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The Jack Rhodes Chronicles #1
Kill First
All Jack Rhodes wanted was a simple, peaceful life for himself and his daughter. Unfortunately, aliens had other plans.
When Jack and his daughter are abducted from their acreage, Jack realizes that Earth is not alone. There is a vast, ruthless galactic empire out there that no one on Earth knows about.
Considered too primitive, Earth has generally been ignored, but that doesn’t stop illegal abductions from taking place, and Jack’s military training make him a valuable prize.
Forced to fight to the death to preserve his and his daughter’s lives, Jack learns that the peaceful life he has always wanted is the last thing he’s going to get.
In this galaxy, the only way to survive is to Kill First.
When Jack and his daughter are abducted from their acreage, Jack realizes that Earth is not alone. There is a vast, ruthless galactic empire out there that no one on Earth knows about.
Considered too primitive, Earth has generally been ignored, but that doesn’t stop illegal abductions from taking place, and Jack’s military training make him a valuable prize.
Forced to fight to the death to preserve his and his daughter’s lives, Jack learns that the peaceful life he has always wanted is the last thing he’s going to get.
In this galaxy, the only way to survive is to Kill First.
- GenresScience Fiction
301 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 14, 2022
316 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
G.P. Hudson
59 books71 followersG.P. Hudson is the author of the hit space opera, The Pike Chronicles. He writes fast paced military science fiction, with an emphasis on world building, vast galactic empires, and power struggles. The Pike Chronicles is an epic science fiction adventure spanning the galaxy.
G.P. Hudson has been writing stories since childhood, and is a lifelong reader of science fiction. His study of history provides limitless inspiration for his stories.
For updates on new releases join G.P Hudson's mailing list at http://gphudson.com
G.P. Hudson has been writing stories since childhood, and is a lifelong reader of science fiction. His study of history provides limitless inspiration for his stories.
For updates on new releases join G.P Hudson's mailing list at http://gphudson.com
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 8, 2023
Review of books 1 to 3:
I really liked the kind of story this book series tells. Not only do we have a hero that suddenly finds out we’re not alone but he then, together with some other humans in the same situation, proceeds to kick galactic ass.
It turns out these other humans has a wee bit more experience dealing with the “Galactics”. The youngest one of them was abducted from the trenches of world war one.
It also turns out the galaxy is filled with despicable criminals, both biological and artificial and, surprise, surprise a whole lot of them seems to cross Jack & Co’s paths.
Overall these three books has been quite fun reading. It did start of rather poorly though. The first book was littered with nonsense about climate change, singing the praise of electric cars, European Union “finally” becoming a single country etc. etc. which really ruined the book.
So the first book is really only a two star one for me. The rest was enjoyable enough for a three star rating so overall I rate these three books at three stars.
These books are really adventure books in space. Both Jake and his daughter, who was abducted with Jack, makes a name for himself moving on to bigger and bigger tasks including saving a certain blue planet.
The books are not very deep on the science part but they are not too much fantasy either. I quite like Jake & Co. They are cool. I like their adventures which generally ends up in a whole lot of bad guy ass-kicking.
There’s a fourth book coming out end of September and I will probably pick it up.
I really liked the kind of story this book series tells. Not only do we have a hero that suddenly finds out we’re not alone but he then, together with some other humans in the same situation, proceeds to kick galactic ass.
It turns out these other humans has a wee bit more experience dealing with the “Galactics”. The youngest one of them was abducted from the trenches of world war one.
It also turns out the galaxy is filled with despicable criminals, both biological and artificial and, surprise, surprise a whole lot of them seems to cross Jack & Co’s paths.
Overall these three books has been quite fun reading. It did start of rather poorly though. The first book was littered with nonsense about climate change, singing the praise of electric cars, European Union “finally” becoming a single country etc. etc. which really ruined the book.
So the first book is really only a two star one for me. The rest was enjoyable enough for a three star rating so overall I rate these three books at three stars.
These books are really adventure books in space. Both Jake and his daughter, who was abducted with Jack, makes a name for himself moving on to bigger and bigger tasks including saving a certain blue planet.
The books are not very deep on the science part but they are not too much fantasy either. I quite like Jake & Co. They are cool. I like their adventures which generally ends up in a whole lot of bad guy ass-kicking.
