Omega Force: Unleashed by Joshua Dalzelle

 

Omega Force: Unleashed by Joshua Dalzelle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Omega Force returns to its roots or getting back into Robin Hood mode as the team take on what appears to be a small time low profit job to aid in the exposure, suppression and extreme prejudice of a sentient being trafficking operation. As the existing structure of the this part of the galaxy collapses and law enforcement becomes a thing of the past the dark nature of sentients is emerging and part of this is the kidnapping and selling of being both old and young for simple labour tasks or more darker desires. This 14th novel feels a little "lighter" than those previously as it seems to be setting up a new chapter in the lives of the crew and in many ways this story is very different to the "machine" led narrative we've had for a few novels but when you get down to it we still have Omega Force kicking ass for all the right reasons. Of course not everything fits smoothly back into place, the team are out of practice dealing with threats with little back up and to put it bluntly they are not as young as they used to be. Omega Force Unleashed is a new beginning and there are a lot of situations to flesh out and explore in the next few novels, this should be a lot of fun.

View all my reviews

A Time for Freedom by Daniel Arenson

 

A Time for Freedom by Daniel Arenson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The warships and Marines of an united humanity along with allied sentient races who have felt the wrath of the Rah continue to defend Earth at a terrible cost but there is hope as intelligence is gathered on the Arakavish solar system. The risk of striking at the heart of the empire is high but a defence lead agenda will mean the end of humanity and thus the decision is made, the only way to save humanity and her allies is fly into the spider's web but even then that may not be enough.
The final novel in the Starship Freedom series is tasked with offering a viable narrative to conclude this intergalactic war, it doesn't really succeeded although not for the want of trying. Daniel puts an awful lot of action into this novel and while the combat is as good as always it all seemed just a little too much. Without spoiling anything the story did hit some solid emotional points which is always a good thing when you are supposed to become invested in long running characters but a few things that were happening I couldn't quite accept and a few others I think needed fleshing out a little. All said though the series as a whole was entertaining and fun to read, lots of action and some great characters to follow through out, highly recommended if light military scifi is your thing.

View all my reviews

Stingray

Stingray

I've been looking for a good model of Stingray for a while and the best is well too expensive so I find this little model on ebay and well it does look very nice so job done. 

The Guns of Freedom by Daniel Arenson

 

The Guns of Freedom by Daniel Arenson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A reborn Freedom has portaled back to the Solar System and to the ongoing Rah invasion led by The Atrocity along with thousands of Rah and Arachtaur warships. The combined Alliance, Desert Thorns and Red Dawn fleets along with numerous vessels from other nations are bathed in blood as they attempt to protect Earth but for the first time in its history every soul is reaching for one goal, the survival of humanity. Admiral King soon realises that a defensive stance will never protect Earth, the Rah fleet is simply too large even if spread across this part of the galaxy, it's only a matter of time before another five thousands ships could be sent to destroy Earth. The only long term solution is to hit the Arakavish Empire at its heart, they know where it is, the have stealth recon ability and now the means to portal directly there. Operation Gaia's Flame is given the green light.
The Guns Of Freedom was pretty much none stop action with theatres of war in the solar system and the Achernar system. The description of the alien star system was very well done, it made me think of what we saw in Star Trek with a Borg system but more fluid and dynamic. We are getting some good character set pieces (something Daniel has always done) but they seem more important now as life and death is figuratively at times a flip of a coin. We're nearing the end of this grand adventure, still lots to do but this novel lays down the groundwork.




View all my reviews

In Pursuit of Freedom by Daniel Arenson

 

In Pursuit of Freedom by Daniel Arenson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The dreadnaught Freedom now the last surviving member of the human fleet sent to find allies against the Rah encounters the last of the Aeolian race. What the humans find is not exactly what they expected but first contact is certainly more positive then with the Rah's. This novel is quite easily the best of the series, the introduction of this new element takes over reducing the reliance on oft repeated space battle and ship based narrative allowing the author to stretch himself. The result is a very entertaining look at humanity meeting a new sentient race and having to deal with suspicion and caution from the other side as well as from their own. The Aeolians themselves were an inspired creation by Daniel and I kinda loved one of them embracing nicknames and calling the Admiral "Bully Dog". Overall a good addition to the series which if I am honest needed a little kick in the pants.

View all my reviews

Failure Mode by Craig Alanson

 

Failure Mode by Craig Alanson
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Failure Mode is the final novel in the Expeditionary Force series which started so long ago with the awesome Columbus Day which for me begin my enjoyment of Skippy and the Merry Band of Pirates.
Alas we know from all forms of media closing a long running series is always difficult, you have an informed fanbase with so many expectations and opinions and rarely do you satisfy everyone.
For my sins I can not give this novel a respectable rating, it didn't fulfill my expectations but overall the series has been magnificent and this final installment has not significantly affected my willingness to recommend the Expeditionary Force novels to anyone looking for science fiction set in our current timeframe with humour and plenty of the fantastic.
Let's be honest though, if you've invested in Craig's story for so long you are going to read this book and may many indeed come away happy but more than anything I am grateful for a very enjoyable experience over the years and look forward to the spin off which will focus on the Ethics & Compliance Office and specifically Uhtavio Scorandum.


View all my reviews

Jaws Movie Poster 3D

JAWS

One of the my all time favourite movies is "Jaws" the original summer blockbuster that changed the way Hollywood looked at marketing and release schedules not to mention really cementing the reputation of a young Steven Spielberg. I've owned the movie on a number of formats as well as back in my youth having the movie poster on my wall thanks I recall it being part of a movie magazine I read back then. Now movie merchandising needs to grab my attention at this certainly did...

I had a little space on a shelf so what the hell, I've also added a LED backlight, alas no flickering but it kinda looks nice when lit up. I'm sure someone with some skill and technical knowledge could go to town with sound effects, music and various lighting effects.