Book Review – Caspian’s Fortune

(See all my Book Reviews and Author Interviews) – Eric Warren is the author of two dozen novels. Caspian’s Fortune was published in 2019, and is the first book in his Infinity’s End series. It is the 28th book I completed reading in 2023.

I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com with the expectation of a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to scenes of violence and mature language, I categorize this novel as R. The primary character is Caspian Robeaux.

Robeaux was once on track for a successful military career. He had been XO of the Sovereign Coalition of Aligned Systems starship Achlys. But then he was court-martialed as part of a government cover-up. Now he is barely able to sustain himself flying the odd mission for Veena.

Lt. Commander Evelyn Diazal of the Coalition approaches Robeaux. She has been ordered to take him back to Coalition Space. The Achlys has disappeared, and the Coalition wants Robeaux to help recover it.

Robeaux desperately wants to avoid returning to the Coalition. He is behind in repayments to Veena, and she will not easily let him off. He must decide which is the lesser evil.

I enjoyed the 6.5 hours I spent reading this 287-page science fiction novel. This was a good space opera novel. I like the chosen cover art. I give this novel a rating of 4 out of 5.

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

Book Review – Fleet Elements

(See all my Book Reviews and Author Interviews) – Walter Jon Williams http://www.walterjonwilliams.net/ is the author of nearly 40 novels. Fleet Elements was published in 2020 and is the second in his Praxis series. It is the 22nd book I completed reading in 2023.

I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com with the expectation of a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to mature situations and mature language, I categorize this novel as R.

The Praxis, a mix of humans and aliens, is what remains of the Shaa empire. It has succumbed to civil war, and the humans are not doing well against the aliens. Captain Gareth Martinez and Lady Caroline Sula lead the hope for human survival. They were once lovers, but now Martinez is married to Lady Terza Chen. She is the daughter and heir of Terran Lord Chen.

Martinez and Sula have a chance to lead humanity through the crisis. They must overcome the politicians, the military, and the fanatics. They must also resist the renewed attraction that is pulling them back together. Sula is also threatened by her secret past.

I enjoyed the 12.5 hours I spent reading this 509-page science fiction novel. While this novel can be read standalone, you should read The Accidental War first. This novel did end abruptly. I like the chosen cover art. I give this novel a rating of 4 out of 5

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

Book Review – Star Quest: All That Remains

(See all my Book Reviews and Author Interviews) – Patricia Lee Macomber is the author of a dozen novels. Star Quest: All That Remains was published in 2020 and is the second in her Star Quest series. It is the 16th book I completed reading in 2023.

I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com with the expectation of a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! I categorize this novella as G. The main character is Captain Steve Hunter of the starship Endeavor.

The Endeavor comes across an alien spacecraft. It is adrift, and they investigate. They find the entire crew dead. The Endeavor’s physician, Dr. Klein, has ruled out a virus or other biological cause. The only unusual thing noticed was the dust that permeated the alien ship. After the team investigating the alien spacecraft returns to the Endeavor, strange things begin happening.

Crew members act differently, and Endeavor’s course is changed. The dust is seen on the Endeavor as well. The crew comes to the conclusion that it is a unique life form. After arriving at the alien home world, Hunter and Commander Bishop travel to the surface. They are welcomed at first, but then both are imprisoned.

Will the crew of the Endeavor regain control and be able to save Hunter and Bishop?

I enjoyed the 4.5+ hours I spent reading this 155-page science fiction novella. I thought long and hard about calling a Rule of 50 on this, but because of its short length I persisted to the end. It reminded me a lot of the Original Star Trek TV episode, but it felt like a satire of them. The chosen cover art is engaging. I give this novel a rating of 3 out of 5

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

Book Review – A Hole in the Universe

(See all my Book Reviews and Author Interviews) – J. H. Wear https://www.jhwear.com is the author of more than a dozen novels. A Hole in the Universe was published in 2020. It is the 14th book I completed reading in 2023.

I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com with the expectation of a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to some mature language, I categorize this novel as PG. The primary character is spacecraft captain Jaret McLeod.

McLeod had been an asteroid miner aboard the ship Gladiator until an accident put him on sick leave. As he nears medical release, he is offered the opportunity to captain a mining vessel, the Nebula. While on a mining run, they save another mining ship.

McLeod becomes captain of the cargo ship McKenzie King. Later he is offered the chance to captain an experimental ship with FTL capabilities. It is the Hendrik A. Lorentz, and McLeod will take it on its maiden voyage.

Many spacers claim to have encountered USOs, Unidentified Space Objects. They move at incredible speed and have been sighted for years, but no one knows what or who they are. On Mars, fossil hunters discover alien stonework. Are the two connected?

I enjoyed the 8 hours I spent reading this 276-page science fiction novel. It took a bit of reading (44% of the book) before the plot began to kick in. Before that, the book focused on everyday life in space and on Mars. The chosen cover art is eye-catching. I give this novel a rating of 3.3 (rounded to 3) out of 5.

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

Book Review – The Luna Missile Crisis

(See all my Book Reviews and Author Interviews) – Rhett C. Bruno http://rhettbruno.com/ and Jaime Castle http://www.jaimecastle.com have together published more than 50 novels. The Luna Missile Crisis was published in 2020. It is the 13th book I completed reading in 2023.

I received an ARC of this book through ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com with the expectation of a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to scenes of violence, I categorize this novel as R.

The Russians are launching Yuri Gagarin in 1961 when an alien spacecraft suddenly appears in orbit. Unfortunately, a collision between the two craft ensues. The Russians at first see it as an attack. They fire nuclear weapons toward the West. While the missiles are destroyed, a radioactive ‘dead curtain’ in Eastern Europe results.

The aliens, the Vurbathi, need assistance repairing their ship. They offer technology in exchange for Earth’s help.

In the dead curtain, Sergeant Kyle McCoy and his team confront Russian troops. In the midst of the resulting skirmish, a Vurbathi appears. With it, secrets are exposed.

Three years later, Kyle McCoy’s twin brother Connor is trying to sell counterfeit Vurbathi technology. The deal goes sideways, and Connor must go on the run. He takes refuge with his brother, then betrays him by stealing his Department of Alien Relations ID. Using it Connor impersonates his brother and travels to the Moon for a diplomatic conference with the Vurbathi.

As the conference is beginning, an unknown group launches a sneak attack. Connor escapes with a beautiful KBG agent. They find themselves drawn into a conspiracy. It looks like only Connor can save the day.

I enjoyed the 12.5+ hours I spent reading this 488-page science fiction and alternate history novel. The plot is full of twists, and it is full of action. It was a refreshing read. I have read and enjoyed a few of Bruno’s other publications. They are Titanborn, From Ice to Ashes, and The Circuit: Executor Rising. I like the chosen cover art. I give this novel a rating of 4.5 (rounded to 5) out of 5.

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

Book Review – The Journey of Atlantis

(See all my Book Reviews and Author Interviews) – Jeff Knoblauch https://www.jeffknoblauch.com has published two novels. The Journey of Atlantis was published in 2017 and is the first book in his Atlantis series. This is the 10th book I completed reading in 2023.

I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com with the expectation of a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! I categorize this book/novel as G.

Astronomers at the Keck Observatory discover a new neutron star. After some calculations, they determine that the star is on a trajectory that will take it through the Solar System. In just 84 years, life will be extinguished.

If humanity is to survive, the people of Earth must put aside their differences and cooperate. A ship must be built and launched that will carry the seeds of humanity to a new home. Most get behind the effort, but some dissenters protest and take action against the project. Compared to Earth’s population, only a hand full will be saved on the starship Atlantis.

The novel gives a series of snapshots of progress and problems as the project progresses. These are spaced about ten years apart. As the years pass, old characters die, and new ones are introduced. They struggle with science and engineering problems. The looming deadline of the neutron star’s catastrophic arrival drives them to complete the project.

I enjoyed the 8 hours I spent reading this 301-page science fiction novel. This novel is different. It deals with many different people over almost 100 years. The story is more of a high-level summary of the project than a detailed plot. I like the chosen cover art. I give this novel a rating of 4 out of 5.

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

Book Review – Battle for Earth: Journal One

(See all my Book Reviews and Author Interviews) – Hammer Trollkin https://hammertrollkin.com/ is the author of five novels. Battle for Earth: Journal One was published in 2020 and is the first in his Shockwave series. This is the 8th book I completed reading in 2023.

I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com with the expectation of a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to scenes of violence, I categorize this novel as R.

A group of teens is visiting a secret DARPA laboratory when explosions cover them in unique nanites. The explosions are caused by an alien attack. The bug-like invaders have technological superiority, but the teens become a force to be reckoned with as each develops unique powers.

The team, which comes to be known as Shockwave, is made up of an odd collection of characters. The leader, referred to as Mr. T, is a DARPA scientist. 17-year-old Elizabeth ‘Viz’ is Mr. T’s granddaughter. Her special skill is invisibility. Also part of the team is 16-year-old Mia, Viz’s younger sister. Known to the team as ‘Para’, her special skill is becoming super dense.

The 16-year-old identical twin boys Tom and Bill are known as ‘Rock’ and ‘Roll’. Their ability is nonlocality – they can transport. There is also Muncle. He is a spider monkey. But he is an exceptionally smart monkey with enhanced eyesight. Lastly is Mr. T, who can read a person’s mind if he can touch them. Lastly is Communal, a sentient artificial intelligence.

