To Challenge Heaven

by David Weber, Chris Kennedy Narrated by Martyn Swain

Overview

In a universe teeming with predators, humanity needs friends. And fast.

We've come a long way in the forty years since the Shongairi attacked Earth, killed half its people, and then were driven away by an alliance of humans with the other sentient bipeds who inhabit our planet.

We took the technology they left behind, and rapidly built ourselves into a starfaring civilization. Because we haven't got a moment to lose. Because it's clear that there are even more powerful, more hostile aliens out there, and Earth needs allies.

But it also transpires that the Shongairi expedition that nearly destroyed our home planet ... wasn't an official one. That, indeed, its commander may have been acting as an unwitting cats-paw for the Founders, the ancient alliance of very old, very evil aliens who run the Hegemony that dominates our galaxy, and who hold the Shongairi, as they hold most non-Founder species, in not-so-benign contempt.

Indeed, it may turn out to be possible to turn the Shongairi into our allies against the Hegemony. There's just the small matter of the Shongairi honor code, which makes bushido look like a child's game. We might be able to make them our friends -- if we can crush their planetary defenses in the greatest battle we, or they, have ever seen.

A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Books.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"This is thrilling and philosophical military science fiction, in which vampires become saviors and aliens become allies. It will appeal to fans looking for a more fantastic take on what Star Trek could have become." –Library Journal on To Challenge Heaven

“Audacious...Keeps the pedal to the metal.” –Publishers Weekly on Out of the Dark

"Ambitious." –Kirkus on By Heresies Distressed

"A fun and entertaining space opera" –Locus on A Call to Vengeance

“Marvelously entertaining.” –Vernor Vinge on Off Armageddon Reef

“Weber brings the political maneuvering, past and future technologies, and vigorous protagonists together for a cohesive, engrossing whole."—Publishers Weekly (starred review) on Off Armageddon Reef

"Effortlessly exceeds the magnificence of its predecessor...I cannot emphasize how much I want to read the next chapter in the Safehold saga."—Fantasy Book Critic on By Schism Rent Asunder

Library Journal

11/01/2023

Weber and Kennedy's exciting third "Out of the Dark" book begins on the bridge of the Earth dreadnought Târgoviște, sent to take revenge on the Shongairi for their attempted destruction of the human home world. At the helm, Vlad Drakulya, a man whom history knows as Vlad the Impaler, was sent to destroy the Shongairi once and for all. Vlad discovers that humanity's skill at reworking the left-behind alien tech has proven even more successful than anticipated, with a massive human force set to arrive that can easily swat away any Shongairi resistance. This military sci-fi story describes massive galaxy-spanning battles with ease, but it also raises intriguing moral and ethical questions as humanity's rising military might lead it to consider where it fits in the universe and how to find justice. The story charts the rise of a human-centric federation, which pushes for justice and mercy in a grim and dangerous universe. VERDICT This is thrilling and philosophical military science fiction, in which vampires become saviors and aliens become allies. It will appeal to fans looking for a more fantastic take on what Star Trek could have become.—Jeremiah Rood

Product Details

BN ID:	2940159917225
Publisher:	Macmillan Audio
Publication date:	01/16/2024
Series:	Out of the Dark , #3
Edition description:	Unabridged
Sales rank:	617,033

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