The Hero (Posleen War Series #5) Review

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The Hero (Posleen War Series #5) ReviewI read all of John Ringo's 'Posleen War' books, and loved every one of them. THIS book was a big disappointment to me. The trouble is, it is marketed as `Military Fiction' and it takes place in a military environment, but it is definitely a CHARACTER STUDY, not Military Fiction as most people would define it. Set in the same general universe as the `Posleen' series, but at some unspecified future date, it is about an alien `The Hero' who works with a Human Combat Team. They are sent on a Recon mission. Lots of strife, tough environment, but no significant combat. Then, VERY late in the book, we get some combat action, mostly between "The Hero" and a renegade human. Mano a Mano on a wild, dangerous alien planet. Big deal. You can guess the rest. I give it 2 stars, because it was technically well written, and Ringo certainly seems to understand military characteristics, but I REALLY think I am being generous. I don't think it will appeal very much to the `target audience.' It didn't satisfy ME. If I am going to read military fiction, I want strife and battles and bravery and cowardice in a larger context, and I want it to mean something. This book just seemed like they were exploring character relationships for future books in the series. If that sounds like your cup of tea, then go for it. Personally, I felt cheated.The Hero (Posleen War Series #5) OverviewThe human was an expert sniper-and a psychopath. He had never failed in the past when he stalked human prey. But now he is on an enemy planet, and his prey is anything but human. The Darhel are a race with a highly developed empathic sense. Long ago, they learned that they cannot deal death to another intelligent being without being destroyed by the death agonies of their victim. Even though they have been manipulating other species behind the scenes for millennia, including the humans of planet Earth, they cannot bear to kill another being, and depend on other, less sensitive beings, to do their dirty work. But now one of the Darhel must kill or be killed. And the fate, not only of his own race, but all of humanity, is riding on his survival. The course of the next thousand years will be determined by whether or not he can learn to fight back. If he cannot, it will be too late . . . for the entire galaxy.

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Best Military Science Fiction of the 20th Century Review

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Best Military Science Fiction of the 20th Century ReviewDon't judge a book by it's cover is an aphorism that cuts both ways. I was fooled by the graphics on this one, but I hope you won't be. The book is edited and introduced by Harry Turtledove, an excellent author is his own field. Unfortunately, that field has more to do with alternate history and far less to do with military combat: gripping or otherwise.
The introduction itself is an excellent survey of the genre: highlighting the notable contributions to this corpus by such authors as Heinlen, Pournelle, Drake, Card and Webber. I have the feeling, however, that to make the list you largely had to have several credits to your name. One hit wonders such as John Steakley's "Armor" don't make the cut, although neither is David Feintuch's "Seafort Saga" to be found.
The stories themselves are varied, but rely mostly upon a military backdrop for a more pedestrian space-opera tale. There are a few exceptions. David Drakes's "Hangman" is a treatment of tank combat and "Ender's Game" presents Card's classic story in its short form. Halderman's "Hero" is also presented as the short-story that gave birth to "The Forever War." However, if you buy this book you've probably read "The Forever War," in which case you've wasted some cash as "Hero" is merely the opening chapters of the larger tome.
Turtledove's own contribution, "The Last Article" is an excellent example of the nature of this anthology. It is an alternate history story wherein the Germans are winning World War II. Somehow we must assume that this makes the story "scifi." The only combat that occurs is between German soldiers and unarmed civilians engaged in passive resistance. But, since there are guns involved, I must suppose that this is why it is considered "military."
The strangest inclusion is actually the one given the most space: a hundred+ page novella by Anne McCaffrey set in her Pern universe. Although the story is about dragon riders who write in ink on hide dried hide skins and who never engage in a single military act, this has been included apparently because a long, long time ago these people were 'space colonists' and because the story's 'bad-guy' is a meteor shower. Perhaps an excellent addition to her canon, but here it seems to have little purpose but to sell copies with a powerful name.
In conclusion, none of these stories were bad. In fact, they were all quite good judged in their own right. But judged by the standard of military science fiction they almost universally fall short of the mark. This is a dud that appeals to you with powerful industry names and a nice cover. Don't be fooled.
Those looking for superior offerings would be wise to cull the science fiction works from the Marine Corps (or Navy) recommended reading lists.Best Military Science Fiction of the 20th Century Overview

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Krondor the Betrayal:: Book One of the Riftwar Legacy Review

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Krondor the Betrayal:: Book One of the Riftwar Legacy ReviewThe problem with this book is that it reads like a computer game. It lacks depth of character and atmosphere; the conversation is stilted, the achievements superhuman. The plot is formulaic, and obviously leads from fact finding to consequential action. If you played the game (which I haven't) you probably get to "practice" killing the bad guys - if you fail, you can always start again from where you last saved. The game, no doubt, has some level of challenge to it. The book doesn't.
I can see what Feist was trying to do here - continue a line of books with what must be one of my favourite characters, Jimmy the Hand. Put James in a tight spot and he'll invariably get out. Tragically, the squire totally lacks any hint of personality in this book and the two sequels. Mr Feist, as a WRITER, could have used a little more imagination to pull the reader into a fantastic story. Instead he follows the rather basic plot line of a simple computer game.
Sadly, this sub-series does not improve with time. It gets worse. I'm currently reading book three: Krondor, Tear of the Gods. It's so bad, I'm considering not finishing it at all (which would be the first for a Feist book for me ... I love the guy).
The first book and even the second at least deal with elements roughly defined within Feist's series on Midkemia: the Oracle, the stone at Sethanon, dark elves, etc. The third borders on the ludricous - vampires in Midkemia? ... honestly!... Obviously, the game developers took over and Mr. Feist took a back seat in his own world.
I'm actually quite outraged that this series was published at all. They should have left it as a game and not bothered with this half-hearted attempt at a book. I've never quite felt so cheated of my money before --- and that is probably Mr Feist's greatest accomplishment in this trilogy.Krondor the Betrayal:: Book One of the Riftwar Legacy Overview

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