Stalemate

The Globur Incursion Book 9

Fiction - Science Fiction
473 Pages
Reviewed on 09/04/2024
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Stalemate is the ninth book in The Globur Incursion series by D. Rebbitt. The story of humanity's struggles with survival continues in this new interstellar/science fiction novel. There is an urgency in liberating lost human systems, and no one understands that better than Karl Zenke. Commander of a carrier with the elusive John Forest aboard, Karl knew the responsibility on him and his crew was immense. However, the morale of the soldiers was low, especially with very few survivors and the relentless conflict in the Venerius system. While the whole fleet needed a break, there was no time to rest, and the need to maintain pressure on Globur was mounting every second. With everything happening so quickly, the soldiers were left wondering: was the fight even worth it? Are they strong enough to win this intergalactic war? Or are they doomed to lose from the start?

I have read the whole Globur Incursion series. It is one of the most complete, entertaining, and action-packed series. I am not usually a fan of science fiction, but this series will always have a special place in my heart. Author D. Rebbitt created a believable universe with incredibly strong characters like Zenke and John Forest, who drove the story forward and added substance to the plot as well. I love how Rebbitt vividly portrays the weariness and strain felt by both the fleet and its Marine divisions, providing a stark portrayal of the costs of war. The narrative was packed with action, the characters were well-fleshed out, and the tension in the story was palpable. It was great meeting my favorite characters once more, with Sanderson standing out the most. I loved how the momentum of the plot never lagged, that there was never a dull moment, and that the last two chapters built my excitement for the next book in the series. Cannot wait for it!

K.C. Finn

Stalemate is the ninth book in The Globur Incursion series by D. Rebbitt. This science fiction novel continues the intense struggle of its characters to liberate human systems from the alien Globur threat. As the conflict rages on the rim, Karl Zenke takes command of a carrier and bets that fighter combat might help John Forest recover his lost memories. The relentless battles in the frozen Venerius system strain morale, leaving the fleet grappling with what comes next. Will they push further and risk wider conflict or face a stalemate? Rebbitt skillfully sustains tension throughout the new installment of this enticing series, balancing large-scale space warfare with deeply personal character arcs with the same flair as usual.

I always enjoy coming back to this series to see what the next threat to humanity will be, and the portrayal of the weariness and uncertainty that soldiers face in prolonged conflict is realistic as the series gets increasingly harrowing. This particular volume has a powerful core of suffering that feels extremely poignant, and the world-building remains top-notch, immersing readers in a richly detailed universe where every decision carries significant weight. The moral dilemmas faced by the characters are etched with strong descriptions of emotional anguish and brilliant dialogue that discusses a lot of the attitudes and emotions behind the decisions being made rather than telling or over-explaining the issues. This naturalistic storytelling helps us stay with the characters and focus on their emotional state and continued battle for survival. Overall, Stalemate by D. Rebbitt is an excellent addition to a highly recommended science fiction series and a thought-provoking exploration of war, memory, and the cost of victory.

Romuald Dzemo

In Stalemate, the ninth book in the The Globur Incursion series by D. Rebbitt, war rages on, and the galaxy's rim is consumed by conflict, with new ships, task forces, and Marine divisions joining the fray. Karl Zenke takes command of a carrier. But as the Fleet fights on, morale begins to flag, and the question on everyone's mind is: what comes next? The battle to reclaim Colmar from the Globur forces is ongoing, and among the high-ranking military officers in the fight are Admiral Jones and many others. Can they succeed in freeing the Alsace system and out the enemy?

Stalemate is an action-packed entry in the series, a story with a phenomenal conflict. The characters in this tale are elaborately developed and compelling. Apart from Admiral Karl Zenke and Jones, readers are introduced to complex characters such as Senator Strauss, an astute politician who demands the Fleet release all of the people from the Globur's stasis units even though there is not enough housing or food to support them. The Governor and characters like Vice Admiral Stukov—a high-ranking officer in the Fleet responsible for overseeing the overall strategy for retaking the Alsace system—are impeccably developed. The setting is galactic, a world where humanity fights for survival against an alien invasion. The stakes grow from page to page as the plot moves forward. The author does an excellent job of balancing action, drama, and politics, infusing realism and humanity into the writing. D. Rebbitt is a great storyteller with the unique ability to conjure up a stunning world and fill it with conflict. The story features stellar writing, great imagery, and unforgettable characters.

Christian Sia

Stalemate by D. Rebbitt, book 9 in the Globur Incursion series, plunges readers into a future world reeling with conflict and war. Readers are introduced to larger-than-life characters, notably military professionals who set out with their fleets to defend humanity from alien invasion. Karl Zenke takes command of a carrier, and Admiral Jones leads a fleet to rescue the planet of Colmar from the Globur forces. The Alsace system is threatened, and, amid the chaos, fighters fear what comes next, even if they win the battles. This narrative offers a fully drawn portrait of interplanetary wars and is a perfect read for fans of space operas and action-packed science fiction.

D. Rebbitt writes about war with confidence, creating appealing and rock-solid characters. Readers will be enticed by the author’s ability to portray the toll that war has on the characters. The world-building is impeccable, and the visuals are stunning. From freighters that hover in orbit, shuttling goods to the surface for distribution, to the capital city of Colmar, the author treats readers to cinematic imagery. The narrative offers fascinating social and political commentaries, giving readers insights into the politics and human conditions of the time. The writing is stellar, and D. Rebbitt excels at crafting immersive descriptive passages. Stalemate stands out in its exploration of interplanetary politics. It is a survival story, and the stakes grow higher as readers follow the characters from one enthralling page to the next. What sets this novel apart is the excellent characters, the immersive worldbuilding, and the propulsive action that drives the plot forward.

Pikasho Deka

Stalemate is the ninth book in The Globur Incursion series by D. Rebbitt. After the brutal battle in the Venerius system against the alien invaders called the Globur, the Imperial Fleet, under the leadership of Grand Admiral Medici, must take back the human territories in the Indio, Tirakoni, and the Brahma systems. Karl Zenke, who has a new carrier under his command, calls upon the services of Lieutenant Commander John Forest for the upcoming war. Homer Sanderson, a veteran Marine, must once again serve the Fleet in the field of battle, leaving his newborn daughter and his loving wife. But the war will take a heavy toll on the Marines as the humans discover that the Globurs have left a trail of ruthless devastation in their wake. Meanwhile, Medici prepares to take the Fleet beyond the reaches of the rim.

Stalemate is a full-blown sci-fi war novel set in space. Gritty and action-packed from start to finish, the book rarely lets you take a breather. Author D. Rebbitt wastes no time putting things in motion, dropping the reader into the midst of the action from the get-go and the absorbing plot keeps up its breakneck pace until the end. There are a lot of characters, as Rebbitt uses a multi-POV narrative to show the war from different places through the eyes of individuals at various levels of command. While the action sequences keep you on the edge of your seat, the compelling character interactions and the dialogue keep you invested in the story arcs of each character. Rebbitt has built a sprawling sci-fi universe, and the ending hints at the story potentially exploring new locales of the galaxy. If you enjoy war stories and science fiction, this will be right up your alley!