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Aurora #3
Aurora: Meridian
Their hardest battle will be fighting the enemy within ...
Captain Saul Harris has found himself at a crossroads. Haunted by dreams of the dead, he fights to keep his soldiers safe as events spiral out of his control. But has his search for the truth led him to discover there is more to this mission of chasing Sharley than meets the eye?
Meanwhile, Corporal Carrie Welles seeks revenge. Consumed with demons from her past two missions, she goes rogue in the hope that her actions will end all the pain and suffering the Aurora team has endured. But will facing the enemy free them all from Sharley's cruel grasp, or has she condemned herself to a suicide mission?
As the mystery of Sharley and UNFASP unfolds and lives hang in the balance, Harris and Carrie are forced to search deep inside themselves, and what they find will shock them.
Captain Saul Harris has found himself at a crossroads. Haunted by dreams of the dead, he fights to keep his soldiers safe as events spiral out of his control. But has his search for the truth led him to discover there is more to this mission of chasing Sharley than meets the eye?
Meanwhile, Corporal Carrie Welles seeks revenge. Consumed with demons from her past two missions, she goes rogue in the hope that her actions will end all the pain and suffering the Aurora team has endured. But will facing the enemy free them all from Sharley's cruel grasp, or has she condemned herself to a suicide mission?
As the mystery of Sharley and UNFASP unfolds and lives hang in the balance, Harris and Carrie are forced to search deep inside themselves, and what they find will shock them.
- GenresScience Fiction
624 pages, Paperback
First published September 11, 2014
7 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Bridgeman
28 books107 followersAmanda is a Scribe Award winner, a two-time Tin Duck Award winner, an Aurealis and Ditmar Awards finalist and author of several science fiction and thriller novels. Her works include sci-fi mystery SALVATION series, consisting of THE SUBJUGATE and THE SENSATION (published by Angry Robot Books, UK), which is being developed for TV by Aquarius Films and Anonymous Content (True Detective, Mr Robot, The Alienist).
THE SUBJUGATE is also currently being studied at two German universities (Düsseldorf and Cologne) as part of a program on Australian speculative fiction, in conjunction with the Centre for Australian Studies.
Born in the seaside/country town of Geraldton, Western Australia, she moved to Perth (Western Australia) to study film & television/creative writing at Murdoch University, earning her a BA in Communication Studies. Perth has been her home ever since, aside from a nineteen-month stint in London (England) where she dabbled in Film & TV ‘Extra’ work.
Amanda is a versatile writer who enjoys working across different genres and creative formats, be it novels, screenplays, short stories, etc, and creating both original and tie-in work.
Her Scribe Award winning novel PANDEMIC: PATIENT ZERO is the first novel set in the award-winning Pandemic tabletop board game universe.
She has written short stories for Marvel (X-Men) and Black Library (Warhammer 40k) anthologies.
Her new novel, Sound of Light, set in the Marvel X-Men universe and featuring mutant Dazzler, is out now!
THE SUBJUGATE is also currently being studied at two German universities (Düsseldorf and Cologne) as part of a program on Australian speculative fiction, in conjunction with the Centre for Australian Studies.
Born in the seaside/country town of Geraldton, Western Australia, she moved to Perth (Western Australia) to study film & television/creative writing at Murdoch University, earning her a BA in Communication Studies. Perth has been her home ever since, aside from a nineteen-month stint in London (England) where she dabbled in Film & TV ‘Extra’ work.
Amanda is a versatile writer who enjoys working across different genres and creative formats, be it novels, screenplays, short stories, etc, and creating both original and tie-in work.
Her Scribe Award winning novel PANDEMIC: PATIENT ZERO is the first novel set in the award-winning Pandemic tabletop board game universe.
She has written short stories for Marvel (X-Men) and Black Library (Warhammer 40k) anthologies.
Her new novel, Sound of Light, set in the Marvel X-Men universe and featuring mutant Dazzler, is out now!
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 20, 2014
The Aurora series is probably the most character driven sci-fi series I've read and MERIDIAN continues that theme. With Carrie off the Aurora ship and fractured from her team in more ways then one, the tough and resilient Corporal Welles could've gone two ways; one succumb to her predicament and put her troubled past behind her, or two; fight back - and fight back she does.
