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Merkiaari Wars #2
What Price Honour
Thurston is an unimportant border world with a problem, a Marine type problem. Not the sort of place Gunnery Sergeant Gina Fuentez expected to find one of the fabled Viper cyborgs, but that's just what she discovers when a simple mission to extract an operative from a terrorist camp leads to a firefight and two of her squad dead. With friends dying around her and a world coming apart at the seams, Gina must decide if the Marine Corps is really her home, or just a stopping place to where she really belongs
408 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2007
82 people are currently reading
222 people want to read
About the author
Mark E. Cooper
26 books245 followersIncursion: Merkiaari Wars 5 is out now (11/11/2016) http://www.impulsebooks.co.uk/incursion/
Mark E. Cooper lives alone in a small town in the south of England, where he writes most mornings and evenings. His background is in mechanical engineering where he spent over thirty years working for Ford. He loves reading about strong female characters and can often be found laughing to himself as he listens to a book on his iPod.
His hobbies include driving his cobra--a V12 monster he built with his best friend--reading fantasy and sci-fi, and maintaining his blog at http://www.impulsebooks.co.uk/markcoo...
He is now the author of more than eight titles in the genres he loves to read.
Mark E. Cooper lives alone in a small town in the south of England, where he writes most mornings and evenings. His background is in mechanical engineering where he spent over thirty years working for Ford. He loves reading about strong female characters and can often be found laughing to himself as he listens to a book on his iPod.
His hobbies include driving his cobra--a V12 monster he built with his best friend--reading fantasy and sci-fi, and maintaining his blog at http://www.impulsebooks.co.uk/markcoo...
He is now the author of more than eight titles in the genres he loves to read.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 22, 2020
I read some reviews saying that the second book is better than the first. It isn't. For some parts the characterization is a lot better (which still isn't saying much), but in other parts the dialogue is as bad as before. But more importantly the story structure is just terrible. The author just doesn't know how to write a coherent, gripping story, instead preferring disjointed short stories. The first part deals with the backstory of a character, but it's like reading a different genre. None of that amounts to anything. And after the cliffhanger of the previous episode it's really not what you want to read. The second third is a very stereotypical boot camp story with all the usual cliches. It's not all bad, but again more of a distraction from the main story. Only the last third picks up the actual story of the war with the aliens. And it's not handled that well. Lots of over the top action with literal rivers of blood and several story points that aren't logical.
October 25, 2016
Unfocused military sci-fi from a couple of well plumbed meme-tins that doesn't really go anywhere.
Two thirds of this is a super-soldier training montage between vaguely competing 'strong female leads' (and their backstories) that doesn't really go anywhere.
The remaining third revolves around the battle for a newly contacted alien species' planet by previously mentioned super-soldiers against an all-too-well-known alien menace. Only the old aliens have learnt some new tricks.
Oh, the horror. Oh, the humanity...
There is some decent world building here, but the author doesn't seem to understand what is required to make a reader (or at least me) care about someone, or be intrigued or horrified by something.
Two thirds of this is a super-soldier training montage between vaguely competing 'strong female leads' (and their backstories) that doesn't really go anywhere.
The remaining third revolves around the battle for a newly contacted alien species' planet by previously mentioned super-soldiers against an all-too-well-known alien menace. Only the old aliens have learnt some new tricks.
Oh, the horror. Oh, the humanity...
There is some decent world building here, but the author doesn't seem to understand what is required to make a reader (or at least me) care about someone, or be intrigued or horrified by something.
May 15, 2013
After having reading the authors fist installment Hard Duty: Merkiaari Wars I was intrigued to see how the story would develop. While I felt I gained more insight into the characters from the first book, which is natural considering the main players are being introduced to the reader, this book was a much easier and a more fluid read. I say this because the dual storylines merge to allow the reader to follow everyone he/she has an interest in. If you like smash-mouth action, good aliens, bad aliens, cyborgs, dog fights, and complete and total carnage then this book can't come more highly recommended. As for me, I'm on to book 3. Nicely done.
July 4, 2013
This is the second book of the series which i didn't realize until I was already three chapters into it. So, I stopped and read the first book which was also very good. This kind of helps explain what's in this book because there are a lot of different story plots going on. They all final get together to make sense.
We follow several people as they get ready to change their entire lives in a very substantial way for the benefit of humanity and now for the benefit of a non-human race More later...
We follow several people as they get ready to change their entire lives in a very substantial way for the benefit of humanity and now for the benefit of a non-human race More later...
April 7, 2014
Well...it's a good continuation of the story. However, it had rather anticlimactic ending, and the book lacked the beauty of discovery displayed in the first book. It has been mostly an account of "what happened next" without the "it was awesome and momentous" that we might wish for. Still....if you plan to read the whole series then this is the transitional book where the pieces are moving across the board....the action will come soon enough :)
July 1, 2012
This would make a good seriers.
April 9, 2014
Great,human meets alien first contact, humans have cyborgs that other humans are afraid of, space battle in large ships, dog fights, exploration. Novel I really enjoyed. Great Tech!
July 8, 2016
Hangs together much better than the first book, and although he still spells out EBA -- Every Bloody Acronym -- it's not quite EBT -- Every Bloody Time.
August 28, 2018
I loved book 1 so immediately bought book 2. Sadly disappointed. I was hoping for more development of the Shan culture. But it seemed to be more battles, and then more battles.
July 25, 2019
High intensity!
Don't read this book if you're going to need a full night's sleep. You won't get it as you'll be up reading until the book is done.
The Merkiaari are back in force and a new generation of Vipers is on the way. The Merkiaari outnumber the Vipers several hundreds to one but along with the Marines, and their Shan allies, the Vipers are are not going to go down without a fight. An intense fight!
Don't read this book if you're going to need a full night's sleep. You won't get it as you'll be up reading until the book is done.
The Merkiaari are back in force and a new generation of Vipers is on the way. The Merkiaari outnumber the Vipers several hundreds to one but along with the Marines, and their Shan allies, the Vipers are are not going to go down without a fight. An intense fight!
February 18, 2024
Remarkable book
Exciting, riveting, action-packed. These are just some descriptors I use to describe this book. It’s as good or better than the first. However, I have a criticism as well. The editing it loose and shoddy. There are so so many errors in punctuation, word usage, even spelling.
Exciting, riveting, action-packed. These are just some descriptors I use to describe this book. It’s as good or better than the first. However, I have a criticism as well. The editing it loose and shoddy. There are so so many errors in punctuation, word usage, even spelling.
February 19, 2018
More space.opera, but it needed a little less talk, and a lot more action. Two good female characters.
May 31, 2019
excellent story I was enthralled with it. I really enjoyed the characters and the action. I read the next two books in the series and they were as
good. I recommended.
good. I recommended.
February 18, 2020
Good reading
I liked reading the book, the story is interesting and original, a lot of action and verry easy to read.
I liked reading the book, the story is interesting and original, a lot of action and verry easy to read.
December 17, 2022
In this second installment of the Merkiaari Wars series, we have moved a couple of centuries past the original war with the violent alien race. Humans have an ambiguous relationship with the people who won the battle for them initially and who still stand as humanity’s defenders. When the Merfiaari return, will society be ready to defeat them again? Further, will humans defend other alien races from this existential threat?
There are several good themes and messages throughout this book. However, the books glorify the violence of war, and they point to military strength as the salvation of people. These are false beliefs to the point that I will not continue reading this series.
There are several good themes and messages throughout this book. However, the books glorify the violence of war, and they point to military strength as the salvation of people. These are false beliefs to the point that I will not continue reading this series.
November 27, 2016
The 2nd evolution of this series was just as good as the first. There was a lot of in-depth characters, that not only involve themselves with the art of war, but also look at the impact this is having at those around them, and on them. It gives an interesting perspective of the battlefield, especially in one scene in which one of the squad leaders sits and plays overs a scenario repeatedly in her head what she could have done differently to save a team member.
This kind of introspection gives the book a new level of character development that you don’t often see in this style of book.
This is a book of hard won battles, and several stories (without giving away too many spoilers). There is the initial battle as Gina and her Marines escort a ‘Civilian’ across Thurston to try and prevent a revolution. The next part introduces us to an agent of Bethany, Kate Richmond, who is all sorts of things.
After Kate and Gina’s stories, we get to one of the biggest parts of this series, the War on Shan. Again, I don’t want to give too much away. The Merki return to Harmony looking to finish what they started, only this time, the Shan are prepared, and they have allies in the Humans, will it be enough?
Cooper does not hold back with his writing, giving us some of the sensations of grief and loss of those involved. It is interesting reading how different Characters grow and evolve under the conditions, some fall, either to weapons, or psychological damage, and others rise to the challenge, becoming true leaders and heroes.
We get a full understanding of what Vipers are capable of during this time as well, as they are unleashed on the Merki in full force.
As with Hard Duty, Cooper has this amusing habit of using little ‘Easter Eggs’ in the dialogue from various Sci-Fi classics, such as Star Wars, Aliens etc. You will be sitting there reading, and suddenly realise what you just read is very familiar…
It's a lot of fun trying to spot them.
This is another fast paced action packed story, just as good, if not better than the original. If you liked the first, you will love this one.
This kind of introspection gives the book a new level of character development that you don’t often see in this style of book.
This is a book of hard won battles, and several stories (without giving away too many spoilers). There is the initial battle as Gina and her Marines escort a ‘Civilian’ across Thurston to try and prevent a revolution. The next part introduces us to an agent of Bethany, Kate Richmond, who is all sorts of things.
After Kate and Gina’s stories, we get to one of the biggest parts of this series, the War on Shan. Again, I don’t want to give too much away. The Merki return to Harmony looking to finish what they started, only this time, the Shan are prepared, and they have allies in the Humans, will it be enough?
Cooper does not hold back with his writing, giving us some of the sensations of grief and loss of those involved. It is interesting reading how different Characters grow and evolve under the conditions, some fall, either to weapons, or psychological damage, and others rise to the challenge, becoming true leaders and heroes.
We get a full understanding of what Vipers are capable of during this time as well, as they are unleashed on the Merki in full force.
As with Hard Duty, Cooper has this amusing habit of using little ‘Easter Eggs’ in the dialogue from various Sci-Fi classics, such as Star Wars, Aliens etc. You will be sitting there reading, and suddenly realise what you just read is very familiar…
It's a lot of fun trying to spot them.
This is another fast paced action packed story, just as good, if not better than the original. If you liked the first, you will love this one.
May 17, 2016
What Price Honour: Merkiaari War Book 2 by Mark E. Cooper is a continuation of the excellent first book of the series, Hard Duty, and this book also continued in the excellent writing style.
The author has developed a tale which will grab you and keep you glued to its pages from start to finish. In this book he has built upon the foundations laid in book one. To this he has also added several unique twists that pulled me further into the storyline.
The characters developed by Mark E. Cooper are very believable and easy to follow. The previous characters continue to grow and develop plus the new characters add a whole new dimension to the story.
I really liked What Price Honour: Merkiaari War Book 2 by Mark E. Cooper and highly recommend this book to all readers
The author has developed a tale which will grab you and keep you glued to its pages from start to finish. In this book he has built upon the foundations laid in book one. To this he has also added several unique twists that pulled me further into the storyline.
The characters developed by Mark E. Cooper are very believable and easy to follow. The previous characters continue to grow and develop plus the new characters add a whole new dimension to the story.
I really liked What Price Honour: Merkiaari War Book 2 by Mark E. Cooper and highly recommend this book to all readers
May 11, 2013
I had received the first book in this series for free and enjoyed it so much that after I finished it I immediately downloaded the sequel. The story picked right up from where we had left it and the action moved forward at breakneck speed. The struggle of the Viper ranks to face humanity's greatest foe is contrasted and balanced with the struggle of the Shan to drive their shared foe from their home-worlds. I really enjoyed the action as well as the style that the book was written in. When I finished this book I again was so entertained that I immediately downloaded the third book in the series. A truly enjoyable story.
February 24, 2015
This too was an enjoyable installment of the series. I was iffy about a catlike people but I think he as developed some good characters. A part of e is reminds me of Honor Harrington and her tree cat friends. I am still into the series, there are some marks that don't feel right but I am optimistic it will be a strong series
October 2, 2014
So close to 4 stars but in the end it falls short. It's the pacing - all wrong (IMHO). Far too much time is spent with a character then you move onto another character. End result is almost like multiple short stories and it needed to move around a bit more for my liking. That said, an enjoyable read and I'll be continuing with the rest.
June 18, 2016
Still hooked
Extremely intriguing and intricate story line that kept me wanting more. Things even seem pretty well wrapped up at the end, so I'm really interested in seeing what the next book is about. My only problem is that time jumps happen without any transition, the reader just has to figure it out for themselves.
Extremely intriguing and intricate story line that kept me wanting more. Things even seem pretty well wrapped up at the end, so I'm really interested in seeing what the next book is about. My only problem is that time jumps happen without any transition, the reader just has to figure it out for themselves.
July 25, 2014
A really good military SF drama. My only problem with it is that it really is just the second part of a single novel. It also has too many primary characters. I'm good at keeping track of who's who, but even I had trouble after a while.
March 22, 2015
2.5 stars, it is the bare bones you would expect from a sci-fi war opera. Author obviously has no military skills & doesn't try to pretend. I started disliking it more when the battle was joined.
I liked it but won't hurry to read the next one.
I liked it but won't hurry to read the next one.
December 25, 2016
I've read all four of Mark Cooper's series and am looking forward to the release of the two additional planned books. I thought this series compared well with the Honor Harrington series. I've downloaded several other books by Mr. Cooper and look forward to reading them.
February 2, 2016
I really enjoyed this series. Enhanced humans, evil warlike aliens intent on extermination of humans, new aliens to make contact with, corrupt politicians. I liked this so much I read 4 books worth of the tale.
May 13, 2014
This is a very good book!
March 18, 2016
Lost interest in the series and struggled to finish this one - can't say I'll be reading the rest.
July 18, 2016
Not bad but a fall off from the better first book. I think it becomes too much of a military sci-fi book and has few surprises. Lots of shooting if that's what you like.
April 20, 2017
The Markiaari War Series
At the time of this review, the series contains fives book and I have read all of them. Mark has created a solid universe, with interesting characters (alien and human). The overall story line is compelling and the individual characters' story lines invest you deeper in the fray. With plenty of action, tech, and just the right amount of politics, I am looking forward to the next book!
"Hard Duty", "What Price Honour", & "Operation Oracle"
The first three books are available as a bundle. I recommend buying them as a bundle and treating them as 1 book released in three parts. If I had to read the first three books individually and waited for the second and third book to release, I would give each book 3 stars, but by reading the first books as one, I felt the story ended in a good spot.
At the time of this review, the series contains fives book and I have read all of them. Mark has created a solid universe, with interesting characters (alien and human). The overall story line is compelling and the individual characters' story lines invest you deeper in the fray. With plenty of action, tech, and just the right amount of politics, I am looking forward to the next book!
"Hard Duty", "What Price Honour", & "Operation Oracle"
The first three books are available as a bundle. I recommend buying them as a bundle and treating them as 1 book released in three parts. If I had to read the first three books individually and waited for the second and third book to release, I would give each book 3 stars, but by reading the first books as one, I felt the story ended in a good spot.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews