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Too Old to Die #3
War Torn
Humanity stands on a dangerous threshold. Desperate, cornered, hiding, they must ally themselves with anyone willing to fight back against the alien aggression that cost them their homeworld. To that end, an ambassador is sent to speak with the Zitha, a culture well known for raiding others like Vikings of old. Can they be swayed to assist? Or will they be just as much of a danger as the threat already in motion?
Meanwhile, Commander Weston and his ragtag crew set course for the last place any of them wants to go. The colony where it all started in search of a cipher to unlock vital intelligence to the war. What they find there might challenge their understanding of the enemy while putting their lives at risk. Even with advanced technology, they find themselves outgunned by their opponents who seem desperate to find some hidden secret in the rubble.
Meanwhile, Commander Weston and his ragtag crew set course for the last place any of them wants to go. The colony where it all started in search of a cipher to unlock vital intelligence to the war. What they find there might challenge their understanding of the enemy while putting their lives at risk. Even with advanced technology, they find themselves outgunned by their opponents who seem desperate to find some hidden secret in the rubble.
- GenresScience Fiction
251 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 23, 2022
431 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
John Walker
1,223 books164 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 27, 2022
Some times this book can get pretty confusing. There are a lot of characters all doing something different in different places. I'm having trouble keeping track of everybody, but the story is still pretty good and we get some exciting action along the way. I'm going to try and explain some of the things I think are going on.
First off, the Prologue in the book doesn't make much sense. We don't have a clue as to who these people are, what they are doing or even why. They have never been in the book before so it's kind of hard to figure out why this part is even brought to the forefront. We do meet these people later, but I think it just confused things by having this Prologue so disconnected from everything.
We start off with a Lieutenant Franklin and his Sergeant Bjorn going after the supposed Ambassador Alfred and his supposed body guard, Ethyl. They are attempting to rendezvous at an out of the way abandoned space station but unfortunately its attracted attention from pirates and the Ambassadors ship is under attack. Lt. Franklin starts attacking the bad guys while telling Ambassador Alfred that he and his crew are going to have to abandon their ship. They do launch escape pods and the Lt. manages to rescue them. He finds Ambassador Alfred, Ethyl, Corporal Tesh and Sergeant Erda in the pod with Sergeant Erda needing immediate medical attention.
Back aboard the Admiral's ship, Sergeant Erda starts receiving the medical while the rest get some much needed rest. Since he is supposed to be an Ambassador, Admiral Gaston has asked him to start making contact with the alien races that might provide allies in the humans fight against the Veldon. They all reload back on Lt. Franklin's military scout ship with Sergeant Bjorn and they head off to meet with the Zitha, a race of human-like people that are mostly raiders. They. might be able to provide some troops if they can convince these people to support the humans in taking back Earth.
They planned to meet the Zitha at one of their outpost where they can establish the Ambassadors credentials and get permission to go to meet with the Zitha government officials. But, when approaching the Zitha outpost they find it under attack by unknown forces although they appear to be Zitha space ships attacking their own outpost. Lt. Franklin directs Sergeant Bjorn, Tesh and Ethyl to board the space station and see if they can stop the attack from the insides or at least find someone important to rescue so they would be in good with the Zitha. Turns out that's not going to happen. The three boarding the space station are totally outgunned and barely make stay alive, well two of the do, one isn't so lucky! You'll have to read about the actions on this space station.
In between this story line is another thread that involves Gareth Weston, his daughter Chelsea, Lyra, Barty, Zed, Sergeant Driver and Doctor Augustus Keppler. They escaped a secret military depot in a super advanced starship that didn't have its AI installed so it was limited in function. Zoe is AI in Gareth Weston's brain. She's an implanted chip, experimental and patterned after Gareth's wife and also mother to Chelsea. She manages to make a copy of herself and get it inserted into the starship so they now have control of all the major systems. Zed, is the computer hacker genius who was part of Lyra's criminal gang which included Barty. They now are working with Gareth and Chelsea to see if they can do something about the Veldon's invasion of Earth. But, first they need to decrypt some intelligence the Earth Ambassador Nila Chance had received just before she and Sergeant Driver had to fleet the planet they were on when the Veldon attacked.
Gareth and his crew eventually all agree to head back to the planet which Sergeant Driver and his now deceased Ambassador left in order to recover the decryption keys so they could access the intelligence information. They do return only to find the planet almost destroyed with Veldon's on the ground and starships orbiting in space. Still, with the capabilities of this strangely highly advanced starship, the manage to get on the ground. Now they have to get the keys and get out before getting killed, they all don't make it!
