StarFire

Vince Lombard, Book 1

By: Mike Lee

Narrated by: Jason Brenizer

Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

Captain Vince Lombard, G-Marine company commander, is tasked with tracking down a stray ship. The Alliance Military Ship StarFire has gone silent, and previous attempts to locate her have resulted in the loss of more ships. After two previous wars with xenospecies humanity bumped into while expanding into space, no one knows what might be the cause of StarFire's missing in action status. And internal politics between Fleet command and the Galactic Marine Corps might mean that, unless something is done, humanity may get the news it's at war with yet another new race about the time they show up to attack one of the human systems in the sector.

A prequel to the book Fey, this story is a novelization of the story Vince related to Blondie in the previous book, which many readers requested. I'm happy to accomodate my readers by providing this novel-length version of that story.

©2012 Mike Lee (P)2014 Mike Lee

Solid Sci-Fi

Overall well done military scifi. I listen/read a lot and this is the first review I've done. I recommend fully.

Basic, Very Basic, Military SciFi

I can't speak to the military aspect of the story - it sounds authentic albeit idealized. So, for the genre it is in, it is entertaining. The characters are enjoyable and varied stereotypes (good commanders, poor commanders, good sergeant, good tech guru, good pilots).

But if you have any, Any, experience in space travel fiction, you will find the story rather thin. The battles read like WWII naval battles, where ships cruise back and forth near a harbor forcing the target ships to lay low and hide out. But Space is big, and it is three dimensional, so the same scenario is forced. They rush to portholes to see the enemy ship! Portholes on a troop carrier! They are "running silent" as in old submarine parlance, and apparently that means they can't even turn on a video feed.

Also, you have to accept the premise that the very latest thing in battle cruisers doesn't have something as basic as video coverage in the corridors, allowing the invaders to wander about the ship undetected as long as no one sees them and radios back to command. No sensors of any kind are installed.

Finally, while there is a rather obvious explanation for the mystery presented, it is NEVER dealt with. At the end of the book, no one knows who the enemy is! Presumably this plot issue will get some attention in the next books of the series. Readers can continue on if they like the characters, and they don't need much science in their science fiction.

The author does write an entertaining book, and can write better books in the future.

This is a great SciFi story.

If you love military future science fiction this is an excellent choice, good plot and character development and a storyline that keeps one involved.
I am equally impressed with Jason Brenizer. His vocal range is amazing and dialects superb. He kept his characters separated and distinct.
Buy this audible it gave me hours of entertainment and should do so for most SciFi readers.

Excellently crafted

The author does an outstanding job of capturing the intensity of a seemingly impossibly mission and the frustration faced by a captain on trial in a corrupt court.

Good solid Sci-Fi

The story moves along at a good pace. There's some action. There's some scheming. And some mystery with a little humor mixed in. It kept you trying to figure out what was going to happen next. I don't want to give away the story, so let's just say "If you play chess and like your action stories, you'll like this book." Also, there's no profanity in this story. It usually never adds anything to the story and I liked the fact I didn't have to wade through it in this book.

A great listen

What made the experience of listening to StarFire the most enjoyable?

This was an intriguing story. The story line was unpredictable and held my interest

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but I would have had to miss work and angered my wife.

Any additional comments?

It's rare I feel compelled to write a review. This book though is an exception. I thoroughly enjoyed this and really look forward to the rest of the series.

Great Story!

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

Very Well Done

Any additional comments?

Most authors do NOT get the minute details of military life correct.

As a Merchant Marine and Naval Officer, I can tell you that this book,
written in the first person narrative, is Extremely Well Written and Equally
Well Read. I will be looking for the rest of the series.

Best book of its type I have ever heard

Any additional comments?

The author's style of writing is the best I have ever heard for this type of story.

Truly an outstandingly written story

I I bought this book based on the reviews I read. This book is one of the best books in my library I've only listen to it once so far but it is well Worth listening to multiple times and I believe I will in the near future.

Mike lee is an outstanding writer and storyteller. The Narrator does a fantastic job keeps you interested and is not boring.

A little different take on standard fair

This book morphs into a decent political intrigue novel from a military SciFi. I enjoyed it.