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mbs1236's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
While it took some time to get going but when it got going, it was an enjoyable and fun story.
being_b's review
1.0
I don't know with this book. On the one hand, it's a lot of fun, with all the virtues other reviewers cite. On the other hand, the author states that the main conflict was modelled after the Battle of Rorke's Drift during the 1879 Zulu War, aka. Britain's invasion of southern Africa. With our heroes taking the role of the British.
This really grossed me out. The battle of Rorke's Drift was a historical slaughter that occurred as part of an unprovoked invasion, resulting in the destruction of the Zulu people and culture. It is inappropriate to remove the military events from their historical context-- it would be like admiring the efficiency of the Nazi logistics for implementing the Final Solution and writing a story based on them.
I was left feeling complicit and nauseated.
This really grossed me out. The battle of Rorke's Drift was a historical slaughter that occurred as part of an unprovoked invasion, resulting in the destruction of the Zulu people and culture. It is inappropriate to remove the military events from their historical context-- it would be like admiring the efficiency of the Nazi logistics for implementing the Final Solution and writing a story based on them.
I was left feeling complicit and nauseated.
shawniebooks's review
4.0
This was a great military scifi. I'm definitely a Tanya Huff fan now. I read the first in her paranormal fantasy series and really liked that one as well.
katyanaish's review
4.0
I loved this book, but the ending was infuriating. I just ... I can't believe that
Spoiler
she played that game. And is going to just soldier onwards. Fuck these bureaucrats, fuck that General, fuck the Silsviss, and just ugh. He threw those people away. Told them that it was practically on leave. If they wanted a real test, then the soldiers should have known what they were getting in to, and they should have been properly geared and armed. They were half in their goddamn dress uniforms. It was bullshit, and it undercuts the character to just accept it, imo.whichthreewords's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mary_soon_lee's review
3.0
This is the first in a five-book military science fiction series. I would class it as a nicely executed, although not especially innovative, example of military SF. The story takes place in a Star-Trek-like future with faster-than-light travel, many alien races of roughly comparable intelligence, and battles fought by soldiers rather than machines. I liked the protagonist, a Marine staff sergeant (a human female). I enjoyed the humor, some of which arises from one of the alien species being voracious eaters and another of the alien species being oversexed. I liked the military action, and appreciated the author's choice to draw on a historical battle. To avoid spoilers, I won't name that battle, but Huff does so in her end note. I have already ordered all four sequels, and am impatiently awaiting their arrival. Recommended to those who enjoy military SF.
eiie's review
5.0
At first, I struggled with understanding the military jargon and many Alien species, but quickly came to love this fast paced military SF space opera. Staff Sargent Torin Kerr kicks major ass while still taking care of her platoon. Tanya Huff's signature humor takes on a military mantle that differentiates it from her other books, but it's still there in spite of wearing different clothes.
jmoses's review
4.0
Entertaining and fast paced. I like it, and the characters. Well thought out and real without being boring or trite.
mamap's review
4.0
i liked this one. not that it's that wonderful, but i really liked the premise and the insights into battle and the conflicts between races. lots of language - very PG-13. also very science fiction, but without the multiple characters and the development of whole new worlds. i just don't have the time to devote to an epic. i like my books fun.