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Sten #2
The Wolf Worlds
Raised on the factory planet of Vulcan, Sten soon learns about the survival of the toughest. The Eternal Emperor of the entire galaxy commands vast armies but turns to Sten and his Mantis Team of militant problem-solvers to pacify the Wolf Worlds, a small cluster of planets who have raised space piracy to a low art.
298 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
47 people are currently reading
239 people want to read
About the author
Chris Bunch
86 books129 followersChristopher R. "Chris" Bunch was an American science fiction, fantasy and television writer, who wrote and co-wrote about thirty novels.
Born in Fresno, California, he collaborated with Allan Cole on a series of books involving a hero named Sten in a galactic empire. (Cole married Bunch's sister, Kathryn.) He served in Vietnam as a patrol leader. He also wrote for Rolling Stone and was a correspondent for Stars and Stripes. He died in his hometown of Ilwaco, Washington, after a long battle with a lung ailment.
Born in Fresno, California, he collaborated with Allan Cole on a series of books involving a hero named Sten in a galactic empire. (Cole married Bunch's sister, Kathryn.) He served in Vietnam as a patrol leader. He also wrote for Rolling Stone and was a correspondent for Stars and Stripes. He died in his hometown of Ilwaco, Washington, after a long battle with a lung ailment.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
January 30, 2015
A fortieth-century explosive mine looked like nothing much in particular except possibly a chunk of meteorite. It would float innocuously until a ship of the proper size came within range. It then ceased to be innocuous.
Ah – the joys of mindless bedlam. I can’t find it in myself to be all clever and literary-like when reviewing a book like this. I simply can’t be that pretentious when I feel fourteen again!
As with the first book, the one thing that immediately stood out was just how grimy this future is. Spaceships rattle along like rusty wheelbarrows, belching black smoke… well OK I’m exaggerating, but you get the idea. It’s down and dirty. Which, actually, is pretty cool, considering. These novels aren’t exactly rocket science reads, so it really is all about the vibe.
The explosion crushed the Cienfuegos' cargo holds and flipped the crablike ship a full 180 degrees. Top-to-bottom, of course, since disaster never comes as a solitary guest, just as the Cienfuegos finally hit solid atmosphere.
There’s quite a bit of that going around. Mayhem, that is. This series ticks a number of boxes that should appeal to Sci-Fi testosterone junkies, such as:
- Big explosions
- Hostile environments
- Exotic worlds
- A motley assortment of Aliens
- Cartoon violence
- Space battles
- Knife fights (yes, really)
I could go on, but at this stage you likely get the drift.
Slightly amusing dialogue interlude
(1) "Leave them be," Doc suggested. "At the moment, a little spilled blood would cheer me enormously."
(2) "So we've got half the ship sealed against leaks, we're taking off with no landing gear, there's a bad fuel leak, and I haven't had a bath in a week."
At times the Sten-verse does come across as the unruly bastard child of Star Wars and The Expendables, but it’s rather easy to like these stories. If nothing else, it is one hell of an awesome guilty pleasure.
I’ve been thinking of who I can compare Sten with, and the answer likely lies somewhere between Duke Nukem and Riddick (you won’t believe how tempted I was to write Chuck Norris just now – oh hang on..?).
Totally bizarre dialogue interlude
(1) "You mean those tanks down there… are tax collectors?"
(2) "Death! Long live death!"
Every fibre of common sense I have left is screaming that I can not rate this book 4 stars. Still, I am going to! Is it a good book? Probably not. But it’s old school; it’s bad-ass; it’s unpretentious. Seriously, what’s not to like?
Sten stood in the middle of the room. It was awesome. [He] could almost feel evil flowing from the walls. In the flickering torchlight, the huge military statues loomed at him like gargoyles, about to leap through the forest of wall-hung regimental banners. It was indeed a temple—a temple for the worship of violent death.
Ah – the joys of mindless bedlam. I can’t find it in myself to be all clever and literary-like when reviewing a book like this. I simply can’t be that pretentious when I feel fourteen again!
As with the first book, the one thing that immediately stood out was just how grimy this future is. Spaceships rattle along like rusty wheelbarrows, belching black smoke… well OK I’m exaggerating, but you get the idea. It’s down and dirty. Which, actually, is pretty cool, considering. These novels aren’t exactly rocket science reads, so it really is all about the vibe.
The explosion crushed the Cienfuegos' cargo holds and flipped the crablike ship a full 180 degrees. Top-to-bottom, of course, since disaster never comes as a solitary guest, just as the Cienfuegos finally hit solid atmosphere.
There’s quite a bit of that going around. Mayhem, that is. This series ticks a number of boxes that should appeal to Sci-Fi testosterone junkies, such as:
- Big explosions
- Hostile environments
- Exotic worlds
- A motley assortment of Aliens
- Cartoon violence
- Space battles
- Knife fights (yes, really)
I could go on, but at this stage you likely get the drift.
Slightly amusing dialogue interlude
(1) "Leave them be," Doc suggested. "At the moment, a little spilled blood would cheer me enormously."
(2) "So we've got half the ship sealed against leaks, we're taking off with no landing gear, there's a bad fuel leak, and I haven't had a bath in a week."
At times the Sten-verse does come across as the unruly bastard child of Star Wars and The Expendables, but it’s rather easy to like these stories. If nothing else, it is one hell of an awesome guilty pleasure.
I’ve been thinking of who I can compare Sten with, and the answer likely lies somewhere between Duke Nukem and Riddick (you won’t believe how tempted I was to write Chuck Norris just now – oh hang on..?).
Totally bizarre dialogue interlude
(1) "You mean those tanks down there… are tax collectors?"
(2) "Death! Long live death!"
Every fibre of common sense I have left is screaming that I can not rate this book 4 stars. Still, I am going to! Is it a good book? Probably not. But it’s old school; it’s bad-ass; it’s unpretentious. Seriously, what’s not to like?
Sten stood in the middle of the room. It was awesome. [He] could almost feel evil flowing from the walls. In the flickering torchlight, the huge military statues loomed at him like gargoyles, about to leap through the forest of wall-hung regimental banners. It was indeed a temple—a temple for the worship of violent death.
December 25, 2024
Another enjoyable installment in the Sten series! Interesting politics and characters, this is more of a space opera than military scifi. In the first in the series, Sten escaped Vulcan and 'signed on' to the military-- the Imperial Guard. After various trials and tribulations, he was selected for the Mantis, a deadly blackop group under the direct control of the Eternal Emperor.
Sten and his squad are sent on a mission in TWWs to 'pacify them'. Sten's squad is comprised on a host of characters-- a gypsy hacker, a brawny Scot, his old flame Bet, and a panda-like alien that can project emotions. The Wolf Worlds are divided into two rival camps, both proclaiming to be ruled by the 'true' prophet. Ordinarily, the Emperor would just let them duke it out, but on the other side of the Wolf Cluster was discovered a solar system rich in exotic metals that the Emperor is sure will start a new gold rush. So Sten and his team (well, Sten and Alex the Scot at least) pose a mercenaries and get a contract with one of the two sides. Lots of hi-jinx ensue, but I will stop with the plot.
What makes the Sten series so fun is in part the dark humor, but also the thinly veiled social references and commentary on the 1980s when this series was written. I already mentioned how the Emperor employed Reagan era economics; with TWWs, the authors take on religious extremism and bigotry. Lots of snarky dialogue about religion, corrupt governments and so forth. We also get to see more of the Emperor, who has ruled for over a 1000 years.
The Emperor controls AM2, the antimatter power source that powered humanity to the stars. He also likes to cook and discover recipes from ages ago, as well as trying to make liquor like scotch. While a normal person may live several hundred years, it has not been explained how the Emperor has lasted centuries.
This is a semi-serious space adventure, replete with interesting aliens albeit not very well developed ones (they act more or less like humans, or something from Star Wars). A fun read that, while not quite satire, comes pretty close. 4 stars.
Sten and his squad are sent on a mission in TWWs to 'pacify them'. Sten's squad is comprised on a host of characters-- a gypsy hacker, a brawny Scot, his old flame Bet, and a panda-like alien that can project emotions. The Wolf Worlds are divided into two rival camps, both proclaiming to be ruled by the 'true' prophet. Ordinarily, the Emperor would just let them duke it out, but on the other side of the Wolf Cluster was discovered a solar system rich in exotic metals that the Emperor is sure will start a new gold rush. So Sten and his team (well, Sten and Alex the Scot at least) pose a mercenaries and get a contract with one of the two sides. Lots of hi-jinx ensue, but I will stop with the plot.
What makes the Sten series so fun is in part the dark humor, but also the thinly veiled social references and commentary on the 1980s when this series was written. I already mentioned how the Emperor employed Reagan era economics; with TWWs, the authors take on religious extremism and bigotry. Lots of snarky dialogue about religion, corrupt governments and so forth. We also get to see more of the Emperor, who has ruled for over a 1000 years.
The Emperor controls AM2, the antimatter power source that powered humanity to the stars. He also likes to cook and discover recipes from ages ago, as well as trying to make liquor like scotch. While a normal person may live several hundred years, it has not been explained how the Emperor has lasted centuries.
This is a semi-serious space adventure, replete with interesting aliens albeit not very well developed ones (they act more or less like humans, or something from Star Wars). A fun read that, while not quite satire, comes pretty close. 4 stars.
May 23, 2011
Better Than I Expected
I don't understand a few of the reviews I read that really smash or dislike this novel. I felt that Cole & Bunch shoved so much into the first novel, that I was dumbfounded as to where they could go with this one, I had no expectations going into this novel. Maybe that is why I enjoyed it more than others. If you like space adventure, then absolutely read this novel.
The majority of the novel is based around Sten and Alex in a 007/military style plot. The only negative I can quickly say is that Cole & Bunch made Alex's Scottish brogue too strong and, at times, hard to read. I think they might have noticed as it is even commented on in the book. While it is interesting for me to read, and I understand that it can be annoying for others, Alex's words are never important information where you would miss something from the story. It is like playing a video game in a harder difficulty. You get more out of the game, but regardless the story is the same.
Otherwise, I really enjoyed the novel. So far, what I can tell from this series is that it is kind of sci-fi/action candy. I can plow through the books, and they are not terribly long. While major events happen in the novels, it is not something that you have to really be invested or involved in.
I realize a few things by the second novel: if you don't like Alex's brogue, Sten's evolving personality (he is kind of a stand-in for us, and not much himself), or if you can't stand the Eternal Emperor and the Colonel, then maybe you should stop reading and go to another series. I kind of think that these are the mainstays of the novels, and I love that they are.
I don't understand a few of the reviews I read that really smash or dislike this novel. I felt that Cole & Bunch shoved so much into the first novel, that I was dumbfounded as to where they could go with this one, I had no expectations going into this novel. Maybe that is why I enjoyed it more than others. If you like space adventure, then absolutely read this novel.
The majority of the novel is based around Sten and Alex in a 007/military style plot. The only negative I can quickly say is that Cole & Bunch made Alex's Scottish brogue too strong and, at times, hard to read. I think they might have noticed as it is even commented on in the book. While it is interesting for me to read, and I understand that it can be annoying for others, Alex's words are never important information where you would miss something from the story. It is like playing a video game in a harder difficulty. You get more out of the game, but regardless the story is the same.
Otherwise, I really enjoyed the novel. So far, what I can tell from this series is that it is kind of sci-fi/action candy. I can plow through the books, and they are not terribly long. While major events happen in the novels, it is not something that you have to really be invested or involved in.
I realize a few things by the second novel: if you don't like Alex's brogue, Sten's evolving personality (he is kind of a stand-in for us, and not much himself), or if you can't stand the Eternal Emperor and the Colonel, then maybe you should stop reading and go to another series. I kind of think that these are the mainstays of the novels, and I love that they are.
February 19, 2023
4,25
Ten tom podobał mi się dużo bardziej niż pierwszy. Dalej obfitował w akcję, nie pozwalając się nudzić. Pamietam, że moim głównym zarzutem do pierwszego tomu był brak ukazania rozwoju reakcji między bohaterami. Tutaj dalej tego nie dostajemy, a przynajmniej nie w tak oczywisty sposób. Za to autor pozwala nam poznać bohaterów przez małe gesty, krótkie dialogi i robi to w sposób naprawdę umiejętny.
Ten tom podobał mi się dużo bardziej niż pierwszy. Dalej obfitował w akcję, nie pozwalając się nudzić. Pamietam, że moim głównym zarzutem do pierwszego tomu był brak ukazania rozwoju reakcji między bohaterami. Tutaj dalej tego nie dostajemy, a przynajmniej nie w tak oczywisty sposób. Za to autor pozwala nam poznać bohaterów przez małe gesty, krótkie dialogi i robi to w sposób naprawdę umiejętny.
July 27, 2023
I am as amazed by this book as I was by the first in the series. They are just good, fun science fiction. The plots are solid and the characters are good, but the best part is that you can just shut your mind off and enjoy the ride. The book never gets deep enough that you have to start reading more carefully, but it's still good enough to keep you going. If you're looking for an intellectual scifi book, you should probably pick up something like Orson Scott Card's Speaker for the Dead. If you're just looking for an enjoyable story where you can sit back and enjoy the show, this is the perfect series.
In this second book, Sten has now completed his revenge upon his homeworld of Vulcan. His actions earned him a promotion, and he's now in charge of his Mantis squad. When a rare ore is discovered at the edge of the universe, the emporer notices that the miners are going to have to travel through the Lupus cluster where travelers are not welcome. He decides to send Sten and Alex in disguised as mercenaries to find a solution to the problem. At first, things go smoothly, but eventual complications draw in the rest of the team as well as a full cast of colorful and fun characters. Lasers are shot, ships are crashed, and at the end of the day, you put the book down with a smile on your face.
In this second book, Sten has now completed his revenge upon his homeworld of Vulcan. His actions earned him a promotion, and he's now in charge of his Mantis squad. When a rare ore is discovered at the edge of the universe, the emporer notices that the miners are going to have to travel through the Lupus cluster where travelers are not welcome. He decides to send Sten and Alex in disguised as mercenaries to find a solution to the problem. At first, things go smoothly, but eventual complications draw in the rest of the team as well as a full cast of colorful and fun characters. Lasers are shot, ships are crashed, and at the end of the day, you put the book down with a smile on your face.
February 28, 2014
The Wolf Worlds is actually a better book than "Sten", first one of the series. It is more engaging, more funny, more grandiose, has better written characters, and generally deals better with a plotline which closely resembles first book (overthrowing a dictatorship, protecting the Emperor's interests).
Sure, it's full of non-stop action that sometimes borders on absurd, as well as quite a strange depiction of the 40th century, full of cranky, rusty starships and military boys, who consider a knife or a punch as the best all-around weapons. Still, that lightness and superficiality not only works in this novel, it is what makes this book quite good.
Sure, it's full of non-stop action that sometimes borders on absurd, as well as quite a strange depiction of the 40th century, full of cranky, rusty starships and military boys, who consider a knife or a punch as the best all-around weapons. Still, that lightness and superficiality not only works in this novel, it is what makes this book quite good.
November 16, 2007
The emperor's a jerk but most others are cool. Easy readin' and fun.
December 31, 2022
Constant action, over the top stunts and a courageous team, who are pretty much immune to danger... This is what you'll get from the second book of the Sten series. I expect the third one to be rather similar :)
April 12, 2011
It seems like the whole thing is on fast forward but nothing is really happening.
Especially I hate the Alex character speaking irish or something.
Not going to finish it.
Especially I hate the Alex character speaking irish or something.
Not going to finish it.
October 3, 2021
Sten and Mantis Team 13 travel through the Lupus Sector after having confirmed the location of a very rare mineral the empire needs. Unfortunately the Lupus Sector is a bit chaotic with two factions of a warring religious sect that the Eternal Emperor allowed to settles centuries ago. Now the Emperor needs the situation cleaned up for the soon expected miners boom that will be heading across the sector. But the fix needs to be subtle. So Lieutenant Sten and one member of his team are detached to deal with it. It being, end the war between the two quarreling religious factions that also attack most travelers through the sector, and establish some form of peace.
Sten poses as a mercenary and recruits several units. Then he proceeds to make try and take out the military branch of one of the religious groups, while in the employ of the other sect. But as foreshadowing goes, some of his hired mercenary leaders advise to be wary of your employer because it's easier to cut ties with a mercenary at the end than actually pay them off for a job completed.
Sten poses as a mercenary and recruits several units. Then he proceeds to make try and take out the military branch of one of the religious groups, while in the employ of the other sect. But as foreshadowing goes, some of his hired mercenary leaders advise to be wary of your employer because it's easier to cut ties with a mercenary at the end than actually pay them off for a job completed.
November 19, 2017
The second book in the Sten series is better than the first. Of course, the first had to lay a lot of groundwork. This one starts off with a bang and keeps on going. The Eternal Emperor is as unpredictable as always and Sten, now a member of Mantis, is thrown into a very difficult situation and, being a Mantis spook, is expected to handle it. Fortunately, he has some of his old team with him including Bet, his girlfriend from the first book.
The entire story is believable, written by a pair of authors, one of who is an ex-Ranger, Airborne Vietnam vet. So the military action has a high flavor of inevitability.
I enjoyed every page and was hacked off when it was over (I want MORE). Okay, there are more books in the series and I have some, so I can get back into that world again. LOVE IT!
The entire story is believable, written by a pair of authors, one of who is an ex-Ranger, Airborne Vietnam vet. So the military action has a high flavor of inevitability.
I enjoyed every page and was hacked off when it was over (I want MORE). Okay, there are more books in the series and I have some, so I can get back into that world again. LOVE IT!
July 25, 2024
I've re-read a lot of books that I read as a teenager and have been...disappointed. This was not one of them.
Understand that this is a military sci-fi book first and foremost, heavy emphasis on the military. Sten is a relatively well fleshed out character, but some of the supporting cast less so. The emphasis here is on the sticky situations Sten finds himself in and how he gets out of them (decent combination of brains and brawn).
If you've read any David Drake (Hammer's Slammers), I would say this is similar if written better, with a bit more imagination. At the end of the day though, these are authors heavily influenced by Vietnam and this shows in their more nuanced view of battles and the politics around the battles.
If you're looking for a classic military sci-fi, then pick this book (series) up off the shelf. I don't think you will be disappointed.
Understand that this is a military sci-fi book first and foremost, heavy emphasis on the military. Sten is a relatively well fleshed out character, but some of the supporting cast less so. The emphasis here is on the sticky situations Sten finds himself in and how he gets out of them (decent combination of brains and brawn).
If you've read any David Drake (Hammer's Slammers), I would say this is similar if written better, with a bit more imagination. At the end of the day though, these are authors heavily influenced by Vietnam and this shows in their more nuanced view of battles and the politics around the battles.
If you're looking for a classic military sci-fi, then pick this book (series) up off the shelf. I don't think you will be disappointed.
April 11, 2024
I picked up this book from a recent stash and it was fun enough. I didn't get to know the entire Mantis Team in this book, since for a good chunk of it Sten and Alex were off on their own, which was a shame because the parts with the whole team were a little more enjoyable than the rest. I'm also glad that the writing world has mostly veered away from indicating accents by spelling words how they sound because Alex was definitely hard to 'understand.' A fun romp if you like space mercs doing their mercenary thing and politicking.
August 18, 2017
As much as I loved Sten, the second in the series I found even more enjoyable. Over the top, action packed and never a dull moment left me blazing through the pages of this very enthralling novel. Even though this book is about the exploits of Sten and his Mantis team, I was glad to learn more about the Emperor and found him to be one of my favorite characters. I'm looking forward to the next in the series.
May 2, 2023
I attribute the fifth star, which I was looking for in vain in the first part, to Wolf Worlds. Compared to the, also very successful, first part, the sequel is literally packed with action. And that's exactly what you want from such books. The Mantis Squad is a really great bunch and they kept me entertained from start to finish.
June 5, 2023
This book is certainly interesting from the perspective of nonstop action, but the ability of a few hundred mercenaries to take over several planets is simply not believable. Also, Sten's love interest is nothing more than a stylized nymph (though I assume not many women will read the book, so it may not matter).
June 20, 2025
Винаги е забавно, когато книга в стила на стоманения плъх се получи. Стен е тарикат и куражлия, който участва в свещена война. Защо го прави, защо такава война има, не трябва да питаме.
Макар и приятна, книгата има дразнещи моменти, в областта на убиването на второстепенни герои. Вероятно ще потърся и третата част, след достатъчна почивка.
Макар и приятна, книгата има дразнещи моменти, в областта на убиването на второстепенни герои. Вероятно ще потърся и третата част, след достатъчна почивка.
May 7, 2021
Book Two of the Sten series was filled with political positioning and combat. The story was developed and although predictable, still an enjoyable ride. All in all, the first two books of the Sten series have me waiting to read book three.
December 18, 2019
Fun, not super complicated.
March 6, 2023
I’d give it a fifth star if I didn’t have to read a Scottish brogue.
December 8, 2020
Our hero from Sten, the inimitable Sten, is the leader of a Mantis team (think future Delta Force) sent to do a mineral survey in the Eryx region of space. They have discovered a sample of a mineral that will serve as a replacement for Imperium-X, the shielding material used in star ships. A "gold rush" of epic proportions is about to ensue, once the word gets out. There's only one slight little problem; the route to the system passes through the Wolf Worlds, which are inhabited by two different groups of militant religious fanatics, known as the Jann (short for Janissaries).
The reward for a job well done is, as usual, another job, so Sten's band of troops is assigned to covertly make sure that peace rules in the Wolf Worlds. They hire on with the less aggressive side as mercenaries, and wreak havoc on their enemies quite effectively, with the help of additional mercenaries and a nearby alien race of traders known as the Bohr, who have inhabited an icy world for millenia.
Unfortunately, after accomplishing their mission, the cluster refuses to stay pacified, and the newly triumphant worshippers of Talemein decide to go on a galaxy-wide crusade, converting all to their religion. Sten and his people are betrayed by his employers, and abandoned on the last ship-building world of the Jann, where they have sabotaged the facilities. You don't want to mess with Sten, though, and when he finds a way to escape, things get even more bloody.
Great fun, wry humor and epic adventure abound in this second book in the series.
The reward for a job well done is, as usual, another job, so Sten's band of troops is assigned to covertly make sure that peace rules in the Wolf Worlds. They hire on with the less aggressive side as mercenaries, and wreak havoc on their enemies quite effectively, with the help of additional mercenaries and a nearby alien race of traders known as the Bohr, who have inhabited an icy world for millenia.
Unfortunately, after accomplishing their mission, the cluster refuses to stay pacified, and the newly triumphant worshippers of Talemein decide to go on a galaxy-wide crusade, converting all to their religion. Sten and his people are betrayed by his employers, and abandoned on the last ship-building world of the Jann, where they have sabotaged the facilities. You don't want to mess with Sten, though, and when he finds a way to escape, things get even more bloody.
Great fun, wry humor and epic adventure abound in this second book in the series.
March 5, 2014
Action and frenetic pace and sly humour abound in The The Wolf Worlds! :D The sequel to STEN continues on from the previous books with returning characters and new ones abounding! :D
Sten is assigned to engineer the two sides who at loggerheads over a group of Star Clusters and Stens job is to see a winner and then to provide the Emperor backing to the winner! :D
The action is thick and fast with a pace that never lets up with the action but even during these scenes the characters are still seen to be keeping their eyes in the ball and keeping the big picture in mind! :D
At times you cannot help but laugh as one opponent after another end up confronting Sten and the rest of his Mantis team as they diffuse one crisis after another with a combination of firepower, guile and cunning! :D
The character are all portrayed in a very three dimensional way with humour often offsetting and adding to that three dimensionality! :D Obviously you would expect Sten to come out the other end but the wide breath of supporting characters keep you turning the page hoping that (the good guys! :D ) come out the other end fingers and toes intact! :D Lol
The Wolf Worlds is a straight out guns blazing brilliant book, brilliant and highly recommended! :D
Sten is assigned to engineer the two sides who at loggerheads over a group of Star Clusters and Stens job is to see a winner and then to provide the Emperor backing to the winner! :D
The action is thick and fast with a pace that never lets up with the action but even during these scenes the characters are still seen to be keeping their eyes in the ball and keeping the big picture in mind! :D
At times you cannot help but laugh as one opponent after another end up confronting Sten and the rest of his Mantis team as they diffuse one crisis after another with a combination of firepower, guile and cunning! :D
The character are all portrayed in a very three dimensional way with humour often offsetting and adding to that three dimensionality! :D Obviously you would expect Sten to come out the other end but the wide breath of supporting characters keep you turning the page hoping that (the good guys! :D ) come out the other end fingers and toes intact! :D Lol
The Wolf Worlds is a straight out guns blazing brilliant book, brilliant and highly recommended! :D
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2015
Like the first in the series, the novel follows Sten, a once lonely child worker of a forgotten back world now turned high level covert operative of the Mantis Corp serving the Eternal Emperor.
A few issues in the writing caused the book to lose a star, and that was head hopping in chapters written to be single 3rd person POV. It did not ruin the novel, just something an old reader and editor will see. Most readers will hardly notice it, or just figure something is off a few times in the read and keep going.
One of the things I'm noticing is the character of Sten is becoming a little predictable. Not fully yet, but I'm sure by book 4 the pattern will resolve and I could forecast what the other chapters will be like. Hope I'm wrong.
In this book we get introduced to the Eternal Emperor, and he seems to be a drunk and disorderly type of person. One issue is, if he lives forever as inferred in the novel, why is the tech not there for everyone? Maybe even just the rich and powerful? Maybe this will be revealed in later books.
It is worth the read, and several other characters are introduced. Each has a separate voice so well done goes out to the authors.
A few issues in the writing caused the book to lose a star, and that was head hopping in chapters written to be single 3rd person POV. It did not ruin the novel, just something an old reader and editor will see. Most readers will hardly notice it, or just figure something is off a few times in the read and keep going.
One of the things I'm noticing is the character of Sten is becoming a little predictable. Not fully yet, but I'm sure by book 4 the pattern will resolve and I could forecast what the other chapters will be like. Hope I'm wrong.
In this book we get introduced to the Eternal Emperor, and he seems to be a drunk and disorderly type of person. One issue is, if he lives forever as inferred in the novel, why is the tech not there for everyone? Maybe even just the rich and powerful? Maybe this will be revealed in later books.
It is worth the read, and several other characters are introduced. Each has a separate voice so well done goes out to the authors.
March 16, 2021
OCT 2015
This is really the setup for the Sten/Kilgour super-spy duo, building off the events in the original book. Here they are immediately enmeshed in messy politics, giving Cole and Bunch a chance to talk about religion, theocracy, corruption, regime change, soldiery, and the like. Sten here is mostly a deadly weapon, along with his Mantis team, pointed at a problem by the Emperor and told to go fix it -- and then, when the problem later falls apart, go fix it again. The intrigue, and the combat, all work pretty well; the Sten (and his romance) bits, less so, but it's still a ripping tale of 007 and Mission: Impossible style capers, and always worth a re-read.
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PREVIOUS REVIEW (Sep 2012)
Second of the "guilty pleasure" Sten series, in which our protagonist grows up, arranges multiple revolutions, murders, commando strikes, and assignations. The action and plotline remain distinctly over the top, but set the stage for the next volume, which begins the real story arc.
This is really the setup for the Sten/Kilgour super-spy duo, building off the events in the original book. Here they are immediately enmeshed in messy politics, giving Cole and Bunch a chance to talk about religion, theocracy, corruption, regime change, soldiery, and the like. Sten here is mostly a deadly weapon, along with his Mantis team, pointed at a problem by the Emperor and told to go fix it -- and then, when the problem later falls apart, go fix it again. The intrigue, and the combat, all work pretty well; the Sten (and his romance) bits, less so, but it's still a ripping tale of 007 and Mission: Impossible style capers, and always worth a re-read.
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PREVIOUS REVIEW (Sep 2012)
Second of the "guilty pleasure" Sten series, in which our protagonist grows up, arranges multiple revolutions, murders, commando strikes, and assignations. The action and plotline remain distinctly over the top, but set the stage for the next volume, which begins the real story arc.
June 4, 2015
Another action- and violence-packed Schwarzeneggeresque book in the Sten series. As with the first, the back text lets you know for sure whether this is your kind of thing or not. For an 80's gritty pulp science fiction series, it actually holds up better than I would think. Especially if you can forgive the Scottish character whose dialogue I can't decipher, and roll with the fact that one of the scenes actually takes place in Oregon. For me at this time, living in Oregon, that's a plus. Especially since I drove past the location of the scene, the Umpqua river, during the time I was reading it.
This series also does something I like that the TV series Firefly later did: it replaces current profanity with made-up futuristic profanity. Not only does that make the reading a bit nicer since the fake profanity just doesn't sound as bad, but it's an easy way to make the setting feel more real; do you really think that people will be using the same swear words thousands of years in the future? Then again, since part of the story still takes place in Oregon, maybe they will.
This series also does something I like that the TV series Firefly later did: it replaces current profanity with made-up futuristic profanity. Not only does that make the reading a bit nicer since the fake profanity just doesn't sound as bad, but it's an easy way to make the setting feel more real; do you really think that people will be using the same swear words thousands of years in the future? Then again, since part of the story still takes place in Oregon, maybe they will.
June 22, 2015
It's a good book. Not a great book. Just a good one. If you want some literary junk food to help mindlessly pass a long flight, and you enjoy military science fiction, this one is right up your alley. If you want detailed world-building or richly-developed characters, not so much.
The authors take a LOT of artistic license in asking the readers to accept things at face value about the world they present. (such as: the emperor, being one man, can somehow rule an empire well north of 1000 worlds) They also leave vast, gaping aspects of the world left unexplained, such as why one person is seemingly immortal, yet nobody else is.
That said, it's a fun read with lots of action. On the literary scale, it's more like fast food than haute cuisine. And closer to McDonald's than Chipotle.
The authors take a LOT of artistic license in asking the readers to accept things at face value about the world they present. (such as: the emperor, being one man, can somehow rule an empire well north of 1000 worlds) They also leave vast, gaping aspects of the world left unexplained, such as why one person is seemingly immortal, yet nobody else is.
That said, it's a fun read with lots of action. On the literary scale, it's more like fast food than haute cuisine. And closer to McDonald's than Chipotle.
April 15, 2016
In this book Sten, Alex, and the rest of Mantis Team get sent to the Lupus Cluster to defuse a conflict that is interfering with the exploitation of a new mineral that the Empire needs.
This book is actually one of my least favorite of the series.
This book is actually one of my least favorite of the series.
October 6, 2012
Action-packed military sci-fi adventure... Мисля да пренебрегна правилото да не се четат поред повече от две книги от една и съща серия... Следващите две за Джак Ричър ще почакат, защото Стен has come up to play :-)
March 29, 2012
Not quite as good as the first but still great fun
June 12, 2012
This is the second book of the Sten series.
It is my favorite of the series.
It is my favorite of the series.
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