Rebel

Ascent to Empire, Book 2

De: Richard Fox, David Weber

Narrado por: Jonathan Davis

He never wanted to be a rebel.

The Five Hundred, the elite families who rule the Terran Federation and control its political power and its wealth, have grown steadily wealthier and more powerful, thanks to the war against the Terran League. War may be hard on the people who get caught in its path, but it's very good for business in the short term, and the Five Hundred own the shipyards that build the Navy's ships. They own virtually all the industry that produces the weapons and material the war consumes so voraciously... and they've made damn sure someone else does the dying.

True, there are a few flies in the Five Hundred's ointment.

There's the growing hatred and resentment of the Fringe Worlds, whose children do eighty percent of the dying in the Five Hundred's war. But the Five Hundred have made sure the Fringe knows what will happen to any system that goes "out of compliance."

There are the lunatic conspiracy nuts who insist that the alien Rishathan Sphere is secretly aiding the League's military, but the Five Hundred have forced them to keep their mouths shut where it matters.

Then there's Terrence Murphy, a man of honor who loves the Federation, who springs from the Five Hundred, yet knows it for what it is and is determined to speak for its victims. But the Five Hundred have dispatched ample force to deal with him and his handful of lunatic followers.

Unfortunately, the Fringe has paid enough of its children's lives, and it no longer cares what may happen if it dares to defy the Five Hundred.

Worse, the lunatic conspiracy nuts were right, and the Rish have planned carefully for the Federation's destruction.

And, worst of all, the Five Hundred have fatally underestimated Terrence Murphy.

Rebel is book two in David Weber and Richard Fox's Ascent to Empire series.

©2024 Words of Weber, Inc. and Richard Fox (P)2024 Podium Audio

Very reptile drama

All I can say is, I can’t wait for book 3. I was so invested in the characters, I had to pause listening for a few days because I was afraid of what was about to happen next. I truly cannot wait for book 3.

Interesting enough

It’s obvious that Weber is not the primary author, but the story is interesting enough. I just don’t like the voice actor. He’s the reason that I stopped listening to other series that he is in. However, that could just be me. Make up your own mind.

A QC note made it through chapter 24 @43min 20sec.

Overall good story, world building is very well done characters are interesting. My only complaint is that characters repeat themselves especially Murphy.

Quality of the prose

If a fan of the Safehold series you'll love this! Webber brings his massive ability to craft a story that engages the reader from the start and continues to draw us in as it progresses.

Challenge for humanity

Story has contantly kept my interest. The drama, action and commitment to overcome make me want to see how the underdogs will achieve success.

Good series, but...

I think the series is much like the Honor Harrington series. Its a solid series. It has all the interstellar machinations that bring the galaxy to life, corrupt polpoliticians, evil aliens, morally ambiguous leaders, and of course heros.

Two down sides: the narrator struggles with pronunciation; and characters tend to monolog, like alot.

Justice being delivered

I totally LOVE this series. Please write book 3 soonest! I cannot wait to hear how the 500 get their asses handed to them!

Fantastic 2nd Entry

Absolutely loved this book. Narrator made several embarrassing gaffes, though, so I took a star off from performance (it's "Delta V", not "Delta Five", and it's "O-N-I", not "oni" like the Japanese demon. this is basic mil-sf stuff the narrator shouldn't have screwed up).

Besides that minor quibble, loved the reading and the story. This is looking to be a typically Baen "trilogy" (oops, too much to pack into 3 books, guess we better have more 😛), which is great for us readers.

Can't wait to read more!

Great structure, buildup, and action.

There are times where conversation goes a little long, but it serves a purpose. Character development and exploration. We see evil and what is evil. We are WHY it is evil. But one of the best lessons is that a bunch of shady evil characters behind the scenes pulling the puppet strings doesn’t work. It leads to evil.

Loved this series.

Excellent characterization. Given the existence of ftl, great job describing how space battle might really be. Now I have to wait for the next episode.