abounds. It's a fun read, hard to put down.
Jonah Halberd is a star ship Captain for the British, involved in a battle with Russian opponents. The characters are beguiling, the situations fraught, action abounds. It's a fun read, hard to put down.
February 8, 2026
Great balance of action and character development
The whole premise of space warfare based on only missiles was unique and held my interest. His character development and storyline made me enjoy the entire book.
The whole premise of space warfare based on only missiles was unique and held my interest. His character development and storyline made me enjoy the entire book.
July 3, 2026
Another great read
The war continues for Captain Halberd, but he has a new (old) ship to take on the enemy. But it's never easy when you have to fight a war on two front. Home and in space, but thankfully he has a good group of friends and crew.
The war continues for Captain Halberd, but he has a new (old) ship to take on the enemy. But it's never easy when you have to fight a war on two front. Home and in space, but thankfully he has a good group of friends and crew.
June 3, 2020
Finished another great book.
This is another example of a good book. I am going to buy the next book and keep up with my characters.
This is another example of a good book. I am going to buy the next book and keep up with my characters.
October 24, 2020
A worthy entry in the genre begun by Horatio Hornblower and defined by Honor Harrington. If you liked either you will enjoy this series.
Read
November 12, 2020 totally fascinating page to page
October 28, 2021
4.0
I continue to enjoy the main characters in this story and am looking forward to the next book. This is clearly a middle book as the hero is left in quite a pickle.
I continue to enjoy the main characters in this story and am looking forward to the next book. This is clearly a middle book as the hero is left in quite a pickle.
February 19, 2022
Nice plot twists.
Very fast paced. A can't put down read. The characters continue to flesh out. The action is furious. Some unexpected twists.
Very fast paced. A can't put down read. The characters continue to flesh out. The action is furious. Some unexpected twists.
April 1, 2022
Great space adventure
A really fun read ( the entire series), including the cliffhanger at the end of each book. Looking forward to the next book.
A really fun read ( the entire series), including the cliffhanger at the end of each book. Looking forward to the next book.
June 13, 2023
excellent series!
I really like this series. Enough action to keep it exciting. And not so much that it just blood and got. I recommend.
I really like this series. Enough action to keep it exciting. And not so much that it just blood and got. I recommend.
May 10, 2024
The war gets interesting
Halberds life continues to grow both socially and militarily, in interesting ways. A good 2nd book. Looking forward to number 3.
Halberds life continues to grow both socially and militarily, in interesting ways. A good 2nd book. Looking forward to number 3.
June 2, 2026
What Now?
The best is yet to come as Halberd defies the odds again. Action is a lifestyle and he navigate s it well
The best is yet to come as Halberd defies the odds again. Action is a lifestyle and he navigate s it well
June 14, 2026
Excellent
I enjoyed this book and already purchased the third book. I look forward to see what happens next. I firmly advise you read the books in this series.
I enjoyed this book and already purchased the third book. I look forward to see what happens next. I firmly advise you read the books in this series.
July 29, 2026
I liked the author's style, but I did get a bit bored with his concentration on dress styles.
September 22, 2021
I have finished all four books in the series, one right after another. Took me two days to read the three books, and all were just as enjoyable as the first one. If you enjoy space operas, this author delivers good ones.
December 26, 2025
Even better than the previous!
A better use of the characters in this book than the previous. It the story was a good fighting tale with a few sexy scenes thrown in.
A better use of the characters in this book than the previous. It the story was a good fighting tale with a few sexy scenes thrown in.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews