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minhthanh1994's review against another edition
5.0
- The books that get me back into loving reading again.
- I may be biased here because of my love for mech/mecha , but for me, this is a 5/5 book. Sure, its story is not something that is out of this world, its characters are just your usual coming-of-age characters, but there is something about the world that fascinates me. What if, the Axis won the war, and now German and Japan are about to go against each other on the continent we call America? The portrayal of the war, and the loss of life isn't the best, but still, it makes you feel. Keep in mind that I don't remember anything about the first book, United States of Japan, its' prequel, so maybe that's on me.
- Did I mention the mecha? Well, for a novel, the mecha in this are so vivid for me with its description, and the fight too, is dynamic, even if it falls a little bit on more of a simple side. But still, that's okay. I guess the only problem I have with the book is that the climax is a little bit not there yet, and also that's there no final big bad (but maybe that's just the anime lover in me talking and that would make for bad/ childish writing).
- There is a little bit of a plot hole about the timeline, but I guess it can be explained if they try hard enough.
- The use of the game "Cat Odyssey" to train the general populace on how to control a mecha is also a little fun thought. Would VR/AR CoD and Battlefield someday be used for the same purpose? Maybe, who knows?
- I may be biased here because of my love for mech/mecha , but for me, this is a 5/5 book. Sure, its story is not something that is out of this world, its characters are just your usual coming-of-age characters, but there is something about the world that fascinates me. What if, the Axis won the war, and now German and Japan are about to go against each other on the continent we call America? The portrayal of the war, and the loss of life isn't the best, but still, it makes you feel. Keep in mind that I don't remember anything about the first book, United States of Japan, its' prequel, so maybe that's on me.
- Did I mention the mecha? Well, for a novel, the mecha in this are so vivid for me with its description, and the fight too, is dynamic, even if it falls a little bit on more of a simple side. But still, that's okay. I guess the only problem I have with the book is that the climax is a little bit not there yet, and also that's there no final big bad (but maybe that's just the anime lover in me talking and that would make for bad/ childish writing).
- There is a little bit of a plot hole about the timeline, but I guess it can be explained if they try hard enough.
- The use of the game "Cat Odyssey" to train the general populace on how to control a mecha is also a little fun thought. Would VR/AR CoD and Battlefield someday be used for the same purpose? Maybe, who knows?
whitethief's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
dantastic's review against another edition
4.0
Will misfit Makoto Fujimoto realize his dream of being a mecha pilot, with his abysmal grades and war between the United States of Japan and Germany looming in the background?
I really enjoyed [b:United States of Japan|25809801|United States of Japan|Peter Tieryas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1448422383s/25809801.jpg|45665794] but wanted more mecha action. Thankfully, this popped up on Netgalley not very long ago. I'll probably grab a physical copy to keep on my shelf beside United States of Japan because I liked it quite a bit.
Mecha Samurai Empire is part alternate history tale, part coming of age tale, with a generous helping of mecha action. Makoto Fujimoto is a misfit when the tale starts, a video gamer war orphan whose dreams of being a mecha pilot keep him going. Eventually, he gets there, and sees it isn't quite what he thought it was.
Since United States of Japan laid most of the groundwork, this one was more of a character story, believe it or not. Mac goes from being a callow kid to a pilot over the course of the book, making friends and blowing a lot of shit up along the way. My main gripe with USJ was the lack of mechas. This one had about 77% more mecha content and it was just the book I wanted to read.
Mac was a little passive but a big improvement over Ben Ishimura in the last book. Also, it was nice to see Agent Tsukino again. Griselda, Nori, Kujira, Kazu, and Chieko made for an interesting supporting cast, all the mecha pilots having fairly colorful personalities. I would have strangled Kujira!
There are all sorts of video game and pop culture Easter eggs, focused through USJ's alternate history lens. I caught references to Super Mario Bros 3, Madame Butterfly, Double Dragon, and Megaman II and that was just the tip of the iceberg. The mecha combat brought back fond memories of watching Voltron and Robotech after school.
Mecha Samurai empire is where Peter Tieryas breaks free of his Man in the High Castle roots and runs wild. I'm already looking forward to the next book. Four out of five stars.
I really enjoyed [b:United States of Japan|25809801|United States of Japan|Peter Tieryas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1448422383s/25809801.jpg|45665794] but wanted more mecha action. Thankfully, this popped up on Netgalley not very long ago. I'll probably grab a physical copy to keep on my shelf beside United States of Japan because I liked it quite a bit.
Mecha Samurai Empire is part alternate history tale, part coming of age tale, with a generous helping of mecha action. Makoto Fujimoto is a misfit when the tale starts, a video gamer war orphan whose dreams of being a mecha pilot keep him going. Eventually, he gets there, and sees it isn't quite what he thought it was.
Since United States of Japan laid most of the groundwork, this one was more of a character story, believe it or not. Mac goes from being a callow kid to a pilot over the course of the book, making friends and blowing a lot of shit up along the way. My main gripe with USJ was the lack of mechas. This one had about 77% more mecha content and it was just the book I wanted to read.
Mac was a little passive but a big improvement over Ben Ishimura in the last book. Also, it was nice to see Agent Tsukino again. Griselda, Nori, Kujira, Kazu, and Chieko made for an interesting supporting cast, all the mecha pilots having fairly colorful personalities. I would have strangled Kujira!
There are all sorts of video game and pop culture Easter eggs, focused through USJ's alternate history lens. I caught references to Super Mario Bros 3, Madame Butterfly, Double Dragon, and Megaman II and that was just the tip of the iceberg. The mecha combat brought back fond memories of watching Voltron and Robotech after school.
Mecha Samurai empire is where Peter Tieryas breaks free of his Man in the High Castle roots and runs wild. I'm already looking forward to the next book. Four out of five stars.
peresr's review against another edition
3.0
Voleu tenir la sensació d'estar immersos en un anime, però on tot rau en la capacitat descriptiva de l'autor i de la teva pròpia ment per poder-te desplaçar a un món ple de robots gegants al servei d'un govern absolutista? Benvinguts a Mecha Samurai Empire!
En aquest nou llibre en [a:Peter Tieryas|4608186|Peter Tieryas|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1349105860p2/4608186.jpg] abandona el gènere més thriller de [b:United States of Japan|25809801|United States of Japan (Mecha Samurai Empire)|Peter Tieryas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1448422383l/25809801._SY75_.jpg|45665794] i s'aboca totalment al subgènere militarista de la ciència-ficció, terreny tradicional de grans autors com a Scalzi o Haldeman (sense, però, arribar al seu nivell ni de bon tros) amb un protagonista típic "underdog" que per circumstàncies diverses es troba en punts històrics d'inflexió que li canviaran la vida (o no).
He gaudit força amb aquest llibre, la lectura és fàcil, l'acció trepidant i és prou fàcil empatitzar amb els protagonistes. Per gaudir de la trama, però, has d'aconseguir ignorar el punt històric en què se suposa que la trama succeeix i altres mancances bàsiques que, per mi, afecten i molt la versemblança de l'univers plantejat; això sí.
Tinc la sensació que els defectes que detecto en els dos llibres són fruit de mancances pròpies de l'autor així com limitacions psicològiques/ideològiques d'ell mateix o forçades per l'editorial/mercat.
Igual que en l'anterior volum, la idealització del que se suposa que eren els EUA abans que l'imperi Japonès guanyés la guerra no es correspon gens ni mica amb com era la societat dels EUA als anys 30-40 del segle XX (excepte si ets un home blanc, clar); per mi, l'autor cau en l'error de l'anacronisme i presentisme quan intenta fer els lligams de la novel·la amb el passat; un passat que en aquest segon volum és totalment irrellevant.
A banda, al llarg de la trama hi ha una sèrie d'afegitons totalment secundaris que no acaben d'encaixar, però que veus clarament perquè són allà en llegir els agraïments del final del llibre. En la majoria dels casos, passen bastant desapercebuts, però hi ha un cas en concret (relacionat amb Espanya) que patina totalment; altre cop degut a la manca de recerca històrica de l'autor.
Malgrat haver gaudit amb la lectura, els errors que he mencionat em van fer acabar el llibre amb la sensació que podria haver sigut molt més en mans d'algú més capacitat i menys parcial. Una llàstima.
En aquest nou llibre en [a:Peter Tieryas|4608186|Peter Tieryas|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1349105860p2/4608186.jpg] abandona el gènere més thriller de [b:United States of Japan|25809801|United States of Japan (Mecha Samurai Empire)|Peter Tieryas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1448422383l/25809801._SY75_.jpg|45665794] i s'aboca totalment al subgènere militarista de la ciència-ficció, terreny tradicional de grans autors com a Scalzi o Haldeman (sense, però, arribar al seu nivell ni de bon tros) amb un protagonista típic "underdog" que per circumstàncies diverses es troba en punts històrics d'inflexió que li canviaran la vida (o no).
He gaudit força amb aquest llibre, la lectura és fàcil, l'acció trepidant i és prou fàcil empatitzar amb els protagonistes. Per gaudir de la trama, però, has d'aconseguir ignorar el punt històric en què se suposa que la trama succeeix i altres mancances bàsiques que, per mi, afecten i molt la versemblança de l'univers plantejat; això sí.
Tinc la sensació que els defectes que detecto en els dos llibres són fruit de mancances pròpies de l'autor així com limitacions psicològiques/ideològiques d'ell mateix o forçades per l'editorial/mercat.
Igual que en l'anterior volum, la idealització del que se suposa que eren els EUA abans que l'imperi Japonès guanyés la guerra no es correspon gens ni mica amb com era la societat dels EUA als anys 30-40 del segle XX (excepte si ets un home blanc, clar); per mi, l'autor cau en l'error de l'anacronisme i presentisme quan intenta fer els lligams de la novel·la amb el passat; un passat que en aquest segon volum és totalment irrellevant.
A banda, al llarg de la trama hi ha una sèrie d'afegitons totalment secundaris que no acaben d'encaixar, però que veus clarament perquè són allà en llegir els agraïments del final del llibre. En la majoria dels casos, passen bastant desapercebuts, però hi ha un cas en concret (relacionat amb Espanya) que patina totalment; altre cop degut a la manca de recerca històrica de l'autor.
Malgrat haver gaudit amb la lectura, els errors que he mencionat em van fer acabar el llibre amb la sensació que podria haver sigut molt més en mans d'algú més capacitat i menys parcial. Una llàstima.
franklyfrank's review against another edition
5.0
Such a great book, although completely different from the first book in the series, The United States of Japan.
rkiladitis's review against another edition
5.0
This is a fantastic crossover novel for any sci-fi/fantasy fans, manga and anime fans, and alternate history fans out there. I did NOT want to put this one down!
The backstory: The AXIS powers (primarily Germany and Japan, for purposes of this novel) won what we know as World War II. America is now known as the United States of Japan, and Germany shares control to some degree, of the American territories. It's an uneasy alliance between Japan and Germany, and the terrorists known as the George Washingtons are always ready to fight.
Now: Makoto Fujimoto is a young man born and raised in California, orphaned by war and raised by an abusive foster home, now a student with one goal: to attend the Berkeley Military Academy and become a mecha pilot. His awful grades threaten his dream, but a chance to work as a civilian mech pilot gives him a chance to get into shape and learn some skills. When his squadron comes under attack by Nazi bio-mechs, he and his surviving squadmate land two spots at the Military Academy, just in time for tensions between the USJ and Nazi Germany to hit an all-time high. There are traitors everywhere... maybe even among Makoto's old friends.
I LOVED this book. I haven't read the first book, United States of Japan, and you don't need to - this adventure takes place in the same universe, but Makoto's story is entirely his own. (You can bet that I've just requested it for myself, and put both books in order cart for the library, though.) There's fantastic action and world-building; gratuitous mech battles; intrigue, and strong characters. Peter Tieryas creates some wonderfully strong, intelligent female characters and gives his male characters empathy and feeling. Pacific Rim fans, Harry Turtledove fans, and Man in the High Castle fans will dive right into this series, and so will your anime and manga fans. I've already booktalked this one to a teen at my library; he fully expects this to be waiting here for him when it hits shelves on September 18th.
Get your geek on and booktalk/display with Garrison Girl and some gundam manga.
The backstory: The AXIS powers (primarily Germany and Japan, for purposes of this novel) won what we know as World War II. America is now known as the United States of Japan, and Germany shares control to some degree, of the American territories. It's an uneasy alliance between Japan and Germany, and the terrorists known as the George Washingtons are always ready to fight.
Now: Makoto Fujimoto is a young man born and raised in California, orphaned by war and raised by an abusive foster home, now a student with one goal: to attend the Berkeley Military Academy and become a mecha pilot. His awful grades threaten his dream, but a chance to work as a civilian mech pilot gives him a chance to get into shape and learn some skills. When his squadron comes under attack by Nazi bio-mechs, he and his surviving squadmate land two spots at the Military Academy, just in time for tensions between the USJ and Nazi Germany to hit an all-time high. There are traitors everywhere... maybe even among Makoto's old friends.
I LOVED this book. I haven't read the first book, United States of Japan, and you don't need to - this adventure takes place in the same universe, but Makoto's story is entirely his own. (You can bet that I've just requested it for myself, and put both books in order cart for the library, though.) There's fantastic action and world-building; gratuitous mech battles; intrigue, and strong characters. Peter Tieryas creates some wonderfully strong, intelligent female characters and gives his male characters empathy and feeling. Pacific Rim fans, Harry Turtledove fans, and Man in the High Castle fans will dive right into this series, and so will your anime and manga fans. I've already booktalked this one to a teen at my library; he fully expects this to be waiting here for him when it hits shelves on September 18th.
Get your geek on and booktalk/display with Garrison Girl and some gundam manga.
davidchanza's review against another edition
4.0
Si te gustó United States of Japan, este Mecha Samurai Empire te va a encantar. Si te gustan los animes de mechas y los mechas en general, este libro te va a gustar más todavía.
Mecha Samurai Empire se encuentra dentro del universo de United Statess of Japan, es decir, no es una continuación del primer libro (con lo cual se puede leer sin haber leído el primero sin problema), es un libro que coge todo ese universo y te da otro punto de vista, el de unos jóvenes que quieren ser pilotos de mechas del Imperio.
Fácil de leer, te engancha enseguida y aunque como he dicho antes, no hace falta haber leído el primero, sí es interesante para alguna que otra referencia y saber la base de toda la historia.
Ahora a por Cyber Shogun Revolution!
Mecha Samurai Empire se encuentra dentro del universo de United Statess of Japan, es decir, no es una continuación del primer libro (con lo cual se puede leer sin haber leído el primero sin problema), es un libro que coge todo ese universo y te da otro punto de vista, el de unos jóvenes que quieren ser pilotos de mechas del Imperio.
Fácil de leer, te engancha enseguida y aunque como he dicho antes, no hace falta haber leído el primero, sí es interesante para alguna que otra referencia y saber la base de toda la historia.
Ahora a por Cyber Shogun Revolution!
philibin's review against another edition
4.0
(4.0 Stars)
I was initially hesitant to read this book. The first in the series was "just ok", but showed an interesting potential. I feel like the writer has grown as a writer between the two books for some reason.
There are a lot of uncomfortable themes in this book, and the protagonist is young and immature... The world building is decent. You have to suspend some belief in physics and reality, but at least it remains constant and isn't used as a crutch to advance the plot.
The character growth is very good, where they are written in a way that closely resembles early anime from the 1970's (like Star Blazers or G-Force).
I was initially hesitant to read this book. The first in the series was "just ok", but showed an interesting potential. I feel like the writer has grown as a writer between the two books for some reason.
There are a lot of uncomfortable themes in this book, and the protagonist is young and immature... The world building is decent. You have to suspend some belief in physics and reality, but at least it remains constant and isn't used as a crutch to advance the plot.
The character growth is very good, where they are written in a way that closely resembles early anime from the 1970's (like Star Blazers or G-Force).
silvercr0w's review against another edition
5.0
The book is a rather unique take on alt WW2 history. This one takes place 50 years after a victorious Axis spilt the United States and the tensions between the Nazis and Japanese empire. But enough about that, there’s giant mecha!
A coming of age story with young Makoto Fujimoto wanting to be a mecha pilot mixed with elements of Gundam, Evangelion, and Gurren Lagann.
We get Easter eggs the elder geek will love, but the author doesn’t beat you over the head with it. This is great for those that get it and allows it to be fun for anyone not familiar with it to move on cause it’s not essential to the plot. Plus the main character doesn’t break the fourth wall and threaten to take away your geek card if you don’t get his throw away gag.
It also does a great job of covering the horrors that come with the aftermath of war, with the tension of a cold war. Also, the characters may not understand things the reader should but that makes the alt history part more interesting.
A great read with a slow burn to action that allows the reader to understand Fujimoto’s plight.
A coming of age story with young Makoto Fujimoto wanting to be a mecha pilot mixed with elements of Gundam, Evangelion, and Gurren Lagann.
We get Easter eggs the elder geek will love, but the author doesn’t beat you over the head with it. This is great for those that get it and allows it to be fun for anyone not familiar with it to move on cause it’s not essential to the plot. Plus the main character doesn’t break the fourth wall and threaten to take away your geek card if you don’t get his throw away gag.
It also does a great job of covering the horrors that come with the aftermath of war, with the tension of a cold war. Also, the characters may not understand things the reader should but that makes the alt history part more interesting.
A great read with a slow burn to action that allows the reader to understand Fujimoto’s plight.
xmenji's review against another edition
3.0
A decent story. Some parts dragged on though but the mechas were okay. I think Kujira was the best character but I kind of enjoyed Mac’s character development from being an underdog to a more confident person towards the end.