• The Cost of Victory

  • Crimson Worlds, Book 2
  • By: Jay Allan
  • Narrated by: Jeff Bower
  • Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (381 ratings)

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The Cost of Victory  By  cover art

The Cost of Victory

By: Jay Allan
Narrated by: Jeff Bower
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Publisher's summary

The Third Frontier War is raging, and all across human-occupied space worlds are burning. Massive fleets struggle for dominance and kilometer-long war ships exchange thermonuclear barrages.

Battered in the early years of the war, the Western Alliance is resurgent. The brilliant Admiral Augustus Garret leads the Alliance fleet from victory to victory, taking the war to the very heart of the enemy empires. And on the ground, Colonel Erik Cain, hero of the Marine Corps, leads his crack troops again into combat, seeking the final battle.

In the background, the secretive intelligence agencies of the despotic Superpowers plot and scheme, using their own soldiers as pawns in the great game for control of space.

But the final battle will be fought in the reddish sands of a backwater world, and the prize will be the staggering secret that has lain hidden in a remote cave for untold centuries.

All the Powers struggle for the ultimate victory, but at what cost?

The Cost of Victory is the second book in the Crimson Worlds series and the sequel to Marines.

©2012 Jay Allan Books (P)2013 Jay Allan Books

What listeners say about The Cost of Victory

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    172
  • 4 Stars
    131
  • 3 Stars
    57
  • 2 Stars
    11
  • 1 Stars
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Performance
  • 4 out of 5 stars
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  • 4 Stars
    94
  • 3 Stars
    69
  • 2 Stars
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Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    181
  • 4 Stars
    121
  • 3 Stars
    45
  • 2 Stars
    6
  • 1 Stars
    9

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Read Book 1 First!

Jay Allen writes a very compelling story of what could be called WWIII (he calls it the unification wars). Lots of of space battles and a very interesting outlook on what politics driving the battles may look like - with lots of speculation. This is fine as it gives the reader something to ponder.

The first book actually has the first 3 chapters of the second book included with it. If the series ends with book 2, it is a good story, and has battles, navies, marines, love, and something to ponder of what will happen in the future. There is a twist which I will not mention as it would be a spoiler

Lastly, Jeff Bower does a FANTASTIC job of narrating the books. A few sound effects tastefully added enhance the book.

I wish in a series like this they would tell you if more books are coming and if so how many. Jay Allen puts in an addendum where he describes the superpowers, space battles in zero gravity -- and things like why a space fleet zipping by and making a firing pass at another fleet at high speeds may need hours to stop, turn around and come back and other such details. It is worth the money.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Horrid Narration

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

the deaf

Who was your favorite character and why?

I like Cain he reminds me of good commanders I knew in the corps.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

I downloaded the book at around 7pm and couldn't stand his narration of the audiobook. As well he doesn't seem to have a good range of voice differences for different characters.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

I liked the overall story line I wanted to try this book hoping the narration would be better but I have now decided to return the book and not get the rest of the series.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Has so much potential.... But....

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I am not sure if this will happen in the following books... But a great deal of this book was spent retelling of the 1st book. Then towards the end, we start retelling information again! Then Were done!

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

It made me write this review....

Did The Cost of Victory inspire you to do anything?

Weigh the facts of the potential of this series to the delivery of it! Do I want to continue and chance purchasing another filler, or give up before I waste more money....

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

I wish I could like it

Would you try another book from Jay Allan and/or Jeff Bower?

I don't think I would try another book because of the narrator

If you’ve listened to books by Jay Allan before, how does this one compare?

Yes I did and I thought I would give the series on more shot but again the narrator has taken away from the story

How did the narrator detract from the book?

I just couldn't listen to the narrators voice at time it was monotone and other time with certain characters just annoyance

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

TERRIFIC, LIKE BEING THERE

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

YES, IF YOU ENJOY SCI FI AND OR MILITARY ACTION, YOU WILL WANT TO READ ALL 6.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Cost of Victory?

EVERY TIME ERIC GETS A PROMOTION OR MEDAL IS A LEAD IN FOR MORE TROUBLE.

Which character – as performed by Jeff Bower – was your favorite?

STARK

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

ALWAYS THE DEATH OF CHARACTERS WE ARE FAMILIAR WITH CAN CAUSE A DAMP EYE.

Any additional comments?

I HAVE READ ALL SIX AND WIL ONLY REVIEW OR RATE A FEW. BUT THESE ARE ALL ATLEAST 4 STARS.
JAY WRITE AS WELL AS IF NOT BETER THAN SOME BIGGER NAMES.
I WANT TO ADD THANK YOU FOR REDUCING THE PRICE OF A KINDLE AND AUDIOBOOK SO A PERSON CAN AFFORD THEM.
I AM A DISABLED FF PARAMEDIC ON SOC SEC NOW AND ALL I CAN DO WITH MY INJURY IS EXIST. BUT THESE NOVELS TAKE ME THERE AS IF I AM LIVING IT.
I CAN FEEL ALL THE EMOTION AND EXPRESSION AS IF I M WATCHING A MOVIE.
THANK YOU.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Great story with lots of action

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The story is awesome with lots of action and intrigue. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for drama, action, suspense, and of course, Sci-Fi!

What other book might you compare The Cost of Victory to and why?

Lost Fleet - lots of space action and the reality of physics is not ignored.

What didn’t you like about Jeff Bower’s performance?

His delivery was weak and without emotion. Most of his voice were childish squeaky and without emotion.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely not! It wasn't the story that was the problem it was Jeff Bowers! I want someone reading the book that can get some emotion showing and can do decent character voices. I will definitely look to see if he is doing any books I listen to in the future. I still like to actually read and I may just opt to read vs listen if he is narrating.

Any additional comments?

Drop Jeff as a reader!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Awesome

Some of the battle tellings move me to tears!! The meaning of heroism is truly defined!! “We will win or die trying” overwhelming odd!!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Bring Back Jeffrey Kafer, Please!!!

I absolutely love Jay Allan’s books! Okay, I wasn’t to happy with “Marines”, book one of the Crimson Worlds series. I found it boring, but that could very well have been the fault of the narrator! Jeff Bower is the first narrator I have ever disliked. He just doesn’t have the ability to grab my attention, make me feel like I’m right there in the action, and bring the characters alive and show their different personalities. And for some reason, his voice just grates on my nerves!

He does a LITTLE bit better in this book, but honestly, if I wasn’t such a big fan of Jay Allan, I probably wouldn’t have gotten past the first chapter! But it’s hard, if not impossible, to NOT like a Jay Allan book!

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

the narrator has a goofy inflection

I couldn't stop laughing at the narrator. made the whole battle scene sound silly. booooooo

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Fun Story but Narrator is Annoying

I like the story and the battles are entertaing, but really don't like the narrator. A lot of his voices are annoying. one of his best moments is pronouncing the "bow" of a ship like bow and arrow. He also makes the Scottish colonel sound like a Hollywood leprechaun, an accent which despite having lived in Ireland and Scotland, I have never heard outside of a movie...

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