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First Command

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First Command

By: Michael Simon
Narrated by: Ryan Kennard Burke
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An alien attack leaves them adrift in space.

Survive, rebuild, and rejoin the war.

Fresh out of the Academy, Ensign Cole Jackson’s first posting to Freedom couldn’t have come at a worse time. All over the Alliance, planets and colonies are suddenly under attack by the vicious Coven Empire.

Freedom and her sister ship, Hood, are ambushed by alien warships, leaving Hood drifting dead in the void.

Cole is ordered to salvage parts from the powerless Hood, but when he arrives on the unpowered hulk, Freedom is called away, marooning him and a group of malcontent techs in deep space.

With the timer on survival ticking down, Cole must find the confidence to take control, whip his tiny crew into shape, bring Hood back to life–repairing communications, propulsion and even weapons.

He's got one chance to transform the derelict ship into a combat-ready vessel. One he can take into battle and alter the course of the war.

Don't miss the start of this science fiction thrill ride about a crew of young soldiers mustering the courage to fight back against both a vicious alien enemy, and the terrifying void of being stranded in space. It's perfect for fans of Daniel Gibbs, J.N. Chaney, and Vaughn Heppner!

©2025 Aethon Books (P)2025 Aethon Audio Military Science Fiction Survival War
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I did not find this gripping, easy listen but I do not feel connected to the action or characters, dropped it in the end.

it's ok

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I would say this is a well written book that translates well to Audible as you do get drawn into the universe that's created, and I was intrigued by the underlying ideas but I'm not really feeling it - found it ok for background listening but I'm not gripped enough to buy book 2 (book 1 included in membership).
There is a LOT of "chit chat" between characters which extends longer than necessary and in my opinion doesn't add any value it makes the conversations tiresome.
As the story progesses (and yes, I did listen to the end) the phrase "The engines canna take it Captain" springs to mind, yet miraculously they do, again and again (and again)! Ok, so it's unbelievable fiction??!
As I said, I found this ok as a background listen.

Note to editor - at the time of review chapter 22 is duplicated (repeats as the start of the next chapter).

Ok as an easy/background listen

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Action packed Military scifi. A crippled warship with only a salvage crew battle a ruthless alien race. Battle after battle keeps the reader constantly on edge. Well written and with strong interesting characters a fine start to this series I will definitely be reading more by this author. Narration is excellent. Highly recommended

Action packef story

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