Drysine Legacy

Spiral Wars, Book 2

By: Joel Shepherd

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 18 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

The legendary battle-carrier UFS Phoenix is on the run in Outer Neutral Space. Lieutenant Commander Erik Debogande and Major Trace Thakur are determined to use neutral territory to broker a peace between humanity's warring factions, away from Fleet's strong arm. But as machinations in Fleet Command send a legendary warrior from Trace's past on a sworn path to kill her, there arises in the territory of an insectoid foe an ancient enemy from the nightmares of Spiral history, bent on Phoenix's destruction….

©2015 Joel Shepherd (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Book 2 in Excellent Space Opera / Military Sci-Fi

I always figure that if you are reading a review of Book 2 in a series that you liked the first book, and want to know if the series stays vibrant or just fades away in repetition. I am now on the 4th in the series, and it is improving as it goes.

My review of Book 1 stated "Military space opera with a pretty standard lead in -- junior command officer has to take over valiant ship and fight his way out of big trouble. A slightly slow start but oddly akin to the beginning of Hamilton's Void. I was totally unprepared for this being so much fun. Don't read it for the new ideas, read it because it is well done. The dialogue, pacing and characters are just that.... a lot of fun. I really hope that this is the first in a series." In Books 2-3, the "ideas" begin to become more sophisticated -- so I am modifying that critique. It is not Revelation Space or the Void yet -- but it is inching up on those world-building masterpieces.

Book Two also starts a bit slow (with necessary political background) but like Book 1, builds steadily to an overwhelming, astounding conclusion. The characters mature and become more fleshed out, the narrative becomes more complex, the narration remains perfect -- and the ships and battles are great. I really believe that if you liked the first book, you should keep reading. Can't really get a better review than that !

First-Rate

Identical to the first book, this starts out slow, but then the engines ignite, the G’s hit and I was thrust into Military Sci-Fi that consumed all my free time.

The Adventure Continues

A good second installment. Overall enjoyable, enough twists and turns, unexpected developments to keep it interesting. Performance of Mr Lee is outstanding. I enjoyed his voice selections for the various characters. At times gets bogged down by too much emotional baggage from the various characters tormenting themselves with self doubt, second guessing, etc. Overall I highly recommend it.

Worlders, Spacers, Aliens, & Intelligent Machines

I'm hooked on this series now, and the narration is perfect. I'm glad Shepherd decided to write in 3rd person, and from more than one character's perspective. The first book began slowly, but I skimmed the celebration speeches / infodumps and bookmarked the spot for future reference. (I did refer back, later). Then, at about 25% it got going with action, suspense, conspiracies, battles, etc.

Now, with book 2, a new element is brought into the mix, and the conspiracy grows, spanning space and time across the galaxy.

I like the new character, Styx. Her characterization deliberately leaves me guessing about her true intent, but I want to trust her, somewhat. And given her age, and her memory banks, she's a living history lesson. I appreciate how this author slowly reveals the past, beginning with the Ancients 3 million years ago, and the Fathers 50 thousand years ago, etc. Readers slowly realize that history books have been severely revised over the eons. What to believe? Who to trust?

The crew of the Phoenix are renegades because they know too much. Erik, Major Trace, and the rest of the outcast are learning to trust one another and to seriously question Fleet propaganda. Tentative trust develops with a few allies from non-human races. These credible, three-dimensional, and mostly likable characters continue across the series, although some fall in battle.

This feels more and more like the unveiling truth in Sullivan's Riyira series, even though that's dirt-bound fantasy. The characters are upbeat and likable, but imperfect, as with Riyira. It also feels a bit like the space opera series The Expanse, with the political mess between Worlders and Spacers, and an unknown secret 3rd element.

Renegade squared

Drysine Legacy, Book 2 of Joel Shepherd's Spiral Wars series is a direct continuation of Book 1, doesn't let up and goes deeper into the rabbit hole that is the conspiracy Fleet is trying to keep secret. Having surmised in Book 1 that there is connection between humanity's Alo allies and the Hacksaws, Eric and his crew of the Phoenix link up with a secretive Tavali sect that hunts Hacksaws, a former machine intelligence that ruled the galaxy and were overthrown 25k years ago. The true state of affairs is a more complex history with various machine sects, with Drysine being the sect of the queen captured in Book 1. As the tale progresses, Phoenix learns that senior members of Fleet have an inkling, but not the whole picture which suggests that some of humanity's closest allies are resurrecting old machine intelligence in exchange for advanced technology to dominate organic space.

The sci-fi elements are a continuation of Book 1 with additional unique alien races and a more in depth appreciation of machine intelligence with historical background. The technical aspects of the sci-fi are clearly a cut above the typical available fare that is an extra draw to this story. Phoenix continues to evolve as a close knit group of eclectic outcasts who always managing to annoy, frustrate, and generally piss off humans and every alien race they encounter, while always coming out on the right side. At the same time, a tentative alliance with the remnants of the Drysine machine sect is slowly developing much to everyone's dismay.

John Lee continues to deliver an outstanding performance and while Lee could even make reading your grocery list thrilling, his range of voices of both genders as well as pacing and mood is the icing and extra scoop of ice cream that makes this an enjoyable, satisfying, and quick listen. Leave plenty of time for uninterrupted listening for this one.

Good Fun

Sci-Fi as it should be. Can't wait for the next book! My only regret is that is should be longer so I could enjoy it more.

So sad when it ended.

Really love this story. Can't wait for the next one in this series. Also really like the reader's reading and hope he continues as well.

Good space opera...

Would you listen to Drysine Legacy again? Why?

Yes once enough of the series is out I'll likely listen in order.

Any additional comments?

Enjoyable story, plenty of action, bigger than life characters, exciting large scale space combat... what's not to like!

brilliant, buy, listen, love!

the best kind of sci fi military space adventure action mystery. subtle humour, edge of seat constant action, great universe with heaps of potential

100 scifi books listened.

This is easy top 5 for me. First book made me curious but this hooked me.

Stocking good read. A real page turner!

Where does Drysine Legacy rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Has a feel of a Peter F Hamilton. Certainly ranks alongside.

What does John Lee bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Comfortable with the genre. Feels right.

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

couldnt put it down

it's a good story but....

it needs an editor. A list of characters would also be helpful. And I don't like English voices saying lootenant. Either use a US accent or say the word properly.

Edge of your seat action..!

This 2nd book picks up were the first left off and kicks in to gear from the off...
Excellent.

Still hollow...

I do not know what it is about this book too but it did not get me hooked at all.
It should have all the ingredients but somehow I couldn't care less about what happens.
Will stop here with the series but there is nothing I can put my finger on and say "This is why it's so lame."

Epic continuation of a gripping story

Another superbly narrated story continuing the gripping saga of the Phoenix! Great characters and brilliant setting. A must "read"...

Brilliant SiFi

This has been a pleasure to listen to. i hope the story continues as it appears that it can develope into a film worthy story. to pleasure us readers of better SiFi . brilliant thank you.

Loved it

Good story getting some traction now. John Lee's narration great as always ....onto book 3!

excellent story, engaging yet limited narrator

Thoroughly enjoying the adventures of Phoenix, a nice few twists and superb fight descriptions but not quite on the same level as the first book. Narrator has beautiful variation in accents, but has only one speech pattern, but do not let that stop you from enjoying a fun space adventure.

Great Sci-Fi

Clever political sci-fi without the whole universe spanning nonsense of many sci-fi works, I really enjoy this series and am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

You have to listen to it

A book loved the story great narration 5 stars I highly recommend listening to this book 👍👍👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️