Orphan Wars Audiobook By Scott Moon, J. N. Chaney cover art

Orphan Wars

Orphan Wars, Book 1

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Orphan Wars

By: Scott Moon, J. N. Chaney
Narrated by: Luke Daniels
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What would you do if you woke up in another world?

When leading archeologist Dr. Hank Murphy discovers an alien artifact on the Moon, corporate interests are quick to get involved. A discovery like this could change everything, but more importantly, someone stands to make a fortune. But Murphy just wants to understand what this thing is and how it works. After months of research, he finally manages to locate the power source.

The gate is soon activated...and Murphy is pulled through.

Moments later, he finds himself in a war-torn corner of the galaxy where strangers like him are called Orphans...and they are considered extremely dangerous.

Somehow altered by the experience, the archeologist now has enhanced strength, speed, and agility. He is more than human. He is an Orphan. And he must survive a deadly new reality unlike anything he can imagine. Worse still, Murphy is not the only so-called Orphan in this region of the galaxy. There are many others.

And not all of them are created equal.

©2021 Variant Publications (P)2021 Podium Audio Fiction First Contact Science Fiction Space Opera War
Unique Concept • Engaging Narration • Promising Worldbuilding • Entertaining Adventure • Satisfying Ending
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Very entertaining and fast action with many special surprises I didn't see coming. you will enjoy this book.

Great story!

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Luke is just excellent as a narrator. Well worth the credit. I'm purchasing the next book now and it's 1am. What else can I say.

Kept me listening all the way through.

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If I picked this book to read I would've dropped it. The story itself (my fav, man is thrust into a sci-fi adventure and meets aliens) is sadly just ok, seems to mostly miss the world building elements. Needs a third author/editor to focus on the setting part but, this narrator's cadence for deep voice acting for the main character and his sidekick is super entertaining and I cannot stop listening! Can't wait to keep listening to this series regardless of this story!

Love this guys voice, Joe from Family guy!

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I agree with most of the reviews, that the MC is a less than stellar hero. Super-charged due to his Orphan status, yet it seems worthless. I still found myself liking him and his companions. The journey he goes on and the people he meets is interesting and worth a listen. I'm hoping book 2 starts to tie things together and we get to find out more about the Goliath Sector and the orphan gates.

Good start.

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I'm not a writer so don't expect this review to be eloquent and thought out.
I liked it a lot. There is no rhyme or reason as to what I do and don't like though so I can't give kudos to specific things like dialogue, pace and characters.
Form your own opinion.

I enjoyed it.

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Having read prior work from both authors J.N. Chaney and Scott Moon, I had certain exceptions. Moon writes gritty, in your face characters, and Chaney illuminates complex worlds.

So, I expected one thing, and luckily got something else.
This story was just fun, and the narrator was the right man for the job. Neither of these authors have written predictable stories, and they didn’t do it this time.

Don’t get me wrong. There ARE the tropes we sci-fi fans look and hope for, but in this story they’re in front of you before you see them coming.

What I liked about this story is the hero is a scholar, not a warrior. The perspective of a scholar caught in violence of action is very different than that of a warfighter, and this perspective was refreshing.
Within the first book, different cultures and factions flavored the story seamlessly. I couldn’t find a bad recipe here. The ending of this first story of the series had an actual ending, with the promise of more on the way. As a series lover, I find myself enthused. Glad I bought it. Definitely worth the credit.

I am looking forward to more stories from the Orphan Wars. I am giving it 5 out of 5.

Even better than I thought it would be.

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Scott Moon and J. N. Chaney actually crafted a fairly unique and plausibly interesting plot. However, their execution came off unpolished and somewhat ridiculous. The MC, Murph, was a present day archeologist who was portaled into another galaxy that upgraded his DNA to increase his strength, agility and intelligence. However, while he was sought after due to his archeological prowess, the story never really demonstrated how this gave him any advantage. More disappointingly, his brazen cavalier attitude, while meant to project a jocular, self-confident air about him, mostly came off just the opposite and that the authors had this continually convince his antagonists otherwise was confounding.

Luke Daniels exceptional performance talents were wasted on this book.

meh, haphazard

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Really enjoyed this book! Luke is such a great narrator and he really brings it with this story. I wish the second book was out already but I'll just have to wait....and I hate waiting! XD

cool!

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Scott Moon and JN Chaney are a great pair of writers, made all the better with Luke Daniels narrating. I loved this far flung exploration of the galaxy and a super unique concept. The idea of an Orphan was strange at first, but the more it went on the more sense it made. An Orphan is basically someone who goes through a portal device and ends up in this other region of the galaxy, so they're essentially "lost". They're also upgraded, so they have faster reflexes and enhanced strength and senses. This is such a weird and exciting concept that you just don't see very often, so I was intrigued right away. The story follows Murph, a scientist who is thrown into this device and sent across space, only to wind up on a wayward planet. He meets an alien giant that he befriends, along with several other allies, and together they have to fight an ominous threat while discovering more about these Oprhan Gates and the true purpose of what they all mean.

Very cool story and certainly unique. I recommend this if you're a stargate or Farscape fan like me. Can't wait for the next one.

To the Moon!

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I haven’t listened to a story like this before. An archeologist pulled across the galaxy and transformed into a superhuman with enhanced strength and durability. This definitely isn’t your standard scifi but it feels familiar enough that I felt comfortable. Add to that Luke Daniels’ wonderful talent for bringing characters to life and you’ve got a riveting story here.

Recommended for people looking for an adventure and an easy listen.

Really unique and fun story!

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