TLDR: I do not typically like "infantry" science fiction but I loved it and want more!
I'm an old 2300AD fan from the original release of the game so I have read many of the background books which feed this story. This is important to understand my review because a good deal of the interest and tension of the story centers on the mystery of humanity's opponents in their first truly interstellar war. I came into this book knowing the main "secret" it was revealing to me.
Pete Rogan STILL managed to engage, hold, and increase my interest as the story progressed.
I'm a 22 year naval veteran and his military characters felt like people I'd served with. He brought out aspects of the setting that I hadn't considered and did so without multi-page expository dumps. The plot's tension was well maintained and split between internal and external sources so I never knew what which way the story was going to turn. This is relatively rare for me as I often find plots predictable. It was really fun!
If you love 2300AD read the book for a fun window into a favorite setting that has way too little fiction for my taste.
if you're new to 2300AD read it as a nice introduction.
If you just like military SF read it for a relatively unique take on an enemy whose experience of consciousness is different than ours...quite literally in many ways.
If you just love SF: this isnt "war porn." In addition to the above, plus a healthy glimpse of a truly alien world, it's also a realistic take at the drives, motivations, and issues of human beings in a pretty difficult environment.
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