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Space Warfare Group #1
Into the Darkness
The Space Warfare Group books are a new kind of space thriller with hardcore military action, dark political conspiracies, and compelling world building.
"Charles Hack’s exciting fusion of space sci-fi and military action is every bit as enthralling and wild as it sounds. From the thoroughly descriptive alien worlds to the more traditional style of cutthroat paranoia and action, Into the Darkness never falters in its goal to keep you hooked in for the entire length of the narrative." - Kashif Hussain, The Best Thriller Books
When the princess of an unfamiliar alien planet fails to arrive in time for a diplomatic summit with humanity’s top government officials and her spaceship is found floating dead in space, the Space Warfare Group is called into action.
On the brink of a diplomatic nightmare and desperate to keep the events top secret, Major Malcolm “Mac” Lambert and his team, fresh off a costly mission, are tasked with breaking into the dead spaceship to investigate. As they search, they find a grisly scene and discover the beginnings of a dark conspiracy threatening to unravel into chaos.
Mac faces the most difficult mission of his prestigious career, pushing him beyond the breaking point.
Will he find the princess and the evil lurking in the shadows?
Or will the mission destroy him?
For fans Tom Clancy, Vince Flynn, Dalton Fury, Andrews & Wilson, Jack Carr, Mark Greaney, James S.A. Corey, Jason Anspach & Nick Cole, J.N. Chaney, Ken Lozito, John Hindmarsh, Timothy Zhan, B.V. Larson, Star Wars, Star Trek, and Battlestar Galactica.
"Charles Hack’s exciting fusion of space sci-fi and military action is every bit as enthralling and wild as it sounds. From the thoroughly descriptive alien worlds to the more traditional style of cutthroat paranoia and action, Into the Darkness never falters in its goal to keep you hooked in for the entire length of the narrative." - Kashif Hussain, The Best Thriller Books
When the princess of an unfamiliar alien planet fails to arrive in time for a diplomatic summit with humanity’s top government officials and her spaceship is found floating dead in space, the Space Warfare Group is called into action.
On the brink of a diplomatic nightmare and desperate to keep the events top secret, Major Malcolm “Mac” Lambert and his team, fresh off a costly mission, are tasked with breaking into the dead spaceship to investigate. As they search, they find a grisly scene and discover the beginnings of a dark conspiracy threatening to unravel into chaos.
Mac faces the most difficult mission of his prestigious career, pushing him beyond the breaking point.
Will he find the princess and the evil lurking in the shadows?
Or will the mission destroy him?
For fans Tom Clancy, Vince Flynn, Dalton Fury, Andrews & Wilson, Jack Carr, Mark Greaney, James S.A. Corey, Jason Anspach & Nick Cole, J.N. Chaney, Ken Lozito, John Hindmarsh, Timothy Zhan, B.V. Larson, Star Wars, Star Trek, and Battlestar Galactica.
- GenresScience Fiction
496 pages, ebook
First published July 8, 2022
267 people are currently reading
228 people want to read
About the author
Charles Hack
13 books28 followersCharles Hack is the author of the Space Warfare Group Sci-Fi/Space Opera books and the Hank Lin Mysteries. After writing for nearly twenty years, his first published novel is Into the Darkness. He studied electrical engineering in college and is still a licensed professional engineer with over twenty years of experience before retiring and entering full time Christian ministry. He currently serves as a pastor in his hometown and has a master’s degree in systematic theology.
Writing is one of his passions along with reading, woodworking, and coffee. Charles is married with two children and three noisy dogs. They live on a small ranch, known as the Ranchini, in the Great Basin of Northern Nevada.
Writing is one of his passions along with reading, woodworking, and coffee. Charles is married with two children and three noisy dogs. They live on a small ranch, known as the Ranchini, in the Great Basin of Northern Nevada.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 23, 2025
Into Darkness: A Space Warfare Group Book 1 is a riveting science fiction military thriller with an original cast of characters in search of a missing princess. I loved Mac’s vulnerability and overall perseverance along with Sanchez’s humor & sarcasm. The dialogue is witty and reveals the individual personalities of the characters. I appreciated the detail and creativity of the various settings & technologies throughout the galaxy. Highly entertaining leading the way to a highly engaging series.
August 13, 2022
Charles Hack comes right out of the gate with a great novel. Enjoyed it very much!
The back and forth between Mac and his SWG brother Sanchez is fun and hilarious. These two play off each other well and every scene with Sanchez was awesome.
And I personally really enjoyed his description of how weapons of the future would work. Learning about how each weapon works really helped me see the firefights that took place, and it was a great time.
The back and forth between Mac and his SWG brother Sanchez is fun and hilarious. These two play off each other well and every scene with Sanchez was awesome.
And I personally really enjoyed his description of how weapons of the future would work. Learning about how each weapon works really helped me see the firefights that took place, and it was a great time.
July 8, 2024
action packed space adventure
This is the first sci-fi book I’ve read in a long time and it doesn’t disappoint. Charles Hack hits you with rib-crunching action from the start. This thriller in space had me hooked from the first landing, guiding me through the many worlds and species of aliens in this universe set way in the future.
A clever plot, well written and with realistic characters - loved every minute.
This is the first sci-fi book I’ve read in a long time and it doesn’t disappoint. Charles Hack hits you with rib-crunching action from the start. This thriller in space had me hooked from the first landing, guiding me through the many worlds and species of aliens in this universe set way in the future.
A clever plot, well written and with realistic characters - loved every minute.
July 12, 2022
Loved it! Great first book from author Charles Hack. Excited for book 2.
October 11, 2022
Action packed
Full of action, great story telling, and fantastic characters that make you want to follow them from beginning to end. Really looking forward to reading book 2 when it comes out!
Full of action, great story telling, and fantastic characters that make you want to follow them from beginning to end. Really looking forward to reading book 2 when it comes out!
May 16, 2023
What an exciting and intriguing space drama. Not my normal genre, but I've become hooked on reading about Mac and his team and where it's all leading to. Very descriptive and totally riveting. Will definitely be getting the next book.
November 30, 2023
A compelling ride filled with spec-op fun from start to finish.
I was instantly pulled into this story, with an exciting action sequence to kick things off, followed by some intriguing world-building to suck me entirely into this futuristic universe. The intrigue and desire to learn more only grew as the story dove deeper into its lore. I did expect a bit more action from a book such as this (not that it was lacking), but there was more of a focus on character development and world-building. However, in the end, that worked for me. It all culminated in a thrilling final act that left me glued to the pages, ultimately setting the stage for the next installment, which I’m excited to read.
Into The Darkness was a fun read with interesting characters and a plot that satisfied but still leaves you eagerly wanting to learn what happens next. I highly recommend this book for any military sci-fi/space opera fans.
I was instantly pulled into this story, with an exciting action sequence to kick things off, followed by some intriguing world-building to suck me entirely into this futuristic universe. The intrigue and desire to learn more only grew as the story dove deeper into its lore. I did expect a bit more action from a book such as this (not that it was lacking), but there was more of a focus on character development and world-building. However, in the end, that worked for me. It all culminated in a thrilling final act that left me glued to the pages, ultimately setting the stage for the next installment, which I’m excited to read.
Into The Darkness was a fun read with interesting characters and a plot that satisfied but still leaves you eagerly wanting to learn what happens next. I highly recommend this book for any military sci-fi/space opera fans.
December 6, 2023
Outstanding read, the characters are quite a crew.
This book betrays the traits that we all know and the soldiers that we have in our time. But it carries across the galaxy and across time. Mac will lead his team no matter what. He will do his job and duty regardless of the obstacles.
This book betrays the traits that we all know and the soldiers that we have in our time. But it carries across the galaxy and across time. Mac will lead his team no matter what. He will do his job and duty regardless of the obstacles.
November 23, 2022
Book Review – Into the Darkness – Charles Hack
Author Charles Hack’s space adventure book, “Into the Darkness: A Space Warfare Group” is an outer space sci-fi and military action thriller that read as a crossover between Tom Clancy, Star Wars, and futuristic military action. Although I’m not a big sci-fi fan via books, I do love intense, high action sci-fi films, however this book was an exciting and distinctive read. When the princess of an alien planet fails to arrive in time for a diplomatic summit with top government officials and her spaceship is found floating inoperative in space, the Space Warfare Group is called into action. In steps Major Malcolm “Mac” Lambert and his space paramilitary team to investigate - a group of tough ‘space’ military operators. Proficient, gifted, and capable, Hack produced and built some easy to like and compelling characters. The dialogue between Lambert and another Space Warfare Group member named Sanchez was amusing! I enjoyed the storyline, which was tumultuous, but not too sci-fi “whimsical” nor scientifically “nerdy.” Instead, it had a shadowy political conspiracy plot with actionable military space action incorporated. Unique and well done. I liked it! Looking forward to Book 2 of the Space Warfare Group and commend author Charles Hack on writing an unmatched series that is sure to take off in the action thriller genre.
Author Charles Hack’s space adventure book, “Into the Darkness: A Space Warfare Group” is an outer space sci-fi and military action thriller that read as a crossover between Tom Clancy, Star Wars, and futuristic military action. Although I’m not a big sci-fi fan via books, I do love intense, high action sci-fi films, however this book was an exciting and distinctive read. When the princess of an alien planet fails to arrive in time for a diplomatic summit with top government officials and her spaceship is found floating inoperative in space, the Space Warfare Group is called into action. In steps Major Malcolm “Mac” Lambert and his space paramilitary team to investigate - a group of tough ‘space’ military operators. Proficient, gifted, and capable, Hack produced and built some easy to like and compelling characters. The dialogue between Lambert and another Space Warfare Group member named Sanchez was amusing! I enjoyed the storyline, which was tumultuous, but not too sci-fi “whimsical” nor scientifically “nerdy.” Instead, it had a shadowy political conspiracy plot with actionable military space action incorporated. Unique and well done. I liked it! Looking forward to Book 2 of the Space Warfare Group and commend author Charles Hack on writing an unmatched series that is sure to take off in the action thriller genre.
May 25, 2025
This is not a new genre and there is nothing new available from this example. The typical patterns of celebrating military/combat expertise and going rogue for a higher purpose are front and centre. Vilification of the "baddies" is pedestrian and telegraphic to the point of insult to the reader. I am no military tactician, logistician or strategist but the military mistakes are glaring to me and the narrative short-cuts quite bothersome. The entire project needs vigorous editing for grammatical style, technical veracity and narrative tautness. The plot, engaging enough as a story, could not cover the lack of sophistication in characterization or universe-building. I'm not planning to give this series any more of my time.
August 20, 2025
Never thought I'd find myself listening to or reading a book about warfare in outer space, but it was pretty fun! Plenty of action and suspense with the perfect blend of resolution and loose ends in the closing chapters and the epilogue. I loved the banter between the soldiers as well as the brotherhood. If you are wondering if this would be appropriate for your teenagers, YES! As a high school librarian, I am always looking for books the young men will enjoy. This one fits the bill completely. It's exciting, suspenseful, and clean with a masculine main character. Can't wait to see what happens in book two!
I listened to this audiobook and really enjoyed the narrator. He is quite talented.
I listened to this audiobook and really enjoyed the narrator. He is quite talented.
November 29, 2022
Into the Darkness is a thrilling example of military Sci-Fi. From the action packed opening sequence to the astonishing cliffhanger of an ending.
The story follows the Space Warfare Group an elite group of veteran soldiers on a mission to rescue a kidnapped alien princess who possesses a dangerous secret.
Charles Hack does a masterful job of world building. He introduces alien civilization that possess qualities that make them very relatable.
I am very excited to have discovered this author and my only complaint is that this book in not available in audio format.
The story follows the Space Warfare Group an elite group of veteran soldiers on a mission to rescue a kidnapped alien princess who possesses a dangerous secret.
Charles Hack does a masterful job of world building. He introduces alien civilization that possess qualities that make them very relatable.
I am very excited to have discovered this author and my only complaint is that this book in not available in audio format.
October 2, 2023
The "Attention Readers" section at the beginning of the book pretty much sums up the nicely, its a military detective novel, with political intrigue and action thrown in.
Slightly different to the usual Space SpecOps books, in that the main character does a lot more thinking than usual, but the tight knit team is there to back him up and Sanchex, is a laugh a minute. Captain Tool at the end is especially good fodder for Sanchez.
Book 2 is an obvious continuation, will be fun to see how Mac manages to be involved.
Slightly different to the usual Space SpecOps books, in that the main character does a lot more thinking than usual, but the tight knit team is there to back him up and Sanchex, is a laugh a minute. Captain Tool at the end is especially good fodder for Sanchez.
Book 2 is an obvious continuation, will be fun to see how Mac manages to be involved.
July 28, 2024
I couldn't finish it. I found the standard of writing quite poor and basic. I enjoyed the universe he created, the book also appeared well paced. But one thing that killed it for me was that it was littered with examples of bad editing, grammar and even typos. It seemed painfully American, from the tone to even the names of characters (a "gritty" character named Mac was just a walking trope). Similarly using "drug" instead of dragged cemented the Americanisms etc. The "don't have time to bleed" gritty Special forces persona was also overbaked.
August 31, 2022
NKOTB! Great initial offering from Hack. The suspense was present almost immediately, which easily drew me into the story. The characters are introduced and developed pretty well. I’m looking forward to joining them for more adventures in the coming book(s). A deep deception courses beneath the story throughout, coming to a head only in the closing chapters. This left me eagerly anticipating the next book in the series…...Shrouded in Darkness.
February 23, 2024
2485534 promised a good story and he delivered!
The action in this book is on nearly every few pages! Characters are well developed and believable. Enjoyed not having a five page description of the technology being explained! Easy and very entertaining story to read and enjoy!
The action in this book is on nearly every few pages! Characters are well developed and believable. Enjoyed not having a five page description of the technology being explained! Easy and very entertaining story to read and enjoy!
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November 12, 2023Read for SPSFC#3 RTC
Read
November 16, 2023Well done
Well done on many levels. Characters, both good and bad, are developed. Action described. Background and intrigue built up up. But all of these have room to expand.
Well done on many levels. Characters, both good and bad, are developed. Action described. Background and intrigue built up up. But all of these have room to expand.
Read
December 13, 2024Heard scifi action
Action packed military science fiction series relatable characters interesting aliens and mystery could you want for.more I don't think so
Action packed military science fiction series relatable characters interesting aliens and mystery could you want for.more I don't think so
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews