Centers of Gravity

Frontlines, Book 8

By: Marko Kloos

Narrated by: Eric G. Dove

Stranded light-years from home, Major Andrew Grayson and his crew are on a desperate mission to discover the Lankies’ secrets. They can’t let what they’ve found die with them.

Nine hundred light-years from home, Major Andrew Grayson and the crew of NACS Washington are marooned in a sunless system with limited water, reactor fuel, and food. The last hope for survival is to go where nothing human has gone before.

After embarking on a scouting mission to the only moon with surface signs of life, Andrew and his Special Tactics Team make two startling discoveries. One is a dream: a form of protein and plant life that could save the starving humans in the rogue system. The second is a nightmare: this harvested rock is infested with Lankies. Far from the seemingly mindless aggressors Andrew has battled for years, these show a terrifying awareness, and they have surprising secrets of their own hidden away in the darkness.

When the Lankies sense an uninvited presence in their world, Andrew’s operation becomes an expedition to hell. The odds against his small crew are stacked high. Of all the mysteries of space, how to escape with their lives is the greatest unknown of all.

©2022 Marko Kloos (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“…flawlessly performed by the narrative talents of Eric G. Dove who brings this science fiction adventure come to life in a true 'theatre of the mind' experience. …strongly recommended.” (Midwest Book Review)

Good (realistic) ending to a great series

I really enjoyed this series. Great character and world building. Good pacing. It’s not all action and explosions. Instead, there is a good flow and mix of interpersonal relationships and solid military sci-if.
Several reviewers complained about the ending feeling unfinished. However I appreciated that the author did not wrap the series up with a tidy little bow. Instead, it felt realistic. More of an ending for the main character than the whole story. Hopefully that means there will be more stories set in this same world.
Last note regarding the narrator. Yes, the narrator changed and the voices are a bit different. But both narrators do a great job of telling the story. If either narrator performed the entire series, no one would say boo. It’s only because there was a change. Just enjoy the narration for the good storytelling it provides, rather than focusing on how one narrator might differ from the other.

Wow!

What an amazing story in a series that held me captivated each and every book. I wait for each Marko Kloos story with anticipation. This was another winner! More please!

Life goes on, so does the war.

I have enjoyed every installment of this series immensely. It's consistently kept me engaged and wanting more.

As much as I would have liked to see the full scope of this conflict play out, I really loved the perspective of one man's part in the greater whole. It only makes sense that a conflict of this scale would extend beyond the career of one soldier.

The only critique I have is that the narrator changed in books 7 & 8. It was a little jarring, but these things happen.

What a fantastic series

I enjoyed listening to this series. Marko Kloos is a great writer. If you haven't listened to any of the books in the series you should take the time to listen to them. Fantastic. It's sad to see this series is at its end.

Perfect for Mil-sci-fi junkies!

I didn’t like having to get used to a different narrator, but he does a passable job. I love the whole series, but I still think the description of the Lankies is totally unbelievable. That’s the only thing I didn’t like about the story. The human characters were very interesting! And I loved the ending!

really solid story with a good performance.

I will struggle to find a Story this good to listen to. I have come to really identify with this Character, story setting and performer

Very good story, 4/5

So I was kinda concerned when it switched narrators but Eric Dove did an admirable job. My only complaint was that it took 8 books & still didn't wrap up the mystery of the lankeys. Andrew Grayson is a great character & i actually laughed out loud at some of the phrases used & the way they were perfectly pronounced. Marco knows how to turn a phrase.

super enjoyable

it's was good. but not having Luke Daniels as the narrator still feels off. but the narrator did just fine.
felt like a few to many loose ends left hanging at the end.
9/10

Excellent

I criticized the previous title in this series for ending on a cliffhanger. I still don't forgive the author for that, but he is definitely back on his game with this one. Audio performance was on point as well.

Outstanding!

This is a wonderful addition to the series and I can't wait for the next book!