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Task Force Ombra #1
Grunt Life
Benjamin Carter Mason died last night. Maybe he threw himself off a bridge into Los Angeles Harbor, or maybe he burned to death in a house fire in San Pedro; it doesn't really matter. Today, Mason's starting a new life. He's back in boot camp, training for the only war left that matters a damn. For years, their spies have been coming to Earth, learning our weaknesses. Our governments knew, but they did nothing--the prospect was too awful, the costs too high--and now, the horrifying and utterly inhuman Cray are laying waste to our cities. The human race is a heartbeat away from extinction. That is, unless Mason, and the other men and women of Task Force OMBRA, can do anything about it. This is a time for heroes. For killers. For Grunts.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published April 29, 2014
53 people are currently reading
437 people want to read
About the author
Weston Ochse
129 books295 followersThe American Library Association calls Weston Ochse “one of the major horror authors of the 21 st Century.” He has been praised by USA Today, The Atlantic, The New York Post, The Financial Times of London, Publishers Weekly, Peter Straub, Joe Lansdale, Jon Maberry, Kevin J. Anderson, David Gerrold, William C. Dietz, Tim Lebbon, Christopher Golden, and many more of the world’s best-selling authors. His work has won the Bram Stoker Award, been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, and won multiple New Mexico Arizona Book Awards.
A writer of nearly thirty books in multiple genres, his military supernatural series SEAL Team 666 has been optioned to be a movie starring Dwayne Johnson and his military sci fi trilogy, which starts with Grunt Life, has been praised for its PTSD-positive depiction of soldiers at peace and at war.
Weston has also published literary fiction, poetry, comics, and non-fiction articles.
His shorter work has appeared in DC Comics, IDW Comics, Soldier of Fortune Magazine, Cemetery Dance, and peered literary journals. His franchise work includes the X-Files, Predator, Aliens, Hellboy, Clive Barker’s Midian, and V-Wars. Weston holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and teaches at Southern New Hampshire University. He lives in Arizona with his wife, and fellow author, Yvonne Navarro and their Great Danes.
A writer of nearly thirty books in multiple genres, his military supernatural series SEAL Team 666 has been optioned to be a movie starring Dwayne Johnson and his military sci fi trilogy, which starts with Grunt Life, has been praised for its PTSD-positive depiction of soldiers at peace and at war.
Weston has also published literary fiction, poetry, comics, and non-fiction articles.
His shorter work has appeared in DC Comics, IDW Comics, Soldier of Fortune Magazine, Cemetery Dance, and peered literary journals. His franchise work includes the X-Files, Predator, Aliens, Hellboy, Clive Barker’s Midian, and V-Wars. Weston holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and teaches at Southern New Hampshire University. He lives in Arizona with his wife, and fellow author, Yvonne Navarro and their Great Danes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
December 14, 2025
Ochse really nails the 'boots view' military science fiction here. Our lead, Ben Mason, a staff sergeant in the US army, starts the novel about to jump from a bridge; the guilt he feels after seeing so many of his comrades die has come to ahead. Talk about PTSD! On the edge of the bridge, a man Ben calls "Mr. Pink" hails him. WTF? How does Mr. Pink know him? While a net caught his fall, Mr. Pink opens his eyes to a new reality.
For years, some people have known aliens have been spying on Earth (long story). One company, OMBRA, has been trying to find a way to fight them and also trying to convince politicians around the world of the peril. On the side, OMBRA has been 'recruiting' soldiers all suffering from PTSD and suicidal. Mr. Pink takes Ben to a secret training facility in Wyoming where thousands of burned out soldiers, grunts, are told of the aliens. Phase I of their training (while locked in cells) involves reading a mountain of science fiction novels, biographies, many war films, etc., with a test after each one. I loved all the references here and if you are into military science fiction you will recognize most of the titles!
When the aliens finally arrive in force the world trembles. Massive 'hives' are landed in major cities around the globe and 'drones' pour out of them, killing everything in sight. The 'drones' employ EMP weapons (or rather, their bodies emit EMP pulses) that paralyze organized resistance and the world falls apart. OMBRA, however, has plans, and these plans need grunts to put them into place.
I loved the realism here and Ochse obviously knows the military. While Ochse does toss in some killer action sequences toward the end, Grunt Life is not exactly action packed. What it does so well concerns extrapolating the mindset of grunts and what that means. Pretty close to 5 stars but the ending was too abrupt. 4.5 grunts!!
For years, some people have known aliens have been spying on Earth (long story). One company, OMBRA, has been trying to find a way to fight them and also trying to convince politicians around the world of the peril. On the side, OMBRA has been 'recruiting' soldiers all suffering from PTSD and suicidal. Mr. Pink takes Ben to a secret training facility in Wyoming where thousands of burned out soldiers, grunts, are told of the aliens. Phase I of their training (while locked in cells) involves reading a mountain of science fiction novels, biographies, many war films, etc., with a test after each one. I loved all the references here and if you are into military science fiction you will recognize most of the titles!
When the aliens finally arrive in force the world trembles. Massive 'hives' are landed in major cities around the globe and 'drones' pour out of them, killing everything in sight. The 'drones' employ EMP weapons (or rather, their bodies emit EMP pulses) that paralyze organized resistance and the world falls apart. OMBRA, however, has plans, and these plans need grunts to put them into place.
I loved the realism here and Ochse obviously knows the military. While Ochse does toss in some killer action sequences toward the end, Grunt Life is not exactly action packed. What it does so well concerns extrapolating the mindset of grunts and what that means. Pretty close to 5 stars but the ending was too abrupt. 4.5 grunts!!
June 17, 2014
If you are reading this review, I assume you already know what the book is about, so I will skip the synopsis, and get to the reasons you should read this book.
Grunt Life by Weston Ochse is compelling.There's really no other way to put it. This is a story that takes place right now. Ochse' use of pop culture references and current events gives the story an immediacy not always found in future set military sci-fi.
The charcaters, from Mason, the narrator, to Mr. Pink, the mysterious recruiter, to the rest of Task Force Ombra, have depth. You will love them, even as they do something to make you dislike them. Ochse manages to avoid the cliched characters often found in fiction: The guy you love, the guy you hate, the girl in need of saving, the meat head, the nerd. Each member of Task Force Ombra is a little bit of each of these.
This IS military sci-fi, so, of course, there is plenty of military jargon. But, don't worry, it never gets too dense, and it never bogs down the story. The military isn't just a backdrop for the action, it's what makes the characters who they are.
The aliens are an interesting bunch, that seem to borrow from many sci-fi tropes, and turn them on their heads. They are quite alien, in the "it's difficult for our petty human minds to grasp" kind of way. And they are tough. They certainly make life hell, for our human brethren.
Not all questions are answered, and I don't think they need to be. I don't know if there is going to be a sequel, but I do know that I would love to read more about Mason, Task Force Ombra, and their attempts to save the earth.
Pick up Grunt Life by Weston Ochse. I think you will have a tough time putting it down.
Grunt Life by Weston Ochse is compelling.There's really no other way to put it. This is a story that takes place right now. Ochse' use of pop culture references and current events gives the story an immediacy not always found in future set military sci-fi.
The charcaters, from Mason, the narrator, to Mr. Pink, the mysterious recruiter, to the rest of Task Force Ombra, have depth. You will love them, even as they do something to make you dislike them. Ochse manages to avoid the cliched characters often found in fiction: The guy you love, the guy you hate, the girl in need of saving, the meat head, the nerd. Each member of Task Force Ombra is a little bit of each of these.
This IS military sci-fi, so, of course, there is plenty of military jargon. But, don't worry, it never gets too dense, and it never bogs down the story. The military isn't just a backdrop for the action, it's what makes the characters who they are.
The aliens are an interesting bunch, that seem to borrow from many sci-fi tropes, and turn them on their heads. They are quite alien, in the "it's difficult for our petty human minds to grasp" kind of way. And they are tough. They certainly make life hell, for our human brethren.
Not all questions are answered, and I don't think they need to be. I don't know if there is going to be a sequel, but I do know that I would love to read more about Mason, Task Force Ombra, and their attempts to save the earth.
Pick up Grunt Life by Weston Ochse. I think you will have a tough time putting it down.
February 19, 2017
This is a pretty good military sci-fi horror joint. What this book does really well is treating PTSD with respect and honesty. Pulls few punches and has a lot of 'Jeezus, that just happened' moments. I'll most likely read its follow up in the future.
January 15, 2019
Military science fiction about an alien invasion of Earth. Good character development. The weapons and the military strategy were also interesting.
May 25, 2018
I fully admit: Grunt Life was a spur-of-the-moment, this-book-is-available-right-now-when-I-need-it decision. I don't read much military science fiction, but most of it is cut from the same cloth, and Grunt Life is no different. In fact, it wears its influences on its sleeve.
Benjamin Mason suffers from PTSD, and it's so bad that he's ready to kill himself. But he's talked down off the ledge, so to speak, by a group of people willing to give him and others like him a chance to do something really meaningful. It seems aliens have been sizing Earth up for years, and they're ready to strike.
As part of the training they read alien invasion books, and alien invasion movies, and then take tests on them. To be honest, the first half of the book, as the team is coming together and learning about each other, is better than the second half, with most of the fighting. The writing is workmanlike, and the book is exactly what you'd expect from this genre--if slightly better than most of the others I've read.
Benjamin Mason suffers from PTSD, and it's so bad that he's ready to kill himself. But he's talked down off the ledge, so to speak, by a group of people willing to give him and others like him a chance to do something really meaningful. It seems aliens have been sizing Earth up for years, and they're ready to strike.
As part of the training they read alien invasion books, and alien invasion movies, and then take tests on them. To be honest, the first half of the book, as the team is coming together and learning about each other, is better than the second half, with most of the fighting. The writing is workmanlike, and the book is exactly what you'd expect from this genre--if slightly better than most of the others I've read.
April 26, 2014
Last year I read Seal Team 666: Age of Blood by Weston Ochse and enjoyed the non-stop action and supernatural adventure. When I heard that the same author was going to take on the end of the world, and would be adding a liberal dose of aliens to boot, I couldn’t help but be intrigued.
The premise is pretty straight forward. An imminent alien invasion has been discovered and a clandestine organisation, known as Task Force OMBRA, are planning our planet’s response. The only problem? Who should be part of this group? What are the best qualities for a soldier facing off against an entirely new kind of threat?
Made up from men and women from all over the globe each team member has been individually selected due to the nature of their pre-invasion experiences. They are a fascinating group. Primarily, we follow a new recruit called Mason but I don’t really want to dwell on any of the characters. You need to come at this story without too much information about anything. Part of the joy of this novel is that sense of discovery and realisation. When the penny drops and you have that moment where everything clicks into place, you can thank me later. I suspect giving away any detail about the characters would act as a massive spoiler and I’d never want to do that. Suffice to say who each of the grunts were before the alien’s arrival, and what lead them to join the ranks of those fighting back, is a key component to the novel’s main theme.
The Cray themselves remain an enigma throughout much of the narrative. This mysterious nature makes them appear almost invincible and their actions keep humanity on the ropes for much of the novel. They have taken time to observe and learn everything they can about how we live. Due to the Cray’s meticulous research, any retaliatory action that the human forces make turns into nothing but a horrendous meat grinder. The numbers of casualties sustained are astronomical and the outlook for the human race appears bleak.
Essentially, the reader gets to view this particular alien invasion from the frontline. There is little time spent on strategy and how the politicians and generals are dealing with the attack. This is a novel about those at the very bottom of the chain of command, the foot soldiers, those forced to confront the unknown menace head on. It’s made clear fairly quickly that the sole purpose of these grunts is to fight and, most likely, die for the cause. They have one single job, delay the enemy for as long as is possible. Give the scientists valuable extra time to form a more meaningful response to the alien aggression.
Grunt Life has a darker tone than I think was initially expecting but it’s all the better for it. There is a danger that things could have descended into an exercise in nihilism but Ochse deftly avoids this trap. I’ll admit there is no denying that events are often quite bleak, but don’t ever be in any doubt there is most definitely meaning in the actions of these introspective characters. Also, just as importantly, there remains the tiniest sliver of hope. It would be so easy for characters to just give up, to roll over and accept defeat; they are facing what appears to be insurmountable odds after all, but they don’t. They choose to keep fighting, keep slogging on. As a war of attrition starts to develop, slowly but surely, the human forces begin to successfully fight back. What’s that popular phrase? Things are always darkest before the dawn. Seems entirely appropriate in this case.
Often, in fiction, I think there is a tendency for authors glamorise war. It’s understandable to a degree, authors want to make events appear more exciting and action packed for the reader. Not so in this case. If anything, Ochse does the polar opposite. This is a warts and all approach to military science fiction. Nothing is sugar coated and this refreshingly honest approach provides the opportunity to explore the full cost of war. This isn’t some squeaky clean sanitised Hollywood take on human versus aliens, this is a down and dirty, no holds barred, street-fight. This first Task Force OMBRA novel charts humanities’ grim determination for continued existence. The title really couldn’t be more apt if it tried. It’s a statement of fact – this is a Grunt Life.
The premise is pretty straight forward. An imminent alien invasion has been discovered and a clandestine organisation, known as Task Force OMBRA, are planning our planet’s response. The only problem? Who should be part of this group? What are the best qualities for a soldier facing off against an entirely new kind of threat?
Made up from men and women from all over the globe each team member has been individually selected due to the nature of their pre-invasion experiences. They are a fascinating group. Primarily, we follow a new recruit called Mason but I don’t really want to dwell on any of the characters. You need to come at this story without too much information about anything. Part of the joy of this novel is that sense of discovery and realisation. When the penny drops and you have that moment where everything clicks into place, you can thank me later. I suspect giving away any detail about the characters would act as a massive spoiler and I’d never want to do that. Suffice to say who each of the grunts were before the alien’s arrival, and what lead them to join the ranks of those fighting back, is a key component to the novel’s main theme.
The Cray themselves remain an enigma throughout much of the narrative. This mysterious nature makes them appear almost invincible and their actions keep humanity on the ropes for much of the novel. They have taken time to observe and learn everything they can about how we live. Due to the Cray’s meticulous research, any retaliatory action that the human forces make turns into nothing but a horrendous meat grinder. The numbers of casualties sustained are astronomical and the outlook for the human race appears bleak.
Essentially, the reader gets to view this particular alien invasion from the frontline. There is little time spent on strategy and how the politicians and generals are dealing with the attack. This is a novel about those at the very bottom of the chain of command, the foot soldiers, those forced to confront the unknown menace head on. It’s made clear fairly quickly that the sole purpose of these grunts is to fight and, most likely, die for the cause. They have one single job, delay the enemy for as long as is possible. Give the scientists valuable extra time to form a more meaningful response to the alien aggression.
Grunt Life has a darker tone than I think was initially expecting but it’s all the better for it. There is a danger that things could have descended into an exercise in nihilism but Ochse deftly avoids this trap. I’ll admit there is no denying that events are often quite bleak, but don’t ever be in any doubt there is most definitely meaning in the actions of these introspective characters. Also, just as importantly, there remains the tiniest sliver of hope. It would be so easy for characters to just give up, to roll over and accept defeat; they are facing what appears to be insurmountable odds after all, but they don’t. They choose to keep fighting, keep slogging on. As a war of attrition starts to develop, slowly but surely, the human forces begin to successfully fight back. What’s that popular phrase? Things are always darkest before the dawn. Seems entirely appropriate in this case.
Often, in fiction, I think there is a tendency for authors glamorise war. It’s understandable to a degree, authors want to make events appear more exciting and action packed for the reader. Not so in this case. If anything, Ochse does the polar opposite. This is a warts and all approach to military science fiction. Nothing is sugar coated and this refreshingly honest approach provides the opportunity to explore the full cost of war. This isn’t some squeaky clean sanitised Hollywood take on human versus aliens, this is a down and dirty, no holds barred, street-fight. This first Task Force OMBRA novel charts humanities’ grim determination for continued existence. The title really couldn’t be more apt if it tried. It’s a statement of fact – this is a Grunt Life.
July 20, 2017
This is the first book in an alien invasion trilogy told from basically a military perspective. Author Weston Ochse clearly knows his weapons, military jargon, and tactics, which gives the narrative an authenticity, immersing you in the world of the characters. And the characters, here, are one of the main reasons to read this. Flawed, distinctive, and never one dimensional, I got the sense Ochse drew pieces of each person in the story from his own actual life experiences.
The book moves at a fast pace with constant danger around nearly every corner. Scenes are always building to the next challenge and not everyone makes it out alive. The unpredictability of who survives is one of the book's attributes and although I got hooked on some that died, it was a decision that rang true from the nature of the battle, so no complaints here.
One of my only criticisms were the time transitions between some chapters, where huge chunks of time had elapsed and we had to catch up to the world through the eyes of the protagonist, Mason. There was so much that could have been explored with the initial invasion, I felt more time could have been spent getting news updates from the outside world in order to paint a picture of what was happening which would have increased the dread and importance of Ombra's mission, instead of information dumps every few chapters.
However, a few minor complaints aside, this series has really hooked me and I have already lined up book number two in my TBR list. Ochse can take this story in so many directions, I can't wait to see the choices he makes and the new dangers that await. Alien, science fiction and military action enthusiasts would be greatly advised to give this a try.
The book moves at a fast pace with constant danger around nearly every corner. Scenes are always building to the next challenge and not everyone makes it out alive. The unpredictability of who survives is one of the book's attributes and although I got hooked on some that died, it was a decision that rang true from the nature of the battle, so no complaints here.
One of my only criticisms were the time transitions between some chapters, where huge chunks of time had elapsed and we had to catch up to the world through the eyes of the protagonist, Mason. There was so much that could have been explored with the initial invasion, I felt more time could have been spent getting news updates from the outside world in order to paint a picture of what was happening which would have increased the dread and importance of Ombra's mission, instead of information dumps every few chapters.
However, a few minor complaints aside, this series has really hooked me and I have already lined up book number two in my TBR list. Ochse can take this story in so many directions, I can't wait to see the choices he makes and the new dangers that await. Alien, science fiction and military action enthusiasts would be greatly advised to give this a try.
February 24, 2014
Starting off with a thorough reading an uncomfortable topic (suicide, specifically a service member suffering from PTSD committing suicide), this book gives him and others suffering like him a second chance in a special unit fighting an alien invasion.
The alien invasion comes fast, and off-screen, while our characters are still in training in their new unit. This leads quickly to the typical trope of the last remaining vestiges of military fighting the aliens. They quickly realize all their efforts are having no effect, and must find new ways to gather intel, fight effectively, and win. By the end, they've made some progress, but in no way have won the war yet.
I enjoyed this book, though the suicidal tendencies of the characters were at times uncomfortable to read. People this distraught, this broken, make unique character point-of-views. But it's their overcoming of this that makes them readable heroes.
There's no paranormal stuff here, it's just the military against the aliens. Fans of Bob Mayer's Atlantis and Area 51 series, James Rollins, Matthew Reilly, Myke Cole, or Jean Johnson will enjoy Grunt Life.
The alien invasion comes fast, and off-screen, while our characters are still in training in their new unit. This leads quickly to the typical trope of the last remaining vestiges of military fighting the aliens. They quickly realize all their efforts are having no effect, and must find new ways to gather intel, fight effectively, and win. By the end, they've made some progress, but in no way have won the war yet.
I enjoyed this book, though the suicidal tendencies of the characters were at times uncomfortable to read. People this distraught, this broken, make unique character point-of-views. But it's their overcoming of this that makes them readable heroes.
There's no paranormal stuff here, it's just the military against the aliens. Fans of Bob Mayer's Atlantis and Area 51 series, James Rollins, Matthew Reilly, Myke Cole, or Jean Johnson will enjoy Grunt Life.
November 22, 2015
REVIEWED: Grunt Life (A Task Force Ombra Novel Book 1)
WRITTEN BY: Weston Ochse
PUBLISHED: April, 2014 by Solaris
‘Grunt Life’ is the fifth book I’ve read by Weston Ochse, and it’s absolutely the most powerful. Deeply resonant, riveting, filled with action and the emotional ups and downs of military life in a sci-fi/ earth vs. aliens thriller, this novel lives up to the cliché of something that ‘once started, cannot be put down.’ It’s notably insightful dealing with the suicidal tendencies of a career soldier who’s hit bottom, then is taken and ‘re-wired’ to realize meaning in fighting for humankind. As much psychological as it is scientific, ‘Grunt Life’ is still able to bring out humor and dignity while driving a fast pace of action and self-discovery. Gripping, dark, and highly recommended.
Five out of Five stars
WRITTEN BY: Weston Ochse
PUBLISHED: April, 2014 by Solaris
‘Grunt Life’ is the fifth book I’ve read by Weston Ochse, and it’s absolutely the most powerful. Deeply resonant, riveting, filled with action and the emotional ups and downs of military life in a sci-fi/ earth vs. aliens thriller, this novel lives up to the cliché of something that ‘once started, cannot be put down.’ It’s notably insightful dealing with the suicidal tendencies of a career soldier who’s hit bottom, then is taken and ‘re-wired’ to realize meaning in fighting for humankind. As much psychological as it is scientific, ‘Grunt Life’ is still able to bring out humor and dignity while driving a fast pace of action and self-discovery. Gripping, dark, and highly recommended.
Five out of Five stars
June 17, 2015
Wow! Such a good Military/SF novel... After reading his Apocalypse Weird Novel: The Red Palm and a couple short stories... I decided to dive into more books by Weston Ochse and picked up this one... And, I was not disappointed... I loved the story, an alien invasion/apocalypse. But, to add to my delight was the plethora of Military and SF quotes pulled from many books in history and the SF genre (a lot of which at least in the SF genre, I had read.)
I find myself looking forward to book 2 in this series.
I find myself looking forward to book 2 in this series.
June 13, 2015
Hapth.
End was such a dick-swinging White Saviour male power fantasy I've given up on the entire publishing imprint (partially because the ads for other books suggest it's all more of the same).
End was such a dick-swinging White Saviour male power fantasy I've given up on the entire publishing imprint (partially because the ads for other books suggest it's all more of the same).
October 21, 2019
Wow, what a great read. This was my first real experience with the military sf genre. I've tried a couple times before but the ones I tried were too flooded with military jargon and all that that I just couldn't follow, but Ochse writes in such an easy-to-follow manner while still providing you with the full military-like experience I never once lost interest.
Grunt Life tells the story of an alien invasion on Earth. The aliens have apparently been spying on us for quite some time, and a secret organization is aware of this fact and has formed the Task Force Ombra, a special military unit of individuals who are the brink of self destruction -- who better to throw at the enemy than people who are ready to end it all anyway; that's the thought process of the organization.
We meet the protagonist, Benjamin Mason, as he's about to end it all by jumping off a bridge. He's approached by the OMBRA organization at the last second, and is pretty much coerced into joining the team. And thus begins the journey of Mason going through the unique training, meeting fellow recruits and befriending some really great characters, and taking the fight to the alien invaders.
The story is entertaining through-and-through and Ochse has created such a seamless story structure it reads effortlessly (I'm usually a slow reader, but I knocked this one out in under a week). A great take on the alien invasion genre (is that considered a genre?) with a new alien species which is familiar but unique -- can't wait to see what new ones show up in the next book (yeah, there's multiple species involved).
The characters are all great and share equal "screen time" so no one is left out and you learn about everyone on the team; whether they're sticking around for a while or are about to get ripped apart you will know them and feel for them and their comrades when/if their demise comes.
And the inner dialogue and turmoil of Mason is interesting, emotional, and very insightful to the mind of vets (or anyone really) suffering PTSD.
All-in-all this was a great book and I thoroughly enjoyed every page of it. Gonna jump right into the next book.
If you like the military sf genre, or alien invasion movies like Battle: Los Angeles, Starship Troopers, or Edge of Tomorrow (but without the 'live, die, repeat' part) then you should grab this one right now, you won't be disappointed.
:::
Cover Review:
The cover art is by one of my faves, Clint Langley, and it certainly delivers. I love everything about this piece: the color palette (which is carried over throughout the full trilogy), the heroic pose of Mason, the scenery that shows off some of the aliens and one of their hives, and that signature Clint Langley grit suits itself so well to this series. Really great cover art.
The cover design is also really well done and fits the art and theme of the book. I couldn't find a designer credit, so assuming it was someone in-house at Solaris -- good job whoever you are.
There's nothing custom or fancy done with the type, but it really doesn't need it in this case -- that solid military-ish font lends itself perfectly to this cover.
I will say though I like the series type on the edition I have (2nd printing). Not sure if it's the same on the 1st printing, but the only cover I can find online now has the series running along the top of the cover and it's all blocky and looks like some Jurassic Park font and it takes away from everything else great the cover is doing -- I hate it.
Grunt Life tells the story of an alien invasion on Earth. The aliens have apparently been spying on us for quite some time, and a secret organization is aware of this fact and has formed the Task Force Ombra, a special military unit of individuals who are the brink of self destruction -- who better to throw at the enemy than people who are ready to end it all anyway; that's the thought process of the organization.
We meet the protagonist, Benjamin Mason, as he's about to end it all by jumping off a bridge. He's approached by the OMBRA organization at the last second, and is pretty much coerced into joining the team. And thus begins the journey of Mason going through the unique training, meeting fellow recruits and befriending some really great characters, and taking the fight to the alien invaders.
The story is entertaining through-and-through and Ochse has created such a seamless story structure it reads effortlessly (I'm usually a slow reader, but I knocked this one out in under a week). A great take on the alien invasion genre (is that considered a genre?) with a new alien species which is familiar but unique -- can't wait to see what new ones show up in the next book (yeah, there's multiple species involved).
The characters are all great and share equal "screen time" so no one is left out and you learn about everyone on the team; whether they're sticking around for a while or are about to get ripped apart you will know them and feel for them and their comrades when/if their demise comes.
And the inner dialogue and turmoil of Mason is interesting, emotional, and very insightful to the mind of vets (or anyone really) suffering PTSD.
All-in-all this was a great book and I thoroughly enjoyed every page of it. Gonna jump right into the next book.
If you like the military sf genre, or alien invasion movies like Battle: Los Angeles, Starship Troopers, or Edge of Tomorrow (but without the 'live, die, repeat' part) then you should grab this one right now, you won't be disappointed.
:::
Cover Review:
The cover art is by one of my faves, Clint Langley, and it certainly delivers. I love everything about this piece: the color palette (which is carried over throughout the full trilogy), the heroic pose of Mason, the scenery that shows off some of the aliens and one of their hives, and that signature Clint Langley grit suits itself so well to this series. Really great cover art.
The cover design is also really well done and fits the art and theme of the book. I couldn't find a designer credit, so assuming it was someone in-house at Solaris -- good job whoever you are.
There's nothing custom or fancy done with the type, but it really doesn't need it in this case -- that solid military-ish font lends itself perfectly to this cover.
I will say though I like the series type on the edition I have (2nd printing). Not sure if it's the same on the 1st printing, but the only cover I can find online now has the series running along the top of the cover and it's all blocky and looks like some Jurassic Park font and it takes away from everything else great the cover is doing -- I hate it.
September 3, 2022
Okay, so let me put this one into context for you. I don't read nearly as much science fiction as I used to, and military science fiction is a sub genre I've really only dabbled in. However, I do appreciate a good alien invasion story, and I was already curious about Weston Ochse's Seal Team 666 series, so I decided to give Grunt Life: Task Force Ombra a read.
While I likely didn't enjoy it as much as a fan of the genre might, it was still a good, solid read with some elements that surprised me. The story has an interesting start, with a well-foiled suicide attempt atop a bridge that includes a pop-culture Lethal Weapon reference. It's an important connection, in that both are action-packed stories, with moments of sorrow and darkness, and elements of dark humor to alleviate that darkness.
In fact, the idea of suicide and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are not just elements of the story, but the driving force behind Task Force Ombra. By taking a hard look at where such dark thoughts come from and what they can do to a human being, Ochse sets up an interesting sort of evolutionary defense against the overwhelming psychic influence of the alien invaders.
As for those invaders, I like the fact that Ochse allowed to be so . . . well, alien. Although insect-like in their appearance and behavior, there's more to his aliens that just that easy sort of comparison. Their mental/emotional abilities dwarf anything humanity can imagine, and their motives are incomprehensible. In fact, while there is some debate about who they are and what drives the alien Cray, understanding that motivation simply isn't important to a grunt - understanding how to stop them, hurt them, and kill them is.
The opening arc of the story was, by far, the most interesting to me. Getting to meet the suicidal men and women recruited for Task Force Ombra, seeing how they're trained/conditioned in prison-like conditions, and watching as they engage one another in a confessional sort of catharsis is fascinating. Ochse devotes a considerable amount of time to setting the stage for his grunts, and I liked that. The explosion of all-out hostilities and actual war against the Cray, lacks quite the same depth, although it never forgets where it (or its grunts) came from. Having said that, there are still some interesting elements to the war, with experimental guns, swords, and well-armored mecha providing a very sci-fi contrast to the very human (and haunting) idea of massive airliners being used in suicidal attacks.
A fast-paced story with some daring ideas, Grunt Life: Task Force Ombra is a must-read for fans of the military science fiction genre, and definitely worth a read for sci-fi fans in general.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
While I likely didn't enjoy it as much as a fan of the genre might, it was still a good, solid read with some elements that surprised me. The story has an interesting start, with a well-foiled suicide attempt atop a bridge that includes a pop-culture Lethal Weapon reference. It's an important connection, in that both are action-packed stories, with moments of sorrow and darkness, and elements of dark humor to alleviate that darkness.
In fact, the idea of suicide and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are not just elements of the story, but the driving force behind Task Force Ombra. By taking a hard look at where such dark thoughts come from and what they can do to a human being, Ochse sets up an interesting sort of evolutionary defense against the overwhelming psychic influence of the alien invaders.
As for those invaders, I like the fact that Ochse allowed to be so . . . well, alien. Although insect-like in their appearance and behavior, there's more to his aliens that just that easy sort of comparison. Their mental/emotional abilities dwarf anything humanity can imagine, and their motives are incomprehensible. In fact, while there is some debate about who they are and what drives the alien Cray, understanding that motivation simply isn't important to a grunt - understanding how to stop them, hurt them, and kill them is.
The opening arc of the story was, by far, the most interesting to me. Getting to meet the suicidal men and women recruited for Task Force Ombra, seeing how they're trained/conditioned in prison-like conditions, and watching as they engage one another in a confessional sort of catharsis is fascinating. Ochse devotes a considerable amount of time to setting the stage for his grunts, and I liked that. The explosion of all-out hostilities and actual war against the Cray, lacks quite the same depth, although it never forgets where it (or its grunts) came from. Having said that, there are still some interesting elements to the war, with experimental guns, swords, and well-armored mecha providing a very sci-fi contrast to the very human (and haunting) idea of massive airliners being used in suicidal attacks.
A fast-paced story with some daring ideas, Grunt Life: Task Force Ombra is a must-read for fans of the military science fiction genre, and definitely worth a read for sci-fi fans in general.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
June 28, 2019
This is a solid 3-star review.
I heard about the book via an author panel that was rebroadcast on The Horror Show with Brian Keene Podcast. Weston's perspective as a fellow vet sounded interesting.
The premise of the book is that a shadowy organization is assembling vets to fight a pending alien invasion of earth. All of the vets are troubled to the point of attempting suicide. PTSD is very common. Guilt over the deaths of others (combat, non-combat accidents, etc.) is almost universal.
The shadowy organization "saves" the vets from suicide, provides a cover story (faked suicides being common), and then takes the vets to a facility where they work through their issues. Or they don't.
Those that survive the process are built back up into combat teams. The invasion comes and this private military is deployed.
What the author gets right is the relationships between vets; also the relationship between the vets and those they serve. Those conversations really get to the meat of how vets relate to one another and the rest of the world. The other feature that the author handles very well is PTSD and survivor guilt.
What holds this book back are the lengthy internal monologues, using a single POV when there are so many interesting characters present, devolving into gun porn - military formation porn - and overuse of military jargon, and lastly moralizing about corporate/military vendor profits.
At some point, the detailed description of which type/model weapon is strapped to what piece of armor in which specific configuration is just boring detail that gets in the way of the story being told. People with lots of trigger experience might enjoy seeing the MP5 called an MP5 on successive pages.
The same thing applies to unit configuration/designations.
In terms of interpersonal relationships, internal motivations, and a good sci-fi premise, this book has a lot to offer. It also carries some baggage that can get in the way of the story.
I heard about the book via an author panel that was rebroadcast on The Horror Show with Brian Keene Podcast. Weston's perspective as a fellow vet sounded interesting.
The premise of the book is that a shadowy organization is assembling vets to fight a pending alien invasion of earth. All of the vets are troubled to the point of attempting suicide. PTSD is very common. Guilt over the deaths of others (combat, non-combat accidents, etc.) is almost universal.
The shadowy organization "saves" the vets from suicide, provides a cover story (faked suicides being common), and then takes the vets to a facility where they work through their issues. Or they don't.
Those that survive the process are built back up into combat teams. The invasion comes and this private military is deployed.
What the author gets right is the relationships between vets; also the relationship between the vets and those they serve. Those conversations really get to the meat of how vets relate to one another and the rest of the world. The other feature that the author handles very well is PTSD and survivor guilt.
What holds this book back are the lengthy internal monologues, using a single POV when there are so many interesting characters present, devolving into gun porn - military formation porn - and overuse of military jargon, and lastly moralizing about corporate/military vendor profits.
At some point, the detailed description of which type/model weapon is strapped to what piece of armor in which specific configuration is just boring detail that gets in the way of the story being told. People with lots of trigger experience might enjoy seeing the MP5 called an MP5 on successive pages.
The same thing applies to unit configuration/designations.
In terms of interpersonal relationships, internal motivations, and a good sci-fi premise, this book has a lot to offer. It also carries some baggage that can get in the way of the story.
May 7, 2017
I feel like I know this author. We share many similar background stories. Every author he spoke about I have read and a lot of the life experiences I have done. I was also an 11B attached to recon, initially called a LRRP but then LRSU. I think of myself as a grunt and this author captures the very essence of that life.
If you want to know how it feels to be a small but significant part of a greater whole, then I highly recommend you read this series.
On the whole, I feel it has a very similar structure to the David Gerrold 'Chtorr' series, but is well written enough that you don't feel it is copied and this series stands on its own.
If you want to know how it feels to be a small but significant part of a greater whole, then I highly recommend you read this series.
On the whole, I feel it has a very similar structure to the David Gerrold 'Chtorr' series, but is well written enough that you don't feel it is copied and this series stands on its own.
August 3, 2017
This was readable and at times enjoyable. A few major things were glossed over. And - Mason - our anti-hero, changed character about half way through the book and went from thinking anti-hero - to non-thinking grunt. Which irritated me a little.
There is a heap of action, lots of battles, obscure/mysterious seemingly unbeatable aliens and lots and lots of death - do not get attached to any of the secondary characters (just saying)
If i stumbled over another book in the series, I would read it, but I'm not going to put this on my must-buy list.
There is a heap of action, lots of battles, obscure/mysterious seemingly unbeatable aliens and lots and lots of death - do not get attached to any of the secondary characters (just saying)
If i stumbled over another book in the series, I would read it, but I'm not going to put this on my must-buy list.
July 11, 2022
Grunt life the first book in the series Task Force Ombra features an alien invason styled book where our protagonist Mason must brave himself to save our planet.
What I like
-Interesting storyline.
-Well paced.
-Balance between action and fact.
-The air of mystery.
What I don't like
-Overall the book was okay. The reason it doesn't have five stars in my rating is the absence of the wow factor.
Recommeded for
-SciFi Fans
-Alien invasion fans
What I like
-Interesting storyline.
-Well paced.
-Balance between action and fact.
-The air of mystery.
What I don't like
-Overall the book was okay. The reason it doesn't have five stars in my rating is the absence of the wow factor.
Recommeded for
-SciFi Fans
-Alien invasion fans
November 18, 2017
Excellent book, does get a bit rough on the PTSD with some of the early flashbacks, but likely not a problem for most readers. The story is well laid out and the characters are well developed, most aren't the most likable, but they are fully fleshed out. I could have used some more detail on the Exo's but that is more of a personal preference. Overall as I said it is an excellent book, and I am looking forward to the next in the series.
June 1, 2019
Strong novel from Ochse. First of the Task Force Ombra series.
Authentic and gritty action, flawed and vivid characters and highest stakes imaginable. Tight, clear and super-authentic writing about war from one who knows it.
A few parts shifted into expository prose, but nothing distracting.
A solid, tight story.
Authentic and gritty action, flawed and vivid characters and highest stakes imaginable. Tight, clear and super-authentic writing about war from one who knows it.
A few parts shifted into expository prose, but nothing distracting.
A solid, tight story.
June 8, 2023
I enjoyed this book for several reasons. First - most mil-scifi is full of people shouting orders and interchangeable characters. Grunt Life deals with PTSD in a realistic way. The protagonists are sometimes a-holes. Frankly, a lot of other authors could learn a thing or two about pacing from this book.
The premise is pretty standard but what makes the book stand out are the characters.
The premise is pretty standard but what makes the book stand out are the characters.
September 14, 2017
This was an interesting take on the secret military group/alien invasion story. It is fairly grim overall, and I have to assume it is a series, since there are so many unanswered questions. Overall, it was an enjoyable read.
September 21, 2020
Not your typical rah rah rah shoot 'em all military sci-fi. Very reminiscent of Old Man's War, The Forever War, and Starship Troopers. All of which are solid compliments in my book. If you enjoyed any of those, read this.
May 31, 2023
I Liked It
This book has a real good plot line. The only problem is it bogs down with too many words about deeper meanings of life. As a grunt you really don't worry about hurting someone's feelers, you just try to do your job. It's still a good read.
This book has a real good plot line. The only problem is it bogs down with too many words about deeper meanings of life. As a grunt you really don't worry about hurting someone's feelers, you just try to do your job. It's still a good read.
October 29, 2017
Good military Sci-fi
March 4, 2018
A great read, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and started with the second one right away.
April 1, 2018
3.5 stars. Very well written, non-stop action.
Read
November 9, 2022DNF’d at 50%
March 5, 2023
A bit of a slow-burner with some very dark themes. Good character development and backstories! Would recommend to fans of Sci-Fi and military-related media.
April 20, 2017
I am a huge fan of military sci-fi, there is certainly nothing wrong with it being written by people who have never served and some of it is very good. Heinlein never was in the military and neither was Scalzi and Old Man's War is probably the best novel in the sub-genre this century. Certainly Grunt life is the most IMPORTANT military sci-fi novel of this century. Probably the most imporant since A certain Vietnam vet wrote a sci-fi novel by the name of the Forever War. There is a little something extra when you have novels like the Forever War written vets like Joe Handleman or the works of Weston Ochse.
Weston Ochse is a Bram Stoker award winning author who started his second military fiction trilogy with Grunt life. The first was a very good pulpy horror/ monster trilogy called Seal Team 666. In three books the Seal team team took on creatures and conspiracies that took them around the globe fighting monsters (I reviewed the first book last year). Of course one of the strengths Ochse who spent decades in the military or contracting over seas brings is a sense of reality many author couldn't.
Grunt life is the story of Benjamin Carter Mason who attempts suicide in the opening pages, he is prevented from doing that and given a choice. You can kill yourself now, or die for us and do something important. Mason is unsure but gives himself over to train with a group of mentally ill and suicidal soldiers that make up Task Force OMBRA.
Ombra you see has been preparing for the day when the invasion comes. They know some very alien force is already preparing the ground work. The non-humans are called the Cray, who are testing humans with acts of mind control that result in a epidemic of violent acts that appear random. A whole novel could have been built out of OMBRA's research into these events.
That however is not the point, we are very tightly focused on Mason. Written in first person this forces the narrative to stay with the main Character and away from generals, world leaders or a global view of the alien invasion. This is Grunt life after all. I want to be careful to remain spoiler free but the really smart thing Ochse brings to this military Sci-fi sub-genre is including victims of PTSD as twist on the classic Dirty Dozen set-up.
This is a military sci-fi novel that is much deeper than a surface action novel. A story about PTSD, that explores the issues related to the trauma that is all to common in warriors. The novel is also very much about what it means to be a grunt and of course the title suggests that. Without giving away the back half of the book it is not just the main characters who have an arc.
Seal Team 666 was a fun book, one I really enjoyed but damn Grunt Life is 1,000 times better. So yes read it.
Weston Ochse is a Bram Stoker award winning author who started his second military fiction trilogy with Grunt life. The first was a very good pulpy horror/ monster trilogy called Seal Team 666. In three books the Seal team team took on creatures and conspiracies that took them around the globe fighting monsters (I reviewed the first book last year). Of course one of the strengths Ochse who spent decades in the military or contracting over seas brings is a sense of reality many author couldn't.
Grunt life is the story of Benjamin Carter Mason who attempts suicide in the opening pages, he is prevented from doing that and given a choice. You can kill yourself now, or die for us and do something important. Mason is unsure but gives himself over to train with a group of mentally ill and suicidal soldiers that make up Task Force OMBRA.
Ombra you see has been preparing for the day when the invasion comes. They know some very alien force is already preparing the ground work. The non-humans are called the Cray, who are testing humans with acts of mind control that result in a epidemic of violent acts that appear random. A whole novel could have been built out of OMBRA's research into these events.
That however is not the point, we are very tightly focused on Mason. Written in first person this forces the narrative to stay with the main Character and away from generals, world leaders or a global view of the alien invasion. This is Grunt life after all. I want to be careful to remain spoiler free but the really smart thing Ochse brings to this military Sci-fi sub-genre is including victims of PTSD as twist on the classic Dirty Dozen set-up.
This is a military sci-fi novel that is much deeper than a surface action novel. A story about PTSD, that explores the issues related to the trauma that is all to common in warriors. The novel is also very much about what it means to be a grunt and of course the title suggests that. Without giving away the back half of the book it is not just the main characters who have an arc.
Seal Team 666 was a fun book, one I really enjoyed but damn Grunt Life is 1,000 times better. So yes read it.
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