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ogreart's review against another edition
4.0
Well thought out. I like the way it unfolds. Not always into military books, but this is more than that.
apryde6226's review against another edition
3.0
Jerry Pournelle always writes a good story. This is the first book in a series about a group of mercenaries being plucked from a situation where they were about to die only to be shanghied into becoming tools for aliens running a planet...
It might have sounded like a good idea at first, but the point to the story is that it's not. It's certainly not high literature but it's a fun story.
It might have sounded like a good idea at first, but the point to the story is that it's not. It's certainly not high literature but it's a fun story.
smkingsland's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
alicehhhd's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Just what you need when you’re sick
zzazazz's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
3.75
kim_hoag's review against another edition
4.0
I haven't read Pournelle in a long time (he died three years ago), and then only one of his books, so it was time. This book would not have been my first choice—a mercenary group gets sent by aliens to an earth-like planet where there are past cultures already present (every 600 years worth, or so). I'm usually not crazy about mixing time periods, but Pournelle makes it work so well that the book becomes a quick read. He has a story that seems mismatched at the edges—trust me, it's not. There are many questions that are only partially answered until a crucial time in the narrative. Besides a good storyline, the characters are not the usual stereotypes: the protagonist is a man who actually listens to an intelligent woman able to plan ahead. It comes at a price, though, as you will see. The science fiction aspect is less important than the speculative psychological problems presented, and that was fun to read. A third point that increased the fun factor was the bringing up of past great battles or methods of a culture's fighting. Using the comparisons to make present stratagems work added an intellectual depth. The book makes full use of Pournelle's background as a scientist in the area of operations and human factors research. I'm grateful there's a second novel.
vailynst's review against another edition
3.0
Notes:
Currently on Audible Plus, Books 1-3
I assumed that the series was finished. I'm wrong. Thanks to the reviewer of #3 that let people know the #3 ends on a cliffhanger and the series has not been completed.
I had read another book by the author and enjoyed it. When I saw that this series was also on Audible Plus, I added it to my audio TBR. Unfortunately, the pacing for the series is not as well done and overly ambitious in concept vs what's written down.
Interesting ideas but underdeveloped characters, setting and takes for granted that readers will be familiar enough with Roman civilization/history to fill in the large gaps of knowledge. Which still doesn't work well because the context of the "people" living on the alien planet is not a carbon copy of Roman culture/etc.
Going by the three books I have read by the author, I'm going to guess that he has a habit of ending stories on a cliffhanger. Even if it's a standalone novel.
Currently on Audible Plus, Books 1-3
I assumed that the series was finished. I'm wrong. Thanks to the reviewer of #3 that let people know the #3 ends on a cliffhanger and the series has not been completed.
I had read another book by the author and enjoyed it. When I saw that this series was also on Audible Plus, I added it to my audio TBR. Unfortunately, the pacing for the series is not as well done and overly ambitious in concept vs what's written down.
Interesting ideas but underdeveloped characters, setting and takes for granted that readers will be familiar enough with Roman civilization/history to fill in the large gaps of knowledge. Which still doesn't work well because the context of the "people" living on the alien planet is not a carbon copy of Roman culture/etc.
Going by the three books I have read by the author, I'm going to guess that he has a habit of ending stories on a cliffhanger. Even if it's a standalone novel.
vailynst's review against another edition
3.0
Notes:
Currently on Audible Plus, Books 1-3
I assumed that the series was finished. I'm wrong. Thanks to the reviewer of #3 that let people know the #3 ends on a cliffhanger and the series has not been completed.
I had read another book by the author and enjoyed it. When I saw that this series was also on Audible Plus, I added it to my audio TBR. Unfortunately, the pacing for the series is not as well done and overly ambitious in concept vs what's written down.
Interesting ideas but underdeveloped characters, setting and takes for granted that readers will be familiar enough with Roman civilization/history to fill in the large gaps of knowledge. Which still doesn't work well because the context of the "people" living on the alien planet is not a carbon copy of Roman culture/etc.
Going by the three books I have read by the author, I'm going to guess that he has a habit of ending stories on a cliffhanger. Even if it's a standalone novel.
Currently on Audible Plus, Books 1-3
I assumed that the series was finished. I'm wrong. Thanks to the reviewer of #3 that let people know the #3 ends on a cliffhanger and the series has not been completed.
I had read another book by the author and enjoyed it. When I saw that this series was also on Audible Plus, I added it to my audio TBR. Unfortunately, the pacing for the series is not as well done and overly ambitious in concept vs what's written down.
Interesting ideas but underdeveloped characters, setting and takes for granted that readers will be familiar enough with Roman civilization/history to fill in the large gaps of knowledge. Which still doesn't work well because the context of the "people" living on the alien planet is not a carbon copy of Roman culture/etc.
Going by the three books I have read by the author, I'm going to guess that he has a habit of ending stories on a cliffhanger. Even if it's a standalone novel.
tenisonpurple's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Pulp with rather weak character descriptions, plots, aliens etc.
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