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Spacers #1
First Command
March 15th, Earth Year 2290
The day the aliens returned.
The memories are still fresh.
Of colonies burning.
Of millions dying in agony.
50 years later, we’ve built up our strength.
Using a wormhole, we colonized both sides of the galaxy.
It was the worst mistake we could have made.
Our enemy has returned and the wormhole has collapsed.
Commander Thatcher finds himself on the wrong side of the divide.
Separated from his pregnant wife by countless light years.
He’s just been given command of a light armored cruiser.
His first command.
If he ever wants to see his wife again, he’ll need to do the impossible.
To defeat this enemy, he will need to reinvent space warfare.
So that’s just what he’s going to do.
The day the aliens returned.
The memories are still fresh.
Of colonies burning.
Of millions dying in agony.
50 years later, we’ve built up our strength.
Using a wormhole, we colonized both sides of the galaxy.
It was the worst mistake we could have made.
Our enemy has returned and the wormhole has collapsed.
Commander Thatcher finds himself on the wrong side of the divide.
Separated from his pregnant wife by countless light years.
He’s just been given command of a light armored cruiser.
His first command.
If he ever wants to see his wife again, he’ll need to do the impossible.
To defeat this enemy, he will need to reinvent space warfare.
So that’s just what he’s going to do.
240 pages, Audible Audio
838 people are currently reading
203 people want to read
About the author
Scott Bartlett
111 books290 followersScott Bartlett writes his books from inside a mech, which is inside the hangar bay of a light armored cruiser stationed just past Jupiter.
Certain parts of the last sentence may not be completely true.
Here are some more believable statements:
Scott was born in St. John’s, Newfoundland – the easternmost province of Canada.
During his decade-long journey to become a full-time author, he supported himself by working an assortment of jobs…
...salmon hatchery technician, grocery clerk, youth care worker, ghostwriter, research assistant, pita maker, and freelance editor.
In 2014, he succeeded in becoming a full-time novelist, and he’s been writing science fiction at light speed ever since.
Get 3 FREE military space opera ebooks:
https://www.scottplots.com
Certain parts of the last sentence may not be completely true.
Here are some more believable statements:
Scott was born in St. John’s, Newfoundland – the easternmost province of Canada.
During his decade-long journey to become a full-time author, he supported himself by working an assortment of jobs…
...salmon hatchery technician, grocery clerk, youth care worker, ghostwriter, research assistant, pita maker, and freelance editor.
In 2014, he succeeded in becoming a full-time novelist, and he’s been writing science fiction at light speed ever since.
Get 3 FREE military space opera ebooks:
https://www.scottplots.com
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July 7, 2025Rubbish. Rating: minus 5 on a scale of minus 5 to plus 5
I am doing this rewrite with the expectation that no none will read this. For my new hobby I thank Goodreads employee and member for several years of harassment as response to my formerly mild reviews.
This next was brought to you by TV - Carol and the End of the World, Landscape with Invisible Hand, Inside Job, Mr and Mrs Smith, Kim's Convenience, Dead Boy Detectives, Alien Intervention, Bodkin, Dead Like Me.
YouTube contributed visits to Doctor Who/They Break My Heart - RecklessGirl100, Red Glasgow, LuckyBlackCat, Supertanskiii, Leeja Miller, Andrewism, FAFO, ScaredKetchup, Ana Fern, Sarah Z, Truth to Power, Times Radio, Reese Waters, Girls Rock Asia, Kyiv Independent, Puddles Pity Party, ATP Geopolitics, Ukraine Calling SOF UA, Authors Behaving Badly, Fit 2B Read, Wednesday Addams - Paint it Black, Mynameismarines, A Lil Bit Mads, Roads with Belle, Cindy's Villa, Hoots, Business Basics, Horses, Think That Through, Silicon Curtain, Smack the Pony, Ukraine Matters, Fredda, Eugenia from Ukraine, With Cindy, Philosophy Tube, JohnTheDuncan, NanyaCim, Matriarchetype, Sanctioned Ivan, Not the Andrew Marr Show, ThePrimeChronus, Cambrian Chronicles, Inside Russia, Living Anachronism, Fundie Fridays, Real Time History, Jessie Gender, Military History Visualised, Liz Webster, Bitchuation Room, Think Ukraine, Stanzi, Democratic Penguins Republic, Hildegard Von Blingin, Military Aviation History, Then & Now, Octopus Lady, Ben G Thomas, RFU News, Keffals, Dark Brandon, Bobbing Along, BobbyBroccoli, Ben and Emily, Dark Side of Russia, Narrowboat Pirate, Planarwalker, Gutsick Gibbon, The New Enlightenment with Ashley, OliviaReadsaLatte, The Shades of Orange, Outlaw Bookseller, AuroraTrek, Ukraine Matters, Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox, Jay Exci, Physics Girl, Up and Atom, Megalithhunter, May Moon Narrowboat, Nomadic Crobot, Sailing Melody, Louise Proven, Quarantine Collective, Medieval Tavern Music, Radio Retrofuture, Aditu Laudis, Once Upon a Word, See U in History, Trae Crowder, Answer in Progress, Whitney Avalon, Julie Nolke, Emperor TigerStar, Central Crossing, Riverboat Jack, Mr Newberger's AI Funnies, AllShorts, Dr Fatima, Gutsick Gibbon, Hetty and the Jazzalato Band, J Draper, TVP World, WokeGardener, Nini Music, Owen Jones, Erutan, Hoots, Table Top CP, Ro Ramdin, Sakhalia Net, Unlearning Economics, Jabzy, Kat Abughazaleh, Gingers are Black.
I found that a moron had complained to a trans female essayist whom he was busy insulting that I had trans creators among the channels which I listed. Besides the idiocy, the lack of self-awareness was stunning even for a US male. A trigger warning for morons. My channel list includes Canadian, witch, cis, physicist, military historian, redhaired, het, tall, anthropologist, linguist, trans, brunette, primatologist, bi, Welsh, socialist, essayist, gay, sewist, WOC, German, asexual, autist, gamer and other female creators whom the sane refer to as Women. The others include anarchist, other neurodivergent, Scottish, miniatures gamer, mathematician, librarian, Danish, other BIPOC, socialist, modeller, hobbyist, other LGBTQ, philosopher, Estonian, fashion historian, economist, communist, ginger, boater and others which the sane think of as Human Beings. If the voices persist, consider emergency therapy, immediate pastoral counselling or our Catholic exorcism. My feelings towards the moron and his ilk are similar to that of the 13 Ukrainian marines defending Snake Island, when their surrender was demanded by the Russian navy. Their response was "Russian warship, go f@ck yourself". Glory to Ukraine.Glory to the Heroes. Crimea is Ukraine.
There is no worldbuilding to speak of and for books of this quality that seems the standard. There is no character development nor a pathway towards it which I could discern. The characters are all american supermen, which sums up the extent of character description. The interactions and dialogue are poorly conceived and delivered.
As usual the only space force which humanity can muster are the US Navy. The US are allowed to commit the entire human race to war with no objection and no readers found this weird. This is common to most of Kindle boom-boom spacey-space books. The US control half the galaxy because US sailors and soldiers are the bestest, smartest, most badass and only military of the human race. The characters are as usual of limited ethnicity which is justified by the US fascination with the Great Replacement Theory. It is prevalent in most of the first person shooters and I have yet to see a challenge to this racist portrayal of US society.
When a non-US character is presented they are even more wooden stereotypes of the laziest kind. The non-existence of a role for women is standard for these books. On the rare occasions in which a woman appears, she is unimportant. Female portrayal is usually so awful that one wonders whether the writers have ever met a woman. This summary applies to all of Kindle recommendations. That reality is why I ended my Unlimited sub. I received a notice that Kindle will no longer support Goodreads, which announcement is meaningless.
It is the typical lack of imagination which infects almost all of the Kindle Unlimited offerings. As the US empire continues to fail, the superiority will seem increasingly absurd. No research was done into the designs of current military or naval forces which are what space militaries probably will inherit, even if modified. No research is done into the current scientific consensus and engineering practice, which would lend a consistency and logic to these books.
Kindle/Goodreads work hard to direct taste and tolerance for bad writing. They also use the genres to reinforce every gender and racial stereotype possible. Prose on average is at the eleven year old level for romance and romantasy and seems to be the ten year old for the science fiction. My judgement is based on a sample size of more than 1000 Kindle recommendations. The US publisher respect for any genre is suspect.