Meanwhile, Admiral Gaston his stewing about what he should be doing with regards to his fleet personnel. They are wanting to know what's going on at Earth. Even the rescued Minister of Defense wants to know while the Admiral wants to know how the Minister of Defense escaped the Veldon attack. He's suspicious of the Minister and thinks he has designs of taking over command of the fleet. Admiral Gaston doesn't believe the guy is capable of commanding the fleet and what's left of Earth's military assets so he needs to put the Minister in his place. That discussion takes up quite a lot of time in the book.
So, I hope by sorting out some of the actions in the above paragraphs gives you some understanding of what's going on in the entire book. Everything is woven together, jumping from one thread to another. That's not unusual in books, but because there are so many characters it's hard sometimes to figure out who's doing what. Or at least it is/was for me.
This is a good series and I'll continue reading it with book 4, "Risky Alliance", which is already on my reading list.
First off, the Prologue in the book doesn't make much sense. We don't have a clue as to who these people are, what they are doing or even why. They have never been in the book before so it's kind of hard to figure out why this part is even brought to the forefront. We do meet these people later, but I think it just confused things by having this Prologue so disconnected from everything.
We start off with a Lieutenant Franklin and his Sergeant Bjorn going after the supposed Ambassador Alfred and his supposed body guard, Ethyl. They are attempting to rendezvous at an out of the way abandoned space station but unfortunately its attracted attention from pirates and the Ambassadors ship is under attack. Lt. Franklin starts attacking the bad guys while telling Ambassador Alfred that he and his crew are going to have to abandon their ship. They do launch escape pods and the Lt. manages to rescue them. He finds Ambassador Alfred, Ethyl, Corporal Tesh and Sergeant Erda in the pod with Sergeant Erda needing immediate medical attention.
Back aboard the Admiral's ship, Sergeant Erda starts receiving the medical while the rest get some much needed rest. Since he is supposed to be an Ambassador, Admiral Gaston has asked him to start making contact with the alien races that might provide allies in the humans fight against the Veldon. They all reload back on Lt. Franklin's military scout ship with Sergeant Bjorn and they head off to meet with the Zitha, a race of human-like people that are mostly raiders. They. might be able to provide some troops if they can convince these people to support the humans in taking back Earth.
They planned to meet the Zitha at one of their outpost where they can establish the Ambassadors credentials and get permission to go to meet with the Zitha government officials. But, when approaching the Zitha outpost they find it under attack by unknown forces although they appear to be Zitha space ships attacking their own outpost. Lt. Franklin directs Sergeant Bjorn, Tesh and Ethyl to board the space station and see if they can stop the attack from the insides or at least find someone important to rescue so they would be in good with the Zitha. Turns out that's not going to happen. The three boarding the space station are totally outgunned and barely make stay alive, well two of the do, one isn't so lucky! You'll have to read about the actions on this space station.
In between this story line is another thread that involves Gareth Weston, his daughter Chelsea, Lyra, Barty, Zed, Sergeant Driver and Doctor Augustus Keppler. They escaped a secret military depot in a super advanced starship that didn't have its AI installed so it was limited in function. Zoe is AI in Gareth Weston's brain. She's an implanted chip, experimental and patterned after Gareth's wife and also mother to Chelsea. She manages to make a copy of herself and get it inserted into the starship so they now have control of all the major systems. Zed, is the computer hacker genius who was part of Lyra's criminal gang which included Barty. They now are working with Gareth and Chelsea to see if they can do something about the Veldon's invasion of Earth. But, first they need to decrypt some intelligence the Earth Ambassador Nila Chance had received just before she and Sergeant Driver had to fleet the planet they were on when the Veldon attacked.
Gareth and his crew eventually all agree to head back to the planet which Sergeant Driver and his now deceased Ambassador left in order to recover the decryption keys so they could access the intelligence information. They do return only to find the planet almost destroyed with Veldon's on the ground and starships orbiting in space. Still, with the capabilities of this strangely highly advanced starship, the manage to get on the ground. Now they have to get the keys and get out before getting killed, they all don't make it!
Meanwhile, Admiral Gaston his stewing about what he should be doing with regards to his fleet personnel. They are wanting to know what's going on at Earth. Even the rescued Minister of Defense wants to know while the Admiral wants to know how the Minister of Defense escaped the Veldon attack. He's suspicious of the Minister and thinks he has designs of taking over command of the fleet. Admiral Gaston doesn't believe the guy is capable of commanding the fleet and what's left of Earth's military assets so he needs to put the Minister in his place. That discussion takes up quite a lot of time in the book.
So, I hope by sorting out some of the actions in the above paragraphs gives you some understanding of what's going on in the entire book. Everything is woven together, jumping from one thread to another. That's not unusual in books, but because there are so many characters it's hard sometimes to figure out who's doing what. Or at least it is/was for me.
This is a good series and I'll continue reading it with book 4, "Risky Alliance", which is already on my reading list.
July 25, 2022
Much better in this installment
The adventures continue and the writing improves. It is a little slow to bring all of the elements together, to help understand why the Earth was attacked and effectively destroyed.
The adventures continue and the writing improves. It is a little slow to bring all of the elements together, to help understand why the Earth was attacked and effectively destroyed.
July 22, 2022
War Torn is unbelievable!
War Torn is unbelievable and not in a good way. John Walker the Author must of had a checklist of plot devices he wanted to include in the third book of the(Too Old To Die) series. There's an abundance of detail as he jumps from one group to the next supposedly keeping the reader informed of the progress of each major group. Whatever the author's intent was; the result was immense amounts of detailed minutia that I felt was boring beyond belief. The characters are still difficult to empathize with and I wonder if this is the best humanity has to offer maybe it's time for some other species to take over..
War Torn is unbelievable and not in a good way. John Walker the Author must of had a checklist of plot devices he wanted to include in the third book of the(Too Old To Die) series. There's an abundance of detail as he jumps from one group to the next supposedly keeping the reader informed of the progress of each major group. Whatever the author's intent was; the result was immense amounts of detailed minutia that I felt was boring beyond belief. The characters are still difficult to empathize with and I wonder if this is the best humanity has to offer maybe it's time for some other species to take over..
February 24, 2023
Moving on
So Chelsea finds out about zoe. They decide to go back to find the ambassador's ciphers. Big battle but they get away with a secret korlos agent, and the ciphers. Meanwhile Alfy gets cozy with the Zitha which wasn't a very easy task, and sets up a rescue. Back at the fleet, Bracknel demonstrates he can't be trusted. The cipher works revealing there's traitor somewhere that disclosed secret codes to the Veldon. Keppler still doesn't have the resources he needs to make his serum. Tune in next week for the continuation of this saga. I still don't like the running incomplete sequences, and won't give a good score until it stops.
So Chelsea finds out about zoe. They decide to go back to find the ambassador's ciphers. Big battle but they get away with a secret korlos agent, and the ciphers. Meanwhile Alfy gets cozy with the Zitha which wasn't a very easy task, and sets up a rescue. Back at the fleet, Bracknel demonstrates he can't be trusted. The cipher works revealing there's traitor somewhere that disclosed secret codes to the Veldon. Keppler still doesn't have the resources he needs to make his serum. Tune in next week for the continuation of this saga. I still don't like the running incomplete sequences, and won't give a good score until it stops.
July 27, 2022
Very disjointed storyline. Hard to keep up without a scorecard on the characters and aliens. Hopefully this will settle down as we move thru the series. This storyline has potential just stop bouncing new characters in and out every two pages or so and settle down on a main and secondary storyline. Book is well written and edited. I will stay with the series but stop the insane character insertions.
July 1, 2022
Will not read books with PC adjectives
The story has a reasonable plot and characters. Unfortunately, the author made use PC adjectives (they, them) but only for certain characters, and at times, also used correct (he,she) for these characters. This made some parts of the story confusing.
I personally think that the use of these PC adjectives is ridiculous!!!
The story has a reasonable plot and characters. Unfortunately, the author made use PC adjectives (they, them) but only for certain characters, and at times, also used correct (he,she) for these characters. This made some parts of the story confusing.
I personally think that the use of these PC adjectives is ridiculous!!!
July 3, 2022
Entertainment tonight
Fun to read, although the unusually high numbers of mistakes with words (mostly substitutions) and some punctuation errors got to be annoying. Much more than the previous two books in this series. Anyway, lots of action, loosely sprinkled with some morality playing. Overall, entertaining.
Fun to read, although the unusually high numbers of mistakes with words (mostly substitutions) and some punctuation errors got to be annoying. Much more than the previous two books in this series. Anyway, lots of action, loosely sprinkled with some morality playing. Overall, entertaining.
July 8, 2022
Another good read
I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I just wish the complete story was in one book this feels like watching weekly sitcom or soaps, did I mention that the only way I watch is if I can binge watch the whole season. Got life going on, can't be a slave to the TV.
Characters are well developed,at times the plot drags but overall I think it's a good read.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I just wish the complete story was in one book this feels like watching weekly sitcom or soaps, did I mention that the only way I watch is if I can binge watch the whole season. Got life going on, can't be a slave to the TV.
Characters are well developed,at times the plot drags but overall I think it's a good read.
November 1, 2022
Book three in the “Too Old To Die” series. Continuing the story from the previous two books, the intrepid and ragtag crew of the Pytheas, boldly go in search of clues and new alliances, to thwart the plans of their enemies. I think it’s a set up book for the big climax, which is to come in the next two books, and let’s face it, who doesn’t like a big climax…. In a book of course.
September 3, 2023
Now I'm Getting it
Three books in and we finally find the reason for a blitz that seems to obliterate all competing races but is more like a mission to round up scientists. The vibe I am getting is that the two goals go together. Kidnap and isolate the brilliant minds and dominate the entire galaxy while you’re at it.
Three books in and we finally find the reason for a blitz that seems to obliterate all competing races but is more like a mission to round up scientists. The vibe I am getting is that the two goals go together. Kidnap and isolate the brilliant minds and dominate the entire galaxy while you’re at it.
July 7, 2022
Editing
The storyline is very good with believable characters. It's a new twist on a Galactic war. The only problem is the editing. The are many typos with the wrong words, too many words, or misspelled words. Thus, I rated it a four when it could be a five.
The storyline is very good with believable characters. It's a new twist on a Galactic war. The only problem is the editing. The are many typos with the wrong words, too many words, or misspelled words. Thus, I rated it a four when it could be a five.
July 21, 2022
not worth it
Started out as a good story but it never ends.
The author drags it out book after book.
Stick to a trilogy. Conclude the story. Use the same universe if you want to write more of the same.
If Tolkien could tell that story in three books so can everyone else’s.
Started out as a good story but it never ends.
The author drags it out book after book.
Stick to a trilogy. Conclude the story. Use the same universe if you want to write more of the same.
If Tolkien could tell that story in three books so can everyone else’s.
July 26, 2022
Great Story
Another outstanding storyline in this series as the plot grows and thickens. As the story grows so does the characters becoming more believable as plot lines come together. I really like this book and I highly recommend it
Another outstanding storyline in this series as the plot grows and thickens. As the story grows so does the characters becoming more believable as plot lines come together. I really like this book and I highly recommend it
August 7, 2022
Good story, needs editing
Story is solid. The book needs a final editing pass for style and structure, and then a final copy edit to catch all the bizarre autocorrect substitutions.
Story is solid. The book needs a final editing pass for style and structure, and then a final copy edit to catch all the bizarre autocorrect substitutions.
November 3, 2022
Twists and turns, entertaining
Twists and turns and entertaining series, multiple story lines carefully interwoven in an imaginative way.
Good character and team development.
Twists and turns and entertaining series, multiple story lines carefully interwoven in an imaginative way.
Good character and team development.
January 3, 2024
Gathering alliances
Now that they have transportation, they need allies that will help retaliate against the attackers. Unfortunately, the AI that took over the ship is also in charge of the weapons.
Now that they have transportation, they need allies that will help retaliate against the attackers. Unfortunately, the AI that took over the ship is also in charge of the weapons.
March 15, 2025
Digging in the rubble of a destroyed planet for some data, what could go wrong can. The pirate who poses as an ambassador goes in search of some allies and goings on with in the fleet. The series is getting interesting
November 11, 2022
Good Story but
The storyline is good but needs proof reading desperately. It makes you hesitate working out what the meaning of the sentence is.
The storyline is good but needs proof reading desperately. It makes you hesitate working out what the meaning of the sentence is.
November 27, 2022
Really like this series
I really like the characters in this series. I hate it when the good guys get killed off....I wonder how many books are in this series?
I really like the characters in this series. I hate it when the good guys get killed off....I wonder how many books are in this series?
January 5, 2023
Great series
For the most part it continues down the same theme but dropped the doctors efforts. Though it sounds like it's about to expand that theme galaxy wide.
For the most part it continues down the same theme but dropped the doctors efforts. Though it sounds like it's about to expand that theme galaxy wide.
December 31, 2023
GREAT READ
Enjoyable read as well as sad with the loss of certain characters. Would have liked to enjoy those lost characters longer.
Zed is an idiotic moron!
Enjoyable read as well as sad with the loss of certain characters. Would have liked to enjoy those lost characters longer.
Zed is an idiotic moron!
February 11, 2025
Having stolen the Ambassador's codes Alfred the pirate was able to convince Tesh and others he was an ambassador. It seems Gareth and his crew and elements of the fleet find continual action. And as Admiral Gaston suspects there is a traitor in their midst but he doesn't quite have enough to prove it to himself and others while the traitors are planning a coup of sorts to take over the battle fleet.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews