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Crimson Worlds #5
The Line Must Hold
The robotic legions of the First Imperium burst into human space, destroying everything in their path. Directed by the maniacal Regent, the enemy pressed forward with one goal – the destruction of mankind.
The Superpowers of Earth, enemies for over a century, have banded together to face the threat from outside, and their combined forces have fought delaying actions to buy time. But now the Rim has fallen, and the heart of human space lies before the invaders.
On three worlds, mankind will make its stand, and all the power Earth and its colonies can muster has been gathered there. Three worlds – Sandoval, Garrison, and Samvar. The Line.
Erik Cain grimly leads his Marines and their new allies to Sandoval, to fight and to hold that world against anything the enemy throws at it. But Cain plans more than just a defense; he intends to annihilate the enemy forces…and he’ll sacrifice anything to win the ultimate victory. Even himself.
The Superpowers of Earth, enemies for over a century, have banded together to face the threat from outside, and their combined forces have fought delaying actions to buy time. But now the Rim has fallen, and the heart of human space lies before the invaders.
On three worlds, mankind will make its stand, and all the power Earth and its colonies can muster has been gathered there. Three worlds – Sandoval, Garrison, and Samvar. The Line.
Erik Cain grimly leads his Marines and their new allies to Sandoval, to fight and to hold that world against anything the enemy throws at it. But Cain plans more than just a defense; he intends to annihilate the enemy forces…and he’ll sacrifice anything to win the ultimate victory. Even himself.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 19, 2013
383 people are currently reading
397 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
June 8, 2020
Very nice book in the 2nd story arc in this great military SiFi series. Very nice read. Recommended
February 7, 2015
The continuing saga of the battle with the First Emperium. A line has been set to stop their decimation of all humanity. Battles sequences are epic. A lone spaceship discovers the Emperiums staging planet and struggles to get back to report what they have found. The Emperium sends ever larger ships to defeat the humans.
Truly epic series of space and land battles
Highly recommended
Truly epic series of space and land battles
Highly recommended
August 9, 2018
My spreadsheet of books read had a note at Crimson Worlds #4 not to read any more of the series. Silly me, I bought this anyways. But, it’s absolutely the last. There is scant plot development and even less ink devoted to the characters, their foibles and relationships. Space battles can be intriguing, even interesting, but not when they encompass the majority of the printed page. (Speaking of which, this appears to be self-published, and the manner in which the book is bound makes it very difficult to open enough to read.)
May 29, 2019
I bought the bundle for books 4-6. Book 5 was a fun read and had errors throughout. The fighting in book 5 was a little different in how it was achieved. it was sad in some parts to see how so many died. Otherwise, it was well done and written. The overall worlds they where fighting on while on the line was a little confusing. There are 3 worlds they want to keep a hold of and going back and forth between characters was not smooth.
June 5, 2018
Mind boggling!
I have read the first five books in this series, one after the other, without any breaks. I can’t remember if I have done the reviews for the other books or not! The action going on in these stories is pretty much non stop. I have to make myself stop reading so that I can get some work accomplished!
I have read the first five books in this series, one after the other, without any breaks. I can’t remember if I have done the reviews for the other books or not! The action going on in these stories is pretty much non stop. I have to make myself stop reading so that I can get some work accomplished!
August 2, 2022
Another good book from Mr. Allan...
Good read, although some of the language may not be suitable for young adults, it is what you would expect from a combat veteran in the field attempting to keep discipline and order. Once you start to read this entire series you can't help being sucked in to the storyline.
Good read, although some of the language may not be suitable for young adults, it is what you would expect from a combat veteran in the field attempting to keep discipline and order. Once you start to read this entire series you can't help being sucked in to the storyline.
July 23, 2021
It Was a Near Thing
The saga of Erik Caine continues. From punk on the streets to second in command of the Alliance Marine Corps, he has showed bravery, honor, dedication, and toughness that trumps all else. Recommended for anyone who loves military science fiction.
The saga of Erik Caine continues. From punk on the streets to second in command of the Alliance Marine Corps, he has showed bravery, honor, dedication, and toughness that trumps all else. Recommended for anyone who loves military science fiction.
August 27, 2017
Best book so far
This was the best story so far, it did not have all of the intelligence agency drama. I get tired of the cloak and dagger drama.
This was the best story so far, it did not have all of the intelligence agency drama. I get tired of the cloak and dagger drama.
March 21, 2018
Filled with action and adventure - great read. The Marines and Navy are outstanding.
May 29, 2018
Excellent
This is a great series I can’t seem to put it down. I highly recommend reading the whole series to anyone that likes sci-fi.
This is a great series I can’t seem to put it down. I highly recommend reading the whole series to anyone that likes sci-fi.
June 5, 2019
Finally gave up on this series.
I really tried to go along with it but it started bad and just kept on getting worse
I really tried to go along with it but it started bad and just kept on getting worse
June 20, 2022
Filled with action!
I had never read a story with so much action! This book has the best descriptions of Sci-Fi military action throughout than I have ever read!
I had never read a story with so much action! This book has the best descriptions of Sci-Fi military action throughout than I have ever read!
March 29, 2025
10:01
July 19, 2013
Here's another great book in the Crimson Worlds series. You've got to read it if you're any kind of a fan of Jay Allen's work in this series. In the last book, there was a hint that the Earth forces were finally going to get their act together and figure out a way to fight and may, just may, defeat the First Imperium. It was obvious that General Erik Cain had something to settle especially now that his best friend and fellow General Darius Jax was killed. General Cain believes and rightly so, that it was his fault that General Jax was killed. Some my not agree but I think it was. If he had followed Jax's request for support where Jax wanted it, General Jax might have lived through the battle.
But he didn't so General Cain is on a mission to not only stop the First Imperium but totally destroy it. The book is well written with only a few missing words in a few places (let's say there are much more than two or three places). I like Mr. Allen's writing style. It's got to be difficult to write a book that includes a General Officer as the main character. In my experience, General Officers don't do a whole lot once they have kind of outline what they want to do to their staff. Oh, yeah, they sit around and get briefings on what may happen and they nod their head but usually the Operation Officer develops the plan in detail, briefs the General in person and makes sure there are no surprises.
And in my humble opinion, General Officers don't lead from the front, that's for sure. This book is pure science fiction in having a few General Officers out roaming around the battle field and even getting to the front line and getting killed. Of course they're going to get killed because the enemy is usually tracking their every move so they become a prime target on the battlefield if they're dumb enough to show themselves. And anyone standing around a General Officer or a command headquarters that has been located is going to be dead as soon as the enemy can get around to it and that's very soon.
But, General Cain does his hero thing and comes through with the usual shot in the arm which gets repaired by none other than his consort? Yeah, it just so happens Sarah Linden is with the General in charge of the Field Hospital. It sure would have been nice to see the type of medical miracles being performed in this book in the places I've been. They way they can patch guys up and send them back to the fight is, ah, frightening, especially if you're just a grunt. Once you've been shot, you don't really, really, really want to get shot again so why would you want to go back to the front?
And I really like some of the technology in this book. I wonder why we can't build stuff like that now. He's got most of his Marines in some kind of Personal Defense System which sounds like a self-contained tank! They can see and hear everything all over the battlefield. Man, it would have been nice to know even where the guy next to you really was in my day! I hope Mr. Allen writes more about those Obliterator suits. They have got to be something!
Oh, and this book is not just about the ground fight; no, it covers everything happening in space and even tells about one lone scout ship that goes deep behind enemy lines. It does get intense with some of the action in space. Mr. Allen builds his characters well and after a while you don't loose track of who he's writing about because of that character development.
Ok, read this book and enjoy it. There's a lot of action and I mean a lot. But remember, the war ain't over; far from it!
But he didn't so General Cain is on a mission to not only stop the First Imperium but totally destroy it. The book is well written with only a few missing words in a few places (let's say there are much more than two or three places). I like Mr. Allen's writing style. It's got to be difficult to write a book that includes a General Officer as the main character. In my experience, General Officers don't do a whole lot once they have kind of outline what they want to do to their staff. Oh, yeah, they sit around and get briefings on what may happen and they nod their head but usually the Operation Officer develops the plan in detail, briefs the General in person and makes sure there are no surprises.
And in my humble opinion, General Officers don't lead from the front, that's for sure. This book is pure science fiction in having a few General Officers out roaming around the battle field and even getting to the front line and getting killed. Of course they're going to get killed because the enemy is usually tracking their every move so they become a prime target on the battlefield if they're dumb enough to show themselves. And anyone standing around a General Officer or a command headquarters that has been located is going to be dead as soon as the enemy can get around to it and that's very soon.
But, General Cain does his hero thing and comes through with the usual shot in the arm which gets repaired by none other than his consort? Yeah, it just so happens Sarah Linden is with the General in charge of the Field Hospital. It sure would have been nice to see the type of medical miracles being performed in this book in the places I've been. They way they can patch guys up and send them back to the fight is, ah, frightening, especially if you're just a grunt. Once you've been shot, you don't really, really, really want to get shot again so why would you want to go back to the front?
And I really like some of the technology in this book. I wonder why we can't build stuff like that now. He's got most of his Marines in some kind of Personal Defense System which sounds like a self-contained tank! They can see and hear everything all over the battlefield. Man, it would have been nice to know even where the guy next to you really was in my day! I hope Mr. Allen writes more about those Obliterator suits. They have got to be something!
Oh, and this book is not just about the ground fight; no, it covers everything happening in space and even tells about one lone scout ship that goes deep behind enemy lines. It does get intense with some of the action in space. Mr. Allen builds his characters well and after a while you don't loose track of who he's writing about because of that character development.
Ok, read this book and enjoy it. There's a lot of action and I mean a lot. But remember, the war ain't over; far from it!
December 19, 2018
Very well written, really keeps your attention.
February 6, 2017
This review covers Crimson Worlds Books 1-9. I read them consecutively, so can only review them comprehensively.
Overall: The books are really good, but fall short of being great, for reasons I'll outline below.
Characters: The protagonists are well written, likable, and appropriately complex. The antagonists are clever, and help drive the plot, but perhaps at times lack sufficient positive features to make them completely realistic.
Writing/Editing: The copy editing is well done - no complaints there. The author could use a good developmental editor, however, as there are too many cases of repeating the same phrase and wording. There are also a few cases in which the wrong person or place name is used, which can pop the reader out.
Writing/Combat Scenes: The author does a great job of describing land combat scenes in a way that both gives the reader a feel and view of the overall battle while also engaging the reader in the stress and anxiety of the POV character. I've read few that match the author in this area. The space battles, while good, do not hit the same standards of say a Jack Campbell. These battles are decidedly two-dimensional and the tactical nuances are far less pronounced and engaging.
Writing/Other: There are a large number of characters, as is normal for the genre, though the author does change POV more rapidly than some at times. Thematically, the author is perhaps a bit pessimistic about the human race, but does weave in a solid thread of hope.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the series, and hold the author's portrayal of futuristic ground combat in high esteem. The need for a developmental editor can be a distraction at times, but not enough to make me want to stop reading.
Overall: The books are really good, but fall short of being great, for reasons I'll outline below.
Characters: The protagonists are well written, likable, and appropriately complex. The antagonists are clever, and help drive the plot, but perhaps at times lack sufficient positive features to make them completely realistic.
Writing/Editing: The copy editing is well done - no complaints there. The author could use a good developmental editor, however, as there are too many cases of repeating the same phrase and wording. There are also a few cases in which the wrong person or place name is used, which can pop the reader out.
Writing/Combat Scenes: The author does a great job of describing land combat scenes in a way that both gives the reader a feel and view of the overall battle while also engaging the reader in the stress and anxiety of the POV character. I've read few that match the author in this area. The space battles, while good, do not hit the same standards of say a Jack Campbell. These battles are decidedly two-dimensional and the tactical nuances are far less pronounced and engaging.
Writing/Other: There are a large number of characters, as is normal for the genre, though the author does change POV more rapidly than some at times. Thematically, the author is perhaps a bit pessimistic about the human race, but does weave in a solid thread of hope.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the series, and hold the author's portrayal of futuristic ground combat in high esteem. The need for a developmental editor can be a distraction at times, but not enough to make me want to stop reading.
September 21, 2013
As can be deduced from the title as well as the book blurb this book follows on from the previous one and now Cain and the rest of humanity must make a stand to stop the First Imperium’s advance. The death of Cain’s best friend, General Jax, as well as the many others that have died under his command weighs heavily on Cain and he have become more and more single mindedly focused on killing the enemy…at all costs. To the extent that his friends are more and more worried about him.
There are lots, and I mean lots, of fighting in this book. Most of it dirtside but quite a lot in space as well. The writing is good to excellent and most of the politics are luckily absent. Apart from the main fighting we also get to follow a lone surviving Alliance ship that managed to survive far behind the enemies lines and slowly make her way back. Her actions as well as the intel she brings back will have a significant impact on the war. This makes for a nice change of pace throughout the book which would perhaps have been a bit overly combat focused without it. Not that I mind fighting though, rather the inverse.
We get a few glimpses behind the scenes of how the artificial mind behind the First Imperium things but not very much. I do not really like when the viewpoint switches to the bad guys for large chunks of a book but a few glimpses is nice and I think there could have been a little more of that in these books.
Bottom line is, a very good book in the series. Again I am looking forward to the read next one.
There are lots, and I mean lots, of fighting in this book. Most of it dirtside but quite a lot in space as well. The writing is good to excellent and most of the politics are luckily absent. Apart from the main fighting we also get to follow a lone surviving Alliance ship that managed to survive far behind the enemies lines and slowly make her way back. Her actions as well as the intel she brings back will have a significant impact on the war. This makes for a nice change of pace throughout the book which would perhaps have been a bit overly combat focused without it. Not that I mind fighting though, rather the inverse.
We get a few glimpses behind the scenes of how the artificial mind behind the First Imperium things but not very much. I do not really like when the viewpoint switches to the bad guys for large chunks of a book but a few glimpses is nice and I think there could have been a little more of that in these books.
Bottom line is, a very good book in the series. Again I am looking forward to the read next one.
July 20, 2013
A very strong addition to the series. This one is almost all hardcore military ground pounding with a fair bit of space battle stuff tossed in. As the series has progressed, the focus has spread out quite a bit allowing more time for other characters and less for the original hero. That makes perfect sense. As Cain has progressed up the ranks, his decisions paint with a much larger brush.
Jay Allen's writing continues to be excellent. Through the first third of the book, I was wondering if it was getting too bogged down in the military detail, by the time I crossed the half way point, I realized how little I really knew about what it was like to be a soldier. Either Jay Allen has personal experience in this regard or he's spent a lot of time listening to people who do.
If there's one weak point in the series, it's also a strong point. I'm not sure that each book will always appeal to the same set of readers as the previous. This one is will be most appreciated by those with a taste for gritty military reality.
I enjoyed it, and look forward to the next in the series.
Jay Allen's writing continues to be excellent. Through the first third of the book, I was wondering if it was getting too bogged down in the military detail, by the time I crossed the half way point, I realized how little I really knew about what it was like to be a soldier. Either Jay Allen has personal experience in this regard or he's spent a lot of time listening to people who do.
If there's one weak point in the series, it's also a strong point. I'm not sure that each book will always appeal to the same set of readers as the previous. This one is will be most appreciated by those with a taste for gritty military reality.
I enjoyed it, and look forward to the next in the series.
February 15, 2017
A most entertaining volume
To this point, this is the most exciting book in the series. I enjoyed the read greatly. There are a number of great commanders.. the science is well thought out.
To this point, this is the most exciting book in the series. I enjoyed the read greatly. There are a number of great commanders.. the science is well thought out.
Read
July 5, 2013Better!
August 13, 2013
Great story, I can't wait for more.
March 3, 2015
#5 in the series - good read, but foreboding ending.
March 13, 2015
loved it
This book is unbelievably great. This book will teach you many things. I would be very surprised if you didn't give this book a 5 star.
This book is unbelievably great. This book will teach you many things. I would be very surprised if you didn't give this book a 5 star.
December 16, 2015
Wonderful series.
Book 5 was another hit! I am captivated by the story line and can't wait to get started on the next book in the series.
Book 5 was another hit! I am captivated by the story line and can't wait to get started on the next book in the series.
January 8, 2017
Three planets were “the line”. And the Pact held. The story of the brave men and women who defended “the line” and held. B
October 21, 2013
Looking forward to the next installment
December 31, 2013
Really good. Action packed
March 29, 2016
liked it
Read
April 19, 2017Great!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews