Audible Book Review: Call to Arms, Black Fleet Trilogy, Book2, by Joshua Dalzelle

This military space story zipped by!
Call to Arms
Black Fleet Trilogy, Book 2
By: Joshua Dalzelle
Narrated by: Mark Boyett

Length: 8 hrs and 55 mins
Release date: 01-19-16
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Military Sci Fi, Sci Fi, Space Opera
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
From Joshua Dalzelle comes the follow-up to the number-one best seller Warship. Captain Jackson Wolfe survived the initial incursion of a vicious alien species into human space...barely. He had assumed the juggernaut that had devastated three Terran systems was the herald for a full invasion, but for the last few years it has been eerily quiet along the Frontier. Jackson now struggles to convince the Confederate leadership the threat is still imminent and needs to be taken seriously. While powerful factions make backroom deals, he is desperate to find irrefutable proof that the invaders are coming, and if humanity expects to survive they must marshal their forces and make a stand before it's too late.
©2015 Joshua Dalzelle (P)2016 Podium Publishing

Review:
Captain Wolfe has seen the devastation that the alien enemy known as the Phage can deliver. He and his crew on the Ares have been out at the Frontier in decimating battles with the Phage. The enemy small ships are difficult enough, fast and many in number, but then there are the mammoth Alphas which are overwhelming to face. Now the crew has seen an even larger construct move in and quickly destroy a full planetary colony.

Wolfe has continually warned the Confederate leadership that the threat of invasion attack is imminent. When he requests that the military leaders begin to plan to protect the planets on the edges of the inner system, he is frustrated to learn that political factions are inclined to ignore him. It looks like they won’t provide support but that won’t stop Wolfe from trying to do what he can to protect the planet that seems to be the next target.

Although Wolfe oversees an unbalanced battle campaign with staggering losses. As the fight appears to be lost, Wolfe’s ships receive a rescue by the arrival of unknown ships. But then the news comes of a devastating attack at another location. Wolfe feels defeated until he is presented with a surprise opportunity to challenge the enemy.

This installment is full of military battle action which I enjoyed even if I couldn’t follow all of the descriptive details. There is development growth for several of the primary characters that added interest to the story. I liked the fast pace action and look forward to getting the next book. I recommend this to fans of military space opera.

Audio Notes: Mark Boyett does a wonderful job with the narration. He delivers clear voices and intensity in the action. The narration adds to my enjoyment of the series.

Source: 1/15/2020 December Audible Credits. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook goal.

Audible Review: Warship by Joshua Dalzelle

This started slowly but really picked up!

Warship
Black Fleet Trilogy, Book 1
By: Joshua Dalzelle
Narrated by: Mark Boyett

Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins
Unabridged
Release date: 06-30-15
Language: English
Publisher: Podium Publishing
Genre: Sci Fi, Space Opera
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0
Audio Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
From Joshua Dalzelle, author of the best-selling Omega Force series, comes an all new vision of humanity's future.
In the 25th century, humans have conquered space. The advent of faster-than-light travel has opened up hundreds of habitable planets for colonization, and humans have exploited the virtually limitless space and resources for hundreds of years with impunity. So complacent have they become with the overabundance that armed conflict is a thing of the past, and their machines of war are obsolete and decrepit. What would happen if they were suddenly threatened by a terrifying new enemy? Would humanity fold and surrender, or would they return to their evolutionary roots and meet force with force?
One ship - and one captain - will soon be faced with this very choice.
©2015 Joshua Dalzelle (P)2015 Podium Publishing

Review:
Humans have conquered space but still have seen no aliens in the 25th century. Resources are abundant and space travel has provided sufficient living spaces so there has been peace and no wars for centuries. The last fleet of warships are years old, without the speed and technology of the more recent ships. Of course, the recent ships don’t have the weapons that the older ones do. But no one thinks they need sophisticated weapons… or even to maintain the old ones.

Captain Jackson Wolfe is an Earther so he is looked down upon by many; especially by his superior Admiral. She is looking for any reason to get rid of him. She assigns a new Executive Officer to the ship which is already full of sailors who are considered less than top notch. Based on the Admiral’s recommendation, the consortium which governs has chosen to retire the black fleet of unused warships. The Admiral sends Wolfe and his ship on a fairly routine mission. The only quirk is a detour to deliver an arrogant Senator’s aide to a secretive meeting. The man turns out to be more than expected as does the mission.

Wolfe flies into a settled colony system and is confused by what he discovers. Although some think he should turn and run, he chooses to investigate. The findings are even more alarming and set Wolfe and ship on a new, unapproved course. Wolfe sends his reports back to the Admiral but gets a rejected reply. Meanwhile Wolfe is pursuing a dangerous enemy. He has to call upon his ragtag crew, not of all whom are supportive, to make the ancient weapons work and to help strategize to face a killing foe.

The story started slowly but once the mystery of the passenger and then the mystery of the enemy begins, it gets really engaging. I really enjoyed the crew interaction, including the mysterious passenger who has a connection throughout the journey. I liked how the crew was able to find means of fixing and using the old weapons to attack a much stronger enemy. They may be the underdogs but they aren’t going out without a fight.

There is some bad language but not excessive. I will definitely continue listening to this exciting series. I recommend this to space marine, sci fi fans.

Audio Notes: Mark Boyett does a fantastic job with the narration. He nails different voices and conveys the emotions of disdain, confusion, determination and more. The narration enhanced my enjoyment of this story.

Source: Audible 2016 Credit Purchase. This qualifies for 2018TBR, Take Control, Audiobook and Alphabet Challenges.

Audible Book Review: Omega Rising: Omega Force, Book 1 by Joshua Dalzelle

This is an quick, fun space adventure with likable characters and good action.
Omega Rising: Omega Force, Book 1
Written by: Joshua Dalzelle
Narrated by: Paul Heitsch

Length: 6 hrs and 41 mins
Series: Omega Force, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:10-24-14
Publisher: Joshua Dalzelle
Genre: Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Jason Burke was a man hiding from himself in a small cabin high in the American Rocky Mountains when his simple, quiet life was shattered one night by what he first assumed was an aviation mishap. But when he investigates the crash, what he finds will yank him out of his self-imposed exile and thrust him into a world he could have never imagined. He suddenly finds himself trapped on a damaged alien spacecraft and plunged into a universe of interstellar crime lords and government conspiracies, along the way meeting strange new friends… and enemies. As he struggles to find his way back home he is inexorably drawn deeper into a world where one misstep could mean his death. Or worse. He desperately wants to get back to Earth, but it may be the end for him...or is it just the beginning?
©2013, 2014 Joshua Dalzelle (P)2014 Joshua Dalzelle

Review:
Jason Burke is a former military man who has suffered losses. He has chosen to live secluded in a small cabin in the Rocky Mountains. A quiet night is disturbed when he hears and sees what he believes to be an aviation crash. He arrives on site to offer aid but accidentally gets trapped in a damaged alien spacecraft. He discovers the ship is manned by a ‘synthetic’ (humanoid-like robot) named Deetz. Jason wonders why there are no other living beings and is surprised when Deetz asks him to stay on board as the commander and help complete a secretive mission.

Although Jason has some misgivings, it is hard to refuse the opportunity to be the first human to see Jupiter up close and step onto Mars! Fortunately the ship responds to Jason as the recognized commander. Deetz is very secretive of his mission and as the undisclosed cargo is being loaded, two small craft start firing on the ship. Jason picks up a local mechanic, Twingo, who was caught in the cross fire and Deetz whisks them away from the hostile pursuit.

Jason is glad to have a new friend in Twingo but they soon learn that Deetz has unhealthy business connections. A rather nasty mob leader coerces Jason into taking on a delivery run. An angry “Doc” (a medical geneticist) is added to the crew along with a few henchmen. Jason, Twingo and Doc begin to share notes and discover some common issues. They are soon making plans to release captured aliens, hoping they will be grateful for the rescue. Three unique characters are added to Jason’s crew in the process of completing the rescue and making their escape. This group declares themselves to be the Omega Force with the mission to help those who can’t help themselves.

I liked the opening of the book but the next two and a half hours is a bit drawn out setting the scene of Jason on the alien ship. After that the plot thickens with danger, action, conspiracy, betrayal and battle. Although the translators make the characters all seem human, they are not. I liked the newly added characters: Crusher, the giant warrior, Cage, the four armed computer hacker, and Lucky Seven, a mammoth battle synth.

The writing is straight forward making for easy listening. I enjoyed the easy pace, the creative plot, the good action and the light humor in this opening book. I look forward to enjoying more in the series. Readers who enjoy Star Wars or Firefly type episodes, might want to try this out.

Audio Notes: Paul Heitsch does a nice job with the narration. It may not be stellar but it captures the military tone and carries the varied alien voices. The narration enhanced my reading enjoyment and I recommend it for a quick listen.

I received this title through Audiobook Jukebox. It qualifies for my Audio Challenge.