TFS Theseus

The Terran Fleet Command Saga, Book 2

By: Tori L. Harris

Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer

Length: 7 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

"Welcome to the Pelaran Alliance...."

With those simple words, the Guardian spacecraft openly revealed itself to humanity, heralding a new chapter in its 500-year-long mission to cultivate our world. Earth's population must now make its first planet-wide decision - join the most powerful alliance in our galaxy or chart our own course, deciding for ourselves which civilizations are worthy of our trust. Will we be the first world to decline the Pelarans' invitation, or does their offer come with an implied threat?

Aboard Terran Fleet Command's flagship, TFS Navajo, Admiral Kevin Patterson assembles his formidable but untested forces in hopes of defending the Earth. Knowing that an attack is imminent, he must risk everything in hopes of finding his enemy and taking the initiative.

Returning from TFC's first battle, Captain Tom Prescott learns that his frigate, TFS Ingenuity, is more heavily damaged than expected. Now he must race against time to prepare a new ship, then execute a daring mission to save Earth's last and best hope of avoiding full-scale interstellar war.

©2016 Tori L. Harris (P)2016 Podium Publishing

Too much explaining; not enough story

The author spends too much time explaining, in excruciating detail, and too little time on the actual story. It's so bad, I couldn't finish the book.

A perfect book for napping!

I was surprised that a very large portion of this book is dedicated to explaining what is going on in the book. In fact, it struck me a book that contains another book that describes the first book. Now, this may seem odd but, it also seems to anticipate that people will nod off to sleep when listening to the book. If they do, it is a very clever technique because it helps ensure that the listener will not have to worry about missing anything because it will all be explained again shortly.

Another feature that makes this book perfect to listen to when you may fall asleep is the plot development. It is so painfully slow throughout the series that, even if you fall asleep and miss some detail, it won’t matter because the plot never advances far enough in an hour or two to leave you behind.

Of course, there are the parts of the novels that are dedicated to describing various scenes in great detail. It is almost as if the author is describing what is happening in a movie to a blind person. This too has a soothing effect that trended to encourage me to just close my eyes and listen. What better encourages peaceful napping than that?

Then again, there are the characters. They are all unambiguous and one dimensional to the point where they are all nearly interchangeable. The good guys are all the honorable boy scout types and the baddies act within the confines of their own roles. So, when you fall asleep, it wont matter who is talking when you wake back up.

Then, there is the narration. It seemed to me that the narrator was fully aware of how tediously slow the story progresses and tried his best to compensate by reading the parts just as fast as he could to hold people’s interest in spite of the foregoing. Sadly, this really does not help people who find the need to take naps during the story. However, I was able to fix this by slowing down the playback to 90% of normal. Problem solved!

Now despite all this, I can say that I listened to the first three books in their entirety and the pause between deciding to spend a credit on more of the same was not overly long. But, perhaps I got carried away in those instances. However, before getting the last book in the series, I think it appropriate to sleep on the decision.

Good listen but...

Good listen, but the author has an incessant need to explain everything to death. Sometimes a short travel in the book takes longer to get through in real time due to incessant over explaining everything.

For example in most cases an order is given the author has a need to have the recipients of the orders thank their superior officer which in return usually responds with gratitude of the junior officer thanking him, which ends with the junior officer responding yet another time to tell the superior officer "your welcome". This makes simple orders take "forever".

I assume the book would be a couple of hours shorter if the author would have removed alot of the platitudes. And tbh it would have been a better book, even if the already short book would be even shorter.

But still, if you enjoy the genre it's not a bad book. I would still have bought it again knowing what I know now.

great series with good story and action

I dropped one star because it's like the book is over just when it's getting good. book 1 and 2 could have made one good book. still can't wait for the next book in the series.

a bit Bland

this is a great book if you want to know all of the technical details behind Navy command. It moves a bit slow, there's not a lot of action, and it seems like just as much of a setup for a series as the first book. Not sure I'm going to buy the next one.

Great listen loved it can't wait for book 3

Hopeing for book 4 and book 5 ect it could go on for a long time

Simple but fun

Somewhat simplistic writing but a decent story overall. I suggest the author spend more time writing the story and less time over describing everything.

Great continuation of the story

Really enjoying this series. I hope book 3 is available soon. Excellent narrator for this book.

I want to like it but....

After listening to the second book I am not sure what to think. I listened to the first book and felt it was a very promising start to a new series. I forgave the blatant cliffhanger for that reason. Book two "TFS Theseus" does little to advance the story and ends with another blatant cliffhanger. No spoilers In this review. I also felt the sassy AI's were a bit of a stretch. I am unsure if I can recommend this series because of its lack of plot resolution in each installment. I will probably listen to the third book but I will be very critical of the next in the series if it follows this pattern. Maybe you should wait for an omnibus.

Not since the early work of Ryk Brown have I enjoyed such a series

I don't know if it is Mr Kafer reading or the parallels between young, outgunned, overmatched Captains but I really am into this series. It's probably a little of both.

The story is original and great with the perfect mix of important factors. In all my reviews I try not to say too much, I just to try convey my ratings and whether or not I think people should buy. Do yourself a favor and buy.

I eagerly loom forward to the next in series.