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Kestrel Class Saga #2
Jump Point
Life among the stars isn’t always glamorous.
The Modulus Echo is a Kestrel class starship, a rare hybrid that can fly in space and in almost any planetary atmosphere. Her crew consists of four very different people who have forged a friendship through trials and triumphs. But there’s a lot to learn about living life off the galactic grid, and if they aren’t careful, the Echo’s crew will have to learn it the hard way.
With newly installed weapons and shields, the Echo is ready for her next run. But Confederation jobs are dangerous, and other parties may be willing to pay more—the only catch is knowing whom to trust. With plenty of fuel and a job lined up that will take them across the galaxy, it’s time to find out if they truly have what it takes to avoid the Royal Imperium and keep on flying.
Jump Point is the second novel in the Kestrel Class saga. The small crew is just learning what they can do, but they face an uphill battle just to stay alive and keep their precious ship flying. It’s exciting space opera at its best that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. Filled with nonstop science-fiction action, Jump Point is a must-have novel for fans of Firefly, Star Wars, and Ender’s Game.
The Modulus Echo is a Kestrel class starship, a rare hybrid that can fly in space and in almost any planetary atmosphere. Her crew consists of four very different people who have forged a friendship through trials and triumphs. But there’s a lot to learn about living life off the galactic grid, and if they aren’t careful, the Echo’s crew will have to learn it the hard way.
With newly installed weapons and shields, the Echo is ready for her next run. But Confederation jobs are dangerous, and other parties may be willing to pay more—the only catch is knowing whom to trust. With plenty of fuel and a job lined up that will take them across the galaxy, it’s time to find out if they truly have what it takes to avoid the Royal Imperium and keep on flying.
Jump Point is the second novel in the Kestrel Class saga. The small crew is just learning what they can do, but they face an uphill battle just to stay alive and keep their precious ship flying. It’s exciting space opera at its best that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. Filled with nonstop science-fiction action, Jump Point is a must-have novel for fans of Firefly, Star Wars, and Ender’s Game.
- GenresScience Fiction
307 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 16, 2019
418 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
August 10, 2020
End of the Series - for me
I was willing to accept the “tech magic” in the first book because the storyline was enjoyable. That pleasure rapidly disappeared in this book when Ben and Kim start their relationship squabbling, acting like 13 year olds and not the young adults they are supposed to be. The result is a loss of coherence in the characters and my loss of interest in the story.
My recommendation is stop after book one. Leave this one on the shelf.
I was willing to accept the “tech magic” in the first book because the storyline was enjoyable. That pleasure rapidly disappeared in this book when Ben and Kim start their relationship squabbling, acting like 13 year olds and not the young adults they are supposed to be. The result is a loss of coherence in the characters and my loss of interest in the story.
My recommendation is stop after book one. Leave this one on the shelf.
January 4, 2020
I expected growth and some maturity...
I really wanted this book to better than the first. Unfortunately, the author didn’t seem to improve on any of the good ideas that began in book one. There’s no growth in the writing style or the concepts and there’s a definite lack of maturity with the interactions of the characters. The final nail in the coffin for me was the disregard of proper science applied to the storyline. I just can’t let that slide. If you’re going to place a story in this universe you have to abide by some of the basic laws of physics. I’m not going to continue to book three.
I really wanted this book to better than the first. Unfortunately, the author didn’t seem to improve on any of the good ideas that began in book one. There’s no growth in the writing style or the concepts and there’s a definite lack of maturity with the interactions of the characters. The final nail in the coffin for me was the disregard of proper science applied to the storyline. I just can’t let that slide. If you’re going to place a story in this universe you have to abide by some of the basic laws of physics. I’m not going to continue to book three.
October 7, 2021
Great Read
Ben, Kim and crew manage to get themselves into more and more trouble. Pirates attack, their passengers take over the ship, and the Imperium is after their heads. Love can be problem as well as a blessing as Ben and Kim try to figure out where the other stands in their relationship. Both fear rejection. Opportunities arise and close. None are without problems. The main characters are compelling, and I can feel their emotions as they struggle with their relationship and purpose. I like the action, humor and romance. I look forward to the next book.
Ben, Kim and crew manage to get themselves into more and more trouble. Pirates attack, their passengers take over the ship, and the Imperium is after their heads. Love can be problem as well as a blessing as Ben and Kim try to figure out where the other stands in their relationship. Both fear rejection. Opportunities arise and close. None are without problems. The main characters are compelling, and I can feel their emotions as they struggle with their relationship and purpose. I like the action, humor and romance. I look forward to the next book.
January 3, 2020
Things get better...
I read the first book and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the writing and narrative. This continues in Jump Point and things get better as the crews relationships' develop and the story line steadily gains momentum. I am only sorry that I reached the end but look forward to the sequel.
I read the first book and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the writing and narrative. This continues in Jump Point and things get better as the crews relationships' develop and the story line steadily gains momentum. I am only sorry that I reached the end but look forward to the sequel.
January 17, 2021
Good Series
I'm more of a Sword and Fantasy book kind of guy but I really enjoy Mr. Neighbors books. You can always count on great characters a good amount of action and this series has just that. I just finished the second book in the series and can't wait to start on the third.
I'm more of a Sword and Fantasy book kind of guy but I really enjoy Mr. Neighbors books. You can always count on great characters a good amount of action and this series has just that. I just finished the second book in the series and can't wait to start on the third.
October 4, 2021
Good sequel
The characters fleshed out nicely and the plot was complex enough to be interesting. The growth of the main character has an engineer and a human has been fun to watch, so has the relationship between a security chief and computer hacker. I recommend you try this series.
The characters fleshed out nicely and the plot was complex enough to be interesting. The growth of the main character has an engineer and a human has been fun to watch, so has the relationship between a security chief and computer hacker. I recommend you try this series.
April 30, 2020
A solid read!
Good story, relatable characters, just the thing for quarantine reading! I like the play between the crew. Being a Veteran that has a pretty honest ring to me. Can't wait for the next one!
Good story, relatable characters, just the thing for quarantine reading! I like the play between the crew. Being a Veteran that has a pretty honest ring to me. Can't wait for the next one!
August 22, 2020
Good read
As with the previoys, pure escapism which is exactly what readers look for. This is a good series with good characters with real emotions goid guys win had guys lose, it's the trip that is exciting. Only a few editing oops.
As with the previoys, pure escapism which is exactly what readers look for. This is a good series with good characters with real emotions goid guys win had guys lose, it's the trip that is exciting. Only a few editing oops.
March 7, 2024
jump point book 2
I gave it 5 stars because it keep my interest to the end. The drama between the two main characters is getting worse. If 3 rd book has this much drama will not rate it.
I gave it 5 stars because it keep my interest to the end. The drama between the two main characters is getting worse. If 3 rd book has this much drama will not rate it.
January 3, 2020
Entertaining
Easy enjoyable read. Much better than average sci fi. Character s make it a good series to follow. Highly recommended.
Easy enjoyable read. Much better than average sci fi. Character s make it a good series to follow. Highly recommended.
June 8, 2020
Mostly good, Kim is a major head case a lot of the time.
August 31, 2020
Not as good as the first book. Very formulaic especially with the big escape scene.
October 16, 2020
Good read
Enjoyed this book it was fun to read. The author plot was giving each character there own personal touch to the story
Enjoyed this book it was fun to read. The author plot was giving each character there own personal touch to the story
February 10, 2021
All to often the second book is not quite as good as the first book. In this case this book is a bit better than the first book which I also rated as a 5. Congrats!
December 10, 2021
Excellent, now on to the next book.
Excellent, now in to the next book in the series. I hope Amazon or Netflix picks this space opera as a new sci-fi series.
Excellent, now in to the next book in the series. I hope Amazon or Netflix picks this space opera as a new sci-fi series.
August 3, 2022
Chapter 2
This second chapter in the Echo's saga is a fun ride. Lot's of surprises, twists and turns. I recommend you read this and it's predecessor.
This second chapter in the Echo's saga is a fun ride. Lot's of surprises, twists and turns. I recommend you read this and it's predecessor.
July 30, 2019
Silly, boring
The MC moons over his love interest for at least half of the last book but doesn't think that his friend/pilot/love interest might be offended that he doesn't want to see her furnished cabin. Just because she has never had a place of her own (they both free up as orphans in junkyards), why would this be a big deal, right. Women, right. This exchange wouldn't fly with a teenager, right. This is 7% in.
By 8% in, he hopes that his love interest will finally "settle down" (from her wild exciting life?). He is glad that his systems person who didn't notice the saboteur walk up the ramp, hide in the engine compartment, try to blow up their ship, is reliable, since he's seldom seen her act on emotion. He says to himself that he doesn't let emotions rule him, thank goodness. Why Is the writer choosing now to develop the man-child hero. Is the writer just throwing in sexist dialogue to fill the word count, because this can't make sense to him. It doesn't advance the story or develop the character, so why? On the other hand, he did have an imperial saboteur sneak by the crew and dozens of anti-imperial allies to board their little spaceship which is sitting in a warehouse, with a crewperson manning security feeds the entire time. The crew luck out with potatoes, a load of which (several whole pallets) pays for upgrades to equipment, software and repairs from sabotage, new ship weapons and repair of battle damage. As Samuel L. Jackson might say, "Those are some mighty tasty potatoes".
The crew has dinner with a sleazy business type who wants them to run guns at the "Union Club". That cracked me up since the U.S. version were created by the war profiteers during the civil war. I hope that he wrote that on purpose.
The plucky freighter can move faster then a laser beam (shucks, it weren't nothing but light speed). A fighter near the end can run at 99% of the speed of light in-system (shucks, near infinite mass ain't nothing to an Imperial fighter). The plucky freighter has half a canister of fuel during the entire book (shucks, the galaxy ain't that big, maybe 100 to 150 thousand light years depending on how you measure it. We rebels don't cotton to measuring interstellar distances or fuel consumption (our magic gas is provided by freedom, I say).
There is more of that but you get the gist. The science would trouble a ninth grader, a lot of eighth graders, some seventh graders and at least a few sixth graders. Ah, hacks have very little shame. They're also too busy to spend several hours or so with YouTube channels, like SFIA-Isaac Arthur, PBS science and others. Spending three hours on Wikipedia with credentialed science sites, is totally out of the question. A little research before writing adds a little depth, don't you know.
Distances and galactic positions matter, truly. Effective speeds by whatever method of FTL is being employed, need to be consistent. The methods of travel make more sense if applied logically as well as consistently. The engineering probably can't read like a 1940's auto repair scene, if it's going to hold the readers attention. Block out about how much effort, time and material will be needed for various repairs and write it as begun and done is much better (and easier to remember).
The chaste romantic relationship of the MC is interesting but would be more interesting if he weren't written as a schizoid man-child, who is unsure what to do about sex. The on/off "I'm not a rebel", "I might as well be a rebel" debate is kind of juvenile (very Han Solo, which probably also explains the late introduction of deflector shields in the book) and which isn't explained by any of the other technology in the series.
There's more fun that I could have poking fun at the universe, the characters and the plot but trust me, the bottom line is that it drags and is much less funny than I might make it seem. No more Kestrel for me please.
The MC moons over his love interest for at least half of the last book but doesn't think that his friend/pilot/love interest might be offended that he doesn't want to see her furnished cabin. Just because she has never had a place of her own (they both free up as orphans in junkyards), why would this be a big deal, right. Women, right. This exchange wouldn't fly with a teenager, right. This is 7% in.
By 8% in, he hopes that his love interest will finally "settle down" (from her wild exciting life?). He is glad that his systems person who didn't notice the saboteur walk up the ramp, hide in the engine compartment, try to blow up their ship, is reliable, since he's seldom seen her act on emotion. He says to himself that he doesn't let emotions rule him, thank goodness. Why Is the writer choosing now to develop the man-child hero. Is the writer just throwing in sexist dialogue to fill the word count, because this can't make sense to him. It doesn't advance the story or develop the character, so why? On the other hand, he did have an imperial saboteur sneak by the crew and dozens of anti-imperial allies to board their little spaceship which is sitting in a warehouse, with a crewperson manning security feeds the entire time. The crew luck out with potatoes, a load of which (several whole pallets) pays for upgrades to equipment, software and repairs from sabotage, new ship weapons and repair of battle damage. As Samuel L. Jackson might say, "Those are some mighty tasty potatoes".
The crew has dinner with a sleazy business type who wants them to run guns at the "Union Club". That cracked me up since the U.S. version were created by the war profiteers during the civil war. I hope that he wrote that on purpose.
The plucky freighter can move faster then a laser beam (shucks, it weren't nothing but light speed). A fighter near the end can run at 99% of the speed of light in-system (shucks, near infinite mass ain't nothing to an Imperial fighter). The plucky freighter has half a canister of fuel during the entire book (shucks, the galaxy ain't that big, maybe 100 to 150 thousand light years depending on how you measure it. We rebels don't cotton to measuring interstellar distances or fuel consumption (our magic gas is provided by freedom, I say).
There is more of that but you get the gist. The science would trouble a ninth grader, a lot of eighth graders, some seventh graders and at least a few sixth graders. Ah, hacks have very little shame. They're also too busy to spend several hours or so with YouTube channels, like SFIA-Isaac Arthur, PBS science and others. Spending three hours on Wikipedia with credentialed science sites, is totally out of the question. A little research before writing adds a little depth, don't you know.
Distances and galactic positions matter, truly. Effective speeds by whatever method of FTL is being employed, need to be consistent. The methods of travel make more sense if applied logically as well as consistently. The engineering probably can't read like a 1940's auto repair scene, if it's going to hold the readers attention. Block out about how much effort, time and material will be needed for various repairs and write it as begun and done is much better (and easier to remember).
The chaste romantic relationship of the MC is interesting but would be more interesting if he weren't written as a schizoid man-child, who is unsure what to do about sex. The on/off "I'm not a rebel", "I might as well be a rebel" debate is kind of juvenile (very Han Solo, which probably also explains the late introduction of deflector shields in the book) and which isn't explained by any of the other technology in the series.
There's more fun that I could have poking fun at the universe, the characters and the plot but trust me, the bottom line is that it drags and is much less funny than I might make it seem. No more Kestrel for me please.
December 1, 2019
Highly readable with strong characters
Classic military space opera that makes good light reading.
Neighbors goes for a constant stream of action that gets a little oppressive at times. The outcomes are similarly uniformly over the top stretching the suspension of disbelief to the breaking point.
The only other criticism is the sloppy editing (e.g. multiple instances of heal instead of heel) interrupting the flow.
Neighbor's ability to craft characters and weave plot lines that flow smoothly through the Imperium/Confederacy continuum is strong enough to provide an enjoyable ride.
Looking forward to the third installment
Classic military space opera that makes good light reading.
Neighbors goes for a constant stream of action that gets a little oppressive at times. The outcomes are similarly uniformly over the top stretching the suspension of disbelief to the breaking point.
The only other criticism is the sloppy editing (e.g. multiple instances of heal instead of heel) interrupting the flow.
Neighbor's ability to craft characters and weave plot lines that flow smoothly through the Imperium/Confederacy continuum is strong enough to provide an enjoyable ride.
Looking forward to the third installment
November 17, 2019
Best of the lot. Still some far fetched lucky events but it made for a good story line and everything kept going.
July 30, 2019
Exciting Read
Great second book in the series! I enjoyed every second of it and I am looking forward to the next installment.
I am enjoying the characters development. As well as the relationships. I am a little confused by Ben though. Seemingly an idiot one moment and a genius the next. At least that is how it feels. Still love the character though. I didn’t like the LT. at all.
I also didn’t like that you wrote out the confederate character. Still hoping that there was a slim chance he survived the explosion.
There’s my 2 cents. Now I am patiently waiting for book 3. Toby, either make the next a little longer or write a little faster. 😉 jk. Good stuff man. Keep em coming.
Great second book in the series! I enjoyed every second of it and I am looking forward to the next installment.
I am enjoying the characters development. As well as the relationships. I am a little confused by Ben though. Seemingly an idiot one moment and a genius the next. At least that is how it feels. Still love the character though. I didn’t like the LT. at all.
I also didn’t like that you wrote out the confederate character. Still hoping that there was a slim chance he survived the explosion.
There’s my 2 cents. Now I am patiently waiting for book 3. Toby, either make the next a little longer or write a little faster. 😉 jk. Good stuff man. Keep em coming.
November 15, 2019
A Review By A Long-time Sci-fi Reader.
A fantastic, highly enjoyable book with lots of action! A suitable sequel to book one. But it, read it and thoroughly enjoy it.
A fantastic, highly enjoyable book with lots of action! A suitable sequel to book one. But it, read it and thoroughly enjoy it.
August 12, 2022
I'm up to book 6. Well written and interesting story.
Some issues with spelling and missing words (articles/verbs) also a few pronoun genders were incorrect.
Overall I like the story and can't put the books down, but I do skip lots of pages of repetitive information, telling what was already told so many times before.
The characters can be frustrating and annoying; too many childish arguments and questioning which makes me wonder how they could ever accomplish anything in real life.
I agree with someone who said Kim seems to have not matured beyond a 12yo brat, who should not be consulted on life or death matters.
The arguments and bickering can be tiresome.
Some issues with spelling and missing words (articles/verbs) also a few pronoun genders were incorrect.
Overall I like the story and can't put the books down, but I do skip lots of pages of repetitive information, telling what was already told so many times before.
The characters can be frustrating and annoying; too many childish arguments and questioning which makes me wonder how they could ever accomplish anything in real life.
I agree with someone who said Kim seems to have not matured beyond a 12yo brat, who should not be consulted on life or death matters.
The arguments and bickering can be tiresome.
August 11, 2019
Holy Smokes!
Wow! This little junkyard ship and motley crew have certainly gotten their space creds! They may well be the demise of the Imperium. All they wanted was a life of free trade. Just think...If everyone has just let them do that none of this would have happened but their defensive actions turned into the offensive tide. Exciting stuff. In fact, the book picks up speed like a snow-ball. Near the end, events are happening so fast it's almost like Neighbors left out some details. Still , lots of fun.
Wow! This little junkyard ship and motley crew have certainly gotten their space creds! They may well be the demise of the Imperium. All they wanted was a life of free trade. Just think...If everyone has just let them do that none of this would have happened but their defensive actions turned into the offensive tide. Exciting stuff. In fact, the book picks up speed like a snow-ball. Near the end, events are happening so fast it's almost like Neighbors left out some details. Still , lots of fun.
September 5, 2019
Good sequel
Jump Point in the Kestrel Class Saga is actually a better effort than the first book in the series. Obviously, the author had to do important character set up and plot background development to carry on for subsequent books and it paid off in Jump Point. The plot was a little heavy on pointing out that nobody comes out clean, so a bit cynical, but he finalized this segment extremely well. Ben is an intuitive tactician and the others in the crewin the crew of the Modulus Echo are worthy of him. I'm definitely ready for book 3...
Jump Point in the Kestrel Class Saga is actually a better effort than the first book in the series. Obviously, the author had to do important character set up and plot background development to carry on for subsequent books and it paid off in Jump Point. The plot was a little heavy on pointing out that nobody comes out clean, so a bit cynical, but he finalized this segment extremely well. Ben is an intuitive tactician and the others in the crewin the crew of the Modulus Echo are worthy of him. I'm definitely ready for book 3...
September 24, 2019
A TN. SYFY. Deep Space Action Adventure (JP) (KCSB - 2)
TN. has penned a SYFY. Deep Space Action Adventure, which begins with the crew of the Echo on another job for the Confederacy. They are raided with a delivery to a planet half way across the galaxy. They make their jumps with the equipment stored in the hole without knowing what they are delivering. They encounter Imperial forces and are forced to make decisions about whether or not large numbers of people are killed. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
TN. has penned a SYFY. Deep Space Action Adventure, which begins with the crew of the Echo on another job for the Confederacy. They are raided with a delivery to a planet half way across the galaxy. They make their jumps with the equipment stored in the hole without knowing what they are delivering. They encounter Imperial forces and are forced to make decisions about whether or not large numbers of people are killed. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
July 27, 2019
just great reading. sojetimes it got too boring listenig to kim and ben squabble. but it is every bit a five star. now i can't wait for the next one. i w
ould ecommend this book to scfi readrs that likie. to read about a small small grup of people that are thrown together for survial.thaanks Toby.
ould ecommend this book to scfi readrs that likie. to read about a small small grup of people that are thrown together for survial.thaanks Toby.
August 13, 2019
Enjoyable Story - Needs an Editor
I really enjoyed the story line, but these books seriously need an editor to run through them. The errors aren’t enough to pull you out of the story, but they are noticeable nonetheless.
Spelling errors,incorrect word usage, continuity errors (mostly names).
I really enjoyed the story line, but these books seriously need an editor to run through them. The errors aren’t enough to pull you out of the story, but they are noticeable nonetheless.
Spelling errors,incorrect word usage, continuity errors (mostly names).
September 29, 2019
Good story and a good read.
The story overall is good and the characters good, but the science leaves a lot to be desired. It pulled me totally out of the story when the crew watched laser fire to avoid getting hit. Totally oblivious to the fact that the laser and the sight of "firing" would arrive at the same time and of course the usual issues of "flying" in space.
The story overall is good and the characters good, but the science leaves a lot to be desired. It pulled me totally out of the story when the crew watched laser fire to avoid getting hit. Totally oblivious to the fact that the laser and the sight of "firing" would arrive at the same time and of course the usual issues of "flying" in space.
August 10, 2019
I like the way this writer develops her characters..
I also like surprises.. Just when you think they are caught with no escape, or on the verge of being killed; this writer comes up with a clever way out
I also like surprises.. Just when you think they are caught with no escape, or on the verge of being killed; this writer comes up with a clever way out
August 12, 2019
Good story line. Waiting for book 3 of the series. I highly recommend this author.
Good story line. I highly recommend this author and this series. Can not wait for book 3 of this series.
Good story line. I highly recommend this author and this series. Can not wait for book 3 of this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews