taleisin's review against another edition
4.0
I don't know why I ever hesitate to read the books my cousin recommends.
Yes, this is military sci-fi (which is normally not my thing), but it is much more about the individuals involved. That makes it more character-driven sci-fi, which is very much my thing. Fast-paced, awesome battle scenes. I was hooked from the beginning. 4.5 stars
One complaint, could have used some chapters.
Yes, this is military sci-fi (which is normally not my thing), but it is much more about the individuals involved. That makes it more character-driven sci-fi, which is very much my thing. Fast-paced, awesome battle scenes. I was hooked from the beginning. 4.5 stars
One complaint, could have used some chapters.
gls_merch's review against another edition
3.0
It's a military science fiction novel, but I believe the storyline is really secondary to the criticisms of the modern military machine. His primary targets are the officers, politicians, and corporations who benefit from their policies, which are generally motivated by greed and career advancement, not concern for the soliders executing the actions. So it's the grunts on the front lines who are dying while the citizens are watching on television. Ethan Stark is a seargent of a squadron of twelve men and women and despite these obstacles he makes it his mission to make sure his people won't ever have to die futilely.
travelgirlut's review against another edition
3.0
I'm between a two and three star on this. I didn't feel drawn in to really like the characters, and the issues facing them all seemed very contrived to prove a point rather than tell a good story. I may read the next in the series, but it's not next on my reading list. I liked his Lost Fleet series written under the pen name Jack Campbell much better than this so far.
markyon's review against another edition
3.0
For books over a decade old the Stark series are pretty good mil-fic that Space Opera fans will like.
Ethan Stark is the sergeant of a squadron in a future where people (well, Americans) have returned to the Moon and are establishing a network across the solar system. There is conflict between the corporate businesses of America and other countries, though the actual fighting takes place using multinational sponsored troops and materiel. There are ‘regular’ soldiers but the command groups, being too valuable to risk, are away from the battle-zone, directing actions through the lieutenants. All of this is shown live on television, which contributes by paying the costs of the engagements.
Ethan Stark is one of the ‘real’ soldiers on the ground, a platoon sergeant leading his men in difficult situations. His honest and straight-forward approach is often at odds with both the TV corporations and the leaders he’s sworn to work for. He hacks into the mission Tactical Plans which otherwise would be denied to him, so that he can guide his men effectively.
The first third of this book deals with a first sortie to the moon. Arriving misplaced from their drop zone in the Sea of Tranquillity, the team find that they are forced to fight a raiding enemy force whilst defending what they have claimed. The mission is messy and some of Stark’s best trainees are killed.
In the second part of the book Stark’s soldiers face the enemy in a raid meant to destroy an enemy refinery but really designed to improve declining television popularity ratings. It is another bungled catastrophe and many are killed whilst Stark is also wounded.
The last section of the book deals with Stark’s recovery and his return to active warfare. Another major battle ensues with men stranded and major losses until Stark steps in and reluctantly assumes command, effectively mutinying against the senior officers. The end has an interesting development (which I won’t spoil here) which moves things up a gear, ready for the next book in the series.
This is a solidly written, action-packed mil-SF novel. The action scenes are very well done, the main characters fairly straightforward, the motivations for the characters clear. There’s the odd misstep – a scene where an infantryman has to explain World War One to his fellow soldiers seemed a little far-fetched to me, and later an explanation of the Spartans, for example – but really most readers will probably know what to expect and have bought it to meet those criteria: heroism, difficult odds, impossible situations, they’re all here, but in the end it is the loyalty and bravery of the soldiers and their camaraderie against all complications (usually of the bungling officer kind), and their function to get a difficult job done, that makes this a worthwhile read. In these days of Big Brother television, it’s interesting to see a possible consequence in future war.
Whilst nothing particularly new, (war is bad, fellow combatants are good, officers don’t know what they’re doing) it is a good page-turner that will amply satisfy fans of this sub-genre. Fans of Baen Books, John Scalzi’s Old Man’s War series, Jack McDevitt, David Weber or John Ringo are going to like this one. It’s also not a bad place to start for those who’ve come across this after playing Halo and want to try a book with similar themes.
Ethan Stark is the sergeant of a squadron in a future where people (well, Americans) have returned to the Moon and are establishing a network across the solar system. There is conflict between the corporate businesses of America and other countries, though the actual fighting takes place using multinational sponsored troops and materiel. There are ‘regular’ soldiers but the command groups, being too valuable to risk, are away from the battle-zone, directing actions through the lieutenants. All of this is shown live on television, which contributes by paying the costs of the engagements.
Ethan Stark is one of the ‘real’ soldiers on the ground, a platoon sergeant leading his men in difficult situations. His honest and straight-forward approach is often at odds with both the TV corporations and the leaders he’s sworn to work for. He hacks into the mission Tactical Plans which otherwise would be denied to him, so that he can guide his men effectively.
The first third of this book deals with a first sortie to the moon. Arriving misplaced from their drop zone in the Sea of Tranquillity, the team find that they are forced to fight a raiding enemy force whilst defending what they have claimed. The mission is messy and some of Stark’s best trainees are killed.
In the second part of the book Stark’s soldiers face the enemy in a raid meant to destroy an enemy refinery but really designed to improve declining television popularity ratings. It is another bungled catastrophe and many are killed whilst Stark is also wounded.
The last section of the book deals with Stark’s recovery and his return to active warfare. Another major battle ensues with men stranded and major losses until Stark steps in and reluctantly assumes command, effectively mutinying against the senior officers. The end has an interesting development (which I won’t spoil here) which moves things up a gear, ready for the next book in the series.
This is a solidly written, action-packed mil-SF novel. The action scenes are very well done, the main characters fairly straightforward, the motivations for the characters clear. There’s the odd misstep – a scene where an infantryman has to explain World War One to his fellow soldiers seemed a little far-fetched to me, and later an explanation of the Spartans, for example – but really most readers will probably know what to expect and have bought it to meet those criteria: heroism, difficult odds, impossible situations, they’re all here, but in the end it is the loyalty and bravery of the soldiers and their camaraderie against all complications (usually of the bungling officer kind), and their function to get a difficult job done, that makes this a worthwhile read. In these days of Big Brother television, it’s interesting to see a possible consequence in future war.
Whilst nothing particularly new, (war is bad, fellow combatants are good, officers don’t know what they’re doing) it is a good page-turner that will amply satisfy fans of this sub-genre. Fans of Baen Books, John Scalzi’s Old Man’s War series, Jack McDevitt, David Weber or John Ringo are going to like this one. It’s also not a bad place to start for those who’ve come across this after playing Halo and want to try a book with similar themes.
tuftymctavish's review
2.0
Pretty obvious military stuff, almost episodic in structure, a few interesting turns but really battering the "mil" contrasts to "civs" over the head.
gryffyntea's review against another edition
4.0
Four stars on the merits of the story. The dialogue is awkward, and the story is a bit klutzy, so it has all the markers of inexperienced writing. I've read John Hemry's work as Jack Campbell, and I see the development from this to that.
The world is fascinating, if underdeveloped, and I hope to see some relationships develop over the next two books. I'm hoping to see more of Stark's family- I want to know what he said to his dad.
The world is fascinating, if underdeveloped, and I hope to see some relationships develop over the next two books. I'm hoping to see more of Stark's family- I want to know what he said to his dad.
ukuleledan's review against another edition
4.0
The jumping around in flashbacks got annoying but overall an enjoyable read.
Having read this series and the Lost Fleet series... Mr. Hemry really had some issues to work out from his military days it seems.
Having read this series and the Lost Fleet series... Mr. Hemry really had some issues to work out from his military days it seems.
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