I will step away for a bit before continuing. This next was made possible by YouTube channels - NCMI, fig tree, The Bands of HM Royal Marines, ATP Geopolitics, Dark Brandon, Hej Sokoly, Eileen, Holly the Cafe Boat, Well Deck Diaries, May, Maggie Mae Fish, SK Media, KernowDamo, Fantasy and World Music by the Fletchers, Library of a Viking, Professor Tim Wilson, Winging it on a Budget, Abby Cox, Travelling K, Ash L G, Krimson Rogue, Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox, Bellum et Historia, Curious Archives, Kazachka, Anna from Ukraine, Sarah C M Paine, Star Wreck, Think that Through, Verilybitchie, Venom Geek Media, Nomadic Crobot, Holly the Cafe Boat, Ben and Emily, Bobbing Along, Chris and Shell, The Cosy Creative, Kayla Kamper, Anna Gramling. Stories Matter, Novara Media, The Juice Media, Honest Government Ads, Dungeons and Discourse, The Grungeon Master, Players Aid, Aid Thompsin, Ship Happens, Sailing Melody, Politics Joe, UATV, EarleWrites, Stevie Emerson, Hoots, Lavendar, Covert Cabal, Stories Matter, Vintage Tomorrows, Battle Order, Space 1889, Abney Park, Adele Marie, Raw News and Politics, Kirkpattiecake, Art Deco, Evie Lupine, Spacedock, Think Ukraine, Mia Mulder, Don't F@ck with Ukraine, The Sword and the Pen, Brandon Talks, No Justice, Burd's Books, Yanis Varoufakis, Kat Blacque, The Skaldic Bard, The Steampunk Explorer, Nini Music, Hardy's Books, Honestly Sophie, Dr Ben Miles, Bizarre Beasts, Michael Lambert, Artur Rehi, Mercado Media, Anna from Ukraine, Jessie Gender, Steve Shives, Queen Penguin, Jess of the Shire, Princess Weekes, Amie's Literary Empire, Alizee, Alice Cappelle, May, Gabi Belle, Weirdo Book Club, Book Furnace, OrangeRiver, Professor Gerdes Explains, Times Radio, Silicon Curtain, According to Alina, Lore Reloaded.
Consider treating this as a potentially hostile site. 🤔
Goodreads discourse does not exist. About four years ago, I wrote a mild negative review of Powers of the Earth, a poorly written, juvenile salute to the sociopathic January 6,2021 hero written by Travis Corcoran, self-described libertarian and vocal advocate for the return of chattel slavery, admirer of Putin, employee of an unnamed US agency, a veteran. he is the very portrait of a MAGA idiot. He and six fellow patriots took issue with my view that the glorification of the overthrow of the US government with the aid of the military in order that a twat not pay inheritance taxes was dangerous and unhealthy. The writer seems prescient. There was a year long demand that I engage with their increasingly bizarre comments from slavery being a social good through bad things happen to holders of certain views. A communist reader inspiring that much vitriol is sad irony.
Finally Claes Rees Jr aka cgr710 aka Clayton R Jesse Jr (self-described Nazi) wrote a comment to declare that They had "won' (?). I discovered that They had launched a year long (it continues still) deluge of vile sexual and racist attacks against apparently all the channels which I mention. They failed to impress the economist, the hobbyist, the historian, the science educator and the many other female creators. The world's overabundance of unpleasantness was certainly increased and They did deliver an accurate self-portrait of the Snowflake (arrogant, whiny, ignorant, vicious US man-child) to a multinational audience. It seems that this was a Victory. Goodreads literary discourse, Yay ?? USA, Yay ??
Comments to a number of my reviews justified all character names deriving from a very small pool of English names as a result of 70% of US citizens having European names. Their ignorance of maths, that only 7% of americans identify as of English descent and that the US government keep no tally of names is stunning.
These writers never improve because they have neither imagination nor talent. I begin to suspect that there is a major effort to shrink the horizons of the imaginations of US readers. Degrading genre fiction would most certainly serve.
This is the quality of writing that has put me off recent (15 years or less) US science fiction print. There are better writers of military science fiction who know which way a character points a gun, what a ship class is and what world building entails. Kindle and Goodreads never recommend them. For good stories and better writing, I go to the streaming services. I began looking through YouTube for science fiction channels a bit more than five years ago now and found all sorts of interest area channels that I had not known existed. Then I stumbled upon the book tubers. 😍 The book channels are many and varied, covering all elements of the bookish experience. They host communities of readers who are friendly, thoughtful with differing tastes and interests, excited by all things bookish. It is a far different experience to that of this site.
This next was courtesy of YouTube channels - aidan knight, History of Everything, Red Plateaus, Ship Happens, Dreamloop Cinema, Renegade Cut, DUST, Alt Shift X, Kanal 13, Venom Geek Media, May Moon Narrowboat, Yugopnik, Yarmak -Ragnarok, Council of Geeks, TVP News, Princess Weekes, Cold Fusion, Jay Exci, Eckharts Ladder, Chris and Shell, Kris Atomic, May, Aid Thompsin, Supertanskiii. Science of Science Fiction, Space 1889, Inside Russia, Maggie Mae Fish, Ula and Josh, Science Insanity, Outlaw Bookseller, Reads with Rachel, Fit 2B Read, Northern Narrowboaters, Winging it on a Budget, Autumn's Boutique, Merphy Napier, Serena Skybourne, Megalithhunter, The British Museum, Institute of Art and Ideas, ConeOfArc, History with Kayleigh, Fall of Civilisations, Nini Music, Burd's Books, Emma Thorne, Dark Side of Russia, The Templin Institute, Roomies Digest, Military History Visualised, Sarah Millican, No Justice, Mia Mulder, RFU News, UNTV, Aditu Laudis, Omeleto, Cruising on the Border, Kiko1006, The Welsh Viking, Books N Cats, Nerdy Kathi, Scallydandling About the Books, Evie Lupine, Hardy's Books, Petrik Leo, Mrs Betty Bowers, Randy Rainbow, Answer in Progress, Venom Geek Media, Lore Reloaded, Mom on the Spectrum, Ask a Mortician, Certifiably Ingame, Fraser Cain, Terrible Writing Advice, Perun, Veritas et Caritas, Jormungandr, Military Aviation History, Tank Encyclopedia.
Ominous music begins. 😊 The comment gangs have appeared on others' reviews. The dangerous harassment has also been applied to readers of romantasy, romance against one star reviewers and BookTubers. Amazon neither acknowledge the behaviour nor discipline the members, punish the writers who sometimes lead them or dismiss the employees who enable them, Fortunately the romance and romantasy BookTubers do follow the stalking, doxxing, threats made against reviewers, their family and friends. Science fiction review channels never discuss the issue as they are focused on the titles discussed and never on Goodreads membership. I think that a shame but their channels are the creators' to design and I think that it also reflects the fading of the site's relevance.
My very limited message history was given over to these deranged members. That enabled a request being made of Australian Security through Pine Gap Centre to interrogate the one friend whom I occasionally messaged on Goodreads. The attempt to secure my personal information failed but it did result in two very outraged customers. The episode did not concern Amazon until we both publicised the incident. Suddenly the visible harassment towards this reader disappeared. Vicious comments & commenter names were masked, changes to my review pages were reversed, etc. My Kindle service was no longer interrupted, the keyboard format magically returned to normal functioning and Amazon sent me a notice that Kindle no longer support Goodreads. No other notification other than only two insulting previous Goodreads messages did I receive for about five years. Amazon, Kindle and Goodreads are one and the same. Customer service protocols might benefit from an overhaul.
Recently a seventh EBay ex-employee was sentenced for the months long harassment of a couple who managed a small ecommerce channel deemed unkind to EBay. The couple were awarded multi-millions of pounds and the ex-employee had been EBay Chief of Global Security or some such. Things to consider.
I suggest precautions which should make you safer, if not Safe while using this site until such time as you are able or ready to exchange Kindle for a safer non-Amazon product. The data corporations have developed dangerous cultures and Amazon is a data corporation.
I suggest removal of all personal information from Goodreads profile and avoid messaging. Given the Goodreads penchant for Altering customer pages, screenshots of the odd, the ugly and the threatening are incredibly useful. Remove the lurkers, those friends who never post. They are monitors not admirers. Think of them as pack scouts. For Goodreads exposure those should suffice.
Using Kindle is a more serious circumstance. Do Not use Kindle Files, Calendar, Email and Contacts. Kindle opens and records all of your kindle emails stripping away contact information to export to Contacts. Files are a giveaway to Kindle and even Calendar can be dangerous in the hands of stalkers and other degenerates of which Amazon pull many into the fold. Do Not purchase ebooks from Amazon, as you own only the device, not downloads. Those may be deleted at Amazon's whim.
Fortunately I am very cautious by nature and these precautions will cost you nothing but to not implement them might well do. You might also do well not to forget that these animals, members and employees alike are without morality, restraint, courage or fear of consequences but are US patriots with all that implies. Ominous music ends. 😊
Be well. May we all find Good Reading. 🤗
Some of my favourite YouTube channels are.
Some More News, Tom Nicholas, Alice Cappelle, Chloe Stafler, Captured in Words, Tara Mooknee, Mrs Betty Bowers, Munecat, Books with Chloe, Alizee, Lynn Saga, Owen Jones, Riverboat Jack, Narrowboat Pirate, Katy Montgomerie, World War Two, The Great War, Books and LaLa, Sabine Hossenfelder, What Vivi did next, Boat Time, May Moon Narrowboat, Up and Atom, Books with Chloe, Tulia, Jake Broe, With Olivia, Perimeter Institute, Patrick is a Navajo, Spacedock, Ana Psychology, Vlad Vexler, The Piano Guys, A Cup of Nicole, DW News, Books with Emily Fox. Rebecca Watson, Sort of Interesting, Three Arrows, A Clockwork Reader, Northern Narrowboaters, CBC News, Narrowboat Adventures, Novara Media, Prime of Midlife, Katie Halper Show, Jack in the Books, Dr Becky, Sci-Fi Odyssey, Leena Norms, Jake Broe, Hello Future Me, TIKHistory, Natasha's Adventures, IzzzYzzz, Alayna Joy, Renegade Cut, Brandon Fisichella, Books like Whoa, Words Unravelled, Bellum et Historia, Pink Floyd -Hey Hey Rise Up, Lady knight the brave, Joe Scott, Richard Wolff, Ember Green, No Justice, Military Aviation History, Scholars Shelf, Lady of the Library, Ukrainian Canadian, The Historian's Craft, Tibees, Then & Now, Alt Shift X, Travelling K, Lilly's expat life, Roads with Belle, Jessie Gender, Engineering with Rosie, Nomadic Crobot, Cruising the Cut, Adult Wednesday Addams - 2 seasons, Crecganford, Serena Skybourne, Three Arrows, Sarah Z, The Mindful Narrowboat, Epimetheus, David and Romany Gilmour, The People Profiles, Kings and Generals, The Juice Media, Nerine Skinner Comedy, Chris Animations, Writing with Jenna Moreci, Atun Shei Films, Squire Violet Orlandi, Filaxim Historia, Eleanor Morton, Kathy's Flog in France, Holly the Cafe Boat, Engineering with Rosie, Linguoer Mechanic, The Prime of Midlife, Grace McGuire, Depressed Russian, Rowan J Coleman, Natasha's Adventures, 2Cellos, Awful Archaeology, The Templin Institute, Foster on the Spectrum, Just in Time Worldbuilding, Fiction Beast, Fun Size Reader, The Shitty Book Club, Honest Government Ads, Biz, Tale Foundry, Adam Something, Keffals, AllShorts, Demon Mama.
I wish you a refreshing morning, a beautiful afternoon, an exciting evening, a splendid night and may we all continue learning.
Like Music, Hope makes us braver.
Sir John Moore at Corunna
I am doing this rewrite with the expectation that no none will read this. For my new hobby I thank Goodreads employee and member for several years of harassment as response to my formerly mild reviews.
This next was brought to you by TV - Carol and the End of the World, Landscape with Invisible Hand, Inside Job, Mr and Mrs Smith, Kim's Convenience, Dead Boy Detectives, Alien Intervention, Bodkin, Dead Like Me.
YouTube contributed visits to Doctor Who/They Break My Heart - RecklessGirl100, Red Glasgow, LuckyBlackCat, Supertanskiii, Leeja Miller, Andrewism, FAFO, ScaredKetchup, Ana Fern, Sarah Z, Truth to Power, Times Radio, Reese Waters, Girls Rock Asia, Kyiv Independent, Puddles Pity Party, ATP Geopolitics, Ukraine Calling SOF UA, Authors Behaving Badly, Fit 2B Read, Wednesday Addams - Paint it Black, Mynameismarines, A Lil Bit Mads, Roads with Belle, Cindy's Villa, Hoots, Business Basics, Horses, Think That Through, Silicon Curtain, Smack the Pony, Ukraine Matters, Fredda, Eugenia from Ukraine, With Cindy, Philosophy Tube, JohnTheDuncan, NanyaCim, Matriarchetype, Sanctioned Ivan, Not the Andrew Marr Show, ThePrimeChronus, Cambrian Chronicles, Inside Russia, Living Anachronism, Fundie Fridays, Real Time History, Jessie Gender, Military History Visualised, Liz Webster, Bitchuation Room, Think Ukraine, Stanzi, Democratic Penguins Republic, Hildegard Von Blingin, Military Aviation History, Then & Now, Octopus Lady, Ben G Thomas, RFU News, Keffals, Dark Brandon, Bobbing Along, BobbyBroccoli, Ben and Emily, Dark Side of Russia, Narrowboat Pirate, Planarwalker, Gutsick Gibbon, The New Enlightenment with Ashley, OliviaReadsaLatte, The Shades of Orange, Outlaw Bookseller, AuroraTrek, Ukraine Matters, Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox, Jay Exci, Physics Girl, Up and Atom, Megalithhunter, May Moon Narrowboat, Nomadic Crobot, Sailing Melody, Louise Proven, Quarantine Collective, Medieval Tavern Music, Radio Retrofuture, Aditu Laudis, Once Upon a Word, See U in History, Trae Crowder, Answer in Progress, Whitney Avalon, Julie Nolke, Emperor TigerStar, Central Crossing, Riverboat Jack, Mr Newberger's AI Funnies, AllShorts, Dr Fatima, Gutsick Gibbon, Hetty and the Jazzalato Band, J Draper, TVP World, WokeGardener, Nini Music, Owen Jones, Erutan, Hoots, Table Top CP, Ro Ramdin, Sakhalia Net, Unlearning Economics, Jabzy, Kat Abughazaleh, Gingers are Black.
I found that a moron had complained to a trans female essayist whom he was busy insulting that I had trans creators among the channels which I listed. Besides the idiocy, the lack of self-awareness was stunning even for a US male. A trigger warning for morons. My channel list includes Canadian, witch, cis, physicist, military historian, redhaired, het, tall, anthropologist, linguist, trans, brunette, primatologist, bi, Welsh, socialist, essayist, gay, sewist, WOC, German, asexual, autist, gamer and other female creators whom the sane refer to as Women. The others include anarchist, other neurodivergent, Scottish, miniatures gamer, mathematician, librarian, Danish, other BIPOC, socialist, modeller, hobbyist, other LGBTQ, philosopher, Estonian, fashion historian, economist, communist, ginger, boater and others which the sane think of as Human Beings. If the voices persist, consider emergency therapy, immediate pastoral counselling or our Catholic exorcism. My feelings towards the moron and his ilk are similar to that of the 13 Ukrainian marines defending Snake Island, when their surrender was demanded by the Russian navy. Their response was "Russian warship, go f@ck yourself". Glory to Ukraine.Glory to the Heroes. Crimea is Ukraine.
There is no worldbuilding to speak of and for books of this quality that seems the standard. There is no character development nor a pathway towards it which I could discern. The characters are all american supermen, which sums up the extent of character description. The interactions and dialogue are poorly conceived and delivered.
As usual the only space force which humanity can muster are the US Navy. The US are allowed to commit the entire human race to war with no objection and no readers found this weird. This is common to most of Kindle boom-boom spacey-space books. The US control half the galaxy because US sailors and soldiers are the bestest, smartest, most badass and only military of the human race. The characters are as usual of limited ethnicity which is justified by the US fascination with the Great Replacement Theory. It is prevalent in most of the first person shooters and I have yet to see a challenge to this racist portrayal of US society.
When a non-US character is presented they are even more wooden stereotypes of the laziest kind. The non-existence of a role for women is standard for these books. On the rare occasions in which a woman appears, she is unimportant. Female portrayal is usually so awful that one wonders whether the writers have ever met a woman. This summary applies to all of Kindle recommendations. That reality is why I ended my Unlimited sub. I received a notice that Kindle will no longer support Goodreads, which announcement is meaningless.
It is the typical lack of imagination which infects almost all of the Kindle Unlimited offerings. As the US empire continues to fail, the superiority will seem increasingly absurd. No research was done into the designs of current military or naval forces which are what space militaries probably will inherit, even if modified. No research is done into the current scientific consensus and engineering practice, which would lend a consistency and logic to these books.
Kindle/Goodreads work hard to direct taste and tolerance for bad writing. They also use the genres to reinforce every gender and racial stereotype possible. Prose on average is at the eleven year old level for romance and romantasy and seems to be the ten year old for the science fiction. My judgement is based on a sample size of more than 1000 Kindle recommendations. The US publisher respect for any genre is suspect.
