I have not read any of the other books in the Exodus Universe, but that did not affect my enjoyment of this novel.
It was easy to understand what had happened before, and not too difficult to get a handle on the characters. This wasn't a long book, although much longer than a novella. The writing was good, the characters believable, and the plot quite interesting. I am not a huge fan of space opera or military books, but that did not stop me enjoying the read and being interested in what would happen to the characters. I might even follow these characters through any further adventures, to find out what happens to then. Praise indeed!

Easy story to read. It should have been exciting but it came off as mild tension. Part of a series but does do a good job of standing alone. I enjoyed meeting the characters.

Great book about future and war with alien race. I enjoyed the plot and the character development. The story never let up.

This is my first Stadnik book and it's a good one. Full of action and complexity, but well-written overall. I suspect I would have enjoyed it more had I read the previous books. Other than a little repetitiveness and a just OK ending, I liked it. 3.5 stars.

I really appreciate the comp copy for an honest review!!

This is a great book. I really enjoyed it. The characters are well developed and the story is packed with action and adventure. The author does a great job delivering a story with a solid plot and interesting subplots. Although being set in the same universe as the Exodus series as well as involving the Phoenix, it is a somewhat different story and a different book from the original Exodus series.

Where to start??? Liked the story, moved along at a good pace, but got bogged down in the constant reminder of how Bad the Phoenix situation was-once twice ok but not the entire book. Needs editting, as with Jacob's couldn't confidence or brining which should have been bringing. There are other incidences which an editor being paid would find. Author has a good start here at a series BUT don't keep bringing up the Phoenix- we get it.

The Jumpgate (Exodus #6)
by Robert Stadnik

Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2019 by Amazon Digital Services



Goodreads synopsis:
After being trapped within the solar system for nearly a century, humanity is finally free to explore the galaxy. But questions still remain about the aliens that oppressed the human race. Where are they from? Why did they come to the Milky Way galaxy? The opportunity to uncover those answers finally presents itself. But is anyone brave enough to go through...the jumpgate.

This novel is part of the exodus universe.

***

4 Stars

There are a number of books before this one in the Exodus universe. There is a huge backstory about a starship named PHOENIX that is barely hinted at in this book but we get enough of a gist to know that some serious crap went down making the crew of this ship not the most favorite of the TERRA people. Earth Security people began taking over key positions in TERRA after the PHOENIX starship returned victorious from its last mission. This has put a wedge between the PHOENIX crew and TERRA.

They have been fixing up the starships in order to do a better check of space in order to keep humanity safe. The SOLARA is the youngest ship. It has thus far had 25 years of service and had to be completely retrofitted in order to contain the alien tech integrated in the systems due to the upgrade.

Commander Jacob Diego used to serve on PHOENIX and now prefers working on a capital vessel due to personal reasons that aren’t immediately told to the reader. He is coming in as the XO Executive officer. Sort of like the second in command to the Captain. I would consider him to be the main character/protagonist of this multi-person story.

Captain Dewis is old school. He doesn’t want the new holographic technology recommended by the chief engineer Lieut. Jonas Walters. He is going into this knowing that he will never have command of another ship considering his age. And he wants to go out in a blaze of glory.

David Block, also from PHOENIX, works in the area of communications. He is estranged from his family due to the animosity toward the PHOENIX crew leading to his father being laid off. There are a lot of hard feelings there and David tries to cope by staying away from the other crew members. The only person he can tolerate is the lone alien on the ship named Fotell. She is a Senfo and not exactly the most popular member of the crew even though she appears sweet and full of light.

When the SOLARA is nearing completion of its retrofit, a Jumpgate is discovered. It’s like a stargate from the movie and tv show STARGATE and STARGATE SG-1. It has the odd symbols and everything scattered on the pieces of the metal-like structure. The SOLARA is given the order to investigate the jumpgate but not go through. Captain Dewis, looking for glory and not in the interest of his crew orders them through the jumpgate and into a situation which just might reveal a new enemy to the Milky Way galaxy.

There are a lot of people in this book and a heck of a lot going on. It would probably be best to start from the beginning at book one of the Exodus universe in order to keep it all straight. I am still a little iffy on a few terms like TERRA. I didn’t have a good grasp of backstory but the more you dive into the story the more it makes sense.

Even with all that is going on, I thought the resolution of the story wrapped up too quickly. Considering the Jakoby was this new big threat, they seemed to defeat them pretty easily.

I thought this book could have been added to and made into a another book with this same crew so we all could get used to who everyone was. But I figure that is not to be. I did enjoy this book and look forward to reading up on more of this universe’s backstory.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

The Jumpgate is enjoyable stellar, sci-fi reading. Robert Stadnik employs a wealth of creative ideas in this book.