There’s a fourth book coming out end of September and I will probably pick it up.
February 26, 2023
Enjoyed this first book in the series
Great new series..enjoyed the first book and am looking forward to the next book in the series...(The Jack Rhodes Chronicles) will entertain you and even make you smile at times.
Great new series..enjoyed the first book and am looking forward to the next book in the series...(The Jack Rhodes Chronicles) will entertain you and even make you smile at times.
April 6, 2023
An excellent story, believable protagonists, and I enjoy reading first person accounts. A lot easier to follow than multiple players.
January 30, 2023
I liked reading this first book in the series!
G.P. Hudson has written a book that I found to be exciting to read and a series that has me wanting more action and adventure and the book cover art is excellent. A new fan!
G.P. Hudson has written a book that I found to be exciting to read and a series that has me wanting more action and adventure and the book cover art is excellent. A new fan!
January 17, 2023
Space Opera Prime!
Highly reminiscent of Cordwainer Smith. Rollicking individual fights and space battles. Some books plod, others walk. This one raced. I devoured it in less than a week.
Highly reminiscent of Cordwainer Smith. Rollicking individual fights and space battles. Some books plod, others walk. This one raced. I devoured it in less than a week.
January 14, 2023
great easy sifi reading
I like the author's style and pace. The characters and plot are refreshingly simple yet very enjoyable. I like ot that the characters can be revived to continue the story. So much of what I read is unending deaths of both heroes and main characters that I've become attached to.
I like the author's style and pace. The characters and plot are refreshingly simple yet very enjoyable. I like ot that the characters can be revived to continue the story. So much of what I read is unending deaths of both heroes and main characters that I've become attached to.
January 15, 2023
Action Filled
Full of action, better than usual story line.
The implant idea wasn't novel. Seen it in other books by other author. Still allows a broad landscape for adventures and fictional exploits. Makes for a fun tale.
Full of action, better than usual story line.
The implant idea wasn't novel. Seen it in other books by other author. Still allows a broad landscape for adventures and fictional exploits. Makes for a fun tale.
January 15, 2023
Overwhelming
This story shows overwhelming imagination And it moves along at a pace that will definitely keep you interested
What it
portrays could very possibly be something that could happen in our future
This story shows overwhelming imagination And it moves along at a pace that will definitely keep you interested
What it
portrays could very possibly be something that could happen in our future
February 16, 2023
Excellent book! This is the first of a new series (new to me) and it turned out really good. I like the whole story-line and I'm real interested in seeing how this whole series evolves. We started out with a retired Marine and his daughter going to bed just as they have every night. Next thing you know, Jack Rhodes is woken by his loudly barking dog. That's not the usual way he gets woken and very unusual for his dog to even be barking. So, Jack gets up to investigate. He checks on his daughter who is sleeping in her room and then goes down starts to find the dog barking loudly and jumping on the patio door. He seems to want outside, but Jack isn't sure about letting him go since he could have spotted a bear just roaming around in the woods behind the house.
Still, the dog is so insistent that Jack opens the door and his dog shoots out into the yard. Jack can't see anything since it's pitch dark out, but he does suddenly hear a yelp from his dog, then quiet. Before he can go any further, a large object comes floating out of the dark carrying what appears to be his dead dog! About that time, his daughter, Jessica, hollers from the patio door wanting to know what's going on!a
Jack tries to tell his daughter to go back inside and shut the door, but the floating object races directly for his daughter and he can't stop it. It grabs her in one tentacle-like arm and when he gets close enough to start banging on it with his empty shotgun, it also grabs him. He had shot at it twice to no avail; the thing appeared to have some kind of shielding. So, any way, he finds himself and his daughter being hoisted in the air and then they're flying way, way up until they see what seems to be some kind of flying craft. They rapidly approach it and then enter into the craft and are unceremoniously dump on the hard metal surface of inside what now is got to be a UFO.
So, Jack realizes that he and his daughter have just went through an alien abduction. Yes, that has to be it. He's never heard of anything remotely like this other than in those weird science fiction stories popping up on the news every so often. There's nothing else in this UFO, but it is huge inside. Theres the floor and quite aways away are the walls. This thing appears to be round with him and his daughter sitting on a round floor. He starts yelling for someone or some thing to come and tell them what's going on. He gets an answer.
