Unfortunately, the only forces close enough for expedited deployment are the 34th FIST. On Ravenette, two divisions of almost 30,000 soldiers are in peril, and many observers might think 1,000 marines might not make much of a difference. But the marines don't see it quite that way. Of course, if they did, we might not have a story...
Sherman and Cragg do a nice job of portraying a futuristic military that is in many respects an extension of today. Despite the new terrain and potential new enemies, the perils of poor command, weak communication, and the burden of leadership remain constant. And the portrayal of how the marines blow off steam is reminiscent of militaries from time immemorial. For Sherman and Cragg, governmental insistence upon secrecy, along with commanders seemingly selected by reference to the Peter Principle, are often more damaging to military performance and morale than the actual abilities of the enemy.
The narrative covers quite a bit of ground by examining the conflict from a variety of perspectives - be it the soldiers on the ground, their commanders, or the civilian authorities watching from afar. In general, the novel is a well-constructed component of a larger tale, leaving much to be developed in further installments. Fans of military fiction may well enjoy this series as well.
Article comments