Crossing Power

Tall Boys, Book 2

By: Scott Moon

Narrated by: Connor Brannigan

One secret, one scientist, and one chance to do the right thing.

The toughest, most damaged mechanized combat rig crew in the war has to be broken up. That's nonnegotiable, apparently. But can the most notorious operator of the bunch follow the orders of a new lieutenant with secret ties to the admiral?

The newest, most deadly enemy of the Capian First Expeditionary Fleet, known as the Alaran Kill Team, has its own mission: to take out the scientist blocking them from invading. Jam and his new battle companions must navigate threats from above and below to stop the AKT.

Maybe, with luck and a bit of bravado, they can save multiple civilizations.

©2025 Scott Moon (P)2025 Podium Audio

New unit similar problems

Suspiciously, the MC, Jam, is allowed, but really mandated, to hold onto to his priceless compact portal after he is assigned to a new squadron, with its own secrets and customs. After capturing an Alaron assassin, Jam convinces them to go rogue and protect the assassin's family in exchange for information and compliance. However, the diverse interests of Jam, his AI mech companion, the fleet command, a scientist under their protection, the Alaron prisoner, and others are pulling the team into very dangerous and murky waters, where all of their actions are highly consequential.

Good Naration, feels choppy

Its alright, I respect the amount of breadth this universe took to create and how short a time the book has to convey after the questions the first book left me with. The place that JAM finds himself feels like a double blind, he doesnt know where he stands and other characters dont either. This should create nuance but instead just feels very inconsistent, some dont know how to feel about him and others pop up like they knew all along. I also feel like there are severe tonal shifts between characters where one has a severe reaction to something benign another says, almost like a translation error. Overall as a listening experience, I found myself rewinding a lot thinking a character was no longer in the picture then suddenly they were, or I zoned out and missed something because I didnt know how we arrived at a place in a situation or conversation. More often than not I actually didnt miss anything, it just felt very clunky. If I find myself with a spare credit or two I'll probably continue, get this if you want an isolated viewpoint unique sci-fi experience but i wouldnt pay too much attention, it confuses and meanders more than it rewards attention to detail. For those coming to military sci-fi with experience in the service, expect frustration, perhaps thats intentional but the tone of big army/navy shifts, at one momemt its spit and shine rank inspections like you just got a new 1sgt, then its first names and jokes the next, it happens but in this it doesnt feel organic or natural.

AI slop full of plot holes

the plot of the book jumps around for no reason. it feels like AI Slop full of plot holes