Koban: Rise of the Kobani

Koban, Volume 3

By: Stephen W. Bennett

Narrated by: Eric Michael Summerer

Length: 28 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

The Kobani use captured Krall ships to return to Human Space. They seek expert training for their genetically modified fighters, modern weapons and new medical technology. There's a possible block to this help in the form of death penalty laws of the Planetary Union, prohibiting gene modifications of humans. A holdover from the Gene War, which nearly extinguished humanity. A perilous descent through a war-torn planet's space defenses is a first step. A Krall ship and its heavily armed crew have to be destroyed on the ground, while a watching hostile Special Ops force decides if the Kobani should be trusted, or killed as Krall collaborators. Fighting their way between a rock and a hard place, they prove they are a match for the Krall. Exploration at home reveals startling alien neighbors, and a habitable world next door. A remarkable genetic discovery there will forever alter the Kobani. Winning allies, Captain Mirikami forges a bold and dangerous plan, to strike deep into the heart of Krall territory. A place the enemy is confident that puny "animals" can't reach, let alone attack. Simultaneous Kobani raids damage Krall war manufacturing, buying time for humanity. However, the Krall have a deadly ancient weapon that none expected. Retaliatory escalation of the war has been triggered, and if it doesn't go as the Krall plan, entire planets and their populations could be shattered. Read Book 1 (Koban), and Book 2 (Koban: The Mark of Koban). Book 4 (Koban: Shattered Worlds) is coming soon.

©2013 Stephen W Bennett (P)2014 Stephen W Bennett

No sagging here!

Any additional comments?

Excellent continuation of the series, this installment introduces us to another planet in the Koban system that the Kobani (Humans) dub Haven. They discover two of the slave races left behind by the Krall called the Prada and the Torkey. Advances to the Kobani genome and technology proceed at the steady and explainable pace, and the story is well told.
Escalation of raids on Krall supply worlds and augmenting SpecOps in Human space struggles are rampant in this book. Also, the preliminary dealing with Rimmers and Hub Humans and dancing around the proscriptions of genetic tech begin to get traction here. Where in series a normal sag in the story line occurs, this one surprises by not doing that. I’m giving it four out of five stars.

Better without the effects

I liked the first book even though the added sound effects made it sound like one of those kids books that plays sounds when you push certain buttons. This book was great. The narrator did a good job and it was very fluid. Like it better without effects

Great series & fun to listen to

I have listened to and read many books over the years (well over 1000) and this series is one of the most interesting and fun of the group. Stephen W. Bennett does an awesome job of fueling the imagination, he keeps the story upbeat and exciting. My only issue with the series is that book 4, 5, & 6 are not out yet.

great third book..

this series is surprisingly fun to listen too.

I recommend them highly.

one thing to note.

Awesome book

It was great.!!!! This book is a great book and I would recommended it to everyone I knew. So cool

Amazing and entertaining

If you could sum up Koban: Rise of the Kobani in three words, what would they be?

This book brings all the hinted at lore together in a interesting story with you on the edge but enough pacing to allow you to calm down and enjoying the battles instead of having un-ending suspenseful battles. The character development is great with many perspectives giving context to why a action has meaning. The end of this book does put everything into perspective that makes you think of how one's actions can be your own downfall.

Great story arc and the most entertaining book this year.

Fantastic!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Koban: Rise of the Kobani to be better than the print version?

I have stopped reading books and listen instead. I am on the road a lot and it makes the miles flow by.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Koban: Rise of the Kobani?

The sequesnce of finding human modifications and then employing them is a nice twist, expecially the "live forever" mod.

What does Eric Michael Summerer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

While the writer gives a book heart and substance, the narrator brings it alive. I almost didn't continue the series after book 1 because Patric Freeman just didn't quite breath life into it. However, I really liked the story line so I continued and book 2 came alive with Eric Summerer as the narrator.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

The action is almost constant, with just enough belnd of background, and character building. I would find excuses to listen to the book outside of driving because its "just that good".

Any additional comments?

This series is a must. I have read and listened to hundreds of books. This one ranks at the top of my list, and I can't wait to get the next one in the series.

An epic tale !

What did you like best about this story?

The humans are the good guys for a change

Would you listen to another book narrated by Eric Michael Summerer?

Yes, however his female impersonations will leave none in doubt about his masculinity (a complimentary observation)

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

OMG yes !

Any additional comments?

Captivating, very good story development. The Koban universe is a little scary but I could be convinced to try it out if I had those mods!

Couldn't Put it Down!

Title says it all. Well start next book immediately. One thing that I love about Audible is that I can continue with a story even during my travel time.

Very good at following up and then expanding on the previous 2 books.

The writer keeps expanding on the characters and concepts from the previous 2 books in a way that, at least to me, is both interesting and at a good pace. I wouldn't put these books in the same category as, say, the "Dune" series, by Frank Herbert. I thought my ears were going to bleed the first time I read 'Dune,' with it's "wheels within wheels," and so forth. Of course, that was VERY long ago.

These books are a lighter read. Easy to understand, easy to follow the storyline, and you can read them (or listen to them, as the case may be) at any speed you wish. Good for long AND short trips. And these books are becoming more complicated as they go along, but in relaxed kind of way. I did like SOME of the sound effects that the reader used in the first book, and kind of miss SOME of them.