Book picks similar to
... and they are us by Patrick McClafferty


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A Titan's Vengeance


Ralph Kern - 2020
    A vast barren tract of space lying between the besieged stars of the Kingdom of New Avalon and their distant allies. And it is the latest battlefield in the war burning across the void.Admiral Valin Sarven of the Hegemony fleet is as cunning as he is ruthless. A master tactician commanding the most powerful vessel in space, the battleship Behemoth. He is dispatched into the Reach with a single goal; to sever the long, tenuous supply lines linking the Kingdom to the Liberty Federation.Captain Hal Cutter and his ship, Achilles, join the flagship of the Kingdom’s fleet, the legendary KSS Cronus, in hunting the monstrous vessel lurking in the dark.But nothing has prepared the proud Kingdom Navy for what they’ll face as battleships clash in savage combat. And when Cronus is lost in the first brutal engagement, Cutter must play a deadly game of cat and mouse among the dim stars of The Reach.For these warriors, no quarter will be asked or given.It isn’t just admirals, captains and officers fighting this war, though. It is often those below decks who pay the highest price. And two spacers, one on either side, learn that even amid the fires of war and hatred, an act of mercy may save a wounded soul.Turrets will roar and hulls will buckle in this epic tale of battleships clashing in the night.

Hunter, Warrior, Commander


Andrew Maclure - 2018
    A young Hunter. A vow of vengeance. Sah Lee survives the assault that destroys her planet. Can she survive the hostile alien army she joins to get her revenge? Hunter, Warrior, Commander is a military space opera. If you like characters that you can get to know and care about, alien armies, intense upfront and personal action and a story that you won’t want to put down, then you’ll love this. Are you ready for a sleeples night? You won't want to put this down! Hunter, Warrior, Commander is a standalone book set in the People’s universe, introduced in Unwilling From Earth by the same author.

Stealing Spaceships: For Fun and Profit


Logan Jacobs - 2019
    A ladies’ man, a rogue, a rebel, a gambler, a drinker, and a fighter. His ship is reputed to be the fastest vessel in the galaxy, and it traversed the Strait of Jiltar in record time. He is a living legend. And I am going to rob him blind. Because that’s what I do: I steal spaceships for fun and profit.

The Galactic Peace Committee


L.G. Estrella - 2016
    In another universe, humanity is overrun by monsters so evil that their very presence dims the light of the stars. In yet another universe, humanity is drawn into an endless battle for dominion over the galaxy. This is not one of those universes. In this universe, humanity is in charge of the Galactic Peace Committee. In theory, the Committee is an unmatched force for good, bringing peace and prosperity to countless worlds and ensuring that conflicts between different races are settled with words and not planet-cracking weaponry or super plagues designed to turn everyone into goo. In theory. Jake Smith is a diplomat. He works for the Committee. This is his story – and it goes about as well as you’d expect. In other words, it doesn’t go very well at all. Can Jake survive petty aliens? Sure. He’s a diplomat. It’s all part of the job. What about angry aliens? Probably. He does have a killer robot for a secretary, and he’s not bad with a shock staff. How about a fleet of aliens out for blood? That… that might be a little bit trickier. The Galactic Peace Committee… keeping peace (sort of) throughout the galaxy.

Life as an Independent Space Hauler


Jason Hill - 2021
    Everything was taken from him and he was pressed into military service as a fighter pilot. A few years later, Jace has gotten out of military service and worked on a corporate freighter. He has grown to love space and plans to never return to earth. Dissatisfied with the corporate life, Jace finds the necessary backing to go independent. Thus, he begins the life of an independent freight hauler. This story is inspired by Nathan Lowell's Golden Age of the Solar Clipper series, Firefly, and some anime.

The Privateer


William Zellmann - 2012
    The slaves stole an ore carrier and escaped, and after failing at trade, desperation and hatred drove them to piracy. John was a hugely successful pirate, until forced to confront the horrors committed by his men. He grabs a ship and a bag of gems, and runs away, determined to regain his self-respect. Pursued by his former colleagues, he flees across man-settled space. Along the way, he learns that his ship is much more than a simple yacht, deals with a stowaway girl, almost accidentally buys an orbital scrap yard, finds himself responsible for a beautiful young woman, fights off a pirate attack, falls in love, makes a friend, and learns that his refuge has been invaded by another planet. John, now Cale, and his friends plan to use derelicts from his scrap yard to free his sanctuary planet. But can a bunch of resurrected hulks really defeat a planetary fleet? And just what IS a Privateer, anyway?

Spartan Guile: An Orion Porter Novel (Spartan Trilogy Book 3)


Toby Neighbors - 2019
     The need for the rare element Ignatius Xelum is as great as ever. And Humanity’s Space Fleet will stop at nothing to get the IX gas reserves from the primordial planet of Apex Venandi where five intelligent species wage war on a daily basis. Spartan Company barely survived their first drop onto the hostile world, but they have to go back. The future of the Fleet depends on getting the rare IX gas crystals, but nothing comes easy on a world where everyone and everything is anxious to kill you. In Spartan Guile, Orion Porter must find a way to keep his friends alive, get the treasured gas for the Fleet, and discover what is at the heart of Aurora’s reluctance to accept his affection. It’s the thrilling conclusion to the Spartan Trilogy, an edge-of-your-seat thrill ride that will answer all your questions in ways you never see coming. If you only read one Sci-fi book this year, Spartan Guile is it. This must read novel is an exciting Space Opera that will take you to all new places in a rich Science Fiction world full of aliens, military adventure, and constant danger. Spartan Guile is not just a worthy installment of a great series, it’s the satisfying conclusion to the first assignment of Orion Porter’s legendary career.

Mike's War: Sequel to Jesse's Starship


Saxon Andrew - 2014
    Humans have been forced by Aliens to live in peace for fifteen years and things are not going well on the planet. Conditions have not improved and the Elected Leaders are doing little more than lining their own pockets with exorbitant taxes. The crazies are killing people, who no longer have a way to defend themselves and technology has stagnated. Now the Aliens have asked the unthinkable and Mike Sanders is faced with a decision that will divide Earth. Humans are going back to war against an enemy that the Aliens are unable to defeat. Will Earth decide to do their bidding or continue in peace? If they decide for war, it will be Mike’s war to win or lose. Excerpt from; Mike’s War Derek arrived with the three companies at the Gracken Barracks. The Gracken were rushing out of the barracks when he arrived and the companies were firing a barrage of slivers into the building. He shook his head at the speed of the huge Gracken. The ones still in the building were firing their blasters through the openings but slivers would be fired at the source of the beams and they would immediately stop. The large number of Gracken that had escaped before they formed up began attacking from the rear of their formation and from above as they jumped off the buildings on each side of the street. The leapers appeared to have no fear of dying as they dove on the human lines outside their barracks. Derek assigned fire zones to the officers and he watched the buildings. The Gracken actually fell slower than they could run. Derek kept his rifle aimed above the three companies and shot more than twenty huge Gracken who jumped at human formations. The giants would jerk as the slivers punched into their bodies and in a number of instances their dead body would hit one of the soldiers in ranks. The soldier’s personal force field would absorb the energy of the fall and push the huge body to the side but the soldier hit would be staggered by the impact. A Gracken came running at high speed, zig zagging as it approached; it accelerated and hit Lieutenant Patel standing behind Derek. Derek turned, drew his handgun and looked into the contorted face of the Gracken as it ripped Patel’s heart out his chest. The Gracken saw Derek’s face as he pulled the trigger and it knew there was no time to escape. Its head was blown off its shoulders and the Gracken collapsed. Ten Gracken had fallen into the companies while Derek was dealing with the Gracken and he ordered over the main frequency, “Move a platoon back here to hold off the Gracken coming from the rear.” Derek turned back and shot two Gracken falling in on their ranks. Crap, they were fast. “Sir, we’re seeing large numbers of Gracken moving over the roofs. Do we have permission to fire into the buildings?” Derek knew there were civilians in the buildings but the die was cast and hard decisions had to be made. “Take them out.” Derek saw bright flashes start appearing over the tops of the buildings on each side of the streets. Thank God he had taken the time to train a company to use the force fields to keep them in the air. The foils would flex and generate lift keeping the warrior flying. The Flyers were keeping the casualty rate down. Without them, losses would be incredible. This review is from: Jesse's Starship (Kindle Edition) From the beginning, I was glued to this story. I was intrigued by Jesse's tenacity and determination to see to the end the return of whoever or whatever took his family. This story only gets better as you continue to read it. Ten stars to Saxon Andrew for a wonderful story. If only we could live like this.... Visit us at on face book at www.facebook.

