Haraken

A Silver Ships Novel, Book 4

By: S. H. Jucha

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 10 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

Nine years of tranquility came to an abrupt end when a Méridien starship entered the Hellébore system, sounding a dire warning for Alex Racine, the Haraken president. Unwanted visitors had arrived again. But this time, they're not alien; they're human.

Claiming to have followed the course of a colony ship launched a millennium ago when Earth wrestled with resource wars and climate change, the mission commander, Antonio García, requests a meeting with the planet's leaders. The Earthers profess a kinship with all humans, and their great desire is to have Méridien join their United Earth (UE).

Alex Racine journeys to Méridien to investigate and uncover the Earthers' intentions. In the Haraken world, SADEs (self-aware digital entities) have been freed from their boxes aboard the Méridien-built starships. The mobile SADEs are powerful players in Alex's strategies, inventing ingenious methods to investigate the Earthers and their ship.

Complicating matters, the Méridien leadership is in turmoil. The Council Leader insists her people ignore the Earthers, but this path has costs. As tensions escalate, García sends a request for support to his superiors back on Earth, lest his discovery of the rich, Méridien worlds, boasting unbelievable advanced technology, slip through his grasp. A UE battleshiop heeds the call, escalating the pressure for action.

Join the journey as the Harakens and Méridiens work together to protect their planets, and their way of life, from the newest invaders.

©2016 S. H. Jucha (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Great Story

Can't wait for the next book to come out in audible format. Another great book by a great author.

S H Jucha has done it again.

Wonderful book in the tradition of Asimov and Clarke.
I suspect youngsters that like only blood and guts may not be ready for the debth in this fine series. Great character development and wonderful story line. I like the heroes in these stories and I love the 'lift' each book brings!!

Engaging

This is book four in the series. Jucha is keeping things interesting. Just when I think the story is going one way, it zags. Alex Racine and the people of Haraken have had nine years of peace to build their world. A surprise visitor arrives and they are not alien but from Earth. They have first been to Meridien and want both worlds to join them in United Earth. Haraken does not want to and Alex is attempting to find out what is really going on. He discovers Earth wants their technologies and are willing to just take them. At last the Meridiens have elected a new leader and are more willing to cooperate with Haraken.

I am having such fun with Julian and his fellow SADEs now that they are all mobile. Julian and friends are AIs or SADEs (self-aware digital entities) and have full citizenship on Haraken.

The book is just about eleven hours long. Grover Gardner does an excellent job narrating the story. Gardner is an award-winning audiobook narrator.

Cheering the characters on in every chapter

Some other reviewers have disliked the snuggling of two of the characters - and I agree that other descriptions of intimacy are available, LOL, but other than that, these books do not fail to entertain and capture one's imagination.

Great Story!

The characters are well developed and the story flows well. I have to admit that I am invested in all of the characters. Great story!

Better than expected

The start really put me off - the characters were too hoooey gooey - (not sure that is in any dictionary …) but once the initial pages of insufferable happiness and amiability are over, the novel picks up and I must admit that I found it hard to put it down- good plot exceptional narration-

Just as good as books 1,2 and 3

The series continues to deliver getting better and better as the story continues and moves forward.

So it Continues...

I can't wait for more. I have fallen in love with the characters and everything. I sincerely hope Jucha keeps going. even if the current series he has end, I will be keeping an eye out for new books by him.

Second Read Best Yet

My second time through and it's just as good probably better than the first time. Waiting for book 13 and 14 ... Best series I have ever enjoyed.

Best yet, but I’m not through with the series yet!

This excellent space saga of the silver ships continues! I am enamored with Mr. Jucha’s style of not following obvious plot opportunities, but taking other journeys or choosing to “fast-track” his plot (and sub-plots) to arrive at choice portions which allow the reader maximum enjoyment, rather than force the reader to wade through portions of the saga which would result in boredom. New creatures come to menace the human worlds of Meridian, New Terra, and Haraken. Our heros, human and SADE (Self Aware Digital Entities) alike step proudly to the defense, contributing to what must be done while still showing the “soft-belly” of the kind, but triumphant. One is reminded not to mistake kindness for weakness. The tale just gets better and better when hints of what can be done when a foe misidentifies the strength (by any means) of their adversary. I must cut this review short, another installment beckons! Best read in order, but better read than not read!