What do you think?
Uplink Squadron #4
Far and Away
War sucks... especially when you’re fighting for the wrong side.
After getting shot down over Tau Ceti, Uplink Squadron commanding officer Lance Baker
has come to the realization that Earth is fighting for the wrong side in the ongoing galactic war.
The only problem—their allies, the Overlords, control the Solar System, and to do anything other
than what they bid is suicide for humanity.
But other humans—the Kardons—exist, and if an alliance was possible, maybe, just maybe,
Earth could get the help it needs to throw off the Overlords’ shackles. Unfortunately, the
Kardons are on the wrong side of the battle lines, and if any emissaries are seen crossing them,
the Earth will get bombed out of existence.
Baker will have find a way to get to the Kardons’ home planet without being seen, negotiate
an alliance, and bring Earth the help it needs to get out from under the Overlords, while the rest
of Uplink Squadron continues to kill the people they’d like to be allied with. It’s a terrible plan—
and one that could easily result in the destruction of the Earth—but it’s the only one they’ve got.
It’s time to plug back in and save the world.
After getting shot down over Tau Ceti, Uplink Squadron commanding officer Lance Baker
has come to the realization that Earth is fighting for the wrong side in the ongoing galactic war.
The only problem—their allies, the Overlords, control the Solar System, and to do anything other
than what they bid is suicide for humanity.
But other humans—the Kardons—exist, and if an alliance was possible, maybe, just maybe,
Earth could get the help it needs to throw off the Overlords’ shackles. Unfortunately, the
Kardons are on the wrong side of the battle lines, and if any emissaries are seen crossing them,
the Earth will get bombed out of existence.
Baker will have find a way to get to the Kardons’ home planet without being seen, negotiate
an alliance, and bring Earth the help it needs to get out from under the Overlords, while the rest
of Uplink Squadron continues to kill the people they’d like to be allied with. It’s a terrible plan—
and one that could easily result in the destruction of the Earth—but it’s the only one they’ve got.
It’s time to plug back in and save the world.
374 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 2, 2022
About the author
J.N. Chaney
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 23, 2022
only get better with the next book
I enjoyed this series very much. Books one and two were slow, but three and now four have kept my interest enough for me to want to read them quickly. Excellent si-fi reading, you will enjoy the main characters and their interactions! The battles are numerous and will keep your interest. Worth the read and or purchase or kindle unlimited price! Can’t go wrong with this author or series! Cheers
I enjoyed this series very much. Books one and two were slow, but three and now four have kept my interest enough for me to want to read them quickly. Excellent si-fi reading, you will enjoy the main characters and their interactions! The battles are numerous and will keep your interest. Worth the read and or purchase or kindle unlimited price! Can’t go wrong with this author or series! Cheers
November 29, 2022
If you've followed this story through the first three books, you know this is about starfighter pilots and their Synthetic Intelligences (SIs) that share their starfighters with them. Yes, these SIs are former humans who had access to the F-77c starfighter which came with a neural link directly into the pilots brains. This allowed them to almost become the starfighter. They had direct control of all the fight characteristics and armament and everything was instantaneous. It was mind expanding to say the least. Some pilots lost the desire to have to come back to reality and their human bodies so they decided to transfer all their consciousness into the starfighter system. This worked for some and others it didn't go so well.
Irina Koslova was one of the first pilots to make the jump. She did it on her own because she didn't want to deal with being a human in a human body. She flies the starfighter and fights with it better than any other starfighter in the fleet, but she has learned that she can't do it all alone. A human pilot is necessary to provide her input she doesn't have sensors for. So, you'd think that a team of a very good human pilot and an SI would be almost unbeatable in combat. For the most part, you wouldn't be wrong. Yet, there can be problems and Irina, in my opinion, is one of the biggest problems!
She is arrogant, barely tolerating her human pilot, Commander Lance Baker. I don't know how he stands to fly with this stuck-up, know-it-all, better than anyone, rude and selfish synthetic intelligence. Lance is a good pilot. He's not as experienced as was Irina when she decided to make the permanent transfer, but she things she's so much better than any human pilot it would make me want to jump from her starfighter and be done with it. I wouldn't fly with an SI with the attitude that Irina has all the fricken' time.
