tome15's review
2.0
Douglas, Ian. Star Corps. Legacy Trilogy No. 1. Harper, 2003.
Let us just say that originality is not a primary goal when Ian Douglas sits down to crank out another adventure of a U. S. Marines expeditionary force doing battle on faraway planets. Set in the same universe as his Heritage trilogy, the Star Corps Marines land on Ishtar—really, that is the name of the place. There is an alien enclave in a cave that must be nuked, a la Starship Troopers. There is a population of human slaves, whose ancestors were kidnapped by aliens thousands of years ago, that must be freed. Action is a premium for Douglas, and he does it well. If you like fast-reading military action with a predictable plot, this one is for you.
Let us just say that originality is not a primary goal when Ian Douglas sits down to crank out another adventure of a U. S. Marines expeditionary force doing battle on faraway planets. Set in the same universe as his Heritage trilogy, the Star Corps Marines land on Ishtar—really, that is the name of the place. There is an alien enclave in a cave that must be nuked, a la Starship Troopers. There is a population of human slaves, whose ancestors were kidnapped by aliens thousands of years ago, that must be freed. Action is a premium for Douglas, and he does it well. If you like fast-reading military action with a predictable plot, this one is for you.
davidpaige's review against another edition
3.0
The Marines are sent out to a planet about ten light years away, after a Marine detachment on the planet is attacked. Can the Marines on the planet survive for ten years until their rescue arrives?
brian's review against another edition
4.0
After the discovery of alien artefacts around the universe, then the discovery that the aliens took humans to use as slaves, a mission is mounted to bring them home. Prior expeditions have been lost, so the Marines are sent in first.
Various mega corporations have their own vested interests in the affair, as well as international and political agendas.
The story is good, but suffers from the same traits as every other Marine based sci-fi.
Civilians, politicians and non-Marines are greedy, craven, self-centred types who stop the Marines doing their job until everything hits the fan and they have to rush in to save the day.
One of the characters is shown going from boot camp to actually seeing action, which works as a good way to introduce some explanation points and show the action from someone who isn't a grizzled veteran.
Various mega corporations have their own vested interests in the affair, as well as international and political agendas.
The story is good, but suffers from the same traits as every other Marine based sci-fi.
Civilians, politicians and non-Marines are greedy, craven, self-centred types who stop the Marines doing their job until everything hits the fan and they have to rush in to save the day.
One of the characters is shown going from boot camp to actually seeing action, which works as a good way to introduce some explanation points and show the action from someone who isn't a grizzled veteran.
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