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Waymaker Wars #3
Malfunction Junction
A war is here, and it’s unlike any that came before…
Humanity has much to rebuild in the aftermath of the star snakes. But before they can even get started, the Waymakers return, bringing their interstellar war with them. With the Waymakers and Glimmers battling it out across the solar system, humanity is caught in the middle. Colonies are put under lockdown. Any ship caught flying is destroyed.
Millions starve. Even more die in the attacks. With humanity on the verge of annihilation, old enemies unite and prepare for war.
If humanity is to survive, we must beat not one but two technologically superior races. It'll take a crazy plan and someone even crazier to carry it out. And that makes it exactly the kind of job for Captain Jack Hale and his crew aboard the Cabrón.
Humanity has much to rebuild in the aftermath of the star snakes. But before they can even get started, the Waymakers return, bringing their interstellar war with them. With the Waymakers and Glimmers battling it out across the solar system, humanity is caught in the middle. Colonies are put under lockdown. Any ship caught flying is destroyed.
Millions starve. Even more die in the attacks. With humanity on the verge of annihilation, old enemies unite and prepare for war.
If humanity is to survive, we must beat not one but two technologically superior races. It'll take a crazy plan and someone even crazier to carry it out. And that makes it exactly the kind of job for Captain Jack Hale and his crew aboard the Cabrón.
339 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 12, 2022
89 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Aukes
66 books408 followersRachel Aukes is the bestselling author of over forty books, including 100 Days in Deadland, which made Suspense Magazine’s Best of the Year list. She writes in a number of genres, including science fiction, fantasy, horror, thriller, and more. Her series includes Waymaker Wars, Space Troopers, Flight of the Javelin, Fringe, Deadland Saga, Colliding Worlds, and Guardians of the Seven Seals. Her novels have repeatedly been Amazon Top 100 bestsellers and #1 bestsellers in Horror, Post-Apocalyptic, Space Fleet, Space Marine, Galactic Empire, Colonization, Alien Invasion, and Cyberpunk. When not writing, Rachel can be found flying old airplanes with an incredibly spoiled dog over the Iowa countryside.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 4, 2022
DNF. Too many losses of favorite characters. I know, it’s war so that can happen.
Overall, I enjoyed the series. But found some parts repetitive, so I skipped to the end and put it down.
Overall, I enjoyed the series. But found some parts repetitive, so I skipped to the end and put it down.
December 6, 2022
Malfunction Junction picks up approx. 5yrs after the events of Freezer Burn, with the Cabron having become hunter more than salvager. At the start of the book, the crew are just finishing off the last of the Star Snakes, and making Sol a safe place to live again, after the reign of Glitch.
Things aboard the Cabron have become a set routine with their ‘5’ person crew, now with the addition of Heddi. Heddi has become part of the crew since her “upgrade” with Veda’s nanites, after she became terminally ill in Freezer Burn when they left the system to find a solution to stop Glitch.
However, even though the crew has found the end to one problem, and it looked like there might be some hope for humanity for a while, the Waymakers make a sudden reappearance into the Sol system, after having left, stating they would never return, and humanity was on its own. Worse still, they are setting up on each of the major stations, just camping out on top of bases, waiting. At the same time, the Glimmers return to the system as well. If the two meet, they immediately attack each other, and anyone caught in the path of the two entities is destroyed.
As both the Waymakers and the Glimmers settle into the system, all passenger traffic, and all transport traffic is stopped, meaning that there is no food or vital supplies moving between the stations.
As the situation becomes more dire due to some stunning events (I don’t want to give away spoilers, but the start of this book is just brutal!!), the crew of the Cabron is left with no alternative but to come to the aid of humanity once again, or leave them to die.
There are things that unfold in book 3 that have a profound impact on the crew, and leave them with a resolute determination to see the end of the Waymakers and the Glimmers. Even though the other books in the series have been pretty intense, graphic at times, book 3 steps it up to a whole new level, as full-on war comes to the Sol system between multiple combatants, and this time, Jack and his crew are in the thick of it. The death toll in this book (including major characters), is very high!
The galaxy building in this book continues to be beyond exceptional, Aukes has created this stunning universe to play in, with intricate detail of the Sol system that she has taken the time to research incredibly well. It really brings the story to life, adding so much additional depth to the story. The ships, the stations, the aliens (as in the Glimmer), are all just outstanding.
However, it is the characters that really bring this story to life, as they tell us their individual stories. The story Is told mainly for the point of view of the crew of the Cabron, but we also get to see several other major characters in this third evolution of the story, allowing us to get a full understanding of events as they unfold from one end of the Sol system to the other. It is fascinating watching the dynamic of the Cabron crew after over 200years they have been together, and how each of them have developed their own distinct very unique personality traits to be able to survive psychology with living that long. Veda has to have a physical release through violence, Burn through affection. Kana needs to remain confined and have her time alone, whilst Jack wears different personalities so that no one can see the true him. Jack is really intriguing though, in that he has aspects of all of the major characters, and this can be seen in his relationship with Heddi, in which he takes on an almost Fatherly role. Heddi meanwhile has become a capable young woman, and although she is physically frozen at around 22yrs of age due to the nanites, she is around 26-27yo. Heddi has some really great relationships in this book as well that expand on her character and it is great to see her grow.
Overall, this is a brilliant third book in the series, as we see not only the evolution of the characters to their next stage (which Aukes has done so well), but we also get to see what happens to the Sol System and humanity, which was left kind of up in the air at the end of book 2. This book is done really well, and without spoilers, provides a really satisfying ending. If you have read the first 2 books then you will love this one!
Things aboard the Cabron have become a set routine with their ‘5’ person crew, now with the addition of Heddi. Heddi has become part of the crew since her “upgrade” with Veda’s nanites, after she became terminally ill in Freezer Burn when they left the system to find a solution to stop Glitch.
However, even though the crew has found the end to one problem, and it looked like there might be some hope for humanity for a while, the Waymakers make a sudden reappearance into the Sol system, after having left, stating they would never return, and humanity was on its own. Worse still, they are setting up on each of the major stations, just camping out on top of bases, waiting. At the same time, the Glimmers return to the system as well. If the two meet, they immediately attack each other, and anyone caught in the path of the two entities is destroyed.
As both the Waymakers and the Glimmers settle into the system, all passenger traffic, and all transport traffic is stopped, meaning that there is no food or vital supplies moving between the stations.
As the situation becomes more dire due to some stunning events (I don’t want to give away spoilers, but the start of this book is just brutal!!), the crew of the Cabron is left with no alternative but to come to the aid of humanity once again, or leave them to die.
There are things that unfold in book 3 that have a profound impact on the crew, and leave them with a resolute determination to see the end of the Waymakers and the Glimmers. Even though the other books in the series have been pretty intense, graphic at times, book 3 steps it up to a whole new level, as full-on war comes to the Sol system between multiple combatants, and this time, Jack and his crew are in the thick of it. The death toll in this book (including major characters), is very high!
The galaxy building in this book continues to be beyond exceptional, Aukes has created this stunning universe to play in, with intricate detail of the Sol system that she has taken the time to research incredibly well. It really brings the story to life, adding so much additional depth to the story. The ships, the stations, the aliens (as in the Glimmer), are all just outstanding.
However, it is the characters that really bring this story to life, as they tell us their individual stories. The story Is told mainly for the point of view of the crew of the Cabron, but we also get to see several other major characters in this third evolution of the story, allowing us to get a full understanding of events as they unfold from one end of the Sol system to the other. It is fascinating watching the dynamic of the Cabron crew after over 200years they have been together, and how each of them have developed their own distinct very unique personality traits to be able to survive psychology with living that long. Veda has to have a physical release through violence, Burn through affection. Kana needs to remain confined and have her time alone, whilst Jack wears different personalities so that no one can see the true him. Jack is really intriguing though, in that he has aspects of all of the major characters, and this can be seen in his relationship with Heddi, in which he takes on an almost Fatherly role. Heddi meanwhile has become a capable young woman, and although she is physically frozen at around 22yrs of age due to the nanites, she is around 26-27yo. Heddi has some really great relationships in this book as well that expand on her character and it is great to see her grow.
Overall, this is a brilliant third book in the series, as we see not only the evolution of the characters to their next stage (which Aukes has done so well), but we also get to see what happens to the Sol System and humanity, which was left kind of up in the air at the end of book 2. This book is done really well, and without spoilers, provides a really satisfying ending. If you have read the first 2 books then you will love this one!
February 18, 2024
Malfunction Junction (love the name by the way), is the third book in the series, and it wraps things up quite nicely, with a little something at the end to allow for more books in the series if the authror so chooses. I hope she does, because I kind of liked this series. It's not the dash off and save the universe kind of story some really like, but it is a save the universe (or at least the solar system) type of story nonetheless, and to do so largely unknown and unthanked by the majority of folks who benefit from said saving.. I'm thinking I'll need to keep an eye out for other books from this author.
