As hoped, Commander Prime Jefferson Grant is no longer a total d-bag. In this third installment, he is humbled, appreciative, and transitions into a real leader. Yes, he still has his moments but it is night and day compared to the first introduction to Grant. The writing continues to improve as does the editing. If you made it through the first book, each one does get better. This has definitely turned into a proper Space Opera with more questions than answers; who's who, and the continued fight to live. Humanity has found a team-mate in the Lyrans, but that doesn't even remotely guarantee a victory. The majority of the crew receives intervention and is thrust across the universe to learn, train, and go fight against craptacular odds. There is plenty of death and destruction. Ryan continues to be a significant driver in both character development and plot in this installment. MissionSRX Deep Unknown is a fairly thick read at almost 600 pages. Although there are spots to tighten up, it flows overall with enough action to keep things moving along.
4 of 5 stars. ARC provided by author
From the Publisher:
And behold the children reached into the darkness, and drew those who are pure into our sky. In our stead, they did defend us, wrapped in the armor of our spirit and wielding the swords of our fathers. Their bodies dust, their souls resolute; with the blessing of The One we shall not perish from the Universe.
Commander Grant and his crew have escaped from Earth into deep space, dragging behind them a fleet of invading alien ships in a desperate attempt to give humanity's beleaguered defenses a chance to regroup. With their enemy closing in, they plunge headlong into the abyss and find themselves on the far side of the universe, face to face with an oddly familiar alien ally who is intently interested in their survival.
The Lyran race has spent millennia conquering the stars but have finally met a foe which they cannot face. They have not been idle, however, and have made ready for the time when a warrior would emerge from the darkness and lead their civilization to victory. But nothing in war is as simple as it seems.