One of the great things about the Aurora books is the notion of ultra humans, super soldiers known as 'jumbos' - evolved/created in secrecy by a shadow branch of the UNF. These jumbos are paramount to proceedings in MERIDIAN as it's these menacing and unpredictable soldiers Carrie willingly places her life in the hands of all for the purpose of taking theirs. Given what transpired in PEGASUS, it makes for an interesting dynamic that's nothing short of page turning.
As Carrie's personal mission becomes known by her former team, Harris, Doc and co turn their attention to getting Carrie back and subsequently taking out the rouge jumbos. As their plight gains momentum, both opposing sides suffer loss while Carrie gains both literally and figuratively - there as some explosive events in MERIDIAN that change the face of this series.
As with the previous two books, having finished MERIDIAN I cant wait for the next instalment. Author Amanda Bridgeman has added another crucial chapter to the characters of the Aurora series while establishing a dangerous and unsettling future for them in further instalments.
Review first appeared on my blog: http://justaguythatlikes2read.blogspo...
One of the great things about the Aurora books is the notion of ultra humans, super soldiers known as 'jumbos' - evolved/created in secrecy by a shadow branch of the UNF. These jumbos are paramount to proceedings in MERIDIAN as it's these menacing and unpredictable soldiers Carrie willingly places her life in the hands of all for the purpose of taking theirs. Given what transpired in PEGASUS, it makes for an interesting dynamic that's nothing short of page turning.
As Carrie's personal mission becomes known by her former team, Harris, Doc and co turn their attention to getting Carrie back and subsequently taking out the rouge jumbos. As their plight gains momentum, both opposing sides suffer loss while Carrie gains both literally and figuratively - there as some explosive events in MERIDIAN that change the face of this series.
As with the previous two books, having finished MERIDIAN I cant wait for the next instalment. Author Amanda Bridgeman has added another crucial chapter to the characters of the Aurora series while establishing a dangerous and unsettling future for them in further instalments.
Review first appeared on my blog: http://justaguythatlikes2read.blogspo...
June 28, 2018
Great 3rd book in the series. The story just keeps delivering. I do like how "real" the story is. That is if we were able to fly back n forth from Earth to Mars like we fly to Australia from Los Angeles. The conspiracy runs deep!
November 9, 2014
The Story Continues
An intriguing continuing saga & great read. Looking forward to coming chapters in this story as the situation for the team evolves & is yet to be finalized.
An intriguing continuing saga & great read. Looking forward to coming chapters in this story as the situation for the team evolves & is yet to be finalized.
December 30, 2016
Aurora: Meridian Amanda Bridgeman
Book three in this series. An absolutely fantastic read. This book is set in the future. Our solar system is becoming colonized. Earth survival and our species depends on this. A deranged scientist is experimenting with the ultimate hybrid soldier.. invincible. But at what cost? This is an extraordinary read, an epic Thriller!!! I highly recommend!!!
Book three in this series. An absolutely fantastic read. This book is set in the future. Our solar system is becoming colonized. Earth survival and our species depends on this. A deranged scientist is experimenting with the ultimate hybrid soldier.. invincible. But at what cost? This is an extraordinary read, an epic Thriller!!! I highly recommend!!!
December 28, 2015
When the previous book left off, Carrie had just been unwillingly transferred off the Aurora after her inappropriate behaviour led to a conflict between other crew members. Her humiliation by friend and foe made Aurora: Pegasus a difficult read for me and I was a little bit wary of where Aurora: Meridian might lead.
The book picks up almost exactly where Pegasus left off--with Carrie aboard the Vortex in shock over her abandonment by the crew of the Aurora. While this despair is completely understandable, I was also glad to see Carrie doesn't wallow in it. Instead, she lets it crystallise into a determination that drives the rest of the book. She vows to get revenge, not against the crew of the Aurora, but against the man that started it all: Dr Sharley. It is a dangerous plan, but it works in the context of the story because it is clear Carrie is acting from a place that isn't entirely rational after all the trauma she has endured.
While there is a hardness to Carrie's determination, it doesn't strip her of compassion. This is especially made evident by Carrie's attitude towards the crew of the Vortex. She does her best to avoid getting close her new crew members, partly to make her escape easier. However, she also quickly realises that her presence among them puts them at risk and she does not want to see any more of her crew members die. And even though she does her best to keep her distance, she isn't entirely successful. This only made me like her more.
Interestingly, I liked Captain Harris a bit less. Throughout the series, there has been some underlying suggestions that the crew of the Aurora aren't very far removed from the Jumbo super-soldiers they face. Sharley has had designs to convert them since the very beginning of the series and I can see why. Harris comes across as particularly territorial in this book, both in incidents with his family and in his early exchanges with Captain Lee of the Vortex. This didn't particularly endear him. Sharley insists that Harris will make a great leader for his Jumbos, and perhaps he may. But I'm not convinced he is doing a good job with his leadership of the Aurora. To be fair, the circumstances have been difficult and I felt he began to redeem himself a little in the end.
Overall, I found Meridian to be a stronger book than Pegasus. The pacing has improved and I found it a bit less predictable. My one criticism is that the ending started to feel a bit soapy for me. I feel that Aurora: Centralis is going to need to tread carefully with its treatment of relationships. Nevertheless, I found Meridian an enjoyable read.
This review first appeared on Earl Grey Editing.
The book picks up almost exactly where Pegasus left off--with Carrie aboard the Vortex in shock over her abandonment by the crew of the Aurora. While this despair is completely understandable, I was also glad to see Carrie doesn't wallow in it. Instead, she lets it crystallise into a determination that drives the rest of the book. She vows to get revenge, not against the crew of the Aurora, but against the man that started it all: Dr Sharley. It is a dangerous plan, but it works in the context of the story because it is clear Carrie is acting from a place that isn't entirely rational after all the trauma she has endured.
While there is a hardness to Carrie's determination, it doesn't strip her of compassion. This is especially made evident by Carrie's attitude towards the crew of the Vortex. She does her best to avoid getting close her new crew members, partly to make her escape easier. However, she also quickly realises that her presence among them puts them at risk and she does not want to see any more of her crew members die. And even though she does her best to keep her distance, she isn't entirely successful. This only made me like her more.
Interestingly, I liked Captain Harris a bit less. Throughout the series, there has been some underlying suggestions that the crew of the Aurora aren't very far removed from the Jumbo super-soldiers they face. Sharley has had designs to convert them since the very beginning of the series and I can see why. Harris comes across as particularly territorial in this book, both in incidents with his family and in his early exchanges with Captain Lee of the Vortex. This didn't particularly endear him. Sharley insists that Harris will make a great leader for his Jumbos, and perhaps he may. But I'm not convinced he is doing a good job with his leadership of the Aurora. To be fair, the circumstances have been difficult and I felt he began to redeem himself a little in the end.
Overall, I found Meridian to be a stronger book than Pegasus. The pacing has improved and I found it a bit less predictable. My one criticism is that the ending started to feel a bit soapy for me. I feel that Aurora: Centralis is going to need to tread carefully with its treatment of relationships. Nevertheless, I found Meridian an enjoyable read.
This review first appeared on Earl Grey Editing.
January 10, 2015
Book three of Amanda Bridgeman’s Aurora series continues the adventures of the crew of the spaceship Aurora, which makes sense really. In particular, it focuses again on the two main characters Captain Saul Harris and Corporal Carrie Webb.
I really enjoyed Aurora: Meridian. It has all the elements that made the first two books great; Lots of terrific action and spot on story pacing and development. Sharley and his crew continue to be great villains and just enough of their plans and motives are revealed to keep the tension and interest.
There was just one thing, well two things, which bothered me. Both Carrie and Saul do something really dumb. For no good reason except that their actions advance the plot or provide more tension.
Carrie’s dumb thing comes first, a choice to take a course of action that makes no sense. It’s bad enough to make me wonder why everyone thinks she is so special. However, the outcome does lead to an important plot development. Does that make it okay? I am very keen to find out what happens next.
For Saul it’s an out of the blue family twist. His reaction to this family thing causes him to miss something really important. I don’t think it should have, but it did. This continued an ongoing tension in Saul’s story line that I would like to see resolved. However, I don’t think it will be any time soon.
Besides these two annoying things, I really enjoyed Aurora: Meridian and want to read more. I will be buying the next book in the series, Aurora: Centralis, as soon as it comes out. That is a cool name.
I really enjoyed Aurora: Meridian. It has all the elements that made the first two books great; Lots of terrific action and spot on story pacing and development. Sharley and his crew continue to be great villains and just enough of their plans and motives are revealed to keep the tension and interest.
There was just one thing, well two things, which bothered me. Both Carrie and Saul do something really dumb. For no good reason except that their actions advance the plot or provide more tension.
Carrie’s dumb thing comes first, a choice to take a course of action that makes no sense. It’s bad enough to make me wonder why everyone thinks she is so special. However, the outcome does lead to an important plot development. Does that make it okay? I am very keen to find out what happens next.
For Saul it’s an out of the blue family twist. His reaction to this family thing causes him to miss something really important. I don’t think it should have, but it did. This continued an ongoing tension in Saul’s story line that I would like to see resolved. However, I don’t think it will be any time soon.
Besides these two annoying things, I really enjoyed Aurora: Meridian and want to read more. I will be buying the next book in the series, Aurora: Centralis, as soon as it comes out. That is a cool name.
September 22, 2014
Aurora: Meridian
I've read the previous novels in this series (Thanks, NetGalley), and I couldn't wait to discover what Amanda Bridgeman could deliver with this one.
Aurora: Darwin - reviewed here.
Aurora: Pegasus - reviewed here.
I may have thought this would be a trilogy and that Aurora: Meridian would be the final installment, but that is not the case. There will be at least one more novel, maybe more.
OK -- Meridian didn't work as well for me as the previous novels have. Carrie's behavior seemed foolish and put others in jeopardy. (You know how you have a character's personality in mind from reading the other novels he/she has appeared in? Carrie's behavior in Meridian didn't match my vision of her.) There are 3 reviews on Amazon that have a more positive take on this third book in the series, however, so my opinion may be skewed by personal preference.
Have to admit that, although not as pleased with this one, I eagerly await the next book in the series. Saul is beginning to admit the importance of his dreams, the spy has been detected, and the members of the crew are prepared to tackle the bad guys with renewed determination.
NetGalley/ Pan Macmillan
Science Fiction. Sept. 2014. Print length: 552 pages.
I've read the previous novels in this series (Thanks, NetGalley), and I couldn't wait to discover what Amanda Bridgeman could deliver with this one.
Aurora: Darwin - reviewed here.
Aurora: Pegasus - reviewed here.
I may have thought this would be a trilogy and that Aurora: Meridian would be the final installment, but that is not the case. There will be at least one more novel, maybe more.
OK -- Meridian didn't work as well for me as the previous novels have. Carrie's behavior seemed foolish and put others in jeopardy. (You know how you have a character's personality in mind from reading the other novels he/she has appeared in? Carrie's behavior in Meridian didn't match my vision of her.) There are 3 reviews on Amazon that have a more positive take on this third book in the series, however, so my opinion may be skewed by personal preference.
Have to admit that, although not as pleased with this one, I eagerly await the next book in the series. Saul is beginning to admit the importance of his dreams, the spy has been detected, and the members of the crew are prepared to tackle the bad guys with renewed determination.
NetGalley/ Pan Macmillan
Science Fiction. Sept. 2014. Print length: 552 pages.
June 18, 2015
I think this is my favourite of the Aurora series thus far. I won the first 3 books in a giveaway, and have been having an Amanda Bridgeman binge, reading all three books Darwin, Pegasus and Meridian, within the last week. They're big books, but the writing is nice and big too, which helps.
Meridian sees Carrie Welles 'go it alone' - having been escorted off the Aurora. Carrie thinks the only way to help Doc, McKinley, Harris and all the Aurora crew is for her to gain Sharley's trust by submitting to his Jumbo program, and (having done that) kill him.
As always, Sharley seems to be one step ahead.
The ending of this book has been my favourite of the 3 so far. The pace didn't slow. The stakes for Carrie are horrendous. My goodness our girl has got herself in a right pickle!
Can't wait to see what happens next.
Meridian sees Carrie Welles 'go it alone' - having been escorted off the Aurora. Carrie thinks the only way to help Doc, McKinley, Harris and all the Aurora crew is for her to gain Sharley's trust by submitting to his Jumbo program, and (having done that) kill him.
As always, Sharley seems to be one step ahead.
The ending of this book has been my favourite of the 3 so far. The pace didn't slow. The stakes for Carrie are horrendous. My goodness our girl has got herself in a right pickle!
Can't wait to see what happens next.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews