Jupiter War

The Owner, Book 3

By: Neal Asher

Narrated by: John Mawson, Steve West

Length: 16 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

Alan Saul is now part-human and part-machine, and our solar system isn't big enough to hold him. He craves the stars, but can't leave yet. His sister Var is trapped on Mars, on the wrong side of a rebellion, and Saul's human side won't let her die. He must leave Argus Station to stage a dangerous rescue - but mutiny is brewing onboard, as Saul's robots make his crew feel increasingly redundant. Serene Galahad will do anything to prevent Saul's escape. Earth’s ruthless dictator hides her crimes from a cowed populace as she readies new warships for pursuit. She aims to crush her enemy in a terrifying display of interstellar violence. Meanwhile, The Scourge limps back to Earth, its crew slaughtered, its mission to annihilate Saul a disaster. There are survivors, but while one seeks Galahad's death, Clay Ruger will negotiate for his life. Events build to a climax as Ruger holds humanity’s greatest prize - seeds to rebuild a dying Earth. This stolen gene-bank data will come at a price, but what will Galahad pay for humanity’s future?

©2014 Neal Asher (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Exceptionally satisfying ending

Jupiter War is Neal Asher final volume of his Owner Trilogy. At the end of book 2, Saul was heading to Mars to rescue his sister after having defeated the Scourge which is limping home with a minimal crew consisting of those who had removed their ID chips. At the same time, he is continuing his evolution to a form beyond human that even he is struggling to understand. Serene Galahad still has Saul in her sights as she slowly works to rebuild Earth which is in a more capable and productive position with much of the population eliminated. As Serene continues to expand her totalitarian rule of Earth, she is driven by a vengeance towards Saul which drives technological development, while at the same time, a desire to return Earth to a more pure and pristine state, free of humanity. Both Saul and Serene must also deal with loyal and not so loyal opposition to their reigns.

The sci-fi elements are more of the same as the Alcubierre faster than light drive technology is further exploited by both sides. Robotics play an ever increasing role with a level of sophistication through simplification. Ultimately this is a tale of one man's struggles to evolve beyond human. While Saul doesn't know where he's going, he knows remaining in the solar system is not viable. Along the way, Asher juxtaposes Saul with the various female leads (Hanna, Var, Serene, & the Saberhagan twins) to contrast the various iterations of being human which he finds wanting and limiting in the end. The proctors also evolve into a group of apostle-like followers that Saul can relate to better than humans.

The narration is wonderfully superb making this a can't put down listen. The pace, tone, and mood are perfectly rendered for effortless enjoyment.

A fitting finish

This book was a very good conclusion to the trilogy. I really loved the whole series and was sad that it had to end. The best part of the series to me is that all of it was essentially an introduction. Most books ot there can become quite repetitious in terms of what the characters are doing (Expeditionary Force). Asher does well to keep the evolution of both technology and characters coming non stop all the way to the finish. This is my favorite science fiction trilogy by quite a stretch.

Fantastic Space Opera

I have listened or read literally hundreds of space operas, and I must say this story has delivered most spectacularly. The twist and turns of 3 story subject simultaneously yet all interwoven to one another made for a great trilogy. I didn’t write anything after the first two books because I needed to witness where the author was taking us on this journey of humanity and evolution.

The performances by our narrators was fantastic with their ability to make you know who was talking as the characters developed. Not many can pull this off, but these two did it seamlessly. I have to give a big hat tip to the author and the performances of our narrators. I hope you enjoy all three books as much as I did.

Space Junkie

loved this Book

Mr. Ashers imagination is great. I can visualize the fist and the landscapes of Io. what an amazing end to a awesome trilogy. looking forward to reading more from him

excellent scifi series!

I don't see enough plausable scifi involving the near future. Well written and believable using actual s ience. Neal Asher is becoming one of my favorite authors. I especially liked the nod to previous science fiction authors peppered throughout the books. I might just read this trilogy again.

S Kaye

We’ll, I imagined a different ending. This was way better! I was really impressed with the Zack character.
Wonderful Narration!

Non stop!

Fantastic! Excellent read I really liked it. Hope to see what’s next in your series.

Exciting and imaginative

A world at war with itself. Leadership which hates humanity - sounds all too familiar these days.

Great AI Novel

Love that its 3 volumes! I listen while exercising so provides many hours of entertainment.

great trilogy

will written with an engaging narrator makes for many bad decisions to listen to one more chapter when sleep was the correct thing to do