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Gate Ghosts #7
Deadly Gambits
Escalation is the watchword for the dangerous contest between the Imperium and the conclave. Executors seek the means to push the conclave out of the empire, and desperate measures are taken to design and construct new ships, which are armed with a terrible weapon.
Previously, Karcaton’s best minds created a powerful probe for the Imperium. The test produced more explosive energy than had been calculated. Now the Imperium’s two most dominant executors want probes with even greater destructive capability. Their plan is to catch the conclave fleet unaware and teach the aliens an unforgettable lesson.
At the same time, the conclave’s protectors are dissatisfied with Admiral Cordelia dedicating the entire fleet to the Jumanus system. In the SADEs’ kernels, progress against the empire has stalled, and they press Cordelia to disperse the fleet into Executor Grageth’s territory.
Meanwhile, the Helgart SADEs have identified an unusual energy signature in their dome’s operation. Their further efforts reveal that there are two more anomalies far out from Helgart and on the opposite side of the system from the Helgart-Kilmer anomaly.
The scouts are given a Trident from Commander Tocknicka to investigate the anomalies. While one anomaly leads to an area of dead space, the second one presents a surprise. The scouts’ exit from the continuum puts them in the path of Krackus peacekeepers. But the peacekeepers have more to contend with than the conclave’s Trident. An alien raiding ship is on the prowl.
Previously, Karcaton’s best minds created a powerful probe for the Imperium. The test produced more explosive energy than had been calculated. Now the Imperium’s two most dominant executors want probes with even greater destructive capability. Their plan is to catch the conclave fleet unaware and teach the aliens an unforgettable lesson.
At the same time, the conclave’s protectors are dissatisfied with Admiral Cordelia dedicating the entire fleet to the Jumanus system. In the SADEs’ kernels, progress against the empire has stalled, and they press Cordelia to disperse the fleet into Executor Grageth’s territory.
Meanwhile, the Helgart SADEs have identified an unusual energy signature in their dome’s operation. Their further efforts reveal that there are two more anomalies far out from Helgart and on the opposite side of the system from the Helgart-Kilmer anomaly.
The scouts are given a Trident from Commander Tocknicka to investigate the anomalies. While one anomaly leads to an area of dead space, the second one presents a surprise. The scouts’ exit from the continuum puts them in the path of Krackus peacekeepers. But the peacekeepers have more to contend with than the conclave’s Trident. An alien raiding ship is on the prowl.
- GenresScience Fiction
430 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 11, 2023
91 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
S.H. Jucha
45 books469 followersFrom my early years to the present, books have been a refuge. They’ve fueled my imagination. I’ve traveled to faraway places and met aliens with Asimov, Heinlein, Clarke, Herbert, and Le Guin. I’ve explored historical events with Michener and Clavell, and I played spy with Ludlum and Fleming.
There’s no doubt that the early sci-fi masters influenced the writing of my first two series, The Silver Ships and Pyreans. I crafted my stories to give readers intimate views of my characters, who wrestle with the challenges of living in space and inhabiting alien worlds.
Life is rarely easy for these characters, who encounter aliens and calamities, but they persist and flourish. I revel in examining humankind’s will to survive. Not everyone plays fair or exhibits concern for other beings, but that’s another aspect of humans and aliens that I investigate.
My stories offer hope for humans today about what they might accomplish tomorrow far from our home world. Throughout my books, humans exhibit a will to persevere, without detriment to the vast majority of others.
Readers have been generous with their comments, which they’ve left on Amazon and Goodreads for others to review. I truly enjoy what I do, and I’m pleased to read how my stories have positively affected many readers’ lives.
If you’ve read my books, please consider posting a review on Amazon and Goodreads for every book, even a short one. Reviews attract other readers and are a great help to indie authors, such as me.
The Silver Ships novels have reached Amazon’s coveted #1 and #2 Best-Selling Sci-Fi book, multiple times, in the science fiction categories of first contact, space opera, and alien invasion.
There’s no doubt that the early sci-fi masters influenced the writing of my first two series, The Silver Ships and Pyreans. I crafted my stories to give readers intimate views of my characters, who wrestle with the challenges of living in space and inhabiting alien worlds.
