Excellent Sequel!

The continued story of Callan Coda Oneil, The Forgotten, and Commander Coleman’s advancements against an alien race bent on destroying the human race. The Baranyk have a few tricks in their arsenal but Coda and the Commander have two bigger surprises!

The author, Craig Andrews, weaves a narrative about a strategic war between humans and the Baranyk, showcasing unexpected tactics and weaponry utilized by both sides. While book one centers on self and military relationships, book two adds and explores familial ties more closely. Character development varies with their narrative roles, and the dialogue and emotional experiences are vivid and well-expressed. The internal dialogue authentically enriches the storyline. Andrews’ writing style captivates the listener drawing them deeper into the narrative.

The narrator, Shamaan Casey, delivers a powerful performance, breathing life into each character and immersing the listener deeply into the narrative. He speaks with clarity and authority, using deliberate pauses and intonations to strengthen his delivery. He gives a unique sound to each character that is consistent throughout. His intentional performance adds depth to each character and enhances the plot twists leaving the listener wide-eyed!
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This is a must-listen because of the narrator, the unexpected plot twists, and the amazing stand-out characters!

There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook.

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A Soaring Sequel in The Forgotten Fleet Series

4.5 out of 5 stars

With Wings of Mourning, the second book in The Forgotten Fleet series by Craig Andrews, my expectations were high following the enthralling experience of Wings of Honor. Narrated once again by the impeccable Shamaan Casey, this sequel shifted away from the ‘Top Gun’ vibes to embrace a full-fledged science fiction/space opera atmosphere, and it did not disappoint. As the stakes escalated, so did my immersion into the world Andrews has expanded with such skill.

The tension in Wings of Mourning is palpable from the start. With humanity’s back against the wall and The Forgotten serving as our last line of defense, every scene is tinged with a thrilling sense of urgency. This time around, the familiar faces are joined by new blood (with some interesting members with intertwined storylines to the veterans), which introduces an exhilarating mix of doubt and hope. The dynamic between the seasoned veterans and the green recruits adds a rich layer to the narrative, capturing that gut-wrenching feeling of “oh god, are we actually prepared for this?” that resonates so deeply in times of crisis.

The pace was riveting — I found myself devouring half the book in one sitting, and the other half the very next night. There’s something about Andrews’ storytelling that makes you feel not just like a spectator, but a comrade-in-arms with his characters. You’re in the thick of it, feeling every setback and victory as if they were your own. And through it all, Shamaan Casey’s narration enhances the experience magnificently. His deep, resonant voice brings a gravitas to the narrative, ensuring that every moment feels epic.

Wings of Mourning isn’t just a continuation; it’s a deepening of the series’ lore and character arcs. The exploration of what it means to be prepared, both logistically and emotionally, for an impending apocalypse is executed with a deft touch that’s both thought-provoking and heart-pounding. As the story unfolds, the seamless blend of action, character development, and sci-fi intrigue had me hooked, proving once again that Andrews is a master of the genre.

Overall, this sequel has solidified The Forgotten Fleet as a must-read series for fans of science fiction and space operas alike. Eagerly anticipating the next installment, I am left marveling at the journey so far and the promise of what’s yet to come. Craig Andrews and Shamaan Casey have delivered a powerhouse of a story that soars well beyond its predecessor, making Wings of Mourning a standout in a crowded galaxy of sci-fi tales.

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The earth is not ready for them...

Craig Andrews and Shamaan Casey pull off another wonderful space exploration audiobook in “The Forgotten Fleet” series with the second episode called “Wings of Mourning”. I call it an episode because one feels like they are watching a movie or TV series with each iteration of the series. Although the first audiobook was more a coming-of-age tale, the second one picks up where our main characters are a bit more mature. However, that maturity will be required when the world is again thrust into the throws of our ever-evolving alien race. There is plenty of action and adventure, like in the first, but this one hits closer to home, feels more personal, and feels more provocative. Even though the world itself is much larger in scale form the first, the issues faced are direct and targeted. If you enjoyed the first audiobook, I would say that picking up the second is not a question. If you are new to the series, I would say that I have been surprised at how much the story and characters have captivated me. If you can get over some of the coming-of-age tropes, there is a well written and narrated audiobook here, mostly for the masses.

The story opens with some action and emotional elements that draw the listener in and hook them by wondering what happens next. The alien race we met previously now has a newer weapon that targets the pilots themselves now that the drone fleet has been compromised previously. Our simple young pilots are now the teachers as the fleet attempts to ramp up their protection with older gear and human pilots. This is all going rather well that is until they detect some very odd behavior from the aliens and try to explain what they may be up to. This research leads them to more atrocities on humanity along with some shocking research that could compromise everything they know about themselves and the true power of this ever-growing enemy. One must begin wondering why your enemy is no longer on the offensive or defensive side of the battle. What could they be up to, and why. Farther into the story we learn more about this new weapon, how it came about, along with how it impacts our main characters past events with his father, and even some from the commander.

I did enjoy the descriptive writing and solid narration of this second audiobook, and I have to say that the author did add some additional components making the characters even more personable. We learn of the relationship between Coleman and his daughter, along with some more background details on a few of the other crew members. We learn that these characters are not invulnerable to this enemy and often can be surrounded and outnumbered by them. There is often a sense of wondering how they will get out of some of the tight situations they are placed in, and a few times, lives are lost. However, sacrifices need to be made so the plan of the enemy can be determined and ultimately stopped. This story had more a feeling of the movie “Starship Troopers” with the sheer volume of enemies they needed to overcome this time. But why would they leave and stop attacking suddenly? Here we begin to learn the real reason and it was quite a shock when it is revealed. I really liked the way the author keeps his listeners on the seat of the chair to see what comes next. Like with the first, there were times I would simply sit in my car after reaching my destination (early) and listen until I needed to leave. Thank you for keeping me engaged and entertained.

Coda needs to still resolve the situation with his father, continue to manage and train the newer pilots, all while trying to find what the aliens have planned. I can say that earth is not ready for them, and we will have to wait until the third audiobook to find out what happens next. For a premier series from this author, I can say that I have rather enjoyed the series this far and look forward to what comes next.

The narration it top-notch and professional. Shamaan Casey is just such a good narrator for this series, I’m glad he has stayed on for the second. The characters are made alive with his soothing yet firm voice and I’m not sure I could see someone else doing this as well as he does. The audio quality and voicing were flawless and consistent from start to finish. Even though the wring is very well done, the narration helped to elevate the story for me, and I’m sure it will for you as well.

For parents and younger listeners, note this story has a bit more vulgarity and mature themes than the previous one. The swearing flows a bit more freely and there is added use of alcohol, but if this does not offend you, I would still suggest giving this one a listen for teenagers and older. I do not recall any adult sexual content, so outside of the above items, I think the audiobook is a good listen for most.

In summary, this is a well created world and characters with professional narration. The action is fast, the emotional aspects are felt, and the alien purpose continues to remain a secret. It is well worth the time listening and you will find yourself drawn into a battle that if much bigger than one can imagine.

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