Earth Strike

Star Carrier, Book One

By: Ian Douglas

Narrated by: Nick Sullivan

Length: 12 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

The first book in the epic saga of humankind's war of transcendence.

There is a milestone in the evolution of every sentient race, a Tech Singularity Event, when the species achieves transcendence through its technological advances. Now the creatures known as humans are near this momentous turning point.

But an armed threat is approaching from deepest space, determined to prevent humankind from crossing over that boundary - by total annihilation if necessary.

To the Sh'daar, the driving technologies of transcendent change are anathema and must be obliterated from the universe - along with those who would employ them. As their great warships destroy everything in their path en route to the Sol system, the human Confederation government falls into dangerous disarray. There is but one hope, and it rests with a rogue Navy Admiral, commander of the kilometer-long star carrier America, as he leads his courageous fighters deep into enemy space towards humankind's greatest conflict - and quite possibly its last.

©2010 William H. Keith, Jr. (P)2011 HarperCollins Publishers

Lots of action

If you like lots of action with a side of sci-fi, you'll probably enjoy this book!

Where did the story begin?

The actual story and character build begins about 1/3 in. So the preface is about 1/3 of the book. This means the actual meat of the book is a bit short and a cliffhanger. I had to speed up the preface to 1.25 to keep interested and noticed the techno speak and physic fed like a machine gun rhythm raddadadadadadat over and over. The story was good but needs heavy structural editing and expansion.

Too much tech talk

Even the chapters began with dry recitation of date, time, and place.
But if the listener can discard the chaff and focus on the books plot, great characterization of the players, and continuous action, it's a very good listen. Narrator Nick Sullivan makes it all come together flawlessly in an expressive way. This was a book that could have easily lost the listener but Sullivan mastered it and presented a tale that promises more. I await the second offering!y

Middle of the road

I do like the premise and the writing is pretty solid. The beginning and ending were not that good but the middle is quite good. The human characters are uninteresting but the aliens are very interesting. the geopolitical history of our future was done very well. I already purchased the second book and will move forward in hopes it will get even better.

Great book but it drags a little at the beginning

This looks like the beginning of a great series. The physics, units, and ideas are well thought out. The main characters are intelligent and likable. This book does drag while it sets up the entire series. I listened to this book while doing a lot of driving this last weekend and even though I was tired at times it helped to keep me awake.

Note:
The description of the book is a little bit misleading and is probably better suited for the entire series even though only the rest of the books can verify that.

Really, needs help

Mr, Sullivan's performance is the best part of this book. Unfortunately he did not write this book. First 1/3 of book all very slow as there is a great deal of numbers. the last 2/3 is a good story. Also,"Touche" as the adversary! It this book ends up sounding like a old Vaudeville comedy routine. Bawdy but not very funny .
I say save your money on this one

Great start

Would you listen to Earth Strike again? Why?

Absolutely, this was a good story that moves pretty quickly so i think a repeat listen will be just as entertaining. This story perfectly sets up an entire series of books that could range from 4 to 15 books easily. I really like how he features two main protagonists, not focusing on the single protagonist was different and very clever as it opens up more plot lines very easily.

Amazing!

The best sci-fi story i heard in a long time. Hope there is more from this author.

THUMS UP!!

Very well written story with very good narration! Can't wait to start on book 2.

Hard core

There are a lot of up front intro to the tech and setting but it is required for this long journey. Action packed military and politics but more on the military and from that perspective. There is no fooling, it's not a beginners SF. Very rewarding though. -written lazily from my PDA