A King's Ship
The war with China is over. But for Captain James Somerville there is a task still unfinished.Former Politburo Intelligence Minister Chang has evaded capture and escaped from Chinese space. Declared a war criminal by the UN and British law courts, James is given the Royal Space Navy’s newest exploration cruiser and sent after Chang. His chase will threaten to stir up old rivalries and take him to the edge of explored space. What he will discover there will radically reshape humanity’s position in the galaxy and throw him into a series of desperate battles. Alone and outnumbered he will come to realize what it really takes to command a King’s Ship. A King’s Ship is the second book in the Empire Rising military science fiction series that follows the career of Captain James Somerville as he takes command of HMS Endeavour.
Readers also enjoyed
D. J. Holmes
D.J. Holmes doesn’t write science fiction so much as he builds star empires one battle at a time. With a steady hand for military realism and a sharp eye for political intrigue, Holmes has carved out a loyal niche among fans of space opera and tactical warfare in deep space. His Empire Rising series, a sweeping twenty-one-book saga, charts humanity’s expansion into the stars through the eyes of Royal Space Navy Commander James Somerville—a character as principled as he is battle-worn.
Empire Rising
In a future shaped by starships and shifting alliances, Empire Rising delivers a galaxy on the brink—and dares readers to step into its war-torn heart. This expansive military sci-fi series begins not with glory, but with the quiet tension of a commander burdened by duty. At its core is James Somerville, a Royal Space Navy officer navigating the fine line between loyalty and survival as humanity stretches its reach across the stars.
Empire Rising consists of twenty-two books — considered a complete series. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.

