Scan barcode
pjonsson's review
4.0
This book is far from perfect but I still liked it. I think it is a decent start of a new, for me at least, series. As the book blurb states Eric Cain joins the marines to escape his death penalty. What it does not say it that his death penalty is really a consequence of the unbelievably undemocratic, despotic North Korean like government on Earth. For Eric becoming a marine and getting away from Earth turns out to be a blessing.
The core story of the book is quite okay. There is, of course, a lot of marine style ground action going on and not so much happening in space but it is still good reading. I think the part of the background story with the despotic and corrupt government back on Earth is not the best part of the book, a bit depressing actually, but in the end it actually do not get to play a major role in the book except to kick it off so I can live with it.
The main problem with this book is that a lot of it reads like a report and not an adventure book. Sometimes events are just stacked one after another and told as a matter of fact with no or little feeling in it. First I did that then we did that and then we did another thing and then we won the fight…next chapter. First we did that then we did that… and so on for several pages. I do not know if this was the author’s first book or not but it certainly feels like it. Actually I have already read the next book in the series so I know for a fact that he has improved in this area.
Overall it is a worthwhile book to read if you like marine Sci-Fi. As I have already mentioned I am continuing to read the next books in this series.
The core story of the book is quite okay. There is, of course, a lot of marine style ground action going on and not so much happening in space but it is still good reading. I think the part of the background story with the despotic and corrupt government back on Earth is not the best part of the book, a bit depressing actually, but in the end it actually do not get to play a major role in the book except to kick it off so I can live with it.
The main problem with this book is that a lot of it reads like a report and not an adventure book. Sometimes events are just stacked one after another and told as a matter of fact with no or little feeling in it. First I did that then we did that and then we did another thing and then we won the fight…next chapter. First we did that then we did that… and so on for several pages. I do not know if this was the author’s first book or not but it certainly feels like it. Actually I have already read the next book in the series so I know for a fact that he has improved in this area.
Overall it is a worthwhile book to read if you like marine Sci-Fi. As I have already mentioned I am continuing to read the next books in this series.
mrbear30021's review
4.0
We've all read this story before. A young nobody from a nowhere life joins the military, has a talent for it, and shoots up the ranks. But what makes the story a bit different is that the author has given us a lot of background. He's giving us information about the world and how it came to be. With this backstory, the plight of our hero is a little more believable. Minor spoiler alert: the fact that he comes to realize the truth of the world he fights for and then realizes why he truly fights, makes for quite the interesting situation.
With that all said, I did enjoy the story. And I'm ready to continue on with the entire series. I found the writing to be easy which is saying a lot for somebody like me who is dyslexic. Not once did I find myself having to reread sections to make sure I understood what was happening. Everything was clear and concise. I've collected several of Jay Allan's books, and am happy now that I've finally gotten the chance to read his work. If you enjoyed military sci-fi as I do, stories that do have an intelligent plot, I recommend that you get your own copy of this story, read it, and then continue on as I will.
With that all said, I did enjoy the story. And I'm ready to continue on with the entire series. I found the writing to be easy which is saying a lot for somebody like me who is dyslexic. Not once did I find myself having to reread sections to make sure I understood what was happening. Everything was clear and concise. I've collected several of Jay Allan's books, and am happy now that I've finally gotten the chance to read his work. If you enjoyed military sci-fi as I do, stories that do have an intelligent plot, I recommend that you get your own copy of this story, read it, and then continue on as I will.
kesnit's review
4.0
The book loses a star for two reasons. First, the first part of the book reminds me very much of Starship Troopers. (The enemies are humans, not "Bugs," but idea of the books is very similar.) Second, the main character is a bit of a Marty Stu. He's amazing! He wins awards! He flies up the ranks!
What really makes up for those two flaws is the writing. Under it all, the book is a really good read. I got absorbed in this book to the point of not wanting to go to sleep. The main character is fleshed out as a person.
I'm looking forward to reading more books in this series.
What really makes up for those two flaws is the writing. Under it all, the book is a really good read. I got absorbed in this book to the point of not wanting to go to sleep. The main character is fleshed out as a person.
I'm looking forward to reading more books in this series.
andypalmer's review
4.0
This review covers Crimson Worlds Books 1-9. I read them consecutively, so can only review them comprehensively.
Overall: The books are really good, but fall short of being great, for reasons I'll outline below.
Characters: The protagonists are well written, likable, and appropriately complex. The antagonists are clever, and help drive the plot, but perhaps at times lack sufficient positive features to make them completely realistic.
Writing/Editing: The copy editing is well done - no complaints there. The author could use a good developmental editor, however, as there are too many cases of repeating the same phrase and wording. There are also a few cases in which the wrong person or place name is used, which can pop the reader out.
Writing/Combat Scenes: The author does a great job of describing land combat scenes in a way that both gives the reader a feel and view of the overall battle while also engaging the reader in the stress and anxiety of the POV character. I've read few that match the author in this area. The space battles, while good, do not hit the same standards of say a Jack Campbell. These battles are decidedly two-dimensional and the tactical nuances are far less pronounced and engaging.
Writing/Other: There are a large number of characters, as is normal for the genre, though the author does change POV more rapidly than some at times. Thematically, the author is perhaps a bit pessimistic about the human race, but does weave in a solid thread of hope.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the series, and hold the author's portrayal of futuristic ground combat in high esteem. The need for a developmental editor can be a distraction at times, but not enough to make me want to stop reading.
Overall: The books are really good, but fall short of being great, for reasons I'll outline below.
Characters: The protagonists are well written, likable, and appropriately complex. The antagonists are clever, and help drive the plot, but perhaps at times lack sufficient positive features to make them completely realistic.
Writing/Editing: The copy editing is well done - no complaints there. The author could use a good developmental editor, however, as there are too many cases of repeating the same phrase and wording. There are also a few cases in which the wrong person or place name is used, which can pop the reader out.
Writing/Combat Scenes: The author does a great job of describing land combat scenes in a way that both gives the reader a feel and view of the overall battle while also engaging the reader in the stress and anxiety of the POV character. I've read few that match the author in this area. The space battles, while good, do not hit the same standards of say a Jack Campbell. These battles are decidedly two-dimensional and the tactical nuances are far less pronounced and engaging.
Writing/Other: There are a large number of characters, as is normal for the genre, though the author does change POV more rapidly than some at times. Thematically, the author is perhaps a bit pessimistic about the human race, but does weave in a solid thread of hope.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the series, and hold the author's portrayal of futuristic ground combat in high esteem. The need for a developmental editor can be a distraction at times, but not enough to make me want to stop reading.
agirlushouldknow's review
1.0
Book Type: Audible
Length: 10h 27m
If you are looking for a snooze-fest, self-pleasuring military hero story, here you go.
I don't have real problem with the world that Mr. Allan created, it is a bit bland, filled with tropes and seems unexamined. However this is a common thing so that itself doesn't make me fail it fully.
The character itself is a great example of a male version of a Mary Sue (I believe they are called Gary Stu's). He comes from a family that were middle class or higher whose fate turns and makes them poor. He becomes a hardcore gangmember criminal who is rescued by the Marines.
All of that would be fine, except then the Marines take him in and within two or three years of his life, and within a single book here, he is promoted from grunt to Battalion Commander. The youngest commander, beloved by his commander who saves the day many times.
Even with that story doesn't fully bring this rating down. The writing is the problem in the end. The story is boring, the combat scenes do not evoke anything for me except boredom. His relationships are very flimsy, almost cardboard cutout like settings and it just seems he was pushing to get through the story of Cain becoming commander, instead of actually telling his story completely.
In my opinion, the book is not worth it just on that part. It is long, boring with no payoff.
Length: 10h 27m
If you are looking for a snooze-fest, self-pleasuring military hero story, here you go.
I don't have real problem with the world that Mr. Allan created, it is a bit bland, filled with tropes and seems unexamined. However this is a common thing so that itself doesn't make me fail it fully.
The character itself is a great example of a male version of a Mary Sue (I believe they are called Gary Stu's). He comes from a family that were middle class or higher whose fate turns and makes them poor. He becomes a hardcore gangmember criminal who is rescued by the Marines.
All of that would be fine, except then the Marines take him in and within two or three years of his life, and within a single book here, he is promoted from grunt to Battalion Commander. The youngest commander, beloved by his commander who saves the day many times.
Even with that story doesn't fully bring this rating down. The writing is the problem in the end. The story is boring, the combat scenes do not evoke anything for me except boredom. His relationships are very flimsy, almost cardboard cutout like settings and it just seems he was pushing to get through the story of Cain becoming commander, instead of actually telling his story completely.
In my opinion, the book is not worth it just on that part. It is long, boring with no payoff.
More...