Listen free for 30 days
-
Renegade
- Spiral Wars, Book 1
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Series: Spiral Wars, Book 1
- Length: 17 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Science Fiction
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Listen with a free trial
Buy Now for £28.09
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
Drysine Legacy
- Spiral Wars, Book 2
- By: Joel Shepherd
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 18 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The legendary battle-carrier UFS Phoenix is on the run in Outer Neutral Space. Lieutenant Commander Erik Debogande and Major Trace Thakur are determined to use neutral territory to broker a peace between humanity's warring factions, away from Fleet's strong arm. But as machinations in Fleet Command send a legendary warrior from Trace's past on a sworn path to kill her, there arises in the territory of an insectoid foe an ancient enemy from the nightmares of Spiral history, bent on Phoenix's destruction….
-
-
Edge of your seat action..!
- By UnwashedMonkey on 24-01-18
-
Barbarians at the Gates
- The Decline and Fall of the Galactic Empire, Book 1
- By: Christopher G. Nuttall
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
- Length: 16 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Federation has endured for hundreds of years, but now it is dying, killed by the corruption and decadence of the Senate and the rising power of military warlords. The shipping lanes are coming apart, the colonists are revolting, and outside forces are pressing against undefended borders. Now, as one warlord makes a bid for supreme power, the entire edifice is on the verge of falling apart.
-
Tarnished Knight: The Lost Stars, Book 1
- The Lost Stars, Book 1
- By: Jack Campbell
- Narrated by: Marc Vietor
- Length: 12 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The authority of the Syndicate Worlds’ government is crumbling. Civil war and rebellion are breaking out in many star systems, despite the Syndic government’s brutal attempts to suppress disorder. Midway is one of those star systems, and leaders there must decide whether to remain loyal to the old order or fight for something new.
-
-
The future looks bright.
- By Nick on 06-11-12
-
Rebel Fleet
- By: B. V. Larson
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Length: 10 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
They hunt us. They bomb our worlds for target practice. A star cluster in the constellation of Orion rotates once every thousand years. Those who rule there have an ancient tradition: When each cycle ends, they train their fleets by spilling the blood of lesser beings. The enemy fleets are coming again. In response, the Rebel Worlds gather their starships to face the terrifying threat, and this time humanity is asked to stand with them.
-
-
Just good spoiler free review
- By England fan 1 on 24-12-16
-
Battle Cruiser
- Lost Colonies, Book 1
- By: B. V. Larson
- Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini
- Length: 13 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
One starship will either save Earth or destroy her. A century ago our star erupted, destroying Earth's wormhole network and closing off trade with her colonized planets. After being out of contact with the younger worlds for so many years, Humanity is shocked when a huge ship appears at the edge of the solar system. Our outdated navy investigates, both curious and fearful. What they learn from the massive vessel shocks the planet.
-
-
Simplistic But Accessible Sci-Fi
- By S. Morris on 02-05-16
-
Dreadnaught
- The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier
- By: Jack Campbell
- Narrated by: Christian Rummel, Jack Campbell - introduction
- Length: 12 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The first book of best-selling sci-fi author Jack Campbell’s new series Beyond the Frontier returns to find Captain John “Black Jack" Geary, the hero of the Lost Fleet series, awoken from cryogenic sleep to take command of the fleet. Geary’s legendary exploits have earned him the adoration of the people—and the enmity of politicians convinced that a living hero can be a very inconvenient thing.
-
-
Double crossing scum and aliens
- By Bobby Dazeller on 21-02-18
-
Drysine Legacy
- Spiral Wars, Book 2
- By: Joel Shepherd
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 18 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The legendary battle-carrier UFS Phoenix is on the run in Outer Neutral Space. Lieutenant Commander Erik Debogande and Major Trace Thakur are determined to use neutral territory to broker a peace between humanity's warring factions, away from Fleet's strong arm. But as machinations in Fleet Command send a legendary warrior from Trace's past on a sworn path to kill her, there arises in the territory of an insectoid foe an ancient enemy from the nightmares of Spiral history, bent on Phoenix's destruction….
