Through Struggle, the Stars
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4.9 • 7 Ratings
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- $2.99
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- $2.99
Publisher Description
In 2139, a network of artificial wormholes has allowed humanity to reach nearby stars, where nations fiercely compete to settle new colony worlds. War is imminent between Earth's top powers, China and Japan, for reasons that no one entirely understands.
Neil Mercer, a freshly commissioned officer in the United States Space Force, is assigned to shepherd a senior spy on a covert mission that risks drawing America into the conflict. In a story featuring high adventure, interstellar intrigue and some of the most scientifically realistic space combat depicted in fiction, Neil and his comrades must face difficult questions about duty, citizenship and national interest as they struggle to discover why the war threatens to engulf every nation on Earth.
Recommended for fans of Tom Clancy, Patrick O'Brian, and Robert Heinlein.
"It's all great, good fun ... " -- Don Sakers, Analog Science Fiction and Fact, May 2012
"... a fine and fast-paced read, very much recommended." -- Paul T. Vogel, The Midwest Book Review, January 2012
Customer Reviews
Great story!
I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of Mr. Lumpkin's apparent first novel. I am quite choosy about the hard sci-fi that I read, having cut my teeth on all of the old masters of the genre. However, this story was imaginative and a pleasure to read from beginning to end and I truly hope that there is a sequel to this first offering. The basic premise of the story is quite believable and there was just enough actual hard science to make the story interesting and grounded in real/hypothesized scientific principles. I particularly enjoyed the author's vision of a possible political schism occurring that demotes the USA to an essentially third- world power and competing with other cultures who have left the US behind politically and economically. Another reviewer states that the suspenseful component of the story is very Clancy-esque and I must agree completely. I definitely suspect that the writer was a lover of all things Asimov, Clarke, and Hamilton as well - for hard sci-fi readers, this is a winning combination. Well done, John, and please write a sequel! I look forward to your future as a writer very much.
An excellent book
Hard Sci-Fi is hard to come by and good hard Sci-Fi is harder still that is why Through Struggle, The Stars is such a great book.
I read it several times all ready, and I highly recommend it if you like space operas or political thrillers.
Thoroughly Enjoyable!
John Lumpkin has written a truly splendid science fiction military thriller here. It has the thought provoking depth of a Robert Heinlein book and the well researched feel of a Tom Clancy novel (with a spy plot to boot). The story is believable, high paced, and high tension. Thoroughly enjoyable! Hard to believe this is only his first novel. Definitely looking forward to the sequel.