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Paying the Price: The Empire of Bones Saga, Book 5 Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Terry Mixon (Author), Veronica Giguere (Narrator), Yowling Cat Press (Publisher)
4.6 out of 5 stars 1,238 ratings

Admiral Jared Mertz returns to the New Terran Empire a conquering hero. But not everyone cheers his success.

Crown Prince Ethan Bandar tried to kill Jared once. Paranoia and ambition demands he succeed this time.

Only Jared’s sister and their battle-hardened allies stand between him and death.

If you love military science fiction and grand adventure on a galaxy-spanning scale, grab Paying the Price and the rest of The Empire of Bones Saga today!

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  1. Book 5 of 14
    The Empire of Bones Saga
  2. Listening Length
    11 hours and 13 minutes
  3. Author
    Terry Mixon
  4. Narrator
    Veronica Giguere
  5. Audible release date
    July 13, 2017
  6. Language
    English
  7. Publisher
    Yowling Cat Press
  8. ASIN
    B073V27GRD
  9. Version
    Unabridged
  10. Program Type
    Audiobook
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Product details

Book 5 of 14 The Empire of Bones Saga
Listening Length 11 hours and 13 minutes
Author Terry Mixon
Narrator Veronica Giguere
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date July 13, 2017
Publisher Yowling Cat Press
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B073V27GRD
Best Sellers Rank #315,650 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#3,171 in Space Operas
#3,227 in Military Science Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)
#3,369 in Military Science Fiction (Books)

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
1,238 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy the book's fast-paced plot and find it an incredibly fun story. Moreover, the writing quality receives positive feedback, with one customer describing it as brilliantly plotted. However, the character development receives mixed reactions from customers.

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30 customers mention "Plot"27 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the fast-paced plot of the book, describing it as an incredibly fun adventure with intrigue.

"...book in the The Empire of the Bones series - it was jam-packed with plenty of action, adventure, humor, intrigue, unexpected romance and oh, my gosh..." Read more

"The Empire of Bones Saga is a great series for space Sci Fi enthusiasts. Well paced action, suspenseful predicaments, good character development...." Read more

"Mr. MIxon continues to tell a story that delights; as the remnants of a once powerful human empire attempts to resurrect itself from the ashes on a..." Read more

"I’m enjoying the consistency in the characters and storyline as the series moves forward...." Read more

28 customers mention "Readability"28 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and enjoyable, noting that each installment gets better, and one customer mentions being riveted by the story.

"...characters, humour and a fast-paced plot, make Paying the Price an entertaining read that totally lived up to what I have come to expect from a..." Read more

"...Again Terry Mixon has woven together and fun to read, fairly fast paced adventure story. I quite enjoyed it." Read more

"...Great continuation of The Empire of Bones series." Read more

"...And good read, well worth your time (and money)." Read more

4 customers mention "Writing quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing quality of the book, with one customer describing it as brilliantly plotted.

"...the course of the previous 4 books, I found this to novel to be well thought out, fast paced, with a good sense of adventure...." Read more

"...of Bones series creates a unique universe and plot line; I like the writing and concept and each book gets better! Keep them coming!" Read more

"Oh so entertaining book that is brilliantly plotted from start to finish..." Read more

"More Excellent Work from Terry Mixon..." Read more

9 customers mention "Character development"6 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the character development in the book.

"...Engaging characters, humour and a fast-paced plot, make Paying the Price an entertaining read that totally lived up to what I have come to expect..." Read more

"..."perils of pauline" to be a bit overwhelming. Characters are also a bit cardboard, especially the villains, who seem to be both all bad, and..." Read more

"...Well paced action, suspenseful predicaments, good character development...." Read more

"I’m enjoying the consistency in the characters and storyline as the series moves forward...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Catherine Mackay
    5.0 out of 5 stars Oh so entertaining book that is brilliantly plotted from start to finish
    Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I have to say I was blown away by the latest book in the The Empire of the Bones series - it was jam-packed with plenty of action, adventure, humor, intrigue, unexpected romance and oh, my gosh, it was just so entertaining that I was up late last night finishing it (New Zealand time). I loved the direction Mixon took our favourite characters - Jared, Kelsy, Talbot, Carl Owlet and the rest of the gang - he (Mixon) had them on a literal rollar-coaster. In Paying the Price, Jared and his Fleet of old Empire ships are on their way home to Avalon where the New Terran Empire is based. Along the journey home they make an unexpected discovery (and nope, not even going to give a clue on this one, it was totally unexpected) and once back home, they find some people are not so happy with the ships and tech they've brought home. With Jared's oh so paranoid half brother, Ethan, causing as much trouble as he can, our heroes find themselves using every inovative idea they can to prevent the New Terran Empire from devolving into civil war. Engaging characters, humour and a fast-paced plot, make Paying the Price an entertaining read that totally lived up to what I have come to expect from a Terry Mixon book.
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Home at last but it is a mixed homecoming.
    Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    In this, the fifth, installment of The Empire of Bones saga Jared, Kelsey & Co finally finds their way back home. It is a mixed homecoming though. Although this book sees a bit of a lull in the fight against the AIs Jared and Kelsey are forced to fight against internal enemies instead.

    One could say that this book is more about political power plays, vendettas and subterfuge than the other books. Normally I am not too keen on those kind of stories. In this book however, there are enough “good stuff” to make me enjoy it despite the internal strife.

    One thing that I like are the surprise moments starting right at the moment when Jared and Kelsey arrives in their supercharged new (or should I say old since it is Old Terran ships) fleet which dwarfs, outruns and outguns everything anyone at home has seen until now. Kelsey of course creates a few dropped jaws but the rest of the crew gets their 15 minutes of fame as well. I quite liked Carl’s show down with professor Bedford (who turned out to be quite likable) for instance.

    The snake in the garden is of course Crown Prince Ethan Bandar. Unfortunately the characterization of Ethan is almost over the top just as with Captain Breckenridge (who makes a brief return in this book by the way). Ethan is not as stupid as Breckenridge but his fanatical paranoia which makes him convinced that everyone is conspiring to grab the throne from him and his continuous monologues where he convinces him of this very “fact” and that his actions are justified are a wee bit tiring.

    Naturally Nathan manages to screw up more than a few things and the book mostly revolves around our friends trying to unravel his betrayals and scheming to grab the throne even if it tears the Empire apart. However, even though it probably counts as a bit of a spoiler (be warned), I have to say that one of the things that I like in these books is that the bad guys generally gets what they deserve and this goes for this book as well.

    Again Terry Mixon has woven together and fun to read, fairly fast paced adventure story. I quite enjoyed it.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Signalshifter
    5.0 out of 5 stars Admiral Jerad brings home the bacon but not all is well on the home front.
    Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I have been reading science fiction for a very long time. One of my favorite genera is military space operas. With in this I very much enjoy the subset involving the raise and fall of galactic empires. I really like Terry Mixon's raise from the ashes story arc of The Empire of Bones series. The Emperor of this Fallen Galactic Empire isolated in a distant redoubt of civilization sends out his Royal bastard son Commander Jared to out to find out what has happened. In "Paying The Price" Now Admiral Jerad, and his half sister Princess Kelsey bring home what happened, the groceries in the form of old empire technology, new alliances, and the looming threat of the rebel AI's that control what remains of the old empire. If this isn't enough the expedition members have to deal with deadly political skullduggery on their return. Great continuation of The Empire of Bones series.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • OB1
    5.0 out of 5 stars More Excellent Work from Terry Mixon
    Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    The Empire of Bones Saga is a great series for space Sci Fi enthusiasts. Well paced action, suspenseful predicaments, good character development. Some near “super hero” elements added were a bit cartoonish…but minimally distracting. Overall highly recommended.
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  • Kris from Norway
    5.0 out of 5 stars We continue the journey by going home
    Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Mr. MIxon continues to tell a story that delights; as the remnants of a once powerful human empire attempts to resurrect itself from the ashes on a long forgotten, out of the way, pleasure world. Over 500 years have gone by, and it has been a difficult journey for the last descendants of a human empire to reach the stars again... the search for the answers to how a star spanning empire could shatter at the hands of rebels whose only apparent goal was anarchy. The new Empire has a lot of challenges before they're ready to delve deeper into what they call the rebel Empire, and retake control from the AI's that have stolen their legacy.

    The latest addition in Terry Mixon's The Empire of Bones series finds the heroes returning home, leading a fleet of undermanned old Empire ships and the news that the rebel empire exists, and will be coming for them ... not everyone is pleased. Having become invested in the characters over the course of the previous 4 books, I found this to novel to be well thought out, fast paced, with a good sense of adventure. If you're a science fiction fan, none of the novels have failed to entertain, and this is no exception. I look forward to the next novel (Reconnaissance in Force), which is apparently scheduled for release in December 2016.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Xanlthorpe
    4.0 out of 5 stars Engaging Characters
    Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I’m enjoying the consistency in the characters and storyline as the series moves forward. Elements presented in previous books are carried through reliably well. That said, the extreme paranoia of Ethan seems extreme considering how those close to him have ignored the symptoms.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Nice!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 21, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Great book in the fantastic space opera/ adventure series. Good guys are fun,bad guys are suitably nasty,there is a lot going on,book have really nice tempo. Just yummy.
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  • Northern Reader
    5.0 out of 5 stars Taking it all in
    Reviewed in Canada on September 16, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This latest book brings the loose ends together, introducing the next potential Saga. The New empire's battles with the Old Empire. I can't wait to read them.
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  • Aethor
    3.0 out of 5 stars but overall it was reasonably good. However
    Reviewed in Canada on August 2, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This, the fifth part in a series, is still an ok book, and the series started well, although it had some implausible moments, but overall it was reasonably good. However, the quality of the story is slowly going down.

    The main reasons are:
    1) The author tends to make some of the heroes ridiculously overpowered. Princess Kelsey (a 150 cm girl in her 20s) who in book 1 started as a normal person, is now effectively a superwoman who can easily fight against hordes of enemies, super-fast, super-strong, almost invulnerable when in her armor. (Oh, and she has super-sight, hearing etc, and a built-in long range communicator. And a copy of a mind of a marine spec ops major / martial arts master in her head.
    Now we add a super-weapon - a science-fiction recreation of Thor's Hammer with about the same properties as the one from the comic. It seems that even the author recognized it would be too much, since although the hammer was created for her, she didn't get it in the end, the scientist who created it used it himself.
    Which brings us to the scientist. A guy who started as a 16-17 year old computer nerd, university student at that age, who starts as a hacking specialist... and then somehow he also turns out to be a PhD-level expert in quantum physics, gravitic engines, fusion generators, shield generators and everything... and can analyze and use in his new projects any advanced tech they recover, so he among other things makes the aforementioned hammer, which lets him fly (like Thor), smash stuff, send the hammer to smash stuff, and even carry a girl while flying.

    This degrades what started as a good SF story... into a Marvel comic.

    2) Too many new and powerful technologies too fast
    In the same book, they also get a bunch of new technologies, through an encounter with an alien station orbiting a black hole, with an alien cyborg brain inside, who can make space wormholes at need, in that small episode our scientists perfects an instant FTL comm tech (works over hundreds of light years), gains portal tech (portals are portable, and when set up, you enter on one side and exit on another) as well as a complete library with the total knowledge of the race that built the station (way more advanced than the Old Terran Empire).

    Considering that in previous books, within a time period of about a single year, they got several new ship classes, beam weapons, shields, miniaturized fusion plants, implants for body and brain, stealth ships, devices that disable wormholes, true sentient AIs... there's a difference between a reasonable progression and just throwing candy at the heroes of the story.

    3) As in many books by many authors, hacking into secure and encrypted systems seems to be laughably easy. To the point where even military-grade computers already store the password that should be used for them, and only need to be coaxed a bit into giving it away. This doesn't work even in our, real, world - serious security setups never store the password and it's not possible to recover it since it's not there in the first place.
    This tradition continues everywhere - people go on a critical mission, the computer nerd sees a new secure thingie of one kind or another, and hacks it within minutes, sees another, hacks it... a dose of realism would be good here, otherwise the author might as well give his heroes Harry Potter's magic wand and they should only wave it and say "computerus haxus".
    One person found this helpful
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  • PJ1982
    4.0 out of 5 stars A good read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 13, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Another great installment.
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  • Paul dennison
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 12, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    another great read from terry been waiting and did not disappoint role on the next one
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