SpecOps by Craig Alanson
SpecOps: Expeditionary Force Book Two by Craig Alanson
As I was reading the first book in this series, Columbus Day, I didn’t realize it was the first book, nor the first of 8. To be honest, when I got to the end of Columbus Day, I was a little angry because I had not prepared my mind for that type of commitment. And since I enjoyed the first one so much I had the added dilemma of will the rest of the series be worse? Will it ruin the first one a bit? Or will I miss out on 7 additionally fantastic books just because I was scared of a commitment?
Well, you can see what I decided because here I am reviewing the second book and thankfully it was just as entertaining as the first one.
Craig Alanson has created a unique, clever and extremely entertaining military Sci-Fi scenario that quickly pulls you in. The descriptions of each fight scene and new alien landscape are so vivid and realistic you aren’t left confused as with other Sci-Fi books creating a new world. And of course, Joe Bishop and the AI, Skippy, make a dynamic duo with their banter, sarcasm and yes, bromance. There is plenty of comedy, but there are also some heart-warming and thought-provoking moments that wonderfully balance this novel to make it even better.
Once again, I listened to the audio book narrated by RC Bray and he nailed it. His delivery is so genuine that you truly feel as if you hear each character and it makes the novel that much better.
Synopsis: The sequel to 'Columbus Day'. Colonel Joe Bishop made a promise and he's going to keep it; taking the captured alien starship Flying Dutchman back out. He doesn't agree when the UN decides to send almost 70 elite Special Operations troops, hotshot pilots and scientists with him; the mission is a fool's errand he doesn't expect to ever return. At least, this time, the Earth is safe, right?
Not so much.