-
-
Edge of your seat action..!
- By UnwashedMonkey on 24-01-18
-
Barbarians at the Gates
- The Decline and Fall of the Galactic Empire, Book 1
- By: Christopher G. Nuttall
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
- Length: 16 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Federation has endured for hundreds of years, but now it is dying, killed by the corruption and decadence of the Senate and the rising power of military warlords. The shipping lanes are coming apart, the colonists are revolting, and outside forces are pressing against undefended borders. Now, as one warlord makes a bid for supreme power, the entire edifice is on the verge of falling apart.
-
Tarnished Knight: The Lost Stars, Book 1
- The Lost Stars, Book 1
- By: Jack Campbell
- Narrated by: Marc Vietor
- Length: 12 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The authority of the Syndicate Worlds’ government is crumbling. Civil war and rebellion are breaking out in many star systems, despite the Syndic government’s brutal attempts to suppress disorder. Midway is one of those star systems, and leaders there must decide whether to remain loyal to the old order or fight for something new.
-
-
The future looks bright.
- By Nick on 06-11-12
-
Rebel Fleet
- By: B. V. Larson
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Length: 10 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
They hunt us. They bomb our worlds for target practice. A star cluster in the constellation of Orion rotates once every thousand years. Those who rule there have an ancient tradition: When each cycle ends, they train their fleets by spilling the blood of lesser beings. The enemy fleets are coming again. In response, the Rebel Worlds gather their starships to face the terrifying threat, and this time humanity is asked to stand with them.
-
-
Just good spoiler free review
- By England fan 1 on 24-12-16
-
Battle Cruiser
- Lost Colonies, Book 1
- By: B. V. Larson
- Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini
- Length: 13 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
One starship will either save Earth or destroy her. A century ago our star erupted, destroying Earth's wormhole network and closing off trade with her colonized planets. After being out of contact with the younger worlds for so many years, Humanity is shocked when a huge ship appears at the edge of the solar system. Our outdated navy investigates, both curious and fearful. What they learn from the massive vessel shocks the planet.
-
-
Simplistic But Accessible Sci-Fi
- By S. Morris on 02-05-16
-
Dreadnaught
- The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier
- By: Jack Campbell
- Narrated by: Christian Rummel, Jack Campbell - introduction
- Length: 12 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The first book of best-selling sci-fi author Jack Campbell’s new series Beyond the Frontier returns to find Captain John “Black Jack" Geary, the hero of the Lost Fleet series, awoken from cryogenic sleep to take command of the fleet. Geary’s legendary exploits have earned him the adoration of the people—and the enmity of politicians convinced that a living hero can be a very inconvenient thing.
-
-
Double crossing scum and aliens
- By Bobby Dazeller on 21-02-18
-
Legend
- Four Horsemen Tales, Book 1
- By: Christopher Woods
- Narrated by: Marc Vietor
- Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
At a time when Humans were just starting to venture forth into the Galactic Union as mercenaries, Martin Quincy survived long enough to do something no one else had - he retired. There was only one problem: He got bored. After battling aliens for many years - killing aliens and getting paid - retirement didn’t suit him, and he decided to strap on the combat armor and go back to the stars. Along with his old friend Kal, Martin joined Cartwright’s Cavaliers, humanity’s best merc company. Life was exciting! But he got bored. Again.
-
-
Confusing
- By Jumpin' Bean on 13-04-19
-
Her Brother's Keeper
- By: Mike Kupari
- Narrated by: Allyson Johnson
- Length: 14 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When privateer Captain Catherine Blackwood is enlisted to rescue her brother from a treacherous warlord, she finds herself on her most dangerous mission yet. It's been years since Catherine Blackwood left the stodgy, repressive colony world of Avalon. Now the captain of the privateer vessel Andromeda, she is the master of her own destiny.
-
-
Absolutely wonderful
- By Andre on 11-04-16
-
A Fiery Sunset
- The Omega War, Book 1
- By: Chris Kennedy, Mark Wandrey
- Narrated by: Todd McLaren
- Length: 16 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The plot by the Galactic Union’s Mercenary Guild against the Four Horsemen has culminated in an invasion of Earth. Faced with an overwhelming force, the human mercs had no choice. They’ve fled, leaving Sansar Enkh to go to the Mercenary Guild headquarters on Capital Planet to stand trial for humanity. On the run, Jim Cartwright and Nigel Shirazi have travelled to the Winged Hussars’ secret base of New Warsaw, in an effort to convince Alexis Cromwell to join the fight, while the other mercenaries who escaped the fall of Earth have gone to the perceived safe haven of Karma.
-
-
Humans vs. the rest of the Galaxy
- By Poppey on 29-04-19
-
The Dark Between the Stars
- The Saga of Shadows, Book One
- By: Kevin J. Anderson
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Length: 22 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Twenty years after the elemental conflict that nearly tore apart the cosmos in The Saga of Seven Suns, a new threat emerges from the darkness. The human race must set aside its own inner conflicts to rebuild their alliance with the Ildiran Empire for the survival of the galaxy. In Kevin J. Anderson's The Dark Between the Stars, galactic empires clash, elemental beings devastate whole planetary systems, and factions of humanity are pitted against one another.
-
-
Well read, less hard science and a bit of fantasy
- By Anonymous Coward on 21-07-15
-
The Skinner
- The Spatterjay Series: Book 1
- By: Neal Asher
- Narrated by: William Gaminara
- Length: 15 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The savage ocean planet of Spatterjay draws visitors with very different agendas. Erlin is immortal and seeks a reason to keep living. Janer hosts a hive mind, which paid him to find this planet. And Keech is an agent of Earth who’s been dead for 700 years – but still hunts a notorious criminal. On Spatterjay’s vast waterscapes, only the Old Captains risk the native life forms and their voracious appetites. However, they are now barely human. And somewhere out there Keech’s target – the Skinner – runs wild.
-
-
Adventures on Alien and Predatory High Seas
- By Rachel on 26-07-13
-
Vanguard: The Genesis Fleet, Book 1
- By: Jack Campbell
- Narrated by: Christian Rummel
- Length: 9 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Earth is no longer the center of the universe. After the invention of the faster-than-light jump drive, humanity is rapidly establishing new colonies. But the vast distances of space mean that the old order of protection and interstellar law offered by Earth has ceased to exist. When a nearby world attacks, the new colony of Glenlyon turns to Robert Geary, a young former junior fleet officer, and Mele Darcy, a onetime enlisted marine.
-
-
New Fleet to Follow
- By Master Martin on 23-05-17
-
Arc
- New Earth, Book 1
- By: Devon C. Ford
- Narrated by: Marc Vietor
- Length: 6 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
They say that necessity is the mother of all inventions. Amir Weatherby has the world in his hands, quite literally. When his company discovers an asteroid on a direct collision course with Earth, they decide to keep the news quiet and find a way to survive the impending apocalypse themselves. Secret projects begin with the intent of preventing the world going the same way as the dinosaurs.
-
-
Do not buy separately
- By Anonymous User on 01-09-21
-
Steel World
- Undying Mercenaries, Book 1
- By: B. V. Larson
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Length: 12 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the twentieth century Earth sent probes, transmissions and welcoming messages to the stars. Unfortunately, someone noticed. The Galactics arrived with their battle fleet in 2052. Rather than being exterminated under a barrage of hell-burners, Earth joined their vast Empire. Swearing allegiance to our distant alien overlords wasn't the only requirement for survival. We also had to have something of value to trade, something that neighboring planets would pay their hard-earned credits to buy.
