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Poor Man's Fight #6
No Man's Land
“I DON’T BELONG IN THE MILITARY. I DON’T WANT TO BELONG.” Tanner Malone never aspired to heroism. For him, the Navy and the Debtor’s War were all about survival. Lately, his life has turned to better days with college, friends, and a growing relationship. He’s not interested when a Union Fleet admiral brings him a mysterious alien threat, but he can’t turn away Alicia Wong. Ancient warfare between humanity’s alien neighbors threatens to reignite. While tensions rise, the Fleet detects a massive alien craft sneaking through human space. The commando team sent to investigate is tough, competent, and straight out of Tanner’s worst fears. Surviving this will push Tanner to his limits—and he’ll definitely need a note for class.
438 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 10, 2023
167 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
October 15, 2023
Oh, yes. This was the best 4 hours of my weekend. I love these books, and the structure and pace of this was excellent. The climactic chapters, 23-26, were un-put-downable. Alicia shone, Tanner is just brilliant, and the whole galaxy Kay’s made is now just alive with great aliens, worryingly pumped officers and dangerous politics.
This series goes from strength-to-strength. I really hope Tim comes back to do the audio, that guy voices the series brilliantly. I know I’ve only just finished book 6, but I want book 7 already! Or to go back from the beginning all over again.
This series goes from strength-to-strength. I really hope Tim comes back to do the audio, that guy voices the series brilliantly. I know I’ve only just finished book 6, but I want book 7 already! Or to go back from the beginning all over again.
March 22, 2024
Five Stars ‘cause who doesn’t love a secret mission that involves an alien named Magenta, your best friend Alicia and a dirty Alpha team for Tanner to bring down?
Oh, and he finds proof of Empress Amara’s despot behaviour and all the many other alien lives she’s stolen in order to force servitude on them all.
This was so bloody good to read and I wish the next book was already available. I’m not very patient when it comes to waiting for books to come out.
Oh, and he finds proof of Empress Amara’s despot behaviour and all the many other alien lives she’s stolen in order to force servitude on them all.
This was so bloody good to read and I wish the next book was already available. I’m not very patient when it comes to waiting for books to come out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2023
It's like Sci Fi Die Hard, and who doesn't like space-Christmas.
This is a good instalment for one of my favorite series of all time. While it does suffer from some of the escalation and fan service that any later book of a series does, it also does what so many fail to do; it stands on its own. It manages to be a compelling narrative with a beginning, middle, and end which you can read without having read any of the other books in the series. It does this without spending a ton of space recapping while also integrating the previous stories enough to engage the memory of long time readers. Masterfully done.
The story itself is good. It is not my favorite of the series but it is well crafted with excellent characters. Malone's ability to embrace the talents that he hates in order to do the right thing is great. So is his determination to push forward. It really does have a Die Hard feel towards the end. My one regret is that we didn't have more development in the Alicia POV chapters.
All in all, a great read I would recommend it to anyone who likes military scifi, or scifi in general.
This is a good instalment for one of my favorite series of all time. While it does suffer from some of the escalation and fan service that any later book of a series does, it also does what so many fail to do; it stands on its own. It manages to be a compelling narrative with a beginning, middle, and end which you can read without having read any of the other books in the series. It does this without spending a ton of space recapping while also integrating the previous stories enough to engage the memory of long time readers. Masterfully done.
The story itself is good. It is not my favorite of the series but it is well crafted with excellent characters. Malone's ability to embrace the talents that he hates in order to do the right thing is great. So is his determination to push forward. It really does have a Die Hard feel towards the end. My one regret is that we didn't have more development in the Alicia POV chapters.
All in all, a great read I would recommend it to anyone who likes military scifi, or scifi in general.
October 1, 2024
Tanner Malone ripping stuff up again.
August 13, 2024
RE: The audiobook. I am unsure if there is something going on with Mr. Pabon, but this audio recording was not as good as the rest. He was whispering the whole time which was hard on my hearing and he changed the voices of some characters. It was very odd, so I am wondering if something happened to his voice?
RE: The story. I am wondering where this will go from here. For some reason I thought this was the last book of the series, but clearly there is just too much left open for it to be the end.
RE: The story. I am wondering where this will go from here. For some reason I thought this was the last book of the series, but clearly there is just too much left open for it to be the end.
