Last Command

Fallen Empire, Book 0

By: Lindsay Buroker

Narrated by: Kate Reading

Length: 2 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

In the final days of the empire, Cyborg Corps Colonel Leonidas Adler plans to die in a manner befitting of an imperial officer.

He will fight until his last breath, giving his life to defend Emperor Markus, as it was meant to be. But when the emperor himself summons him for a final special mission, how can he refuse?

©2016 Lindsay Buroker (P)2021 Podium Audio

Pretty good teaser for lighter space opera

This prequel focuses on Colonel Leonidis and the moment the Imperialists fall to the Alliance. Sadly, none of the other series regulars make an appearance. This novella is best used to get a flavor of the series, which is space opera that falls between the (edgier, more clever) Firefly series and (campier) Space Team series. But, on sale, and especially with books 1-3 as part of a 27 hr omnibus, this series provides a zippy listen, with TV level violence, colorful characters, humor and adventure.

Read as book 3.5

This is a nice back grown story that is the prequel to the Series. I read it just after book 3 and I think that's the perfect time to read it. It would have changed my thoughts about what I expected to happen and why in books 1-3 if I read this 1st. But this way it just answered questions and gave some background. I do wish it had not just been about the cyborg. It would have been nice if between each chapter there was a chapter telling us what Captain Alisa was doing at this time, the 2 stories paralleling up until the junk yard of book 1. It would have maybe made it a 4 hour book over the 2h26m but still short.

I love the worlds and rich characters that Lindsay Buroker creates in her books although this series shows she is absolutely a fan of a certain Si-fi/cowboy TV series that was canceled way to soon (aka Firefly) and maybe also Halo or Warhammer 40k fan. It still has its own feel to it and is more of a romance. And Lindsay does romance right in this guys opinion, Its not just about the romance there a big wonderful story in her books and the romance is believable and clean. Some other lady authors get a bit carried away with it and go to far. Romance good, soft porn not on my drive home please. If you like non Si-fi Fantasy stuff I highly recommend you check out another sires of hers "Dragon Blood" you will not be disappointed.

glad I listened to this before the other books

Poorly written. Repeats "blazer bolts" more times than I can count. Uses silly terms for made up things to make them sound more sci-fi like "glasstica" for what I assume is like acrylic or plexiglass. Keeps making up silly idioms that aren't needed like you're just supposed to know how a made up animal on a planet behaves. Something like, "hungry as a pregnant Kresian swamp monkey", or other ridiculous nonsense. This book made me want to stop listening and refund so many times, but managed to finish because it was so short. Don't waste your time with this swill.

Good start

Interesting story line. Looking forward to hearing more from this series. On to the next chapter

Just okay

If you haven't already read or heard the Fallen Empire series this book will leave you saying " so what ? ". If you have already read or listened to the Fallen Empire series this is a nice bit of background that is mentioned a number of times in the books.

I tried to get into the book

Author wanted to make sure we know the cyborg, Leonides thinks about having kids so mentions it at least a couple times. The Military SciFi/Fantasy doesn’t do either genre justice. Capture and escape from the warship seem contrived with dependence on deux ex machina. Little imagination in the escape details. All the major characters are male with female narrator. Meh.

too cliche

boring story hard to be interested seems they tried to Frankenstein a bunch of good stories together for a cheep sci fi book

Not for young readers

I am an avid reader of SiFi, fantasy books and other type of books. I do not like sexual content in the books I read. I also don't like to hear the F word in the books I read

good short series introduction

Good short story that is a prequel/ introduction to the Fallen Empire series. Left me wanting to read more but also with a lot of questions.

Kate Reading is outstanding as the narrator.

Left me wanting more - a good listen

Having listened/read the Fallen Empire series already, this book (excellently narrated by Kate Reading) was what it had to be.

Lindsay's story telling is such that I was swept along on the journey (as I was originally as a kid with Star Wars etc), which to me is the mark of a great story teller & why I've also enjoyed this book/series, along with the Star Kingdom series.

"Last Command" is a good lead-in of Leonidas as one of several possible character based prequels to the (definitely excellent) series, although, for Leonidas' journey (&even Thor's), I wish it went a little further i.e a bit more around where it ceased on Duster & discovery of the Star Nomad. Thus my title of "wanting more".

i know I'll be looking.. more F.E series related books please Lindsay.

I wish there was 1/2 star rating increments as I'd have given not quite 5 stars & better than 4 for sure.

if you've not started the series do - it's great.

if you've finished the series, this instalment makes sense.

Enjoy.

Dreadful Narration

Might be good, might not be good as I could not get past the narration.

Audible generally have great narrators but they also have some who do not appeal to me as is the case here. I know this is a personal to myself but it detracted sufficiently from the storyline that I cannot give a proper review of the novella, unfair as it is onthe author.

Good but…

A good story spoilt by dreadful narration. There are many excellent narrators this isn’t one of them.

Too short

This was too short even for a novella, it cost me the same as a full novel. I love her storylines but this gave no more insight than what had already been gained in the books I’ve read so far, there was no new info, I feel a bit cheated …….

The beginnings

Nice to see where things started. I enjoyed this little story. Easy to listen to.

Wonderful intro to the series engaging

A lovely novella to lay the story for the fallen empire series was very informative and entertaining narration was good

great introduction

a good introduction to a wonderful series. with great characters and a good story.

Good story bad narrator

loved the story however the narrator is really bad. I will not be getting more books in this series purely down to the narrator. a real disappointment as normally audible narrators are very good

Good Start to the Series

I liked this very much. I am familiar with the series and enjoyed this introduction to one of my favourite main characters. The narrator did a very good job even if her male voices could be a bit more distinct.