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Baldwin's Legacy #4
Hierarchy
An impending promotion. A colony world. A betrayal of trust.
Captain Thomas Baldwin has made a name for himself in a short period of time. The Statu have finally been defeated, and the Concord has Tom and his crew to thank for the victory.
With the construction of more sophisticated cruise ships, offers are being extended to capable leaders. Commander Treena Starling must decide if she is happy staying on Constantine or if she’ll Captain her own.
Ven Ittix is humbled to escort his people to their new home, the Ugna now full-fledged Concord partners, but a revelation is waiting for them when they arrive.
Hierarchy is the fourth book in the epic Baldwin’s Legacy series.
Captain Thomas Baldwin has made a name for himself in a short period of time. The Statu have finally been defeated, and the Concord has Tom and his crew to thank for the victory.
With the construction of more sophisticated cruise ships, offers are being extended to capable leaders. Commander Treena Starling must decide if she is happy staying on Constantine or if she’ll Captain her own.
Ven Ittix is humbled to escort his people to their new home, the Ugna now full-fledged Concord partners, but a revelation is waiting for them when they arrive.
Hierarchy is the fourth book in the epic Baldwin’s Legacy series.
- GenresScience Fiction
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 22, 2020
216 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 12, 2021
Hierarchy is a fascinating 4th book in the Baldwin Legacy Series which sees the crew of the Constantine once again at the forefront of the political shaping of the Concord. They have been tasked with taking a small delegation of the Ugna to their new homeworld, Druin F49, a newly terraformed world that the Concord have put aside for the Ugna as a new planet for them to settle and become a separate member of the Concord from their sister species, the Zilph’i, who have the same genetic make-up, but do not possess the psionic abilities the Ugna do, and have a different outward appearance, not possessing the albino skin and red eyes that is common of the Ugna people.
Elder Fayle is leading her people to this new homeworld, and is being particularly domineering of the Constantine crew, when an emergency is detected amongst both the Seeli and Minon people.
The Seeli and Minon are slowly dying, both of their different species, with a very similar genetic heritage due to how they came to be (I’ll let you read that, and not spoil it), are no longer able to get pregnant, and thus create offspring, and their races are slowly dying off as a result. On top of this, the Minon have been attacked by an unknown race, a station destroyed and a potential cure.
Tom Baldwin is faced with the difficult decision of continuing with his mission for the Ugna, or helping these people, Concord members, desperate for help, who he is, under Concord charter, bound to help.
This is a really engaging story of political intrigue, as we see chess pieces being moved around the board in a variety of different ways each trying to gain power and prestige for not just themselves, but their organisation.
The only ones not really doing this, seem to be those aboard the Constantine, who although have the opportunity to actually take positions, given that they are now seem as heroes of the Concord given their actions with the Statu, and the Bacal, saving the ore from Greblok as well as thwarting the Assembly. Baldwin has done some incredible things in a short time, and as a result has been offered the coveted position of Admiral (Given there are a few ‘Admiral� positions open given his actions). But does he want this? To leave Constantine, his crew, his friends, Constantine himself � the grandfather he is just reconnecting with? Tom is also looking at his own future, as he is alone, and has no one in his life, is this the opportunity to settle down? Things become even more complicated with the introduction of the beautiful and beguiling Aimie Gaad.
As well as Baldwin, Treena Starling has also been offered her own ship, and she is faced with a similar dilemma, does she leave her crew and friends? What about her situation? The crew of Constantine has accepted her Android body, but will another crew accept an Android Captain?
This is such a fascinating book, Hierarchy is such an appropriate title, as it covers the ‘Hierarchy� of so many things.
There is the Hierarchy of the Concord, with the changes brought on by what the crew of the Constantine have uncovered, and the dismissal of Admirals, the Prime, a 2nd Prime, the rise of the Ugna, the introduction of the Bacal as well as the resurgence and defeat of an enemy thought dead for 50yrs. There is the Hierarchy of the Ugna, in which we learn Elder Fayle is not the true Leader, and the Ugna have some dark secrets.
And in this book, once again, the Keen legacy rears its head, as we learn of things that have happened in the past that are going to have a profound impact on the Concord.
As with all his books, the driving force in these stories is the Character work, which is just exceptional. Baldwin, Starling, the Daak twins, Constantine, and especially Ven Ittix are all outstanding in this book. The return of the crew of the Shu makes for some interesting dialogue, and each of the crew are just as enthralling as their counterparts on the Constantine. Absent this time is Tarlen, who is back on Greblok, and studying to be part of the Fleet, there is discussion of the passage of time, and you get the impression we might see him later in other books?
Some of the more interesting characters (and I won’t provide details so no spoilers), come from the Ugna this time around, they are just captivating, riveting, and you can’t work out if they are on your side, theirs, or someone else’s it is just brilliant.
Hystad continues his outstanding level of worldbuilding in this story, I am not going to go into detail, as it will give away spoilers, but needless to say, different ships, planets, and other things are just breathtaking in the detail. It is the scope of things like ‘The Code�, in which the quality of each of the sayings is just so good, and he has sat and conjured these for this story, as a set of guidelines for the Concord Fleet to be run by. The depth of this single element along is just masterful, and he has put this effort, this depth, into every aspect of the story, making it just sensational reading.
Overall, Hierarchy really steps the story up a notch, gone are the, young, junior, level crew, thrust into situations and trying to cope, now there are these experienced officers, pondering their futures in the Concord as well as facing some incredible situations. This is like Star Trek on steroids � if they made this into a TV Series, everyone would be watching, it would become the cult show of the 21st Century. This is the series to read (or listen to), as it is just Extraordinary, and Hierarchy is the best in the series by far.
Elder Fayle is leading her people to this new homeworld, and is being particularly domineering of the Constantine crew, when an emergency is detected amongst both the Seeli and Minon people.
The Seeli and Minon are slowly dying, both of their different species, with a very similar genetic heritage due to how they came to be (I’ll let you read that, and not spoil it), are no longer able to get pregnant, and thus create offspring, and their races are slowly dying off as a result. On top of this, the Minon have been attacked by an unknown race, a station destroyed and a potential cure.
Tom Baldwin is faced with the difficult decision of continuing with his mission for the Ugna, or helping these people, Concord members, desperate for help, who he is, under Concord charter, bound to help.
This is a really engaging story of political intrigue, as we see chess pieces being moved around the board in a variety of different ways each trying to gain power and prestige for not just themselves, but their organisation.
The only ones not really doing this, seem to be those aboard the Constantine, who although have the opportunity to actually take positions, given that they are now seem as heroes of the Concord given their actions with the Statu, and the Bacal, saving the ore from Greblok as well as thwarting the Assembly. Baldwin has done some incredible things in a short time, and as a result has been offered the coveted position of Admiral (Given there are a few ‘Admiral� positions open given his actions). But does he want this? To leave Constantine, his crew, his friends, Constantine himself � the grandfather he is just reconnecting with? Tom is also looking at his own future, as he is alone, and has no one in his life, is this the opportunity to settle down? Things become even more complicated with the introduction of the beautiful and beguiling Aimie Gaad.
As well as Baldwin, Treena Starling has also been offered her own ship, and she is faced with a similar dilemma, does she leave her crew and friends? What about her situation? The crew of Constantine has accepted her Android body, but will another crew accept an Android Captain?
This is such a fascinating book, Hierarchy is such an appropriate title, as it covers the ‘Hierarchy� of so many things.
There is the Hierarchy of the Concord, with the changes brought on by what the crew of the Constantine have uncovered, and the dismissal of Admirals, the Prime, a 2nd Prime, the rise of the Ugna, the introduction of the Bacal as well as the resurgence and defeat of an enemy thought dead for 50yrs. There is the Hierarchy of the Ugna, in which we learn Elder Fayle is not the true Leader, and the Ugna have some dark secrets.
And in this book, once again, the Keen legacy rears its head, as we learn of things that have happened in the past that are going to have a profound impact on the Concord.
As with all his books, the driving force in these stories is the Character work, which is just exceptional. Baldwin, Starling, the Daak twins, Constantine, and especially Ven Ittix are all outstanding in this book. The return of the crew of the Shu makes for some interesting dialogue, and each of the crew are just as enthralling as their counterparts on the Constantine. Absent this time is Tarlen, who is back on Greblok, and studying to be part of the Fleet, there is discussion of the passage of time, and you get the impression we might see him later in other books?
Some of the more interesting characters (and I won’t provide details so no spoilers), come from the Ugna this time around, they are just captivating, riveting, and you can’t work out if they are on your side, theirs, or someone else’s it is just brilliant.
Hystad continues his outstanding level of worldbuilding in this story, I am not going to go into detail, as it will give away spoilers, but needless to say, different ships, planets, and other things are just breathtaking in the detail. It is the scope of things like ‘The Code�, in which the quality of each of the sayings is just so good, and he has sat and conjured these for this story, as a set of guidelines for the Concord Fleet to be run by. The depth of this single element along is just masterful, and he has put this effort, this depth, into every aspect of the story, making it just sensational reading.