The Shockwave team strikes out against the invaders at every opportunity.

I thought that the 10.5 hours I spent reading this 265-page young adult science fiction novel were interesting. The plot and writing are tailored to young adult readers. The book is full of action. I do like the chosen cover art. I give this novel a rating of 3 out of 5.

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

Book Review – The Cendovian

(See all my Book Reviews and Author Interviews) – This is the first publication by Mark Hennessy. The Cendovian was published in 2020 and is the first book in his Cendovian Chronicles series. This is the 6th book I completed reading in 2023.

I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com with the expectation of delivering a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to scenes of minor violence, I categorize this novel as PG.

Victor, Marisa, and Connor are attending their first day of classes at Stanford. Unknown to them, their professor, Richard Nelson, is plotting to draw them into his plans to save humanity. Nelson, with neuroscientist colleague Pari, is secretly working to build a digital copy of a human brain and personality. A project that will enable humans to virtually live forever.

I enjoyed the 11 hours I spent reading this 383-page science fiction novel. The AI aspects of the story and the moral questions were interesting. A plot didn’t emerge until well past halfway through the novel, and then it was weak. The chosen cover art is eye catching. I give this novel a rating of 3.8 (rounded to 4) out of 5.

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

Book Review – Debt of Loyalty

(See all my Book Reviews and Author Interviews) – Christopher G. Nuttall is the author of more than 100 novels. Debt of Loyalty was published in 2020 and is the second book in his Ember of War series. This is the 2nd book I completed in 2023.

I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com with the expectation of delivering a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to some violence and mature language, I categorize this novel as R. The primary character is Admiral Lady Katherine Falcone.

The Commonwealth has been engulfed in a civil war. Falcone had to make a hard decision as civil war became inevitable. Should she stay loyal to the King and the colony worlds or remain with the Tyre Navy and her family. She has sided with King Hadrian and has enabled his escape from Tyre.

The planet Caledonia has become the rebel stronghold and has allied with a handful of colony worlds against the Commonwealth parliament.

Falcone had to make a hard decision as civil war became inevitable. Should she stay loyal to the King and the colony worlds, or remain with the Tyre Navy and her family.

Falcone is given command of the King’s fleet and engages the Tyre forces. They skirmish, but the big battle will be in Tyre space. The plan is risky, but if the war is not taken to Tyre, Caledonia will fall under attack. Falcone wants to win the engagement and bring the civil war to an end. She may have to settle for striking a hard blow and withdrawing in defeat.

I enjoyed the 10.5+ hours I spent reading this 401-page science fiction novel. With this book, I have read six excellent books by Mr. Nuttall. The others are The Oncoming Storm, Falcone Strike, Cursed Command, The Hyperspace Trap, and Debt of Honor. While this novel can be read stand-alone, the novels listed above, except for The Hyperspace Trap should be read first. I enjoy ‘space opera’ stories, and Debt of Loyalty is one of the best. The plot is laced with action, politics, and intrigue. I like the cover art chosen for this novel. I give this novel a rating of 5 out of 5.

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

Book Review – Black sheep

(See all my Book Reviews and Author Interviews) – Rachel Aukes https://www.rachelaukes.com/ is the author of more than 40 books. _Black Sheep: A Space Opera Adventure _ was published in 2020 and is the first in her Flight of the Javelin series. This was the 100th book I completed in 2022.

I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com with the expectation of delivering a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to scenes of violence, I categorize this novel as R. The primary character is spacecraft Captain Halit ‘Throttle’ Reyne.

Reyene and her crew are 15 years into a 20-year voyage when her colony ship, the Gabriela, has a breakdown. The catastrophic failure means Renene and her crew must abandon the Colony ship and the thousand colonists in cryo-sleep aboard. The only chance for the colonists is for the crew to find help.

They are surprised when they stumble across a derelict ship. It will be the find of a lifetime if Reyene and her crew can get it to civilized space. They find the ship intact and fully operational once they have boarded it. The onboard AI, who they name Rusty, has no memory of the ship’s origin or mission.

Reyene thinks their problem has been solved with the discovery of the ship. They head back to the Colony ship. When they arrive, they find that the Gabriela has been taken by pirates. They are forced to follow the pirates to the Jade-8 Terra orbital colony.

The Gabriela is docked at the station, but it is hardly the safe haven Reyene was looking for. The space station is run by pirates and gangsters. The inhabitants are virtual slaves to the two siblings that are in power.

Reyene and her crew’s freedom is in question and the future of the colonists looks dire. Can they escape Jade-8? Will they have to abandon the colonists?

I enjoyed the 6.5+ hours I spent reading this 262-page science fiction novel. I do like the chosen cover art. I give this novel a rating of 4 out of 5.

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).