I will step away for a bit before continuing. This next was made possible by YouTube channels - NCMI, fig tree, The Bands of HM Royal Marines, ATP Geopolitics, Dark Brandon, Hej Sokoly, Eileen, Holly the Cafe Boat, Well Deck Diaries, May, Maggie Mae Fish, SK Media, KernowDamo, Fantasy and World Music by the Fletchers, Library of a Viking, Professor Tim Wilson, Winging it on a Budget, Abby Cox, Travelling K, Ash L G, Krimson Rogue, Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox, Bellum et Historia, Curious Archives, Kazachka, Anna from Ukraine, Sarah C M Paine, Star Wreck, Think that Through, Verilybitchie, Venom Geek Media, Nomadic Crobot, Holly the Cafe Boat, Ben and Emily, Bobbing Along, Chris and Shell, The Cosy Creative, Kayla Kamper, Anna Gramling. Stories Matter, Novara Media, The Juice Media, Honest Government Ads, Dungeons and Discourse, The Grungeon Master, Players Aid, Aid Thompsin, Ship Happens, Sailing Melody, Politics Joe, UATV, EarleWrites, Stevie Emerson, Hoots, Lavendar, Covert Cabal, Stories Matter, Vintage Tomorrows, Battle Order, Space 1889, Abney Park, Adele Marie, Raw News and Politics, Kirkpattiecake, Art Deco, Evie Lupine, Spacedock, Think Ukraine, Mia Mulder, Don't F@ck with Ukraine, The Sword and the Pen, Brandon Talks, No Justice, Burd's Books, Yanis Varoufakis, Kat Blacque, The Skaldic Bard, The Steampunk Explorer, Nini Music, Hardy's Books, Honestly Sophie, Dr Ben Miles, Bizarre Beasts, Michael Lambert, Artur Rehi, Mercado Media, Anna from Ukraine, Jessie Gender, Steve Shives, Queen Penguin, Jess of the Shire, Princess Weekes, Amie's Literary Empire, Alizee, Alice Cappelle, May, Gabi Belle, Weirdo Book Club, Book Furnace, OrangeRiver, Professor Gerdes Explains, Times Radio, Silicon Curtain, According to Alina, Lore Reloaded.
Consider treating this as a potentially hostile site. 🤔
Goodreads discourse does not exist. About four years ago, I wrote a mild negative review of Powers of the Earth, a poorly written, juvenile salute to the sociopathic January 6,2021 hero written by Travis Corcoran, self-described libertarian and vocal advocate for the return of chattel slavery, admirer of Putin, employee of an unnamed US agency, a veteran. he is the very portrait of a MAGA idiot. He and six fellow patriots took issue with my view that the glorification of the overthrow of the US government with the aid of the military in order that a twat not pay inheritance taxes was dangerous and unhealthy. The writer seems prescient. There was a year long demand that I engage with their increasingly bizarre comments from slavery being a social good through bad things happen to holders of certain views. A communist reader inspiring that much vitriol is sad irony.
Finally Claes Rees Jr aka cgr710 aka Clayton R Jesse Jr (self-described Nazi) wrote a comment to declare that They had "won' (?). I discovered that They had launched a year long (it continues still) deluge of vile sexual and racist attacks against apparently all the channels which I mention. They failed to impress the economist, the hobbyist, the historian, the science educator and the many other female creators. The world's overabundance of unpleasantness was certainly increased and They did deliver an accurate self-portrait of the Snowflake (arrogant, whiny, ignorant, vicious US man-child) to a multinational audience. It seems that this was a Victory. Goodreads literary discourse, Yay ?? USA, Yay ??
Comments to a number of my reviews justified all character names deriving from a very small pool of English names as a result of 70% of US citizens having European names. Their ignorance of maths, that only 7% of americans identify as of English descent and that the US government keep no tally of names is stunning.
These writers never improve because they have neither imagination nor talent. I begin to suspect that there is a major effort to shrink the horizons of the imaginations of US readers. Degrading genre fiction would most certainly serve.
This is the quality of writing that has put me off recent (15 years or less) US science fiction print. There are better writers of military science fiction who know which way a character points a gun, what a ship class is and what world building entails. Kindle and Goodreads never recommend them. For good stories and better writing, I go to the streaming services. I began looking through YouTube for science fiction channels a bit more than five years ago now and found all sorts of interest area channels that I had not known existed. Then I stumbled upon the book tubers. 😍 The book channels are many and varied, covering all elements of the bookish experience. They host communities of readers who are friendly, thoughtful with differing tastes and interests, excited by all things bookish. It is a far different experience to that of this site.
This next was courtesy of YouTube channels - aidan knight, History of Everything, Red Plateaus, Ship Happens, Dreamloop Cinema, Renegade Cut, DUST, Alt Shift X, Kanal 13, Venom Geek Media, May Moon Narrowboat, Yugopnik, Yarmak -Ragnarok, Council of Geeks, TVP News, Princess Weekes, Cold Fusion, Jay Exci, Eckharts Ladder, Chris and Shell, Kris Atomic, May, Aid Thompsin, Supertanskiii. Science of Science Fiction, Space 1889, Inside Russia, Maggie Mae Fish, Ula and Josh, Science Insanity, Outlaw Bookseller, Reads with Rachel, Fit 2B Read, Northern Narrowboaters, Winging it on a Budget, Autumn's Boutique, Merphy Napier, Serena Skybourne, Megalithhunter, The British Museum, Institute of Art and Ideas, ConeOfArc, History with Kayleigh, Fall of Civilisations, Nini Music, Burd's Books, Emma Thorne, Dark Side of Russia, The Templin Institute, Roomies Digest, Military History Visualised, Sarah Millican, No Justice, Mia Mulder, RFU News, UNTV, Aditu Laudis, Omeleto, Cruising on the Border, Kiko1006, The Welsh Viking, Books N Cats, Nerdy Kathi, Scallydandling About the Books, Evie Lupine, Hardy's Books, Petrik Leo, Mrs Betty Bowers, Randy Rainbow, Answer in Progress, Venom Geek Media, Lore Reloaded, Mom on the Spectrum, Ask a Mortician, Certifiably Ingame, Fraser Cain, Terrible Writing Advice, Perun, Veritas et Caritas, Jormungandr, Military Aviation History, Tank Encyclopedia.
Ominous music begins. 😊 The comment gangs have appeared on others' reviews. The dangerous harassment has also been applied to readers of romantasy, romance against one star reviewers and BookTubers. Amazon neither acknowledge the behaviour nor discipline the members, punish the writers who sometimes lead them or dismiss the employees who enable them, Fortunately the romance and romantasy BookTubers do follow the stalking, doxxing, threats made against reviewers, their family and friends. Science fiction review channels never discuss the issue as they are focused on the titles discussed and never on Goodreads membership. I think that a shame but their channels are the creators' to design and I think that it also reflects the fading of the site's relevance.
My very limited message history was given over to these deranged members. That enabled a request being made of Australian Security through Pine Gap Centre to interrogate the one friend whom I occasionally messaged on Goodreads. The attempt to secure my personal information failed but it did result in two very outraged customers. The episode did not concern Amazon until we both publicised the incident. Suddenly the visible harassment towards this reader disappeared. Vicious comments & commenter names were masked, changes to my review pages were reversed, etc. My Kindle service was no longer interrupted, the keyboard format magically returned to normal functioning and Amazon sent me a notice that Kindle no longer support Goodreads. No other notification other than only two insulting previous Goodreads messages did I receive for about five years. Amazon, Kindle and Goodreads are one and the same. Customer service protocols might benefit from an overhaul.
Recently a seventh EBay ex-employee was sentenced for the months long harassment of a couple who managed a small ecommerce channel deemed unkind to EBay. The couple were awarded multi-millions of pounds and the ex-employee had been EBay Chief of Global Security or some such. Things to consider.
I suggest precautions which should make you safer, if not Safe while using this site until such time as you are able or ready to exchange Kindle for a safer non-Amazon product. The data corporations have developed dangerous cultures and Amazon is a data corporation.
I suggest removal of all personal information from Goodreads profile and avoid messaging. Given the Goodreads penchant for Altering customer pages, screenshots of the odd, the ugly and the threatening are incredibly useful. Remove the lurkers, those friends who never post. They are monitors not admirers. Think of them as pack scouts. For Goodreads exposure those should suffice.
Using Kindle is a more serious circumstance. Do Not use Kindle Files, Calendar, Email and Contacts. Kindle opens and records all of your kindle emails stripping away contact information to export to Contacts. Files are a giveaway to Kindle and even Calendar can be dangerous in the hands of stalkers and other degenerates of which Amazon pull many into the fold. Do Not purchase ebooks from Amazon, as you own only the device, not downloads. Those may be deleted at Amazon's whim.
Fortunately I am very cautious by nature and these precautions will cost you nothing but to not implement them might well do. You might also do well not to forget that these animals, members and employees alike are without morality, restraint, courage or fear of consequences but are US patriots with all that implies. Ominous music ends. 😊
Be well. May we all find Good Reading. 🤗
Some of my favourite YouTube channels are.
Some More News, Tom Nicholas, Alice Cappelle, Chloe Stafler, Captured in Words, Tara Mooknee, Mrs Betty Bowers, Munecat, Books with Chloe, Alizee, Lynn Saga, Owen Jones, Riverboat Jack, Narrowboat Pirate, Katy Montgomerie, World War Two, The Great War, Books and LaLa, Sabine Hossenfelder, What Vivi did next, Boat Time, May Moon Narrowboat, Up and Atom, Books with Chloe, Tulia, Jake Broe, With Olivia, Perimeter Institute, Patrick is a Navajo, Spacedock, Ana Psychology, Vlad Vexler, The Piano Guys, A Cup of Nicole, DW News, Books with Emily Fox. Rebecca Watson, Sort of Interesting, Three Arrows, A Clockwork Reader, Northern Narrowboaters, CBC News, Narrowboat Adventures, Novara Media, Prime of Midlife, Katie Halper Show, Jack in the Books, Dr Becky, Sci-Fi Odyssey, Leena Norms, Jake Broe, Hello Future Me, TIKHistory, Natasha's Adventures, IzzzYzzz, Alayna Joy, Renegade Cut, Brandon Fisichella, Books like Whoa, Words Unravelled, Bellum et Historia, Pink Floyd -Hey Hey Rise Up, Lady knight the brave, Joe Scott, Richard Wolff, Ember Green, No Justice, Military Aviation History, Scholars Shelf, Lady of the Library, Ukrainian Canadian, The Historian's Craft, Tibees, Then & Now, Alt Shift X, Travelling K, Lilly's expat life, Roads with Belle, Jessie Gender, Engineering with Rosie, Nomadic Crobot, Cruising the Cut, Adult Wednesday Addams - 2 seasons, Crecganford, Serena Skybourne, Three Arrows, Sarah Z, The Mindful Narrowboat, Epimetheus, David and Romany Gilmour, The People Profiles, Kings and Generals, The Juice Media, Nerine Skinner Comedy, Chris Animations, Writing with Jenna Moreci, Atun Shei Films, Squire Violet Orlandi, Filaxim Historia, Eleanor Morton, Kathy's Flog in France, Holly the Cafe Boat, Engineering with Rosie, Linguoer Mechanic, The Prime of Midlife, Grace McGuire, Depressed Russian, Rowan J Coleman, Natasha's Adventures, 2Cellos, Awful Archaeology, The Templin Institute, Foster on the Spectrum, Just in Time Worldbuilding, Fiction Beast, Fun Size Reader, The Shitty Book Club, Honest Government Ads, Biz, Tale Foundry, Adam Something, Keffals, AllShorts, Demon Mama.
I wish you a refreshing morning, a beautiful afternoon, an exciting evening, a splendid night and may we all continue learning.
Like Music, Hope makes us braver.
Sir John Moore at Corunna
February 14, 2021
Kind of ruined by the real world...
There are positives about this book, the basic premise is interesting and all the usual flavours are there. I'd read the other reviews, and despite seeing the comments about it being very "Yeah America", I thought it would be worth a read.
But WOW. It's another level. The story is interesting, but the sheer volume of American this, America that is way beyond anything I expected.
I suspect that 5 years ago I could of filtered it all out, but given recent history all of the "American Values"... "truth and liberty"... "Dying for our freedom" rhetoric is really jarring. The dismissive way that other nations and the UN are characterised makes this a deeply unpleasant read now.
There are positives about this book, the basic premise is interesting and all the usual flavours are there. I'd read the other reviews, and despite seeing the comments about it being very "Yeah America", I thought it would be worth a read.
But WOW. It's another level. The story is interesting, but the sheer volume of American this, America that is way beyond anything I expected.
I suspect that 5 years ago I could of filtered it all out, but given recent history all of the "American Values"... "truth and liberty"... "Dying for our freedom" rhetoric is really jarring. The dismissive way that other nations and the UN are characterised makes this a deeply unpleasant read now.
August 29, 2021
Bland, Boring, Juvenile Drivel
“Spacers” is a bland, boring example of smug, pretentious juvenile drivel that illustrates the worst of indie authors. The story focuses on a wooden and wholly cardboard MC who is stiffer than a plank. Watching paint dry more entertaining.
It’s tofu for your mind.
Not recommended and read via Kindle Unlimited.
“Spacers” is a bland, boring example of smug, pretentious juvenile drivel that illustrates the worst of indie authors. The story focuses on a wooden and wholly cardboard MC who is stiffer than a plank. Watching paint dry more entertaining.
It’s tofu for your mind.
Not recommended and read via Kindle Unlimited.
August 30, 2019
A different type of space story
It's refreshing to read a space opera where humanity's hasn't "pulled together as one for the good of all" ...yet! We're still money grabbing backstabbing all for one -every one for yourself....just in space!
It's refreshing to read a space opera where humanity's hasn't "pulled together as one for the good of all" ...yet! We're still money grabbing backstabbing all for one -every one for yourself....just in space!
dnf-not-for-me
May 9, 20201/10: Couldn't get past the first few chapters; not for me.
June 6, 2020
Une série B dans un monde lointain mais riche brutalement coupé de la Terre et fourmillant de pirates, d'où quelques batailles "navales" et bien entendu un "super commandant" ! (des clichés certes mais l'un dans l'autre, cela se lit ) Ce premier tome pose les bases et introduit les personnages clés Si vous ne pouvez faire abstraction de la volonté de l'auteur de montrer les américains (et leurs descendants) comme la crème des crèmes des défenseurs de la liberté, il vaut mieux lire autre chose
Pour ma part, je lirai le 2e opus et découvrir si, avec l'arrivée des ET, la bataille se corse par rapport à des pirates certes nombreux mais mal équipés ...
Pour ma part, je lirai le 2e opus et découvrir si, avec l'arrivée des ET, la bataille se corse par rapport à des pirates certes nombreux mais mal équipés ...
February 28, 2021
Commander Tad Thatcher is in deep in this first book of this series.
The Earth may be under attack again from an insectoidal race called the XANTHIC, but all contact has been lost with the home Planet. Their last piece of radio chatter was on air days earlier reporting Xanthic orbs coming up through the ground in various places! Truly that sounds terrifying.
This had been the way the Xanthic had attacked before, there was no reason to believe that they intended a peaceful outcome this time around. The last war with them had been extreme with much loss of life. They were a brutal enemy to have.
Thatcher wanted to get back through the wormhole to Earth to fight to protect his family and home, but something terrible happens - unexpectedly the wormhole back to Earth has collapsed, leaving Thatcher and his ships on the wrong side of it and a very long way from home with no way back.
Thatcher had originally been part of a military space group designed to maintain the entire space area surrounding Earth.
Tad Thatcher had been a great tactician in that armed force which was known as the United Nations and Colonies forces. But after being sent to work for one of the many corporations in the protected space, he is forced to take his new motly crew who, up until that date, had only been interested in all the money they could make destroying pirate ships in the area. He has a hard job on his hands. His crew being close to mutiny due to his suddenly being placed as their captain. They are used to a very lax way of life but Thatcher is used to applying the letter of the law, and the crew are unsure what to think or do about Thatcher.
Everything comes to a head when Thatcher and his reluctant crew come up against a renegade called Reardon Interstellar. He has taken control of somewhere called Oasis Colony. The colony do not possess weapons and are in a part of space which is protected by the UNC who oversee all the groups living and working in that area of space.
This story was so gripping. There is a lot going on and plenty to keep your focus. I love the idea of an enemy race coming up out of the ground and having the wormhole collapse was great and added to an already tense atmosphere.
I love the heavy drama of the battle of wits that Thatcher has with his crew and with his enemy and the battle scenes are some of the best I've read. I just soaked up all that fighting and drama. This book was a riveting read, I totally loved it.
The Earth may be under attack again from an insectoidal race called the XANTHIC, but all contact has been lost with the home Planet. Their last piece of radio chatter was on air days earlier reporting Xanthic orbs coming up through the ground in various places! Truly that sounds terrifying.
This had been the way the Xanthic had attacked before, there was no reason to believe that they intended a peaceful outcome this time around. The last war with them had been extreme with much loss of life. They were a brutal enemy to have.
Thatcher wanted to get back through the wormhole to Earth to fight to protect his family and home, but something terrible happens - unexpectedly the wormhole back to Earth has collapsed, leaving Thatcher and his ships on the wrong side of it and a very long way from home with no way back.
Thatcher had originally been part of a military space group designed to maintain the entire space area surrounding Earth.
Tad Thatcher had been a great tactician in that armed force which was known as the United Nations and Colonies forces. But after being sent to work for one of the many corporations in the protected space, he is forced to take his new motly crew who, up until that date, had only been interested in all the money they could make destroying pirate ships in the area. He has a hard job on his hands. His crew being close to mutiny due to his suddenly being placed as their captain. They are used to a very lax way of life but Thatcher is used to applying the letter of the law, and the crew are unsure what to think or do about Thatcher.
Everything comes to a head when Thatcher and his reluctant crew come up against a renegade called Reardon Interstellar. He has taken control of somewhere called Oasis Colony. The colony do not possess weapons and are in a part of space which is protected by the UNC who oversee all the groups living and working in that area of space.
This story was so gripping. There is a lot going on and plenty to keep your focus. I love the idea of an enemy race coming up out of the ground and having the wormhole collapse was great and added to an already tense atmosphere.
I love the heavy drama of the battle of wits that Thatcher has with his crew and with his enemy and the battle scenes are some of the best I've read. I just soaked up all that fighting and drama. This book was a riveting read, I totally loved it.