Overall, Hierarchy really steps the story up a notch, gone are the, young, junior, level crew, thrust into situations and trying to cope, now there are these experienced officers, pondering their futures in the Concord as well as facing some incredible situations. This is like Star Trek on steroids � if they made this into a TV Series, everyone would be watching, it would become the cult show of the 21st Century. This is the series to read (or listen to), as it is just Extraordinary, and Hierarchy is the best in the series by far.
August 29, 2020
For being the Captain of the Concord's latest and greatest starship, he's getting to do some pretty mundane tasks, or so it seems at the start. This mission involves escorting the Ugna to their new homeworld of Driun F49. Elder Fayle was the current leader of the Ugna contingent onboard the Constantine. Captain Thomas Baldwin wasn't necessarily looking for to the long trip and he didn't see why he had to take his ship way out to a rather desolate part of the Concord just to drop off the leader of the Ugna. He clearly had good reason to ask why, because the Ugna had a tremendous fleet of ships aready assembled with more coming the further they moved toward Driun F49. In fact, Captain Baldwin would eventually find out that there were some two-million Ugna heading towards their new home planet, not just the small contingency aboard his ship and the flag ship of the Ugna, the Vastness.
To say the Ugna were hiding things from the Concord would now be an understatement. No one had any idea that there were over two-million Ugnas living among the other Concord member races. The Ugna themselves were a strange race in that they came from all species. Every Ugna had the ability to use the "Talent" in ways that seem magical to others. This "Talent" ability was part of their DNA and it had to be treated with respect and individuals had to be trained in its proper use. The Ugna aslo took care of anyone that was born with the Talent to the extent that they sought out children who demonstrated latent "Talent" abilities and either kidnapped or bought such children from their parents. Obviously, this did not set well with a large number of people in the Concord.
While on this escort mission, a distress call was received from the Seeli on behalf of the Minon, both member races of the Concord. Both races had recently found out that they were a dying race unable to conceive children, except in rare instances. They were also members of a five party colonization effort sent out from the planet Celevon. They had recently found a third huge colony ship sitting derelict in deep space with only a single living body on-board. She was believed to be of the original race and could possibly be the needed change to their DNA. So they had rescued her and she was being held on a Minon space station until the Vusuls showed up. These were a fourth race of the original five and they needed this girl to fix their problem.
So, as you can see, Captain Baldwin has his hands full. He has to complete the escort mission according to the Prime without delay. He assigns second-in-command, Commander Treena Starling to find out about these Vusuls and exactly why did they take the girl and destroy the Minon space station.
While all this is going on, Captain Thomas Baldwin is debating whether or not to accept a promotion to Admiral and be assigned to the Concord capital. He doesn't like the idea of leaving the Constantine, so he's just not sure he will accept the promotion. Additionally, Commander Starling has also been recommended for promotion and would be given one of the newest sister ships just like the Constantine. Again, she's not sure if she wants the responsibility nor is she sure she wants to leave the Constantine. Both need make a decision and very soon.
Pretty good book, but a quick read. The story certainly isn't over yet. That fifth colony ship was supposedly the one that colonized a planet in a system called the Solar System. The Constantine might be headed there and to a planet called, "Earth"!
To say the Ugna were hiding things from the Concord would now be an understatement. No one had any idea that there were over two-million Ugnas living among the other Concord member races. The Ugna themselves were a strange race in that they came from all species. Every Ugna had the ability to use the "Talent" in ways that seem magical to others. This "Talent" ability was part of their DNA and it had to be treated with respect and individuals had to be trained in its proper use. The Ugna aslo took care of anyone that was born with the Talent to the extent that they sought out children who demonstrated latent "Talent" abilities and either kidnapped or bought such children from their parents. Obviously, this did not set well with a large number of people in the Concord.
While on this escort mission, a distress call was received from the Seeli on behalf of the Minon, both member races of the Concord. Both races had recently found out that they were a dying race unable to conceive children, except in rare instances. They were also members of a five party colonization effort sent out from the planet Celevon. They had recently found a third huge colony ship sitting derelict in deep space with only a single living body on-board. She was believed to be of the original race and could possibly be the needed change to their DNA. So they had rescued her and she was being held on a Minon space station until the Vusuls showed up. These were a fourth race of the original five and they needed this girl to fix their problem.
So, as you can see, Captain Baldwin has his hands full. He has to complete the escort mission according to the Prime without delay. He assigns second-in-command, Commander Treena Starling to find out about these Vusuls and exactly why did they take the girl and destroy the Minon space station.
While all this is going on, Captain Thomas Baldwin is debating whether or not to accept a promotion to Admiral and be assigned to the Concord capital. He doesn't like the idea of leaving the Constantine, so he's just not sure he will accept the promotion. Additionally, Commander Starling has also been recommended for promotion and would be given one of the newest sister ships just like the Constantine. Again, she's not sure if she wants the responsibility nor is she sure she wants to leave the Constantine. Both need make a decision and very soon.
Pretty good book, but a quick read. The story certainly isn't over yet. That fifth colony ship was supposedly the one that colonized a planet in a system called the Solar System. The Constantine might be headed there and to a planet called, "Earth"!
June 22, 2020
Good mix of eclectic characters, could use a little bit more advanced Syfy.
This is a excellent series. It has a great cast of characters and a plot that has a lot of twists and turns. You become invested in the characters and want to know what is going to happen to them. The only thing I still do not like is the Syfy aspect of the series. For a group of people who have been in space for thousands of years it seems their technology may be in just the mid 25th century in Earth times. What no transporters, no advanced medical devices instant healing gel’s or other whizbang technology. That is my only gripe as far as this Siri is concerned. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.
This is a excellent series. It has a great cast of characters and a plot that has a lot of twists and turns. You become invested in the characters and want to know what is going to happen to them. The only thing I still do not like is the Syfy aspect of the series. For a group of people who have been in space for thousands of years it seems their technology may be in just the mid 25th century in Earth times. What no transporters, no advanced medical devices instant healing gel’s or other whizbang technology. That is my only gripe as far as this Siri is concerned. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.
October 11, 2024
I have submitted this review after listening to the audiobook of this title within the series set box. (Audible Membership)
This seems to be a tale of demanding people, each with what they perceive as the most important thing.
Five ships, five million people, now down to four very different species and one girl, believed to be the Saviour for at least two of those races.
This seems to be a tale of demanding people, each with what they perceive as the most important thing.
Five ships, five million people, now down to four very different species and one girl, believed to be the Saviour for at least two of those races.
January 16, 2025
This book was better than the last. There were many different components to this story that kept me more entertained than the last one. It also sets it up nicely for the next. Although I’m not happy with Baldwin’s decision to be take the promotion, it is good for the story. There are now starting to be romance aspects as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2020
Excellence once again!
My hat is off to Mr. Nathan Hystaad - these books just get better and better! I am completely enthralled with the Baldwin says , and I am very glad it hasn't ended yet!
My hat is off to Mr. Nathan Hystaad - these books just get better and better! I am completely enthralled with the Baldwin says , and I am very glad it hasn't ended yet!
August 20, 2020
Another good book
Hierarchy follows the same pattern as the devious book. There are updates of the main characters. Introduction of new characters and new problems to be solved. It is entertaining and ends with a hint about the next adventure.
Hierarchy follows the same pattern as the devious book. There are updates of the main characters. Introduction of new characters and new problems to be solved. It is entertaining and ends with a hint about the next adventure.
May 2, 2020
Another great sci-fi book
I never read sci-fi before get Nathan aNyways has made me a fan. Following Tom Baldwin and the crew of his ship.
I never read sci-fi before get Nathan aNyways has made me a fan. Following Tom Baldwin and the crew of his ship.
May 4, 2020
Good Transition
Moved slower than I would have liked but I understand that the reader had to have all the pieces in place. Looking forward to next book.
Moved slower than I would have liked but I understand that the reader had to have all the pieces in place. Looking forward to next book.
Read
July 13, 2020very good story
July 27, 2020
Good story but slow on take off
This one was really slow to begin with but half way through it picked up a bit. Will continue and finish the series
This one was really slow to begin with but half way through it picked up a bit. Will continue and finish the series
July 6, 2021
The fates deliver different consequences.
While trying to help a different group of people, Captain Baldwin is offered to deliver the Ugna to their new planet.
While trying to help a different group of people, Captain Baldwin is offered to deliver the Ugna to their new planet.
March 21, 2024
Great book love the story and the book narration can’t wait to listen to the next one it’s a great book series I highly recommend this book 📖 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️👍😀
April 18, 2024
The saga continues
As good as the previous books, a few new characters and a new enemy, but sometimes a series can go too long
As good as the previous books, a few new characters and a new enemy, but sometimes a series can go too long
September 23, 2024
Lots of plot and some romance this time but it's too negative and what this series is really missing is humor and there is zero and there are a LOT of missed opportunities for humor.
October 26, 2024
In this fourth installment, a new villain pops up out of nowhere, introducing yet another mystery to the mix. The series maintains its strong, fast-paced momentum with each book, keeping things exciting and enjoyable. A solid addition to the Baldwin's Legacy series!
February 26, 2025
Brilliant stuff. Lots of action, a little light romance, nasty aliens and suspicious allies. Loved it. This gets better and better. I have already started the next one.
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