As you've read, Lance has returned from his supposed death with a Kardon friend, Golchak. They have explained to the Admiral that the Kardon's are humans with the same DNA and the Earth has been fighting the wrong enemy. So, Baker, as Earth's Ambassador, and GolChak are going to return to Kardonia and try to establish and alliance against the Overlords whom the Earth has been fighting with. The Overlords are artificial Intelligences that can control biological bodies to do their bidding and if the humans of Earth don't cooperate, they will either be exterminated or turned into mindless automatons controlled by the Overlords.
Golchak seems to be a good guy, but he's not telling everyone the whole story. He has said that the Kardons don't have a large military and doesn't know if they are willing to join an alliance since Earth isn't all that powerful right now. Still, he and Lance Baker with Irina are going to make an attempt to find Kardonia without leading the Overlords to that hidden home planet. They almost make that happen.
Meanwhile, Admiral Jameson has to figure out how he goes about turning on the Overlords if they can form an alliance with the Kardons. He knows that when the Overlords find the Kardonia home planet they will want to attack and will expect Earth to send its carrier and starfighters to fight in the battle. He's afraid that if the Kardonia's and Earth combined don't have the strength to defeat the Overlords, both civilization will be wiped out.
So, that what this book is mostly about. Lance's attempt to arrange an alliance with the Kardons and hopefully that will include any current allies they have. He finds that he has a bit of a problem in doing this since the Kardons do not like AIs of any kind. Still, can he prove to them there is a vast difference between AIs and SIs. Will Irina be an help or will she be a pain in the you know where as I think she usually is.
I just don't see a pilot with any kind of skills wanting to put up with her attitude, ever. Some of the SIs sound more reasonable and seem to make the teamwork much easier, but everything Lance Baker has to do seems complicated because of Irina's lousy attitude. If there was any reason I would stop reading this series, it would be because of this Baker and Koslova constant bickering, arguing and her overbearing attitude. But, for right now I'm putting book 5, "Forge the Path" on my reading list, well, that is when it comes out on 4 December 2022.
Irina Koslova was one of the first pilots to make the jump. She did it on her own because she didn't want to deal with being a human in a human body. She flies the starfighter and fights with it better than any other starfighter in the fleet, but she has learned that she can't do it all alone. A human pilot is necessary to provide her input she doesn't have sensors for. So, you'd think that a team of a very good human pilot and an SI would be almost unbeatable in combat. For the most part, you wouldn't be wrong. Yet, there can be problems and Irina, in my opinion, is one of the biggest problems!
She is arrogant, barely tolerating her human pilot, Commander Lance Baker. I don't know how he stands to fly with this stuck-up, know-it-all, better than anyone, rude and selfish synthetic intelligence. Lance is a good pilot. He's not as experienced as was Irina when she decided to make the permanent transfer, but she things she's so much better than any human pilot it would make me want to jump from her starfighter and be done with it. I wouldn't fly with an SI with the attitude that Irina has all the fricken' time.
As you've read, Lance has returned from his supposed death with a Kardon friend, Golchak. They have explained to the Admiral that the Kardon's are humans with the same DNA and the Earth has been fighting the wrong enemy. So, Baker, as Earth's Ambassador, and GolChak are going to return to Kardonia and try to establish and alliance against the Overlords whom the Earth has been fighting with. The Overlords are artificial Intelligences that can control biological bodies to do their bidding and if the humans of Earth don't cooperate, they will either be exterminated or turned into mindless automatons controlled by the Overlords.
Golchak seems to be a good guy, but he's not telling everyone the whole story. He has said that the Kardons don't have a large military and doesn't know if they are willing to join an alliance since Earth isn't all that powerful right now. Still, he and Lance Baker with Irina are going to make an attempt to find Kardonia without leading the Overlords to that hidden home planet. They almost make that happen.
Meanwhile, Admiral Jameson has to figure out how he goes about turning on the Overlords if they can form an alliance with the Kardons. He knows that when the Overlords find the Kardonia home planet they will want to attack and will expect Earth to send its carrier and starfighters to fight in the battle. He's afraid that if the Kardonia's and Earth combined don't have the strength to defeat the Overlords, both civilization will be wiped out.
So, that what this book is mostly about. Lance's attempt to arrange an alliance with the Kardons and hopefully that will include any current allies they have. He finds that he has a bit of a problem in doing this since the Kardons do not like AIs of any kind. Still, can he prove to them there is a vast difference between AIs and SIs. Will Irina be an help or will she be a pain in the you know where as I think she usually is.
I just don't see a pilot with any kind of skills wanting to put up with her attitude, ever. Some of the SIs sound more reasonable and seem to make the teamwork much easier, but everything Lance Baker has to do seems complicated because of Irina's lousy attitude. If there was any reason I would stop reading this series, it would be because of this Baker and Koslova constant bickering, arguing and her overbearing attitude. But, for right now I'm putting book 5, "Forge the Path" on my reading list, well, that is when it comes out on 4 December 2022.
October 20, 2022
Impossible mission?
So Baker will act as an ambassador to request the Kardon's help with fighting off the Overlords (who mankind are currently working for against the Kardons!) This must be done without tipping off the Overlords. Will he be welcomed or ....? If the Overlords do find out then what will they do? He must take a back way so as to not appear visible to the Overlords....
Meanwhile mankind is trying to work out their best course if action with regards to SIs and the Overlords. Eventually they decide that more SIs are needed so more fragmented entities need to be recombined to generate the SIs (or return to human form if possible)....
This is an entertaining tale of intrigue, double cross, suspense and political agendas as mankind struggles to get out from under the Overlords -without them knowing about it!
So Baker will act as an ambassador to request the Kardon's help with fighting off the Overlords (who mankind are currently working for against the Kardons!) This must be done without tipping off the Overlords. Will he be welcomed or ....? If the Overlords do find out then what will they do? He must take a back way so as to not appear visible to the Overlords....
Meanwhile mankind is trying to work out their best course if action with regards to SIs and the Overlords. Eventually they decide that more SIs are needed so more fragmented entities need to be recombined to generate the SIs (or return to human form if possible)....
This is an entertaining tale of intrigue, double cross, suspense and political agendas as mankind struggles to get out from under the Overlords -without them knowing about it!
October 27, 2023
Far and Away. It's getting intense
In Uplink Squadron Book 4, the transition of humans into AI pilots increases. The irony that is not lost on anyone is that the 'enemy' known as the Overlords are, in fact, AI beings. Don't think too hard about that right now. Read Book 4! I already have my suspicions, but I'll defer to the authors, J.N. Chaney and Chris Kennedy. If I don't like it, I'll write my own series...(yeah, right). Truthfully, I'm along for the ride. I've yet to be disappointed with these authors. To fully immerse (uplink?) yourself into the Uplink Squadron Series, never miss the outstanding Audible performances by Mark Boyett.
- Mr.Bill
In Uplink Squadron Book 4, the transition of humans into AI pilots increases. The irony that is not lost on anyone is that the 'enemy' known as the Overlords are, in fact, AI beings. Don't think too hard about that right now. Read Book 4! I already have my suspicions, but I'll defer to the authors, J.N. Chaney and Chris Kennedy. If I don't like it, I'll write my own series...(yeah, right). Truthfully, I'm along for the ride. I've yet to be disappointed with these authors. To fully immerse (uplink?) yourself into the Uplink Squadron Series, never miss the outstanding Audible performances by Mark Boyett.
- Mr.Bill
April 9, 2024
This book was even better than the last one. Some pretty solid stakes and I enjoyed the new *allies* quite a lot. The characters are still so-so but I do like the idea of Synthetic Intelligences, specifically Anya quite a bit. The other new ally is quite interesting and I'm a big fan of them
There's a new narrator for the audiobook and it took me a little while to get used to them. Not as good as the old one as he was a bit more expressive and you could instantly tell who was speaking but the new one is still a very solid narrator.
No, don't ask why/how I'm getting through these books so fast... I've dammed my sleep schedule for eternity.
4*
There's a new narrator for the audiobook and it took me a little while to get used to them. Not as good as the old one as he was a bit more expressive and you could instantly tell who was speaking but the new one is still a very solid narrator.
No, don't ask why/how I'm getting through these books so fast... I've dammed my sleep schedule for eternity.
4*
October 31, 2022
Good read!
Book four the the series is action packed and dripping with suspense. Earth is in a no-win situation. Decisions must be made as to the lesser of two plans that most likely will result In the complete destruction of the human race. If that’s not bad enough, throw in the civilian politicians who worry more about their own safety/wealth than to make the smart decisions to try to save themselves and humanity!
Book four the the series is action packed and dripping with suspense. Earth is in a no-win situation. Decisions must be made as to the lesser of two plans that most likely will result In the complete destruction of the human race. If that’s not bad enough, throw in the civilian politicians who worry more about their own safety/wealth than to make the smart decisions to try to save themselves and humanity!