August 20, 2022
10/10: There is no comparison...This is the Mona Lisa of the fictional world!
“Humanity’s taking the fast route to hell.”
I think this is the end of the series??? I really hope not. I would dearly love to read more.
A well-written, engrossing series with characters you can really get behind. I have absolutely loved reading these books.
Please write more.
“Humanity’s taking the fast route to hell.”
I think this is the end of the series??? I really hope not. I would dearly love to read more.
A well-written, engrossing series with characters you can really get behind. I have absolutely loved reading these books.
Please write more.
November 8, 2022
A Great series
I am sorry to have this series come to an end. It is truly a masterpiece of writing. I was completely surprised how book one was crafted and the quality just got better. The series has everything. There is Acton galore, intrigue, love and hurt and a very well written story. I totally recommend this series to anyone who would enjoy a sci-fi thriller.
I am sorry to have this series come to an end. It is truly a masterpiece of writing. I was completely surprised how book one was crafted and the quality just got better. The series has everything. There is Acton galore, intrigue, love and hurt and a very well written story. I totally recommend this series to anyone who would enjoy a sci-fi thriller.
July 15, 2022
Nanotechnology is the Future
Society will not allow natural or tailored genetic mods so, in order to keep with with man's invention's it is plain we need to extend ourselves another way. Nano or picotechnology now enters the list of necessary things to have.
Society will not allow natural or tailored genetic mods so, in order to keep with with man's invention's it is plain we need to extend ourselves another way. Nano or picotechnology now enters the list of necessary things to have.
August 1, 2022
Great ending
This was one of the best endings to a series that I have read in a long time! Bittersweet, because the team is not all there, but happy because the mission continues...worth the read!
This was one of the best endings to a series that I have read in a long time! Bittersweet, because the team is not all there, but happy because the mission continues...worth the read!
August 3, 2022
4.5
An excellent series. The three books all were able to keep the action exciting, thus an excellent author. And the third most excellent thing of all, the ending. An entertaining read.
An excellent series. The three books all were able to keep the action exciting, thus an excellent author. And the third most excellent thing of all, the ending. An entertaining read.
October 27, 2022
A great conclusion to an enthralling series. Thoroughly enjoyable, Captain Jack and his crew have done it again. Characters you can get behind and cheer, well written. Just an all round bloody good story. Exciting, touching and tragic, all rolled up in one.
November 5, 2022
Awesome Story
An excellent book and an excellent conclusion to the series. I love the authors style of spinning a tale of action, adventure and intrigue. The characters are awesome and full of depth. I really like this book and I highly recommend it.
An excellent book and an excellent conclusion to the series. I love the authors style of spinning a tale of action, adventure and intrigue. The characters are awesome and full of depth. I really like this book and I highly recommend it.
December 24, 2022
3.3/5
I'm always a fan of space crew stories, so that will always be a bias of mine. The Cabron's story comes to an end, and I am glad to have been a part of it. The series wasn't anything amazing or groundbreaking, but it did make for an enjoyable ride.
I'm always a fan of space crew stories, so that will always be a bias of mine. The Cabron's story comes to an end, and I am glad to have been a part of it. The series wasn't anything amazing or groundbreaking, but it did make for an enjoyable ride.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2023
great series
Great series with a great plot and characters. This has a little of everything there are aliens. Evil AI’s evil corporations, pirates, mercenaries, a little of every thing a fast and exciting series
Great series with a great plot and characters. This has a little of everything there are aliens. Evil AI’s evil corporations, pirates, mercenaries, a little of every thing a fast and exciting series
March 26, 2025
Trouble and double trouble
Great finale for an action packed trilogy. Closely knit friends against emerging threats, each worse than the last. Epic battles with surprising endings. Fun to read. More, please?
Great finale for an action packed trilogy. Closely knit friends against emerging threats, each worse than the last. Epic battles with surprising endings. Fun to read. More, please?
August 3, 2022
Good series!
October 16, 2022
Great series full of twists and turns.
February 17, 2023
Good series
Plot is a standard brave crew risking it all to save mankind from the evil computer and an alien race.
Plot is a standard brave crew risking it all to save mankind from the evil computer and an alien race.
May 3, 2023
If I could give it six stars I would. It brings the series to a fitting conclusion but still leaves the reader wanting more
October 20, 2023
This is a great series. Very original. I am off to read other books by the Rachel Aukes.
October 28, 2024
Really enjoyed this entry in the series, hope the author continues with it.
January 11, 2025
A wonderful trilogy. Some open spots at the end of the series ... will there be a book 4?
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews