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Tech World
- Undying Mercenaries, Book 3
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Series: Undying Mercenaries, Book 3
- Length: 13 hrs and 13 mins
- Categories: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Thriller & Suspense
Non-member price: $34.76
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Publisher's Summary
The Galactics arrived with their Battle fleet in 2052. Rather than being exterminated under a barrage of hell-burners, Earth joined a vast Empire that spanned the Milky Way. Our only worthwhile trade goods are our infamous mercenary legions, elite troops we sell to the highest alien bidder. In the third book in the series, James McGill is deployed on another alien world. His third interstellar tour is different in every way. Rather than meeting up with a primitive society, this time he’s headed to an advanced world. Tau Ceti, better known as Tech World, is the central trading capital of Frontier 921. McGill figures he’s lucked out. The assignment looks dull but luxurious. Tau Ceti boasts a planet-wide city with a trillion inhabitants, all of whom are only interested in making a few credits. But all is not well on Tech World. The Empire is crumbling, an invasion is coming, and McGill’s easy ride through life and death has come to an end.
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What listeners say about Tech World
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Andrew
- 16-11-2020
Great read
Loved the story line. Great read.
Losts count of the body count . . . .
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- clancy
- 06-01-2019
Getting repetitive
the story is becoming very same same. sure you can put a different alien in, or change the environment. but it's a repetitive formula. and the politics are dreary for something with the scope of a galaxy.
my biggest grievance is with the lack of character development though. same stupid decisions being made, and always predictable. was endearing at first, but no lessons are being learnt, and the naive natures become boring.
still an excellent idea. just slowly becoming bored.
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- Aaron Godfrey
- 06-10-2015
If you have made it this far...
You know what to expect. Starting to get a broader plot, leaving behind the standard mission by mission format to include galactic war. Woo
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- Malcolm
- 03-09-2015
Another great book
Another great story in this series. Looking forward to the next books and the on going exploits of Legion Verous.
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- Don Gilbert
- 13-12-2014
Dying isn’t enough this time
Now that earth has become enforcers for the Galactic Empire in this part of the universe Specialist James McGill and Legion Varus have been assigned guard duty on a High Tech Planet called Tau Ceti, better known appropriately as Tech World; but even before they can embark on their mission some political infighting and McGill’s uncontrollable need to express his opinion lands him in trouble again.
Once matters are somewhat settled McGill and Legion Varus ship out for Tau Ceti where dying isn’t enough this time as the mercenaries must cope with greed and corruption on a planetary scale. As usual McGill will take it upon himself to make choices and decisions that could affect all of humanity as possible big changes concerning the entire Galactic Empire are coming to light.
B.V Larson’s main concept of re-growing bodies and retrieving memory leads to some interesting sub-plots in this latest installment in his series. From previous books we have learned that there are rules set in place regarding “Re-growths.” A person must be verified to be deceased before a new grow can occur to prevent multiples of the same person for instance, and if one does not die over the years it is recommended that the data banks be updated so a person doesn’t come back looking ten or fifteen years younger; both of these scenarios are explored in this book.
The narrator, Mark Boyett, gives another good performance and I look forward to the next book.
20 people found this helpful
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- CL Vaughan
- 12-09-2018
Meh... Followed by copious eye-rolls
[this review has possible slight spoilers]
I didn't quite finish this one. By the end I was rolling my eyes every couple of minutes and inwardly cringing at the predictable, pedestrian, and slightly juvenile plot-lines. To clarify, the actual plot of the story is pretty solid and in keeping with the series. It's the subplots & general believably that had me cringing. The way our "protagonist" is supposed to be, at once, a womanizing ladies man & coldhearted tactical killer AND overly sympathetic and self-righteous just couldn't hold water for me. Apparently he can sleep with another woman twice in a row, then convince you to "c'mon" and commit treason with him...
Most notably though, the author has logical fallacies here based on his own world-building. When we first see the shock sticks, the protagonist makes note that they have no readouts on them, just two buttons. Later, he references a power/charge readout. Aside from that we are constantly shown that upon revival there's a little while where your mind is a fog and your body basically doesn't work... And yet, somehow, our superhuman protag is able to defeat two fully capable soldiers in hand to hand combat moments after being revived. and then subsequently convince those two soldiers bent on killing him that they should work together AGAIN, in only about three sentences.
I just can't with this book. I'm really starting to dislike the main character, in all the wrong ways. I won't even start on what this writer apparently thinks makes women tick. His female characters are so naive it's painful.
I started this series because I accidentally bought book 8 first and figured I'd just start at the beginning. But I'm not sure if i'm gonna make it...
8 people found this helpful
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- Allens
- 01-12-2014
Fun story but left me irritated
Performance. Mark Boyett did a fantastic job and I enjoyed his narration.
Story: This is an extension of the series, which I have enjoyed so far. Throughout the series McGill has done some crazy stuff. He is a troublemaker, a virtual slave to his passions, and a generally heart-of-gold type guy.
This installment was just as good as the previous two, and the first 2/3 of the book was great.
The last 1/3 really illustrates how much a slave to his passions McGill is. He follows his personal code and emotional state without looking back.
Without spoilers I'll just say that, in the previous books, he puts his own welfare on the line to help others, and convinces his friends to help when needed. In this installment he begins putting the lives and welfare of others on the line without their consent. It turned me off to his character. I don't know that it's inconsistent with the previous McGill, but I think it's certainly illustrative of a protagonist I'm no longer interested in.
I doubt I'll be buying the next installment.
13 people found this helpful
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- Antonio Stevens
- 25-10-2014
Action packed with McGill still causing trouble.
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Indeed. This was a can't put down epic continuation on this story. The characters are well done. Story outstanding. A unique scifi setting. No typical romantic love with a not so expected final outcome. Its just keeps going and going into craziness and I found myself not wanting it to end.
What did you like best about this story?
The story just kept evolving. So many twists. So many things, I didn't expect. How it just got more insane, more crazy, more on the edge of everything going to crap. Only for McGill to push it even further with is crazy thoughts or just running his mouth. As the listener, I started feeling as if he should stop or just shut up to avoid further madness. Ha.
What about Mark Boyett’s performance did you like?
Mark Boyett is pure gold. His narration is always amazing. Voices are well done and near perfect tones that you can feel as hes telling the story. If I see his name on anything, I immediately check it out.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
As I listened to this epic tale, I found myself having those, "I can't believe he just said that". Even feeling in shock or just paranoid of what might happen next. Many outbursts of laughs due McGills crazy actions. Which happened quite a bit.
Any additional comments?
If you like scfi, guns, aliens, a great story, military combat, all with a not typical main character. This story is for you. Run and get it now.
11 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 06-03-2019
Self righteous yadayada
Main character is always right everybody else is always wrong. Main character is brave everybody else isn't. Main character is a self righteous moron who does not act like a mercenary at any point in time. He puts a higher priority on his own morality then the safety of his friends and comrades. Disagrees with every order he gets and never gets disciplined. The world the author built is very compelling. I like how it is built. But I hate the main character. I dont agree with anything he does ever. I hope the author kills this character off other wise I'm done with this series.
9 people found this helpful
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- curlygran
- 10-04-2015
What is wrong with me? I love this series!
I am a 70 year old with 14 grandchildren and love this series. Maybe it is the fact that I have all these youngsters around that helps me think "why not?" Or, maybe it is just a good story written well. Keeps me listening intently all the way through and cheering for the good guys. I'll finish one, say no more and then turn around and buy more. When will this end? Oh, geez, Larson has lots more for me to listen to...yea!
10 people found this helpful
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- Mr Dangerous
- 02-03-2020
I tried..
The first two book were barely okay. I tried the 9th cause it was on sale. It was painful. This one i could not get into. Just not my style.
Boyett is okay.
2 people found this helpful
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- Zuhal
- 23-01-2020
Way to ruin a good story
I really enjoyed the first two books in the series, but when the character shows no growth, and the writer relies too heavily on Deus Ex Machina it really ruins a story. I do not really have a problem with the character's attitude towards women that seems to irk many other listeners, but do have a one with all the nonsensical decisions by all the characters - most especially McGill. Such a shame really, I really had hoped for the kind of story that would keep me hooked for years.
2 people found this helpful
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- Benjy
- 05-12-2018
McGill is such a screw up
why haven't they permed him yet. humanity would probably live at least another 100 years
2 people found this helpful
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- Matthew Glikman
- 30-03-2018
Hard to stay interested
I found myself needing to take more breaks than usual during this one. I have officially lost interest in the series. I may pick it up again down the road but I need something different. The story is interesting and has potential but there is too much that doesn't make any military sense and the frequent "making love" with everything and everyone is a little to Star Trek for my liking in a book series.
2 people found this helpful
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- S. Morris
- 02-09-2015
Hooked
OK, I admit it .... I'm hooked. No, really hooked on these Undying
Mercenaries books. I've just finished reading Tech World, the third in the
series and I've just had to read each book one straight after the other.
I've read all three books in less than a week which might give you some idea
of how good I think these stories are.
I've read quite a few science fiction novels in my time and many of them
have indeed been every bit as enjoyable as Tech World and its two previous
books in the series. However, what I would have to say is that B V Larson
manages to pack in as much interesting story into his books as some other
authors take twice as many pages to achieve. it's quite rare for an author
to grab the reader right from the first page and then hold their interest
constantly for the entire book. Nowhere in Tech World did I find my
attention wandering as has happened while reading other stories. Larson
doesn't waste words on unnecessary character expansions, lengthy thought
processes or rambling dialogue for the sake of it as some do. Larson's
narrative is efficient and as such there's not an ounce of fat to trim here.
Chapter after chapter were relevant, interesting and just kept me wanting to
read on and on. Larson could not be accused of writing overly thought
provoking or cerebral stories but what he does do is get the reader engaged
in the narrative and then keep things moving and relevant.
In this third instalment Larson again manages to draw the reader into the
vivid and very alien cultures and once more we find our hapless heroes up to
their necks in death and destruction. Tech World is perhaps a little more
subtle than the previous two books in the series in terms of the nature of
the hoards of aliens now wanting to do bloody murder to legion Varus but the
nature of the fighting is just as relentless and brutal once all hell breaks
loose.
It is best to read these books in the correct sequence so if you are someone
that hasn't read the previous stories in the Undying Mercenaries series then
I would urge you to get into this great set of stories by picking up Steel
World followed by Dust World. Larson brings back into play a story element
seen in the previous book that left us a tantalising hint of what the
Galactic Empire might face in the not too distant future and sure enough
Larson picks up on this thread in the latter stages of Tech World to great
effect. Just when you thought the main plot was done with we are met with a
new situation that is not good news for Earth to say the least.
Tech World differs from the previous stories in the nature of the threat
facing McGill and his legion and more of a detective element is present in
terms of finding what has happened to provoke the attacks on the
legionnaires. McGill, as ever, finds himself in the centre of a maelstrom of
trouble as usual and comes up with his own way and unique style of dealing
with his situation. It has been said by one reviewer that the characters in
these books are paper thin but to my mind so was I when I was 23 or so.
Chasing women, drinking and being rather reckless and doing stupid things
sometimes are all a hallmark of youth and I think Larson has got the key
characters right and not fallen into the trap so many authors do of trying
to make them somehow much more mature or complicated than their years should
really allow. It's McGill's roguishness combined with his charm and outright
courage at times that makes him appealing. he's not perfect, he does do dumb
things and he is distracted by women too often perhaps but he does think for
himself too. All these good and questionable traits too make for a more
believable character to my mind. McGill's commanding officers too are also
largely stereotypes and conform to what you might expect of them. However,
I'll bet that many real-life officer types within the hard fighting infantry
units of many forces would indeed fulfil the same stereotypes too.
A word on the narration. Mark Boyett does an excellent job as ever and I'm
glad to find that he is narrating all the books so far in this series. I've
only noticed two mistakes thus far in his rendering of the story to date.
One that was present in this and the previous book on one or two occasions
was the misreading of the alien race, the "Skrull" as skull. The other thing
I noticed was that the accent used for a character not seen since the first
book, a Centurion Thompson, was now generic North American rather than the
clipped British accent used originally. Still, two very minor things in my
book given the overall top quality narration seen here.
As with the previous books, Tech World leaves the reader and the story in a
state of baited breath as we want to find out what happens next earnestly.
So, I'm about to purchase three more credits just for the pleasure of
getting the next two books in the series as I just cannot wait for close to
a month for my next credit! however, once I finish book 5 in the series I
really don't know what I'm going to do. Perhaps Audible should find me some
sort of rehab I can go into to help deal with the wait until the next book
is released!
Another thoroughly enjoyable read from Larson, need I say more?
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- Chaotic Entropy
- 13-12-2019
Keep it in your pants
I think I'm done with the series, getting pretty tired of just listening to teenage fantasy where basically every single female character exists to be oggled and fornicated with by the protagonist. Rather tedious and just a little embarrassing.
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- Amazon Customer
- 15-11-2017
im judging James
no book has delved into the mind of a "man whore" quite like this one.... still I like how he solves problems and this entire universe.... on to the next one
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- Smudger444
- 22-04-2015
Can't stop reading
This series Undying Mercenaries is so good im loosing sleep. I just cant stop listening.
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- Matt de Freitas
- 31-03-2015
Love the undying mercenary series
Another great book in the undying mercenary series - action all the way - some good plot twists - I love this series
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- Wayne
- 03-11-2020
Easy listening
I’m working my way through this series and so far, enjoying it thoroughly. The storyline is easy to follow and the characters are well portrayed. It’s not a deep story but makes for fun and easy listening on the train and in the car. Have burst out laughing many a time at the way things are portrayed and the “antics” of McGill and the by now, expected responses from his superiors. This series is definitely keeping me entertained during this otherwise dreary period we are all going through. Worth a listen.
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- Mark Quigley
- 28-08-2020
Gripping
This series is great I initially started with book 3 and I really enjoyed it. Mc Gill is a legend. The narrator made me feel like I was right in the middle of the battles.
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- terrywhitelaw
- 19-05-2020
all the best action movies rolled into 1
Just as good a listen as the last two books straight onto the next today
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- Jason White
- 12-02-2020
excellent
loved it.. just like 1 and 2... page Turner, boyett is brilliant as the nav, B.V Larson is a great storyteller, no point in blabbing on about the story.. read the summary. highly recommend this title.. now straight to machine world book 4.
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- dee_cee
- 04-12-2019
Fantastic Listen!
Fantastic book, amazing narrator. My first of the series but I will be reading them all from the beginning. Also love the humorous tone of the main character.
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