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

Book Review: Starship Blackbeard by Michael Wallace

This was so much fun - fast paced and engaging!
Starship Blackbeard
by Michael Wallace

• File Size: 373 KB
• Print Length: 171 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Balsalom Publishing (December 22, 2014)
• ASIN: B00PYOF1V0

Genre: Sci Fi Action Adventure
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Publication Date: December 22, 2014
In the aftermath of an interstellar war with an alien race, Captain James Drake is unjustly court martialed and sentenced to hard labor. Now Drake is on the run from Lord Admiral Malthorne, while another pursuer, Drake's old friend, believes the accusations are true, and promises to bring him to justice.
But Drake won't go down without a fight. Rather than surrender, he'll lead his loyal crew into the lawless frontier worlds, infested with pirates and smugglers, to repair and rearm his ship. Then he'll return to attack Malthorne's estates and seize the evidence he needs to clear his name.
But more than just Malthorne's estate is at stake. If Drake is captured, he and his crew are doomed--and the kingdom will be plunged into another war.
Book #1 of the Starship Blackbeard Series, by Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author Michael Wallace.

Review:
James Drake was a loyal Captain commanding the Royal Navy warship, HMS Ajax, on a planet that draws similarities to earth. Drake and his crew were victorious in a hard fought battle against the alien Hroom. When the battle was done the Captain was found guilty of shooting down an innocent merchant ship and headed to a prison planet. His first mate and a good number of his crew are convinced Drake was framed. They arrange a rescue and mutiny in his own ship. Drake is unhappy with the rescue and is prepared to turn himself in to his old friend, Rutherford, Captain of a sister ship. But Drake learns more facts that don’t make sense, including the fact that his valued pilot, a Hroom, has been turned into an addicted sugar eater who is now destined to be a slave on a sugar plantation. Drake struggles with the desire to save his friends and events tumble until he and the crew end up on the run with the Ajax.

Drake ends up seeking help within a planet cluster of pirates and smugglers. He has always been loyal to the admiralty and hates the position he is in. Still the more they learn the more it appears there is a serious conspiracy. Drake begins to accept that he cannot safely surrender so his plans begin to change. In addition to running from the Admiralty, they have to battle for freedom against a pirate ship.  Although damaged, Ajax and the crew prevail. Drake and his crew gain a new reputation and Ajax gets fixed up with a new name: Starship Blackbeard!

A startling secret is uncovered that could change the future of the beleaguered Hroom and threaten the human colonies. Drake realizes that the Lord Admiral Malthorne is involved in hiding the secret and he suspects that the Admiral is behind framing him. Drake prepares to return to his home planet to do battle.

I quickly learned to like Drake and his dedicated crew members. They are a mixed crew and I was reminded of the band of friends that made up the crew in the movie/series Firefly. They are brave, bold and daring and there is lots of fast paced action, space chases and battles, that kept me thoroughly engaged. The story is very well written and the combination of characters, plot intrigue and action make this wonderful entertainment. I enjoyed several books from the Righteous Series by this author and was glad to try this Sci Fi thriller when he offered it. I was delighted to discover the beginning of another good series in a totally different genre. I highly recommend this to sci fi adventure lovers and those who enjoy fast paced entertainment. I am looking forward to the next book in the series!

I received this title from the author for an honest review.