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Greg Bear
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Take Back the Sky (War Dogs Book 3) Kindle Edition

by Greg Bear (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 out of 5 stars 492 ratings
Editors' pick Best Science Fiction & Fantasy
The conclusion to an epic interstellar trilogy of war from master of science fiction, Greg Bear.

Marooned beneath the icy, waxy crust of Saturn's moon, Titan, Skyrine Michael Venn and his comrades face double danger from Earth and from the Antagonists, both intent on wiping out their growing awareness of what the helpful alien Gurus are really doing in our solar system.

Haunted by their dead and by the ancient archives of our Bug ancestors, the former combatants must now team up with their enemies, forget their indoctrination and their training, and journey far beyond Pluto to the fabled Planet X, the Antagonists' home world, a Sun-Planet in the comet-generating Kuiper belt. It's here that Master Sergeant Venn will finally understand his destiny and the destiny of every intelligent being in the solar system-including the enigmatic Gurus.
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  1. Book 3 of 3
    War Dogs
  2. Print length
    303 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Orbit
  5. Publication date
    December 20, 2016
  6. File size
    5.2 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Stuffed with adrenaline-pumping action and mystifying ambiguity, Bear's series launch is a tempest of rousing SF adventure with a dash of Peckinpah."―Publishers Weekly on War Dogs

"Military sci-fi, action and adventure, and a whole lot of thought-provoking complexity."―San Diego Union-Tribune on War Dogs

"Packed with adventure and incident...and conveyed with gritty realism."―Kirkus on War Dogs

"Greg Bear's voice is a resonant, clear chord of quality binding some of the best SF of the 20th Century to the short list of science-savvy, sophisticated, top-notch speculative fiction of the 21st. More than a grace note, Hull Zero Three is a compelling allegro in the growing symphony of Greg Bear's finest work."―Dan Simmons

"Hull Zero Three is a grand adventure of scientific discovery in the tradition of "Orphans of the Sky" and "Rendezvous with Rama" -- by turns chilling and touching, it poses challenging questions about what it means to be human."―Charles Stross

"Hull Zero Three is a lean, mean, supercharged sense-of-wonder engine."―Alastair Reynolds on Hull Zero Three

"Not for those who prefer their space opera simple-minded, this beautifully written tale where nothing is as it seems will please readers with a well-developed sense of wonder."―Publisher's Weekly (Starred Review) on Hull Zero Three

"Greg Bear is one contemporary master of the old ways, and in Hull Zero Three he gives the generation starship theme - crystallized beautifully by Robert Heinlein in 1941's "Universe" - a vigorous makeover...."―BN.com

"The heart of the mystery is worthy of Bear in its bravura extrapolations into far-future science and moral ambiguity...a testament of faith both in human beings and in something beyond them, divine or indistinguishable from it, and it seems directed as much toward the world of today, with all its sinful affections and deceits, as it is toward the far future."―Locus on Hull Zero Three

"I loved Hull Zero Three - this book reminds me of why I fell in love with science fiction in the first place. Searing questions of humanity, a good old fashioned riddle of a plot, and excellent conceptualization make Hull Zero Three more than worth the effort."―thebooksmugglers.com

About the Author

Greg Bear is the author of more than thirty books of science fiction and fantasy, including Forerunner: Cryptum, Mariposa, Darwin's Radio, Eon, and Quantico. He is married to Astrid Anderson Bear and is the father of Erik and Alexandra. His works have been published internationally in over twenty languages. Bear has been called the "Best working writer of hard science fiction" by the Ultimate Encyclopedia of Science Fiction.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01CO4AVMQ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Orbit (December 20, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 20, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5.2 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 303 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 0575133961
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars 492 ratings

About the author

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Greg Bear

Greg Bear

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Greg Bear is the author of more than thirty books, spanning thrillers, science fiction, and fantasy, including Blood Music, Eon, The Forge of God, Darwin's Radio, City at the End of Time, and Hull Zero Three. His books have won numerous international prizes, have been translated into more than twenty-two languages, and have sold millions of copies worldwide. Over the last twenty-eight years, he has also served as a consultant for NASA, the U.S. Army, the State Department, the International Food Protection Association, and Homeland Security on matters ranging from privatizing space to food safety, the frontiers of microbiology and genetics, and biological security.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
492 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book well-written and fun to read, appreciating its status as one of the best hard science fiction works. However, the story quality receives mixed feedback, with several customers describing it as a disappointing conclusion to the trilogy. The writing style also gets mixed reviews, with some finding it difficult to read. Customers disagree on the value for money.

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9 customers mention "Readability"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and worth the effort, with one describing it as a good space opera.

"...Very worthwhile..." Read more

"...However, it's a challenging and worthwhile conclusion to the trilogy. Great read, thanks!..." Read more

"...This book is not as good as his early work, but it is a good read and I'm sticking with the trilogy...." Read more

"...Mr. Bear is in my humble opinion a great writer and I hope he has a sequel like "Anvil of the Stars" was to "The Forge of God"." Read more

6 customers mention "Sci-fi content"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the sci-fi elements of the book, praising it as one of the best hard science fiction works, with one customer highlighting its interesting aliens and technology.

"If you like in-your-face strange and supremely creative sci-fi, this is your trilogy - I loved it...." Read more

"...The first two War Dog novels had action, interesting characters, twists, all in an interesting setting...." Read more

"Greg Bear is one of my very favorite Sci-Fi authors. I like him better than all the other active Sci-Fi writers...." Read more

"Greg Bear is a fascinating author. He can make distant future reality seem real. If you like to imagine the unknowable, Greg will take you there." Read more

3 customers mention "Fun to read"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book fun to read.

"The book is a fun fast sci-fi read with lots of twists and great action." Read more

"The other books in the trilogy were good space opera and fun to read. This one is pretentious gobbledygook and thoroughly annoying to slog through" Read more

"Fun, weird, fun..." Read more

31 customers mention "Story quality"17 positive14 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the story quality of the book, with some finding it an interesting series while others consider it a disappointing conclusion to the trilogy.

"...To read in this way will give truest satisfaction in the deep story of this completing book, and in its entire trilogy...." Read more

"As the third and final chapter I was disappointed with the ending. No spoilers, just kind of a let down." Read more

"...The present tense prose is perfect for this story, the descriptions give just enough but not too much, always keeping you guessing and wondering..." Read more

"...and instead provides a great story with a splash of cold reality: sometimes things happen, there are no easy answers,..." Read more

8 customers mention "Writing style"5 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing style of the book, with some finding it well written while others say it's difficult to read.

"...to bu sure that I was not missing on something...Mr Bear is a really good writer, able to submerge you in the protagonist's world and makes you feel..." Read more

"...Much of the wording is just fluffy descriptions about how wierd the ship that they are on is. There really does not seem to be much plot." Read more

"...Mr. Bear is in my humble opinion a great writer and I hope he has a sequel like "Anvil of the Stars" was to "The Forge of God"." Read more

"...Well written, with characters you care about and questions to think about a long time after finishing the book, this series was wonderful...." Read more

5 customers mention "Value for money"0 positive5 negative

Customers express dissatisfaction with the book's value for money, describing it as one of the author's most disappointing works.

"...for nearly thirty years, and I think this is one of his most disappointing works...." Read more

"...This book is not as good as his early work, but it is a good read and I'm sticking with the trilogy...." Read more

"...Compared to other Bear works, this is average." Read more

"HIS WORST BOOK. NOT worth the money" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Roald Olos
    5.0 out of 5 stars Full completion, of a great story
    Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Greg Bear has stayed true to his purpose, to honor and express the mind and experience of an actual soldier. To read in this way will give truest satisfaction in the deep story of this completing book, and in its entire trilogy.

    A soldier's journey is a travel without prediction, and in the presence of persons newly met and of friendships. The adventure comes in discovering always anew the capabilities and the dependability of oneself, and also of others. It goes without saying that these occur in the face of formidable challenges.

    The strength in Bear's writing of this tale and recent others flows out his close attention with real experience -- and in understanding quite carefully how we may become involved with and be influenced in such circumstances.

    Hanging in with once-Sargeant Venn gives its reward in who he quietly becomes, and what his steadfastness wins. Very worthwhile...
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Buckarubonzi
    4.0 out of 5 stars A disapointing finale to this trilogy.
    Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    As the third and final chapter I was disappointed with the ending. No spoilers, just kind of a let down.
    Helpful
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  • J. G. Chacon Monarrez
    3.0 out of 5 stars hard to finish
    Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    well, I like Greg Bear and his novel Moving Mars is one of my all time favorits for his sheer audacity and immense imagination....on this one ( war dogs trilogy) out of respect for mr Bear I went thru the whole trilogy to bu sure that I was not missing on something...Mr Bear is a really good writer, able to submerge you in the protagonist's world and makes you feel part of it. The problem here is that the protagonist is a low grunt in a magnificent struggle happening all over the solar system and encompassing millions of years....he is lost and so are you. He does not understand where is he fitting in all of this and neither you do. I really made the effort, but all alomg the three books I completely failed to empathize with the protagonist and it was really a hard, long slog to finish them all...
    5 people found this helpful
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  • dubazon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
    Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    If you like in-your-face strange and supremely creative sci-fi, this is your trilogy - I loved it. The present tense prose is perfect for this story, the descriptions give just enough but not too much, always keeping you guessing and wondering what's going on, ensuring you keep turning those pages. For me the best bit was how the strangeness just built and built, culminating in a massive hit of weird at the end. Just brilliant.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Patrick C
    4.0 out of 5 stars No Easy Answers...
    Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Take Back the Sky is the conclusion to Bear's excellent War Dogs trilogy, the story of one soldier in a planetary war between humans and non-humans.
    True to the author's stated vision, TBTS avoids the typical cliche, overblown, climactic showdown (in which the meaning of everything is made clear), and instead provides a great story with a splash of cold reality: sometimes things happen, there are no easy answers, life goes on.
    TBTS was the most difficult of the three, and it was not my favorite (I preferred Killing Titan). This is a more existential book, which represents a change from the breakneck narrative pace of the first two books. However, it's a challenging and worthwhile conclusion to the trilogy. Great read, thanks!
    Strongly recommend reading War Dogs and Killing Titan before this book.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer RJWENTZELL
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good series read
    Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    If you're looking for a gripping story this series is one you should jump into. I started, hoping to fill some spare time and couldn't stop until finishing all three books. Enjoy, I did.
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  • Jonathan Kephart
    2.0 out of 5 stars I have been reading Greg Bear novels for nearly thirty ...
    Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I have been reading Greg Bear novels for nearly thirty years, and I think this is one of his most disappointing works. The first two War Dog novels had action, interesting characters, twists, all in an interesting setting. This novel takes place entirely in one place and basiclly involves the protagonist waiting around for stuff to happen to him, and for the end of the story. Seriously, the protagoist takes no actions other than asking the occasional question. There are no twists or unexpected turns to the story. Much of the wording is just fluffy descriptions about how wierd the ship that they are on is. There really does not seem to be much plot.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • AmazonBuyer175
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Greg Bear Book
    Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Greg Bear is one of my very favorite Sci-Fi authors. I like him better than all the other active Sci-Fi writers. This book is not as good as his early work, but it is a good read and I'm sticking with the trilogy. He's still in Halo/War mode though and it shows. It's a soldiers fighting hyper-advanced aliens book.
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • avidreader
    4.0 out of 5 stars Mixed feelings
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 28, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I thought that the description of events and experiences on the alien craft was interesting and seemed a more likely scenario than the 'star trek' variety. However, the ending was a bit flat. The book seemed to just peter out. It was unclear what did happen to the spaceship after dropping Venn off and the general feeling was one of deflation. It seemed as if Bear was leaving the series open for further episodes without making it clear that that was the intention.
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  • Matt DT
    4.0 out of 5 stars Big story, needs stamina
    Reviewed in Australia on June 17, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    A series with big ideas and a big backstory. It is told from the perspective for the post the poor grunt sap who doesn't know what's going on. So it's a bit of hard slog but if you're prepared to give it time and the consideration deserves then the revelations do come along and it's worth the read
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  • fastbond
    3.0 out of 5 stars Unterhaltsam
    Reviewed in Germany on August 11, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Diese Trilogie zählt sicher nicht zu Bears Meisterwerken, ist aber doch bis zum Schluss relativ unterhaltsam. Der Kniff, viele der eigentlich erforderlichen Hintergrundinformationen nicht zu entwickeln bzw. zurückzuhalten, dadurch dass der Protagonist ein einfach strukturierter und schlecht informierter Basissoldat ("grunt") ist, erweist sich als überraschend wirksam. Die Mischung aus Abgeklärtheit eines Soldaten, der schon alles gesehen hat, und Erstaunen vor dem Neuen und Fremden des Lesers schafft eine Dissonanz, die wirklich unterhaltsam war.

    Nur 3 Sterne, weil der plot, der alles erklärt, wirklich an den Haaren herbeigezogen wirkt: Aliens, die seit Millionen von Jahren andere Rassen in den Krieg gegeneinander treiben, um dann die Kriegsberichterstattung zu vermarkten, glaubt nun wirklich kein Mensch (Entwickeln die sich nicht fort? Wie hält man ein Publikum eine MILLION Jahre bei der Stange???).
    Report
  • Mr. Mark A. Laborda
    5.0 out of 5 stars Epic end to an outstanding trilogy
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 20, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    This is the third book in a quite outstanding trilogy, I totally lived the characters who were brilliantly portrayed. Master Sgt Venn and his friends/fellow Skyrines have to face whole levels more of weirdness, and somehow keep it together and keep surviving. Greg Bear does a magnificent job of maintaining the pace and creative storyline, envisaging convincing tech and aliens. But it is the characterisations that stands out. I will miss them all from Vinnie, to Joe, DJ, Capt Coyle, Ulyanov, Vera, Col Litvinov and Bird Girl and Budgie and all the rest.
    Report
  • Kindle Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on April 8, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    the first 2 books were not as "wordy" with less pontification
    Report

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