excellent

I really enjoyed this book. It had many unexpected and nice surprises. The characters were very noteworthy.

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The Team is Back!

As a representative of AudioBookReviewer.com here is my review on The Ghalian Code: Space Assassins 3 written by Scott Baron and narrated by Eric Bryan Moore.

Our team of assassins are back! Led by Hozark, this team of assassins are called on to repay a past debt. What starts as a rescue mission, our team of assassins come together with familiar faces and unlikely allies for a battle that shifts the balance of power in the galaxy.

This is a great addition to the Space Assassins series. This is the third in the line of the series and my favorite so far. The story flows well with plenty of twists and turns that keeps the listener engaged. Scott does a phenomenal job introducing us to new characters and providing even more depth on existing characters. He is very detailed in all parts of the story. The ending was well written and starts making you think about what lies ahead for Hozark and the rest of the team of assassins.

Eric Bryan Moore, once again, knocks it out of the park with this narration. He adds such depth to the characters and the story through voices and fluctuations.

Overall, this was a good listening experience. I look forward to more!

The audio production of this story was clear and well done, there were no issues.


Disclaimer: This Audiobook was provided free of charge by the author, narrator, and/or publisher in exchange for a non-bias, honest review.

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2 people found this helpful

Bigger and vaster continuation

“The Ghalian Code” is the third audiobook in the “Space Assassins” series of audiobooks written by Scott Baron and narrated by Eric Bryan Moore. This excellent series continues the adventures of our hero Ozark, who is a well-trained space assassin, and his band of unusual followers as they are required to dirvert from their initial plans of taking revenge upon a powerful Visla to one of search and rescue. What seems like a rather simple and safe objective quickly turns into much more than they had planned. The listener is transported to a few new and exciting locations while also encountering a few new characters as the story expands. If you are at all a fan of fantasy and/or science fiction tales, I recommend you pick up not only this series, but the others Mr. Baron has written as well. I like that this series provides some great backstory if you are one that has previously listened to the other series by Baron.

This third audiobook open with some rather graphic scenes of gore caused by the continued warring factions. We see more and more of the deception, control, and drive of the elusive and secretive Council of Twenty. We also have Genic (sp?) who is a man with revenge on his mind and one that will stop at nothing to see this resolved. We are dropped into this world where magic is still the main source of power, yet there is space travel and a few technology aspects. However, these items are still run using magic. I found it interesting that people are amazed at such simple things as pluming which often uses magic to process waste, but it is not required. In this audiobook, we begin to see the brutal nature of our foe and the steps they will take to extract information from others. There is plenty of torture during many of the integration scenes and we even get a view into some creatures used or this task.

I found the ability to improve one’s skill interesting and that magic is not simply a genetic trait for a select few. But, using magic also takes will, determination, and focus to make it successful and not kill oneself when practicing. This includes even the most powerful Ghalian assassin has room to grow his skills. We begin to see Henny’s (a new character) mysterious abilities come to the surface. They start off rough, but she begins to hone them more as the book progresses. A few times during their training sessions, I felt like I was watching the “Karate Kid” movie showing the painful and tedious process of developing a given skill. We begin to see why the Ghalian are a feared group as we are shown some additional backstory details as well. We also see just how rare this type of assassin is even amongst their own people. I like the added secrecy around these specially trained killers.

I have always enjoyed my Baron’s writing style and storytelling. He is able to paint a picture and include unique and interesting characters and places. There are times of great action, but also times to reflection and character communication. I like having a mix of both along with the blending of science fiction and fantasy. Different people, places, and technology never fails to surprise as I listen. I find his style to be descriptive, but not so much that it takes away from the listener’s ability to create some of their own story aspects.

The audiobook’s narration is well-done and professional as with the previous two in the series. No noticeable audio artifacts (page turns, swallows, volume issues) were detected while listening. The character voicing is consistent and seems to fit the characters personalities. I know it is not a narrator issue, but I would have liked for a few of the characters to be less gruff and vocal, yet it does seem to fit a few of them well. I find Mr. Moore’s voice to be clean and pleasant to listen to. He keeps you engaged and appears to have a good understanding of his material while reading by adding in a decent amount of inflection. I always find his narrations appealing when I’m searching for a new audiobook to pick up.

For parents and younger readers, this audiobook, and the series as well, contains a fair amount of profanity along with some mature aspects including crude humor, sexual overtones, and some alcohol use. I know I have said it in other reviews, I like more when a world has its own expletives instead of using English language ones. A few authors I listen to do this, and it just seems right for the setting and does not pull me out from the story when I hear them.

In summary, the third book in the series does not disappoint. If you were one who enjoyed the previous “Dragon Mage” series, you may find this series a bit more serious and mature then that one; yet there is plenty of humor from Mr. Baron as well. I quite enjoy the backstory and knowing more about a few of the characters and magic as this tale progresses. The newer characters add in some complexity and side quests, but for me, that simply adds to the surprise and mystery wanting me to listen to the next one in the series. A good continuation of this audiobook series.

Disclaimer: this audiobook was provided at no cost by the author, narrator, and/or publisher in exchange for a non-bias review.

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simple but so much story

Scott Baron has done it again. with the last two book that ended one arc and now a whole new arc with some new characters. Scott takes you for a brand new ride of Ghalian bad assery. you get to learn more of what it means to be a Ghalian and a Ghalian master. check your self into this book for a good time.

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Fast-Paced Space Spy-Thriller

The Ghalian Code is the third (of six, I believe) book in the Space Assassins Series. I read and enjoyed the first two books, so jumping into the third in the series was obviously easy for me. There’s something about the way that Baron writes his stories (and for this, keeps them in the same universe) that really speaks to me. This is the sixteenth book I’ve read by Baron and I’ve enjoyed every one of them. The storytelling and the way that the characters evolve and grow as the books move on is great and easily stands out to me.

Henni was easily the star of The Ghalian Code – she really stole the show and made an already enjoyable spy-thriller-like story into something even more interesting. Her child-like character at some points followed by her ability to “read” people really made her unforgettable. And the way that she was both dealt with and the way that she dealt with others was fascinating. Early in the book she was basically causing nothing but trouble, but as the story progressed she was helping them with the different missions and became an asset instead of a liability.

Overall, the story was really enjoyable – The Ghalian Code was another great Scott Baron story and a great addition to this Space Assassin’s story line. I can’t wait to see what happens with the crew as they continue on with their mission and their story.

The narration was great, just like the first two books. Eric Bryan Moore does a really nice job keeping the pacing as the story ebbs and flows from set ups to the fast-paced action scenes.

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2 people found this helpful

Great find

it was a great read. Easy to follow along if you haven't read the previous books. the fight scenes were well-choreographed.

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1 person found this helpful

Scott Baron nails it again! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you’re a Star Wars fan(or not), this book is for you! With a more violent and comedic quality, Scott Baron’s writing captivates again.

In The Ghalian Code, we are introduced to some new and exciting characters that continue to drive the action-packed adventures of Hozark and his “functionally” dysfunctional crew ever forward through the vast galaxy. And, Eric Bryan Moore’s performance is stunning yet again! He has quickly become one of my favorite narrators.

I can’t say enough about the hours of enjoyment I’ve received from the whole Space Assassins series, thus far. I can’t wait for the other books to be released! This is hands-down my new favorite author/series in the genre of Sci-fi-Adventure!

Do yourself a favor and pick this book up! Do yourself an Even Bigger Favor and get on board by picking up the entire Space Assassins series—You will not be disappointed!

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Exceptional Series and Outstanding Characters!!

The Ghalian Code picks up not long after part 2 of Space Assassin’s, but Hozark’s team have broken up to do their own thing, knowing that they only have to call, and they will be there for each other. Demelza has returned to Master Orkut, the Master Blade smith, Bud and Laskar return to do some work on the ship, as well as do to some ‘work’ on the smuggling front. Hozark is keeping himself busy with ‘Ghalian’ affairs, especially given recent events, and that he is one of the 5.
This is a really brilliant start to the book, because although there is not a lot to it, there is no great mission, or incredible battle scene at the start, just each of the crew members going about their business, and from this, we get a great insight into each of the Characters and a bit more development into our favourites.
Demelza’s section is particularly fascinating in that we get this rare insight, both into how Master Orkut runs things, and trains his pupils, but we also get to learn a bit more about Demelza. Master Orkut’s training routine was not only something that was utterly fascinating at times, in the rather unique and clever things he had her doing, but it was at other times quite amusing.
Bud and Laskar of course, cannot stay out of trouble for more than the time it takes to say ‘Hi’ to the first female they find. But of course, that leads to some rather intense complications, and Bud is in a bit of trouble at the start of the book.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a book about the Wampeh Ghalian if Hozark, one of the 5, and one of the best Wampeh Ghalian’s that there is in the order, wasn’t in it!! Hozark has been busy with Order business, but I won’t give away secret’s here (I don’t want him to come and find me)
Whilst we get to see what has been happening with our Main Characters, this is not the lead in to the actual story.
This is explained when we are shown an attack on a Visla’s house, one we do not know the identity of. Everyone is dead, or it appears that way, but not everyone is there, for a single person has been taken from the household – the Visla’s young son.
This of course leads to the main story in this book, and for the main Character in this series, Hozark, our resident Wampeh Ghalian Assassin, it provides him a mission. Normally the Wampeh Ghalian do not take on rescue missions, there are others to do such work, however, when they learn that that the Council of Twenty might have been involved, Master Corann and Master Hozark have no choice but to intercede and take the Mission.
Of course, Master Hozark does not go alone, pulling together his piloting crew of Bud and Laskar, and most recently, the younger, but still incredibly skilled Wampeh Ghalian, Demelza.
This makes for the main premise of the third book, our two ‘Space Assassins’, and their Pilots, hired to find the young son of a very powerful and prominent Visla, whose son it appears, has been kidnapped by the Council of Twenty.
As with all these books, the Mission is not just a straight forward one in which they can head directly to rescue the child. There are numerous other side missions that are undertaken first, and whilst I am not going to give away any spoilers, I will say, that this does lead to some exceptional story-telling. This has allowed the Author to expand on the already extensive and just stunning world/galaxy building that has gone into this story. The intricate detail that has been used in describing both the Ghalian Order and the Council of Twenty is just masterful, and really allows the reader to fully immerse themselves into this Universe and thoroughly enjoy the story.
The exceptional writing also lends itself well to being able to create really captivating storylines full of political intrigue, combat both on the ground and in space (and the combat scenes are just extraordinary), as well as some really fantastic dialogue that will give you a good laugh.
This incredibly level of detail has also extended to the Characters as well, so that each of the Main Characters (as well as many of the secondary and tertiary characters), all have these impressive backgrounds that create these beautifully in-depth, multi-faceted characters, that really come alive as you read about them. It makes the story so much more realistic, and enjoyable.
This is a really fascinating series, the Wampeh Ghalian are just brilliant, with their abilities, and the way they can cause total and utter terror in people, and yet, they are actually completely misunderstood as they are for the most part, pretty nice people (for Space Assassins). The Council of Twenty, are just as clever, with Emmik’s and Visla’s, some Ok, some that make Vader look like a Misunderstood Hall Monitor.
Regardless, this series is cleverly building into a really fascinating saga, with an utterly extraordinary Main Character (Hozark), and several other Major Characters (Bud, Laskar and Demelza), telling the story, and it is absolutely worth the read for anyone that loves a good Sci-Fi read, regardless of the sub-genre – don’t miss out!!
Eric Bryan Moore does a wonderful job with the Narration, providing a clear and concise voice that is easy to understand, and even better to listen to. He has a great voice that is easy to listen to, and he creates fantastic Male and Female voices, that are very clear and distinct. His voices are very easy to distinguish, so that you can pick who is talking without help from the book, even with the Female voices. He also provides emotional input for the voices, so that he isn’t just reading the story, but we can tell how the characters actually ‘feel’ when we listen. Moore does an amazing job with providing powerful emotive content, so that this is actually really worth listening to, probably better than actually reading it!!
Can’t wait to listen to book 4!!

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2 people found this helpful