The Black Flag

Crimson Worlds Successors, Book 3

By: Jay Allan

Narrated by: Mark Boyett

Length: 11 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

The Triumvirate. Three clones of Gavin Stark who survived their evil master's destruction. Now they have cheated death again, downloading their minds into an alien intelligence, a relic of the First Imperium. For three decades they have worked, silently, diligently, preparing their forces for the day that would launch the final assault.

Vali, a secret planet, home of the Triumvirate. A hidden and haunted world covered entirely with factories and fortifications, worked by legions of slaves, the kidnapped and forgotten of a thousand worlds.

Erik Cain, the legendary hero of the Marines Corps, the man who killed the real Stark. For years he was a prisoner of the triumvirate's minions, held in brutal captivity on a dark world. Now he is free, battered by his long nightmare but never bowed, ready for the final struggle.

Darius Cain, Erik's son, dread warrior and commander of the feared Black Eagles, the greatest of the mercenary Companies. Darius and his forces freed Erik Cain, and together with his father and his long-estranged twin brother, he is ready to rally the free forces of human space.

Augustus Garret. A legendary admiral, the victor of more battles than are easily counted. Garret is long retired. But within him still beats the same heart of old, and he will stand with Erik Cain and his sons, fight alongside his old ally one last time.

From the barren ruins of shattered Earth to the farthest reaches of human habitation in the galaxy, the final battle has begun. The Cains and their comrades are outnumbered, but the blood of warriors flows in their veins, and they will never stop, no matter what the cost...not until the battle is won.

Massive fleets are on the move, armies fight great battles. Worlds burn, and the cataclysmic struggle for the future of mankind reaches its terrifying climax.

Crimson World Successors Trilogy Listening Order:
Book 1: MERCS
Book 2: The Prisoner of Eldaron
Book 3: The Black Flag

©2017 Jay Allan Books (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

Good book. but hurried at the end.

I liked the series, but felt the last book was hurried and became more predictable. I enjoyed it, but not to the level as his other series.

I'm sad it ended!

Great conclusion to this series. I just wish it hadn't ended. Loved the Cain family and was glad they all survived, although Elias's life was questionable for a minute.

The final battle against the Triumvirate was epic. So many died, including some main characters that I'd grown to love. BUT I was so glad to see those 3 vicious killers erased. It left The Intelligence alone but even that sophisticated AI didn't last long after a conversation with Darius Cain.

No romance and the F-bomb was used 1 time.

As for the narration: Mark Boyett is absolutely fabulous! His voices for the characters was awesome and his emotions when he read was great.

Enh....

Disappointing end of the trilogy. Narrator was good but story/writing was only passable. Character development? All the main characters are there but the interaction isn't very interesting. Felt like a cookie cutter book.

Finally the Conclusion

the third book keeps the same tone and tempo. only issue is that he concluded everything in the epilogue. Like WEB Griffith style.

Darn Good Book!

I read previous reviews that knocked this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it! I read criticism of the ending. Without giving anything away, I thought it was thoughtfully done and did not rely on last minute trickery. I hope to enjoy future books in this timeline. Thanks for some great reads!!