First Command Audiobook By Michael Simon cover art

First Command

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First Command

By: Michael Simon
Narrated by: Ryan Kennard Burke
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Buy for $26.03

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An alien attack leaves them adrift in space.

Survive, rebuild, and rejoin the war.

Fresh out of the Academy, Ensign Cole Jackson’s first posting to Freedom couldn’t have come at a worse time. All over the Alliance, planets and colonies are suddenly under attack by the vicious Coven Empire.

Freedom and her sister ship, Hood, are ambushed by alien warships, leaving Hood drifting dead in the void.

Cole is ordered to salvage parts from the powerless Hood, but when he arrives on the unpowered hulk, Freedom is called away, marooning him and a group of malcontent techs in deep space.

With the timer on survival ticking down, Cole must find the confidence to take control, whip his tiny crew into shape, bring Hood back to life–repairing communications, propulsion and even weapons.

He's got one chance to transform the derelict ship into a combat-ready vessel. One he can take into battle and alter the course of the war.

Don't miss the start of this science fiction thrill ride about a crew of young soldiers mustering the courage to fight back against both a vicious alien enemy, and the terrifying void of being stranded in space. It's perfect for fans of Daniel Gibbs, J.N. Chaney, and Vaughn Heppner!

©2025 Aethon Books (P)2025 Aethon Audio
Science Fiction Survival Military War Hard Science Fiction
Compelling Plot • Engaging Characters • Fast-paced Action • Entertaining Storyline • Creative Premise • Dynamic Pacing

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Overall premise of the book was decent and hard sci fi story was enjoyable. Not sure if it was the way they were narrated or written but the characters seemed shallow and the interplay was juvenile.

Shallow characters speaking in cliches.

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good book with decent performance. I was getting tired of the hit and miss of the run of the mill military sci fi with the hero wielding a gun in each hand battling 10 feet tall aliens...

If you like Honor Harrington series read this

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This is a nice little gem of a space military story.
The writer does a great job of balancing high stakes action, with excitement and character development,
The character ensemble add an extra layer to an otherwise action packed story, and the writer does an excellent job making the listener invested

Mr. Ryan Kennard Burke does an amazing job reading this book, changing his pitch ever so slightly, so as to make destinct voices for all the characters speaking.
Even going so far as to make a recognisable voices, resulting in a book, where not only do you know that several people are having a conversation, but as the book goes on, the recognisable voices even mean that an attentive listener are able to hear WHO is talking.
There was even a character who was given an audible lisp, that actually had be laughing at times.

Honestly amazed as to how mr. Ryan Kennard Burke kan keep track of all the voices!

I am however deducting some points as it seems that chapter 22 seems to be duplicated resulting in chapter 23 missing entirely. I hope this get fixed as it seems like an obvious error by the publisher.
Chapter 23 is not the last chapter in the book but is does feel like you miss something, when you factor in how action packed this book is, There should be an easy fix to this though "HINT" publisher "HINT"

Great book, presented by tallented reader

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If you like "On Basilisk Station" by David Weber, you will like this. Purchased 2 & 3 just before 1 ended.

Purchased 2 & 3 just before 1 ended.

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Liked the characters, hated the writing. Even tried to return the title.Not sure how this got so many good reviews.

Very shallow SCI Fi.

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