Exciting consept

If you could sum up Swarm in three words, what would they be?

Exciting, addictive, fun

What did you like best about this story?

The concept of the nanos and macros

Have you listened to any of Mark Boyett’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I have only listened to 2 other star force books, so can't really compare.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I have laughed, i have been on the edge of my set and i find my self trying to find excuses to go listen as much as i can!

Any additional comments?

Really looking forward to the rest of the series!

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a well read story whose line is better than some

I enjoyed the performance . the story line was different but a little awkward. I felt some of the secondary characters needed a bit more depth.

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Pulp fiction

It’s about spaceships and marines and battles so it’s all good. Not a great deal of depth to anything but it ticks along nicely and you’re never bored. A nice book to drive to

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different and interesting

not my usual fantasy/science fiction but it was compelling and well thought out. The narrator was very good and I will definitely finish the series. If you liked the movie independence day... this is that kind of genre..

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Interesting But Not Compelling

Having first come across B V Larson's work with his excellent Undying
mercenaries series and having reached the fifth and currently last book in
that series, I decided to switch to Larson's other major saga the,
Star Force books, to keep me going until the next title in the Undying Mercenaries
books becomes available.

This book started quite well and I was soon sucked into the story. however,
things started to just not feel quite right with regards the way the story
protagonist, Kyle Riggs, behaved especially given his overwhelming loss
suffered at the start of the book. There are interesting concepts here for
sure but I think the problem with this book I have is the execution rather
than the concept. I find it quite hard to put my finger on exactly what it
is about this book that doesn't sit right with me. I would describe this
story as interesting but not compelling as I found my introduction to
Larson's work was in the shape of the Undying Mercenaries books. Maybe it
feels to me that so far this first book was written for a younger target
audience than my late forties as it seemed to lack the grit and depth of detail I'd come to
expect. Many aspects of the critical elements of the narrative were just
skipped or dealt with very quickly. For example, it might have been
interesting to establish the deadly nature of the first battles with the
invading machines by inserting sections dealing with the initial encounters
during the first land battles but instead Larson basically just mentions
that all human resistance was wiped out.

Without trying to give anything away, there is no attempt to send Nano ships
to scout the area around Venus when it has been determined that Macro
activity is going on. Surely it would be obvious that some kind of
build up was going on there but yet nothing is done to monitor the evident
beachhead being made nor was any opportunity taken to launch a pre-emptive
strike upon the alien encampment there before they had become too strong or
entrenched.

The other thing I didn't care for was the annoying Crow character. he just
seemed too silly for my tastes and just wants to play soldiers rather than
really add anything to the story. He proves useful initially to Riggs but soon after is just a nuisance really.

Also, the Sandra character appears not much more than a lust interest for our recently bereaved professor of computer science and in fact is a student at his university and some 14 years his junior. This aspect seems rather odd to me and just a little shallow and creepy as I can think of plenty of other things more important when fighting for my life and sanity than eyeing up a young lady. Hmmm ... perhaps I am just too old to see this story element in a positive light.

Unlike Larson's Undying Mercenaries stories, I am not chomping at the bit to
get hold of the next Star Force book. I am a little ambivalent with the
story so far but I guess I will check out the second book.
. To be fair, there are many more in the Star Force collection and so
I am hoping the story will evolve and mature a bit to bolster the series as a whole.


Mark Boyett's narration as with the Undying Mercenaries series is excellent and he has an easy voice to listen to. his rendering of a flat emotionless computer voice, for example, is akin to a Vulcan from Star Trek giving a monologue and is done very well.

I am not going to suggest that potential readers of this book give it a
miss. however,, I cannot sing its praises either. As mentioned, it is
interesting but not what I would call compelling reading. I would say to
give it a shot and then make up your mind whether to move to the next in the
series or not.

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Hidden Depths

A great start to the series. This really sets the scene for a relatively simple story that then gets you thinking. I think it takes a real knack for words when a writer gives you simplicity and you can't help filling in the details. No overburdening with technicalities either and that makes a great adventure story. Iain M Banks did it in great detail, B V Larson does it with simplicity - both manage a good story.

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Nice Sci-fi but lacking depth

It is a good action story but definitely lacking in psychological aspects. However, it was performed very, very well!

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In space no one can hear you laugh.

or in my case night shift in deserted shopping centre 😂.
Only 3 hours in but so far really enjoying. Made me laugh out loud a few times in those hours. Always wondered what would happen if a handful of random people suddenly got there hands on advance ailen ships. This is not quite what I imagined it,

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A Gripping Listen

It's probably best not to say too much about this because the less you know, the more you are likely to appreciate and enjoy the story. It is a really interesting premise for a sci-fi/action story and the narration is perfect.

I'm going to keep an eye out for the other books in the series, especially if they are brought to life in the same way by the same person.

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Another gripping Sc-fi from Larson

Listened to Larson's Undying Mercenaries series first, and some of the broader ideas seemed to have been copied from these earlier books. But that did not subtract from the thrilling story in swarm. Hooked now!

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3 people found this helpful