Flight of the Javelin: The Complete Series: A Space Opera Box Set


Rachel Aukes - 2021
    

Enigma (The Belt, #4)


Gerald M. Kilby - 2020
    

War Without End


G.P. Hudson - 2017
    Throughout the galaxy, planetary systems seek independence and freedom. Everywhere there is war. Trying to maintain its grip, the Empire has become more ruthless, and reliant on mercenary armies. The powerful Zeta Corp fills this need with its advanced weapons, and legions of genetically engineered soldiers. These soldiers, while fiercely loyal, are nothing more than slaves. Danny is a Zeta Corp mercenary who has known nothing but war, and service to Zeta Corp in his short life. But when a routine mission ends in disaster, he finds himself questioning everything he believed in. Pitted against the Empire, and Zeta Corp, can he gain freedom for himself, his friends, and the galaxy?

Resolute Command


James Prosser - 2013
    Humanity has been enslaved or scattered to the galaxy, hiding out in lonely systems far from home. A cry for help from an enemy ship prompts action from an unlikely group of refugees and a lone fighter pilot. This begins an epic adventure that will unite the remains of the human race and take them into the depths of the darkest soul.The battle for survival is underway and the War for Terra has finally begun.

Excalibur's Quest (Swordships Odyssey)


Dietmar Arthur Wehr - 2018
    Humanity is now at their mercy, but not all Space Force warships have been defeated. Wolfe Koenig’s light cruiser, Excalibur, is on a mission to acquire technology that just might enable the ragged remnants of the Fleet to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat—if he can find an alien race with that technology, if he can convince them to trade for it and if the technology can be exploited fast enough. Excalibur’s Quest is the story of that mission and the challenges, both alien and human, that Koenig faces. This is the second book in the action-packed military SF Swordships Odyssey series. Genre categories: space fleet, military SF, space opera, galactic empire, alien invasion, first contact, space exploration.

Alien Firestorm (Fire and Rust #2)


Anthony James - 2019
    The Raggers have come and they’re the dregs of the universe, as the Unity League is about to find out. An unprovoked Ragger incendiary attack on the human city of Satra kills millions. Not everyone dies. Lieutenant Tanner Conway and a few of his squad survive the flames, as does Captain Jake Griffin, his spaceship Star Burner brought down by enemy fire. The survivors want payback, but it’s hard to beat an alien attack fleet when you’re stuck in the middle of a burning city. The Ragger spaceships are still in orbit and threaten the rest of the planet with the same fate. Someone has to stop them. The Star Burner has a massive nuke in its hold. Conway and Griffin think they can put the bomb to good use, but the spaceship won’t fly and the enemy have their own interest in the wreckage. A plan to bring the bomb to the aliens has unintended consequences and far-reaching effects. The fight will take Conway and Griffin from the ruined city to a spaceship with capabilities beyond reckoning. They will face unimaginable horrors and a foe that has no regard for life. Every contest has a prize and this one is no different. Victory against the Ragger fleet will save billions from death and set back the enemy’s ambitions in this part of the Unity League’s territory. It’s going to take skill, guts and a lot of dead aliens before it happens. Alien Firestorm is a fast-paced military sci-fi shooter filled with guns, tech and warfare. It follows on from book 1 in the Fire and Rust Series: Iron Dogs.

Destiny: Union Station


E.M. Foner - 2021
    Joe McAllister is a reluctant mercenary who's looking for a way out and family-friendly place to start a business and raise an orphaned boy. Will the choices they make in the next few months shape the rest of their lives, or is free will just an illusion in a galaxy managed by ancient artificial intelligence? Destiny: Union Station takes place two years before the start of the nineteen book EarthCent Ambassador series.