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Gate Ghosts #4

Vortex Incursion

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Human descendants of the Earth colony ship, Destiny, face incursion into their area of space by a powerful race. The Imperium Empire, which is ruled by the Krackus, is one wormhole away from the humans, and a rim mining planet, Kilmer, would be the alien race’s first contact.

Fear rules the company leader. The Krackus represent danger. They sail powerful battleships. As well, the Naiad Council reels from the news that an alien race abuts their space. For centuries, humans in the Axis Crossing region thought they were alone.

In the Thartath system, Julien directs more outpost fleet ships to support the Naiads. The fleet is intent on turning back any incursion by the Krackus through the wormhole.

Julien and Cordelia continue to deal with the Thartath sisters. Fleet members discover a means of deterring the second-gen sisters from their paths to dominate biological races. Already, it serves to help one human mining planet in Axis Crossing.

On Naiad, Samuel, a digital entity brought to sentience, chooses to occupy his time as an entrepreneur. He offers his services to research teams who purchase time on the powerful Densing Array.

During Samuel’s work, he discovers a data glitch in the array’s recording, which he investigates. His requests for comparative data to verify his findings are met with resistance. Undeterred, he sends a message to Cremsylon: “There might be another race beyond a nearby Naiad anomaly.”

448 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 11, 2022

83 people are currently reading
49 people want to read

About the author

S.H. Jucha

45 books469 followers
From my early years to the present, books have been a refuge. They’ve fueled my imagination. I’ve traveled to faraway places and met aliens with Asimov, Heinlein, Clarke, Herbert, and Le Guin. I’ve explored historical events with Michener and Clavell, and I played spy with Ludlum and Fleming.

There’s no doubt that the early sci-fi masters influenced the writing of my first two series, The Silver Ships and Pyreans. I crafted my stories to give readers intimate views of my characters, who wrestle with the challenges of living in space and inhabiting alien worlds.

Life is rarely easy for these characters, who encounter aliens and calamities, but they persist and flourish. I revel in examining humankind’s will to survive. Not everyone plays fair or exhibits concern for other beings, but that’s another aspect of humans and aliens that I investigate.

My stories offer hope for humans today about what they might accomplish tomorrow far from our home world. Throughout my books, humans exhibit a will to persevere, without detriment to the vast majority of others.

Readers have been generous with their comments, which they’ve left on Amazon and Goodreads for others to review. I truly enjoy what I do, and I’m pleased to read how my stories have positively affected many readers’ lives.

If you’ve read my books, please consider posting a review on Amazon and Goodreads for every book, even a short one. Reviews attract other readers and are a great help to indie authors, such as me.

The Silver Ships novels have reached Amazon’s coveted #1 and #2 Best-Selling Sci-Fi book, multiple times, in the science fiction categories of first contact, space opera, and alien invasion.

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5 stars
380 (63%)
4 stars
167 (28%)
3 stars
44 (7%)
2 stars
3 (<1%)
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2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Profile Image for Kieran Walsh.
14 reviews1 follower
April 14, 2022
The various series are increasing in complexity and becoming even more entertaining

Whilst I always remain a little deflated by the "simplicity" of these books, and the near universal ability the protagonists have to solve every problem, they are becoming more complex as they advance. Their are now several plotlines overlapping with multiple protagonists and antagonists, more complex scenarios. Whilst still carrying the central themes and values the author espouses of peaceful (ideally, but not afraid of a fight when needed) exploration and linking of the various branches of humanity represented by a long lost set of colony ships. But also encountering new life in the form of sentient AI species, or new extraterrestrial species. The stories grow more detailed and compelling, whilst sticking to a procedural story design (there is nothing wrong with a good procedural). And the authors work effort should be applauded, as he turns out a new instalment roughly every 3 months.

This is another great example in the series, and does much to keep the reader engaged, and of course always left hanging for the next instalment. I can't wait!
Profile Image for Ed Tinkertoy.
281 reviews4 followers
May 30, 2022
I liked the book, the continuing story of the SADE's. There are multiple story lines and the story takes place in multiple locations. I did have a problem keeping up with all of the characters in the story and also where they were. Sometimes it was not really clear when the story moved from one situation to another. And while I understood the whole story there were pieces where I just did not get it. Since this is a saga the story ends rather abruptly with something about to happen; the contact with another alien species.

Enjoyable book.
88 reviews2 followers
April 19, 2022
Another exciting installment

With each book, I'm finding myself more and more excited for the next installment. Mr Mucha has a talent for spinning a tale that is comfortable and flowing with just the right amounts of tension and conflict to make it a real page turner. Then he spices in the unexpected twists and turns to keep you hooked.

As usual I find myself saying, "Bravo Mr Jucha, bravo!"
54 reviews
April 13, 2022
Amazing

Amazing book, great characters and a story that nails you to the edge of your seat. The many links to the characters from previous series warmed my heart and makes you fall in love with their 'children'. Another amazing book and I hope one in a VERY long series to be. Cannot wait for the next one and hope you enjoy this one as much as I did.
149 reviews
April 21, 2022
Disappointment, I just started reading and the story is over.

