Koban: Conflict and Empire

By: Stephen W Bennett

Narrated by: Eric Michael Summerer

Length: 15 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's Summary

The Galactic Federation is confronted by the vast and implacable Thandol Empire, which has coveted the former Krall region of space for eons, a region of space now occupied and claimed by the upstart Kobani. Outnumbered, they face an opponent who possesses new and deadly weapons. An enemy that had thousands of years to develop the means to take on the Krall Empire, and now present the supermen with a weapon that turns their greatest genetic asset into their greatest weakness. The new Federation must find a way to survive the most powerful threat yet to their existence. Once again, the Kobani are between a rock and a hard place, poised on the brink of death and destruction.

©2016 Stephen W Bennett (P)2016 Stephen W Bennett

Same Great Kobani -- Different Aliens!

Conflict and Empire picks up where Forged left off -- with our intrepid Kobani facing the prospect of war with yet another murderous group of high handed aliens determined to conquer humanity. (You'd think it would get old -- nope!)

In Forged, the Empire invaded a new Federation colony, and in turn, the Kobani attacked them in retribution. Now the Empire is planning an invasion to teach the humans a lesson, and what follows is a war with the Empire's security force, an ape-like species called the Ragnar. Of course, the Ragnar have no idea what they're up against when it comes to war with humans. Fun times ensue!

The Kobani have learned that the Empire has weapons that are particularly deadly to their special nervous system, one that could eventually bring the Federation to a painful end, so they waste no time looking for a genetic mod to counteract the threat, but the book ends before that particular plot point is fleshed out. While Confict feels a little like the first half of a longer book, it's so well done that I found it hugely entertaining. If I have a complaint it's that book 7 isn't out yet!

And let's face it -- no matter how long Steve's books are, I'm always sad when they end.

FYI: I'm usually not a fan of straight up military sci fi, (with a few exceptions). But when the 'military' is a bunch of scientists and spacers learning on the fly, it feels different and wide open with smart possibilities. In the hands of Steve Bennett, the wars feel more like something out of Hogan's Heroes or Mash, than Patton, so I enjoy the books immensely. The military strategies are well thought out, entertaining and satisfying, and the tech is awesome, and left me wondering whether our military may have missed out on an innovative potential general in Stephen W. Bennett!

And innovation really is Steve's strength -- and why I keep coming back for more.


HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

Shorter but still good

I prefer the long books Mr Bennet but this was still great! I look forward to the next.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

First of two

Lot of back story with a bit of action. The next book sounds like a doozey. Its going to be some great action I can hear it now. I cannot wait.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Another great addition to the series

I listened to this nearly straight through. It is just as good as the previous installments.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Great book. Great narration.

I really enjoy this series. Perfect level of detail mixed with humour, action and drama equals a lot of fun. I absolutely recommend this book and all the rest in the series! if you enjoy sci-fi you will love this!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

I hope it never ends!

The only bad thing about this series is I can listen/read it far faster than it can be written. the author is obviously well read and while he uses some mystical yet invented technologies to move around, the theories are not completely unfounded and on top of that he not only explains very complicated astrophysics and quantum mechanics in a way most can understand. though I wanted to bash Tet on the head for his glib understanding of gravitational physics, it was a good plot device for teaching a complicated topic to a layperson. As with most of this series I listened almost straight through though I had to have a break this time, and was surprised when it ended as I always want more.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

love this series

I can't put it down I listen then relisten to this book. Gotta start blaming this author for my insomnia every time a book gets released.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Thandol Subjugation

The Krall got their asses beat by the gene-modified humans of Koban while the Thandol Empire kept their heads down. Now the Thandol Empire wants to take on the “Galactic Federation” which is composed of all the old Krall subjugated species. Apparently they hadn’t paid close enough attention. Frankly I found this one installment in the series to be a bit rushed and short changed but I still enjoyed it. Four out of Five Space Opera geek points are thus awarded.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

little too short

Used to 29 hour books from Mr. Bennett. Still an awesome story. Always enjoy every minute.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Captivating!

I have listened to over 50 books in the last few years; this is the best!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Great listening

Love the Koban universe and all the varied aliens Can't wait for the next book

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A bit on the cheesy side

This has been the hardest listen of the series.

The story Line is fun and interesting but the writing style of the author is starting to become too much. Is there a really a need for characters to explain the obvious every time?

Great Book

I can't wait for the next book, good fun YA sci fi just like the last book's

Not the best story rather simplistic

But I liked it! Worth picking up not as good as the first nooks but better than the last one!