March 10, 2023
The Frontier Corp, led by Ms. Rose, is protected by newly commissioned Capt. Tad Thatcher
Facing a rogue corporation whose CEO banded with pirates and held hostage the planet Oasis, Thatcher faced the enemy corp, the doubt of his crew, and support from his own corporation. But his daring and innovative approach proved his mettle and brought his crew around - mostly. There were still rumors, doubts, and plots for his removal, but he worked through the mistrust and rebellion of some with success and calculated responses. He gained the loyalty of his crew and his Marines, and the support of his CEO. Now can he face his worst enemy, the alien force defeated half a century earlier but surprise attacking again from an unexpected direction - from beneath the ground!
The characters are developing carefully, giving us peeks at their personalities, strengths, and frailties, but slowly watching them choose to follow their new commander as he proved his strategies and gained their loyalties. The storyline builds toward the conflicts and loops through conquest and defeat, following the single character through his successes and master strategies. The author leads us on an arduous journey of faith and trust and builds the suspense to peaks and low valleys before assurance is found. This is a good read and sets the stage for the next book in the series. Should be a real good read!
Facing a rogue corporation whose CEO banded with pirates and held hostage the planet Oasis, Thatcher faced the enemy corp, the doubt of his crew, and support from his own corporation. But his daring and innovative approach proved his mettle and brought his crew around - mostly. There were still rumors, doubts, and plots for his removal, but he worked through the mistrust and rebellion of some with success and calculated responses. He gained the loyalty of his crew and his Marines, and the support of his CEO. Now can he face his worst enemy, the alien force defeated half a century earlier but surprise attacking again from an unexpected direction - from beneath the ground!
The characters are developing carefully, giving us peeks at their personalities, strengths, and frailties, but slowly watching them choose to follow their new commander as he proved his strategies and gained their loyalties. The storyline builds toward the conflicts and loops through conquest and defeat, following the single character through his successes and master strategies. The author leads us on an arduous journey of faith and trust and builds the suspense to peaks and low valleys before assurance is found. This is a good read and sets the stage for the next book in the series. Should be a real good read!
November 7, 2019
This one started off a little slow with a lot of details that seemed unrealistic from a technology standpoint, but the middle to 90% mark on my Kindle quickly picked up the pace, and the author did a good job of the scenes and dialogue between the characters.
Just as things start picking up again, however, like a lot of science fiction titles do these days the book ends right in the middle of a scene – if you want to know more, you have to go get the next book of the series. That is very annoying from a reader standpoint, but luckily I picked this up with my Kindle Unlimited subscription and feel as if I only wasted time and not money. If you like books that aren’t complete and end in the middle of a scene, go ahead and give this one a try. I believe this will be the end of the series for me.
Just as things start picking up again, however, like a lot of science fiction titles do these days the book ends right in the middle of a scene – if you want to know more, you have to go get the next book of the series. That is very annoying from a reader standpoint, but luckily I picked this up with my Kindle Unlimited subscription and feel as if I only wasted time and not money. If you like books that aren’t complete and end in the middle of a scene, go ahead and give this one a try. I believe this will be the end of the series for me.
August 25, 2022
If you are looking for a long space opera with plenty of military influence you will enjoy this book.
It was interesting enough that I would entertain reading something else from the author. There are much better space operas out there that I would recommend first. My biggest complaint with this book was the lack of character development. The characters personalities always adjust to what is needed from the author. Overall its an okay book, I'd look to find it on sale. The audio book narration was good.
It was interesting enough that I would entertain reading something else from the author. There are much better space operas out there that I would recommend first. My biggest complaint with this book was the lack of character development. The characters personalities always adjust to what is needed from the author. Overall its an okay book, I'd look to find it on sale. The audio book narration was good.
May 12, 2020
Book 1 Spacers by Scott EXCEEDED ALL MY EXPECTIONS
Having missed book 1 and read 2 & 3 wasn't sure 1 would be thrilling, well guess what Spacers was Great. Scott continues to entertain all with his imagination and hard work.
Great job.
Thank you for several hours of great reading.
Having missed book 1 and read 2 & 3 wasn't sure 1 would be thrilling, well guess what Spacers was Great. Scott continues to entertain all with his imagination and hard work.
Great job.
Thank you for several hours of great reading.
October 31, 2020
Very promising start ti the series.
I am looking forward to reading the next one. I'm very curious about the Xanthic. What kind of aliens are they? What motivates them? How to combat them.
I am looking forward to reading the next one. I'm very curious about the Xanthic. What kind of aliens are they? What motivates them? How to combat them.
February 22, 2022
Somewhat good space battles, too many people not really thinking, plot twists within plot twists, too much self-doubt and too many unimaginative CEO's and criminals. All in all, the series felt like swimming in molasses.
May 2, 2022
Outstanding Book
This book maintains the high standards that Scott Bartlett has established in his other stories. It is full of action from start to finish with just enough technical material to make it even more realistic which for me makes it more enjoyable.
This book maintains the high standards that Scott Bartlett has established in his other stories. It is full of action from start to finish with just enough technical material to make it even more realistic which for me makes it more enjoyable.
December 26, 2024
Another republican-style military sci-fi dung heap.
March 7, 2021
( Format : Audiobook )
"You will be in command, Thatcher."
Fifty years before, Tad Thatcher's grandfather had fought aliens who tried to invade the Earth. The Earth won, but barely. His tales to his grandson had encouraged Thatcher to join the military and he'd always dreamed of captaining his own ship. Now, his term of service months from completion, and with his wife expecting their first child, Thatcher was unexpectedly offered his dream - a ship to command, the New Jersey, whose original commander had suffered an heart attack when encountering that same alien entity whilst chasing pirates in the Unity System. The ship was owned by a private corporation, but, with news of the return of the Zantek and war imminent, how could he refuse?
The story follows Thatcher's command, it's problems and battles following his taking the position of a the previous, easy going captain as well as encounters with enemy vessels and coming to terms with the politics of a civilian corporation. The plot is interesting with visual world building in places but character development is mostly slim, although enough to give substance to the numerous protagonists. Plenty of action which is not overburdened with technical details: a good balance. Narration is by Mark Boyett, whose calmly confident voice carries the story well and all are given individually distinctive voices. A fine performance. Just one irritation for this British reader: the words, which appear frequently, 'corp' or 'corps' are pronounced with the letter 'p' audible (as in corpse) rather than it being silent. Always distracting to my English ear. But perhaps it's an American thing like our different pronunciations of 'lieutenant '.
An enjoyable space adventure. My Audio book also contains the second in this series to which I now return.
"You will be in command, Thatcher."
Fifty years before, Tad Thatcher's grandfather had fought aliens who tried to invade the Earth. The Earth won, but barely. His tales to his grandson had encouraged Thatcher to join the military and he'd always dreamed of captaining his own ship. Now, his term of service months from completion, and with his wife expecting their first child, Thatcher was unexpectedly offered his dream - a ship to command, the New Jersey, whose original commander had suffered an heart attack when encountering that same alien entity whilst chasing pirates in the Unity System. The ship was owned by a private corporation, but, with news of the return of the Zantek and war imminent, how could he refuse?
The story follows Thatcher's command, it's problems and battles following his taking the position of a the previous, easy going captain as well as encounters with enemy vessels and coming to terms with the politics of a civilian corporation. The plot is interesting with visual world building in places but character development is mostly slim, although enough to give substance to the numerous protagonists. Plenty of action which is not overburdened with technical details: a good balance. Narration is by Mark Boyett, whose calmly confident voice carries the story well and all are given individually distinctive voices. A fine performance. Just one irritation for this British reader: the words, which appear frequently, 'corp' or 'corps' are pronounced with the letter 'p' audible (as in corpse) rather than it being silent. Always distracting to my English ear. But perhaps it's an American thing like our different pronunciations of 'lieutenant '.
An enjoyable space adventure. My Audio book also contains the second in this series to which I now return.
February 16, 2023
I was looking for some decent sci-fi and found the 6-volume set on sale for 1 Audible credit. It had the benefit of being a particularly long listen and since I was short on credits and about to go on a few long trips, it seemed like a good buy if the story was even halfway decent. Big mistake.
This reads like it was written by a preteen who is infatuated with the military and Star Trek without having a clue about how either of them work. The MC has no weaknesses, never makes mistakes, and is about as boring and wooden as the door to my bathroom (and equally likeable). He repeats hollow slogans about America and freedom like a politician trying to distract his constituents. In 9 years of Navy service I never once heard any officer speak like that, much less the captain of a ship. He did it every few minutes.
I was having misgivings in the first chapter but was hoping maybe there was a getting-humbled-and-becoming-more-human redemption arc coming. And the missile maneuver he did in his first combat was actually pretty clever so I kept listening for a while longer. Sadly, halfway through the first book I saw no sign of improvement coming. In fact, he went on to prove how right he had been all along, win the respect and admiration of his crew despite being a martinet douche, and kill enemy ships by the dozen at no cost to himself or his crew.