Another fine entry in the ghost ships saga. The continued adventures of the started in the Silver Ships saga. The characters are engaging, the interactions between the characters is emotional and very intense. A very satisfying read my only complaint is the 500 pages I started and I was done too soon.
4 reviews1 follower
April 27, 2022
A good story with an encouraging view

This novel reminded me of my favorite Silver Ships novels. Jucha's characters make the case that showing genuine respect and concern for others, no matter how unusual they seem, is a good way to build vibrant societies and economies, especially if such respect is practiced most diligently by those with the most power.
Profile Image for Kim Schlereth.
9 reviews1 follower
April 29, 2022
A good read. Lots of intertwined character arcs.

No spoilers.. As the 4th book in the series its resolved some issues the characters faced in the 1st, expanded and continued some story lines, and introduced new story lines and plot twists to keep the story going and the reader engaged.
244 reviews3 followers
July 8, 2022
Long

I still miss the original series :( I know there are some recurring characters I mean Sade's can live on and on. Even after 3 other books I'm still struggling to remember who all the characters are.

I'll admit I was more interested in the ending than the beginning and middle but I did struggle.
Profile Image for Craig Dean.
541 reviews3 followers
July 27, 2024
As usual, Jucha has a talent for plot ideas and world building, combined with a deficiency in writing skill. His books come off as incredibly linear - to the point of being a long list of steps directly from A to B, with an inevitability and predictability of a weekly shopping list.

Still the Characters, and the playground they inhabit is enough to spike a passing interest.
6 reviews
April 16, 2022
Always an adventure!

I eagerly anticipate all of S. H. Jucha’s books! There is always something new, clever solutions to difficult problems & characters who feel like friends. Sci-Fi at it’s best.
7 reviews
April 22, 2022
Continuing the legacy

Yet another fantastic novel in this universe - the Axis Crossing story continues apace while in true S. H. fashion we get introduced to even more fascinating species, all while the SADEs continue Alex Racines legacy.
Profile Image for David Kidd.
23 reviews
April 24, 2022
Love all of Jucha's works!

I'm always sad when I find myself at the end of a another book by S.H. Jucha. Can't wait for the next release! Thank you Mr. Jucha for your amazing and enlightening work!
346 reviews3 followers
April 29, 2022
Two portals lead to new races and adventures.

When helping humans with their Sister problems, new opportunities develop. Samuel gets his mobility and a new assignment to help the chairperson grow. The fleet arrives and tackles both alien encounters.
4 reviews
April 30, 2022
The Adventure Continues

This book is the set up for what I hope
will be an excellent series in the silver ships universe.
There are new heros and new challenges to overcome with the assistance of the SADEs and descendants of Alex and his band. Looking forward to more.
16 reviews
June 14, 2022
enjoyable edition

Well written and a fun story to read. Jucha has a nice writing style. I would recommend to read this from the first book in the series to truly comprehend this story line.
11 reviews
August 6, 2022
Excellent sequal

Like previous boos in the series, it is an interesting mixture sci to with a lesson in dealing with different cultures that is more than the usual space battle after space battle. More thought appears to have been put into the stories.
Profile Image for Pablo.
Author 1 book43 followers
November 24, 2023
I really enjoyed this one and this is why I have a wish: I wish these stories were less heteronormative and mononormative. I wish they had more representation, because a lot is good, but it feels like there isn't a single non cis non hetero non monogamous person in the galaxy.
88 reviews1 follower
April 19, 2022
Great book...

Now the countdown begins for the next book. Which I eagerly await. It will be interesting how the SADES deal with the more recalcitrant of the Sisters.
301 reviews2 followers
April 23, 2022
Wonderful

Another great novel in this series. Of all the characters in this novel, I think the standout is Samuel. His continued growth and great sense of humor is infectious.
9 reviews
May 5, 2022
Loving this series.

Loving this series. I can’t wait for the next installment, but I do miss Alex and the others from the Silver Ships series.
2 reviews
June 20, 2022
No Alex.

Didn't like without Alex and
Rene. Too confusing with the world's and their troubles. Did like the saving of the clones and Mickelson.









183 reviews1 follower
October 10, 2022
Fabulous

The characters were diverse and interesting though I don't know if people can be all that good on the good guys team.
Profile Image for Peggy .
71 reviews1 follower
December 17, 2022
Good, a nice mix of further world building, and action.

This series entry picks up where the last left off, as many of Mr. Jucha's books do. It feels as if they are written as one continuing manuscript, and the publisher or editor just picks a spot after so many pages to divide it into separate volumes. Whatever...it works! I never feel that I have missed anything, as I do with some other authors/series.

Recommended to anyone who liked the Silver Ships series, world building, and various interesting aliens, all mixed up with enough action to keep the story moving along at a good clip.
5 reviews
July 3, 2023
Great Series

I really like this series. I liked the Silver Ships and the Pyreans, but this is by far my favorite. Great story line.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews

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