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The Girls from Alcyone #3
Codename: Night Witch
EXCERPT (FROM CODENAME: NIGHT WITCH):
Sigrid had been trained since childhood for moments exactly like this. She was made to survive. But all her training, all the shouted words of her instructors, abandoned her. She couldn't focus on anything, she couldn't concentrate, and it was going to get her killed. She didn't even see the gully until she tripped and fell into it, rolling down the embankment. But it was enough to shake away the fog. That, and the sound of alarms blaring behind her.
Scores of men were emerging from the facility's entrance behind her. Soldiers. A hunting party. Then she heard something else: barking.
Dogs. They had bloody dogs.
Glancing back, she saw the search beams and heard their shouts. From somewhere behind her, hidden amongst the trees, an air vehicle was sent aloft. Sigrid glanced skyward. Thunderhawks. She counted three of the heavy gunships rising above the canopy of pines. Two of them rumbled toward her and then past, close enough for her to feel the heat of their thruster wash blast over her.
She hadn't even remembered cloaking. It was perhaps the only thing that saved her.
The third Thunderhawk stayed back. It hovered above the soldiers, moving with them. Belly-mounted floodlights illuminated the woods, lighting their way. They'd be scanning for her. She could only hide so long. She had to move; she had to stay ahead.
Lost, alone and armed only with the stolen knife, Sigrid did the only thing she could. She ran.
SYNOPSIS:
The unthinkable has happened. Sigrid Novak, the most dangerous and wanted person in the history of the Federation of Corporate Enterprises, has been captured. For the women of New Alcyone—women just like her, genetically reengineered and trained since childhood to be the most effective killers in the galaxy—this is a staggering loss. For the Independents, the rebels who captured her, this is a boon beyond measure.
If they can figure out how to control her.
Now, six years have passed since the events of Bellatrix, and for six years Sigrid Novak has been gone, vanished, with no sign, no word and no trace. But all has not been quiet within the Federation. The Council for Trade and Finance has been murdered, assassinated, and the death toll among the Federation's ruling elite continues to rise.
With every corporate enclave that falls, the legend grows. They call her the Night Witch. A champion to some, a nightmare for others. Wherever she goes, death is soon to follow.
Then, in an abandoned CTF research facility—and after so many years lost—a woman awakens. Her name is Sigrid Novak. And she is very, very angry.
Sigrid had been trained since childhood for moments exactly like this. She was made to survive. But all her training, all the shouted words of her instructors, abandoned her. She couldn't focus on anything, she couldn't concentrate, and it was going to get her killed. She didn't even see the gully until she tripped and fell into it, rolling down the embankment. But it was enough to shake away the fog. That, and the sound of alarms blaring behind her.
Scores of men were emerging from the facility's entrance behind her. Soldiers. A hunting party. Then she heard something else: barking.
Dogs. They had bloody dogs.
Glancing back, she saw the search beams and heard their shouts. From somewhere behind her, hidden amongst the trees, an air vehicle was sent aloft. Sigrid glanced skyward. Thunderhawks. She counted three of the heavy gunships rising above the canopy of pines. Two of them rumbled toward her and then past, close enough for her to feel the heat of their thruster wash blast over her.
She hadn't even remembered cloaking. It was perhaps the only thing that saved her.
The third Thunderhawk stayed back. It hovered above the soldiers, moving with them. Belly-mounted floodlights illuminated the woods, lighting their way. They'd be scanning for her. She could only hide so long. She had to move; she had to stay ahead.
Lost, alone and armed only with the stolen knife, Sigrid did the only thing she could. She ran.
SYNOPSIS:
The unthinkable has happened. Sigrid Novak, the most dangerous and wanted person in the history of the Federation of Corporate Enterprises, has been captured. For the women of New Alcyone—women just like her, genetically reengineered and trained since childhood to be the most effective killers in the galaxy—this is a staggering loss. For the Independents, the rebels who captured her, this is a boon beyond measure.
If they can figure out how to control her.
Now, six years have passed since the events of Bellatrix, and for six years Sigrid Novak has been gone, vanished, with no sign, no word and no trace. But all has not been quiet within the Federation. The Council for Trade and Finance has been murdered, assassinated, and the death toll among the Federation's ruling elite continues to rise.
With every corporate enclave that falls, the legend grows. They call her the Night Witch. A champion to some, a nightmare for others. Wherever she goes, death is soon to follow.
Then, in an abandoned CTF research facility—and after so many years lost—a woman awakens. Her name is Sigrid Novak. And she is very, very angry.
355 pages, Unknown Binding
Published November 8, 2015
54 people are currently reading
273 people want to read
About the author
Cary Caffrey
5 books168 followersCary is the author of the best selling Girls from Alcyone trilogy. When not staring at blank pages and blinking cursors, Cary can always be found devouring all things pop culture. Current obsessions include Jessica Jones, Lara Croft and, of course, Star Wars.
For more information, visit Cary at carycaffrey.com. Follow Cary on Twitter @CaryCaffrey.
For more information, visit Cary at carycaffrey.com. Follow Cary on Twitter @CaryCaffrey.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 27, 2017
This is the third book in “The Girls from Alcyone” series (the author is currently writing a fourth!). Events in this book begin six years after the cliffhanger of book two, and while there are many similarities to the first two books, there are also striking differences.
Sigrid “awakens” thinking only a few days have elapsed since her capture, and she again faces battle after battle in fights for her life and for those of her friends. By this point, we’ve gotten used to her abilities and while the battles are exciting, we now know that she is a main character that is likely going to survive anything, so that does take some edge off the battle tenseness.
There are three main differences with this book. First, the nature of “programming” and controlling the enhanced girls is really featured front and center this time around. In book one the idea of “activation” presented the possibility, but Sigrid and the girls of Alcyone benefited from what turned out to be the benign interest of their doctor and Lady Hitomi. In book two, we learned that captured girls could indeed be repurposed into soulless killing machines, but there was a clear line between the “good” girls and the “no longer human evil” girls. Here in book three, that line is blurred…questions of reality, memories and free-will are addressed cleverly aside issues of loyalty and love. I liked this revised focus…it felt fresh and kept book three from just being a retread of the first two books.
A second difference is that the physical environment is very different from the first two books. Instead of popping around the universe through worm-hole gates or something, the entire book takes place on earth. And this earth is something that could be in one of those mad Max post-apocalyptic movies. Roving gangs of bandits looking to steal cargo provide as many battles for Sigrid as does the old powers (the Council for Trade and Finance, and the mercenaries). While well-done, I didn’t really like this scenario as much as I did those of the first two books. I like space battles more than stealing beat up old trucks for their fuel.
The third difference for book three is that there are very few of her “sisters” included. “The Night Witch” really features Sigrid as she struggles to learn what happened, and what she may have done, during the last six years. Many flashbacks are included, which makes sense for the story, but I’m not a big fan of flashbacks. As much as I really love Sigrid, I missed many of the other girls, and realized what a great job the author had done making each of them unique and interesting.
As much as I enjoyed “The Night Witch”, this was my least favorite of the three books so far (which is rare for me, I usually enjoy the first and third of trilogies more than the second book). The nature of “The Independents” is unclear…while Harry and Emily may be evil personified, many of the commoners, slaves really, seem to applaud the actions of the Night Witch, despite the horrendous body count. Are “The Independents” like the rebels of Star Wars, truly fighting with any weapon necessary against an evil empire? Emily seems sincere in her focus for independence, and Harry will do anything for his love of her.
I’m glad there will be a fourth book, but I’m a little nervous…I hope Sigrid doesn’t become a distant, feared, admired godlike figure - I want her to continue to be the sexy, confident but fun girl I adore. The author’s draft of part of book four hints at featuring new girls who revere Sigrid’s legend, though.
Without half or quarter point stars in goodreads it’s impossible to distinguish this book from the first two while giving it a final rating it deserves. Instead of an unconditional 5* this book is perhaps closer to 4*, maybe even a high 3*s rounded up to 4*, but the narration is 5* on it’s own (I am still SO crushing on narrator Kristin James - not the 68yo author hot linked by Goodreads, but the 27yo HOTTIE!). So for my rating I’m giving it 5* because the book is definitely recommended, and I will definitely listen to it again .
Sigrid “awakens” thinking only a few days have elapsed since her capture, and she again faces battle after battle in fights for her life and for those of her friends. By this point, we’ve gotten used to her abilities and while the battles are exciting, we now know that she is a main character that is likely going to survive anything, so that does take some edge off the battle tenseness.
There are three main differences with this book. First, the nature of “programming” and controlling the enhanced girls is really featured front and center this time around. In book one the idea of “activation” presented the possibility, but Sigrid and the girls of Alcyone benefited from what turned out to be the benign interest of their doctor and Lady Hitomi. In book two, we learned that captured girls could indeed be repurposed into soulless killing machines, but there was a clear line between the “good” girls and the “no longer human evil” girls. Here in book three, that line is blurred…questions of reality, memories and free-will are addressed cleverly aside issues of loyalty and love. I liked this revised focus…it felt fresh and kept book three from just being a retread of the first two books.
A second difference is that the physical environment is very different from the first two books. Instead of popping around the universe through worm-hole gates or something, the entire book takes place on earth. And this earth is something that could be in one of those mad Max post-apocalyptic movies. Roving gangs of bandits looking to steal cargo provide as many battles for Sigrid as does the old powers (the Council for Trade and Finance, and the mercenaries). While well-done, I didn’t really like this scenario as much as I did those of the first two books. I like space battles more than stealing beat up old trucks for their fuel.
The third difference for book three is that there are very few of her “sisters” included. “The Night Witch” really features Sigrid as she struggles to learn what happened, and what she may have done, during the last six years. Many flashbacks are included, which makes sense for the story, but I’m not a big fan of flashbacks. As much as I really love Sigrid, I missed many of the other girls, and realized what a great job the author had done making each of them unique and interesting.
As much as I enjoyed “The Night Witch”, this was my least favorite of the three books so far (which is rare for me, I usually enjoy the first and third of trilogies more than the second book). The nature of “The Independents” is unclear…while Harry and Emily may be evil personified, many of the commoners, slaves really, seem to applaud the actions of the Night Witch, despite the horrendous body count. Are “The Independents” like the rebels of Star Wars, truly fighting with any weapon necessary against an evil empire? Emily seems sincere in her focus for independence, and Harry will do anything for his love of her.
I’m glad there will be a fourth book, but I’m a little nervous…I hope Sigrid doesn’t become a distant, feared, admired godlike figure - I want her to continue to be the sexy, confident but fun girl I adore. The author’s draft of part of book four hints at featuring new girls who revere Sigrid’s legend, though.
Without half or quarter point stars in goodreads it’s impossible to distinguish this book from the first two while giving it a final rating it deserves. Instead of an unconditional 5* this book is perhaps closer to 4*, maybe even a high 3*s rounded up to 4*, but the narration is 5* on it’s own (I am still SO crushing on narrator Kristin James - not the 68yo author hot linked by Goodreads, but the 27yo HOTTIE!). So for my rating I’m giving it 5* because the book is definitely recommended, and I will definitely listen to it again .
December 8, 2015
I wasn't really happy with The Machines of Bellatrix and that cliffhanger pissed me off so badly, I had doubts I would read Codename: Night Witch (which I was sure was called White Princess when it was announced).
At the same time, I bought it the second I saw it was released. And really hesitant to start with.
Codename: Night Witch continues in much the same vein as its predecessor. It's a never-ending string of ultra-violence (I think that by page 3, the death toll was already above 1500), with Sigrid struggling to find out what happened in the six years she has no memory of. This quest leads her to a small trading post and she meets a rather eclectic group of people, who all know who she is and what she has done. But she can't remember any of it. She wants her memories back and kills whoever gets in the way.
While it is a good military sci-fi romp, it suffers from the same symptoms that Bellatrix had. The almost continuous strings of battles leave no room for any character development. And the thing is, you know, because it is a given, that Sigrid will be victorious. There is no real tension, so after the third battle, it's just another thing to get through, and it just becomes another oppurtunity for the author the show us the many ways people die. (I swear, in these three books, more ammunition and military hardware is spent than in all the major conflicts in the 20th century combined).
And there's Sigrid herself. In this book, she's now 24 or 25 years old. But she still talks like she is the 9 year old timid girl we were introduced to. For a seasoned killing machine, it is rather odd that when she curses it goes no further than Goodness! or Blast it!
This book also tells us the author rather enjoyed the Mad Max movies, played a game of Fallout (or two) and there is a rather funny Star Wars reference .
While it is a sci-fi and more that 300 years in the future, I sometimes had to shake my head when simple physics like inertia, momentum and friction were basically ignored when the story calls for it. For instance, there are these massive trucks, much the same as the Australian Road Trains, that must weigh over 600 tonnes that go over 200 kph (or more precise, 215.7. For some reason every speed, distance or mass uses fractions) able to make emergency stops which only take 40 or 50 meters. Those must be some pretty awesome brakes. Never mind the G-forces that come with that. Then there are the most ridiculous weapon assemblies. Eight Gatling cannons in the same turret. That must be a bitch to engineer the ammunition feed. And that brings me to something I also pointed out in Bellatrix: they never run out of ammo. I cannot help but wonder where the hell they put all those rounds.(eight gatling guns, conservitavely estimated capable of spitting out 3000 rounds a minute. You do the math).
Despite these small points of critique, the Girls from Alcyone series is by far (the only?) the best lesbian military sci-fi out there, even when the romance is pretty much non-existant. But when Sigrid and Suko are re-united, it gets pretty steamy :)
I only hope the next instalment won't take another two years. I'm giving it 4.5 stars.
At the same time, I bought it the second I saw it was released. And really hesitant to start with.
Codename: Night Witch continues in much the same vein as its predecessor. It's a never-ending string of ultra-violence (I think that by page 3, the death toll was already above 1500), with Sigrid struggling to find out what happened in the six years she has no memory of. This quest leads her to a small trading post and she meets a rather eclectic group of people, who all know who she is and what she has done. But she can't remember any of it. She wants her memories back and kills whoever gets in the way.
While it is a good military sci-fi romp, it suffers from the same symptoms that Bellatrix had. The almost continuous strings of battles leave no room for any character development. And the thing is, you know, because it is a given, that Sigrid will be victorious. There is no real tension, so after the third battle, it's just another thing to get through, and it just becomes another oppurtunity for the author the show us the many ways people die. (I swear, in these three books, more ammunition and military hardware is spent than in all the major conflicts in the 20th century combined).
And there's Sigrid herself. In this book, she's now 24 or 25 years old. But she still talks like she is the 9 year old timid girl we were introduced to. For a seasoned killing machine, it is rather odd that when she curses it goes no further than Goodness! or Blast it!
This book also tells us the author rather enjoyed the Mad Max movies, played a game of Fallout (or two) and there is a rather funny Star Wars reference .
While it is a sci-fi and more that 300 years in the future, I sometimes had to shake my head when simple physics like inertia, momentum and friction were basically ignored when the story calls for it. For instance, there are these massive trucks, much the same as the Australian Road Trains, that must weigh over 600 tonnes that go over 200 kph (or more precise, 215.7. For some reason every speed, distance or mass uses fractions) able to make emergency stops which only take 40 or 50 meters. Those must be some pretty awesome brakes. Never mind the G-forces that come with that. Then there are the most ridiculous weapon assemblies. Eight Gatling cannons in the same turret. That must be a bitch to engineer the ammunition feed. And that brings me to something I also pointed out in Bellatrix: they never run out of ammo. I cannot help but wonder where the hell they put all those rounds.(eight gatling guns, conservitavely estimated capable of spitting out 3000 rounds a minute. You do the math).
Despite these small points of critique, the Girls from Alcyone series is by far (the only?) the best lesbian military sci-fi out there, even when the romance is pretty much non-existant. But when Sigrid and Suko are re-united, it gets pretty steamy :)
I only hope the next instalment won't take another two years. I'm giving it 4.5 stars.
February 20, 2017
The 'Codename: Night Witch' ends the Girls from Alcyone series with a bang...literally.
Like the 2nd book in the series, Night Witch is all action and never stops. This time we wake up with Sigrid in a creepy setting and she has no memory of the last six years. The author keeps the pace of the story moving and the entertainment value is high. Again, this all felt very cinematic to me and I could easily see it being a movie.
An interesting distinction for Night Witch from the previous books, though, is that almost the full entirety of the 3rd book takes place on Earth AND we're 95% of the time in Sigrid's POV. The other books have us bouncing around between numerous characters which I usually don't like but the author was skilled enough to keep every scene impactful and short, getting us back to Sigrid or Suko quickly, so I didn't mind. This time, though, it was kind of refreshing to stay with Sigrid.
The author threw in a new batch of characters, all likable and distinct, and per usual often rides the wave of gray area where no person is all good or all bad. There were many twists and reveals in the book that made it a lot of fun.
In some ways, I thought this was the weakest of the three books because, as crazy as the other two books were in action, this one took it to another level. And, a minor *minor* amount of the dialogue felt cheesy or forced. However, I consider all three books to be very high quality so any critique I have doesn't knock it down much. It's still a fantastic series and I highly recommend.
The author left a teaser for more action to come and I'll definitely continue reading.
I give this third book 4 stars but I'm bumping it up to 5 stars for being a brave, unique, and fun series, overall.
Like the 2nd book in the series, Night Witch is all action and never stops. This time we wake up with Sigrid in a creepy setting and she has no memory of the last six years. The author keeps the pace of the story moving and the entertainment value is high. Again, this all felt very cinematic to me and I could easily see it being a movie.
An interesting distinction for Night Witch from the previous books, though, is that almost the full entirety of the 3rd book takes place on Earth AND we're 95% of the time in Sigrid's POV. The other books have us bouncing around between numerous characters which I usually don't like but the author was skilled enough to keep every scene impactful and short, getting us back to Sigrid or Suko quickly, so I didn't mind. This time, though, it was kind of refreshing to stay with Sigrid.
The author threw in a new batch of characters, all likable and distinct, and per usual often rides the wave of gray area where no person is all good or all bad. There were many twists and reveals in the book that made it a lot of fun.
In some ways, I thought this was the weakest of the three books because, as crazy as the other two books were in action, this one took it to another level. And, a minor *minor* amount of the dialogue felt cheesy or forced. However, I consider all three books to be very high quality so any critique I have doesn't knock it down much. It's still a fantastic series and I highly recommend.
The author left a teaser for more action to come and I'll definitely continue reading.
I give this third book 4 stars but I'm bumping it up to 5 stars for being a brave, unique, and fun series, overall.
July 15, 2017
I'm back to loving this series. I loved the first book, liked the second, and loved the third. Don't except any deep messages, just good action packed sci-fi fun! This last book is a little heavier on the romance but it made sense with the plot of this book. If you are looking for a sci-fi book with lesbian lead, I totally recommend this series!
December 25, 2022
Sigrid awakens in an unknown environment, strapped to a metal gurney. Her PCM is turned off and without it, none of her bionics work; she hasn't felt like this since before Activation. Somebody has been messing with her head, quite literally. She struggles through powering up her PCM, fighting through the traps left behind to stop her doing just that. But then she has to escape.
Of course the people holding her captive won't let her go without a fight, they send all the firepower they can after her. She escapes by the skin of her teeth and by some luck, being picked up by a trucker on the side of the road. It's only then she finds out it's been six years since Bellatrix; the Council for Trade and Finance is dead, Earth, where she is, has been cut off from the rest of the universe, and she doesn't remember any of it.
With nowhere else to go, she goes with Jaffer (the trucker who picked her up) to the Crossroads. Here she hears more stories about the Night Witch, the assassin who tore apart the Federation, about her. To secure her way home, and to ensure the safety of her sisters and girls like her, she takes an assassination job from the magistrate of the Consortium. Someone is out there hunting these girls, and Sigrid will make them pay.
I liked the twisty nature of this book, you know very little more than Sigrid does, those years since Bellatrix equally a mystery. You get some flashbacks, naturally, where you learn a little more about what Sigrid did, about the treatment she was forced to endure and what she was turned into.
The new characters who were introduced were good, and I especially enjoyed Jaffer and his protectiveness towards Sigrid, even after he figures out what she is.
I had the same issue as the other books, I struggled to feel excited about reading it. I don't know why because the characters, the twisty story with its secrets and all the action should add up to be one great book. But it's like the magic ingredient is missing. It's still a great read, being different from the previous two in several ways. Mostly that we stick with Sigrid, and we stick on Earth.
This is a clear end to the story arc so far, Harry Jones and his wife Emily are finally gone, the girls from Alcyone should no longer be hunted. It could in fact have been the end to the series, making it a nice trilogy. Except for that epilogue. Or, to be more precise, the second half of the epilogue. It's obvious that the author has plans for the story of the Girls from Alcyone to continue, and has even announced 3 more books. But that was back in 2016. We haven't heard anything since 2019. This book was published 2015. The years are adding up and it's looking less likely the story of these unbelievable girls will continue. If I was more invested in the series I would be more than a little annoyed at this. As it stands, it's irritating, but not the end of the world.
Sigrid's journey was an entertaining one, and was good enough to be worth this reread despite how hard I found it to really get into these books. Maybe one day her story will continue, but this particular arc has come to an end.
Of course the people holding her captive won't let her go without a fight, they send all the firepower they can after her. She escapes by the skin of her teeth and by some luck, being picked up by a trucker on the side of the road. It's only then she finds out it's been six years since Bellatrix; the Council for Trade and Finance is dead, Earth, where she is, has been cut off from the rest of the universe, and she doesn't remember any of it.
With nowhere else to go, she goes with Jaffer (the trucker who picked her up) to the Crossroads. Here she hears more stories about the Night Witch, the assassin who tore apart the Federation, about her. To secure her way home, and to ensure the safety of her sisters and girls like her, she takes an assassination job from the magistrate of the Consortium. Someone is out there hunting these girls, and Sigrid will make them pay.
I liked the twisty nature of this book, you know very little more than Sigrid does, those years since Bellatrix equally a mystery. You get some flashbacks, naturally, where you learn a little more about what Sigrid did, about the treatment she was forced to endure and what she was turned into.
The new characters who were introduced were good, and I especially enjoyed Jaffer and his protectiveness towards Sigrid, even after he figures out what she is.
I had the same issue as the other books, I struggled to feel excited about reading it. I don't know why because the characters, the twisty story with its secrets and all the action should add up to be one great book. But it's like the magic ingredient is missing. It's still a great read, being different from the previous two in several ways. Mostly that we stick with Sigrid, and we stick on Earth.
This is a clear end to the story arc so far, Harry Jones and his wife Emily are finally gone, the girls from Alcyone should no longer be hunted. It could in fact have been the end to the series, making it a nice trilogy. Except for that epilogue. Or, to be more precise, the second half of the epilogue. It's obvious that the author has plans for the story of the Girls from Alcyone to continue, and has even announced 3 more books. But that was back in 2016. We haven't heard anything since 2019. This book was published 2015. The years are adding up and it's looking less likely the story of these unbelievable girls will continue. If I was more invested in the series I would be more than a little annoyed at this. As it stands, it's irritating, but not the end of the world.
Sigrid's journey was an entertaining one, and was good enough to be worth this reread despite how hard I found it to really get into these books. Maybe one day her story will continue, but this particular arc has come to an end.
January 7, 2017
3.5 stars
*This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review at my request.
Sigrid gets her one chance to escape her captivity, shocked to learn it's six years after she was taken. She remembers nothing of her time as a prisoner. While she's on the run, trying to find a way off a planet that space transports were no longer available, she finds others that need her help to safety as well. Other girls like Sigrid. Sigrid also finds new friends and eventually old ones, who help her on the mission she takes once learning who's behind the actions of taking your woman.
Kristin has returned for the third book. Yea!!! I enjoy her many voices for the characters. She makes them each distinct and easy to differentiate while listening. She's even started using musical tones in reading the title page and between parts of the book. Cool. Kristin's voice has become Sigrid for me. I feel as though her emotions are present as Kristin voices her, along with all the characters.
We see how the world has changed with the war that's been going on, the Council of Trade and Finance is gone and Independents are fighting. Sigrid wakes and finds she's on Earth, a place she hasn't been in many years. And there is no transports leaving Earth since the CTF was killed by the Night Witch. Sigrid needs to get home. She wants to return to her friends and loved ones.
In the beginning of this book, I wasn't sure how it would all connect. I had my suspicions but wasn't sure. It seemed like the story was far from where we were at the end of book two, but we are six years later. The story had it's slower moments until we get to the point where things connect and turn for Sigrid. There are surprises in moments for Sigrid, in who she has to deal with and how they arrive.
The story comes around to connect and back to the one thing that drives Sigrid to attack. Though, through the story I still wondered how it was that she came to escape so easily in the beginning. I know a few tidbits were dropped, that she would eventually break their hold and all but in the end it seems as though it was a plan from the one who held control over her. Yet that person said she shouldn't have escaped. I'm not sure if she really broke their hold with distance being a factor, though with the ending it's possible.
Cary starts us into a different setting with new characters and plot to get the story rolling. We do come back to Sigrid and the one person she's after. Sigrid finds herself in fights and battles as she works toward her goal. But, with Sigrid it feels as she doesn't want to fight and kill. I love that Sigrid has a deep feeling for humanity and lives. Oh she's powerful and talented enough to kill, and we see that as well, but she doesn't want to do it.
This feels like the series is coming full circle with Sigrid. Earth is where the story started, so why not bring her back here. This is not the end of the series though. An end to an arc story, yes, but Sigrid, Suko, Lady Hitomi, and others of Alcyone will return in book four.
*This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review at my request.
Sigrid gets her one chance to escape her captivity, shocked to learn it's six years after she was taken. She remembers nothing of her time as a prisoner. While she's on the run, trying to find a way off a planet that space transports were no longer available, she finds others that need her help to safety as well. Other girls like Sigrid. Sigrid also finds new friends and eventually old ones, who help her on the mission she takes once learning who's behind the actions of taking your woman.
Kristin has returned for the third book. Yea!!! I enjoy her many voices for the characters. She makes them each distinct and easy to differentiate while listening. She's even started using musical tones in reading the title page and between parts of the book. Cool. Kristin's voice has become Sigrid for me. I feel as though her emotions are present as Kristin voices her, along with all the characters.
We see how the world has changed with the war that's been going on, the Council of Trade and Finance is gone and Independents are fighting. Sigrid wakes and finds she's on Earth, a place she hasn't been in many years. And there is no transports leaving Earth since the CTF was killed by the Night Witch. Sigrid needs to get home. She wants to return to her friends and loved ones.
In the beginning of this book, I wasn't sure how it would all connect. I had my suspicions but wasn't sure. It seemed like the story was far from where we were at the end of book two, but we are six years later. The story had it's slower moments until we get to the point where things connect and turn for Sigrid. There are surprises in moments for Sigrid, in who she has to deal with and how they arrive.
The story comes around to connect and back to the one thing that drives Sigrid to attack. Though, through the story I still wondered how it was that she came to escape so easily in the beginning. I know a few tidbits were dropped, that she would eventually break their hold and all but in the end it seems as though it was a plan from the one who held control over her. Yet that person said she shouldn't have escaped. I'm not sure if she really broke their hold with distance being a factor, though with the ending it's possible.
Cary starts us into a different setting with new characters and plot to get the story rolling. We do come back to Sigrid and the one person she's after. Sigrid finds herself in fights and battles as she works toward her goal. But, with Sigrid it feels as she doesn't want to fight and kill. I love that Sigrid has a deep feeling for humanity and lives. Oh she's powerful and talented enough to kill, and we see that as well, but she doesn't want to do it.
This feels like the series is coming full circle with Sigrid. Earth is where the story started, so why not bring her back here. This is not the end of the series though. An end to an arc story, yes, but Sigrid, Suko, Lady Hitomi, and others of Alcyone will return in book four.
February 7, 2017
You know those series that you just can’t wait to read the next book because it starts to feel like a home away from home? The Girls from Alcyone is becoming one those to me, especially now that I actually have to wait for the next book.
Codename: Night Witch picks up a staggering 6 years after the end of The Machines of Bellatrix, with Sigrid waking up in an unfamiliar place with a HUGE gap in her memory. She then sets out to recover those memories and return to Suko and her sisters on New Alcyone, and along the way discovers just how much the galaxy has changed. The beginning is on the slower side as Sigrid works through where she is and a game plan to get home, but it doesn’t linger there for too long. There is plenty of action, intensity, and mystery to keep you moving along and invested in Sigrid’s story. One of my favorite things in this series are the relationships Sigrid forms, from her love for Suko to her quick friendship with Jaffer. These side characters and relationships really make Sigrid and this story what they are, because it’s not just about a girl kicking down doors and taking names but something more personal and connected.
I was somewhat shocked at the time gap between book two and three and was curious to see how it would play out. Those six years are shrouded in mystery and uncertainty, and so much has changed in that time period so there is a lot of relearning in this one. However, I don’t think it brought it down at all. I was able to pick this one up quite easily and slip back into the story without any issues.
Kristen James is back as the narrator and I couldn’t be happier with her performance. I swear she gets a little better with each audio I listen, providing even more unique voices all while truly connecting to the story itself. At some point, she stops reading the story to you and instead starts to build it around you.
I’m in love with this series and I’m so thankful that KJ allowed me to listen to them, it’s definitely a favorite of mine and I’m so ready for book four to come out!
I received this in exchange for an honest review.
Codename: Night Witch picks up a staggering 6 years after the end of The Machines of Bellatrix, with Sigrid waking up in an unfamiliar place with a HUGE gap in her memory. She then sets out to recover those memories and return to Suko and her sisters on New Alcyone, and along the way discovers just how much the galaxy has changed. The beginning is on the slower side as Sigrid works through where she is and a game plan to get home, but it doesn’t linger there for too long. There is plenty of action, intensity, and mystery to keep you moving along and invested in Sigrid’s story. One of my favorite things in this series are the relationships Sigrid forms, from her love for Suko to her quick friendship with Jaffer. These side characters and relationships really make Sigrid and this story what they are, because it’s not just about a girl kicking down doors and taking names but something more personal and connected.
I was somewhat shocked at the time gap between book two and three and was curious to see how it would play out. Those six years are shrouded in mystery and uncertainty, and so much has changed in that time period so there is a lot of relearning in this one. However, I don’t think it brought it down at all. I was able to pick this one up quite easily and slip back into the story without any issues.
Kristen James is back as the narrator and I couldn’t be happier with her performance. I swear she gets a little better with each audio I listen, providing even more unique voices all while truly connecting to the story itself. At some point, she stops reading the story to you and instead starts to build it around you.
I’m in love with this series and I’m so thankful that KJ allowed me to listen to them, it’s definitely a favorite of mine and I’m so ready for book four to come out!
I received this in exchange for an honest review.
October 30, 2016
This book: The latest installment, book 3 of the Girls from Alcyone, needed to do a lot after the cliffhanger ending from book 2. It delivers nicely, moving the main characters forward in a stream of non-stop action. If anything, there was too much action, too fast, and while well done, it needed some 'less is more' consideration, especially for Sigrid. Many story lines were brought to a satisfying end point, yet enough left open for future installments.
Book 3: 4/5
The series: Just finished this series in a binge read. That says a lot for me. After the The Girls from Alcyone, #1, I bought the next two and kept going. I only do this if I like the characters, and the world building, technoid stuff doesn't get in the way. Sure, if you think about things long enough, there are issues, yet the main characters keep everything moving in the right way to keep me wanting more. The sci-fi, dystopian aspects are nicely integrated into the story without becoming a bummer. Each book is different enough from the other, yet cohesive. Even the time jump from the second book cliff hanger to book three works well enough. Overall, if you like the kick-ass heroine type story set in a a future world, I recommend a read.
Series: 4/5
Book 3: 4/5
The series: Just finished this series in a binge read. That says a lot for me. After the The Girls from Alcyone, #1, I bought the next two and kept going. I only do this if I like the characters, and the world building, technoid stuff doesn't get in the way. Sure, if you think about things long enough, there are issues, yet the main characters keep everything moving in the right way to keep me wanting more. The sci-fi, dystopian aspects are nicely integrated into the story without becoming a bummer. Each book is different enough from the other, yet cohesive. Even the time jump from the second book cliff hanger to book three works well enough. Overall, if you like the kick-ass heroine type story set in a a future world, I recommend a read.
Series: 4/5
March 26, 2016
This continues the very enjoyable space opera that started with The Girls From Alcyone and continued with The Machines of Bellatrix. Arguably, Codename: Night Witch, is the conclusion of a trilogy, with many threads wrapped up and only a hint at further episodes to come. If you like kick-ass girls, cybernetic warriors and space opera, blended with lesbian romance, then you should love The Girls From Alcyone.
Book 2 ended on a cruel cliffhanger with Sigrid captured by the enemy. Book 3 picks up several years later, years during which Sigrid has had her memories suppressed and manipulated, and she has been used by the Independents to wreak havoc, bringing both freedom and chaos to humanity's system of corporate slavery. And then one day her original memories return, and she must escape and piece together her fractured past.
This is an addictive and satisfying read, and literally Earth-bound in contrast to the previous books. My complaints this time round are few and inconsequential. Mainly I'm baffled by the things that Sigrid can't do, given the things that she can do.
Book 2 ended on a cruel cliffhanger with Sigrid captured by the enemy. Book 3 picks up several years later, years during which Sigrid has had her memories suppressed and manipulated, and she has been used by the Independents to wreak havoc, bringing both freedom and chaos to humanity's system of corporate slavery. And then one day her original memories return, and she must escape and piece together her fractured past.
This is an addictive and satisfying read, and literally Earth-bound in contrast to the previous books. My complaints this time round are few and inconsequential. Mainly I'm baffled by the things that Sigrid can't do, given the things that she can do.
May 25, 2016
The third chapter in the feminist action series that is the "Girls from Alcyone" set of books. It's definitely more promising than the others, but in strange ways it fails to deliver completely.
The story remains good and readable, with the exception of some confusing fight/battle scenes. I am unsure I really understood what the author really meant. There are some sequences that are fuzzy, but other than that I think the story is quite good.
About the "feminist" side of things, all I can say is that it didn't bother me one beet - there are some obvious things like all the positive characters are women and the few that are evil are not to be blamed. The bias is there, but it doesn't bother me one bit.
It's definitely worth reading, as a series. With small exception the writing is quite well suited, and the pacing is equally good. I wonder why the series is not a movie yet. It feels very cinematic at times, and the author obviously got some inspiration from action movies.
The story remains good and readable, with the exception of some confusing fight/battle scenes. I am unsure I really understood what the author really meant. There are some sequences that are fuzzy, but other than that I think the story is quite good.
About the "feminist" side of things, all I can say is that it didn't bother me one beet - there are some obvious things like all the positive characters are women and the few that are evil are not to be blamed. The bias is there, but it doesn't bother me one bit.
It's definitely worth reading, as a series. With small exception the writing is quite well suited, and the pacing is equally good. I wonder why the series is not a movie yet. It feels very cinematic at times, and the author obviously got some inspiration from action movies.
August 10, 2016
Sigrid awakens and discovers that 6 years of her life have been lost from her memory. She finds herself on Earth and defending a group called the Consortium. In the midst of one of her battles, Suko, who has been searching for her the past 6 years, saves her and together they go on to attack Harry Jones.
December 17, 2015
Caffrey hits another home run with the third book in his series. He takes us on one hell of a roller coaster ride to a satisfying end, and yet sets us up for another blockbuster story. I eagerly await Book 4!
January 29, 2018
I pretty much devoured The Girls from Alcyone series; the cliffhanger at the end of The Machines of Bellatrix was only tolerable because I started reading when the first three books were already out. As a third installment, I very much liked Codename: Night Witch. It was an entertaining read, if not a particularly complex one. The whole of The Girls from Alcyone series is pretty much a victory ride in the same way that Marvel's Avengers movies are: even if there are some low points, the reader always knows that the protagonists winning is a foregone conclusion. It is not always a story model that I am appreciative of - and had I been in a different mood I might be leaving a very different review - but in this case I did like it. I think one of my favorite things about Codename: Night Witch was actually the character of Suko and her devotion to Sigrid. Their relationship is not the focus of The Girls from Alcyone series, but I think it is a piece of the background that helps to make the world that the books are set in. I also appreciated that Codename: Night Witch does not end off on an extreme cliffhanger like The Machines of Bellatrix did. The story is clearly not complete (only those who didn't read the last few chapters could have possibly missed all the statements about the 'real war only just starting'), but all the immediate issues raised in the plot of Codename: Night Witch have been dealt with. All in all, I like this book, I like this series, and I look forward to reading the next installment when it comes out. (Although, based on the commentary and questions on this page, I really hope it doesn't take two years.)
January 20, 2020
I almost didn't finish this story for 2 main reasons. First, I HATE amnesia stories. They are the worst of cliches, right up there with dream sequence stories. And second, everyone forgave each other way to easily. Actions without consequences don't count as drama, it's cheese. And this story is cheesier than a nacho platter.
August 16, 2018
This is one of my absolute favorite series and I can not wait for the next book, Sigrid is one of my all time favorite main characters.
If you are looking for a good series to read you can't go wrong with this one. Thank you for sharing this with us.
If you are looking for a good series to read you can't go wrong with this one. Thank you for sharing this with us.
August 31, 2016
As a whole I love this series, it's far from perfect but it's consistently fun to read. At first I was a little annoyed with Night Witch because it seemed to shuffle its feet a bit. While I enjoyed getting a glimpse at this world's Earth and how the war is effecting things since the end of Machines of Bellatrix, there was a moment midway through that felt unnecessary to the story as a whole. Yes, it served to move the characters around and get them out of their comfort zone but I found myself taken out of the pacing of the story. My only other nit-pick is that the jealousy of one particular character got somewhat grating for me despite how much I felt invested in their relationship. As for whether this is the end of the "trilogy", maybe the better term is story-arc because there is certainly potential to continue or do a spin-off down the road. I always take it with a grain of salt when authors claim they're finished with a world or characters.
December 24, 2015
Special, well done
I am so happy that CC has not only written 3,so far, excellent stories but, also kept them at a reasonable price. I'm so tired of being, personal opinion here, ripped off by authors who have a greater opinion of their ability than may be justified. I believe in paying for the author's legitimate intellectual property. However, looking at prices some of the greater authors, ( Niven, McCafrey, etc), some are having delusions of grandeur. This was a very good story and suspense was palpable. If you liked Anneka, Honor, you'll like this. Not so out there as Nova. Cannot wait to see where Sigrid and the girls go because it's a great big galaxy out there. Please keep it up...
I am so happy that CC has not only written 3,so far, excellent stories but, also kept them at a reasonable price. I'm so tired of being, personal opinion here, ripped off by authors who have a greater opinion of their ability than may be justified. I believe in paying for the author's legitimate intellectual property. However, looking at prices some of the greater authors, ( Niven, McCafrey, etc), some are having delusions of grandeur. This was a very good story and suspense was palpable. If you liked Anneka, Honor, you'll like this. Not so out there as Nova. Cannot wait to see where Sigrid and the girls go because it's a great big galaxy out there. Please keep it up...
April 13, 2016
Per Tomanek, corporate military Another action packed journey to find answers and save others along the way. Tumbling the balance of power so change, hope and a better chance at life can rise from the rubble. I read the first two books sometime ago and was excited to find the third one. Guess I should check my list so I can review them, too.
November 23, 2015
I've noticed a lot of independent writers grow way beyond their britches after a couple entries in a series. They start off with a great idea, then around book 3 they try and write their magnum opus.
That's not how Codename: Night Witch felt. Definitely my favorite in the series, it's fast paced with many twists and turns.
That's not how Codename: Night Witch felt. Definitely my favorite in the series, it's fast paced with many twists and turns.
December 3, 2015
Wow what a ride. 2 years after the second book, it's finally out and damn codename: Night Witch was worth the wait ! But nothing is really ended, I guess that we will have number four soon. I can't wait.
July 30, 2017
3.5 stars
Easy read, I wasn't super impressed with the ending. I had hoped there would be more exploration of some hinted at events, but maybe in the next book?
Good world building and besides some cheesy dialogue/one dimensional characters, I'd recommend.
Easy read, I wasn't super impressed with the ending. I had hoped there would be more exploration of some hinted at events, but maybe in the next book?
Good world building and besides some cheesy dialogue/one dimensional characters, I'd recommend.
January 13, 2016
So it went a bit slower than previous books, but as per usual, pulled through like a champ in the end. I'm seriously hoping that there is more in this series in the future!
November 30, 2015
This long awaited third book was worth the wait. Separated lovers seek to unite and hidden conspiracies come to light (at least some of them) in this military scifi
December 21, 2015
Wow, who would have believed that that was how it would have turned out. It had me despairing after Sigrid and Suko.
Read and find out
Peace out
Read and find out
Peace out
December 10, 2015
About time
I love the girls of alcyone. Is a roller coaster of politics, war, and just that dash of lesbian love that is epic. Epic fighting, epic I tell you!!
I love the girls of alcyone. Is a roller coaster of politics, war, and just that dash of lesbian love that is epic. Epic fighting, epic I tell you!!
January 8, 2016
Excellent Read
The only thing I would have changed about this story is more sensual scenes between our Heroines. Great Job Cary Caffrey
The only thing I would have changed about this story is more sensual scenes between our Heroines. Great Job Cary Caffrey
Read
February 11, 2016Love this series. Can't wait for the next one to see what happens next. Please let there be a next one!
February 18, 2016
Book 2 had a cliff-hanger and I was so glad that book 3 was available to tell me what happened!
June 22, 2016
This is a awesome series - i hope there will be more books :D
I got the audible audiobook narrated by Kristin James, and she did a awesome job.
I got the audible audiobook narrated by Kristin James, and she did a awesome job.
September 29, 2016
Decent book. The entire series is reasonably good. More research on Military tactics and perspective would have been in order, but still a good hard Sci Fi series.
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