I released Exodus: Empires at War: Book 5: Ranger on December 27th, 2013. Since that time it has sold over 2,400 copies, mostly ebooks, but some paperbacks as well. Currently it is ranked number 1 in three categories across the pond on Amazon.UK, Books: Space Opera and Kindle: Space Opera and Military Scifi. It’s ranked number 7 in Books: Space Opera and Military Scifi, and Kindle: Space Opera onAmazon.US, down from a number 5 rank in all those categories a week ago. It is averaging 4.5 stars at Amazon US, with 16 five star reviews, 2 four star, a three and a pair of twos. One of the twos admitted to skimming much of the book, so I really discount his opinion as far as how much attention I should give to his points. In the UK the book has six reviews, with five 5 stars and a 4. I have also received emails, Facebook posts and blog replies that let me know that people are really liking the book. Book 5 was somewhat of a departure from the previous books, concentrating on ground warfare, with one of the minor characters of the other books now the star, and the majors pushed into a distant supporting role. I was told by some readers even before the book came out that they wouldn’t like it because it didn’t feature space action. Some of my reviews said they loved the book despite the focus on land warfare, while others, mostly from ground pounders old and new, loved the setting.
When I started the Exodus series it was intended to be Military Science Fiction, covering all aspects of a future war on a grand scale. It was labeled Space Opera by readers who marked it as such on Amazon. No problem, since that is a very popular sub-genre. But I did not want to be pigeonholed into only writing about spaceships. There is so much more to scifi that things blowing up in space, though I tend to include a lot of that in most of my books as well. There are the planets, big complicated things with their own evolutionary path and history, leading to some strange and interesting life forms. There are aliens, who shouldn’t always act just like humans, nor look like people with prosthetic devices on their faces. There are politics, and intrigue, and technology. Aw, the technology. Several years ago on a site specializing in helping science fiction and fantasy writers I posed a question about wormholes, asking the members what uses they could think of for them besides transport of people and things. The answers I got really surprised me. Mostly no ideas, just responses of ‘what else would they be needed for.’ I have come up with many uses for wormholes in my novels, and have some more on the horizon. They are a central tech in my books, and central techs in societies are normally developed in way that even surprised the inventors.
The first four books stuck with the main storyline, as convoluted as it was. I decided that one of the characters needed a story, so I wrote it. One of the great things about being self-published is I have total control of the series. I will continue to write side stories in the future. I already have the ideas, and I think they add something to the overall saga. But I have a thought, just to keep everything straight, I would start doing the side stories under a different title, like Exodus: Tales of the Empire, to cover excursions into other areas of the war, short stories, and historical events (in that Universe). I will still concentrate on the main storyline, but will also put out one or two books a year in the side line. That way, people who only want to follow the main storyline can do so by buying the Empires at War books, while those interested in the larger scope of the Universe can also pick up the Tales of the Empire line. And thanks to all of you who keep buying any of my books. You make it all worthwhile.
Doug BrotherofCats Dandridge 
ok gona go to amazon kindle an get it
I really enjoyed the fifth book, enough that it was done in 2 days after downloading to my Kindle. Look forward to more books in either series – Empires at War or Tales. When I finish the new book from Ryk Brown I will investigate other books that you have written as Ienjoy your writing style and story lines without having a 10 page preface of characters.
Regards Bob Malott
Thanks so much.
Just finished exodus 5 yesterday and the book itself was great! Until i remembered what series it was in. I kept wanting the next chapter to switch to gorbachev, sean, alexanderopolis, von rittersdorf, and many more. I think making them side stories is a great idea for expanding on characters and different theaters in the war. I’ll still read them as soon as i find out they’re avaliable, but it’ll be nice to know there was or still is a main course(so to speak) coming soon after. just under a sub title and shorter in length I’m guessing? Again still really enjoyed the book. Keep writin and I’ll keep buyin!
Thank you.
Doug to me I like a mix of space and ground but dude its your book your story you tell it your way
I’m really enjoying the series and personally I really like the books that go outside of the main story and pick up on individuals, whether as a further enhancement of that character or as a retelling of a particular event in the main story but from the characters point of view.
I have read a few books where this has been the case and it can give a clearer view of the event thus immersing you deeper into the story.
Like other reviewers I can only say keep the books coming as I still has acres of storage on the kindle for you to fill.
Thanks
I have just finished book five and really enjoyed it. I like the idea of expanding the premise to include other worlds, technologies, life forms and organisational structures. Sci-fi for me is all about new mind expanding ideas, which you write about so well. A rare talent much appreciated at this end. I don’t mind how you set out the plot going fwd as I intend to read them all anyway.
extremely well written, Doug. You get better as you go along. While I LOVE space operas…big fleets and all that…as a former “land warrior” I really appreciated #5. Cannot wait for the next one
Thanks so much, Terry. I was Infantry myself back in the late 70s and early 80s, and really relate more to the Army than the Navy. Doesn’t mean I don’t love the fleet actions, and the next book will be full of them.
Doug, I may have to quote you on this, “There is so much more to scifi than things blowing up in space.” 🙂
Love the idea you have for a spin-off series. Go for it.
Great book! Great series! Can’t wait for 6 to come out. I’m dying to know what happened to PO Gorbachev and if the Grand Admiral is, or rather when, going to throw everything at the donut. At this point I’ll read everything you write, just hoping you take a trip back to the main storyline first.
Also former infantryman and I love how you tell the military story in a plausible and believable way. It may be 2000 years into the future but soldiers still act like soldiers and the military still has its command structures and traditions.
Doug,
I wish you continued success. Your series of novels are my most anticipated books. I check fairly regularly for when the next is coming. I greatly enjoyed the 5th book despite it being only a “side story.” I will always wish for more main storyline books. However, if you continue to write such fascinating side stories developing and deepening characters introduced in the main stories, I will gladly pick them up as well.
Don’t lose your passion for this series.
I love this series, and expect to have at least two main storyline books and a sidestory out this year. Thanks.
I have enjoyed each book of the series. So easy to feel like I am there when you describe the feelings and the action… happy to be Human! Started searching for The Stand #6 as soon as I saw the name. Guess we will all hold our breath until you finish it. Thank you for a great voyage!
Sir, just wanted to say I love your books. I found the series just after book 4 was published. I have read all 5, avg a day a piece. I am a fast reader, and am constantly looking for new books. I am constantly on the lookout for your Exodus books and any new Honorverse books. Honorverse is the series that got me into scifi, and your books are on par with Mr. David Weber’s books. I can’t wait until your next Exodus book comes out.
Thank you so much for the kind words. I love Weber, Ringo, Michael Z, Hemry and Taylor Anderson among others, as well as a great number of the older masters. I really can’t judge myself against them. To my mind, I am just not there yet, but some of my fans disagree. I know I don’t have their popularity, but I do have a growing number of loyal fans who like my work, and what else can a writer ask for. I will strive to keep putting out books that those fans, such as yourself, will like.
Doug, I too rate you up there with Weber, Ringo and Taylor Anderson. I rate YOU, Taylor Anderson and Chris Nuttall as the best new Sci Fi writers on the planet….glad you got past your writer’s cramp…one of these days I will get an autograph….I do go to Florida annually… 🙂
Sarge