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Codename: Freedom #4
Vanguard
After surviving the trials of Freedom, Lucius enters the next stage of the military's super soldier creation scheme. Medieval weaponry and gritty fantasy combat are a thing of the past. He must bring what he's learned to the modern battlefield.
Fighting futuristic tech isn't his only challenge. He'll go head-to-head against Genesis participants—enlisted military personnel who unlocked their psionics a year before Freedom began.
Will his emerging psionic abilities and hard-earned experience be enough?
Fighting futuristic tech isn't his only challenge. He'll go head-to-head against Genesis participants—enlisted military personnel who unlocked their psionics a year before Freedom began.
Will his emerging psionic abilities and hard-earned experience be enough?
640 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 9, 2022
193 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
December 17, 2023
12/16/23 Notes:
I was excited to start this book, but that enthusiasm waned as the story proceeded to roll out flat. Awkward transition piece that added to minor plot lines and setting, but it didn't add much to the main plot arc.
I was excited to start this book, but that enthusiasm waned as the story proceeded to roll out flat. Awkward transition piece that added to minor plot lines and setting, but it didn't add much to the main plot arc.
October 18, 2022
Good read
I like the story, and this continues it nicely, while including a bunch if world building that helps hold the story together. Unfortunately, about 2/3rds of the book is a training montage. We don't compete with anyone else until the end, and then only kinda sorta, their are literally several hour by hour schedules of hiw Lucias plans his training. We leave most of the crew behind, and become a 1 man team, and then never actually fight, because "he's not needed, they can handle it", so it's all important thay he become the most powerful, but then he spends half his day watching his command fight, while hardly ever stepping in himself...
We have this cool base building dynamic, that we see exactly 1 time, we are conquering territory and resources that we never hear about what they do, we never use any of these resources, it's a waste of a plot line, why include it at all if it's this anemic?
Overall, a lot of fun, but not a gripping read. I read it slowly and put it down many times.
I like the story, and this continues it nicely, while including a bunch if world building that helps hold the story together. Unfortunately, about 2/3rds of the book is a training montage. We don't compete with anyone else until the end, and then only kinda sorta, their are literally several hour by hour schedules of hiw Lucias plans his training. We leave most of the crew behind, and become a 1 man team, and then never actually fight, because "he's not needed, they can handle it", so it's all important thay he become the most powerful, but then he spends half his day watching his command fight, while hardly ever stepping in himself...
We have this cool base building dynamic, that we see exactly 1 time, we are conquering territory and resources that we never hear about what they do, we never use any of these resources, it's a waste of a plot line, why include it at all if it's this anemic?
Overall, a lot of fun, but not a gripping read. I read it slowly and put it down many times.
October 30, 2022
Here we are in book 4, and the story takes a pretty dramatic change. Maybe I missed it while reading book three, but I don't remember much talk of the Eksiliki. I do remember Lucius (the MC) getting his psionic powers, which he uses to win the battle over Chewme.
Book four is all about psionic powers. That's it. Yes, there are battles but they are all simulated, and compared to books one through three, that took some of the tension out of the fighting for me. Lucius trains like a maniac like he has always done, and he pushes himself in every way possible.
While all that is going on, there is the love story / obsession Lucius has with Victoria. It's alright, although it felt forced at times.
After the intro, we have a good sized battle, and we have another at the end of the book. What happens in between is training, a few small battles, and the love story. The book did drag for me in the middle before picking itself back up and moving on to something else.
The editing is just okay, not great. The stats are fine for what they are. I felt that with the focus on psionics Lucius seemed to mysteriously increase his physical attack and defense without doing anything special to get there.
Last but not least, the writing is dense. This isn't the kind of book you can read while doing something else, because if you miss a page or two you might be wondering what the heck just happened.
I'm still on board with the story, and what happens next seems clear enough. It's not my favorite series as it was when book one came out, but I still plan to read any future new releases.
5/5*
Book four is all about psionic powers. That's it. Yes, there are battles but they are all simulated, and compared to books one through three, that took some of the tension out of the fighting for me. Lucius trains like a maniac like he has always done, and he pushes himself in every way possible.
While all that is going on, there is the love story / obsession Lucius has with Victoria. It's alright, although it felt forced at times.
After the intro, we have a good sized battle, and we have another at the end of the book. What happens in between is training, a few small battles, and the love story. The book did drag for me in the middle before picking itself back up and moving on to something else.
The editing is just okay, not great. The stats are fine for what they are. I felt that with the focus on psionics Lucius seemed to mysteriously increase his physical attack and defense without doing anything special to get there.
Last but not least, the writing is dense. This isn't the kind of book you can read while doing something else, because if you miss a page or two you might be wondering what the heck just happened.
I'm still on board with the story, and what happens next seems clear enough. It's not my favorite series as it was when book one came out, but I still plan to read any future new releases.
5/5*
October 26, 2022
i've always liked this series and this was a great addition. i saw some saying things about cultivation and how you cant add this in because you state say its impossible and limitations you placed and pthers say nothing happened for parts of the book etc... but i think that person missed the whole point what the MC believes how he time away from fighting was actual charater development. anyway your take on psionics and its development is some good stuff ... the body cultivation aspect reminds me of stories i heard in the wuxia genre about how people would try to intergrate body parts of animals. which is a whole aspect you could write about. you only talked about this ability has only been around for a few years on earth ... which leaves the previous 6000 years of writen earth history open ... at this point i have no idea where your going but from my point of view you have alot you can still pull from
October 10, 2022
Finally
Too bad we had to wait so long. Good story development with only one jarring bit. This is a scifi cultivation story and combining normal cultivation (psionics) with body cultivation is the normal way for the MC to punch above his weight and the author just put a major limit on the body side. Yeah, it is often far more difficult to do, but rather than leaving as real difficult, the author basically said it is virtually impossible, rather than using time required and efficiency as a limit.
It will be okay if that is the end of it, but reintroducing the physical side will hurt the story.
Too bad we had to wait so long. Good story development with only one jarring bit. This is a scifi cultivation story and combining normal cultivation (psionics) with body cultivation is the normal way for the MC to punch above his weight and the author just put a major limit on the body side. Yeah, it is often far more difficult to do, but rather than leaving as real difficult, the author basically said it is virtually impossible, rather than using time required and efficiency as a limit.
It will be okay if that is the end of it, but reintroducing the physical side will hurt the story.
November 11, 2022
The moment
This book has a moment, much like the one in the hunger games where the people salute, and are unified by something greater. It’s not quite as good because it’s only a simulators environment that it occurs in, and there’s no real significant consequences, but it’s the heart that matters.
This series is turning out to be one of my genuine favorites. There’s still some unnecessary content that slows down the pacing and a few typographical errors that distract, but overall, it’s a series that has some depth with interesting characters and a story arc that you can get behind and continue to be interested in.
I’m excited for the next book!!!
This book has a moment, much like the one in the hunger games where the people salute, and are unified by something greater. It’s not quite as good because it’s only a simulators environment that it occurs in, and there’s no real significant consequences, but it’s the heart that matters.
This series is turning out to be one of my genuine favorites. There’s still some unnecessary content that slows down the pacing and a few typographical errors that distract, but overall, it’s a series that has some depth with interesting characters and a story arc that you can get behind and continue to be interested in.
I’m excited for the next book!!!
January 2, 2024
This series keeps getting better. The conceit of using a virtual RPG to prepare for an actual existential threat increases my emotional involvement in the story and provides an excellent canvas with which to examine and develop the protagonist's character.
Most of the progression fantasy I read is essentially popcorn fiction, fun for what it is, but with little lasting impact. This is becoming more than that, which is elevating the series to at or near the top of this subgenre for me.
Highly recommended.
Most of the progression fantasy I read is essentially popcorn fiction, fun for what it is, but with little lasting impact. This is becoming more than that, which is elevating the series to at or near the top of this subgenre for me.
Highly recommended.
October 24, 2022
Aaaahhhh
Just give me the next book already!! Apollos Thorne is a wizard with words and this book is proof of his ability to tell am amazing story. Continuing the Codename: Freedom series, this book leaves the reader on the edge of their seat as Lucius works too get strong enough to stand up to the looming threat of war as emotionally charged tension between him and Victoria rises.
Just give me the next book already!! Apollos Thorne is a wizard with words and this book is proof of his ability to tell am amazing story. Continuing the Codename: Freedom series, this book leaves the reader on the edge of their seat as Lucius works too get strong enough to stand up to the looming threat of war as emotionally charged tension between him and Victoria rises.
January 23, 2023
Really ? Disappointed 😞
Seriously.. Doh. It's all over the place, too convoluted and just senseless. It has a nice basic attempt at a plot but fails. Too much going on and too many aspects, it gives me a sense of it being rushed to finish it. I skipped and skimmed a great deal in the book. I was bored and felt most of it was not worth reading. Plot holes and loose ends is all I am going to say
Seriously.. Doh. It's all over the place, too convoluted and just senseless. It has a nice basic attempt at a plot but fails. Too much going on and too many aspects, it gives me a sense of it being rushed to finish it. I skipped and skimmed a great deal in the book. I was bored and felt most of it was not worth reading. Plot holes and loose ends is all I am going to say
May 31, 2023
Brilliant
I love this series! The characters, world-building, powers and overall tone are fantastic. Additionally,
I’ve found that it’s rare that authors are able to create realistic romance, especially when this genre centers around other themes (combat and politics in this series specifically). Victoria and Lucius have a very fleshed-out relationship that I enjoyed reading about, in a way that I haven’t in other somewhat comparable series.
Looking forward to the next book!
I love this series! The characters, world-building, powers and overall tone are fantastic. Additionally,
I’ve found that it’s rare that authors are able to create realistic romance, especially when this genre centers around other themes (combat and politics in this series specifically). Victoria and Lucius have a very fleshed-out relationship that I enjoyed reading about, in a way that I haven’t in other somewhat comparable series.
Looking forward to the next book!
September 18, 2024
Loved it. Loved It. LOVED IT!
The competitiveness in the Vanguard made the battles in the book even more exciting. I was getting annoyed at how dismissive the military were towards the Freedom fighters considering their success within Freedom. Lucious' last fight and defeat against the Manticore King and their reaction to him fighting... brilliant! Then all of the feelings!
If I didn't say it enough, I just want y'all to know I really loved this book!
The competitiveness in the Vanguard made the battles in the book even more exciting. I was getting annoyed at how dismissive the military were towards the Freedom fighters considering their success within Freedom. Lucious' last fight and defeat against the Manticore King and their reaction to him fighting... brilliant! Then all of the feelings!
If I didn't say it enough, I just want y'all to know I really loved this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2025
Progression
It's nice to have a story that can still dish out little twist, a little tension. Although this book heads in pretty much a linear fashion, following similar constructs as the previous novels, it still has some surprising and welcome depths. As much as I thought it might fall into some boring plateaus, it surprised me and left me wanting for more. Can't wait for the next one!
It's nice to have a story that can still dish out little twist, a little tension. Although this book heads in pretty much a linear fashion, following similar constructs as the previous novels, it still has some surprising and welcome depths. As much as I thought it might fall into some boring plateaus, it surprised me and left me wanting for more. Can't wait for the next one!
October 28, 2022
Another awesome book
This is one of my favorite series, and the vanguard doesn’t disappoint. If you haven’t given this series a shot yet I would I highly recommend it. I don’t do slot reviews and I don’t want to leak any of the goodies in it but Finally!! Just finally.. haha can’t wait to see we’re Lucius heads after this!
This is one of my favorite series, and the vanguard doesn’t disappoint. If you haven’t given this series a shot yet I would I highly recommend it. I don’t do slot reviews and I don’t want to leak any of the goodies in it but Finally!! Just finally.. haha can’t wait to see we’re Lucius heads after this!
November 1, 2022
Most enjoyable in the series
That was stellar and my favorite in the series so far. Looking forward to more.
The previous ones were good but I personally felt they were slow but were entertaining enough to continue. This one deficiently brought more of what I love. More cultivation focus and incorporating that into fighting.
That was stellar and my favorite in the series so far. Looking forward to more.
The previous ones were good but I personally felt they were slow but were entertaining enough to continue. This one deficiently brought more of what I love. More cultivation focus and incorporating that into fighting.
November 6, 2022
The next step
Great next step! I'm very stingy with 5 star ratings and this book earned it. In addition to the strong world building common these days is a story of complex relationships, multiple levels of intrigue, real grit that had me doing real push ups, and awesome action. Well done Apollos - looking forward to more!
Great next step! I'm very stingy with 5 star ratings and this book earned it. In addition to the strong world building common these days is a story of complex relationships, multiple levels of intrigue, real grit that had me doing real push ups, and awesome action. Well done Apollos - looking forward to more!
January 2, 2023
best ever
I really liked the way that you have built the characters and the intensity of each one. With the interaction of all the other factors. Please don’t not complete this series, o really need for you to write as many books as it takes to complete it to its conclusion. It is great
I really liked the way that you have built the characters and the intensity of each one. With the interaction of all the other factors. Please don’t not complete this series, o really need for you to write as many books as it takes to complete it to its conclusion. It is great
March 31, 2023
A new high for project freedom
I've enjoyed this series since it's release and I think this might be the best one yet, after book 3 I thought it might lose some of it's charm as we left the simulation of Freedom but it's only come to a better more complete stage. Loved it and can't wait for more. Definitely worth a read
I've enjoyed this series since it's release and I think this might be the best one yet, after book 3 I thought it might lose some of it's charm as we left the simulation of Freedom but it's only come to a better more complete stage. Loved it and can't wait for more. Definitely worth a read
October 11, 2022
A long time coming and totally worth it
Ahhhhhh the ending though. So many things hinted on earlier in the series brought together. So worth it all of it. Now. The only question is can the next one please not take quite so long 😆
Ahhhhhh the ending though. So many things hinted on earlier in the series brought together. So worth it all of it. Now. The only question is can the next one please not take quite so long 😆
October 14, 2022
Great continuation
Another great book in the series. The pacing and writing as a whole keeps getting better. The action is fast and fun. The MC is maybe a bit too coddled by the author which makes for the odd eye roll in places, but that just makes it more fun.
Another great book in the series. The pacing and writing as a whole keeps getting better. The action is fast and fun. The MC is maybe a bit too coddled by the author which makes for the odd eye roll in places, but that just makes it more fun.
October 18, 2022
do yourself the favor of reading this series
Book four takes the energy of book one out of the world of project freedom and we start to see a path forward towards the ultimate conflict. Extremely rewarding. I will compulsively check for updates on book five on a regular basis
Book four takes the energy of book one out of the world of project freedom and we start to see a path forward towards the ultimate conflict. Extremely rewarding. I will compulsively check for updates on book five on a regular basis
October 22, 2022
I’ve been waiting for this book for a long time and it doesn’t disappoint.
The long awaited next instalment of the epic love story between Lucius and Victoria, can he convince her to throw all caution to the wind and believe that he has what it takes?
The long awaited next instalment of the epic love story between Lucius and Victoria, can he convince her to throw all caution to the wind and believe that he has what it takes?
October 30, 2022
Great
Well the end of the fourth book has come and we have seen alot of changes happen in this book. I have to say I'm really looking forward to book five. I hate being vague but I don't want to give any spoilers.
Well the end of the fourth book has come and we have seen alot of changes happen in this book. I have to say I'm really looking forward to book five. I hate being vague but I don't want to give any spoilers.
November 5, 2022
Epic and awesome
I love that Lucius is learning that his dedication and drive weren’t simply Destiny pushing him to stay on task, but rather, it’s an integral part of who he is. It will be fascinating to see how this will impact Ekseliksi society, when it all comes out.
I love that Lucius is learning that his dedication and drive weren’t simply Destiny pushing him to stay on task, but rather, it’s an integral part of who he is. It will be fascinating to see how this will impact Ekseliksi society, when it all comes out.
November 18, 2022
been awhile
I read the first book (books?) awhile ago and it took me some time to get back into the world and characters. That was ok because the story took its time and allowed me to catch up. The characters are well fleshed and the story is interesting. Highly recommend
I read the first book (books?) awhile ago and it took me some time to get back into the world and characters. That was ok because the story took its time and allowed me to catch up. The characters are well fleshed and the story is interesting. Highly recommend
February 6, 2023
what a great series!
Man this book ended so well. Not a cliff hanger, but exciting enough to have the blood pumping. Started a bit slow but man it really set up the next few books. Keep them coming!
Man this book ended so well. Not a cliff hanger, but exciting enough to have the blood pumping. Started a bit slow but man it really set up the next few books. Keep them coming!
March 7, 2023
didn’t like it
I think the series got progressively worse, all the MC does is train and have angst over the female lead with some fighting thrown in. I likely won’t read anymore of the series as it just isn’t interesting anymore.
I think the series got progressively worse, all the MC does is train and have angst over the female lead with some fighting thrown in. I likely won’t read anymore of the series as it just isn’t interesting anymore.
August 10, 2023
Broke a 6 month reading drought.
I had gotten burned out on reading and hadnt touched anything in about 6 months. I had a flight and downloaded this and it sucked me in. Cant wait to continue this series.
I had gotten burned out on reading and hadnt touched anything in about 6 months. I had a flight and downloaded this and it sucked me in. Cant wait to continue this series.
October 9, 2022
just awesome
Another great book in the series. I am just sad that my 3 favorite series are all by the same author and I have to wait so long.
Another great book in the series. I am just sad that my 3 favorite series are all by the same author and I have to wait so long.
October 12, 2022
Great book
Loved it. Can’t say more than that simply because I don’t want to spoil anything. It was amazing and I highly recommend it.
Loved it. Can’t say more than that simply because I don’t want to spoil anything. It was amazing and I highly recommend it.
October 15, 2022
Great continuation!
What an amazing book and continuation of one of my favorite series! Was definitely worth the wait for it and cannot wait for the next one to come out.
What an amazing book and continuation of one of my favorite series! Was definitely worth the wait for it and cannot wait for the next one to come out.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews