Decayed Legacy, the fourth entry in the Ruins of the Earth series, delivers the same breakneck action and impossible missions fans have come to expect. The blend of pulse-pounding firefights, sharp humor, and character-driven moments makes this one of those audiobooks that’s genuinely hard to put down. Every chapter pushes the story forward or throws the Phantom Team into another adrenaline-spiking challenge, keeping the pacing tight and engaging from start to finish.
The newest team members, Sugar and Hobbs, are excellent additions who blend seamlessly with the existing cast. Their personalities fit right into the squad’s dynamic, adding new flavors without overshadowing the characters readers have grown attached to. Hopper and Chaney continue to excel at expanding the roster while preserving the team chemistry that’s been a hallmark of the series.
It was also great to see Ghost, the team’s sniper, finally step back into the spotlight. After fading a bit into the background during the past couple of books, he gets some well-earned moments to shine here. His introspective scenes add depth, and his contributions to the action remind listeners why he stood out early on. It’s a welcome bit of character focus in a series that’s always balanced plot and personality well.
By this point, the cast feels less like a group of misfits thrown together by circumstance and more like a genuine family. If you’ve been with the series since the beginning, that growth is especially noticeable. Their shared experiences, inside jokes, and emotional bond all feel earned, giving the book an emotional backbone that complements its action-heavy storyline.
The ending is solid and satisfying. If the story wrapped up here, it would feel like a complete arc—but knowing there are more books ahead only adds to the excitement. Hopper and Chaney have laid enough groundwork to keep fans eager for the next mission.
As expected, R.C. Bray is fantastic. His performances in military sci-fi are consistently top-tier, and he once again elevates every scene—whether it’s a chaotic firefight or a quiet character moment. His delivery is a huge part of why this series works so well in audio format.
Before starting this series, I’d heard the criticism that Ruins of the Earth was simply an Expeditionary Force ripoff. Now, four books in, that comparison feels unfair and overly reductive. While both series operate in the sci-fi action realm, Ruins of the Earth absolutely stands on its own. It has its own identity, tone, and sense of humor—and it’s more than worthy of listeners’ time.
Final Thoughts
Decayed Legacy is another strong entry in the Ruins of the Earth series—fast, fun, character-focused, and impossible to stop listening to. I’m excited to jump into the next audiobook, even as I’m already dreading the fact that there are only two more installments left. If you’re looking for a high-energy military sci-fi series with a great cast and phenomenal narration, this one definitely deserves a place in your audiobook queue.
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