Life is rarely easy for these characters, who encounter aliens and calamities, but they persist and flourish. I revel in examining humankind’s will to survive. Not everyone plays fair or exhibits concern for other beings, but that’s another aspect of humans and aliens that I investigate.
My stories offer hope for humans today about what they might accomplish tomorrow far from our home world. Throughout my books, humans exhibit a will to persevere, without detriment to the vast majority of others.
Readers have been generous with their comments, which they’ve left on Amazon and Goodreads for others to review. I truly enjoy what I do, and I’m pleased to read how my stories have positively affected many readers’ lives.
If you’ve read my books, please consider posting a review on Amazon and Goodreads for every book, even a short one. Reviews attract other readers and are a great help to indie authors, such as me.
The Silver Ships novels have reached Amazon’s coveted #1 and #2 Best-Selling Sci-Fi book, multiple times, in the science fiction categories of first contact, space opera, and alien invasion.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 30, 2024
I have enjoyed reading S. H. Jucha’s books. He creates some of the most interesting characters and plot lines. The books in a series should be read in order to fully enjoy the series. I have been a big fan of the SADAS since the first series and this book is loaded with SADAS. I can’t wait for the next book.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is thirteen hours and sixteen minutes. Nicole Poole does an excellent job narrating the book.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is thirteen hours and sixteen minutes. Nicole Poole does an excellent job narrating the book.
February 18, 2023
Very good!
August 12, 2024
I really want to enjoy these series after investing so much time in them. However, the terrible writing is so distracting. Jucha is full of wonderful ideas which he continues to deliver is the dullest of manners.
I have oft complained of his list-like narrative, but it is one of many transgressions. Yet again he introduces a new, and potentially intriguing, race only to dump their entire life cycle onto the page in the opening paragraphs of exposition. Why not let your audience discover this through the story?
His lack of patience is evident throughout. In all his books his characters intuit the answers to every question in a lazy “look how clever we are in figuring this out?” motif. In reality, they always ignore the billions of alternatives that their current ignorance demands worthy of consideration. It doesn’t matter how intelligent you are, you are limited by the knowledge accumulated to that point. The endless successful ‘intuitions’ are nothing but distractingly lazy writing that makes the suspension of disbelief impossible.
Jucha has not proven any ability to put himself in his character’s shoes. No surprise he creates a race where knowledge is so freely shared - it is a great way to mask his greatest weakness. However, that trick cannot apply to all the protagonists and miscellaneous others.
The author is full of worthwhile ideas - worthy of exploration - but he provides no opportunity for the reader to experience any discovery.
I have oft complained of his list-like narrative, but it is one of many transgressions. Yet again he introduces a new, and potentially intriguing, race only to dump their entire life cycle onto the page in the opening paragraphs of exposition. Why not let your audience discover this through the story?
His lack of patience is evident throughout. In all his books his characters intuit the answers to every question in a lazy “look how clever we are in figuring this out?” motif. In reality, they always ignore the billions of alternatives that their current ignorance demands worthy of consideration. It doesn’t matter how intelligent you are, you are limited by the knowledge accumulated to that point. The endless successful ‘intuitions’ are nothing but distractingly lazy writing that makes the suspension of disbelief impossible.
Jucha has not proven any ability to put himself in his character’s shoes. No surprise he creates a race where knowledge is so freely shared - it is a great way to mask his greatest weakness. However, that trick cannot apply to all the protagonists and miscellaneous others.
The author is full of worthwhile ideas - worthy of exploration - but he provides no opportunity for the reader to experience any discovery.
March 13, 2023
The Saga continues. I found this book hard to read. There are multiple story lines, no one or two main characters leading the story, multiple planets and locations, multiple space ships, many characters and the story skips from one story line to another. I just could not keep up with what was happening and who the characters were in some parts of the book.
In this chapter of the Saga the plans to improve the clones and Mickie's at the Axis Crossing planets continues. The devious Krackus Rebtar and his cohort succeed in having a super bomb developed and exploding it. But the explosion destroys just one Trident and also a few Krackus citizens also. So the plan to deliver a severe blow to the Conclave is not a success. The Conclave destroys about 30 "peacekeeper' ships and maroons the crew on an island on a planet. When the Krackus come for their citizens the conclave givers up the citizens and then the Krackus in charge of the rescue decide that they want to talk about reconciliation with the Conclave. Then a new space ship and species of aliens arrives and they succeed in taking over a Krackus construction platform. But then the book end without further explanation of the origin or disposition of this new threat. So I suppose that the next book will explain more.
I'm not sure whether or not I will read the next book.
In this chapter of the Saga the plans to improve the clones and Mickie's at the Axis Crossing planets continues. The devious Krackus Rebtar and his cohort succeed in having a super bomb developed and exploding it. But the explosion destroys just one Trident and also a few Krackus citizens also. So the plan to deliver a severe blow to the Conclave is not a success. The Conclave destroys about 30 "peacekeeper' ships and maroons the crew on an island on a planet. When the Krackus come for their citizens the conclave givers up the citizens and then the Krackus in charge of the rescue decide that they want to talk about reconciliation with the Conclave. Then a new space ship and species of aliens arrives and they succeed in taking over a Krackus construction platform. But then the book end without further explanation of the origin or disposition of this new threat. So I suppose that the next book will explain more.
I'm not sure whether or not I will read the next book.
January 23, 2023
I’ve caught up and can’t wait for the next book
Well that was fun! Can’t wait for the next book.
I learned about Scott Jucha’s Earthers series of books last year and started on the first book in the Silver Ships sub-series. Along the way I took the recommended detour for the Pyreans sub-series. After the 24 books comprising those two interrelated series I started the third series Gate Ghosts. From the beginning and continuing to this last currently available book Deadly Gambits I have enjoyed Jucha’s books, characters and world building more than any other SF author. I absolutely love each book. In all of the Earthers omnibus series of books there are common threads and themes but the worlds and their inhabitants and the challenges of bringing them into the conclave of worlds are very different.
This book is highly recommended but if you’re new to Jucha start with book one “The Silver Ships” not this wonderful 31st book in the omnibus of the Earthers collection.
Well that was fun! Can’t wait for the next book.
I learned about Scott Jucha’s Earthers series of books last year and started on the first book in the Silver Ships sub-series. Along the way I took the recommended detour for the Pyreans sub-series. After the 24 books comprising those two interrelated series I started the third series Gate Ghosts. From the beginning and continuing to this last currently available book Deadly Gambits I have enjoyed Jucha’s books, characters and world building more than any other SF author. I absolutely love each book. In all of the Earthers omnibus series of books there are common threads and themes but the worlds and their inhabitants and the challenges of bringing them into the conclave of worlds are very different.
This book is highly recommended but if you’re new to Jucha start with book one “The Silver Ships” not this wonderful 31st book in the omnibus of the Earthers collection.
January 16, 2023
Massive expansion of the plot lines, well done.
This installments could really be expanded into 2 or 3 books. New characters are introduced and time is spent delving into character development to give us a feel for each personality. While I felt a bit frustrated by the expansion of the scope and complexity of the "universe" that was being covered, the book did a good job of setting the scene. It will be a tough wait for the next installment as that's where things appear to be coming to a head. Hopefully some closure on some of the story lines, as as so many are now running! For those that like a large and complex tale, you should enjoy this installment.
This installments could really be expanded into 2 or 3 books. New characters are introduced and time is spent delving into character development to give us a feel for each personality. While I felt a bit frustrated by the expansion of the scope and complexity of the "universe" that was being covered, the book did a good job of setting the scene. It will be a tough wait for the next installment as that's where things appear to be coming to a head. Hopefully some closure on some of the story lines, as as so many are now running! For those that like a large and complex tale, you should enjoy this installment.
January 31, 2023
Continuing a great world of fantasy
Thoroughly enjoyed the new steps taken in this book and love the expectations created. Can't wait to see what follows for our friends.
Though I feel the storytelling has increased pace a bit or maybe it just reads so easily that pages fly by quickly.
Thoroughly enjoyed the new steps taken in this book and love the expectations created. Can't wait to see what follows for our friends.
Though I feel the storytelling has increased pace a bit or maybe it just reads so easily that pages fly by quickly.
February 4, 2023
very good book
I am looking forward to the next book In this series. As all the previous books from this author in this series I enjoyed them from cover to cover. I enjoy the actions of the characters in the story and I think the fact that they are a very smart society that doesn’t want to dominate a world and want to solve problems the sensible way.
I am looking forward to the next book In this series. As all the previous books from this author in this series I enjoyed them from cover to cover. I enjoy the actions of the characters in the story and I think the fact that they are a very smart society that doesn’t want to dominate a world and want to solve problems the sensible way.
February 6, 2023
Another book, gone by too fast! Keep them coming!
This series just keeps getting better and better! Another generation of Alex Racine and SADEs with their intellectual and compassionate ways of making friends and resolving differences instead of making enemies! I keep wishing our own world might learn some of his lessons. That's the purpose of the storyline, right?
This series just keeps getting better and better! Another generation of Alex Racine and SADEs with their intellectual and compassionate ways of making friends and resolving differences instead of making enemies! I keep wishing our own world might learn some of his lessons. That's the purpose of the storyline, right?
April 4, 2023
Too many characters
I've read the whole series but these last two books I've sort of looked for any excuse to put them down. There are just too many characters. They are listed at the back of the book and I stopped counting after 100!
Yes the series is good but my old head has decided it has more things to remember. I miss the original characters.
I've read the whole series but these last two books I've sort of looked for any excuse to put them down. There are just too many characters. They are listed at the back of the book and I stopped counting after 100!
Yes the series is good but my old head has decided it has more things to remember. I miss the original characters.
January 13, 2023
Wow
I was so looking forward to this book and I was not disappointed! The story gets deeper and broader but still keeps the charm and personality of the characters the main story driver. So worth reading!
I was so looking forward to this book and I was not disappointed! The story gets deeper and broader but still keeps the charm and personality of the characters the main story driver. So worth reading!
January 25, 2023
Outstanding
The story continues and intensifies. The interactions of characters is one of Jucha`s strengths. The plot line and how it comes together is an enjoyable experience. I eagerly await the next book.
The story continues and intensifies. The interactions of characters is one of Jucha`s strengths. The plot line and how it comes together is an enjoyable experience. I eagerly await the next book.
January 25, 2023
I love this series!
Gate Ghosts continue the on going saga of the SADE’s and heirs of S. H. Jucha’s series Silver Ships. It’s done in a way that introduces new characters along with some old favorites. New problems to solve new enemies and just great stories.
Thanks.
Gate Ghosts continue the on going saga of the SADE’s and heirs of S. H. Jucha’s series Silver Ships. It’s done in a way that introduces new characters along with some old favorites. New problems to solve new enemies and just great stories.
Thanks.
February 3, 2023
Time for the Conclave Sades to escalate their persuasion.
Another alien threat appears while the Imperium tries to oust the Conclave. What will happen with extra parties in the picture?
Another alien threat appears while the Imperium tries to oust the Conclave. What will happen with extra parties in the picture?
February 6, 2023
New Races
New race, new adventures, new challenges.
When everything looks peaceful, a new enemy appears, and this one can be dangerous. Even though it has a resemblance to the elvish race encounter
New race, new adventures, new challenges.
When everything looks peaceful, a new enemy appears, and this one can be dangerous. Even though it has a resemblance to the elvish race encounter
January 20, 2023
more please!
My only regret is I can’t grab the next installment RIGHT NOW and keep rolling with the story. Will it be soon?
My only regret is I can’t grab the next installment RIGHT NOW and keep rolling with the story. Will it be soon?
February 18, 2023
Great novel and excellent series.
Turning the pages is like meeting with old friends. It is more like a small village run with love and caring for each other.
Turning the pages is like meeting with old friends. It is more like a small village run with love and caring for each other.
July 13, 2023
Love this series
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews