We Take the battle to the ALIENS - STUNNING end to a thrilling trilogy
579874
This is the third book in Ian Douglas's Star Carrier series and concludes this adventure.

Earth has been fighting the Sh'daar, or more accurately their representative warriors,  for 37 years now and we are losing. The Sh'daar forces keep on getting closer and closer to Earth.

As is usual the politicians are locked in partisan rhetoric with some wanting to negotiate a peace with the superior race who have told Earth to stop their technological progress. On the other side are those like Rear Admiral Alexander Koenig who wants to bring the war to the Sh'daar world and push back hoping to get some breathing space.

Started in book two of the trilogy, Koenig continues to push further away from Earth and hopefully closer to the Sh'daar world. The pacifists on Earth have even sent a fleet after him to persuade him to return to Earth which is one of the first skirmishes that Koenig has to deal with.

Along the way Koenig's fleet discovers an artifact they call the Texaghu Resch Gravitational Anomaly or TRGA for short. It appears to be a Tipler Cylinder rotating at astronomically fast speeds, possibly approaching that of light. Upon closer examination it appears to be a stable worm hole of incredible technology. But what's on the other side ?

Koenig decides the only way to find out is to go though it, which they do. Spectacular and god like technology exists on the other side of the TRGA and epic space battles are waged between his fleet and the Sh'daar warrior species.

We find out who the Sh'daar are. We find out why they are so xenophobic about the possibility of Earth transcending. We find out that the TRGA is more than just a wormhole to another location in the galaxy.

There is great character development in this story along with great tactical manoeuvres both individually and fleet wise. Lots of action. You just have to keep turning pages to see what is going to happen next.

You don't need the other books in the series but I do recommend that you read the other two books "Earth Strike"  and "Center of Gravity" as they are just as spectacular as this third book is.

HIGHLY recommended.

If you like military Sci-fi I also recommend Ian Douglas's Triple Trilogy Galactic Marine series consisting of "The Inheritance Trilogy" and "The Legacy Trilogy" and "The Heritage Trilogy".
2592670
Ashes of a Black Frost by Chris Evans

One of the things I like about Chris Evans is his wonderful titles.  This title is evocative of many things and ties so tightly to the story line that it is astoundingly descriptive.  This is the culmination of a terrific trilogy. (I just love alliteration.)  I highly recommend that you read both The Light of Burning Shadows and Darkness Formed in Fire before reading this final running battle.  The Iron Elves are resurrected in several ways in the ultimate confrontation with the Shadow Monarch.

There is more to these books than just entertainment.  The evolution of personality and the maturation of goals are just a few of the delightful nuggets of philosophy strewn through out the book and the series.

As I said in one of my previous reviews, the Iron Elves are once more the sharp point of the human empires bayonet.  I don't think there is a single character that isn't transformed in some way by the intricate plot of this book.  There are surprises a'plenty awaiting you!  Evans does magical and marvelous characterizations though out the book.  Ymit, Major Swift Dragon, Jir and Visyna  are just a few of the extraordinary colorful and passionate players in this behemoth battle of wills and nature.  In some ways it is just a very exciting rendition of the often confusing and confounding identification of the difference of good, evil and the vast gray area in between.

I enjoyed the book, loved the trilogy and highly recommend all three of the books!
659729
OMG!!  The finale is explosive!  All secrets are revealed; all mysteries are solved; lives are forever changed.  When the smoke clears and the dust settles, the battlefield makes way for the new growth.  Much like a forest fire scorches the earth and the seedlings spring back to life stronger and more abundant than ever.  Light wins; love always triumphs.
  Ms. Robinson skillfully weaves all the strands of her work of art to a beautiful, exciting, believable conclusion.  It has been a breathtaking ride and one I highly recommend to any serious reader.  I was given this book in exchange for an honest review and I am so thankful for the experience.  This trilogy will remain in my collection for another day of feasting.  Five Stars
4876362
An outstanding finale to a brilliant Trilogy!
With each successive book seamlessly adding another layer to the tale, Allegiant certainly delivered. So hard to put down, and Verionica Roth's characters became more real with each chapter. I found myself drawn into their lives, and the next exciting challenges before them. I reluctantly closed the final page, and felt a twinge of loss that it was so. A must read.
2562739
THEM OR US is the concluding volume in David Moody's unrelentingly grim but stunningly brilliant Haters trilogy. The complete narrative, which began with HATER and continued with DOG BLOOD, covers a year in which a sudden madness takes hold of Great Britain and, for all that is known, the entire world. A portion of the population is randomly infected (possessed? given over?) with a berserker mentality, where each member who is infected, known as a Hater, is compelled to attack and murder any member of what becomes known as the Unchanged. There are more of the Unchanged than Haters when things start off. But as happens when you have a small group of aggressors who take hostile action against a group of non-aggressors, those odds soon change by attrition.

The narrative is told through the eyes of Danny McCoyne, a lower-level civil servant who, as events begin, is just scraping by at his job, barely supporting his wife and their three children. Danny becomes one of the Haters during the course of HATER, with disastrous results for himself and his family. In DOG BLOOD, things truly have gone to hell, with civilization having collapsed, the Unchanged dead or on the run, and Danny in search of his daughter, who has become a Hater herself. Which now brings us to THEM OR US, the grimmest of the lot with a title that says it all.

One year after the beginning of the fall, Danny is in Lowestoft, a former resort town on the East Coast that is under the uneasy command of a thug named Hinchcliffe. An attempt by the Unchanged to stop the threat of the Haters with atomic weapons has ended in disaster, with the Unchanged all but eradicated from the earth except for a few random enclaves hiding in terror in the ruins of the former civilization. Hinchcliffe rules his city-state with a combination of brute force and cunning, doling out what little food there is to the most violent of the Haters in return for their support, while the remainder of the Haters are left to battle amongst themselves for the scraps.

Against all odds, Danny is accorded an odd place of honor in Hinchcliffe's circle, due to a rare talent he possesses: he is able to turn off the hate for extended periods, so that he can move among the rare colony of the Unchanged as one of them, and then betray them to Hinchcliffe and the Haters. Such an ability makes Danny a prized commodity, yet he is plagued by doubt about what he is doing. He eventually finds himself in the middle of three conflicting camps and, when informed about a startling and disturbing change in his condition, decides to leave the madness of the decaying civilization to its own assured destruction. Circumstances, however, do not permit him to do this, and he quickly finds that he is confronted with the ultimate choice: give humanity one last fragile hope at continuity, or let it descend into the abyss of hell.

THEM OR US is loaded with graphic, though not necessarily gratuitous, violence, and does not flinch away from descriptions of what occurs when food supplies dwindle to nothing and sewage disposal goes the way of the dodo. I made the mistake of reading the book during lunch at one point, and I don't recommend the experience. As with its predecessors, though, it paints a terrifying picture, in great part because the fraying of civilization described in its pages can be seen in our world. The spontaneous rioting that has taken place in major US cities in recent months is not at all different from what occurs in the early stages of HATER, and Moody paints a plausible and frightening picture of what the end game might be. Forewarned is forearmed. And stock up on those canned goods, too.

Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
3117473
In the past two or three weeks, my life has been consumed and hooked on the Spinward Fringe series and I have to say, it's been an engrossing and epic adventure. Sadly, it has come to end after finishing this off but what an epic finale it was, simply stunning and the best yet. Seriously, get Spielburg, Michael Bay, James Cameron and a few other big directors and get this made into a film, it would be mind blowing...back to the story, Jake and his crew fight for humanity against overwhelming odds, making a final stand on Pandem. Witty comments, explosive action, twists that none of us would have foretold and an satisfying conclusion to the series...or is it?...a fantastic series with a rich universe which is more or less Mass Effect 1, 2 and 3 rolled together. Now, I'm off to the read the series again : )
1560401
Have you read Destroyer?  Void Wraith?  If so, then my review should not be needed.  Read the book, finish the trilogy, enjoy the ride.

If you are new to the series, or even new to Chris Fox's work, then you will not be disappointed.  This is the exciting and satisfying completion of an epic space opera, and that says a lot coming from a reader who prefers gritty Game of Thrones type fantasy to sci-fi!  This trilogy is a must read, and will lead you wanting more!  Which is good news, as Chris Fox delivers with "Behind the Lines" coming out in May!

Never read Chris Fox?  Well of course you should read this book trilogy, but even more so, check out his Deathless series, which is what got me hooked on this author.
1735774
I really enjoyed this trilogy.  All three books were action packed with great character build up and interactions.  The Hall of Heroes was a fantastic conclusion with plenty of adventure.  Author John Jackson Miller really knows the classic characters and serves them well in the story while also creating new interesting characters.  I also loved that the humor typical of Star Trek has been kept into place.  Its nice to have a light moment between action sequences. The ending of the story left it open for more adventures  I would certainly love more myself!

Robert Petkoff was a top notch narrator for this audiobook trilogy.  His voices were perfect for the characters and he did a great job of getting into character for the large cast. This was a great trilogy to listen to via audiobook.  I would love to listen to more audiobooks from this author / narrator combination.

Overall Star Trek Prey:  Hall of Heroes (Book 3) is a perfect and satisfying conclusion to the Star Trek Prey trilogy full of adventure, suspense, humor, and great characters.  Petkoff is a great character voice actor and he narrates this trilogy perfectly.  I highly recommend this audiobook and this entire trilogy!
2682735
Void Wraith, book2 of the Void Wraith trilogy, picks up seamlessly from the ending of book 1, Destroyer.  It doesnt disappoint.  Its a fast paced, well written, thrilling adventure ride across the stars trying to uncover whom the Void Wraith are and why they're subverting the prevailing Human, Tigris and Primo races for their own evil purposes.  The characters introduced in book 1 and here also and growing in depth of character and an escalating sense of urgency in seeking answers to defeat the masters.  The chase scenes and resultant battle sequences are nerve wracking and action packed.  To me, this book falls into the cant put it down til the end category.  Im eagerly looking forward to the last installment in this trilogy.
3658765
"The City Of Mirrors" is the concluding offering in Justin Cronin's trilogy, "The Passage",  detailing a post-apocalyptic world and mankind's fight to survive and rebuild in the face of violence, deprivation, and seemingly insurmountable challenges.  It satisfactorily concludes this powerful and addicting series by presenting the challenges,  successes, and failures of our intrepid survivors and their offspring as the story does some time leaping between generations.

"The City Of Mirrors" is not easy to read due to the large number of characters, the aforementioned generational shifts, and, frankly, due to the extended time since the second book , "The Twelve", was released.  Fortunately, Cronin includes a prologue that helps review the events leading up the current book and, as always, Cronin is a spell binding writer able to capture ambience,  mood and character with wonderfully selected words and phrases.  My one quibble is a wish that a sharp penciled editor had removed nearly 50 pages of unnecessary expository flourishes that significantly  dragged the pacing at times.

In Book three of "The Passage", the "Twelve"  have been vanquished along with their horrifying brood of blood crazed "virals" and humanity's survivors have begun the laborious process of rebuilding their destroyed world and its culture.  But are the virals really gone for good or awaiting a new call?  And what of Zero, the "father" of the Apocalypse who  fathered the "Twelve" and their disciples and who has been engaged in a war with Amy, the lost girl who has been mankind's only real hope.  Can she return to face the blood thirsty Zero for one final confrontation with the fate of the new rebuilding world in her hands and what shocking changes have occurred in her life?  These questions are all answered in a satisfying conclusion after hop scotching among characters, old and new, and  thanks to an unexpected epilogue written from a futuristic perspective looking back in an almost forensics -like manner to understand their own past and their own roots.

I found "The Passage" trilogy to be one of the finest and most thought provoking views of a post apocalyptic world and spirit of humanity and survival that arises from its ashes.  The trilogy represents Cronin's examination of the human character and its will to survive and to make sense of the world. The cavalcade of human characters from the evil,  to the naively repressed, to the despicable collaborators, to the heroic survivors, force the reader into a personal introspection of philosophy, morality, survival, and eternal truths.  Cronin's take on governing structures and the motivations of leaders in this devastated future is intriguing, thought provoking, and reflective of time honored dichotomous views of the nature of power and the function of government.  A highly recommended series!
671206
4.5 Stars

'Domination' is the final book in the CHAOS trilogy; a young adult science fiction dystopian series that follows CHAOS Military Cadet and teenage hero Colt McAlister as he continues to help fight the alien race that threatens to eradicate the Earth and wipe out humanity. After the government injected Cole and other children with Thule alien blood, hoping to create the legendary Betrayer, he fears that he might be turning more Thule than human. Cole's destiny as The Betrayer may cost him more than just his life - it could very well cost him his identity and his soul.

This was a fantastic and thrilling final book in a wonderfully crafted dystopian trilogy. Cole's character matured and went through major changes and growth in this novel, which only led me to love him more as the main character. Cole is strong, courageous and smart, but he's also humble, afraid and unsure of himself at times - which makes him very realistic as a character and easy to identify with for the reader. The plot was very well written with a fast pace and vivid details and descriptions that immediately draws the reader into the story. I was hooked from the first page of the book and I didn't stop reading until the final word. The story weaves a great story and blends action, science fiction, adventure, dystopia, and fantasy into a novel that is sure to please fans of all genres. The writing was expertly done and shows the immense talent of the author and his ability to paint a realistic picture of a dystopian world that the reader can lose themselves in. Highly recommended for fans of all genres, especially YA dystopian.

Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
4324479
This trilogy is perfect and everyone should read it!
3254721
Award-Winning author and teacher, James Conroyd Martin delivers a riveting historical saga in the finale of a thrilling trilogy that began with 'Push Not The River.' However, "THE WARSAW CONSPIRACY" is a stand-alone novel, a gem in itself. One does not need to read the first two books in the trilogy to appreciate, and enjoy it. This enthralling tale introduces the reader to the era of the eighteenth century Poland with romance and intrigue, as we prepare to enter 'Against A Crimson Sky' where the author weaves colorful characters into the devastation of war and turmoil, in a world of hardship and sadness. James Conroyd Martin concludes this sweeping trilogy of Poland in "THE WARSAW CONSPIRACY" with fascinating heroines, military warriors, and gripping tension in a heartfelt story, made for the big screen. This incredible adventure once again takes us through the lives of Anna and Zofia as we witness hostility, struggle, violence, and heartbreak. The author brings you on a thrill ride with unstoppable action, edge-of-your seat suspense, and unforgettable characters in a breathtaking page-turner that the reader will ponder, long after this remarkable book is closed. "THE WARSAW CONSPIRACY" is a triumph in every aspect, is as brilliant as Lincoln, and as entertaining as Casablanca. Highly recommended!
3323708
Lundy ends this series with a bang. The Assassins, the remaining members of Alpha squad and other resistance fighters are in the the fight of their lives. Many around the world have surrendered and send messages for everyone to stop fighting and end hostilities but Jacob, Rogers, James, his trusty dog Duke and many others say "Screw You!". The characters in this series are so well written they feel like family and friends and you pray for them throughout the book. There are hard losses but also many "HELL YA!' moments. You find out a lot more about the aliens and what their end game in this invasion is. The battles in this book are intense and will keep you on the edge of your seat. I'm sorry to see this series end but look forward to reading more of Lundy's work. I highly recommend this book and series to anyone who loves loves the military/horror genre.
3416753
The New King of Science Fiction has done it again. Extinction War is the perfect wrap up of the Extinction Cycle series. With a host of none stop action packed edge of your seat moments. We rejoin Team Ghost has they are spread across the globe on their quest to save the human race from extinction and we finally see the conclusion of this decade's greatest literary thrill rides. I don't want to give away this exciting journey with any spoilers because you deserve to find out for yourself but I will say this gets a 10 out of 10 for completion of a series, thrills and character development. Nicholas Sansbury Smith has proven himself as a young writer that can develop a series and keep you coming back for more. That is why I believe with this series finale he deserves to be crowned the New King of Science Fiction. He can truly keep you gripped in fear with the monsters that he creates. The amount of shear detail with out going on sideways rants that don't offer anything to a story is breathe of fresh air from the current writers of today.
508762
What a magnificent ending to an epic series! Nicholas Sansbury Smith has a firm place on my list of authors to follow (and read everything they've written).

This fifth and final (hopefully not) book in the 'Extinction Cycle' series was another breathless treat. As extinction of the human race grows closer, the weapon that Dr. Kate Lovato has created to wipe out the Variants (and save the human race) is almost ready. The plans to implement it are coming to fruition and hope is beginning to blossom once again in the hearts and minds of the survivors.

But....like all plans, nothing is ever flawless. Kate is taken from safety and Beckham and Team Ghost are tasked with recovering the scientist and the others who've been captured with her. Will they be able to save the ones necessary for the continuation of the human species? Will the weapon safely end the terror of this extinction event? Will all of the key players make it through to a new and peaceful world?

The story is once again, incredibly fast paced and the emotional roller coaster is non-stop. A worthy ending to an outstanding series that leaves the reader cheering for the characters successes and mourning for their ultimate sacrifices. This is a series that I will be reading again. An amazing piece of work. Extremely well done!
1736893
A fitting, fast paced end to a wonderful trilogy. It started off right where "The Inquisition" left off, and went from there, to a stunning conclusion.

I felt that some of the challenges were met with a 'deus ex machina' solution, and the final conflict between our main character and his Orc counterpart was short and somewhat unsatisfying. However, with deaths of beloved Characters, and some political intrigue, The Summoner Series morphed from an orphan boy discovering his powers, to a story full of political intrigue, factions, and schemes that were always pulling Fletcher into the thick of things, and always threatening to tear the country apart.

There was some good research done into how life was like into what I can only assume was the late Early Modern Period, based on tech, though I would have absolutely loved a map, as the distances make it seem that the country isn't as large as one may think.  However, Matharu wrapped up every plot line he'd started in a nice way.

I do hope that after Matharu finishes his new Origins series, focused around Arcturus, he considers writing a short story or two involving the main characters I've come to love.  I'd love to see a return of Seraph, of life in Raleighshire post-war.  Things of that nature,

Overall, a stunning ending.