Customer Reviews

Orphan's Journey (Jason Wander)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I loved the first book in this series, especially because the main character, Jason, was a wise guy infrantryman who screwed up a lot. In this,third, book, he's grown into a thinking man's wise guy, but he still screws up a lot which continues the entertainment.

The other thing that has grown in this book is the scope of the story. It intorduces new worlds, cultures, and characters, and it does so with twists I didn't expect. That's what takes this book to a higher level than the first one.

I think you can pick this book up without the background of the first two and it will read just fine, but if you do, you'll probably be hungry to go back to them, anyway. It's a fine addition to a fine series, and, according to the flyleaf, there are at least two more books to come in a few months.

On his third mission, Jason Wander is now commander of a quarter-million man (and monster) army on a distant planet that's eerily similar to earth. Yes, the Slugs are back, but Buettner has packed this one with several other cool creatures and characters, making ORPHAN'S JOURNEY a wild cross between STARSHIP TROOPERS, GLORY, and JURASSIC PARK. (Yes, I just said GLORY).

Buettner digs deep into Jason's fears as a newly appointed leader (not to mention guardian of his godson Jude), yet keeps the action fast and furious (the Slug attack at a huge fairground is super-charged scifi action at its best). With warring "tribes" forced to unite or be destroyed, plenty of technology-meets-old fashioned (and even prehistoric) musing, ORPHAN'S JOURNEY is a fine addition to this series. I'm addicted and can't wait for the November release of the 4th installment.

This book is brilliant in its use of overwhelmingly human characters, their blunders and their heroism.

Orphanage and its following two novels (including Orphan's Journey) enhance the science fiction genre with unpredictable events, a conceivable and edge-of-your-seat story line, and a sense of adventure that inspires readers to devour the book's printed words.

I highly and strongly recommend this book to all lovers of science fiction and to those who enjoy watching human character unfurl before them.

As an advisor to the Tibetan rebels, General Jason Wander had orders not to fire at the Chinese troops unless he came under fire from them. However, he could not let the rebels he trusted die in combat so he disobeys a direct order. To keep him out of further trouble the brass exiles him to the New Moon resort station where scientists work on figuring out how to fly a space ship captured from a Slug with engine powered Cavorite at its core. The ship was captured during the most recent hostility. Jason is on the station to get his godson Jude to power it up with reflexes only he has and which are needed to interface with the engine starting up.

Jason persuades Jude they need it done so they can fly back to earth together, but something goes wrong; the Cavorite fueled ship takes off from the station and travels through a black hole before landing on the planet Bren. For a millennium they have mined Cavorite and given it to the Slugs so they will be left alive and alone to fight amongst themselves. However, when Jason and his crew touch down, the Slugs decide to eradicate all humans except those they need as drones and slaves. Jason has to unite the feuding clans, who have been at war with one another for years, if they hope to extricate the Slugs from Bren for that is the only way they will survive. Adding to his dilemma is the Slugs are breeding so his chances of winning are nil unless he can come up with a dramatic Hail Mary. Whatever happen he is responsible because the clan leaders named him Commander.

The latest Jason Wander military science fiction thriller (see ORPHANAGE and ORPHAN'S DESTINY) is a great space opera reminiscent of the early Heinlein sagas. The protagonist still struggles with accepting that in war there are casualties including collateral damage of the innocent. He detests that he sends men to their deaths, but understands the greater good. He is sensitive and willing to disobey orders if he feels they are wrong. However, what makes this tale so strong is the insight into Bren culture where Homo sapiens fight one another with nineteenth century equivalent technology while avoiding a confrontation with the Slugs.

Harriet Klausner

I promised myself I would sleep on the plane. After a late night, I needed the sleep. I pulled out Orphan's Journey while standing in line at security. I was tired, but I wasn't in the air yet. "I can finish a chapter or two before these TSA folks get to me," I told myself.

At the terminal, I slumped into a chair. I had thirty minutes before they started boarding. How many pages could I read before then? I resolved to find out.

Why stop while shuffling to my seat? Seriously. My peripheral vision could guide me! Buckled in, I knew I wouldn't be able to stay asleep during the din of takeoff. One more chapter. OK, now my eyes are hurting. I've been awake too long - gotten too few hours of shut-eye - but I can't possibly close the book now! Would I like something to drink? Yes, but hold the caffeine. I've got my thumbs wrapped around pure adrenaline!

Two hours later, Orphan's Journey made a liar out of me. I didn't sleep a wink, but I was done. And I loved it.

Journey takes the Orphanage series to a new level. Think "Land of the Lost" meets "Starship Troopers." This is by far Buettner's most mature material yet - unique and fully realized.

Enjoy!

I love his books, this is his 3rd book in the series and i cant keep my eyes off it. Buettner's books are the only books i can read for longer than 10 minutes heh. Ive spent 3 hours reading page after page and still am interested. He knows how to keep a person reading or at least a person like me :)
-Ethan

Robert Buettner's long-awaited third book in the Jason Wander series is finally here. Delays because of a Publisher closing and debates over rights to the book have made this a much-anticipated and long-delayed book. However it was worth the extended wait!

Jason Wander became a hero, not by trying but out of necessity and circumstance. He is a hero of the human-slug war; he was field promoted to the position of Major General, a position he kept because of morale back on earth. In the previous two books Orphanage (Jason Wander) and Orphan's Destiny (Jason Wander) Wander grows and develops into the military leader that he reads about in history. However he often doubts himself and his own leadership ability. In this book Wander and a small group of earthlings are thrown well across the universe while doing some testing on a captured slug ship from the previous war. Once more into the breech, Wander and his compatriots find that they must struggle against the slugs. This time he is on an alien planet, well behind earth's technology, and he must make three different clans come together if he is to save his friends, himself and all human life on this alien planet.

The three clans are the Tassini, the Casuni and the Marini. These three tribes hate each other and, other than at the time of the fair, would rather kill than look at each other. Now under Wander they must come together and learn to not only tolerate each other but to work together if they are to have a hope for a future. In this volume Wander learns the burden of leadership; as a soldier he could sacrifice and die if needed for others, but as a leader he must learn how to send men to die. It will not be an easy lesson.

Orphanage (Jason Wander) was originally written in homage to Robert A. Heinlien's Starship Troopers. I believe Heinlien would have enjoyed Buettner's original offering and this latest installment. Buettner is developing a unique voice and a great writing style. The reader is transported into the events as one reads. This is a great work of science fiction and a commentary on war and the burden of leadership. And we have at least two more installments to look forward to - Orphan's Alliance (Jason Wander) and Orphan's Triumph both forthcoming.

I picked up the first book in a second hand store on impulse. The second was bought new and I got the third from Amazon as soon as it was published. Robert Buettner can tell a tale. He reminds me strongly of early Heinlein and there is nothing wrong with that.

Jason Wander continues his military career that seems to develop accidently. Everytime he ends up in the place where he will make the most difference in the Slug War.

This latest edition was so interesting with people and diosaurs together. I would love to read more about Basson and the the others. The new world was fascinating.

The one thing I would not forgive if I was Munchkin was being left behind. All the people she cared about were gone and she had to sit and worry about them after being forcefully taken from the ship She should have been allowed to go also. She was a soldier and a good one and could have helped.

The action was nonstop and you could feel the pain that went with victory. Lee was right when he said "it is a good thing war is so terrible or men would love it too much."

I look forward to the 4th in the series and the further adventures of Jason and hopefully Jude also.

This has got to be one of the best SciFi series I have read in a long time.I felt that after reading this and it predecessors I felt what the characters in this series felt. This series takes you on a roller coaster ride of emotion and thrill while still maintaining the grimness of a war torn reality. If you call yourself a fan of scifi read this books!

"Orphan's Journey" is a solid sequel and the 3rd book of the series (starting with Orphanage (Jason Wander). With many of the now familiar characters reappearing (Jason, Ord, Jude, Howard, and Jeeb), this book was like a visit with old friends. One of the best things about this installment is that we finally see Jason maturing into the leader he needs to be. While the action starts off fairly slowly (necessary to set the stage), the middle and ending are presented at a breakneck pace and really captured what I enjoy about this genre.

Beuttner created an exciting and exotic world for us and does a good job dealing with the cultural issues Jason has to face, but with the next book, Orphan's Alliance (Jason Wander), I hope we get some more insight into the "Slug" mentality.

Highly recommended!