-
-
Should I start this series
- By luke on 10-06-15
-
Crossover
- Cassandra Kresnov, Book 1
- By: Joel Shepherd
- Narrated by: Dina Pearlman
- Length: 16 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Crossover is the first novel in a series which follows the adventures of Cassandra Kresnov, an artificial person, or android, created by the League, one side of an interstellar war against the more powerful, conservative Federation. Cassandra is an experimental design - more intelligent, more creative, and far more dangerous than any that have preceded her. But with her intellect come questions, and a moral awakening. She deserts the League and heads incognito into the space of her former enemy, the Federation, in search of a new life.
-
-
Disappointed
- By PatM on 05-05-15
-
On Basilisk Station
- Honor Harrington, Book 1
- By: David Weber
- Narrated by: Allyson Johnson
- Length: 15 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Having made a superior look a fool, Honor Harrington has been exiled to Basilisk Station in disgrace and set up for ruin. Her demoralized crew blames her for their ship's humiliating posting to an out-of-the-way picket station. The aborigines of the system's only habitable planet are smoking homicide-inducing hallucinogens.
-
-
A very good production of a good Space Opera
- By Jernau Gurgeh on 15-05-09
-
Mech 1: The Parent
- By: B. V. Larson
- Narrated by: Mirron Willis
- Length: 9 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After centuries in stasis, a lost task force returns home. Arriving from the infinite void the surviving ships discover that the Imperium lies in ruin. The Homeworld itself is destroyed, and nothing lives in the Ancestral System except an infestation of unknown bipedal beings - creatures soft, red of blood and warm of flesh.... When you colonize a planet, make sure the owners aren't coming back.... MECH is the story of a new Earth colony built upon the ancient Homeworld of a civilization presumed (incorrectly) to be long dead.
-
-
Good
- By KarlH on 17-01-19
-
Ark Royal
- By: Christopher G. Nuttall
- Narrated by: Ralph Lister
- Length: 13 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Seventy years ago, the interstellar supercarrier Ark Royal was the pride of the Royal Navy. But now, her weapons are outdated and her solid-state armour nothing more than a burden on her colossal hull. She floats in permanent orbit near Earth, a dumping ground for the officers and crew the Royal Navy wishes to keep out of the public eye. But when a deadly alien threat appears, the modern starships built by humanity are no match for the powerful alien weapons.
-
-
A reasanbly good yarn, not very well read
- By George on 27-07-14
Summary
One thousand years after Earth was destroyed in an unprovoked attack, humanity has emerged victorious from a series of terrible wars to assure its place in the galaxy. But during celebrations on humanity’s new Homeworld, the legendary Captain Pantillo of the battle carrier Phoenix is court-martialed then killed, and his deputy, Lieutenant Commander Erik Debogande, the heir to humanity’s most powerful industrial family, is framed for his murder. Assisted by Phoenix’s marine commander Trace Thakur, Erik and Phoenix are forced to go on the run as they seek to unravel the conspiracy behind their Captain’s demise, pursued to the death by their own fleet. What they discover about the truth behind the wars and the nature of humanity’s ancient alien allies will shake the sentient galaxy to its core.
More from the same
What listeners say about Renegade
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Andrew J Chamberlain
- 07-02-21
Aside from the occasional infodump, a pretty good
A reasonably entertaining story, leans towards military sci fi with fairly sketchy characters but if you like space combat and a pleasing level of detail you'll enjoy this one. The fact that it's John Lee narrating gives this a definite 'Peter F Hamilton' vibe, but it is more of a space shoot up and a bit less subtle than Hamilton's work. But if you want a sci fi romp that has a solidly researched feel to it, this one should be good for you.
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Peter Richardson
- 05-02-16
Excellent
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Excellent listen. More volumes please. I need to know what happens next. You can't leave the story unfinished!
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- A young man
- 06-06-20
The start of something big.
No spoilers:
The sett-up:
The human race has long since joined the other space fairing races in the spiral galaxy. We come into the story as the human race and it's allies celebrate their victory in a massive war. On the surface this should be the start of a long peaceful age...but trouble is brewing.
Very much a book made for an epic scale. Numerous races, thousands of years of history, galaxy spanning politics and massive spaceships.
The downside is that it is very exposition heavy, and it's a lot to keep track of while new information is continuously getting added to the pile. The characters are generally well written and easy to follow along with.
Might be easier to keep track of everything with a text version instead. Not a light read, but a good one. would recommend.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mara
- 24-07-17
Don't be scared of politics, it's full of action!
Great quality of the story, great narrator and interesting from start to finish. Going to listen to the next book without a pause.
If you're like me and are not sure if to listen to this book because it sounds like it will have a lot of politics involved, put your worries aside. I hate politics, but I loved the book. The author knows how to present a story - to involve you with the characters and to put high action and a lot of surprises in between the setting of the world situation and politics, not letting you even think of falling asleep at too long parts of too deep descriptions. Perfectly balanced which counts for a quality story building.
It seems like the author has saved quite some bunch of secrets for us to discover in the next book, so I expect for it to be as good! We'll see!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Call me Bob
- 27-09-21
OK but somehow hollow
I do not know what it is about this book nut it did not get me hooked at all.
It should have all the ingredients but somehow I couldn't care less about what happens.
Also finished the 2'nd book and it is the same.
Will stop there with the series but there is nothing I can put my finger on and say "This is why it's so lame."
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 13-01-20
has potential
has some potential but doesn't quite deliver. good narration has made it more bearable.
The world is interesting but the characters are pretty cliche and unidimensional.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Ian
- 26-11-17
Good Story But . . .
Although I enjoyed the story, the narrator sounded like someone from a 1950's Amateur Theatre Company and it almost ruined it for me.
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- David
- 06-06-18
After 2 hours of listening... it's just boring...
Nothing happens.. there's nothing exciting and there are just too many characters introduced, as a result I can recall 1 character name 'Eric', but I feel no connection with the character. I understand the writer is trying to give the readers some background but it's endless information.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 14-05-22
A great beginning to a long exciting adventure!
This has the potential to become my favorite sci-fi series. :D I have high expectations for the next one, cause I found nothing I didn't like in it so far. The characters are good, the plot is complicated, and full of surprises, the narration is good.
The only problem is that I have so much piled up to listen, and I so need to concentrate on work... :)
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- James Abernethy
- 29-11-21
Not what I was hoping for.
I will admit that this book had promise but just missed it's mark for me. Some people will love this book because it does do things differently.
There were some good elements with the world building but also so issues, the stage was too big and for me that lessened the importance of the players. The story progressed and unravelled at a nice pace but for me... i think the characters didn't have enough flaws and didn't have the depth to make the most of the story. Too many stereotypical characteristics.made the people feel bland.
The narrator was tough to listen to, he has a good voice but it's how he uses it. He speaks with the rhythm of someone preaching from the Old Testament. He did a decent enough job with accents but struggled with the female voices. It was that monotonous rhythms and inflections that he used to voice almost every character. This is another book that would have been massively improved by having male and female voice casting.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- ochoavida102
- 18-06-17
Politics?
Ok, there is another review with the tittle of "politics" on top. That other review gave this book 1 star rating. This book is a 5 star easy.
If you are a reader, chances are you read treasure island. Do you remember how boring the introduction to the book was. But then, the journey for the treasure gets on its way, the story grips you and doesn't let go until the end? Ok this book does the same thing with the only difference that it grabs and takes u on a smart, well thought out thrilling, action packed adventure that last all thru the three books in this series. He author introduces the characters and their backgrounds and sets up the background for the galaxy in which they will Interact. So yes, the first third of the book will be slow, but once that rollercoaster gets to its apex, you better hang on because you are in for....
One more thing, if you like starship combat ( who doesn't right?) you will love this book. Its combat scenes are fresh and original with a different take on the combat mechanics. Do yourself a favor and read this book.
64 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Joshua
- 28-03-17
Amazing. Far more than I expected.
Given the cover art, I was expecting little more from this book than the usual space opera heavy on space battles, and character development consisting of the usual unbelievable success after success.
This book was so much more than that. The world the author builds is deep and creative, defying just the sort of stereotypes that I had resigned myself to at the outset. An involving, believable and epic political backstory, characters who draw introspective insight from their experiences, and aliens that seem all too "human."
The voice talent is top notch too. If you've listened to any of Peter F. Hamilton's books on audible, this is the same narrator.
This was all so much more than I was expecting from what had been a quick purchase to kill some time. In the end, I believe I have found a new favorite author.
19 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Skipper
- 08-04-17
Humans, aliens, and cyber-species
Contents: PG 13. No sex, lots of F-bombs (marines), no religious cussing, several ship-to-ship battles and close-quarters combat. There is obviously death, but nothing too grisly. The violence does not feel gratuitous. The tone of the series (three books so far) is fairly upbeat and heartwarming, but serious, not frivolous.
I've heard all three books in the series and am looking forward to book four. Sequel or bust!
Set in the distant future in the far reaches of the Milky Way, Joel Shepherd serves up a solid space-opera populated with humans, aliens (froggies, humanoids, furballs, bugs) and even some robots and drones (various species of cybernetic super-intelligence). The crew of the military warship Phoenix are likable, and the main characters grow on you across the three books published so far. Bonding occurs credibly as this honorable but renegade crew gradually uncovers a conspiracy at the highest levels of authority, a secret terrible and fearful, hidden away for centuries, and protected at all costs. When Phoenix stumbles on the truth, they are forced to make some tough choices, and to engage in desperate missions, driving them further and further from home, into deep space. For the most part, they stand alone, but gradually they do acquire a few allies. I hope to see some of the current alliances deepen.
Spiral Wars feels a little like Sullivan's Riyira fantasy series, because long-believed lies are slowly uncovered, history revealed to be myth. Some friends prove fickle and some alliances false. There is a sense of suspense and intrigue, of holding one's breath for the next shoe to drop.
I've been reading space opera lately, but I tend to avoid tales told in 1st person "i-me-my perspective" because a singular voice gets old fast. This SPIRAL WARS series, told in 3rd person, is better than most I've read. It compares on a par with THE EXPANSE series by Corey. I loved Bujold's VORKOSIGAN series, too, but it’s quite different in tone. I would rate SPIRAL WARS higher than Ryk Brown's FRONTIER SAGA — which became repetitive and drawn out. I rate SW a little higher than Dalzelle's BLACK FLEET and OMEGA series. I liked SW more than Fox's EMBER WARS series, and far more than the EXPEDITIONARY FORCE series by Alanson (told in 1st person, alas). I also recommend the engaging LINESMAN series by Dunstall, but it is quite lightweight. I also enjoy the LIADEN series by Lee and Miller, but it is a mixed bag and a very slow work in progress. SPIRAL WARS is my current favorite in space opera.
Shepherd's writing style is generally flowing, vivid, and interesting but he tends to occasionally slow the pace by stopping to describe things too much — including trivial aspects of the setting, and how the technical stuff works. Some people might like the technical explanations, but I zone out a little.
If the author can maintain this quality of storytelling until the conclusion of the series, he will have created a solid hit.
The narrator John Lee delivers a value-added and highly enjoyable rendition of Spiral Wars.
31 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Andrew Pollack
- 19-11-15
Wow. Really great. Some different approaches
In Renegade, Shepherd starts a new series that should be classic space opera. It's not. Strong characters, both male and female are a welcome highlight here. On top of that, his space battles rock. His descriptions of the movement of the ships, the punishing forces and multiple directions of force, and the way it might be to try to be a human amidst all of that are brilliant and refreshing. This is the second series I've read from Shepherd. His first book, "Breakaway" was a fast and fun but a bit juvenile. That series got better and more mature as the author did and by the end of the series was some of the best science fiction I've read in a really long time. "Renegade" starts off with that maturity of skill and subject matter and combines a really well considered world. I loved it.
28 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Daniel
- 19-11-15
Made me fall in love with Sci-Fi all over again!
I took a chance when I got this book as it was brand new and not yet reviewed. Sometimes when you take a chance you come up empty, other times you strike gold. This was one of those golden moments.
This book captivated my imagination and really made me remember why I love Science Fiction.
The characters were excellent, the plot was great, but most of all, the world was immersive and beyond interesting. The universe Joel Shepherd created is intriguing and it has left me wanting more!
Can't wait for the next one!
18 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- shewolfdc
- 13-02-21
Eh
I admit I'm overly sensitive to how women are portrayed in stories. And while the main women character is wonderful, all of the references to how women ought to be in the rich family were very annoying. So all these powerful women are heads of corporations, but they are suppose to live by someone's idea of traditional female roles? It was inconsistent and a turn off. The narrator was too stuffy for the genre I think.
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Lois
- 22-01-16
Reminded me of "A Mote in God's Eye"
It reminded me of the SF classic "A Mote in God's Eye," not so much for the details of the plot but for the classical sea-novel flavor of starship-naval life, the brisk pace of development and vivid characterization. The opening scene had me concerned it might end up being just a gung-ho space opera shoot 'em up, but it developed in a very unexpected direction that introduced all kinds of fascinating tensions and ambiguities, which the author handles extremely well. I only wish the series were already finished so I could binge-read it to the end.
My one complaint is the same one I always have with John Lee. To wit: there are very few Brits who can do a convincing American accent (and vice versa), and John Lee is not among them. He keeps attempting "southern," too, which resembles nothing spoken by any human being anywhere, ever. Southerners actually *soften* their "R's" guys, not lean on them so hard it practically makes your teeth hurt.
I don't know where they get this idea that the hard "R" is an indispensable requirement to do "American" but if even the magisterial Patrick Tull gets it wrong I guess Lee shouldn't be too harshly singled out. Fortunately there aren't many "American" characters here and none of them in primary roles, so I cringed through those bits and (mostly) enjoyed the rest of the narration.
11 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- tekone
- 06-01-16
A great grand military scifi story!
Frankly, I had never heard of the author and only decide to buy and listen when there was nothing else of interest... But, wow!
I was surprised at how interesting the story was and how enjoyable a listen it was. I honestly can say it was in my top 5 of new scifi military books for 2015. John Lee as always is great!
I really look forward to the next one.
11 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- C. Hartmann
- 17-11-15
Perhaps this Year's Surprise 6 -- but stealthy
Let me begin by saying that John Lee could read a cookbook and give it the subtle impact and nuanced inflection of Richard !!!. So part of my reaction to this book is a result of his performance.
That said, my favorites are Neal Stephenson, Peter F. Hamilton (Void Series), Dan Simmons (Hyperion), Alastair Reynolds (Revelation Space Trilogy, Terminal World), Richard K. Morgan (Altered Carbon) and Charles Stross. (Halting State and Rule 34. -- also Corey's Expanse series.) Although the plot mechanism here is not a complex revelation (no pun intended) the execution is really good.
Military space opera with a pretty standard lead in -- junior command officer has to take over valiant ship and fight his way out of big trouble. A slightly slow start but oddly akin to the beginning of Hamilton's Void. I was totally unprepared for this being so much fun. Don't read it for the new ideas, read it because it is well done. The dialogue, pacing and characters are just that.... a lot of fun. I really hope that this is the first in a series.
(When I read the first book in the "Galbraith" detective series, I almost remarked that it reminded me of another, more sophisticated writer. When I read The Martian I almost stopped because it seemed so simple at first. So this time I'll ask even if it sounds odd....has anyone seen Joel Shepard, Alistair Reynolds and Peter F. Hamilton together in the same place ????)
And by the way, speaking of Richard III -- keep in mind the scene where, left alone with his executioners, the stunned Hastings slowly realizes that Stanley was right all along. Richard is a manipulative, power-hungry traitor, and Hastings has been dangerously overconfident. Always a risk.
22 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Matthew J. Weaver
- 24-01-21
Talk about an irritating voice…
This is one of the worst books I have yet encountered on audible. The performance, narrator, is beyond irritating. The story is also like nails on a chalkboard.
3 people found this helpful