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The Earthburst Saga #3

Operation Starshot

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The final showdown is coming�


Ignacio Zola saw billions of lives as collateral damage in his plan to reach a new world.

But when I got in his way, I didn’t just make him angry.

I made this personal.

Stopping one disaster has only pushed him towards something even more diabolical.

Now, I have one shot left.


To stop the planet-killing cataclysm Zola has set in motion, I’ll have to repurpose some mind-blowing technology from his own abandoned research center.

Everything rests on Operation Starshot: a one-in-a-million mission to finish what I’ve started.

And even if I survive a journey nothing could prepare me for, I know who'll be waiting on the other side.

I’ve stared death in the eyes too many times to count.

But to settle this once and for all, I’ll have to go face to face with evil�

379 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 21, 2023

234 people are currently reading
134 people want to read

About the author

Craig A. Falconer

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5 stars
352 (46%)
4 stars
274 (36%)
3 stars
105 (13%)
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25 (3%)
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4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
Profile Image for Dom.
Author1 book588 followers
January 25, 2025
Continuing where the first two books left off, I had a blast with this one. Although it’s a nine-book series, the ending here suggests it might have initially been a trilogy—certainly the first arc of the overall series can be read in isolation, and I think for a longer series, that’s a great thing.

I love the intensity here, and I think the ever-expanding cast of characters do a great job of navigating those tense moments and delivering some pretty crazy scenes. I’ve seen some people complain that it’s not a realistic premise, with our “Last Man Standing� of the first book always being the one to essentially save the world, but that doesn’t bother me in the slightest, as it’s pure escapism. I think of it as being like a blockbuster movie—it’s not one that’s going to show up at any awards ceremony, but it’s great entertainment, and that’s all I’m looking for when I pick one of these books up.

I’m excited to see where we go from here, having not spoiled myself on what to expect from future books. Hopefully, it will be more of the same, because it’s a formula that’s really working for me at the moment.
Profile Image for Anja.
157 reviews2 followers
November 14, 2024
Nope, he did not change. The author is STILL longwinded, repeating over and over and mansplaining too much. Add to that a sniff of male chauvinism and I really don't like the narcisistic Ray Ray anymore.
Then WHY did I keep reading? Laika! I adore Laika.
And why am I starting on book 4? Because I hope to see more of Driver and Laika. Will Ray be there too? I hope not. We'll just have to wait and see.
Profile Image for Katy.
1,447 reviews10 followers
March 14, 2023
I'm finding it really hard to come up with new superlatives when describing Craig Falconer's work.

This trilogy has had me totally gripped from start to finish. I don't know how he did it, but I've been short of breath, had my heart in my throat, had more butterflies in my tummy than I can count - and held my breath so many times, I'm amazed that I remembered how to breath normally, afterwards!

The final book of this trilogy did this, and more as, time after time, Ray, Driver, and Laika ran the gauntlet, in order to save the survivors on Earth, and those on the Vita, from Ignatio Zola, and his increasingly crazy attempts to get at Ray, through them all.

It's been a long time since I've read a thriller, but hearing that these books were Sci-fi thrillers drew me to them, as anything Sci-fi or Fantasy related rocks my boat.

There's something extra special about this trilogy though, and I think it's because the characters truly were human. Real people. Not superhuman. Not larger than life. But people who, despite their being ordinary, step up to what's needed, when needed, and despite the risks.

What I also loved about this final book, is the fact that it still surprised me - and frequently, too - as I constantly thought one thing was going to happen, when something totally different appeared!

I loved that I couldn't guess what would happen next, and that the thrill of it all lasted until the very end of the book.

This is some really good storytelling, and I was so happy to find out that there's a new trilogy on the way, with the same main character - I've already pre-booked the first of them: The Anomaly, which will be released on 30th May, 2023 - it's going to be hard waiting for it, but at least I've got a huge TBR pile of books, by truly awesome Authors, to try and get through in the meantime!

A small fact for you: anyone who reads Sarah Noffke's amazing books, will be happy to know that she and Craig are engaged! Where do you think I learned about Craig being a writer? Lol

Anyhoo, with Sarah being a contributor to the Delta Underground Operatives, or DUO, to everyone who loves them, I was really happy to finally get the next DUO Book to read!

This one is called Consuming Wind, and is written by Kimbra Swain. This involves another Duo, called Dani and Zeph, and I really want to start reading it right now, but it's 1:45am right this minute, and I really do need to sleep.

So, as I've said before, I'll start it later on today, then I'll catch you on the flip side, to tell you what I think of it, then!
9 reviews
March 27, 2023
"Operation Starshot" was a great read. The writing is fluid and the plot developments are quite entertaining and reasonable. I enjoyed the whole series and would recommend it to any scifi fan. Well done Mr Falconer, well done.
155 reviews2 followers
March 11, 2023
Again amazing and entirely plausible


This book is really great! I truly think it could become a hit at the movies?
Good against evil,
the humble hero against the plans of the bad guy.
What else does there need to be?
653 reviews
March 3, 2023
I thought this was the final chapter, But I see there is another installment coming out in May.

This felt like a good ending spot to wrap things up, I hope that this doesn’t get drawn out and dilute what felt like a solid arc.

That being said, I do want to know more about the parrot. Lyka’s story doesn’t feel over yet!
568 reviews2 followers
May 25, 2023
NOT a Very Interesting Tale �

Again, there is not as much is in this book to ‘grab� The Reader (when compared to Book #1 of the Trilogy) � I’m starting to have doubts that I want to invest the time and effort to finish this Trilogy � and THEN I discovered that not only is there a 4th book � but there seems to be at least 2 more books after THAT in the planning stages �

No, without the intense pace established in Book #1, I’m more likely than not to abandon Book #3 unless it quickly gets more interesting! � A few days later I stopped about 25% of the way through the book � the ‘normal� tale that continues throughout this Trilogy just isn’t all that interesting.
Profile Image for Wolfmantula.
327 reviews48 followers
May 3, 2024
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MY ⭐️ RATING: 4/5
FORMAT: Kindle Whispersync


I really have to start out with the fact that Scott Aiello, yet again, put on another great performance narrating this story. He’s the driving force to what makes this story come alive, and I’m thankful I did the whispersync version of this, to get that experience. With that said, I enjoyed this more than the previous installment of this series because the tension felt a little more tense and satisfying this time, but still not on the level of book 1, Last Man Standing. I was also thankful to see that Falconer decided to go back into space, to give it a more sci-fi feel again, with a mixture of apocalyptic. This felt like a really good way to end the series, but I do like that the author has decided to continue on after this, in a world that he’s already built up.

“Zola is desperate, Ray. And while it’s true that there can be danger in desperation, one thing is even truer: desperate men make mistakes.�

After finishing this first trilogy of the series, I really felt like the antagonist of this story didn’t really live up to his “cold-heartedness� as much as he probably should’ve. There were decisions made that just didn’t seem very smart other than to drum up a little bit of tension for Ray and his mission. Don’t get me wrong, he had some of that cold-heartedness, but at times, it just felt like he was more of a comic book villain type rather than a true cold-hearted mastermind that was willing to remove any obstacle that got in his way. Aside from that, I enjoyed the characters and loved that there was more Laika involved this time around, Driver still has a bit of that “Mary Sue� to her, but I still enjoyed her character and her attitude. The banter between the two really drives the story along in some of its less than exciting scenes because for her back and forth quips.
Profile Image for Michael  Keller.
894 reviews8 followers
March 22, 2023
The Earth is safe! Ray and Driver stopped the second explosion! Oops! Zola isn't done yet!

Ignacio Zola is awake and he is pissed! Ray Barclay and Luna "Driver" Reyes, with the help of the amazing macaw Laika, stopped the second explosion and saved the Earth! From Zola's New Zealand bunker the mighty starship "Balena" launches into orbit with only part of his hand picked passenger list aboard. And after the second explosion was stopped, the Balena doesn't have enough theocite fuel to make it to the new planet Bayzen. But the crafty Zola isn't through yet. He needs Ray to bring him a missing passenger. A very important part of Zola's grand plans. Meanwhile, the Virginia bunker is evacuated aboard the ERF spacecraft Vita and launches to orbit. Ray makes it to the Colorado bunker to reunite with his pregnant wife (surprise!) and son. The excitement builds, new friends and helpers are met, Zola plots and Ray, Driver and Laika are back at it again!
Amazing characters, a storyline with so many twists and bends that it puts pretzels to shame, a master storyteller guiding the characters in and out of danger and a bucket load of unexpected situations and dire results! All of that adds up to an absolutely astounding read! And it ain't done yet! More to come!
Profile Image for Ruth Macleod.
52 reviews4 followers
March 16, 2025
I think this installment was better that the last, it had more at stake, and a couple of surprises, it was actually I book I wanted to keep reading as opposed to a few pages to tire me out before bed like the second book. But it was still only just ‘okay� not enough happened in book two and I could see with a good editor you could have easily of cut out all the waffle and combined books two and three together in terms of actual events that happen. The believability is still a huge factor, like he’s the ‘only one� that can do anything. I happen to like a terrible disaster movie and that’s pretty much what all these books have felt like. Easy reading, but no deeper substance. I mean the really interesting things about this story was the mention of the ‘boys� I won’t say anything else. But the concept created something that could be both horrifying and unsettling as well as beautifully intense. But the writer never went down that road, he just mentioned their possibility, but you never met them or got to see his plan for them in anyway. It felt like a missed opportunity to actually go deeper and creepier than just surface level stuff.

Again an okay read if all you want is a 90s B movie in book form.
6 reviews
February 21, 2023
Amazing follow up! Excitement on Every Page

Operation Starshot

It seems like yesterday that I finished reading “Into The Fire�. This sequel does not disappoint. Operation Starshot is fast paced and weaves together non stop breathtaking action scenes.

This venture starts where a difficult but non end of world saga finished. Relief was short lived as the evil mastermind, Zola is awake and threatening Earth once again with massive destruction.

Zola creates a list of demands that seem impossible, but he disseminates them piecemeal to the survivor's on earth. Tasks are on a time limit which increases the level of suspense.

The familiar characters are back and new ones are woven in. Ray, Driver, Laika, Zola are constants along with Ray's family. Family is his driving force to find a way to stop this new threat, even willing to sacrifice himself.

Zola Core will never see it's imagined utopia, but the priority for Ray is saving what is left of planet earth and it's inhabitants.

I wrote in my last review that you should be prepared to not put down Into the Fire. Again that is true with Operation Starshot!

146 reviews5 followers
February 24, 2023
Book 3 in the Earthburst Saga, Operation Starshot, picks right up after book 2, Into The Fire. Falconer doesn't slow down either in this fast paced book of one man determined to undermine and stop forever the devil in disguise, Ignacio Zola. A man with a god complex, Zola is on his way to making space his empire. But not if Ray Barclay can help it. As a child, Ray admired Zola and wanted to be like him. Little did he know that dream is gone. He's on his own (mostly) but with a plan in mind, Ray also is determined. He'll stop Zola if it's the last thing he does. His life is on Earth with Eva and Joe. He has to save them and humanity. To paraphrase many an author, it's not really a good thing to meet your hero.
Get ready for a ride that will take you to the end in book 4, The Anomaly. It'll blow your mind!
251 reviews1 follower
September 2, 2023
Barclay saves the world again

Somehow Barclay finds out the world is still in danger. He goes to meet the team for the other side, and finds some friends. With their help he figures out how to get to the moon in order to stop it from blowing up. He's short on time so he has to push the acceleration limit. All of this done while he's unconscious, but we're not finished. We've got to confront the evil Zola at the Beacon space station. If it weren't for his trusty Macaw, Laika, all would have been lost. Zola and the Beacon are destroyed, and the world is again safe for humanity. Now, there are some loose strings that have to be taken care of, and they are with about two chapters of narration. Style was readable, and even enjoyable, but the story was simply over the top.
Profile Image for Mia.
153 reviews
January 9, 2024
This initial trilogy was my first experience with Craig A. Falconer and it didn't disappoint. The plots of each book move fast and you're engaged all the time. There’s always something risky to do for Ray, Laika and eventually Driver and other characters, so the few downtimes feel earned instead of lagging.

These three books are also an excellent example that proves an author doesn't have to make their characters constantly do stupid things in order to create an interesting narrative. It is possible to have intelligent characters and still have a good plot.

If Operation Starshot had been the last book of the series, I would have been fully satisfied, but I'm glad this is not the last I'm gonna hear from Ray and the rest of the gang.
Profile Image for Cameron  Felt.
106 reviews
February 16, 2025
cute and an easy read
fun and pretty mindless

these books in this series feel like little tv show episodes

book 1- ends with Ray crash landing on earth with the world saving info
book 2- Ray saves earth from exploding but sabotaging the underwater bomb. he makes it back to his family in the other bunker.
now book 3- Ray and the new team, including his wife, go to Zola's abandoned research center but find it still full of people- ppl who worked for zola but they change sides when they learn the truth. going to space once again to stop the explosion of the moon and make up with zola on the original research facility. they kill zola and get back safe
Profile Image for Ralph.
245 reviews1 follower
June 14, 2023
The 3rd book of the "Earthburst Saga" Trilogy, "Operation Starshot" does not disappoint. Well-written like the previous two books in this series, "Operation Starshot" has interesting and admirable characters that are caught in a last ditch effort to save the planet from a deluded and devious enemy.

I enjoyed this book just as much as the two previous books. I will be reading Falconer's next book, "The Anomaly", soon.
171 reviews2 followers
November 9, 2023
I was worried that the author would drag this portion of the story out way past this third book. Im happy he wrapped up this portion of the story before moving some of our main characters into the next installments. Like the other books I found myself skimming past some of the long descriptions of what was going through the mind of our main character :-) The story and action keeps you turning pages!
97 reviews2 followers
March 8, 2024
Waiting for the Film

It's easy to do a minimalized review of these books. they will make a great Movie or TV series.

The characters are well defined, even the antagonists but the protaginists are trully loveable ... especially Laika, the Bird Supreme.

The plot has a few twists and turns that are not expected, but well placed.

This is a great series for Theater of the Mind and I hope it makes it to the Big Screen, too.
Profile Image for Zane Abbey.
52 reviews1 follower
July 19, 2024
This was a fun summer post apocalyptic trilogy. All my concerns from book one were put to ease. I really enjoyed the main characters in this series. They were relatable and effective. I enjoy the way all three of these books unfolded and tied together so nicely at the end. The real world landmarks in the series really helped to tie in the feasibility of this books premise. We maybe closer to some of these fictions than we think.
1 review
April 10, 2023
Sorry , it I didn’t get into this trilogy at all - it just seemed such a padded out way to present a simple plot- there was no attempt at character building just long passages that didn’t relate to anything- but that’s only my opinion and others will I’m sure see it differently. Average at best for me. But don’t take my word for it �.
244 reviews3 followers
May 7, 2023
Can they get ahead of Zola?

Ray, Eva and Joe are finally reunited, but how long will that last? Zola seems to be able to keep one step ahead of them and is pulling Ray's strings as he sends him to New Zealand for something his people 'forgot' to take.

Another exciting adventure with Laika and Driver tagging along. A good ending for this trilogy.
433 reviews2 followers
April 13, 2025
Poor Ray has to save humanity yet again! He has his trusty pilot, Driver, and his super intelligent macaw, Laika to help him out.

The tasks and mistakes and seemingly impossible weren't as "give the guy a break" in this one. It was just right.

While there are 6 more sequels, you could stop here and it would be fine. But of course you won't.
10 reviews
March 6, 2023
My favorite this year

This trilogy had me going from start to end. I loved that Ray kept bouncing back against all odds. Makes one wonder if there is more to the tickets being sold to Mars?
Profile Image for Christophe Anagnostopoulos.
53 reviews3 followers
March 19, 2023
4.5/5

The third and final book of the Earthburst Saga series.
The story of Ray and Driver comes to an end, one way or another.
As happened with the other two books of the trilogy, this is a fast paced science fiction/action story that is highly recommended!
20 reviews
May 1, 2023
great series

In the first book I thought the main character’s internal dialogue waffled too much in the first quarter but I persevered because story line was intriguing. I am glad I did, great story, lots of action, a devious evil character to hate and good story twists.
22 reviews1 follower
September 19, 2023
To the moon and back

An exciting read with well developed characters and suspenseful points of drama. The ongoing story keeps you guessing about what could Zola be planning to stop Ray from stopping his demonic plans.
23 reviews
November 22, 2023
I really enjoy this book, just as good as book 1 and 2. Lots of credible, well fleshed out characters.
I waited to do this review until I’d read up to book 6, they are all worth reading, 3 more gripping reads to go.
Thanks Craig.
Regards, Reg.
Profile Image for Miriam Turner.
50 reviews
October 17, 2024
All hail Laika ... the real hero! This was an awesome scifi adventure story from beginning to end. I loved every character, even Zola. He made a great villain! I could totally see the first three books as a TV series.
99 reviews
February 24, 2023
Operation starshot

This series is getting more and more interesting with every book now waiting for the next love it Craig so let's go
90 reviews
February 25, 2023
Another adventure!

Really enjoyed this book and I was totally engrossed with the story. The plot twists were fast moving and kept my interest.
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