Five by Five
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Buy for $20.00
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Phil Gigante
About this listen
Five short novels by five masters of military science fiction.
It’s a war out there. In these pulse-pounding tales, the best (or worst) soldiers in the galaxy are pitted against powerful aliens on distant battlefields. Never-before-published stories about monsters, deadly combat tech, treachery, and honor:
"Big Plush" by Aaron Allston (a novella from the Action Figures series) - The Dollgangers, artificial people made in mankind's image, take up arms in a desperate bid to win their freedom.
"Comrades in Arms" by Kevin J. Anderson - A damaged cyborg soldier and an enemy alien fighter turn their backs on the war and try to escape. But the human and alien governments can't tolerate the two deserters working together, so they join forces to hunt them down.
"Shores of the Infinite" by Loren L. Coleman (a novella from the ICAS File series) - Separated from command & control, Combat Assault Suit troopers force a beachhead to liberate a new planet from the cyborg threat.
"The Black Ship" by B.V. Larson (a mech novella from the Imperium Series) - A human settlement on the deadliest planet ever colonized clings to life...but today new invaders are coming down from the stars.
"Out There" by Michael A. Stackpole - The Qian have discovered humanity and welcomed them into their star-spanning empire. The benefits they offer humanity are many, and they don't want much in return: just the best human pilots available to take apart a most diabolical enemy.
©2012 Aaron Allston; WordFire, Inc.; Loren L. Coleman; B. V. Larson; and Michael A. Stackpole (P)2013 Brilliance AudioListeners also enjoyed...
-
Steel World
- Undying Mercenaries, Book 1
- By: B. V. Larson
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Length: 12 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the 20th century Earth sent probes, transmissions, and welcoming messages to the stars. Unfortunately, someone noticed. The Galactics arrived with their battle fleet in 2052. Rather than being exterminated under a barrage of hell-burners, Earth joined their vast Empire. Swearing allegiance to our distant alien overlords wasn't the only requirement for survival. We also had to have something of value to trade, something that neighboring planets would pay their hard-earned credits to buy. As most of the local worlds were too civilized to have a proper army, the only valuable service Earth could provide came in the form of soldiers....
-
-
A 14 year old boy’s idea of a “Real Man”
- By C. Brown on 04-16-19
By: B. V. Larson
-
Star Runner
- By: B. V. Larson
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Length: 9 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Two centuries after humanity colonized the stars, new dangers emerge. The peaceful inhabitants of the Conclave are threatened by expanding alien powers. Invaders threaten the star cluster, attacking our fringe settlements. Captain Bill Gorman has mysteriously disappeared. His clone, set aside for a dark day like this, awakens and begins to put together the pieces. What’s gone wrong out on the frontier? Why are our colonies being attacked by aliens while the Conclave worlds dream of better days? And what happened to the original Captain Gorman?
-
-
Meh
- By Eric on 07-28-20
By: B. V. Larson
-
Rogue Squadron: Star Wars Legends (Rogue Squadron)
- By: Michael A. Stackpole
- Narrated by: Marc Thompson
- Length: 12 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
They are sleek, swift, and deadly. They are the X-wing fighters. And as the struggle rages across the vastness of space, the fearless men and women who pilot them risk both their lives and their machines. Their mission: to defend the Rebel Alliance against a still-powerful and battle-hardened Imperial foe in a last-ditch effort to control the stars!
-
-
I love this book
- By James Vick on 09-07-21
-
Columbus Day
- Expeditionary Force, Book 1
- By: Craig Alanson
- Narrated by: R.C. Bray
- Length: 16 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
We were fighting on the wrong side of a war we couldn't win. And that was the good news. The Ruhar hit us on Columbus Day. There we were, innocently drifting along the cosmos on our little blue marble, like the native Americans in 1492. Over the horizon come ships of a technologically advanced, aggressive culture, and BAM! There go the good old days, when humans only got killed by each other. So, Columbus Day. It fits. When the morning sky twinkled again, this time with Kristang starships jumping in to hammer the Ruhar, we thought we were saved.
-
-
WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT
- By Jim "The Impatient" on 01-04-17
By: Craig Alanson
-
Swarm
- Star Force, Book 1
- By: B. V. Larson
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Length: 10 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Kyle Riggs is snatched by an alien spacecraft sometime after midnight. The ship is testing everyone it catches and murdering the weak. The good news is that Kyle keeps passing tests and staying alive. The bad news is the aliens who sent this ship are the nicest ones out there.
-
-
Finally some ORIGINAL scifi action.
- By Amazon Customer on 10-25-11
By: B. V. Larson
-
Star Wars: Darksaber
- By: Kevin J. Anderson
- Narrated by: Anthony Heald
- Length: 3 hrs and 10 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Luke Skywalker and Han Solo, cloaked by the Force and riding with the hostile Sand People, have returned to the dunes of the desert planet Tatooine in hopes of finding what Luke so desperately seeks: contact with Obi-Wan Kenobi. Luke is hoping the old Jedi Knight's spirit will tell him how to help his love, Callista, regain her lost ability to use the Force.
-
-
good story bad narration
- By Gregory rieux on 09-14-19
-
Steel World
- Undying Mercenaries, Book 1
- By: B. V. Larson
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Length: 12 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the 20th century Earth sent probes, transmissions, and welcoming messages to the stars. Unfortunately, someone noticed. The Galactics arrived with their battle fleet in 2052. Rather than being exterminated under a barrage of hell-burners, Earth joined their vast Empire. Swearing allegiance to our distant alien overlords wasn't the only requirement for survival. We also had to have something of value to trade, something that neighboring planets would pay their hard-earned credits to buy. As most of the local worlds were too civilized to have a proper army, the only valuable service Earth could provide came in the form of soldiers....
-
-
A 14 year old boy’s idea of a “Real Man”
- By C. Brown on 04-16-19
By: B. V. Larson
-
Star Runner
- By: B. V. Larson
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Length: 9 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Two centuries after humanity colonized the stars, new dangers emerge. The peaceful inhabitants of the Conclave are threatened by expanding alien powers. Invaders threaten the star cluster, attacking our fringe settlements. Captain Bill Gorman has mysteriously disappeared. His clone, set aside for a dark day like this, awakens and begins to put together the pieces. What’s gone wrong out on the frontier? Why are our colonies being attacked by aliens while the Conclave worlds dream of better days? And what happened to the original Captain Gorman?
-
-
Meh
- By Eric on 07-28-20
By: B. V. Larson
-
Rogue Squadron: Star Wars Legends (Rogue Squadron)
- By: Michael A. Stackpole
- Narrated by: Marc Thompson
- Length: 12 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
They are sleek, swift, and deadly. They are the X-wing fighters. And as the struggle rages across the vastness of space, the fearless men and women who pilot them risk both their lives and their machines. Their mission: to defend the Rebel Alliance against a still-powerful and battle-hardened Imperial foe in a last-ditch effort to control the stars!
-
-
I love this book
- By James Vick on 09-07-21
-
Columbus Day
- Expeditionary Force, Book 1
- By: Craig Alanson
- Narrated by: R.C. Bray
- Length: 16 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
We were fighting on the wrong side of a war we couldn't win. And that was the good news. The Ruhar hit us on Columbus Day. There we were, innocently drifting along the cosmos on our little blue marble, like the native Americans in 1492. Over the horizon come ships of a technologically advanced, aggressive culture, and BAM! There go the good old days, when humans only got killed by each other. So, Columbus Day. It fits. When the morning sky twinkled again, this time with Kristang starships jumping in to hammer the Ruhar, we thought we were saved.
-
-
WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT
- By Jim "The Impatient" on 01-04-17
By: Craig Alanson
-
Swarm
- Star Force, Book 1
- By: B. V. Larson
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Length: 10 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Kyle Riggs is snatched by an alien spacecraft sometime after midnight. The ship is testing everyone it catches and murdering the weak. The good news is that Kyle keeps passing tests and staying alive. The bad news is the aliens who sent this ship are the nicest ones out there.
-
-
Finally some ORIGINAL scifi action.
- By Amazon Customer on 10-25-11
By: B. V. Larson
-
Star Wars: Darksaber
- By: Kevin J. Anderson
- Narrated by: Anthony Heald
- Length: 3 hrs and 10 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Luke Skywalker and Han Solo, cloaked by the Force and riding with the hostile Sand People, have returned to the dunes of the desert planet Tatooine in hopes of finding what Luke so desperately seeks: contact with Obi-Wan Kenobi. Luke is hoping the old Jedi Knight's spirit will tell him how to help his love, Callista, regain her lost ability to use the Force.
-
-
good story bad narration
- By Gregory rieux on 09-14-19
-
War of the Spheres
- By: James Millington, B. V. Larson
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Length: 12 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When humanity reaches for the stars, our probes are destroyed. They crash into an incredibly advanced piece of technology: a massive force-field. Unknown beings have placed a barrier around our star and planets, enclosing us within. We’re locked inside a Great Sphere. Was this invisible obstacle built to imprison us - or to protect us? No one knows the truth, but it soon becomes clear the barrier has leaks. Aliens infiltrate and try to sabotage our efforts to escape our cage.
-
-
misleading summary...
- By Neil Kresl on 04-04-19
By: James Millington, and others
-
The Crypt: Shakedown
- The Crypt, Book 1
- By: Scott Sigler
- Narrated by: Ray Porter
- Length: 16 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Few know the warship’s actual name. But everyone has heard the rumors. The PUV James Keeling can do something no other vessel in existence can do—slip into another dimension, travel undetected, then re-emerge onto our plane and surprise enemy targets. But the thing that makes the Crypt unique also makes it a nightmare for those onboard; interdimensional travel causes hallucinations, violent behavior, and psychotic breakdowns. Keeling could be the Union’s greatest weapon, a game-changing asset that can defeat the bloodthirsty zealots of the Purist Nation, the Union’s mortal enemy.
-
-
classic sigler
- By martin on 10-05-23
By: Scott Sigler
-
Red Company: First Strike!
- Red Company, Book 1
- By: B.V. Larson
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For centuries, mankind has searched for nonhuman civilizations in the cosmos. These lost alien societies have finally been discovered—but they were destroyed long ago. Devin Starn starts off as a lowly rock rat aboard Borag, a mining ship working the dangerous end of the asteroid belt. Slowly, he gains prestige and purpose. When an alien base is uncovered, however, he must risk everything to protect his ship and her crew. What wiped out all the civilizations that came before humanity?
-
-
Stopped listening
- By jake on 08-18-23
By: B.V. Larson
-
Hell Divers
- Hell Divers Series, Book 1
- By: Nicholas Sansbury Smith
- Narrated by: R.C. Bray
- Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
More than two centuries after World War III poisoned the planet, the final bastion of humanity lives on massive airships circling the globe in search of a habitable area to call home. Aging and outdated, most of the ships plummeted back to Earth long ago. The only thing keeping the two surviving lifeboats in the sky are Hell Divers - men and women who risk their lives by skydiving to the surface to scavenge for parts the ships desperately need.
-
-
A little cliche action hero-y but damn good story anyway
- By Jillian Noone on 09-04-19
-
Stars End: The Complete Series Box Set
- M.R. Forbes Box Sets
- By: M. R. Forbes
- Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer
- Length: 26 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
One man's epic story of loyalty, perseverance, and hope in a galaxy at war. Now in a single volume. Alliance Navy Commander Grayson Stone is patrolling a nearby space station when a mysterious starship appears. It emerges from a storm of fire, its shields impenetrable, its weapons overwhelming, attacking without provocation and annihilating everything in its path.
-
-
Jim
- By Kindle CustomerJim on 02-21-22
By: M. R. Forbes
-
The Last Reaper
- By: JN Chaney, Scott Moon
- Narrated by: Ray Porter
- Length: 7 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When a high-value scientist is taken hostage inside the galaxy's most dangerous prison, Halek Cain is the only man for the job. The last remaining survivor of the Reaper program, Hal is an unstoppable force of fuel and madness. A veteran amputee-turned-cyborg, he has a history of violence and a talent for killing that is unmatched by any soldier. With the promise of freedom as his only incentive, he'll stop at nothing to earn back his life from the people who made him, imprisoned him, and were too afraid to let him die.
-
-
Ray Ray!
- By David on 06-23-19
By: JN Chaney, and others
-
The Captain
- The Last Horizon, Book 1
- By: Will Wight
- Narrated by: Travis Baldree
- Length: 11 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On a little-known planet, Archmage Varic Vallenar casts a grand spell to empower himself with the magical abilities of his alternate selves. The ritual works too well, granting Varic not only the magic but also the memories from six lives. Including their gruesome deaths. Now, Varic has power greater than any wizard in galactic history, but he knows that won’t be enough. The enemies he faced in those alternate lives were apocalyptic in scale. Terrors of technology and magic. Nothing that he, or anyone, can defeat.
-
-
why do I have to type stuff
- By Joshua on 04-05-23
By: Will Wight
-
Infinite
- By: Jeremy Robinson
- Narrated by: R.C. Bray
- Length: 10 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Galahad, a faster-than-light spacecraft, carries 50 scientists and engineers on a mission to prepare Kepler 452b, Earth's nearest habitable neighbor at 1400 light years away. With Earth no longer habitable and the Mars colony slowly failing, they are humanity's best hope. After 10 years in a failed cryogenic bed - body asleep, mind awake - William Chanokh's torture comes to an end as the fog clears, the hatch opens, and his friend and fellow hacker, Tom, greets him...by stabbing a screwdriver into his heart. This is the first time William dies.
-
-
a rather complex science fiction story
- By Midwestbonsai on 12-26-17
By: Jeremy Robinson
-
Tin Man: A Galaxy's Edge Prequel
- By: Jason Anspach, Nick Cole
- Narrated by: R.C. Bray
- Length: 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the wilds of a jungle planet, the Legion fights in brutal combat as Republic marines fly their SLICS from one tragedy to the next. H292, a repurposed warbot, shows the heart of a hero as he wades into the battle not to destroy - but to save.
-
-
So cool
- By Chris on 02-01-20
By: Jason Anspach, and others
-
Wayward Galaxy
- By: Jason Anspach, J. N. Chaney
- Narrated by: R.C. Bray
- Length: 12 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A company of Army Rangers is sent on an interstellar colony ship to secure a foothold on a dangerous, alien planet through violence of action. Leaving behind a warring Earth flung headfirst into a conflict of mutual assured destruction, the Rangers and the accompanying crew of first colonists are guided on a 40-year journey by an unprecedented artificial intelligence. But when they emerge from the frigid embrace of cryosleep, they awake to a nightmare, finding themselves greeted by the same ruthless enemy that brought about the ruin of Earth.
-
-
A breath of fresh air
- By Anonymous User on 09-29-20
By: Jason Anspach, and others
-
HALO: The Fall of Reach
- HALO, Book 1
- By: Eric Nylund
- Narrated by: Todd McLaren
- Length: 11 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The 26th century. Humanity has expanded beyond Earth’s system to hundreds of planets that colonists now call home. But the United Earth Government and the United Nations Space Command is struggling to control this vast empire. After exhausting all strategies to keep seething colonial insurrections from exploding into a full-blown interplanetary civil war, the UNSC has one last hope.
-
-
Phenomenal story - problematic performance
- By wotsisname on 07-02-19
By: Eric Nylund
-
Outland
- Quantum Earth, Book 1
- By: Dennis E. Taylor
- Narrated by: Ray Porter
- Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When an experiment to study quantum uncertainty goes spectacularly wrong, physics student Bill Rustad and his friends find that they have accidentally created an inter-dimensional portal. They connect to Outland - an alternate Earth with identical geology, but where humans never evolved. The group races to establish control of the portal before the government, the military, or evildoers can take it away. Then everything changes when the Yellowstone supervolcano erupts in an explosion large enough to destroy civilization and kill half the planet.
-
-
I made myself finish. Glad I did.
- By RJPF on 05-26-19
By: Dennis E. Taylor
Related to this topic
-
Mech Zero: The Dominant
- By: B. V. Larson
- Narrated by: Mirron Willis
- Length: 1 hr and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Death awaits the curious! Out along the rim of the galaxy hangs a loose configuration of some 60 stars known as the Faustian Chain. This whorl of sparkling suns is rich in planets and occupies an irregular volume of space some 20 light years in diameter. From an external viewpoint, the Chain presents a colorful display of plasma-streams, luminous nebulae and sparkling pinpoints of light.
-
-
No hero's here
- By SteveM on 07-17-16
By: B. V. Larson
-
The Atlantis Ship
- By: A. C. Hadfield
- Narrated by: Alexander Cendese
- Length: 7 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Carson Mach, a former war hero turned freelancer, seeks the biggest payday of his life when he's tasked to hunt down a ghost ship that has echoed through the centuries. The legendary Atlantis ship has become a reality, appearing at the Commonwealth frontier and obliterating an orbital station.
-
-
Very Good Story, Looking Forward to the Next Book
- By Striker on 09-13-15
By: A. C. Hadfield
-
Battletech Chronicles Books 1-3
- By: Robert Charrette, Michael A. Stackpole
- Narrated by: Christopher Graybill
- Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As a MechWarrior of the Draconis Combine, Minobu Tetsuhara was bound by Bushido - a code that demands loyal service - to the devious Warlord Grieg Samsonov. But when Minobu came upon a strange blue-and-gold Archer, Bushido also dictated that he not destroy the honorable but helpless warrior. And so begins the BattleTech Chronicles, books one, two and three...
-
-
Bait & Switch Tactics
- By Scott D. Free on 11-10-20
By: Robert Charrette, and others
-
The Ember War
- Publisher's Pack, Books 1-2
- By: Richard Fox
- Narrated by: Luke Daniels
- Length: 15 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Ember War, book 1: The Earth is doomed. Humanity has a chance. In the near future, an alien probe arrives on Earth with a pivotal mission: to determine if humanity has what it takes to survive the impending invasion by a merciless armada. The probe discovers Marc Ibarra, a young inventor who holds the key to a daring gambit that could save a fraction of Earth's population. Humanity's only chance lies with Ibarra's ability to keep a terrible secret and engineer the planet down the narrow path to survival.
-
-
A COUPLE OF BULLETS AND FOUL LANGUAGE TO DEFEND
- By Jim "The Impatient" on 12-10-16
By: Richard Fox
-
Predator - Incursion
- The Rage War, Book 1
- By: Tim Lebbon
- Narrated by: John Chancer
- Length: 11 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Predator ships stream into human space in unprecedented numbers. The Colonial Marines, controlled by Weyland-Yutani, respond to the incursion, thus entering the Rage War. This terrifying assault by the Yautja cannot go unchallenged, yet the cost of combat is high. Predators are master combatants, and each encounter yields a high body count. Then, when Lt. Johnny Mains and his marines - the VoidLarks - enter the fray, they discover an enemy deadlier than any could imagine.
-
-
I was really wanted to like this book!!
- By jeremy lamarch on 05-15-16
By: Tim Lebbon
-
Orion
- Orion Series, Book 1
- By: Ben Bova
- Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki
- Length: 11 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
John O'Ryan is not a god...not exactly. He is an eternal warrior destined to combat the Dark Lord through all time for dominion of the Earth. Follow him, servant of a great race, as he battles his enemy down the halls of time, from the caves of our ancestors to the final confrontation under the hammer of nuclear annihilation.
-
-
Cornucopia of Genre's
- By Jim "The Impatient" on 06-10-12
By: Ben Bova
-
Mech Zero: The Dominant
- By: B. V. Larson
- Narrated by: Mirron Willis
- Length: 1 hr and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Death awaits the curious! Out along the rim of the galaxy hangs a loose configuration of some 60 stars known as the Faustian Chain. This whorl of sparkling suns is rich in planets and occupies an irregular volume of space some 20 light years in diameter. From an external viewpoint, the Chain presents a colorful display of plasma-streams, luminous nebulae and sparkling pinpoints of light.
-
-
No hero's here
- By SteveM on 07-17-16
By: B. V. Larson
-
The Atlantis Ship
- By: A. C. Hadfield
- Narrated by: Alexander Cendese
- Length: 7 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Carson Mach, a former war hero turned freelancer, seeks the biggest payday of his life when he's tasked to hunt down a ghost ship that has echoed through the centuries. The legendary Atlantis ship has become a reality, appearing at the Commonwealth frontier and obliterating an orbital station.
-
-
Very Good Story, Looking Forward to the Next Book
- By Striker on 09-13-15
By: A. C. Hadfield
-
Battletech Chronicles Books 1-3
- By: Robert Charrette, Michael A. Stackpole
- Narrated by: Christopher Graybill
- Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As a MechWarrior of the Draconis Combine, Minobu Tetsuhara was bound by Bushido - a code that demands loyal service - to the devious Warlord Grieg Samsonov. But when Minobu came upon a strange blue-and-gold Archer, Bushido also dictated that he not destroy the honorable but helpless warrior. And so begins the BattleTech Chronicles, books one, two and three...
-
-
Bait & Switch Tactics
- By Scott D. Free on 11-10-20
By: Robert Charrette, and others
-
The Ember War
- Publisher's Pack, Books 1-2
- By: Richard Fox
- Narrated by: Luke Daniels
- Length: 15 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Ember War, book 1: The Earth is doomed. Humanity has a chance. In the near future, an alien probe arrives on Earth with a pivotal mission: to determine if humanity has what it takes to survive the impending invasion by a merciless armada. The probe discovers Marc Ibarra, a young inventor who holds the key to a daring gambit that could save a fraction of Earth's population. Humanity's only chance lies with Ibarra's ability to keep a terrible secret and engineer the planet down the narrow path to survival.
-
-
A COUPLE OF BULLETS AND FOUL LANGUAGE TO DEFEND
- By Jim "The Impatient" on 12-10-16
By: Richard Fox
-
Predator - Incursion
- The Rage War, Book 1
- By: Tim Lebbon
- Narrated by: John Chancer
- Length: 11 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Predator ships stream into human space in unprecedented numbers. The Colonial Marines, controlled by Weyland-Yutani, respond to the incursion, thus entering the Rage War. This terrifying assault by the Yautja cannot go unchallenged, yet the cost of combat is high. Predators are master combatants, and each encounter yields a high body count. Then, when Lt. Johnny Mains and his marines - the VoidLarks - enter the fray, they discover an enemy deadlier than any could imagine.
-
-
I was really wanted to like this book!!
- By jeremy lamarch on 05-15-16
By: Tim Lebbon
-
Orion
- Orion Series, Book 1
- By: Ben Bova
- Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki
- Length: 11 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
John O'Ryan is not a god...not exactly. He is an eternal warrior destined to combat the Dark Lord through all time for dominion of the Earth. Follow him, servant of a great race, as he battles his enemy down the halls of time, from the caves of our ancestors to the final confrontation under the hammer of nuclear annihilation.
-
-
Cornucopia of Genre's
- By Jim "The Impatient" on 06-10-12
By: Ben Bova
-
Legion of the Damned
- Legion of the Damned, Book 1
- By: William C. Dietz
- Narrated by: Donald Corren
- Length: 13 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the future, the terminally ill can prolong life by surrendering their consciousness to a cybernetic life form that is then recruited into the notorious Legion of the Damned, an elite fighting unit charged with protecting humanity.
-
-
Pretty poor
- By Taliesin on 05-09-10
By: William C. Dietz
-
A Fiery Sunset
- The Omega War, Book 1
- By: Chris Kennedy, Mark Wandrey
- Narrated by: Todd McLaren
- Length: 16 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The plot by the Galactic Union’s Mercenary Guild against the Four Horsemen has culminated in an invasion of Earth. Faced with an overwhelming force, the human mercs had no choice. They’ve fled, leaving Sansar Enkh to go to the Mercenary Guild headquarters on Capital Planet to stand trial for humanity. On the run, Jim Cartwright and Nigel Shirazi have travelled to the Winged Hussars’ secret base of New Warsaw, in an effort to convince Alexis Cromwell to join the fight, while the other mercenaries who escaped the fall of Earth have gone to the perceived safe haven of Karma.
-
-
had a hard time finishing
- By Connie Uriarte on 05-17-20
By: Chris Kennedy, and others
-
On Silver Wings
- By: Evan Currie
- Narrated by: Dina Pearlman
- Length: 9 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When the Colony on Hayden's world went black, a team was sent to investigate. It was supposed to be a training mission: skip in, find out the Casimir Transmitter had gone dead, report back and wait for resupply from the Fleet. By the time the only surviving member of the team made landfall, it was spectacularly clear that this wasn't a training mission.
-
-
Not the best, but better than many on audible
- By Desmond on 10-27-15
By: Evan Currie
-
Critical Dawn
- The Critical Series, Book 1
- By: Darren Wearmouth, Colin F. Barnes
- Narrated by: Luke Daniels
- Length: 10 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Archaeologists Pippa Quinn and Charlie Jackson find advanced technology in undisturbed 16th-century graves. A portent, the discovery precedes thousands of giant sinkholes opening up across the globe as extreme weather threatens the population. Charlie suspects the two are related.
-
-
Younger adult sci-if.
- By William W on 07-22-15
By: Darren Wearmouth, and others
-
Master Sergeant
- Makaum War Series #1
- By: Mel Odom
- Narrated by: Todd McLaren
- Length: 11 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
They call it The Green Hell. A maze of tangled jungle, the planet Makaum is one of the most dangerous places in the universe. And for Terran Military Master Sergeant Frank Sage, it is now home.The war between the Terrans and the Phrenorians rages, and both sides have their sights set on Makaum. If the planet's rich resources fall into enemy hands, it could mean devastation for the Terran army.
-
-
Fun Romp
- By Bob H. on 04-13-16
By: Mel Odom
-
Tin Man: A Galaxy's Edge Prequel
- By: Jason Anspach, Nick Cole
- Narrated by: R.C. Bray
- Length: 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the wilds of a jungle planet, the Legion fights in brutal combat as Republic marines fly their SLICS from one tragedy to the next. H292, a repurposed warbot, shows the heart of a hero as he wades into the battle not to destroy - but to save.
-
-
So cool
- By Chris on 02-01-20
By: Jason Anspach, and others
-
Intrinsic
- By: Philip C. Quaintrell
- Narrated by: George Newbern
- Length: 15 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Kalian Gaines has a secret; he just doesn't know it yet. He looks like us, he lives like us...but he is not one of us. Kalian knows nothing outside of his mundane life teaching history on 30th-century Earth, until a day like any other triggers a series of events that will tie his fate to that of humanity. A human handprint, embedded into a rock with alien script, is discovered on a moon that mankind has never set foot on. This discovery holds a secret, which will sweep Kalian into the heart of a conspiracy that has corrupted the galaxy for 200,000 years.
-
-
Unexpectedly Brilliant
- By Fraser on 04-22-18
-
Semper Mars
- Book One of the Heritage Trilogy
- By: Ian Douglas
- Narrated by: Ray Chase
- Length: 13 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Year is 2040. The Marines have landed on Mars to guard the unearthed secrets of an ancient and dangerous alien race: Ourselves. Scientists have discovered something astonishing in the subterranean ruins of a sprawling Martian city: startling evidence of an alternative history that threatens to split humanity into opposing factions and plunge the Earth into chaos and war.
-
-
GOT SH@T UP HIS CHAMBER
- By Jim "The Impatient" on 09-15-17
By: Ian Douglas
-
The Last Exodus
- By: Paul Tassi
- Narrated by: Victor Bevine
- Length: 10 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Earth lies in ruins in the aftermath of an extraterrestrial invasion, the land devastated by a desperate war with no winners between mankind and a race of vicious, intelligent creatures. The seas are drying up while the atmosphere corrodes and slowly cooks any life remaining on the now desolate rock. Food is scarce, trust even more so, and the only people left alive all have done horrific things to stay that way.
-
-
Paint by numbers
- By sonofapharmacist on 08-19-19
By: Paul Tassi
-
Starship Liberator
- Galactic Liberation, Book 1
- By: David VanDyke, B. V. Larson
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Length: 16 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Hundred Worlds have withstood invasion by the relentless Hok for decades. The human worlds are strong, but the Hok have the resources of a thousand planets behind them, and their fleets attack in endless waves. The long war has transformed the Hundred Worlds into heavily fortified star systems. Their economies are geared for military output, and they raise specialized soldiers to save our species. Assault Captain Derek Straker is one such man among many.
-
-
Super author team fails
- By Jesper on 05-03-17
By: David VanDyke, and others
-
Starship Eternal
- War Eternal, Book 1
- By: M. R. Forbes
- Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer
- Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Captain Mitchell "Ares" Williams is a space marine and the hero of the Battle for Liberty whose shot heard 'round the universe saved the planet from a nearly unstoppable war machine. He's handsome, charismatic, and the perfect poster boy to help the military drive enlistment. Pulled from the war and thrown into the spotlight, he's as efficient at charming the media and bedding beautiful celebrities as he was at shooting down enemy starfighters.
-
-
Amazing Start for a New Series. Great Sci-fi.
- By Striker on 04-27-15
By: M. R. Forbes
-
The Ark
- Children of a Dead Earth, Book 1
- By: Patrick S. Tomlinson
- Narrated by: Mirron Willis
- Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Humankind has escaped a dying Earth and set out to find a new home among the stars aboard an immense generation ship affectionately named the Ark. Bryan Benson is the Ark's greatest living sports hero, enjoying retirement working as a detective in Avalon, his home module. The hours are good, the work is easy, and the perks can't be beat. But when a crew member goes missing, Bryan is thrust into the center of an ever-expanding web of deception, secrets, and violence.
-
-
Nearly there
- By Michaela on 05-11-16
What listeners say about Five by Five
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Cougar
- 04-27-13
Cyborg and sci-fi military combination
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Yes, This is the best compilation of cyborg and military sci-fi I have yet listened to. I love both and this book puts them together in five exciting yet unique stories.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Five by Five?
I think the most memorable moment was in the first book where the protagonist is about to be crushed by a giant. When I was listening I thought I had bought the wrong book. Based on the first few lines, I thought the books would turn out to be fantasy which I dislike. However, there was a pause when the reader said let me explain how we got to this situation. From then on, the book was complete "on the edge of your seat" excitement.
What about Phil Gigante’s performance did you like?
The narrator was perfect for this series of stories. He has the exact pitch and tenor to make the stories interesting and easy to listen to.
If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
Cyborgs in the 23rd century
Any additional comments?
I usually don't like compilations but you would miss a great book if you passed this one by.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kingsley
- 03-30-17
Perfectly Readable and Very Good.
The term "Five by Five" comes from radio communications, where two scales of 1 to 5 are used for Readability and signal Strength. a '5x5' is perfectly readable with a very good signal strength. It's basically become another way of saying "loud and clear" or "affirmative", and linked to military actions. Thus it's a great name for a collection of five short space military stories.
All the stories are somewhat "space marine" type stories - a mix of futuristic soldiers fighting wars. while being generally of the same genre all the stories are distinct from each other, and they generally have something fresh to add to the genre.
While all good, not all the stories are great. It is the first two "Big Plush" and "Comrades in Arms" that I enjoyed the most. They are all certainly "Perfectly Readable", even if they are not all perfect.
Phil Gigante narrated all five stories, and did well. He carries the action clearly as well as making the characters distinct. He is clear and easy to follow. I would have preferred a little more differentiation between the different stories (maybe have two narrators alternating), but barring that this was good work.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Baron
- 04-04-15
Good shorts - make you want to get the main books
I was looking to spend a credit - and get the most bang for it.
This collection was a good one all around; and I will have checkout a few of these universes.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Flavius Krakdaddius
- 07-29-13
Lock & Load!
This was a pleasant surprise. Five unrelated sci-fi combat novellas which I could intersperse between other books. I enjoyed all five stories, although some much more than others. I found the stories toward the end of the collection to be the strongest, which I always appreciate.
I enjoyed the different styles and the authors' respective takes on the genre. These are good fun, not too heavy, but by no means fluff.
The narration is great.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Richard
- 04-25-13
Not bad, Enjoyed a few of the stories.
A good selection of stories by great authors.
I've listened to a few of these authors before and they continually hit the mark. Would have been great if Jack Campbell (John G Hemry) could have had a story in here also.
The best book had to be "Comrades in Arms". Was a great story that i would have liked to read the full book.
All in all not a bad buy for the cost.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Justin
- 06-08-13
weak
Found the reader monotonous. Ruined the stories for me. The reading made everything seem boring and the characters bored. However I only made it through the first 2 so perhaps the others are better.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful