Rando Splicer

Spiral Wars, Book 6

By: Joel Shepherd

Narrated by: John Lee

Separated from her ship, Major Trace Thakur is stranded on the reeh-occupied world of Rando. The native corbi have suffered beneath reeh tyranny for 800 years, and many have given up hope. But Trace needs the data stored in the reeh’s genetic technology and command center - the Rando Splicer - if she’s to learn how to save humanity from impending disaster, and is planning an assault against overwhelming odds. She’ll need help from the UFS Phoenix, though, which is caught in a ritual medieval battle to change the croma leadership that sees her crew embarking on a perilous journey across a warring desert continent. Should they fail, humanity could be just one of many species to die.

©2019 Joel Shepherd (P)2019 Audible, Inc.

A Tale of Two Planets

Sublime narration once again. Typically the chapters are either set on RANDO with Trace and Giddy or on a Croma planet with Erik, Styx, etc. However, one chapter is set in human space with the Fleet triumvirate, and another chapter is set in Parren space with Lisbeth. Chapters on Rando are grim and desperate with nary a smile in sight, but chapters on Croma are lighter, adventuresome, and sometimes funny in a snarky way.

Funniest scenes go to Peanut. Snarkiest lines go to Styx.

As far as character development, it’s all about young Skah losing his baby teeth, Trace becoming a stone, and Tiga (the female Corbi rebel) becoming nuanced and much wiser.

The plot chugs along nicely, like a train, and ends with a few nice surprises and a good idea of what’s to come in the next book.

Quibbles: The author tends to interrupt the flow of action sequences with expository or reflective statements. The dark government secret trope is getting repetitive across books.

Brilliant

Such a good series and of course the amazing John Lee… how can one not love it?

Excellent!!

Great story line and voice acting, with solid progression of the series. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

excellent saga

The story continues and grows in a cohesive way to the series. Top tier performances from writer and narrator.

Love this Series!

Joel and John are great together. What a great book this was, talk about a storyline with legs. Keep it coming!