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readundancies's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Nobody’s asked for this, but if I were to relay what the plot of this story is about as an equation, it would be as follows:
(Heist - MIA squad member + art of the grift * bullshittery) / the whimsies of Lady Luck aka Lady Fortune = The Misfit Soldier
And what a goddamned beautiful plot-driven novel this is. Standalone, fast paced, nonstop action, manipulations to the nth degree, all within the context of the military with soldiers that are naughty little fuckers because no man gets left behind and neither does the chance to deliver a solid fuck you to those who’ve wronged you before.
Michael Mammay, you’ve done it again you wily writing wizard you.
The Ocean’s Eleven vibes are strong in this one and they’re coupled with this perfectly smarmy brand of snark of the used car salesman variety and you know what? I kinda love it. Solid comparison. The other comparison on Old Man’s War by John Scalzi, I’m not too sure about (having never read it before), but you also know what? It’s now on my list.
I love how twofold the mission is, save your MIA comrade and dole out some revenge with a glove slap to the cheek of those who’re reaping the benefits of war in the worst possible way. And the fact that our lead character Gas has a history with them (although we never really get a solid explanation about that previous connection) makes it simultaneously vengeful and heroic and also ambitious in nature. So really, it’s no surprise that I was completely won me over by the halfway point. Because what a treat this was. The reading experience was just grand and I can’t express exactly how much I enjoyed myself as I progressed but I did. Really enjoy it, I mean.
However, while I respect the author’s choices with respect to length and brevity regarding plot, if I were to give this 5 stars, it would be longer, the romance would have some more depth behind it because I was genuinely all for that ship, and I would’ve loved multiple perspectives because all of characters were such personalities that I wanted to hang out with them more, and a little more intimately at that.
But other than those minor complaints, this was just swell and delivered everything I wanted from a military sci-fi adventure with a solid dose of humour to boot. Highly recommend, especially if you love a morally grey MC that is straight-up manipulative and unashamed about it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, War, and Violence
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