The Ibarra Crusade: Volume 1

Books 1-2

By: Richard Fox

Narrated by: Luke Daniels

Length: 12 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

Contains books one and two of The Ibarra Crusade, a continuation of the action-packed military sci-fi Ember War Saga.

Ashes Fall, Book One

Earth suffers under a brutal alien occupation, but one young man brings hope from beyond the galaxy's edge. Ely Hale returns to the Earth with a desperate plea from his father: Take his son to Stacy Ibarra, and remove the Qa’resh technology embedded in his skull before it kills him.

Ely awakens to a world-turned-prison planet, and the Geist invaders have their own designs on the device he carries. Only the Ibarra Crusade stands against the darkness, and they are losing the war. When the Crusade’s few remaining agents learn of Ely’s return, they launch a final, desperate attempt to steal him off world and out of the Geist’s clutches. Ely isn’t a warrior, but the Hale name comes with high expectations...and carries hope for all of humanity.

Steel Sworn, Book Two

Ely Hale escaped the Geist, but their hunters are still on his trail...and they want him dead or alive. Linking up with the Crusade was supposed to be Ely’s salvation. Instead, he’s on a world under siege with no way out. The Crusade needs every soldier for the fight, even if that means Ely in a suit of Armor he barely knows how to use and a hunk of alien tech in his skull that’s killing him slowly.

Ely is not Armor, but he’ll fight side by side with the Steel Sworn. His new lance are veteran soldiers, but even their skill and valor may not be enough to protect their newest member when the enemy come for him. Meanwhile, the Geist get closer and closer to prying a secret out of Marc Ibarra. A secret that will change the galaxy forever.

©2021 Richard Fox (P)2021 Podium Audio

A jump forward

Caught me off guard in beginning. Though I missed a book somewhere. But it's just Fox skipping forward a bit.
Other than that. It's still an action packed story that kept my wondering "What happens next". Absolutely kept me listening. Luke Daniels turns out his normal outstanding performance.

Just doesn’t matter…

I just can get my fill of this universe, characters, and story. Luke Daniels performance is, as always, much better than the voices in my head narrating the story. if you love "Ember War," this is a MUST!

excellent 💚

The combination of Richard Fox and Luke Daniels never fails. Great ending. I'm looking forward to the Ibarra Crusade volume 2

Love this series

A must have for any fan of the Ember WR series, a few issues, but I thoroughly enjoyed this, especially book one, book two takes a bit to heat up, Luke Daniels delivers, as always, if your a fan of military science fiction, are unaware of the Ember War series, I envy you, such a fun listen, great action and characters, happy its back and love the direction it’s taking

Classic Fox story telling

It was not a surprise to me the story started hot and kept getting better. That’s a Richard Fox standard.

This was a new story in keeping with the Ember War universe. A warning against the human trend towards complacency and the cost it can bring. The perspective of a teenager thrust into war, fighting in ways he was not prepared.
I will be honest. I absolutely hated the enemies in this story.

Don’t get me wrong. I didn’t hate them because of the writing quality. In fact, the quality of the enemy is TOO good. They textured the story perfectly. The problem is I can identify enemies like this in real life. Fanatical, cruel, drunk on power. Totalitarian.

The heroes? Flawed, struggling through the stresses of war, doing their best and giving everything. I know people like that too. LOVED the hero line up.

There are no clumsy let downs in this latest addition to the Ember War saga. I appreciate the advances in technology were not lazy. In so many stories, authors are tempted to come up with a miracle technology out of nowhere that can be produced instantly and without cost. Instead, Fox builds on the last advance of the last story. The author did not lose patience and kept the discipline and cadence of Ember War. The breakthroughs happening in this story can be traced all the way back to book one. Using parts from previous stories to build the next advancement, including constraints of supply, energy, and manpower.

At the end of the second book, I wanted more of the story. Waiting not so patiently for the pre-order.

Five stars across the board. Highly recommend.

Wish I could give more than 5 stars

The books alone are worth 5 stars but the bloopers at end earn it a sixth.

Wait till the end!

As if the story and performance wasn't great enough they gave us a bonus at the very end of this recording!

Best Military SciFi Bar None!

Absolutely love everything about the Ember Wars! Ear candy! Can't wait for other novels to come out.

Amazing

I missed these stories. Pulled me right back in and now I want more.

Fox & Daniels keep the flame of the Ember Wars lit

So, before you dive into this, be sure to have completed The Ember Wars Saga, Terran Armor Corps, Terran Strike Marines, and The Terra Nova Chronicles. It will help make the stories (there are two books in this volume) easier to follow.

Again, I'm impressed with how Richard Fox keeps on growing and expanding the universe he's created. The stakes are pretty freaking high, the tension is real, and the comedy is present but does not overstay its welcome, and the action is fast-paced while still being clear and easy to follow.

If you are a fan of the series, jump in to the next grand adventure!