October 16, 2022
Space Action at it's best
Another exciting adventure as the complicated Overlord/ Kardon situation gets even more convoluted as humanity tries to find a way to extract themselves from the wrong side of the war.
Some great action scenes as we have come to expect from this series and still going strong.
Another exciting adventure as the complicated Overlord/ Kardon situation gets even more convoluted as humanity tries to find a way to extract themselves from the wrong side of the war.
Some great action scenes as we have come to expect from this series and still going strong.
October 5, 2022
Another great book. Baker is good at getting in trouble and even better at finding ways out
As Baker says at the end of the book he can't do it but the team can. The characters in this book show the best of several worlds. But they become a team and they work together.
As Baker says at the end of the book he can't do it but the team can. The characters in this book show the best of several worlds. But they become a team and they work together.
October 9, 2022
You guys can not write them fast enough to suit me!
Another action packed, can't put down novel from J.N. and Chris.
The concepts put forth in this series are intriguing as they compelling to read.
Well done again guys!
Another action packed, can't put down novel from J.N. and Chris.
The concepts put forth in this series are intriguing as they compelling to read.
Well done again guys!
October 10, 2022
The fight continues
The fight continues as our heroes try their best to earn aliens and find a way to the heart of their enemies. A how continuation as they learn to deal with the SI
The fight continues as our heroes try their best to earn aliens and find a way to the heart of their enemies. A how continuation as they learn to deal with the SI
October 14, 2022
Excellent read, but a few inconsitencies.
I'm loving this series, but I have to ask: how did Baker abruptly begin speaking and understanding Kardonian? And how did all of the Kardonians, besides Kolchak, understand and speak English?
I'm loving this series, but I have to ask: how did Baker abruptly begin speaking and understanding Kardonian? And how did all of the Kardonians, besides Kolchak, understand and speak English?
December 15, 2022
Winning!!!
Very exciting reading and reading!!!
Both authors know their subject matter about what they are writing. I am enjoying these books very much. Just wish they came out faster.
Sadden that a few of our heroes can be killed. Though in the end Winning!!!
Very exciting reading and reading!!!
Both authors know their subject matter about what they are writing. I am enjoying these books very much. Just wish they came out faster.
Sadden that a few of our heroes can be killed. Though in the end Winning!!!
January 19, 2023
What a surprise
I was very surprised about this book completely got me on how it turned out wasn't expected the way I thought it would be had me thinking about one way it was going to be and then did a flip flop of an ending well done
I was very surprised about this book completely got me on how it turned out wasn't expected the way I thought it would be had me thinking about one way it was going to be and then did a flip flop of an ending well done
October 4, 2022
well worth a mid series review..
A couple of good authors that have put together a more than decent series. It will be fun to see where things go next. Good fun
A couple of good authors that have put together a more than decent series. It will be fun to see where things go next. Good fun
October 6, 2022
best so far in the series
Slow build in this series but it’s finally paying off with more action.
New players
Same old lovable SI characters.
Enjoy!
Slow build in this series but it’s finally paying off with more action.
New players
Same old lovable SI characters.
Enjoy!
October 6, 2022
Great followup to the story with more plot lines and characters. Thought the timelines in the later part of the book got a bit mixed up.
October 8, 2022
Hard to put down
If you like the first book or not this could stand on its own and be worth the time spent on it
If you like the first book or not this could stand on its own and be worth the time spent on it
October 21, 2022
Great series of books
I love this series of books, and fully recommend them. But ensure that you start with book one. Follow Lance and his team fight with the overlords.
I love this series of books, and fully recommend them. But ensure that you start with book one. Follow Lance and his team fight with the overlords.
October 23, 2022
Book 4 in the series
Lance, Sophia, Irina, and Daiyu along with the rest of the squadron are making new friends and fighting the Overlords. Lots of action. A great story.
Lance, Sophia, Irina, and Daiyu along with the rest of the squadron are making new friends and fighting the Overlords. Lots of action. A great story.
December 8, 2022
Well read and exciting
This book in the series is has many space battles that are very well written with surprises for the reader. Military Sci-Fi fans will really enjoy this book!
This book in the series is has many space battles that are very well written with surprises for the reader. Military Sci-Fi fans will really enjoy this book!
September 10, 2023
This book maintains the series' exciting blend of military sci-fi and space opera, offering readers a thought-provoking exploration of loyalty and morality in the face of imminent destruction.
August 22, 2024
Top Notch Science Fiction!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews