• Alliance

  • A Linesman Novel, Book 2
  • By: S. K. Dunstall
  • Narrated by: Brian Hutchison
  • Length: 13 hrs and 16 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (388 ratings)

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Alliance

By: S. K. Dunstall
Narrated by: Brian Hutchison
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Publisher's summary

As the Linesman series continues, linesman Ean Lambert finds himself facing an alien ship he doesn't understand - and a terrifying political threat he cannot fight.

The lines. The soul of every ship. It was once thought there were only 10, but that was before an alien vessel appeared at the edge of space - before Ean Lambert heard more lines singing. Ean's ways of communicating with lines is strange. But his abilities make him a valuable tool - or weapon - to command.

Captain Selma Kari Wang has lost everything - her ship, her crew, her legs. But the New Alliance of Worlds is not done with her yet. After they rebuild her broken body, they send her to captain one of the new alien ships, teaming her up with Ean, the only one who can understand the alien lines. Kari Wang and Ean are poised on the threshold of discoveries that could change the world. But not everyone wants the New Alliance to control the secrets they uncover - and those who oppose won't hesitate to do whatever it takes to stop them.

©2016 S. K. Dunstall (P)2016 Recorded Books

What listeners say about Alliance

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Alien Ship "ELEVEN"

Brian Hutchinson's voice is pleasant and well modulated, making it easy to listen while driving. This is book 2 in a space-opera series, still under development, told in 3rd person POV. The characters are likable, returning from book 1. The plot revolves around political alliances, espionage, murder, alien technology, training the linesmen, etc.

It's best to read book 1 first, but this plot does stand alone fairly well.

Science-fiction elements include futuristic humans who've colonized on planets far from Earth, and sentient energy lines that control various components of a ship, including jumping into the void. The science is soft and glossed over. There is very little explanation of how these intelligent lines work, or why Ean (and other linesmen) can sing/speak to them. They are created from chemicals in a factory but are sentient, thinking and feeling?

The story is fairly interesting and heartwarming, with some humor and some dangerous, suspenseful scenes. I was expecting more action in the second book in the series, but there was enough going on to hold my interest.

This plot includes many of the secondary characters from book 1. Some of the better scenes include Fergus on line 7, Ean teaching new linesmen (including Mael and Tinatin, the one-line-wonders), Captain Keri Wang, Princess Michelle and Ean, Captain Helmo and Abram. We meet the new security commodore, Vega. Rigel, Ean's previous employer, plays a role, too, as does Jordan Rossi, level 10 linesman with a superego.

I think of the lines / ship as characters, too. I like the scenes where they speak or act with autonomy. However, as a character, I feel the lines/ships are amorphous, too nebulous.

No cliffhanger. The plot ends on a finished note. I'd be interested in a third book. Want to learn more about the creatures who first piloted the alien ships. And I want to know who/ what Ean is.

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great new installment

This sequel to Linesman is a worthy addition to the series. The story continues to expand with additional players and new obstacles. It is not a repeat of the previous story or simple escalation of death and destruction that many second books are guilty of. Readers just now finding this series will want to start with the first book to get the background to understand the universe this story plays out in.

Now that Ian's talents are recognized and an armada of alien ships have been added to Alliance's fleet, adjustments must be made to bring the alien ships into usefulness. How do you learn to use an alien ship without a manual? Crew has to be trained and captains selected. Opposition forces jockey and trip over each other to spy on and/or obstruct the fleet's progress.

I am reading this series because it is a book with a story rather than endless pitched battles. There is action: ships destroyed and people attacked for different reasons. But as well as having action we see a variety of characters meet new challenges and gain new skills. The book avoids obvious stereotypes; characters are distinct and their motivations add to the story.

I look forward to rereading this book while waiting - as patiently as possible - for the next book in the series. There are rival forces yet to be confronted; and another question "what if the alien crew is awakened" is still to be answered.

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating Concept Continues

Dunstall's second installment of the Linesman series teases out more secrets about the fascinating lines and the number 12 line. Can't wait for the next installment. She can't crank them out fast enough.

The narrator is very good but his main weakness is character delineation. Many characters sound similar to other characters. Context helps keep them straight (to the narrator's credit).

The Linesman series is the most interesting and enjoyable reads/listens in recent memory.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

a little slow.

I loved book one. book 2 is significantly slower. while well written some of it seems supurflous to the story.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

very good second effort

good story and engaging narrator (reader). the only complaint is that you would miss a lot if you do not start with the first book on the series. but it is a uniqe concept with engaging characters.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Loved it!

This is now one of my favorite series. I can't wait to see where the story goes, and what the true nature of "lines" are.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Compelling

Bought book 1 during a sale and 1/4 of the way thru it immediately bought book 2. Had a hard time stopping the book and found myself sitting in the car listening to find out what happened next.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC . LOVE THE STORYLINE.

I enjoyed the second spook in this series. Ean Lambert's personality and character was quite well depicted by the narrator, Brian Hutchinson. The other major characters are also quite well performed. The story is getting very interesting with assassins trying to kill Ean. Luckily he is well guarded by Rakfort, his bodyguard. I look forward to the next book which I hope will be published soon.

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Now I have to wait for the third book...

The second book picked up right where the first left off. Let's hope the third book is as good as the first two, and it hopefully comes out soon.

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Great Continuation

This book did well expanding off the first in both story and excitement. Who doesn't like seeing the main character discover new means of using their abilities? I recommend reading it if you enjoyed the first one.

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