Superior Science Fiction

This book was without a doubt a demonstration of superior writing and storytelling ability on the part of the author. I was hooked by characters and story and was unable to stop once I reached the halfway point. Admittedly, it was a little slow to start, but I think that the backstory that was given in the first few hours was critical to setting up the rest of the book and the series to follow.

The main character, Nathan, is a young boy on the crew of an Athenian cargo ship when it is attacked and captured by a Pruessen Empire military ship. Long quarantined and isolated from the rest of civilized space, the Prussens actively raid and capture ships and crew, putting them to work as slaves and treated as less than human by the Prussen Human Resource Division. After years of captivity, Nathan and the rest of the survivors of the ship hijack it and fly back to Athenian space, only to crash land on a quarantined world. Nathan's surviving family and crew die from the same disease that resulted in the initial quarantine of the Prussens. However, for some reason Nathan is unaffected. He not only survives, but is able to thrive and develop skills and abilities that make him both resourceful and lethal.

After being rescued by a passing military ship, Nathan joins the family of a man his father served with in the military years prior. While sworn to secrecy about his experiences (for fear it may restart a war long ended), he never loses his drive for revenge against those who caused his enslavement and the loss of his family. He excels in his studies using his intelligence and abilities and is accepted into the naval academy, where he hopes to someday get the revenge he desires.

Nathan is sent on a training cruise with several of his classmates on a small but deadly border patrol ship. When the ship is attacked by a new Prussen secret weapon, Nathan must use his skills at survival and need for revenge to save himself, his ship, and stop a deadly threat the the Athenian Republic.

Narration for this book was also very good. No complaints whatsoever.

Definitely consider this book if you are looking for quality military space science fiction.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the author, publisher, or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review. I was NOT required to write a positive review and this reflects my honest opinion of the work.

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16 people found this helpful

Wanted to listen straight through!

This story MOVES! This isn't like a lot of space themed operas where everything is on a single ship. They are space battles, colonies, opposing forces all vying for control, and young Nathan Telford, the last of his family, navigating currents of hate and forces he can't control.

I'm looking forward to some of the forces introduced but not fully developed coming to fruition in the next book! Great concepts with some mystery that blends a bit of "magic" into what feels, at first, like a traditional space journey. Great universe!

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12 people found this helpful

5 stars

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Def. Good stuff, bro. No doubt. Started out well, ended on a high, waiting for next book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Uncommon Purpose?

(Mild spoilers) The time Nathan had growing up on the "ranch" or whatever were actually some of my more favorite parts. Felt very real, and it was cool to see time on a planet for a good part of the book rather than only in space.

Which character – as performed by Keith Michaelson – was your favorite?

Nathan and Moe.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I did laugh at several points. That's always a good thing!

Any additional comments?

You might think from the cover that this book is about big battles in space, ship against ship. There definitely is some of that, but most of the action is closer in, more intimate. Hand to hand. Boarding parties, raiding. Very fun stuff, bro. Glad I took the chance on this one.

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7 people found this helpful

Face paced, meaningful characters

I wish I could give this 4.5 stars. Really great start. I think this is a first time author. Home run effort. I read/listen to a blistering amount of science fiction and fantasy. Uncommon Purpose and Strebor are on a high rung. I could probably listen to this narrator read nutrition labels and be captivated. What a great choice for the story. The characters were written well and really brought to life by the voice actor.

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7 people found this helpful

A little of everything

Ok, so I need a love story in a story. I was so relieved there is one here. Makes it so much more human to me rather than just a bunch of action. There's tons of that though! My husband and I listened to this together on a couple long drives. Fantastic narrator! Wow! Gave me chills at certain parts. I don't know how many different voices there were but I recognized them all when they came on. Kinda like a scott brick, but deeper voice and more expressive.

Don't buy this book if you like, long, boring, slow plots. BUY THIS BOOK if you want a great narrator to bring an awesome story to life, fast plot, multiple climaxes, and depth.

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7 people found this helpful

Worth your time - really good story

Any additional comments?

.5 stars
Interesting, Entertaining and Enjoyable

Revenge, redemption, secrets, guilt, family honor, hate and love, along with action, suspense, good vs evil, space battles and so much more all woven into a pretty darn good story.

You can tell the story was well thought out and is well written. While I enjoyed the story overall there was just something missing for me. At the same time I would definitely read the next installment.

Large cast full of a variety of characters, which in the beginning was a little confusing.

You can't help but love Nathan considering his age when the story begins and his maturing during the story. At the same time a little more personal back round on the Nathan and the major characters would have been nice. What Nathan went through is basically just alluded to, it doesn't have to be graphic but scenes into his life while he was a slave or on the planet or in the hands of the Dr. would have helped develop his character more.

Nathan has an extra sense that he calls "prep" . What is it? Is it from his immunity to the disease? From his time on the plague planet?
The reference to times at the beginning of each chapter meant nothing to me, it
would have been better if it had given the date and then said 3 years later, 4 years later etc.

Keith Michaelson did an fantastic job with the narration. Nice pleasant voice. Even pacing in the narration. There were so many characters and he conveyed a fantastic voice for each one. As well as the emotions of the characters. Well done.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom

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6 people found this helpful

Fantastic!!!

What does Keith Michaelson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He really brought the story to life.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

This book is really a 4.5. I wish we could do half ratings. Love books that can bring out all the emotions while including tons of action. I received this audiobook for free through Audiobook Boom for my unbiased review.

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5 people found this helpful

Excellent Military SF!

Would you consider the audio edition of Uncommon Purpose to be better than the print version?

I'm looking forward to answering that question when I get to read the print version - the tale was that good, I'll definitely be reading the print version.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Nathan Telford, for sure. When we meet him he's young, brave and impressionable, and as he goes through the crises which begin to define his character we get to see not only the hardness in him which he has needed to cultivate to survive, but also his softer, deeper side. He's a well-rounded, believable character and I'm looking forward to continuing his journey is the second book.

What about Keith Michaelson’s performance did you like?

Keith did a wonderful job of maintaining a balance throughout the narration - he managed to match and evoke the emotional content of each scene while continuing to engage the listener, and I'm looking forward to listening to more of his narration.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

After a young man witnesses the destruction of his life, he focuses on building himself into the kind of person who will be able to pursue the revenge he seeks.

Any additional comments?

Truly cool Military SF - PJ is a wonderful writer capable of deep emotional communication and edge-of-the-seat action and tension. Highly recommended!

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5 people found this helpful

A very good read

Wow just wow! Nicely done. Way to go on the why the main character is so driven and doing it in such a manner as to drive it home but refrain from being too graphic and leave some of it to the readers imagination. I look forward to listening to more of this series and any other books.

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5 people found this helpful

outstanding

Great book I I couldn't but it down the narrator was fantastic the whole book was I am waiting for book no two I received this book free from the author or narrator for a honest review and unbiased option via audio book boom

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5 people found this helpful