The Shiva Option

Starfire, Book 3

By: David Weber, Steve White

Narrated by: Marc Vietor

Length: 25 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Defeat was not an option.

The war wasn't going well.

The mind-numbingly alien Arachnids were an enemy whose like no civilized race had ever confronted. Like some carnivorous cancer, the "Bugs" had overrun planet after planet...and they regarded any competing sentient species as only one more protein source. They couldn't be reasoned with, or even talked to, because no one had the least idea of how to communicate with a telepathic species with no recognizable language...and whose response to any communication attempt was a missile salvo. No one knew how large their civilization - if it could be called a civilization - actually was or how it was organized, but the huge fleets they threw against their opponents suggested that it was enormous.

The Grand Alliance of Humans, Orions, Ophiuchi, and Gorm, united in desperate self-defense, have been driven to the wall. Billions of their civilians have been slaughtered. Their most powerful offensive operation has ended in shattering defeat and the deaths of their most experienced and revered military commanders. The edge in technology with which they began the war is eroding out from under them, and whatever they do, the Bugs just keep coming.

But the warriors of the Grand Alliance know what stands behind them, and they will surrender no more civilians to the oncoming juggernaut. They will die first...and they will also reactivate General Directive 18, however horrible it may be. Because when the only possible outcome is victory or racial extermination, only one option is acceptable.

The Shiva Option.

©2002 David Weber and Steve White (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

can't wait to read book 4

I really enjoyed the book a lot. I especially enjoy the narration. I thought the narrator did a great job depicting the different alien species within the book. I can't wait to read the next one

The Shiva Option

Captivating Naval space thriller written by someone who must have been a Naval Officer. Additionally, the reader is excellent.

WW2 Pacific arena in Space

WW2 Pacific arena in Space. There is lots of Naval jargon. although it is an entertaining read.

Always a good read from David Weber.

Science Fiction with a traditional flavor. This appears to be in the same universe as the Honor Harrington series, but at an earlier time. So far I haven't had a poor story from this author.

Excellent science fiction!

Dense, fast paced, not too short and, honestly, deserves a continuation... Definitely worth reading . Awesome!

Great series.

Read this book a long time ago. Love the audiobook version even more. Great narrator. Brings all the characters to life.

Peak of the series, but I would have done things..

But I would have written things differently in the Bug War.
(1) The Federation would have rearmed the Thebans and made them the 4th member of the Grand Alliance. They would serve as foot soldiers and damage control personnel until the Federation trusted them, and then been given their own fleet units and commands. After this point the Thebans would be more active in the series. This story thread would also follow the waining years of the life of Admiral Landaue, and his acceptance by and repatriation to his home world.

(2) Federation scientists would have switched to chemical weapons targeted at the bug's genetic codes after they gave up on biological weapons. These weapons would be deployed during one of the planetary assaults instead of antimatter weapons.

(3) With Thebans still confined to a few systems, and with the gas weapons in mass production, the Theban member of the Joint Chiefs would argue that the bug worlds should be gassed to wipe out the bugs and Thebans be allowed to colonize the relatively intact bug infrastructure. After consideration by Lord Telmaza, the request would be rejected with the Lord being forced to reminisce more about the Theban war.

(4) When linked up to the Grand Alliance, the Star Union would object to the use of gas until they absolutely needed it.

Decent classic

Any additional comments?

Weber’s books are a tad predictable, and this is no exception. Many numbers, and a simple focus on fleet action in space to the exclusion of everything else - which at times makes for a boring experience. Uninteresting antagonists, and mosly a self-gratifying black-and-white story. Can I recommend it? Well, maybe - if you know what you are getting into.

Amazing

Loved reading this a long time ago and loved it more listening to it now. Mr Weber is very talented.

Emotions

This book makes me feel them. 10/5

Character arcs are the true story in this book/series. Meet people you'll never stop loving!