Hey Space Cadets, I’m doing well and working on future projects of my own!  I’ll share more information as we get deeper into the process, but for now, let’s talk about some epic science fiction novels!  Without further ado, here is the next installment in my series of book reviews.  This time, we dive back into the worlds at the Galaxy’s Edge! That’s right, their second audiobook is out!

 

Title:  Galaxy’s Edge, Part II Audiobook

Author:  Jason Anspach and Nick Cole

Price:  USD 34.99 or 1 Audiobook Credit

Obtained:  I bought this from Audible with one of my credits

Length:  15 Hours, 23 Minutes

 

 

Rating:  5/5 Grenades

 Summary:

First, let me say that none of what I’ll say in this section couldn’t be found on the back copy of the novel.  Heck, I cribbed this summary from the back, and then I add my own twist!  And not even much of one, since most of the books I read have kick butt descriptions (aka blurbs).  If the blurb doesn’t catch my eye, then I tend to skip the book unless a friend recommends it.  Generally speaking, my goal is to provide a spoiler-free review, so here goes nothing!

 

The Legion Dark Ops has called upon Chhun, Wraith, and the survivors of Victory Company to form an elite Kill Team of legionnaires in the aftermath of the Battle of Kublar. Their mission is clear: find and eliminate those responsible for the Kublar disaster.

 

Standing between them and their objective are a maze of corrupt Republic officials, a spy on the verge of losing himself in deep cover, and the Zhee – a murderous species that will stop at nothing. But the biggest threat of all might be the truth they seek to uncover – a truth that could ignite a revolution. And engulf the galaxy in flames.

 

Fleets collide in this audiobook in a moment-by-moment account of tactics, heroism, sacrifice, and the start of the final war of the Republic. The stakes have never been higher – and it’s winner takes all.

 

If you like epic space opera, with a side of military science fiction, you should read this series.  Plenty of explosions, with authentically gritty combat.  If this sounds like your flavor of badassery, then you’ve come to the right place!  This novel is a brilliant continuation of what you already love about the Galaxy’s Edge Universe. It’s a series where the authors fix everything George Lucas broke in this Star-Wars-Not-Star-Wars adventure.  I wish I could give you an easy comparison, if you enjoyed Book X, buy this book but I really feel like Nick and Jason broke new ground here. There will definitely be immitadors soon who’ll stand on their shoulders, but for now, they stand alone!  This authorly duo has revived that sense of newness and fun that we loved as children, that brought most of us to the science fiction genre!  There are other military sci-fi books out there, but none quite like this!

 

 

Narration Quality:

This is my second exposure to narrator R.C. Bray, and I was again impressed. This audiobook was excellently executed, and he was the perfect person for this novel. He didn’t bore you, or make you zone out because of his monotone. His performance didn’t feel robotic like a machine was reading the novel too me.  Instead, it felt visceral, and for a second I was back on the Route Irish, dodging IEDs, just trying to live another day. I listened to this one as I drove around to my wife’s various appointments, and there were times when I had to pull over and take a moment. It was rough, but in a good way and I enthusiastically encourage you to take a chance on this universe. I wholeheartedly give Bray 5 out of 5 grenades for his performance.

 

 

Fan Reactions:

“Action-packed military sci-fi with no down time! It’s everything that I want from something in the vein of Star Wars.” ~ Albert Avilla

“I got sucked into the Galaxy’s Edge universe with part one of the audiobooks, but I got completely lost with the epic nature of part two. Every chapter is full of surprises, realistic action and characters that feel like old friends. I loved every second of it!!” ~ Logan Scott

“The entire audiobook has a frenetic pace to it; adrenaline-fueled and piping hot as it moves from one part of each relentless battle to the next. From the battle to take out the fortress embedded into the moon to the fleet battles between massive battleships to the aerial battles to the on-the-ground perspective of soldiers from both sides as the strategy plays out. Each side has to cope with the turning tides of battle because no plan survives contact with the enemy and death could come at any moment.” ~Chris Fried

“Anspach, Cole, and Bray delivered a punch-them-in-the-gut, action-packed military sci-fi adventure. Kablam! KTF!” ~Steve Beaulieu

“The twists and turns don’t stop coming! This story reminds us all that the war you get isn’t the war you expected. It’s Red Storm Rising meets Star Wars and narrated by the epic tones of R.C. Bray.” ~Josh Hayes

“Galaxy’s Edge Part 2 is a satisfying blend of military science fiction and a Cold War spy thriller. The action ranges from war-torn battlefields to the city streets, and the depths of space. It will keep you on the edge of your seat, and Goth Sullus will keep you wanting more!” ~Edward D. Hudson

 

 

Overall:

I really loved this audiobook, it was a lot of fun to listen too.  It brought back the epic space romps I read and loved as a kid. This audiobook contained Kill Team and Attack of Shadows which I’ve previously reviewed. My thoughts on Kill Team are here, and my thoughts on Attack of Shadows can be found here. This double pack of audio awesomeness was a lot of fun to listen too, and I couldn’t recommend it more! There were no deep messages, or political themes, just good clean fun. The story was compelling and reminded me why I wanted to join the Legion in the first place. Let’s be real, my fighting days are over, but I could forget that while I listened to this book. That’s a dual edge sword though, I had to stop some because it brought on flashbacks of my time in the deserts of Iraq. The narrator painted a visceral emotional picture in ways that the plain text hadn’t. But for a second I could be young and spry again; capable of chewing lead, spitting out bullets and walking through fire.  Definitely gave me a case of the feels, and I found myself wanting to be a part of it all. I was reminded of why I started the Galaxy’s Edge Facebook Fanclub in the first place! It’s everything that I loved about this Star Wars-esq universe. I don’t want to come on too strong, but I love this series, and this audiobook reminded me yet again why that is!!

 

The first thing that caught my eye was the fantastic cover, it was amazingly compelling. These guys know how to pick good art, and we’re all the better for it! It was the cover from Kill Team, the first book that’s contained in this audiobook. I loved the cover then, and I still love it today!! There’s the promise of action, and a hint of secrets yet to be revealed as the leejes wait to breach the door on the cover. I loved the little hint of mystery; what IS on the other side of that hatch anyway? Seriously, if I weren’t colorblind and art dumb, I’d add a section to these review template on the covers because so many of them are kicking butt these days! I know I said this about Scott Bartlett’s cover too, but the caliber of covers is certainly improving, and this book just kicks Awesome up a notch!  They reminded me of the fun comic images I loved, or movie posters from the action adventures I read when I was supposed to be studying.  When I finally have a dedicated office or man cave, I’m decorating it with these covers!  And whenever they sell swag, that too!

 

Seriously, I realize I’ve gone full fanboy, but the authors have definitely raised the bar for military science fiction authors everywhere. And R.C. Bray, wow! Totally Bro-Crush on this cat, I’ll be listening to any of the other science fiction he narrates. Basically, Bray had me hooked from the beginning and kept it going throughout the whole audiobook. This is yet another audiobook I would happily recommend, and an author I will definitely read again.  Buy the audiobook adaptation of Kill Team and Attack of Shadows!!  But hey, it’s easy to spend someone else’s money!  I give this novel a 5 out of 5 grenades!  If it weren’t cheating, I’d give it 6 grenades!

 

 

If this audiobook sounds like it’s right up your alley, check it out, you won’t regret it!  Well, unless it inspired you to serve the Legion.  And you enlist, get kitted up, only to realize that your armor is made of wax paper.  Then you’re put on the front lines, getting to be on the tip of the spear.  In your first firefight, you’ll realize that the pretty uniforms won’t save you.  And then the other shoe drops, you figure out that the weapons aren’t calibrated, and you can’t hit the broad side of a barn.  But, alas, every rebel scum is a crack shot.  Well yeah, I guess this could be bad for you.  Or maybe you’ll be okay?  I mean, you could be the first trooper to make it out alive?  On second thought, be warned, fanboy/fangirl syndrome just MIGHT kill you.  Be wary, you were warned and if you have to go out like that at least enjoy the view from the end times!

 

 

Until next time, stay frosty and don’t forget to keep your powder dry!

JR

 

–> As usual, all images came from the Google’s “labeled for reuse” section or are used on the Fair Use Doctrine.