#NetGalley Book Review: Archangel Rising by Evan Currie

I enjoyed the strategies, space battles, and tension in this second book.

Archangel Rising
(released January 14, 2020)
by Evan Currie

File Size: 3685 KB
Print Length: 281 pages
Publisher: 47North (January 14, 2020)
ASIN: B07V3KZZFQ
Genre: Sci-Fi, Space Marine Sci-Fi
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.

Archangel Squadron faces off against the forces of the brutal Protectorate to claim a prize, and save humanity, in a gripping novel of deep space jeopardy by the author of the Odyssey One series.
At the helm of a commandeered freighter, Captain Steph Michaels has infiltrated the Free Star systems. Leading a captive crew, and posing as a privateer, he’s on a mission to seize a precious resource from an enemy outpost. Backed by his Archangel Squadron, it’s a smash-and-grab operation he can pull off in his sleep. Until it isn’t.
Before he and his “pirates” can strike, they’re met with an unexpected obstacle. The mining compound they’re targeting also houses camps of slave laboring families. It’s an innocent population Steph refuses to sacrifice as collateral damage, and his morality will drive him to greater extremes than ever before. With a ruthless enemy commander facing them down, Steph will find himself in conflict with not just the Free Stars but potentially with the Empire itself.
The odds of victory? Impossible to foretell.

Review:
Captain Step and his Archangel Squadron has infiltrated the Free Star system as a pirate/privateer squad. Step is leading the six specialized, fast and camouflaged ships from the deck of the seized destroyer dubbed The Dutchman. They planned to swoop in and take over a Protectorate mining facility but plans change when they discover that the workers are ‘slave’ labor with their families held as leverage in slave camps.

Step has to change his plans on the fly which might work out except that an Imperial fleet suddenly appears to see what is going on at one of the stations that supply them with an important element. Now Step and his fleet are facing overwhelming odds.

Meanwhile, Eric and the Odysseus fleet have been exploring deep space. Initially, they have been trying to fly under the sight of Imperial fleets but now they are ready to push some interaction with the enemy. Eric is testing the enemy on the horizon and hoping for interest, not a battle confrontation. But he doesn’t know the commander of the Imperial Eighth Fleet. She is determined to know more about this new enemy.

This is book two which continues where Archangel One left off. The characters were established in book one and their traits carry through. I totally enjoy the cocky bravado of Step and the fact that his crew are resignedly ready to follow his risky, but brilliant, plans. Eric also has a unique relationship with the Odysseus AI ‘being’ as Eric tries to explain human nuances, gut and instinctive reactions to the unemotional AI.

There is plenty of intrigue, tension and fast-paced action that kept me engaged. I would love to continue in the series as stories become available. In the meantime, I will go back and listen to The Heart of the Matter, book two in the Odyssey One series. I recommend this author and these series to readers who enjoy space marine sci-fi.

Source: 2019 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2020TBR, 2020NetGalley and 2020Alphabet goals.

Audible Book Review: Archangel One by Evan Currie

This is a fast listening, good marine space sci-fi.
Archangel One
Archangel One, Book 1
By: Evan Currie
Narrated by: Stephen Dexter


Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 09-01-19
Language: English
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Genre: Military Space Sci-Fi, Sci-Fi, Space Marine
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
An elite squadron must go undercover behind enemy lines in this thrilling new space adventure from the author of the Odyssey One series.
Humanity has reached an uneasy truce with the Empire - but unless the allies bring the fight to the enemy, extinction is all but assured. In preparation for the inevitable next war, Commander Stephen Michaels is at the helm of the Archangel Squadron, and his orders are simple: go rogue.
Disguised as mercenaries, Commander Michaels and the Archangels seek valuable intelligence on their imposing foe. Their mission takes them deep into uncharted territory, where they make inroads with the Empire, fiercely guarding their true identities and purpose. Fighting for the enemy goes against everything they stand for, but these are desperate times.
As their deception increases, so does the risk. With the Empire’s deadliest secrets within reach, Commander Michaels and the Archangels accept a mission that will take them even deeper into the Imperial fold. They know all too well that one wrong step won’t just end their lives - it could end their entire civilization.
©2019 by Cleigh Currie. (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Review:
Commander Michaels, known as “Steph” has been selected to head a new squadron of specially formed ships with the ability to go into space “undercover”. The goal is to infiltrate the outer colonies as a privateer fleet in order to slip into a position to get information on the Empire.

Humanity forces have established a moderate truce with the brutal Empire regime, but they don’t expect it to last. Humanity needs to get more details to protect the species.

Steph and his squadron are fast and willing to push the edges of safety to make a name for their rogue fleet. They step in to help a planetary force when a larger neighbor attacks. The Archangels are able to prevail but at the end of the battle, they realize an enemy Imperial Fleet of the Empire is bearing down on the stricken ships. The Imperial ships do not leave survivors, so Steph decides to quickly save the crews and one of the ships of the defeated attackers. The race out of the system to get away from the Imperial lasers involves an edge of the seat, last-minute desperate maneuver.

I enjoyed the intrigue and the fast action of this story. Step is already a daredevil pilot but he pushes himself and his team to the edge of safety with his actions. Fortunately, he has a whiz of a technician along for the mission who helps save his backside. I enjoyed the camaraderie among the squadron pilot leaders.

I didn’t realize that this series is a branch off from the Odyssey series. I have read book 1 of the first series and have book 2 on my Audible shelf. I plan to pick that up after I read book 2 of this Archangel series. I recommend this author and the series for readers who enjoy military space action sci-fi.

Audio Notes: I felt that Stephen Dexter did a good job with the narration. He provides different voices and accents for the many characters. I didn’t notice any disruptive issues as have been mentioned in other reviews. I enjoyed the listen as good entertainment.

Source: 2/29/2020 Free Audible with Unlimited selection. This qualifies for my 2020Audiobook goal.

Audible Book Review: Lords of Space by Michael Wallace

This story has strong action but some weaker elements.

Lords of Space
Starship Blackbeard, Book 2
By: Michael Wallace
Narrated by: Steve Barnes

Series: Starship Blackbeard, Book 2
Length: 6 hrs and 20 mins
Unabridged
Release date: 04-15-15
Language: English
Publisher: Balsalom Publishing
Genre: Action, Sci Fi, Space Marine
Story Rating: 3.75 of 5.0
Narration/Audio Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Captain James Drake is desperate to clear his name. Pursued relentlessly by the Royal Navy, he takes his loyal crew to attack Admiral Malthorne's estate and seize the evidence that will prove his innocence.
But their search uncovers something else the ruthless admiral has secreted away - the key to stopping a brutal and decades-old war with the Hroom, an ancient alien race. What they find sends Drake on a dangerous mission deep into Hroom territory. Joined by his valiant crew and the daughter of a former rival captain, Drake risks his life and his freedom to stop the war and save what's left of his world.
Book two in the Starship Blackbeard series by Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-selling author Michael Wallace.
The series continues: book three - Dreadnought; book four - Rebellion of Stars.
©2015 Michael Wallace (P)2015 Michael Wallace

Review:
Captain Drake is on the run with his crew and a pirated spaceship dubbed the Blackbeard. Drake insists on striking back at Admiral Malthorne who has manipulated the predicament that set Drake and his crew on the run. He leads his loyal crew to raid the Admiral’s estate looking for evidence that will prove him innocent of the accusations made. Instead he finds another secret that could change the face of the decades old war with the Hroom. Of course they will have to escape and get somewhere safely with their find which may not be too easy with all the Royal Navy fleet pursuing them.

Drake teams up with an unlikely ally in the daughter of a former rival ship captain. They are two strong personalities and she envisions then as “lords of space”. He is more interested in clearing his name, but he is practical enough to accept help to fend off the enemy. The two dance around trust until they form a shaky alliance – in more than piracy. Captain Drake and his XO, Commander Tolvern, have an interesting and sometimes tense relationship. Their camaraderie is stressed by the female ally.

As the journey deep into enemy territory continues Drake comes face to face with his old friend, Captain Rutherford, who has been following orders to chase Drake down. Their encounter sets the stage for more intrigue in book 3.

I enjoyed the action in this story but the plot didn't move along as much as I would have liked. The entertainment was marred for me by a bit of crudeness and gratuitous sex (including a beginning in rather poor taste). The awkward love triangle with the Captain was another area that I wasn’t taken with. These have left me somewhat ambivalent about proceeding with the rest of the series. I might, but probably not anytime soon.

Audio Notes: Steve Barnes does a good job with narration. He portrays the strength of Captain Drake, the emotional upheavals of the women, and he provides good accents for various characters making them easily distinguishable. I also liked the intensity and energy he brings to the audio. I enjoyed listening to this book.

Source: Audible 2017 Credit Purchase. This qualifies for 2018TBR, Take Control, Audiobook and Alphabet Challenges.

Book 1 Review: Starship Blackbeard by Michael Wallace; My Rating 4.75

Audible Book Review: Time for the Stars by Robert A. Heinlein

This is entertaining, ironic and introspective sci fi.

Time for the Stars
By: Robert A. Heinlein
Narrated by: Barrett Whitener

Length: 6 hrs and 36 mins
Unabridged
Release date: 01-25-11
Language: English
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Classic, Space Marine, Vintage Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Travel to other planets is now a reality, and with overpopulation stretching the resources of Earth, the necessity of finding habitable worlds is growing ever more urgent. There’s a problem though—because the spaceships are slower than light, any communication between the exploring ships and Earth would take years.
Tom and Pat are identical twin teenagers. As twins they’ve always been close, so close that it seemed like they could read each other’s minds. When they are recruited by the Long Range Foundation, the twins find out that they can, indeed, peer into each other’s thoughts. Along with other telepathic duos, they are enlisted to be the human transmitters and receivers that will keep the ships in contact with Earth. But there’s a catch: one of the twins has to stay behind—and that one will grow old—while the other explores the depths of space and returns as a young man still.
©1956 ; 1983 by Robert A. Heinlein; 2003 by the Robert A. and Virginia Heinlein Prize Trust (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Review:
Space travel is a reality but there is a problem with getting communication back and forth in a timely fashion. The Long Range Foundation has discovered that twins, or more rarely other family members, can share thoughts even at a distance… through space.

Tom and Pat are identical twins who have always been close but didn’t realize the skill they have until they were tested. They are able to communicate by telepathy. This is good news for the young men and their family as their talents are sought after and will bring good pay. The only problem is that one will travel in space, barely aging, while the other will remain on Earth growing old.

Pat has always been the bit more aggressive of the twins so he steps forward to go. But Tom isn’t ready to take second place this time. All of this distresses their mother and causes some resentment in Tom. But space can be dangerous and things rarely remain the same.

The story is told in first person by Tom. Although there is some space adventure and danger, much of the story is centered on the inner thought struggles that Tom experiences through the situations. This makes it more than just a fun space tale. Although there is retrospection and self-searching the pacing is good so the text moves forward well.

I enjoyed the story. It has the science fiction irony I have come to expect and admire in the classic sci fi stories. I recommend this as a fun vintage sci fi.

Audio Notes: Barrett Whitener does a good job with the narration. The performance is not vibrant or exciting but it suits the character of Tom, especially as a good part of it is set as journal entries. I enjoyed the audio version.

Source: Audible TBR 2016. Read for Vintage Sci Fi. Also qualifies for TBR, Audiobook and Alphabet Challenges.

Book Review: Star Hero: A Star Series Novella by Susan Grant

This is a fast, sexy read.

Star Hero: A Star Series Novella
by Susan Grant

File Size: 2459 KB
Print Length: 124 pages
Publisher: Susan Grant (September 7, 2017)
ASIN: B074TRBZSY
Genre: Romance, Sci Fi, Space Marine
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

First he had to rescue her. Then he'd try to win her back.
A Marine serving in the galactic frontier, Lieutenant Lukas Frank has a lot in common with a street dog named Bang-Bang; they both started off as scrappy orphans fighting to survive--and beat the odds. Things change when Bang-Bang leads Lukas to starpilot Captain Carlynn Riga. The tough war hero learns what it means to surrender--his heart. Lukas's struggles with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, threaten to tear the three of them apart, but nothing threatens them more than when Carlynn goes missing in action. Now the rugged, emotionally scarred Marine and his K-9 partner must find Carlynn and bring her home, or risk losing everything he has finally found worth fighting for.
(Expanded from the novella "Stray", originally published in the Pets in Space 1 Anthology)

Review:
Lieutenant Lukas Frank is deemed a hero although he feels he let many die when a space station exploded around him. His new assignment has brought him to a rough planet where he quickly adopts an orphaned street dog he names Bang-Bang. Bang- Bang is actually an intelligent species with the capacity to learn words, loyalty and use other skills to help his human. Bang-Bang lead Lukas to starpilot Carlynn and their lives are changed forever.

The relationship between Lukas and Carlynn is warm and immediate. But Lukas still suffers from flashbacks which he refuses to discuss. Carlynn is frustrated and decides that taken an assignment of planet might push him to open up. The botanical trip she pilots is supposed to be uneventful. Unfortunately, the initial intel on the planet failed to learn about all the predators. When Carlynn’s ship goes missing, Lukas knows he has to rescue her… and rescue himself.

The characters are wonderfully likeable, including Bang-Bang. There is a nice plot for the novella which kept my attention. The romance is hotter and the language is bolder than I like but I was glad that it was an addition to the storyline and not the sole purpose. I would read more in the series if it wasn’t quite so steamy and brash.

The writing is nicely done and I enjoyed the characters, the world building, even though brief, and the danger. I recommend this to readers who enjoy space military with language and romance that is on the steamy side.

I received this through NetGalley and it adds to my NetGalley Challenge.