Gateway

Expeditionary Force, Book 18

De: Craig Alanson

Narrado por: R.C. Bray

Disaster.

There was no other word to describe how Operation Olympic had changed in a flash from a triumph to the worst failure the Merry Band of Pirates had ever experienced. A failure that meant the fight was over. Unless the Pirates could perform a miracle, without Skippy.

The Expeditionary Force saga continues with Gateway from epic sci-fi writer Craig Alanson and narrated by none other than R.C. Bray.

©2025 Craig Alanson (P)2025 Podium Audio

Decent, but a few comments.

Overall this fit the standard Craig Alanson spec. A big problem, protected by sub big problems that Joe and Skippy need to solve magically and take down the bad guy. I kind of want more from the series though. My favorite parts of past books in this series are when there are mysteries and unknown. Learning how the elders worked and their history as well as their technology was what kept me on the edge of my seat. We are missing that right now. Sure we have an enemy but there's nothing very interesting about them. We need more intrigue and mystery and the plot needs to be CENTERED around that, not some big galaxy level issue.

The problem with making your entire story plot around whacking a bad guy with a stick is that we already know how that has to end. Joe HAS to come up with a solution, or Skippy does, otherwise the galaxy gets vaporized. I had to force myself to listen through the bla bla bla banter and overused jokes to get to the interesting bits like what the spinner was, how it worked, and what crumbs of information we got on the outsider at the end. I want the plot to be unpredictable and to be more about the mystery and peril of exploring the unknown, with problems mixed in. Right now it's the other way around. Plot orbits big problems with crumbs of interesting information and a small tiny bit of intrigue along the way.

However, it's still a good book. I did enjoy it. I just think the plot format is way overused.

I love this series

Another fantastic addition to the story. I started listening to this series back during Covid. Since that time I have moved states, held 3 jobs, and gotten married. It has slowly but SURELY become my MOST favorite sci-fi series ever. I have tried and failed SO MANY TIMES to find anything that resembles the wonder/entertainment I get from Ex-Force.

Fantastic

I love this series! Can not wait for the next book! Gripping, as always. Need more skippy in life.

Upping the game

I feel like I’m Skippy thinking Craig and even Bray can’t out do the last 17, but in Pirate fashion, Craig proves me wrong. This is funnier and cleverer than any of them so far and Bray never ends to impress on the voices and accents he can do. Don’t let this end, ever. Please.

The journey continues

Always an adventure with Skippy and Joe. Fans of the series will enjoy this installment

Another Great One!

Wow! Another Great Skippy adventure. I mind boggling how these keep getting better and better.

still got it

rc bray is 100% as always , story is still going strong I was worried this many books in it'd get stale but so far it's keeping pace or out preforming some of the early books

Good listen

Skippy is back. Woo Whoo. Just good as ever. More please. Dumb Monkey is out.

YEA, It continues!

Well done, lots of engaging personalities, as well as just enough nerdy stuff. The new War begins

Trust The Awesomeness!

Another fantastic book and I can't wait for the next! Trust the Awesomeness of the marry band of pirates!