It turns out that Jack and Jessica have, in fact, been abducted by an AI (Artificial Intelligence). It runs the ship and there's nothing else aboard, no crew or anything. It does talk to Jack briefly, but the sound seems to be coming from the walls all around. Jack demands to be taken back home, but the alien AI tells him that's not possible. They are now several light-years away from Earth with no intention of going back. Jack says he and his daughter can't just exist with no food or water so the alien AI forms a table and chairs for them and then provides plates full of some kind of gunk telling them to eat this to survive. It's not very pleasant, and Jack has to convince Jessica to eat some (she's about 11) which she eventually does.
So, what have they gotten themselves into? Jack eventually gets told to go to the center of the floor. He does so and then finds himself in a ring of lights. Off in the distance he seems something on two feet approaching his circle. The AI says that this is a combat to the death. Jack is unarmed except for a pocket knife he always carries, but this first creature is huge and has some deadly sharp claws. Jack at first refuses to fight, but the AI threatens him with his daughter's life so Jack has no way out. He manages to fight and win this first bought only to have to face two more with increasing difficulty. Jack is a trained retired Marine, but with his pocket knife and his apparent faster reaction times, he's able to defeat each of these aliens.
Later, after this ordeal, Jack feels the ship he's on docks with another ship. He sees another creature coming through a door along with the AI that had abducted him and his daughter. They seem to be talking about a price. Jack realizes that he and his daughter are being sold by this AI, but he's more surprised by the fact that the other alien is HUMAN! Now, this is were their strange adventure starts!
What happened to Jack and Jessica isn't that uncommon over the history of Earth. It seems that alien AI's have come to Earth quite often to kidnap humans to sell them as slaves or use them as slaves of their own. Earth supposedly knows nothing of this nor do they know about the vast Imperium Empire. This is where billions of aliens exist, fight, and trade all without the Earth knowing anything about any of it. Earth is too primitive, too far behind in technology, to be part of the Imperium. Still, they are not supposed to be disturbed by any of the Imperium aliens except they are by those that are criminals. Jack finds that he and Jessica have been sold to a human mercenary company, called the Black Company. How they are now going to live their lives turns out to be very interesting. One thing they definitely know is, they are never, ever returning to Earth!
This is a pretty good story-line. I like that humans are not the weaklings that most science fiction stories portray us. While we're not the strongest, we do know how to fight and there is a need for mercenaries in the Imperium. What happens to Jack and Jessica is going to be very interesting and even impossible according to our current way of thinking. Will they be able to adapt to their new living conditions? Maybe, but it won't be as you would guess.
Book 2, "Earth Gambit" is available on Amazon and I'm definitely going to add it to my reading list.
Still, the dog is so insistent that Jack opens the door and his dog shoots out into the yard. Jack can't see anything since it's pitch dark out, but he does suddenly hear a yelp from his dog, then quiet. Before he can go any further, a large object comes floating out of the dark carrying what appears to be his dead dog! About that time, his daughter, Jessica, hollers from the patio door wanting to know what's going on!a
Jack tries to tell his daughter to go back inside and shut the door, but the floating object races directly for his daughter and he can't stop it. It grabs her in one tentacle-like arm and when he gets close enough to start banging on it with his empty shotgun, it also grabs him. He had shot at it twice to no avail; the thing appeared to have some kind of shielding. So, any way, he finds himself and his daughter being hoisted in the air and then they're flying way, way up until they see what seems to be some kind of flying craft. They rapidly approach it and then enter into the craft and are unceremoniously dump on the hard metal surface of inside what now is got to be a UFO.
So, Jack realizes that he and his daughter have just went through an alien abduction. Yes, that has to be it. He's never heard of anything remotely like this other than in those weird science fiction stories popping up on the news every so often. There's nothing else in this UFO, but it is huge inside. Theres the floor and quite aways away are the walls. This thing appears to be round with him and his daughter sitting on a round floor. He starts yelling for someone or some thing to come and tell them what's going on. He gets an answer.
It turns out that Jack and Jessica have, in fact, been abducted by an AI (Artificial Intelligence). It runs the ship and there's nothing else aboard, no crew or anything. It does talk to Jack briefly, but the sound seems to be coming from the walls all around. Jack demands to be taken back home, but the alien AI tells him that's not possible. They are now several light-years away from Earth with no intention of going back. Jack says he and his daughter can't just exist with no food or water so the alien AI forms a table and chairs for them and then provides plates full of some kind of gunk telling them to eat this to survive. It's not very pleasant, and Jack has to convince Jessica to eat some (she's about 11) which she eventually does.
So, what have they gotten themselves into? Jack eventually gets told to go to the center of the floor. He does so and then finds himself in a ring of lights. Off in the distance he seems something on two feet approaching his circle. The AI says that this is a combat to the death. Jack is unarmed except for a pocket knife he always carries, but this first creature is huge and has some deadly sharp claws. Jack at first refuses to fight, but the AI threatens him with his daughter's life so Jack has no way out. He manages to fight and win this first bought only to have to face two more with increasing difficulty. Jack is a trained retired Marine, but with his pocket knife and his apparent faster reaction times, he's able to defeat each of these aliens.
Later, after this ordeal, Jack feels the ship he's on docks with another ship. He sees another creature coming through a door along with the AI that had abducted him and his daughter. They seem to be talking about a price. Jack realizes that he and his daughter are being sold by this AI, but he's more surprised by the fact that the other alien is HUMAN! Now, this is were their strange adventure starts!
What happened to Jack and Jessica isn't that uncommon over the history of Earth. It seems that alien AI's have come to Earth quite often to kidnap humans to sell them as slaves or use them as slaves of their own. Earth supposedly knows nothing of this nor do they know about the vast Imperium Empire. This is where billions of aliens exist, fight, and trade all without the Earth knowing anything about any of it. Earth is too primitive, too far behind in technology, to be part of the Imperium. Still, they are not supposed to be disturbed by any of the Imperium aliens except they are by those that are criminals. Jack finds that he and Jessica have been sold to a human mercenary company, called the Black Company. How they are now going to live their lives turns out to be very interesting. One thing they definitely know is, they are never, ever returning to Earth!
This is a pretty good story-line. I like that humans are not the weaklings that most science fiction stories portray us. While we're not the strongest, we do know how to fight and there is a need for mercenaries in the Imperium. What happens to Jack and Jessica is going to be very interesting and even impossible according to our current way of thinking. Will they be able to adapt to their new living conditions? Maybe, but it won't be as you would guess.
Book 2, "Earth Gambit" is available on Amazon and I'm definitely going to add it to my reading list.
January 31, 2023
Reads like a graphic novel: fast, minimal depth, broad strokes for concepts
The story is rather typical in that the hero must survive gladiator style in his initial vivid alien contact scene. What is not typical is the backseat to events he takes after that. He pretty much goes along for the ride, getting killed frequently and reinstalled in his replacement bodies, whose generation or creation is never explained. How can it be cheap to keep cloning numerous bodies? Where are they grown or stored?
The aliens are vaguely described as are most settings, characters, and weaponry. The action happens with a bit of politics thrown in, and then the story is wrapped up very tidily with very little tension and minimal climax. The last third of the book reads more like a summary of events instead of a moment-by-moment experience.
For readers who want their sci-fi to read like a video game plot, or like a comic book, this will likely be a good fit. For readers who enjoy imagery, world-building with political nuance, meaningful character development on an emotional level, and vivid alien encounters, this book will not suffice.
The author needs a professional editor and to learn how to properly use commas. There are lots of distracting typos and a gajillion comma errors. There is a lot of violence, body parts, death, and a family pet dies.
The story is rather typical in that the hero must survive gladiator style in his initial vivid alien contact scene. What is not typical is the backseat to events he takes after that. He pretty much goes along for the ride, getting killed frequently and reinstalled in his replacement bodies, whose generation or creation is never explained. How can it be cheap to keep cloning numerous bodies? Where are they grown or stored?
The aliens are vaguely described as are most settings, characters, and weaponry. The action happens with a bit of politics thrown in, and then the story is wrapped up very tidily with very little tension and minimal climax. The last third of the book reads more like a summary of events instead of a moment-by-moment experience.
For readers who want their sci-fi to read like a video game plot, or like a comic book, this will likely be a good fit. For readers who enjoy imagery, world-building with political nuance, meaningful character development on an emotional level, and vivid alien encounters, this book will not suffice.
The author needs a professional editor and to learn how to properly use commas. There are lots of distracting typos and a gajillion comma errors. There is a lot of violence, body parts, death, and a family pet dies.
March 21, 2023
giving this for stars, even though the story seemed a bit derivative.
First of all, let me say, I like the story and want to see where it is going. Secondarily I thought I read this series, isn’t it called undying mercenaries. Didn’t like that aspect of the story. Been there done that got a T-shirt. What I would like to see are the additional augments that human beings can get, things that will make them see, faster, stronger, run and fight harder without the combat suits. like the characters so far, even though the MC seems more like a back seater in the story. Hopefully he gets more to do and fills a more vital role in the books. the rest of The characters are OK. I will definitely read the next one in the series to see where the story progresses because I have liked this authors previous works.
First of all, let me say, I like the story and want to see where it is going. Secondarily I thought I read this series, isn’t it called undying mercenaries. Didn’t like that aspect of the story. Been there done that got a T-shirt. What I would like to see are the additional augments that human beings can get, things that will make them see, faster, stronger, run and fight harder without the combat suits. like the characters so far, even though the MC seems more like a back seater in the story. Hopefully he gets more to do and fills a more vital role in the books. the rest of The characters are OK. I will definitely read the next one in the series to see where the story progresses because I have liked this authors previous works.
November 6, 2024
Though I struggled to hang in there hoping this book would pick up I just could not hang. I’ve read books similar to it in the past and made it through and enjoyed them. Not this time. I found myself wondering if it was going to get better but it seemed to just plod along. Not trying to be overly critical but I just could not continue with the story. I even went as far as skimming ahead to see if it picked up with the intention of going back and moving forward to the better story line. But never found anything to convince me to continue. I would not recommend this book to anyone and if there are sequels to it am not willing to try to read them. Thank you for your time in reading this review.
January 2, 2023
The Dangers of Space
What a journey this book takes the reader on. Jack and his daughter Jessica are abducted by an alien AI. Jack is forced to fight for his life and for Jessica's. The two are genetically altered to live longer and stronger. From here they're rescued by a large group of humans who had also been abducted. It was really interesting to watch Jack come to terms with his changed role in life and he adapted back into being a soldier. There were many battles that were bloody and tough going. There are also many twists butalways remember it's space and aliens.
What a journey this book takes the reader on. Jack and his daughter Jessica are abducted by an alien AI. Jack is forced to fight for his life and for Jessica's. The two are genetically altered to live longer and stronger. From here they're rescued by a large group of humans who had also been abducted. It was really interesting to watch Jack come to terms with his changed role in life and he adapted back into being a soldier. There were many battles that were bloody and tough going. There are also many twists butalways remember it's space and aliens.
January 20, 2023
Extremely Basic
This might be correct for YA lit but the storyline and plot are of insufficient depth to qualify for adult entertainment. Add to that the lack of any character development and most are left with no reason to continue. The sci-fi tech is made of mostly “hand-wavium” and while I have few issues with typical “deus ex machina” style tech, the “science and technology” in this book were far outside that acceptability. My recommendation is to leave this book on the shelf.
This might be correct for YA lit but the storyline and plot are of insufficient depth to qualify for adult entertainment. Add to that the lack of any character development and most are left with no reason to continue. The sci-fi tech is made of mostly “hand-wavium” and while I have few issues with typical “deus ex machina” style tech, the “science and technology” in this book were far outside that acceptability. My recommendation is to leave this book on the shelf.
November 13, 2023
Military style💪🗡🔫💥 sci-fi👹 And space🚀 adventure.
This is the 1st in a series of novels📚 about Jack Rhodes , A former marine, and his daughter, Jessica.
They are abducted from earth🌏 by a Crazy AI👾, And then rescued by other former abductees.
Militant Aliens👹 figure prominently in this novel.
The novel is written in 1st person, Which I don't really care for Because we don't know what the other characters are thinking.-⭐
The author also inserts his misguided opinions about our Earth🌏 into the book, which made it lose another star -⭐.
I got the second book from Amazon📚 with Kindle Unlimited
This is the 1st in a series of novels📚 about Jack Rhodes , A former marine, and his daughter, Jessica.
They are abducted from earth🌏 by a Crazy AI👾, And then rescued by other former abductees.
Militant Aliens👹 figure prominently in this novel.
The novel is written in 1st person, Which I don't really care for Because we don't know what the other characters are thinking.-⭐
The author also inserts his misguided opinions about our Earth🌏 into the book, which made it lose another star -⭐.
I got the second book from Amazon📚 with Kindle Unlimited
August 26, 2024
Summary: I like clever plots with twists and turns and unexpected events coupled with strong world building that is consistent, and in its context, believable. This book is the opposite of those likes. Silly would sum it up
Plotline: 2 dimensional, read as if it was made up as it was written
Premise: Just didn't work
Writing: About the best part of the book, well written some good characters
Ending: Predictable
Pace: Never a dull moment!
Plotline: 2 dimensional, read as if it was made up as it was written
Premise: Just didn't work
Writing: About the best part of the book, well written some good characters
Ending: Predictable
Pace: Never a dull moment!
January 8, 2023
Juvenile
I couldn't get more than a few chapters in.
Is this listed as YA reading and I missed it?
The writing style is simplistic and the intro is completely lacking in any sort of depth or character building.
Hard pass.
I couldn't get more than a few chapters in.
Is this listed as YA reading and I missed it?
The writing style is simplistic and the intro is completely lacking in any sort of depth or character building.
Hard pass.
January 8, 2023
The sci-fi I read as a young man!
It's a story line that grows on you.....After awhile you just can't seem to put it down for any length of time! Fast moving plot line, holds your interest quite easily!
It's a story line that grows on you.....After awhile you just can't seem to put it down for any length of time! Fast moving plot line, holds your interest quite easily!
February 12, 2023
Taken
Caught my interest from the beginning and only got better as it went along. Yes it does have similarities to other books in many ways but a very worthwhile read. The only thing I didn't like was the death of the dog at the beginning.
Caught my interest from the beginning and only got better as it went along. Yes it does have similarities to other books in many ways but a very worthwhile read. The only thing I didn't like was the death of the dog at the beginning.
February 26, 2023
humans are superior to aliens. This is what we found out.
This is a story about a human who is captured in a green into a alien world like no other. This is a story from beginning to end, and what it was like to experience this.
This is a story about a human who is captured in a green into a alien world like no other. This is a story from beginning to end, and what it was like to experience this.
December 24, 2022
Space Opera
Space opera done well, for sure. Definitely had a few twists I did not expect so do not expect spoilers 😁😁. Find your own twists by reading the book like I did.
Space opera done well, for sure. Definitely had a few twists I did not expect so do not expect spoilers 😁😁. Find your own twists by reading the book like I did.
January 3, 2023
Lots of action
Written in a way that is understandable with current science fiction technology. It was very enjoyable, am waiting for the next book in series.
Written in a way that is understandable with current science fiction technology. It was very enjoyable, am waiting for the next book in series.
January 9, 2023
a nice start
This book is a nice start to hopefully an interesting series. It has interesting characters and an entertaining storyline. Looking forward to reading the next book
This book is a nice start to hopefully an interesting series. It has interesting characters and an entertaining storyline. Looking forward to reading the next book
January 12, 2023
Promising start to a new military SF series. Will be interesting to learn how Earth will prevail as a new member of the Imperium.
January 22, 2023
juvenile fiction
This is fiction written for pre-teens . Nothing bad about it, but it’s still very cut-and-dried. For mor Wired’s s hir.
This is fiction written for pre-teens . Nothing bad about it, but it’s still very cut-and-dried. For mor Wired’s s hir.
December 15, 2023
can’t wait for the carry on book.
Found the storyline to be exciting, the characters to be believable and the science to achievable. The whole reading experience was delightful.
Found the storyline to be exciting, the characters to be believable and the science to achievable. The whole reading experience was delightful.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews