The Jumpgate by Robert Stadnik

This was a decent book but would have been better with a little more backstory.   The main protagonists served on the Phoenix and the author doesn’t, in my opinion, provide enough backstory.   The crew of the Phoenix are regarded as heroes or traitors.   This provides the tension when Jacob takes the XO position on the Solera which is crewed and captained by people who see the Phoenix crew as traitors.  Friction between the captain and the XO is inevitable.   Xenophobic reactions to the alien alliance that defeated the Screen in the preceding book also contributes to increasing the tension.

The story has the Solera and its alien allies finding the jumpgate that allowed the Screen to enter our galaxy.   Captain Dewis behavior allows Jacob to prove himself to the crew while putting the ship and crew in jeopardy.   The mission also demonstrates the impact of the Alien alliance.

I enjoyed the book. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.