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The United Federation Marine Corps #3
Lieutenant
Excellent Book
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 6, 2014
619 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan P. Brazee
149 books189 followersI am a retired Marine colonel and now a full-time writer living in Colorado Springs with my wife, Kiwi, and infant twin daughters, Danika Dawn and Darika Marie.
I published my first work back in 1978, a so-so short story titled "Secession." Since then, I have been published in newspapers, magazines, and in book format in fiction, political science, business, military, sports, race relations, and personal relations fields. I returned to writing fiction in 2009, and I currently have over 85 titles published, 52 being novels. My novelette, "Weaponized Math," was a finalist for the 2017 Nebula Award, and my novella, "Fire Ant," was a 2018 Nebula finalist. My novel "Integration" was a 2018 Dragon Award finalist, and my novel "Sentenced to War" was a 2021 finalist. I am a USA Today Bestelling writer.
My undergraduate degree was earned at the U. S. Naval Academy (Class of 1979), and I have attended graduate school at U. S. International University and the University of California, San Diego, earning a masters and doctorate. I am a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the US. Naval Academy Alumni Association, and the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.
I have rather eclectic tastes. I have won awards in photography, cooking, wrting, and several sports, earning national championships in rugby and equestrian events. When I'm not writing, I'm reading, cooking, going to the gym, or traveling. I attend quite a few cons over the course of a year, and love meeting other people who love books.
I write because I love it. I only hope that others might read my work and get a bit of enjoyment or useful information out of my efforts.
As an author, I don't think it is fair for me to rate any other author's books here on Goodreads if that rating is less than five stars. I have certainly read many books that do not deserve five (or four, three, or even two). However, I will not rate any of those here while I am a Goodreads author. Consequently, I will only be listing books that I really like and feel deserve five stars.
If you would like to join my email list and find out about new books or promotions, please sign up at http://eepurl.com/bnFSHH. My website is http://jonathanbrazee.com.
I published my first work back in 1978, a so-so short story titled "Secession." Since then, I have been published in newspapers, magazines, and in book format in fiction, political science, business, military, sports, race relations, and personal relations fields. I returned to writing fiction in 2009, and I currently have over 85 titles published, 52 being novels. My novelette, "Weaponized Math," was a finalist for the 2017 Nebula Award, and my novella, "Fire Ant," was a 2018 Nebula finalist. My novel "Integration" was a 2018 Dragon Award finalist, and my novel "Sentenced to War" was a 2021 finalist. I am a USA Today Bestelling writer.
My undergraduate degree was earned at the U. S. Naval Academy (Class of 1979), and I have attended graduate school at U. S. International University and the University of California, San Diego, earning a masters and doctorate. I am a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the US. Naval Academy Alumni Association, and the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.
I have rather eclectic tastes. I have won awards in photography, cooking, wrting, and several sports, earning national championships in rugby and equestrian events. When I'm not writing, I'm reading, cooking, going to the gym, or traveling. I attend quite a few cons over the course of a year, and love meeting other people who love books.
I write because I love it. I only hope that others might read my work and get a bit of enjoyment or useful information out of my efforts.
As an author, I don't think it is fair for me to rate any other author's books here on Goodreads if that rating is less than five stars. I have certainly read many books that do not deserve five (or four, three, or even two). However, I will not rate any of those here while I am a Goodreads author. Consequently, I will only be listing books that I really like and feel deserve five stars.
If you would like to join my email list and find out about new books or promotions, please sign up at http://eepurl.com/bnFSHH. My website is http://jonathanbrazee.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 22, 2023
IF YOU ENJOY A GREAT MILITARY SCI-FI, YOU ARE REALLY GOING TO ENJOY THIS BOOK AND SERIES!
Jonathan Brazee has written another great book in his FEDERATION MARINE 3: LIEUTENANT that is action-packed throughout, will hold your interest from the first page to the last, and the characters are well defined and you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat routing for them as well as feeling their loss. I really like the fact that Jonathan uses footnotes to define military acronyms (which I really need at times) as well as to define scientific and sci-fi terms. I have really enjoyed this series so far, as well as this 3rd addition, and I hope you will too.
Jonathan Brazee has written another great book in his FEDERATION MARINE 3: LIEUTENANT that is action-packed throughout, will hold your interest from the first page to the last, and the characters are well defined and you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat routing for them as well as feeling their loss. I really like the fact that Jonathan uses footnotes to define military acronyms (which I really need at times) as well as to define scientific and sci-fi terms. I have really enjoyed this series so far, as well as this 3rd addition, and I hope you will too.
December 13, 2014
“The most terrible job in warfare is to be a second lieutenant leading a platoon when you are on the battlefield.”
Dwight D. Eisenhower
A great Sergeant would probably make a poor Lieutenant. That’s not a statement everyone would like but that’s probably as true as it gets. I have had Sergeants who, once I gave the orders, got everything done. Then I’ve had great Sergeants who got most everything that I wanted done before I had a chance to tell them to do it! Officer Candidate School is there for a purpose. No matter how good or great a Sergeant you have been, you have to learn what it means to act, think and lead like a commissioned officer.
That’s what Ryk Lysander is finding out. He’s having trouble disassociating himself from being a Sergeant and learning how to use his Sergeants. It’s a tough lesson to learn. Not everyone that goes to OCS makes it through and thank goodness for that. You’ve got to learn not to do everything yourself or you and your soldiers or Marines will die.
I believe Ryk got some slack cut for his already proven track record as a battle hardened veteran. He was also given some very, very good advice pointed directly at his problem, trying to do too much and not using the people around him.
But all this training doesn’t do must to prepare you for real life battle. In garrison, you get to know your men. You train them for the tasks you think you’ll have to accomplish under fire but you just don’t know for sure what it’s really going to be like until you get there.
One of the first mistakes, this new 2nd Lieutenant makes is to agree to take on his Brother-in-Law (Joshua) as his Platoon Sergeant. In absolute peace time that might be OK, but normally, you never want a relation under your command. Ryk soon finds out why.
Newly minted Lt. Ryk Lysander is given his first mission and that’s re-take a factory control center that is in dispute between two different corporations. He does this without much trouble although he does loose a few Marines in the encounter. That does strike him a little hard but with everything else going on, he doesn’t dwell on it.
Their next mission comes after an emergency recall. While relaxing with his wife, Brother-in-Law and his wife, they get the order to immediately report to base. Once at the base, they are told to get their shit together because they are deploying immediately. Seems that a planet name G.K. Nutrition Six has been occupied by teddy bears, aliens that stand about 6 feet tall have fur all over and carry weapons that seem to be pretty lethal.
Lysander’s platoon is tasked with securing some civilians who have gone deep into a mine. Once he gets there, he finds out that the Capys (the alien teddy bears), are converging on his position and he needs to get the civilians out to an LZ for airlift.
He finally gets everything organized using his Sergeants as he should. Once the group are out of the mine and heading down a trail towards the LZ, the Capys begin showing up. These guys don’t hurry, they just keep coming. Lysander finds out that his weapons are for some reason ineffective against the Capys. They have some kind of force field that stops high velocity rounds.
Now in order to get to the LZ, Lt. Lysander sees the need to establish a rear guard to prevent the Capys from overrunning the LZ. He has to choose who among his platoon should stay back and most likely die. They don’t pay anyone enough money to make this kind of decision but he’s in command so he must do what he must. His Platoon Sergeant says he will stay since he can best direct the other members of the platoon in their delaying action. Lysander has already given their most powerful weapon to one of his troops and he tells him he must stay also.
As expected, the delaying team engage the Capys and slow them down just enough for all the civilians to get aboard the lift ships and head out. The Lt. Lysander has been hit and his entire left side is inoperative. Seems like the Capys weapons deadens or kills nerve endings in human bodies.
So Lysander is now recuperating in the hospital. It might take a year for him to fully recover. As he just wakes up, his wife is staring at him and she asks, “Did you order my brother to say back?”
Lysander says, “Yes!"
She then calls him a bastard and stomps out of the room. Real loving wife she is.
For the rest of the book, we find Lysander trying to decide if he wants to do this any longer. He’s not sure he likes having the lives of other men in his hands. But, he goes to see his Captain friend who happens to be in Special Ops and gets offered a chance to become a Marine Recon member who operate in two-man teams and rarely try to get into fire fights.
Read the rest of the book. I think you’ll see the Ryk Lysander is a true warrior and that things happen in combat when you lest expect or want them to happen. Will he be able to cope? Read the book and find out.
Keep up the series. I really enjoy reading these books. I though I had done a review but I guess I didn’t so I’m getting caught up.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
A great Sergeant would probably make a poor Lieutenant. That’s not a statement everyone would like but that’s probably as true as it gets. I have had Sergeants who, once I gave the orders, got everything done. Then I’ve had great Sergeants who got most everything that I wanted done before I had a chance to tell them to do it! Officer Candidate School is there for a purpose. No matter how good or great a Sergeant you have been, you have to learn what it means to act, think and lead like a commissioned officer.
That’s what Ryk Lysander is finding out. He’s having trouble disassociating himself from being a Sergeant and learning how to use his Sergeants. It’s a tough lesson to learn. Not everyone that goes to OCS makes it through and thank goodness for that. You’ve got to learn not to do everything yourself or you and your soldiers or Marines will die.
I believe Ryk got some slack cut for his already proven track record as a battle hardened veteran. He was also given some very, very good advice pointed directly at his problem, trying to do too much and not using the people around him.
But all this training doesn’t do must to prepare you for real life battle. In garrison, you get to know your men. You train them for the tasks you think you’ll have to accomplish under fire but you just don’t know for sure what it’s really going to be like until you get there.
One of the first mistakes, this new 2nd Lieutenant makes is to agree to take on his Brother-in-Law (Joshua) as his Platoon Sergeant. In absolute peace time that might be OK, but normally, you never want a relation under your command. Ryk soon finds out why.
Newly minted Lt. Ryk Lysander is given his first mission and that’s re-take a factory control center that is in dispute between two different corporations. He does this without much trouble although he does loose a few Marines in the encounter. That does strike him a little hard but with everything else going on, he doesn’t dwell on it.
Their next mission comes after an emergency recall. While relaxing with his wife, Brother-in-Law and his wife, they get the order to immediately report to base. Once at the base, they are told to get their shit together because they are deploying immediately. Seems that a planet name G.K. Nutrition Six has been occupied by teddy bears, aliens that stand about 6 feet tall have fur all over and carry weapons that seem to be pretty lethal.
Lysander’s platoon is tasked with securing some civilians who have gone deep into a mine. Once he gets there, he finds out that the Capys (the alien teddy bears), are converging on his position and he needs to get the civilians out to an LZ for airlift.
He finally gets everything organized using his Sergeants as he should. Once the group are out of the mine and heading down a trail towards the LZ, the Capys begin showing up. These guys don’t hurry, they just keep coming. Lysander finds out that his weapons are for some reason ineffective against the Capys. They have some kind of force field that stops high velocity rounds.
Now in order to get to the LZ, Lt. Lysander sees the need to establish a rear guard to prevent the Capys from overrunning the LZ. He has to choose who among his platoon should stay back and most likely die. They don’t pay anyone enough money to make this kind of decision but he’s in command so he must do what he must. His Platoon Sergeant says he will stay since he can best direct the other members of the platoon in their delaying action. Lysander has already given their most powerful weapon to one of his troops and he tells him he must stay also.
As expected, the delaying team engage the Capys and slow them down just enough for all the civilians to get aboard the lift ships and head out. The Lt. Lysander has been hit and his entire left side is inoperative. Seems like the Capys weapons deadens or kills nerve endings in human bodies.
So Lysander is now recuperating in the hospital. It might take a year for him to fully recover. As he just wakes up, his wife is staring at him and she asks, “Did you order my brother to say back?”
Lysander says, “Yes!"
She then calls him a bastard and stomps out of the room. Real loving wife she is.
For the rest of the book, we find Lysander trying to decide if he wants to do this any longer. He’s not sure he likes having the lives of other men in his hands. But, he goes to see his Captain friend who happens to be in Special Ops and gets offered a chance to become a Marine Recon member who operate in two-man teams and rarely try to get into fire fights.
Read the rest of the book. I think you’ll see the Ryk Lysander is a true warrior and that things happen in combat when you lest expect or want them to happen. Will he be able to cope? Read the book and find out.
Keep up the series. I really enjoy reading these books. I though I had done a review but I guess I didn’t so I’m getting caught up.
June 3, 2021
The novel Lieutenant, United Federation Marine Corps by Jonathan Brazee, is Book 3 in the series. As a brand-spanking new officer, Lysander struggles with his training, which is great fun for the reader as it humanizes the characters.
The story moves quickly with more action and adventure. Weapon explanations appear where needed. Additional characters come and go and even favorite ones are killed off.
Lieutenant is a well-crafted story that advances the series. Aliens are finally encountered with strange shielding and weapon ability, which throws the Federation for a while, until new Federation ideas are tried.
Not a lot of words are spent explaining alien abilities. But there is action.
Lieutenant is a fun and exciting read. A few harsh words are encountered, but nothing you wouldn’t find in a schoolyard. Recommended.
The story moves quickly with more action and adventure. Weapon explanations appear where needed. Additional characters come and go and even favorite ones are killed off.
Lieutenant is a well-crafted story that advances the series. Aliens are finally encountered with strange shielding and weapon ability, which throws the Federation for a while, until new Federation ideas are tried.
Not a lot of words are spent explaining alien abilities. But there is action.
Lieutenant is a fun and exciting read. A few harsh words are encountered, but nothing you wouldn’t find in a schoolyard. Recommended.
May 20, 2025
The new enemy is challenging
Ryck is seriously conflicted. He has been having trouble with changing his mindset from being an active fighter to a professional leader who fights when needed. He’s more torn over the fact that he is forced to choose to send people off for a mission that he is all too aware will be fatal. The fact is driven home heavily by a difficult decision he’s forced to make in heavy contact with the new opponent that seems to be more than humanity can handle…
Ryck is seriously conflicted. He has been having trouble with changing his mindset from being an active fighter to a professional leader who fights when needed. He’s more torn over the fact that he is forced to choose to send people off for a mission that he is all too aware will be fatal. The fact is driven home heavily by a difficult decision he’s forced to make in heavy contact with the new opponent that seems to be more than humanity can handle…
December 25, 2017
Ryck Lysander, the hero of the story, is dealing with some very real survivor's guilt and marital problems. He's grown in personal maturity.
The author (Brazee) has done a fantastic job of describing life in the military, while bringing out some pretty good sci-fi.
This series is starting to become a favorite. They need to do a much better job of updating the cover but otherwise, this is a book to read.
The author (Brazee) has done a fantastic job of describing life in the military, while bringing out some pretty good sci-fi.
This series is starting to become a favorite. They need to do a much better job of updating the cover but otherwise, this is a book to read.
September 27, 2019
Spoiller Alert - The Entire 7 Book Series Gets 5 Stars
What follows, is pretty much (actually completely) verbatim from my review of Books 1, 2 & 3 of Ryck's story.
-- --
As the review title above hints, I have just now finished reading the seven book UFMC Ryck Lysander series. It is so compelling that I have neglected my obligation to the author to offer a review of the book(s) until now in thanks for such a great book/series.
What follows, is pretty much (actually completely) verbatim from my review of Books 1, 2 & 3 of Ryck's story.
-- --
As the review title above hints, I have just now finished reading the seven book UFMC Ryck Lysander series. It is so compelling that I have neglected my obligation to the author to offer a review of the book(s) until now in thanks for such a great book/series.
August 24, 2021
Ryck gets his first command and has to get used to delegating rather than leaping into action himself. After losing some of his men he wallows in self pity.
A new enemy race is discovered and they seem to be immune to many of the Marines' weapons. Ryck has to dig himself out of his hole and get some intel on these new enemies.
A much tighter novel as Brazee feels his way. I expect the next to continue to improve
A new enemy race is discovered and they seem to be immune to many of the Marines' weapons. Ryck has to dig himself out of his hole and get some intel on these new enemies.
A much tighter novel as Brazee feels his way. I expect the next to continue to improve
April 7, 2021
Action packed
I know there was action in the first two books but this surpassed the action. This book was full of emotion too. Brazee managed to bring true feelings to the story, at least in specific scenes although Ryck’s feelings could have been better expressed. That said, this story has really upped the ante.
I know there was action in the first two books but this surpassed the action. This book was full of emotion too. Brazee managed to bring true feelings to the story, at least in specific scenes although Ryck’s feelings could have been better expressed. That said, this story has really upped the ante.
September 18, 2021
Excellent Book
This is an excellent book and a lot of the problems encountered by Ryck and his fellow marines I have experienced in my military career, such as fighting the last battle with old technologies and tactics. The marines seem to have more then their fair of it but they always find ways to prevail. Well worth reading.
This is an excellent book and a lot of the problems encountered by Ryck and his fellow marines I have experienced in my military career, such as fighting the last battle with old technologies and tactics. The marines seem to have more then their fair of it but they always find ways to prevail. Well worth reading.
June 25, 2019
Giant hamsters of doom
Did you know that capu baras were classed as fish so they could be Eaton on friday.
Anyway another great book in the series.
Great characters with realistic situations and lots of action and adventure.
I look forward to more from this series 😁
Did you know that capu baras were classed as fish so they could be Eaton on friday.
Anyway another great book in the series.
Great characters with realistic situations and lots of action and adventure.
I look forward to more from this series 😁
December 24, 2020
Great Storyline
Well flying through these story's about Ryck Lysander great action and plenty of blood and guts just as a war story book should be. Totally looking forward to Captain next
Well flying through these story's about Ryck Lysander great action and plenty of blood and guts just as a war story book should be. Totally looking forward to Captain next
April 23, 2021
Book 3 in the series
Ryck is back after completing regen and rehab. He joins the Marine Recon group to stay in the service and that’s when the adventure starts. An interesting story.
Ryck is back after completing regen and rehab. He joins the Marine Recon group to stay in the service and that’s when the adventure starts. An interesting story.
September 13, 2021
Excellent Story,
I’ve enjoyed every book in the Lysander series. The characters are complex and flawed, the story is realistic and the action well written. Now I’ll have to read them all to keep track of Ryck. Lysander.
I’ve enjoyed every book in the Lysander series. The characters are complex and flawed, the story is realistic and the action well written. Now I’ll have to read them all to keep track of Ryck. Lysander.
November 9, 2022
I've not read the entire series and several related series by this author, annoyingly he assumes a reliable knowledge of military structure and acronyms but otherwise these are novel and interesting reads.
January 15, 2018
Good reading. I am enjoying the progress of the story and the main characters.
July 6, 2019
Awesome, a little scary being hunted by capybaras but yeah it was awesome.
November 18, 2020
A good series
This series has interesting characters as well as an interesting storyline. With lot’s of action to keep you interested. Looking forward to reading the next book
This series has interesting characters as well as an interesting storyline. With lot’s of action to keep you interested. Looking forward to reading the next book
December 15, 2020
Easy sci-fi military fiction that makes the time fly by.
December 26, 2020
Another great sci-fi action read
This series keeps getting better with more action and the great characters can't wait to read the next story in the series.
This series keeps getting better with more action and the great characters can't wait to read the next story in the series.
August 22, 2021
Another great read
Once again I have to say What a great read 😁😁 Enjoyed it from the very first page till the last, have to get the next instalment as soon as I can lol.
Once again I have to say What a great read 😁😁 Enjoyed it from the very first page till the last, have to get the next instalment as soon as I can lol.
February 21, 2022
3.5 stars. Not bad, but this is probably it for me with this series. Well written, but just not much depth. Might read another if a need a book for a plane trip or something.
July 4, 2022
Great series.
This is the third book in the the series and the whole series is great. I can't wait to read more.
This is the third book in the the series and the whole series is great. I can't wait to read more.
August 14, 2024
I loved it
What a great military story, lots of action, great cast. I have the whole set, and I can't wait to start the next one.
What a great military story, lots of action, great cast. I have the whole set, and I can't wait to start the next one.
August 8, 2015
From the first book, to this one, you can see Mr. Brazee's spinning of a tale mature. I will be honest in saying I originally picked up the book to read because it was the Corps, and my family and I have served. What I wasn't expecting was to see how it changed over the centuries, but the author does it justice and with respect.
Some may complain that it jumps around a bit, but with the story he is telling it works. The fast forwarding cuts out a lot of what would be fluff and keeps the story rolling. The weapons are not far fetched either, even with it being in the future, the Marines use newer weaponry as well as updated lines.
One thing I've never been able to deal with is an author that makes it so no one is hurt. it's as if they are scared of upsetting their readers. Mr. Brazee's doesn't do that. Characters die, even ones you like, which brings out the human element of the main character.
While I've seen reviews that blast book for the editing for typos and such, so what. The only think I'm a bit confused about is a character that died in Sergeant, is back in this book.
Over all though, I loved the book and look forward to more from Me. Brazee's!
Some may complain that it jumps around a bit, but with the story he is telling it works. The fast forwarding cuts out a lot of what would be fluff and keeps the story rolling. The weapons are not far fetched either, even with it being in the future, the Marines use newer weaponry as well as updated lines.
One thing I've never been able to deal with is an author that makes it so no one is hurt. it's as if they are scared of upsetting their readers. Mr. Brazee's doesn't do that. Characters die, even ones you like, which brings out the human element of the main character.
While I've seen reviews that blast book for the editing for typos and such, so what. The only think I'm a bit confused about is a character that died in Sergeant, is back in this book.
Over all though, I loved the book and look forward to more from Me. Brazee's!
January 14, 2025
Wow, having gone through this rank in the military in our current time it is very feasible that what is written here is very applicable. Technology and location may change, but the military still remains the same. What sucks, will still suck. Adversaries will still surprise you. The companionship of who you fight with will overcome it all, that is timeless. You fight for those beside you, not for yourself.
Read
November 29, 2014Third book in a series with interstellar Marines very much like modern U.S. marines except missing women - serving a federation of Big Business planets. Other books showed more about the problems in this federation - and showed rebel forces have women serving.
This one had the protagonist as a Lieutenant, fighting some aliens who don't appear to be bad guys. I'd like to know more about this alien species.
I asked the author (who is a retired US Marine Colonel) what the next book in the series will be called, and guessed right. Rebel. Centered around different people.
This one had the protagonist as a Lieutenant, fighting some aliens who don't appear to be bad guys. I'd like to know more about this alien species.
I asked the author (who is a retired US Marine Colonel) what the next book in the series will be called, and guessed right. Rebel. Centered around different people.
April 1, 2024
Story telling at its best.
In my time, in the service, I’ve had some Lieutenants that knew it all and some who learned along the way. The latter were always the ones I liked working with! The different ways LT Lysander comes up with solutions to the operational problems is awesome.
Thanks for another great read!
In my time, in the service, I’ve had some Lieutenants that knew it all and some who learned along the way. The latter were always the ones I liked working with! The different ways LT Lysander comes up with solutions to the operational problems is awesome.
Thanks for another great read!
November 27, 2016
Good series
I have read the first three books in this series and recommend them as an excellent portrait of man in combat. The stories are sharply crafted and peopled with believable characters. If you like military fiction written by a good author, grab hold and hold on.
I have read the first three books in this series and recommend them as an excellent portrait of man in combat. The stories are sharply crafted and peopled with believable characters. If you like military fiction written by a good author, grab hold and hold on.
December 26, 2023
Excellent series
I really dig this series. This entry went quick. I was a little upset that a big event is telegraphed way early but it’s fine. I can’t wait until til the next episode.
I really dig this series. This entry went quick. I was a little upset that a big event is telegraphed way early but it’s fine. I can’t wait until til the next episode.
August 13, 2024
Each book keeps getting better
Each book progresses to be better and better. Things get complicated, then they get uncomplicated. It's called War. Love and War they're always in the mix somewhere.
Each book progresses to be better and better. Things get complicated, then they get uncomplicated. It's called War. Love and War they're always in the mix somewhere.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews