Destroyer

The Expansion Wars Trilogy, Book 3

By: Joshua Dalzelle

Narrated by: Mark Boyett

Length: 8 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

A relentless enemy.... An old wolf's last hunt.... The future of two species hanging in the balance.

The Darshik war machine is flagging, but the war is far from over. Even as an exhausted Federation military tenses up for a counterattack after repelling the last Darshik invasion, reports are coming in of a new, more powerful class of ship that's striking deep into Terran space.

Captain Jackson Wolfe has been given the fleet's newest, most advanced destroyer and tasked with eliminating this new threat before it can claim any more human lives. What he finds, however, is immeasurably more dangerous than just some new class of starship...it's a horror that could lead to the destruction of both their species if it isn't stopped.

Destroyer is the third book in the Expansion Wars Trilogy and part of the number one best-selling Black Fleet Saga.

©2017 Joshua Dalzelle; 2018 Podium Publishing

A great finale with a few unexpected heartbreakers.

I was so excited when my pre-order became available for download. Having gulped both preceding books quickly I dove in and this installment didn’t disappoint. I knew there couldn’t be a good story without a few tragedies and it was heartbreaking to read through those moments. But all in all there is a sense of a satisfying journey. I’m glad the author left the possibility of further trilogies or however else he might choose to group his works. It certainly felt that it was left open ended. I’ll be waiting and in the meantime listening again and again.

To similar and bland, no real story.

I rather liked this series. It still has the rather annoying habbit of always having the characters spell out evry aspect of their intentions and motives, a very childish justification of all actions and thoughts. Noone does this inn real life, and it gets tidious rather quickly. Beyond that I have to say that it seems the story has run out of momentum, this latest book is more and more and more of the same. And for the lack of a story it dives into descriptions of tidious logistics and micromanagement. Characters see no real development, and seem to be only minor adhock elements. All in all its rather bland and predictable all way.

another spectacular end to the trilogy.

I enjoyed the expansion trilogy as much as the original. the inventive and intricate story sets the mark for the genre. I truly hope Mr. Dalzelle continues with another trilogy.

A good continuation, but...

I enjoyed the book, except for the author's direction of constant "blundering" by the captain, and killing off other characters.

In my opinion, I much prefer a stronger lead, with less mistakes.

My Favorite Series

While I enjoy several different series, trilogies, space operas, or whatever you want to call them, the Expansion Wars and it's preceding trilogy are my favorite. One of my all time favorite characters as well as several ancillary actors in these books makes it so fun. I don't like books with typical 10 feet tall and bullet proof characters, see John Clark from the Clancy books. Dalzelle gives us people we can root for. They make mistakes, they do good, and sometimes they even get killed. Boyett is my favorite narrator as well. He just does a nice job, and doesn't overplay his role. Sad this one is over, but re-reads are sure to come.

Excellent!

An excellent end to the trilogy. I loved every minute! more by this author please! more by this narrator please!

Another great book in a tremendous series!

Another great book in a tremendous series! I have come to expect nothing less from the author J.D. and the series. Can't wait for the next book!

great series

love these books all hos books are great hope we get another in this universe

Great book

This is one of my all time favorite book and the series keeps you wanting more. A must to listen

Hope the future is opposite to the series

I have enjoyed Joshua Dalzell many futuristic books. I used the listening as a diversion while working in the garden and driving long distance. But the more I listen the more I think how possible the future is as Mr. Dalzell writes it. And, there are strong evidences all over the world how incomparable human civilizations are. We can't see each other as friends, brothers or sisters. We have to conquer each other. We want what others have and then kill them or enslave them.
I believe there is little hope for humanity. We'll destroy ourselves. One clear example of how little we have advanced is the election of the largest com man and idiot in American history. There is even a new religion birthed out of the followers of this caricature of a man.

Back On Form

Joshua Dalzelle has left his best until last in this Expansion Wars trilogy with Destroyer. This reverses the situation in his Black Fleet trilogy of books which saw an interesting but rather anti-climatic finale in my opinion. I am happy to report that Destroyer sees a return to some lost form by Dalzelle and a reminder of what I liked so much about his first book in the Black Fleet trilogy. Things start off a bit slow it must be said but by chapter 12 or so things heat up and keep on going until a satisfying end.

Once the action gets going Dalzelle really writes the tense and rapid fire bridge scenes well pulling the reader right into the action and putting you on the bridge of the TFS Nemesis as Jackson Wolf struggles to combat his deadliest foe yet. Dalzelle seems to exhibit a detailed knowledge of the way the bridge crew and ship is commanded and leads me to wonder if he has had some personal experience in the navy. The tension is palpable as orders are barkedd out, responses given and the fight goes on.

Each scene is delivered with competence by the superb Mark Boyett who is able to render a multitude of convincing voices and accents that really bring this book to life.

One plot element I felt the author hadn't quite got right was the fact that it was obvious that the Eastern Star Alliance was involved with the Darshek threat. None of their worlds had been attacked despite their closer proximity to the Darshek and their entire attitude towards the rest of the Federation was adversarial so why none of the key protagonists in this story made the connection sooner was odd to me. It also strikes me as I write this that the ESA appear to be analogous to present day Russia and China and the general setting of these books suggests a sort of Cold War that also reminds me of years past or perhaps a renewed one in our near future.

All told, Destroyer is a good read and the best of this series.

not what I was expecting

this came across as a shoot them up book. little story line and I couldn't get into the story at all.

Excellent

Loved this. a great ending to the middle trilogy. Sets up the next series too. On point narration too!!

Excellent

Great story great cast very entertaining hope there’s more to come mark boyett was excellent

Great series

Entertaining throughout, the series has been a regular companion on my walks and during my drives

Excellent narrator for an excellent story.

I love all these Black Fleet books. Never a dull moment and the writing and narration are top notch.

Quality

Love these series. I am pleased I found them. Narrator is really first class. Thanks.

Ioved it

So far I have listened to most of the trilogies and enjoyed everyone and I am just about to start the last 3

Familiar storyline for avid sci fi fans, worth it

I was disappointed to hear a family storyline to another authors books. Who knows who came first!!! Having said that the book series were enjoyable with just enough human interest. Not a deep story, very film- like and well read. Enjoyed the set as easy reading.

need more

bought the first 3. got hooked. bought the second 3 the following week. now I'm out of books. he's only started the next trilogy. need more wolf. I must know more!