raj_page's review against another edition
3.0
There is always a sense of turmoil in this series. Something is always happening. Then there are some peaceful moments but they are there just to give you a false sense of security and throw you off balance and not let you get accustomed to the sense of turmoil.
victorescu's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Continuing to enjoy this series. Cliffhanger not as bad on the third book. Going to take a break and come back to the series later.
daisy222de's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
pjonsson's review against another edition
4.0
Generally this is a good book continuing the Frontlines story but I do indeed have some gripes with some aspects of the story. The book starts off with a nice piece of action where the Commonwealth and Sino-Russian alliance are actually kicking some Lankie behinds. However, then there is not really any follow up. They just waltz in, shot up some Lankies and then that course of action is more or less abandoned. During said attack there are some strange behavior on the Lankies side but that also leads nowhere except for some vague after-action discussions.
The rest of the book is devoted to the quest to bring the task force back home to Earth which is now under “blockade” by the Lankies who, for some strange reason, have taken Mars but then simply stopped. That is one huge part of the story that I have a real difficulty with. Why do the Lankies invade everything in sight (almost) but not Earth? We know they could do so easily so it is utterly illogical.
There are quite a bit of action going on in this book and it is quite well done. These parts of the book are reasonably realistic and the laws of physics are still respected even though this is science fiction. What still frustrates me though is that, after five years of combating the Lankies, the humans have still not come up with some heavy penetrator that can punch a hole in a Lanky ship. This annoys me enormously. Especially since we do get a second evidence that the Lankies can be hurt that way in this book and it would actually not be requiring quantum leaps in technology to achieve.
The book ends somewhat in a void as far as I am concerned. The task force do achieve their objectives although at high costs but Earth is not what it used to be and, of course, the Lankies are still at the doorstep. The outlook is not exactly a happy one but the book does not really hint at any path forward. Quite to the contrary. Some of the decisions by the characters to stay behind, for what looks like entirely nostalgic reasons, did not sit that well with me.
It is a shame really because the author does indeed write quite well. If there would have been less of the illogical elements in the story this would probably have been a great book. Now it is “just” good.
The rest of the book is devoted to the quest to bring the task force back home to Earth which is now under “blockade” by the Lankies who, for some strange reason, have taken Mars but then simply stopped. That is one huge part of the story that I have a real difficulty with. Why do the Lankies invade everything in sight (almost) but not Earth? We know they could do so easily so it is utterly illogical.
There are quite a bit of action going on in this book and it is quite well done. These parts of the book are reasonably realistic and the laws of physics are still respected even though this is science fiction. What still frustrates me though is that, after five years of combating the Lankies, the humans have still not come up with some heavy penetrator that can punch a hole in a Lanky ship. This annoys me enormously. Especially since we do get a second evidence that the Lankies can be hurt that way in this book and it would actually not be requiring quantum leaps in technology to achieve.
The book ends somewhat in a void as far as I am concerned. The task force do achieve their objectives although at high costs but Earth is not what it used to be and, of course, the Lankies are still at the doorstep. The outlook is not exactly a happy one but the book does not really hint at any path forward. Quite to the contrary. Some of the decisions by the characters to stay behind, for what looks like entirely nostalgic reasons, did not sit that well with me.
It is a shame really because the author does indeed write quite well. If there would have been less of the illogical elements in the story this would probably have been a great book. Now it is “just” good.
erollinus's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
jefffrane's review against another edition
4.0
Another solid entry in the Frontlines series, this one primarily taking place in space. The apparently unstoppable alien menace has arrived at the solar system, quickly conquering Mars and destroying all human life there. Now they're preparing to attack Earth while in the meantime there are shady doings among the Terran military. Lots of great combat scenes and riveting space battles.
Incidentally, Marko Kloos is writing funny bits on Twitter.
Incidentally, Marko Kloos is writing funny bits on Twitter.
anniibunnii's review
4.0
I'm a little embarassed, because I thought this was a trilogy, only to tell myself in the last few chapters of the book "Boy, the auhor's gonna have to hurry if he wants to pack a whole epic alien versus humanity fight ending in those last few pages!". Well apparently there are going to be more books. Which is great, because I enjoy this series so much!
Humanity seems to finally have realised that everyone has to work together against those sturdy giants that kill colonies off like humans destroy anthills with a hose. I think the ants analogy is even used in the book a few times. Or was it cockroaches?
Anyway, we get to meet plenty new and colorful characters and the author tries his best not to stereotype any of them and I think he did a pretty good job with it.
Of course the little love story that has appeared at some times in the book continues, but I'm not going to spoil too much for you. Just let me say that I value the fact that Marko Kloos doesn't try to make a big deal out of it, but rather mentions it casually from time to time, which gives the story some extra layers but doesn't take away from the main events.
What I miss a little is the evil, the disgusting, the intrigues. It seems from time to time that all characters are happy to help or throw their lives away for the sake of basically anything and there isn't really anyone that's on the opposite site of the spectrum. Even the Lankies seemed like big, very weird looking and puzzled dogs that run around and kill everything because they don't know any better? I mean I like the tone of the book very much but sometimes it felt... I don't know - too puffy? I mean sure, there are villains in some scenarios, I'm talking about the whole Luna affair, but it seems to be over quite quick again. This doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it, I just think it would have added more colors to the canvas, but that's my personal opinion.
So without prolonging the review much further I'm just going to say that this book had very interesting passages and turns. I'm looking forward to #4 and am very excited to hopefully finally learn more about the Lankies.
Humanity seems to finally have realised that everyone has to work together against those sturdy giants that kill colonies off like humans destroy anthills with a hose. I think the ants analogy is even used in the book a few times. Or was it cockroaches?
Anyway, we get to meet plenty new and colorful characters and the author tries his best not to stereotype any of them and I think he did a pretty good job with it.
Of course the little love story that has appeared at some times in the book continues, but I'm not going to spoil too much for you. Just let me say that I value the fact that Marko Kloos doesn't try to make a big deal out of it, but rather mentions it casually from time to time, which gives the story some extra layers but doesn't take away from the main events.
What I miss a little is the evil, the disgusting, the intrigues. It seems from time to time that all characters are happy to help or throw their lives away for the sake of basically anything and there isn't really anyone that's on the opposite site of the spectrum. Even the Lankies seemed like big, very weird looking and puzzled dogs that run around and kill everything because they don't know any better? I mean I like the tone of the book very much but sometimes it felt... I don't know - too puffy? I mean sure, there are villains in some scenarios, I'm talking about the whole Luna affair, but it seems to be over quite quick again. This doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it, I just think it would have added more colors to the canvas, but that's my personal opinion.
So without prolonging the review much further I'm just going to say that this book had very interesting passages and turns. I'm looking forward to #4 and am very excited to hopefully finally learn more about the Lankies.
bookmason's review against another edition
4.0
Love this series have rest on order for the summer
Building a terrific universe. Great growth in main character.
Building a terrific universe. Great growth in main character.
kerttuli's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25