Deathtrap cover art

Deathtrap

Expeditionary Force Mavericks, Book 1

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Deathtrap

By: Craig Alanson
Narrated by: R.C. Bray
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About this listen

The human soldiers stranded on the planet Paradise have been recruited into an alien legion to do the dirty jobs that the high-tech species won't do. Their first mission is to kick the enemy off a backwater planet no one cares about. It's a simple assignment, except everyone has a hidden agenda, and the planet could become a deathtrap.

©2019 Craig Alanson (P)2019 Blue Heron Audio Adventure Military Science Fiction Fiction Solar System

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All stars
Most relevant  
Really liked it. Bored with Skippy and quite happy to have a story without him for a change.

Best expeditionary best I’ve had.

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As soon as I saw the release of Death Trap: Expeditionary Force mavericks, I purchased it. Suffice it to say, it was a book I did not have to peruse reviews before deciding to get. I have read all previous instalments in this epic and wonderfully written series to date and given the designation that this was book 1, it was clear that the second group of heroes based on the planet Paradise merited their own series. We first saw this group get their own story with book 4.5, I think it was, in the main Expeditionary Force series. Clearly Alanson had written the series thus far so well that this band of planet bound humans along with a teenage Ruhar deserved a book of their own. Likely due to how well that story was received and the vast potential for growth, it didn't surprise me to see that the Mavericks now get their own series. The universe Alanson has created in these books makes for plenty of scope for material and with such a skilled writer at the helm things are looking excellent.

There are few authors that I ` look forward to their next book with such anticipation. Peter F. Hamilton's Commonwealth series springs to mind as well as his void trilogy as other such examples of the regard I have for Craig Alanson's work. Unlike Hamilton, Alanson has injected humour into his stories that adds a touch of real humanity to his characters. I was so pleased to see our furry, socially awkward at times and lovable alien friend in the form of Nurt play a part in this book.

Once again, Alanson has come up with an excellent story and the action comes thick and fast once the story allows for it. I just love Alanson's prose style, it's so natural, flowing and doesn't waste words to get to where we need to be.

I spotted the dialogue homages to Star Wars in one scene where an enemy commander had to clear an incoming shuttles older security code. I like these little nuggets of nods to other science fiction and such use of fictional characters was used to humerus effect by the Sergan Jaites character.

Topping off this superb story is, of course, the amazing narration of R. C. Bray. I am so glad this superb narrator has committed to this series. i cannot think of any other who could possibly do these books justice so with Alanson's writing and Bray's narration we have the perfect combination for the ultimate medium for this story. I've said it before and shall repeat myself here when I say that the audio book format has to be the way the author intended for his stories to be delivered. Reading the print version just cannot be nearly as entertaining.

OK, so now I'm going to do that thing I often do with my reviews, speak to some errors I noticed that should have been caught by that thing publishers used to do, proof reading. The way I look at it, if I can find typos then so can those paid to do so. Here's what I found:

Here is a list of the discrepancies I spotted.

* Puddles rather than paddles.
* A scene where a destroyer is under attack becomes a frigate before being described again as a destroyer.
* A his rather than her.
* Irritation rather than imitation.

Let me make this clear, none of the above detract in any way from the book and the errors found represents a tiny fraction of the books wordage but I do find such things bother me. I don't see this as Alanson's fault, I hasten to add. We are all human and mistakes are going to happen. The more you write, then more such things will occur. That's why publishers proof read or so I used to believe.

Anyway, minor and perhaps rather anal observations aside, Death Trap is another top notch read from Craig Alanson. His consistency in the quality of his stories and writing is remarkable and it is clear this is a man who has natural writing and story telling abilities. My only slight worry is that he burns himself out. He is now a full time author having given up his regular job recently so is perhaps now under the pressures of publisher contracts to produce certain numbers of books within a time frame. I hope this isn't going to cramp Alanson's natural style.

Some of the best and most entertaining science fiction around and puts to shame some of the junk we get these days produced by Hollywood

Another Winner From Alanson

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I was worried that Skippy and Col Joe Bishop would not be in this story. Perhaps just another way to squeeze a dime out of the series. BUT NO... this is a great story with great characters and it stands well along side the others. Great job Craig. RCBray awesome as ever. Can’t wait for next installment

Excellent Expeditionary Force story

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only one question - when is the next book coming out?! loved this book and can't wait for the next

when is the next coming?!

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Dare I say it but I found this to be the best entry in the exforce story so far. Keep them coming. Well done R.C and Craig.

Amazing

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Action, laughter, anguish, it’s got it all, on to the next one, can’t stop listening!

Absolutely brilliant

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Yet another great offering from Craig Alanson, read as ever with clarity and precision by RC Bray.
Despite the lack of skippy this story had me entertained for two days. The Verdkriss Sergen Jates (spelled as I hear it and probably wrongly) brings the main comedy to this book which as with the rest of the ex force books had me laughing out loud more than once.
Highly recommended,
Keep up the good work Craig.

Excellent spin-off

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I have never applauded an audiobook before!
A fantastic story in the Skippyverse, it's quite possible that it is one of those rare occasions where the spin-off could be greater or at least as good as the original

Shock and awesome!

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good to have a side story covering the maverick and paradise. on to next chapter

good side shoot

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We’ve got a little taste in Trouble in Paradise and this time the team of Emily Perkins and the whole legion proves they can stand on their own beyond being just a setup for the main series. I’m looking forward to the next book and can’t wait for this entire series inevitably being picked up for a TV show.

Amazing spin-off for the Expeditionary force

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