I Googled the Audible refund policy and bailed out after 3 hours. It only took me that long because I was in an airplane and away from the internet for most of it; after 90 minutes I knew I wasn't going to finish it. Life is just too short.
This reads like it was written by a preteen who is infatuated with the military and Star Trek without having a clue about how either of them work. The MC has no weaknesses, never makes mistakes, and is about as boring and wooden as the door to my bathroom (and equally likeable). He repeats hollow slogans about America and freedom like a politician trying to distract his constituents. In 9 years of Navy service I never once heard any officer speak like that, much less the captain of a ship. He did it every few minutes.
I was having misgivings in the first chapter but was hoping maybe there was a getting-humbled-and-becoming-more-human redemption arc coming. And the missile maneuver he did in his first combat was actually pretty clever so I kept listening for a while longer. Sadly, halfway through the first book I saw no sign of improvement coming. In fact, he went on to prove how right he had been all along, win the respect and admiration of his crew despite being a martinet douche, and kill enemy ships by the dozen at no cost to himself or his crew.
I Googled the Audible refund policy and bailed out after 3 hours. It only took me that long because I was in an airplane and away from the internet for most of it; after 90 minutes I knew I wasn't going to finish it. Life is just too short.
July 3, 2021
Spacers is a really fun read. This book is an introduction to the series, and really sets up the Characters and the story for the rest of the saga.
At the start of this book, we get a quick insight into what life is like in the Dawn Cluster, before we move back to the Sol System, and meet our main character, Tad Thatcher, currently the XO of the USS Hepburn.
Thatcher works for the U.S. Space Fleet Forces in the near future, with the dream of Captaining his own ship one day, he is a good candidate for it, but there is little chance of it currently.
However, things are a bit different in the future, and ‘Corporations’ have evolved to a whole new level, with ‘The Corps’ having actually built their own fleets, and started to explore space, marking off sectors of space as belonging to that particular Corporation.
The other major thing that has happened is the discovery of a stable wormhole, that allows for travel to a sector of space known as the Dawn Cluster. The Cluster has several gates itself that allow for travel between various sectors.
Each of these sectors is now run by one of the Corporations.
At the start of the book, Thatcher is approached by one of these Corporations, Frontier Security, and is offered the job of Captain, aboard the New Jersey, a Light Cruiser, in the Dawn Cluster, to come and work for the CEO Veronica Rose. Initially Thatcher is worried about his decision, as it means leaving his pregnant Wife on Earth, and going through the wormhole, but after talking with her, they decide it is the best course of action.
And so Thatcher takes up his role as Captain aboard the New Jersey.
This is where the story gets really interesting, as a multitude of things happen (without giving away any spoilers!).
First off, not long after Thatcher passes through the massive wormhole into the Dawn Cluster, which has been open for ever, and never had any issues before, it suddenly shuts down, closing off all travel and communication with Earth.
The other thing that happens, is that there is both an increase in Pirate activity, and fellow Corporation activity as far as the Territory and Shipping of the Frontier Security Company.
Just before it shuts though, as they are moving through the wormhole, news reaches Thatcher that the Xanthic, an alien race that had attacked Earth over 50yrs ago, has attacked Earth again, in a very mysterious way (I won’t give away spoilers). Thatcher of course, is torn, between his job and his Wife and unborn child.
It is up to New Jersey and Thatcher and his Crew to stop these ‘Incursions”, and protect Frontier Security Territory and Assets. Early on Thatcher is called to a semi-siege like incident in the Oasis Sector, and rescues the CEO of Frontier Security, and as a result, she ends up on his ship, commandeering one of his cargo bays to set up an office.
The Character interactions between Thatcher and Rose are a fascinating, and rather amusing part of this series, as both of them are incredibly head strong people, used to getting their own way, both thinking that they are right and know what is best for a situation. It makes for some highly emotive, and rather entertaining sections of the book as the two of them have to constantly navigate around each other.
Thatcher’s Character is one that is intriguing as well as just fascinating from the start, Bartlett has gone to great lengths to make him an incredibly enthralling Character, one that you find instantly engaging, as he is not only highly intelligent, with a brilliant sense of tactics and strategy, but he is also very sensitive to those around him.
Veronica Rose is a headstrong and highly intellectual person, brought up to try and respect and understand those around her, but also with a keen sense of business. She is a very clever character.
There are numerous other exceptional Characters, the entire bridge and CIC crew, other members of the various Corporations, all lend to a really creative, and masterful set of characters that you get lost in, something that Bartlett does with every one of his books. The Character Driven Storyline was one of the true highlights of his Ixan Saga, and it is again a highlight of this series.
The story is not just about the Corporations though, threading through this constant intrigue, and political interplay of the Dawn Cluster, there is a much more insidious threat at play. The same threat that has plagued humanity in the Sol Region, that they had to fight off 50yrs ago, and are now fighting again, is in the Dawn Cluster – the Xanthic.
It was actually Thatcher’s Grandfather, Edward Thatcher, that defeated the Xanthic all those years ago, and it is Edward that has not only inspired Tad, but mentored him along the way. Without Edward Thatcher, Tad would not be the Captain he is today, as he is constantly remembering the voice of Edward Thatcher, and the useful bits of advice he gave him. It makes for some very interesting reading.
It is clear to see early on in this series that one aspect of this book will be the tech and the starships, as there some stunning examples of not just technology for both the Marines, and the Corporations, but the intricate detail that goes into describing the ships and weapons, as well as the battle-scenes is outstanding, and for fans of Mil Sci-Fi and Space Opera etc, it makes for a wonderful read. Bartlett puts so much time and effort into making sure that every aspect of his battle scenes, both on the ground and in space, are meticulously described, so you feel like you are in the power-armour, mech suit, CIC or cockpit, and it just adds so much intensity to the story.
Overall, this is a great introduction to what is a fantastic series (I am up to part 4 already, and it just gets better with every part). This opening book, not only gives you a good look at each of the Characters, but enlightens you to affairs within the Dawn Cluster, how everything operates, and more importantly, it gives you a look at how Tad Thatcher and the crew of the Veronica Rose standup against the old enemy of humanity – the Xanthic.
If you have read any of Scott Bartlett before, you will love this series, and if not, but love a good Mil Sci-Fi, or Space Opera, you are in for a treat!!
At the start of this book, we get a quick insight into what life is like in the Dawn Cluster, before we move back to the Sol System, and meet our main character, Tad Thatcher, currently the XO of the USS Hepburn.
Thatcher works for the U.S. Space Fleet Forces in the near future, with the dream of Captaining his own ship one day, he is a good candidate for it, but there is little chance of it currently.
However, things are a bit different in the future, and ‘Corporations’ have evolved to a whole new level, with ‘The Corps’ having actually built their own fleets, and started to explore space, marking off sectors of space as belonging to that particular Corporation.
The other major thing that has happened is the discovery of a stable wormhole, that allows for travel to a sector of space known as the Dawn Cluster. The Cluster has several gates itself that allow for travel between various sectors.
Each of these sectors is now run by one of the Corporations.
At the start of the book, Thatcher is approached by one of these Corporations, Frontier Security, and is offered the job of Captain, aboard the New Jersey, a Light Cruiser, in the Dawn Cluster, to come and work for the CEO Veronica Rose. Initially Thatcher is worried about his decision, as it means leaving his pregnant Wife on Earth, and going through the wormhole, but after talking with her, they decide it is the best course of action.
And so Thatcher takes up his role as Captain aboard the New Jersey.
This is where the story gets really interesting, as a multitude of things happen (without giving away any spoilers!).
First off, not long after Thatcher passes through the massive wormhole into the Dawn Cluster, which has been open for ever, and never had any issues before, it suddenly shuts down, closing off all travel and communication with Earth.
The other thing that happens, is that there is both an increase in Pirate activity, and fellow Corporation activity as far as the Territory and Shipping of the Frontier Security Company.
Just before it shuts though, as they are moving through the wormhole, news reaches Thatcher that the Xanthic, an alien race that had attacked Earth over 50yrs ago, has attacked Earth again, in a very mysterious way (I won’t give away spoilers). Thatcher of course, is torn, between his job and his Wife and unborn child.
It is up to New Jersey and Thatcher and his Crew to stop these ‘Incursions”, and protect Frontier Security Territory and Assets. Early on Thatcher is called to a semi-siege like incident in the Oasis Sector, and rescues the CEO of Frontier Security, and as a result, she ends up on his ship, commandeering one of his cargo bays to set up an office.
The Character interactions between Thatcher and Rose are a fascinating, and rather amusing part of this series, as both of them are incredibly head strong people, used to getting their own way, both thinking that they are right and know what is best for a situation. It makes for some highly emotive, and rather entertaining sections of the book as the two of them have to constantly navigate around each other.
Thatcher’s Character is one that is intriguing as well as just fascinating from the start, Bartlett has gone to great lengths to make him an incredibly enthralling Character, one that you find instantly engaging, as he is not only highly intelligent, with a brilliant sense of tactics and strategy, but he is also very sensitive to those around him.
Veronica Rose is a headstrong and highly intellectual person, brought up to try and respect and understand those around her, but also with a keen sense of business. She is a very clever character.
There are numerous other exceptional Characters, the entire bridge and CIC crew, other members of the various Corporations, all lend to a really creative, and masterful set of characters that you get lost in, something that Bartlett does with every one of his books. The Character Driven Storyline was one of the true highlights of his Ixan Saga, and it is again a highlight of this series.
The story is not just about the Corporations though, threading through this constant intrigue, and political interplay of the Dawn Cluster, there is a much more insidious threat at play. The same threat that has plagued humanity in the Sol Region, that they had to fight off 50yrs ago, and are now fighting again, is in the Dawn Cluster – the Xanthic.
It was actually Thatcher’s Grandfather, Edward Thatcher, that defeated the Xanthic all those years ago, and it is Edward that has not only inspired Tad, but mentored him along the way. Without Edward Thatcher, Tad would not be the Captain he is today, as he is constantly remembering the voice of Edward Thatcher, and the useful bits of advice he gave him. It makes for some very interesting reading.
It is clear to see early on in this series that one aspect of this book will be the tech and the starships, as there some stunning examples of not just technology for both the Marines, and the Corporations, but the intricate detail that goes into describing the ships and weapons, as well as the battle-scenes is outstanding, and for fans of Mil Sci-Fi and Space Opera etc, it makes for a wonderful read. Bartlett puts so much time and effort into making sure that every aspect of his battle scenes, both on the ground and in space, are meticulously described, so you feel like you are in the power-armour, mech suit, CIC or cockpit, and it just adds so much intensity to the story.
Overall, this is a great introduction to what is a fantastic series (I am up to part 4 already, and it just gets better with every part). This opening book, not only gives you a good look at each of the Characters, but enlightens you to affairs within the Dawn Cluster, how everything operates, and more importantly, it gives you a look at how Tad Thatcher and the crew of the Veronica Rose standup against the old enemy of humanity – the Xanthic.
If you have read any of Scott Bartlett before, you will love this series, and if not, but love a good Mil Sci-Fi, or Space Opera, you are in for a treat!!
October 30, 2023
I like space opera but haven’t read much of it in recent years. Ditto for military novels.
“First Command” is concerned with politics and military tactics in a remote part of the galaxy.
Tad Thatcher is second-in-command on a U.S. military spaceship. His career has been slow but sure and the chance of getting his own ship any time soon is remote.
It’s been 50 years since the last space war – fought to a stalemate against a little-understood alien race, the Xanthic.
The horrors of that war ultimately led to the U.N. becoming the galaxy’s watchdog, creating its own space navy, controlling the availability of advanced technology, and regulating commerce.
But now the Xanthic are back!
Tad is given his own warship but as a civilian employee of one of the many Corporations.
To make matters worse he’s cut off from Earth when the FTL systems go down. There will be no help coming any time soon.
It’s not long before the Corporations vie for power. Throw in fleets of pirates and it is time for battle.
The book doesn’t so much end as come to a sudden stop.
If you like space battles you’ll enjoy “First Command” but the tactical methods so loved by Tad seemed somewhat underwhelming.
3 Stars.
“First Command” is concerned with politics and military tactics in a remote part of the galaxy.
Tad Thatcher is second-in-command on a U.S. military spaceship. His career has been slow but sure and the chance of getting his own ship any time soon is remote.
It’s been 50 years since the last space war – fought to a stalemate against a little-understood alien race, the Xanthic.
The horrors of that war ultimately led to the U.N. becoming the galaxy’s watchdog, creating its own space navy, controlling the availability of advanced technology, and regulating commerce.
But now the Xanthic are back!
Tad is given his own warship but as a civilian employee of one of the many Corporations.
To make matters worse he’s cut off from Earth when the FTL systems go down. There will be no help coming any time soon.
It’s not long before the Corporations vie for power. Throw in fleets of pirates and it is time for battle.
The book doesn’t so much end as come to a sudden stop.
If you like space battles you’ll enjoy “First Command” but the tactical methods so loved by Tad seemed somewhat underwhelming.
3 Stars.
June 23, 2023
I bought this as a audio book box set with books 1 through 6. To be honest, the story is very a-meh-zing, I got about half way through and just couldn't suspend my disbelief any further.
The main character is very flat and socially awkward, with an oversized expectation of command without question (perhaps he's unintentionally autistic?). The basic story timeline is unreasonably fast paced going from one space battle to the next, to the next, etc. all while the main character perseverates over a seemingly perpetual pregnant wife, whom he is cut off from and his guilt over feelings for someone else.
Some people may enjoy this series, but I don't happen to be one of them.
The main character is very flat and socially awkward, with an oversized expectation of command without question (perhaps he's unintentionally autistic?). The basic story timeline is unreasonably fast paced going from one space battle to the next, to the next, etc. all while the main character perseverates over a seemingly perpetual pregnant wife, whom he is cut off from and his guilt over feelings for someone else.
Some people may enjoy this series, but I don't happen to be one of them.
May 16, 2020
Cracking storyline
Well that was certainly interesting but slow to start but once the action started then it speeded up nicely found this story well written... Really looking forward to book 2... Hoping the Captain is going to lose some of his stuffed shirt type antics lol being ex military myself I have come across a few officers like that once they settle in and get some action under their belt then they become good lol 😁😁😁😁
Well that was certainly interesting but slow to start but once the action started then it speeded up nicely found this story well written... Really looking forward to book 2... Hoping the Captain is going to lose some of his stuffed shirt type antics lol being ex military myself I have come across a few officers like that once they settle in and get some action under their belt then they become good lol 😁😁😁😁
May 4, 2021
This is the first book in the series and I thought universe building the author did was good. The interplay between the various military arms of the corporations is interesting. The book moves at a good pace and keeps you motivated to keep reading. The only downside of the book was some of the characters. They tended to be not totally fleshed out, somewhat one dimensional. I still give it four stars for the plot line though. I have purchased the second book.
January 19, 2023
The first chapter was a little irritating, apart from the characters making stupid decisions, I don’t like trying to get to know the characters only for them all to disappear in the next chapter.
At first sight this was an interesting story, but unfortunately I struggled with the author’s universe, it just felt ‘off’, especially the Aliens that randomly appear from underground. There were some interesting battles and overall it wasn’t a bad book, but just not for me.
At first sight this was an interesting story, but unfortunately I struggled with the author’s universe, it just felt ‘off’, especially the Aliens that randomly appear from underground. There were some interesting battles and overall it wasn’t a bad book, but just not for me.
September 8, 2023
First Command is the first volume of Scott Bartlett’s 10-volume spacer series. Tad Thatcher is an officer in Earth’s under-equipped space fleet. He gets his first command by resigning his commission to command the New Jersey, a warship in a private navy defending colonies in Dawn Cluster. Thatcher must get an undisciplined crew in shape to fight pirates and an emerging alien threat. There is plenty of action, but this one is straight out of the Horatio Hornblower playbook.
May 6, 2020
Good military flow and insight.
Very good insight to how leadership in the military thinks and how proper command flow helps everyone get the job done as a team. Good tech feel without getting buried in mean less explanations and garbage. Made for a good fast paced read.
Very good insight to how leadership in the military thinks and how proper command flow helps everyone get the job done as a team. Good tech feel without getting buried in mean less explanations and garbage. Made for a good fast paced read.
Read
May 11, 2020A story
Space story, bad guys, good guys that have to be bad and bad guys pretending to be good. Cut off from Earth how are they paying for all this? War is expensive. Men, materials, technology, it's all very expensive.
Space story, bad guys, good guys that have to be bad and bad guys pretending to be good. Cut off from Earth how are they paying for all this? War is expensive. Men, materials, technology, it's all very expensive.
June 15, 2020
Started off well, but just felt a bit soulless and I could keep my attention from wandering so I pulled out early into the second half. I was listening to the audio version so maybe reading the old fashioned would have been better for this one.
June 16, 2020
Really good story
About a hard nosed Captain (sounds very familiar from my Military day) and the corporate few he is sent to command. Looking forward too reading more stories from this series.
About a hard nosed Captain (sounds very familiar from my Military day) and the corporate few he is sent to command. Looking forward too reading more stories from this series.
July 15, 2020
Good for COV19 reading
Familiar start to this space war opera with development of the personalities of good and evil human characters, intergalactic enemies and societal structure. Interesting twist wit private corporate military.
Familiar start to this space war opera with development of the personalities of good and evil human characters, intergalactic enemies and societal structure. Interesting twist wit private corporate military.
August 19, 2022
Good start to a long series. Worm holes, corporate states, disconnected from earth by 1000's of light years, fighting pirates, other corporations, and the one race of aliens we've encountered yet. Smart, upstart captain gonna save the day.
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