January 8, 2024
I liked this one very much. It was a bit slow for me in the beginning, mainly because it has been a long time since I last read the last book in this series, and except for the main characters, I forgot a lot about the plot and the side characters. But after the first third, I realized, that it's not that important and also there is a slow recap when something important is mentioned from the past. I think that this book would maybe even work as a stand-alone story as well. So the second two-thirds were the usual fast-paced, action and intrigue-oriented roller coaster ride I remembered the previous books have also been. I really enjoyed it. Also, I think that the world-building is exceptionally good in this series. I really like the aliens and the megacorporations and all the little details that make this universe alive.
February 2, 2025
Yeah, a fun read. I had a real hard time connecting with the characters. It's been 2 years since I read the previous book and I had only vague memories of who was who and what they'd done.
I could *really* have used some kind of forward that reminded me who the main characters were and what they'd recently been up to.
There is a several page list of characters up front - but it's just the character and their rank/job. The last entry (thanks) is "Tanner Malone, Resident Advisor." Points for being cute, but lose a lot of points for being entirely useless.
Note to future self:
It'll probably be years and scores of books when you read the next in the series. Do yourself a favor and find some online synopsis of the previous books and review it before reading the next one.
I could *really* have used some kind of forward that reminded me who the main characters were and what they'd recently been up to.
There is a several page list of characters up front - but it's just the character and their rank/job. The last entry (thanks) is "Tanner Malone, Resident Advisor." Points for being cute, but lose a lot of points for being entirely useless.
Note to future self:
It'll probably be years and scores of books when you read the next in the series. Do yourself a favor and find some online synopsis of the previous books and review it before reading the next one.
October 12, 2023
Another great installment
This is the sixth installment of the Poor Man's fight series. If you liked the first five you'll love this. Author is great at having Tanner deal with the ptsd without it ever feeling whiny. Nice to see some old favourites return. My only criticism would have been looking for more Janeka but in fairness when she does appear she is very Janeka.
The author does a great job at gradually opening the window into the wider political situation in the union but never with an infodump and plenty left to explore. Looking forward to book seven.
This is the sixth installment of the Poor Man's fight series. If you liked the first five you'll love this. Author is great at having Tanner deal with the ptsd without it ever feeling whiny. Nice to see some old favourites return. My only criticism would have been looking for more Janeka but in fairness when she does appear she is very Janeka.
The author does a great job at gradually opening the window into the wider political situation in the union but never with an infodump and plenty left to explore. Looking forward to book seven.
December 2, 2023
So good. It’s rewarding to watch a series and author evolve in their storytelling, and at this point the world is so rich and nuanced and delicious. Everyone’s favorite student is strong armed into a possibly hostile first contact, working with friends, aliens, and shady Union fleet special forces.
October 21, 2023
What can I say, I enjoy the universe, it's always a fast read for me as it's action packed and I just want to know what happens. But after finishing, is like always the same ... things don't really connect. I mean, it's a basic story, good&friendship conquers all. We have the goody goodies, we have the really really smart, who act really stupid all the time and lets not forget the fragile super hero who conquers all odds, which kind of gets odd after 6 books. I mean I can go on and on, but *small spoiler* super elite units briefed by humanity best and the best, about someone who has been trained in stopping war crimes ... start killing prisoners, btw prisoners have a chip in their head and they can be re birthed anytime.Also the eyebrow raiser, aliens which go by the pronouns they/them, because why not? Meh...
I enjoyed something, the part where people granted special powers to do special things, will eventually be corrupted and do wrong, that rings truth and it was good.
Anyways, a good series, which will never go in quality and entertaining as the first book, I'm just waiting for the finale, to see if mr Kay can bring a decent wrap up.
I enjoyed something, the part where people granted special powers to do special things, will eventually be corrupted and do wrong, that rings truth and it was good.
Anyways, a good series, which will never go in quality and entertaining as the first book, I'm just waiting for the finale, to see if mr Kay can bring a decent wrap up.
October 15, 2023
Book Six in the Poor Man's War series, and Dang! this makes me want to go back to the beginning and read the series all over again. Added to my rereading queue!
This story more or less begins with a prophetic question by one of the characters:
“Does anyone think it’s weird and suspicious that someone would kill a million people and then want to come chat with the rest of us like it’s water under the bridge?”
Heh.
The pacing and the plot were both terrific. The action sequences were filled with tension. The characters were showcased at their finest, and there was significant growth. I've come to love this cast! Tanner, Lynette and her quirky crew, Admiral Yeoh, Gunnery Sgt. Janeka, Ravenell, Alicia, the various aliens, and the troublemaking college students from the dorm. There was no shortage of backstabbing shysters and there were some surprising alliances, too.
Best news of all, the author isn't done with the series!
This story more or less begins with a prophetic question by one of the characters:
“Does anyone think it’s weird and suspicious that someone would kill a million people and then want to come chat with the rest of us like it’s water under the bridge?”
Heh.
The pacing and the plot were both terrific. The action sequences were filled with tension. The characters were showcased at their finest, and there was significant growth. I've come to love this cast! Tanner, Lynette and her quirky crew, Admiral Yeoh, Gunnery Sgt. Janeka, Ravenell, Alicia, the various aliens, and the troublemaking college students from the dorm. There was no shortage of backstabbing shysters and there were some surprising alliances, too.
Best news of all, the author isn't done with the series!
May 26, 2024
I really enjoy this series. Its good fun and touches interesting topics. The audiobooks are great, especially I have to say Tim Pabon's performance in previous in the series as Casey, brilliant.
Slightly disappointed by his performance this time, for some reason he whispered a lot and it was a strange choice compared to others in the series where he had a strong voice for the characters.
Anyway, the content of the story was good, I enjoyed it. Feel like it would have made sense for Archangel to back up Admiral Yeoh more even if she went to the assembly on the yacht. Send a damn destroyer group at least yeesh. But I get it, the characters all together makes things easier.
Hope there is a next book in the series, terraforming the Runner's world and fighting the crazy dust lady.
Kay's politics does come through, the Marx quote was a bit much. But overall doesn't interrupt the yarn too badly.
If there is another in the series I will buy it
Slightly disappointed by his performance this time, for some reason he whispered a lot and it was a strange choice compared to others in the series where he had a strong voice for the characters.
Anyway, the content of the story was good, I enjoyed it. Feel like it would have made sense for Archangel to back up Admiral Yeoh more even if she went to the assembly on the yacht. Send a damn destroyer group at least yeesh. But I get it, the characters all together makes things easier.
Hope there is a next book in the series, terraforming the Runner's world and fighting the crazy dust lady.
Kay's politics does come through, the Marx quote was a bit much. But overall doesn't interrupt the yarn too badly.
If there is another in the series I will buy it
September 19, 2025
Kay really enjoys finding ways to explore the moral codes in war that prevent atrocities from happening. He usually does this by putting his characters into the atrocity and that's the heart of this story. What do you do when the soldiers you are depending on do something utterly wrong while you are deep in enemy territory? It's a great question and Kay does it justice.
In addition, Kay continues to advance his macro storyline as humanity gets closer and closer to war with an alien species even more aggressive than they are. To really enrich his novel, Kay gives us great insight into ways that other species view conflict and humanity's inability to act as a monolith. The government makes a deal, some bad actors break it, and the aliens feel wronged by everyone while the humans seem to think—that's the way these things work. We'll try to bring the perpetrators to justice. (But of course, they don't always try to do that.)
It's a good addition to a highly enjoyable series.
In addition, Kay continues to advance his macro storyline as humanity gets closer and closer to war with an alien species even more aggressive than they are. To really enrich his novel, Kay gives us great insight into ways that other species view conflict and humanity's inability to act as a monolith. The government makes a deal, some bad actors break it, and the aliens feel wronged by everyone while the humans seem to think—that's the way these things work. We'll try to bring the perpetrators to justice. (But of course, they don't always try to do that.)
It's a good addition to a highly enjoyable series.
April 25, 2025
Another book, another interstellar crisis solved by our wannabe undergrad. It was while reading this book that I realized what this series reminded me of. Old 90's scifi shows like Stargate. More of a vibe than anything else, main character gets to solve every issue while the author contrives to have the same cast of characters show up in every installment. In a universe that contains probably trillions of humans it's wild that all of the biggest crises still come back to the same 5 people that aren't even all that connected outside of the crisis anymore.
None of this is really a criticism, I was looking for something fun to listen to. MC is a bit too preachy at times with his morals and a bit too consistent to be considered an interesting character.
The narrator in this one was a major step back for me. I can only do so much "breathy astonishment" before it gets old.
None of this is really a criticism, I was looking for something fun to listen to. MC is a bit too preachy at times with his morals and a bit too consistent to be considered an interesting character.
The narrator in this one was a major step back for me. I can only do so much "breathy astonishment" before it gets old.
October 21, 2023
Tanner Malone is back!
