Shattered Worlds: Koban, Volume 4

Awesome new story.We started the endgame in this one.We left Tet and the Kobani after they had just harmed the Krall as no other enemy has done before. The Krall mindset have provoked a need and desire for retaliation. This is only compounded by the rising status of Telour, Til Gatrol second in command of the invasion, his ego has been bruised and wants to teach humanity a lesson that will hopefully impress upon such weak animals the futility of aggressive rear attacks. His ambition and desires are held in check by his only superior Tor Gatrol Kanpardi.While Koban and humanity have just completed a massive coup that removed WMD's from the Krall aresonal they are unaware that this species has kept a card in reserve. They hold the last greatest invention of the Olt'tikapi race their massive living machines capable of destroying whole planets. Telour is determined to use these to balance the scales with humanity over his own humiliation and only by going through his mentor and leader can this occur.If that wasn't enough the Kobani's success has suddenly thrust them into the spotlight of PU politics. Koban, Haven and all their population depend upon secrecy and stealth to prevent the extermination that the Krall would unleash if their location and abilities were known. However their new need to communicate and work with the human race that would condemn them to death means that a decision point is coming upon them where they must stand with humanity or humanity will stand against them.Mr Bennett throws us right into the action and we see the expanded war front throughout human space. Our intrepid characters are set to hold the line of humanity in the stars regardless of the cost. I was surprised by the length of the book but so much happens I'm shocked this didn't get split up. I loved the semi-resolution of the AI ships and am kind of surprised that we didn't see more of them at the crucial moment.The final scene makes it clear that the next novel will jump us right into the action all over again and I know that I can't wait to read it.gallandro

I just finished reading  Koban: Shattered Worlds  by Stephen W. Bennett, the fourth in the series. The author uses proscribed genetic engineering to speed the story through a handful of decades rather than several generations required in the late 50's classic Space Prison (aka The Survivors) by Tom Godwin. I loved the premise as well as the treatment of society prejudices, both against genetic science and males. Only by discarding the prejudices of the main human civilization will the Kobani save the entire human species from extermination.The humans left to die on the high gravity world of Koban and their descendents, now genetically modified to match their Krall enemies, combine with the Planetary Union military forces in a campaign against the Krall. With technology produced by their alien allies, Captain Mirikami and the Kobani have a plan to slow the attacks against humanity. Despite their society prejudice and laws against genetic engineering, the PU fleet is desperate enough to join in the Kobani plan to cut off the enemy war supplies at their source. However, the human campaign, although costly, is so successful that the Krall warlord decides to unleash a doomsday weapon, one of a handful of captured alien mining ships capable of destroying planets. Outnumbered and alone, the Kobani must stop this ship, or their species, as well as many others, will die.I am giving it four stars, but I must say that I didn't enjoy this book quite as much as previous books. At over 800 pages, the book has a lot, but in places it is a little too full, if you know what I mean. Fewer words in some places may have been better. Also, the book was rushed into publication at the last minute due to Amazon.com practices. More time to edit would have been good. However, I liked it, just not as much as the others. And I highly recommend the series and this book.

This is as good or better than the previous books, and very long to boot. The end is a bit of a cliffhanger, and leaves things in an interesting place, but the ride had to stop somewhere.By the points:-Learn more about the soft krall-Learn more about the olt ships-Scale/stakes get elevated-Interesting new combat/tactics/abilities introduced-Hub world/Kobani human cooperation and conflicts explored-Continued growth/exploration of the 3 slave races-Continued human tricks, but Krall learn fast-Some wins and some losses, not just a one-sided beat ‘em upI think there’s probably one book left in the main storyline, with maybe an offshoot story or two that gives backstory on a major Prada, Torki, or other some such character. After that the Krall are done. Not a lot of fight left to hash out. Author has given us some good hints that there’s a bigger story to explore though after we get done whupping the Krall.FYI – Saw a complaint about the $6.99 price. C’mon! This has turned into a consistently great story. There were some editing issues but very few and much cleaner than most. The story is also 2 or 3 times as big as the cheaper indie stuff. You get what you pay for. The indie stuff is occasionally great too, but this is a big pile of top-notch win. Be glad you no longer live in the bookstore era and aren’t stuck with a $25 first release hardback price to squeeze every drop of revenue out of your pocket like the old days.Regardless, if you’ve read the first 3 there’s no stopping you at this point. Just prepare for 2 or 3 sleepless nights instead of one because it’s a whopper.

Another well thought through story. What I like about the Koban universe is that the characters are good people. They are not as so often portrayed in many since fiction novels as drunks, womanisers, or stupid. These characters feel more real and as such don't let you down as the story reveals its self. Looking forward to the next 10 books..........I hope :-)

To my wife's dismay I have spent most of my spare time reading this book, missing sleep and getting to work late.I enjoyed it so much I read it again. Eagerly looking forward to the continuation of the story in the next book.I hope we see more of the Olt'kitapi ships, I will miss Huwayla.

i enjoy the story line and individuals in the book. But sometimes, when the book has you hooked the author will get on one and then go over the top in some details or explaination. which makes you feel like (toe bone connected to the foot bone, foot bone connected to leg bone, leg bone connected to the knee bone, knee bone connected to the leg bone, leg bone connected to the hip bone and so on and on and on)This a pity and a distraction and spoils the read for me....personally!!!!!!! other wise it would have been a 4 star.However, if you are a individual that likes the over details in aspects of tech (in most part) then this is going to be a enjoyable read..

Well after waiting what seemed an age, the latest Koban instalment has been published and Steven Bennett continues to please with his story telling. If you are in the market for a riveting good read, then buy the koban series. Only problem, I've now got to wait for the next book.

I have read all of the books, and this is a very strong continuation of the story. Impressive length, and Bennett has found new literary devices to move events along quickly switching between perspectives. Some may have stated displeasure with the early books contained POV of the krall, but the effectiveness of the Kobani response is only clear knowing Krall weaknesses - and with ComTap it would seem strange not to know what they are thinking.Well worth a read, but do start from book 1.