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Marines (Crimson Worlds Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Jay Allan (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 2,098 ratings
Erik Cain joined the Marines to get off death row. The deal was simple; enlist to fight in space and he would be pardoned for all his crimes.

In the 23rd Century, assault troops go to war wearing AI-assisted, nuclear-powered armor, but it is still warriors and blood that win battles. From one brutal campaign to the next, Erik and his comrades fight an increasingly desperate war over the resource rich colony worlds that have become vital to the economies of Earth's exhausted and despotic Superpowers.

Erik rises through the ranks and becomes a deadly warrior, and he finally finds a home, first with the Marines who fight at his side and later among the colonists - men and women who have dared to leave everything behind to build a new society on the frontier, one where the freedoms and rights lost long ago on Earth are preserved.

But causes can be fleeting and loyalties complex. Amidst the blood and death and sacrifice, Erik begins to wonder. Is he fighting the right war? And who is the real enemy?

Now Included: A sneak peek at Crimson Worlds 2: The Cost of Victory. Read the first three chapters, immediately following the end of Marines in this Kindle edition.

Marines is the first book of Jay Allan's bestselling Crimson Worlds series (over 800,000 books sold)...

The Crimson Worlds Series (Reading Order)

Book 1: Marines
Book 2: The Cost of Victory
Book 3: A Little Rebellion
Book 4: The First Imperium
Book 5: The Line Must Hold
Book 6: To Hell's Heart
Book 7: The Shadow Legions
Book 8: Even Legends Die
Book 9: The Fall

Standalone, Can be Read at Any Point:
Red Team Alpha (A Crimson Worlds Adventure)

Jay Allan’s Blood on the Stars Series

Book 1: Duel in the Dark
Book 2: Call to Arms
Book 3: Ruins of Empire
Book 4: Echoes of Glory
Book 5: Cauldron of Fire
Book 6: Dauntless
Book 7: The White Fleet
Book 8: Black Dawn
Book 9: Invasion
Book 10: Nightfall
Book 11: The Grand Alliance
Book 12: The Colossus
Book 13: The Others
Book 14: The Last Stand
Book 15: Empire’s Ashes (coming)
Book 16: Attack Plan Alpha (coming)


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  1. Book 1 of 9
    Crimson Worlds
  2. Print length
    238 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    28 Dec. 2013
  6. File size
    480 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 9 books in this series.

Product description

About the Author

Jay Allan writes science fiction and fantasy from his home in New York City. His works include the bestselling Crimson Worlds series.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00902U0C2
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ System 7 Publishing
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 28 Dec. 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 480 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 238 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 9 ‏ : ‎ Crimson Worlds
  • Customer reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 2,098 ratings

About the author

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Jay Allan

Jay Allan

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I’m a lifetime Northeasterner, and I currently live in New York City, where I write from my apartment…and continue to fill small notebooks with ideas for future books. I've been reading science fiction and fantasy for just about as long as I've been reading, so, of course, when I started to write, that’s where I ended up. It’s been a great ride so far!

My tastes as a reader are fairly varied and eclectic, but I'd say my favorites are military and dystopian science fiction, space opera, alternate history, and epic fantasy, usually a little bit gritty. I also read a lot of non-fiction, mostly history. I write a lot of science fiction with military themes, but also other SF and some fantasy as well. I like complex characters and lots of backstory and action. Honestly, I think world-building is the heart of science fiction and fantasy, and since that is what I've always been drawn to as a reader, that is what I write.

Among other things, I write the bestselling Crimson Worlds series and the Far Stars series published by Harper Voyager.

I've been an investor and real estate developer for a long time (mostly retired from it now), a fiction author more recently. When I'm not writing, I enjoy traveling, running, hiking, reading. I love hearing from readers and always answer emails. I think you stop growing as a writer if you stop listening to those who read your books.

Join my mailing list at http://www.jayallanbooks.com, for updates on new releases (and some free and discounted books), and follow me on Twitter @jayallanwrites for an occasional look at work in progress and thoughts on the genre in general. Or you can email me at jay@jayallanbooks.com. I try to answer every email.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
2,098 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book a compelling read with engaging characters and an enjoyable military sci-fi story, with one review highlighting detailed battle and weaponry descriptions. Moreover, the book receives positive feedback for its information quality, with one customer noting its clear presentation of future technology, and another describing it as intense from start to finish. However, the narrative quality receives mixed reviews, with several customers finding it frustrating, and the pacing is also criticized.

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ReadabilityStory qualityCharacter developmentInformation qualityEnthralling contentStartNarrative qualityPacing
41 customers mention ‘Readability’38 positive3 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a compelling and simple read, with one customer noting it's a nice change from their usual books.

"...handled, the action moves along at a good pace and the author has a very good grasp of what it feel like to be under fire and taking casualties...." Read more

"...I will stop there to concentrate on what made this book into an interesting read despite everything else...." Read more

"...There are also a number equally good sequels and currently three prequel short novels to keep you occupied but when you have finished them it is a..." Read more

"...the rest of the series which is a great improvement and a worth while series to read." Read more

31 customers mention ‘Story quality’31 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy this military sci-fi book, praising its good plot and fast-paced narrative. One customer particularly appreciates the detailed battle scenes and descriptions of weaponry.

"...The battle sequences are deftly handled, the action moves along at a good pace and the author has a very good grasp of what it feel like to be under..." Read more

"...Other commonly used features include the first person narrative, the “ultra-tough” training that just about three quarters of the candidates seem to..." Read more

"A cracking piece of military space opera with great characters, back story and action...." Read more

"...are more battles, including starship engagements, described in much more tactical detail, and much less space devoted to boot camp and moral..." Read more

13 customers mention ‘Character development’13 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding them engaging and sympathetic, with one customer noting the first-person narrative of a hero.

"A cracking piece of military space opera with great characters, back story and action...." Read more

"...The imprint of the former is certainly evident - the first person narrative of a hero who joins an elite infantry corps that fights on distant..." Read more

"...His characters were diverse and engaging and he weaves an intricate plot through all of his series...." Read more

"...Within the story the characters unfold well and you receive a hint of a the past of each one...." Read more

6 customers mention ‘Information quality’6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the information quality of the book, with one customer noting it provides plenty of details about future technology, while another finds the narrative clear and engaging.

"...likely to be recruited, trained and exploited, this volume gives an exciting insight...." Read more

"...book in the Crimson Worlds series (barring the prequel) and gives a good overview of the current system of governance within human space -..." Read more

"...article, the language is simple and to the point and lots of information given in a clear and enjoyable way...." Read more

"...Allan takes us in a fascinating future, through the life of Erik Cain and his Marines. Hard to put down book once it is open...." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Enthralling content’3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's content enthralling, with one customer describing it as intense from start to finish and another noting how it carries the reader along for an engaging ride.

"...Pure escapism that sucks you in and carries you along for an enthralling ride...." Read more

"...The action is nicely written and keeps you engrossed. The series maintains this standard. Agood choice for sci fi and military fans." Read more

"Great book, intense from start to finish" Read more

3 customers mention ‘Start’3 positive0 negative

Customers like the start of the book, with one mentioning it provides a good introduction to the ground action.

"...Not as good and a little vague on story. It makes a good intro the the rest of the series which is a great improvement and a worth while series..." Read more

"First book of the series is a promising start, though there are many similarities with Heinlein's Starship Troopers...." Read more

"Very good starts on the ground, speedy interesting story , is this space opera going to good !! We will see" Read more

6 customers mention ‘Narrative quality’0 positive6 negative

Customers find the narrative quality of the book frustrating.

"...Not as good and a little vague on story...." Read more

"This is not 4 star, but only 1 to me. I struggled with this book, and I guess you will too...." Read more

"...Spelling mistakes, bad dialogue, ridiculous plot.. actually it can't be called a plot, flat caricatures of characters.. I just can't find one thing..." Read more

"Good read but skipped to fast thru story for me i think you could have made a couple of books from this story" Read more

3 customers mention ‘Pacing’0 positive3 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book unsatisfactory, with one customer describing it as incredibly shallow.

"...explored and politics expounded, are not as well written and not nearly as interesting...." Read more

"...An incredibly shallow book. Look elsewhere!" Read more

"This story, which is very Starship Trooper like, is just implausible. The hero is just too much. I certainly will not be following this series." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Mr Rob Knight
    5.0 out of 5 stars Marines
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 February 2013
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    Another book purchased for my Kindle at a bargain-price.
    I'm ex-infantry myself and somewhat critical of 'first-person shooter' novels, no matter when they might be set. They never seem to get it quite right...
    However, I was pleasantly surprised by this book - despite being sci-fi, it has a ring of authenticity about it, which to me makes it seem more like some of the autobiographical works to come out of WW2 and Korea, or the conflicts in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan than a work of fiction.
    The battle sequences are deftly handled, the action moves along at a good pace and the author has a very good grasp of what it feel like to be under fire and taking casualties.
    We were always taught that 'no plan survives first contact with the enemy' or put another way: if it can go wrong, it will - and it's something this author has taken to heart when setting out his set-piece battles. If you've read Heinlein's 'Starship Troopers', the concept of armoured-infantry is nothing new, but the author manages to make it seem a little more believable and takes it up a notch or two.
    Aside from a few typos and grammar-glitches which seem to pop up in almost every Kindle book I've ever bought (no matter whether they were purchased free or full-price), I have no qualms about recommending this series to fans of the genre or even to those who just like a good action-yarn.

    In fact on finishing this book, I immediately bought the remaining books in the series.
    22 people found this helpful
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  • JPS
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good military science fiction, even if unoriginal
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 December 2014
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This is a good, solid piece of military science fiction. It has no aliens, however. Instead, you get the human forces of the remaining Superpowers fighting against each other in space to control resourceful colonies, with Earth being more or less demilitarised and shattered following the “Unification Wars.”

    I will not discuss what the author may or may not have borrowed from Heinlein (Star Troopers) or Halderman (the Eternal War) and quite a few others perhaps, although there are some obvious influences. Neither will I pretend that this title, the first of a series, is original. It clearly brings together many of the stereotypes and clichés that can be found in a number of similar books by other authors but, all in all, the result is rather good and entertaining.

    One such stereotype is that of the young recruit who rises up through the ranks and becomes a war hero. Another is the very troubled youth of this young man and his “choice” to enlist rather than to be executed (this is about the third book where I have seen this feature). Other commonly used features include the first person narrative, the “ultra-tough” training that just about three quarters of the candidates seem to fail, the hero falling in love with his doctor and lots of desperate battles that he, of course, survives. As usual also, the war goes badly at first, for the hero’s side, with a number of military disasters including one in which he barely makes it more dead than alive. Of course, you also have the usual piece about the heroic soldiers doing their duty and getting killed for the benefit of an oligarchy of awfully corrupt, privileged and co-opted politicians and corporate executives. These rule the Western Alliance which includes the former United States, Canada, Oceania and Great Britain and oppress the rest of the population in what is essentially a dictatorship. Here again, there is nothing very original and I have probably come across similar features from a good half a dozen other authors.

    Although I may have forgotten to mention a few other stereotypes, for instance the enemies seem to be “nasty fanatics” of some totalitarian regime or another, whether the Mohammedan Caliphate or the Central Asian Combine (the Chinese, of course!), I will stop there to concentrate on what made this book into an interesting read despite everything else. If the book had just been made up of this collection of clichés, and I will come back to some of them towards the end of this review, then I would probably have rated it three or perhaps even stars. Instead, I will go for four stars because I believe it has four main things going for it.

    One good feature is the battles. Some of them in particular are rather gripping such as the assault of a space station or the fights on a particularly inhospitable world both on the surface and (even more so) underground in the tunnels of strategically valuable mines. This, of course, is a must: a book of military science fiction where the battles do not “feel and sound” real and gripping is unlikely to be very successful.

    A second good feature is that you get treated to twenty-third century warfare that mostly “feels and sound” realistic. The campaigns in space are conducted with forces that are mostly limited in size, or even small, given the tremendous cost of space warfare. The Marines are far from invulnerable, despite their heavy armour, even if the casualty rates are so high that one cannot help wonder how the depleted units are still fighting. The author also avoids too much technical descriptions, unlike others who sometimes fell obliged to explain in great detail each piece of military equipment so that their books reads at times like a military manual.

    A third interesting feature is the background provided by the author both within the book and in its annexes on the Superpowers and military formations. Even if not entirely original, the picture that is drawn of the grim, harsh and very unequal society of the Western Alliance, with all other societies supposedly being even worse, was a rather stunning one. Also stunning was the contrast between the radioactive ruins of the past glory of New York (the shells of the Downtown skyscrapers in particular) and the derelict uptown on the one hand, with the fortified and relatively privileged Midtown.

    Finally, and despite all the clichés, I could not help finding the hero rather sympathetic. This is certainly because he appears to have doubts and lacks self-confidence. It is also because he tends to ask from his troops no more than he is prepared to do (and does) himself. The author shows him as being somewhat traumatised and racked with (undeserved) guilt by previous butcheries. He is ready to do his outmost to minimise casualties among “his” soldiers, even if it means putting his own life on the line – the exact opposite of a thoughtless “glory-hunter”.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Jolly Jambo
    5.0 out of 5 stars First book in the Crimson Worlds series
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 April 2014
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    A cracking piece of military space opera with great characters, back story and action. Pure escapism that sucks you in and carries you along for an enthralling ride. There are also a number equally good sequels and currently three prequel short novels to keep you occupied but when you have finished them it is a real letdown that there are currently no more to read. The standard remains high throughout the series, unlike some others I have read. My only complaints are that the proof reading was very poor and the mistakes can get on your nerves a bit and some phrases, descriptions etc are a bit repetively used. Highly recommended if you like this sort of thing and worth taking a risk on at this very reasonable price.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Mr. Paul L. Batten
    3.0 out of 5 stars Useful intro to the series
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 May 2013
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    Marines is similar to Starship Troopers the Robert Heinlein classic.
    Not as good and a little vague on story.
    It makes a good intro the the rest of the series which is a great improvement and a worth while series to read.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Kindle-Kunde
    4.0 out of 5 stars Der Anfang einer guten Reihe
    Reviewed in Germany on 25 March 2013
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    Da die Produktbeschreibung bereits eine brauchbare Inhaltsangabe enthält verzichte ich hier auf selbige, und komme direkt zu meinen Eindrücken.

    Beim ersten lesen war ich zunächst etwas skeptisch, da 'Marines' alles in allem mehr einem Bericht denn einem normalen militray-scifi Buch gleicht.
    Der Protagonist beschreibt eine ziemlich desolate Welt die sebst für einen Steampunk/Neogothic-Fan wie mich anfangs etwas seltsam wirkt, da zwar das Schicksal des Helden recht gut dargelegt ist, die Gesamtwelt jedoch lediglich mit einem 'ist halt so' erklärt wird.
    Dazu kommt noch der große Mangel an Dialogen die die entwicklung der anderen Charaktere sehr hemmen, weshalb eigentlich nur der Protagonist wirklich im Focus steht und alles andere eben beiwerk ist.
    Als SciFi fan habe ich jedoch schon einige Bücher des Military-SciFi gelesen, und so wurden viele Aspekte recht selbsterklärend, wobei einem der Autor auch viel Spielraum für Selbstauslegung lässt was mir sehr gut gefällt.
    So wurde Beispielsweise die 'keine Gefangenen'-Politik beschrieben die von beiden Seiten größtenteils praktiziert wurde, was man sowohl als Kriegsverbechen auslegen kann die ein Teil der neuen, desolaten Menschen sind, als auch als logische Konsequenz aus Kriegen/Kämpfen im Weltraum, wo z.B. ein Loch in der Rüstung den Tod bedeutet, weshalb sich ein anderer Umgang mit dem Kampf und Tod entwickelt hatt.

    Die Positiven Adpekte waren damit für mich ausreichend um mir das zweite Buch der ' Crimson Worlds'-Serie zu kaufen, und ich wurde weiterhin positiv überrascht. Mit jedem neuen Buch der Reihe beseitigt der Autor viele 'Fehler' die die Leser gestört haben nd verändert/verbessert seinen Erzählstil.
    So komme mehr Dialoge hinzu, Nebencharaktere bekommen mehr Tiefgang, mehr Fakten und genauere erläuterungen über die Geselschaft/Politik/Welt werden gegeben etc., wodurch die weiteren Bücher der Serie zu wirklich lohneder Lektüre werden.

    Fazit:
    Einsteiger in das Military-SciFi Genre muss ich dringend von diesem Buch abraten, da das Buch mit Wachsender Erfahrung besser wird, da es zwar viele 'Selbstverständliche' Aspekte kaum erklärt, jedoch viele ungewöhliche Aspekte abdeckt. (Für Einsteiger empfehle ich die Wayson Harris Bücher von Steven L. Kent).
    Für alle alten Hasen kann ich das Buch nur empfehlen. Normalerweise würde es von mir eine 3 bekommen, jedoch ist es der Einstig in die Crimson-Worlds-Reihe, die sich bisher auf vier bzw. Fünf Sterne Bücher hochgearbeitet hatt, da der Autor merklich auf die Anregungen seiner Leser eingeht und auch immer besser im schreiben von Büchern wird. Daher gebe ich dem Buch 4 Sterne mit der Empfehlung die Serie insgesammt zu lesen und nicht bei Geil eins aufzuhören.
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  • Mike Keller
    5.0 out of 5 stars Alex Cain and the Western Alliance Marines bring solutions where problems break out.
    Reviewed in the United States on 10 January 2017
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    Alex Cain was a product of twenty-third century New York, surviving on the shattered remnants of an Earth broken into 8 superpowers. After nearly destroying the planet in their wars for supremacy over the starving masses, a treaty was formed allowing no struggles, no combat in the Solar System. So naturally, they moved their struggles to Space and made war in the colonies.
    Unless you were born into the Political Class, the aristocracy of a tortured world, life was a struggle with no guarantee of a future, not even a meal. Caught up with the street gangs, providers of drugs, sex, or protection for the masses at a huge cost, Alex was caught, charged and sentenced to death.
    Alex was saved from the executioner by a recruiter for the Alliance Marines. He survived basic training and six years of specialized combat, weapons and tactics training and learned to operate in powered armor. These amazing suits, powered by small nuclear reactor backpacks, were capable of extended jogs at 80 kph and jump 10 meters straight up. Protected by their armor and able to perform acts of heroic strength and endurance, wielding weapons of unimaginable ferocity, the Marines were devastating soldiers fighting against the enemies of the Western Alliance and it's allies on foreign soils, under strange skies, often in toxic atmospheres.
    Showing an aptitude for leadership and survival, Alex rose quickly in the ranks, becoming an accomplished warrior and an intuitive leader. Alex Cain realized he had found a home.
    This is a remarkable piece of military sci-fi, and displays a firm grasp of strategy and tactics, and almost scary deep understanding of the workings for bad or good of the human mind. This provides for terrifically written characters and exciting, charged action scenes and combat sequences. Tremendous story! I can't wait for the next episode.
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  • gingergirl
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good book
    Reviewed in Canada on 1 December 2018
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    Good book
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  • CLAUDE
    1.0 out of 5 stars What is this?
    Reviewed in France on 24 May 2013
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    I had thought the title was misleading, and from the presentation I believed I'd find some new ideas in that book...
    As a SF fan for decades, I must say this is probably one of the most boring novels I ever read:
    The new variety of marines does fight on foreign planets, but that's all you'll find in terms of SF; all the rest is just military talk, war strategy, honor and duty, resisting the assaults (against what is only called 'The enemy', faceless and unspecified).
    Poor writing, trite attempt at psychology (Marine had a hard time when he was a kid), no other action than shooting and bombing and losing comrades etc; I tried to sustain interest till the third of the book then gave up.
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars The Fanboy in me loves this, but I have my doubts
    Reviewed in the United States on 21 December 2012
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    **EDIT**: After reading a bit of Book 2 in the series, I can say that some of my reservations about the book and some of the problems may have been intentional. One reviewer commented that it seemed like the book was a mission report to his superior. I can say that it appears to be more accurate than I thought. More likely the first novel is meant as a history lesson given to his students over the course of a semester. The book is personal and given the brevity of the main character, it seems reasonable that he would focus primarily on the battles shifting between interludes that explain some of his thoughts and giving meaning to the exposition of the battles.

    The focus of this book is really to give an introduction to the mechanics of the battle suits (mecha), the setting, etc. I think a more descriptive, 'complete' book might have drawn away from the point the author wanted to get across. I also think that if the author was more established, he probably would have done a much better job at adding more to the various bare parts of the story. At the very least, the book opens you to the world and the second book is, so far well worth it. However, given that you don't need to have read the first book to completely understand the second. I would suggest that if you get caught up with the artistic style of the first book that you skip to the second. It is third person throughout and more descriptive. Less epic battles of course, but I guess that it the price you pay to prevent the book from being 1000 pages.

    If you liked the Lost Fleet series, then you may like this series. It would be the marine combat side of the battles as opposed to the space navy battles. These series aren't related, but the focus of the story telling are similar.

    The book is written in an narrative, first person journal style. Which is to say that if you're expecting a descriptive modern story telling, then you'll be disappointed. If you are annoyed with the telling as opposed to describing what is happening then you will also be disappointed. There is some passive voice when describing the battles, but most of the story consists of what amounts to very brief interludes in between the 'good stuff'.

    Where the book shines and why I enjoy the story so much, are the mecha(!!!) battles. Not as descriptive as I would like, but hardcore enough to be excellent and enrapturing. The way the author writes is slightly annoying, for a pedantic, but it is similar to the Jim Butcher of keeping to the action and always moving the story forward.

    The author clearly has a vision for where the story is going and I have a sense that from the uniqueness of the battles in this book, that he spent a lot of time studying tactics and developing the story. I don't know if the author holds on to that in his later books. It is difficult to create new strategies, it would seem from the later staleness of other series, but I do look forward to reading the other books.

    The characters are one dimensional, but somehow that doesn't seem to matter much. It tends to as series progress. However, I think the goal of this story is to tell an engaging story and not to make you think. Nothing wrong with that, it is fun.

    There are a few things that I do find amusing.

    1. At some points in the story, I have a sense that the story enforces the Redshirts: A Novel with Three Codas dynamics. Having read that story, I can hear the characters shout as they die, "Oh no! I joined the narrative." Sadly, it isn't giving much away, since the story basically spells out that the character survives the book in the first chapter. However, to raise the main character up, the odds of the other teams are stacked against them. So you have a greater chance of survival if you are in Cain's group, unless the author wants to throw in some drama, then he'll kill off some minor character that has a name. Let me clarify, you care nothing about these characters that died. Well, you might, I didn't.

    2. I don't know if the author has read The Five Stages of Leadership, but the author codifies the stages very well in this book. Holm is the embodiment of the fifth stage. The political class are all level 1 at best. Most marines it seems are level 2 or higher. The character basically goes through the stages of leadership starting at the lowest level and working his way up.

    3. Oh, the author is also pretty hardcore. None of this sissy stuff found in other series. I don't want to spoil the second chapter, but it would be funny if it wasn't so sad and just plain horrible. While not completely 'real' as reality gets, it pushes the boundaries with the histories of the characters. You can imagine that the stuff that some of them did or had done to them were 1st century bad. I think it would have been better if the author went into more detail, but he leaves a lot of it to the reader's imagination, which might be a good thing if you've ever read Battle Royale. That is to say, it isn't as bad or graphic as Battle Royale, but it is slightly shocking if you haven't been exposed to that sort of content in a story before.

    Overall, a fun book that was immensely enjoyable. Hopefully the other books are as good and I suspect they will be.

    If you enjoyed the Starship Troopers book, you'll most likely enjoy this simplified version.

    Mechas!
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