Alternate universe, SF action military adventure, politics, ftb adult situations
And so is Alicia Wong and several of their friends and allies. The extensive character list at the front after such a long hiatus was much appreciated. Very well edited -- only a few typos. Packed with action and tense situations. Thoroughly enjoyed. Like LOL cats, I say, "Moah, plz!"
Alternate universe, SF action military adventure, politics, ftb adult situations
And so is Alicia Wong and several of their friends and allies. The extensive character list at the front after such a long hiatus was much appreciated. Very well edited -- only a few typos. Packed with action and tense situations. Thoroughly enjoyed. Like LOL cats, I say, "Moah, plz!"
October 22, 2023
Another Great Tanner Story
I have waited years for this book, I believe it has been five years since the last Poor Man's Fight story and this one was worth the wait. Nearly all our favorite characters make an appearance in this book. If you have read the rest of the series I can't see you not enjoying this one. For those who haven't now is a good time to start. Thanks Elliott for another great story, now I will wait patiently for the audiobook.
I have waited years for this book, I believe it has been five years since the last Poor Man's Fight story and this one was worth the wait. Nearly all our favorite characters make an appearance in this book. If you have read the rest of the series I can't see you not enjoying this one. For those who haven't now is a good time to start. Thanks Elliott for another great story, now I will wait patiently for the audiobook.
November 21, 2023
Military space sci-fi
I am a big fan of this series. Tanner is no longer in the military and is attending an old friends wedding with Lynette when he is approached by a fleet admiral requesting his participation in a mission. His answer is no until some unexpected visitors influence his decision. There are an influx of new characters but our favorites still appear. Where Tanner goes chaos is sure to follow.
I am a big fan of this series. Tanner is no longer in the military and is attending an old friends wedding with Lynette when he is approached by a fleet admiral requesting his participation in a mission. His answer is no until some unexpected visitors influence his decision. There are an influx of new characters but our favorites still appear. Where Tanner goes chaos is sure to follow.
January 26, 2024
I am not usually a fan of militaristic sci-fi (i.e., "guns in space"), but I am enjoying this series nonetheless. Perhaps it is because the main character is unusual for this genre: he wants out of military affairs and, at one point in this volume, tries to work in a little Marxism when talking to aliens trying to convince them to give up on their absolute ruler queen. Overall: Very entertaining with a solid moral compass and interesting characters and plot.
May 2, 2024
Excellent read!!
I started this series for a fun sci fi adventure with pirates. I stayed for the rich in depth characters and multi layered story.
No Man's Land continues to follow Tanner as he is doing his best to live up to his own ideals, while dealing with aliens both friendly and not, and the constant struggle that humanity has had with doing the right thing since forever.
I do hope there is more forthcoming since not every question got an answer.
I started this series for a fun sci fi adventure with pirates. I stayed for the rich in depth characters and multi layered story.
No Man's Land continues to follow Tanner as he is doing his best to live up to his own ideals, while dealing with aliens both friendly and not, and the constant struggle that humanity has had with doing the right thing since forever.
I do hope there is more forthcoming since not every question got an answer.
May 12, 2024
Tanner Malone, Archangel Navy (ret.)
Right? Tanner is back with a joint military-civilian group to recon and study a strange asteroid on a seemingly purposeful trajectory. It turns out the asteroid is a spaceship that doubles as Minoan preserve and alien prison. While Tanner is forced back to soldiering, the Union has to deal with deadly political treachery from the Minoan queen. Lots of blood and death as we have come to expect to occur anywhere Tanner happens to be.
Right? Tanner is back with a joint military-civilian group to recon and study a strange asteroid on a seemingly purposeful trajectory. It turns out the asteroid is a spaceship that doubles as Minoan preserve and alien prison. While Tanner is forced back to soldiering, the Union has to deal with deadly political treachery from the Minoan queen. Lots of blood and death as we have come to expect to occur anywhere Tanner happens to be.
June 3, 2025
Loved the first three books in this series especially the first. However will probably not bother with any more. It’s basically become the book series equivalent of the M She U. Far far too many boring secondary characters 7 or 8 (I lost count) . All of them female. The only other male characters apart from Tanner given any prominence are all villains. It’s almost a feminist parody. It would have been one star but the author still writes excellent action scenes.
November 7, 2025
an absolutely stellar ending to an unusually good series.
I read the first one not expecting much. The second one was good also, but then they started getting better and more interesting. John Scalzi seems an influence, and maybe Lois McMaster Bojold.
No Man’s Land is as good as some of their best work. It’s funny, action packed, and the characters have real personality. I hope the series continues, although I don’t know where he goes from here.
I read the first one not expecting much. The second one was good also, but then they started getting better and more interesting. John Scalzi seems an influence, and maybe Lois McMaster Bojold.
No Man’s Land is as good as some of their best work. It’s funny, action packed, and the characters have real personality. I hope the series continues, although I don’t know where he goes from here.
October 12, 2023
Another wonderful book to this series
Elliot Kay has further expanded his characters, his world building, and his commentary about social, political, and conflict issues. Parts of the book feels very revelant to current events, to a bit of an unsettling amount. Still has a entertaining mix of comedy, drama, and action. An excellent book in an excellent series.
Elliot Kay has further expanded his characters, his world building, and his commentary about social, political, and conflict issues. Parts of the book feels very revelant to current events, to a bit of an unsettling amount. Still has a entertaining mix of comedy, drama, and action. An excellent book in an excellent series.
October 12, 2023
worth the wait
I have to say that of all the books I read each year, this series is in my top two. Often I notice parallels in other series that started after this one started and rarely do they hold up against the life of Tanner Malone.
Hopefully the gap between this and the next book won’t be as long. Keep cranking out the excellent stories Mr. Kay
I have to say that of all the books I read each year, this series is in my top two. Often I notice parallels in other series that started after this one started and rarely do they hold up against the life of Tanner Malone.
Hopefully the gap between this and the next book won’t be as long. Keep cranking out the excellent stories Mr. Kay
October 12, 2023
Tanner is back
Which is really about all that needs to be said. I like Elliot Kay's characters and world building here so much, that despite there being a few glaring errors on military matters and other outliers, they tend to just be a brief jarring note that ends up being foreshadowing and I'm used to it by now.
Which is really about all that needs to be said. I like Elliot Kay's characters and world building here so much, that despite there being a few glaring errors on military matters and other outliers, they tend to just be a brief jarring note that ends up being foreshadowing and I'm used to it by now.
October 17, 2023
Another fun entry in the series
There isn't that much to say here. It's good in the ways the earlier books are good. I liked it better than the last one but it's not my favorite in the series. I wish we'd get something more meaningful from Tanner's civilian life but I understand how the desperate firefights are a given for the series.
There isn't that much to say here. It's good in the ways the earlier books are good. I liked it better than the last one but it's not my favorite in the series. I wish we'd get something more meaningful from Tanner's civilian life but I understand how the desperate firefights are a given for the series.
October 19, 2023
I've loved the series, but was a bit concerned about "Last Man Out" and if the series was running out of steam. No Man's Land shows that the previous book was significantly about setting up a wider front to write about. And there's plenty of directions now for further stories.
Lots of new energy here, and as always, a very solid theme for the book.
Lots of new energy here, and as always, a very solid theme for the book.
October 31, 2023
It's all about sincerity and trust
The nuance of the charactures is one of the things that sets Kays writing here apart from alot of science fiction. The realism of human interaction and conflict wit the mirror presented by the other species is the "meat" of these stories that maked them worth reading and the well paced action the sweet that keeps you reading
The nuance of the charactures is one of the things that sets Kays writing here apart from alot of science fiction. The realism of human interaction and conflict wit the mirror presented by the other species is the "meat" of these stories that maked them worth reading and the well paced action the sweet that keeps you reading
November 13, 2023
Good book
I enjoyed seeing Tanner in another adventure the the story was pretty good. Dropped a star due to there being way, way too much discussion on ethics, morals, and conduct in war. Some would have been fine as it was a main part of past stories, but it seems to come up almost endlessly and gets really tiresome.
I enjoyed seeing Tanner in another adventure the the story was pretty good. Dropped a star due to there being way, way too much discussion on ethics, morals, and conduct in war. Some would have been fine as it was a main part of past stories, but it seems to come up almost endlessly and gets really tiresome.
November 17, 2023
Great Series
Sci fi with a current theme of debt and corporatism woven in but in the far future of humankind’s exploration of space. Kind makes you concerned that we should do something now before this fiction become reality in our future. Great characters and story line as well as a provocative theme on the topic of debt.
Sci fi with a current theme of debt and corporatism woven in but in the far future of humankind’s exploration of space. Kind makes you concerned that we should do something now before this fiction become reality in our future. Great characters and story line as well as a provocative theme on the topic of debt.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews