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Down Range
Cameron Alvarez is a Marine Drop Trooper and Marines are no stranger to sacrifice.
He was willing to sacrifice his life to protect the innocent, but what’s he’s been asked to give up now is far worse. Having subjected himself to the transformation virus, become linked to the power of another universe, Cam may have sacrificed his sanity—and his soul. The ghosts of that universe haunt him now, whispering in every unguarded moment, trying to turn him against the ones he loves. He has to get Vicky and the others back to the Commonwealth before he gives into the whispers just as the Resscharr did before him.
Standing in their way, though, is a new threat from outside the galaxy. The Skrela are gone, but the ones who designed them are not. And they may be a bigger threat to Earth and the entire human race than any Cam has faced before.
Book 15 in the Amazon Bestselling Drop Trooper series by Rick Partlow is here. It's Military Sci-Fi the way it's supposed to be!
He was willing to sacrifice his life to protect the innocent, but what’s he’s been asked to give up now is far worse. Having subjected himself to the transformation virus, become linked to the power of another universe, Cam may have sacrificed his sanity—and his soul. The ghosts of that universe haunt him now, whispering in every unguarded moment, trying to turn him against the ones he loves. He has to get Vicky and the others back to the Commonwealth before he gives into the whispers just as the Resscharr did before him.
Standing in their way, though, is a new threat from outside the galaxy. The Skrela are gone, but the ones who designed them are not. And they may be a bigger threat to Earth and the entire human race than any Cam has faced before.
Book 15 in the Amazon Bestselling Drop Trooper series by Rick Partlow is here. It's Military Sci-Fi the way it's supposed to be!
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 7, 2024
353 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Rick Partlow
207 books372 followersRick Partlow is that rarest of species, a native Floridian. Born in Tampa, he attended Florida Southern College and graduated with a degree in History and a commission in the US Army as an Infantry officer.
His lifelong love of science fiction began with Have Space Suit---Will Travel and the other Heinlein juveniles and traveled through Clifford Simak, Asimov, Clarke and on to William Gibson, Walter Jon Williams and Peter F Hamilton. And somewhere, submerged in the worlds of others, Rick began to create his own worlds.
He has written over 70 books in over a dozen different series, and his short stories have been included in many different anthologies.
He currently lives in norther Wyoming with his wife and their dog. Besides writing and reading science fiction and fantasy, he enjoys outdoor photography, hiking and camping.
His lifelong love of science fiction began with Have Space Suit---Will Travel and the other Heinlein juveniles and traveled through Clifford Simak, Asimov, Clarke and on to William Gibson, Walter Jon Williams and Peter F Hamilton. And somewhere, submerged in the worlds of others, Rick began to create his own worlds.
He has written over 70 books in over a dozen different series, and his short stories have been included in many different anthologies.
He currently lives in norther Wyoming with his wife and their dog. Besides writing and reading science fiction and fantasy, he enjoys outdoor photography, hiking and camping.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 18, 2025
Well, I made it to book 15 — and what a climactic one at that. This series needs to end, no doubt, but man, the author sure knows how to throw in some last-minute twists. I’ll admit there’s been a lot of buildup in the last three books (some of it not really necessary), but I can honestly say I’m looking forward to seeing how the Drop Trooper tale ends.
In any case, here are my four reasons you should pick up this book — and one thing I could’ve done without:
⸻
(Pros)
1: The Embedded AI Named Jim
I loved him. Loved his backstory — an AI mind based on an Iron Age European tribesman. Loved his wit. Loved how real he felt, not just shoved into the story like other characters that add nothing and feel forced. Nope — Jim was genuine. He helped Cam when needed, and the plot actually revolved around him and his desire to help the human race. I think every book has one character that really grows on you, and Jim was that for me.
2: The Dominant Alien Invaders and Their Galactic Parental Issues
Honestly, Rick Partlow did an excellent job introducing the new alien race (Skyrlak or whatever) and their dominant, parent race known as the Unity. Without going into too much detail, their relationship mirrors that of the Tahni and the Predecessors — same religious obsession, just a few new twists. I liked how the book rolled with that plot development. It was exciting to learn about this drone-like, hive-minded, vastly superior tech-based alien race. And the fact that the Commonwealth is being will be in deep (you know what) if invaded by them just adds to the tension. The plot here was excellent and sets up the final book perfectly.
3: The AI Cross-Dimensional Superpowers
I think I mentioned this in my last review, but I’m really digging the whole cross-dimensional superpower element and how it’s evolved. The way Rick Partlow developed this big tech-based concept is pretty unique. Even more impressive is how it ties into communication with a superior alien race in this book. The author does a great job plugging all the pieces in. That kind of payoff — with a concept that big — is rare, and it’s done right here.
4: I’m Excited for the End!
Sixteen books in this universe. I thought I was done by book 10. That’s the thing about Rick Partlow — he drags you along, makes you feel like the universe is collapsing… then somehow Cam survives and saves the day again. It’s a love-hate relationship. I want it to be over, but I also don’t want to put my Kindle down. That ending — with so much up in the air — actually has me excited to see how it wraps up. And honestly, if a book can still do that after 15 entries? It’s doing a good job.
⸻
(Cons)
1: The Robert Chang Issue
Unfortunately, the book wasn’t perfect. There were some unrealistic fight scenes and parts that felt far-fetched — but nothing more deserving of criticism than Robert Chang and his cyborgs. His character just didn’t make sense. He shows up out of nowhere, magically has a Predecessor ship, and somehow ends up as a clone of the man he used to be. And the whole bit about cyborgs being addicted to perfection? It felt like filler. That whole subplot and those characters didn’t need to be there. They added nothing and felt completely forced.
⸻
Final Thoughts
All in all, the book was engaging, well-structured, and exciting. Like I said — I’m looking forward to ending this long addiction, and I can’t wait to see how it all blows up in the end!
Thanks for reading,
– Alex
In any case, here are my four reasons you should pick up this book — and one thing I could’ve done without:
⸻
(Pros)
1: The Embedded AI Named Jim
I loved him. Loved his backstory — an AI mind based on an Iron Age European tribesman. Loved his wit. Loved how real he felt, not just shoved into the story like other characters that add nothing and feel forced. Nope — Jim was genuine. He helped Cam when needed, and the plot actually revolved around him and his desire to help the human race. I think every book has one character that really grows on you, and Jim was that for me.
2: The Dominant Alien Invaders and Their Galactic Parental Issues
Honestly, Rick Partlow did an excellent job introducing the new alien race (Skyrlak or whatever) and their dominant, parent race known as the Unity. Without going into too much detail, their relationship mirrors that of the Tahni and the Predecessors — same religious obsession, just a few new twists. I liked how the book rolled with that plot development. It was exciting to learn about this drone-like, hive-minded, vastly superior tech-based alien race. And the fact that the Commonwealth is being will be in deep (you know what) if invaded by them just adds to the tension. The plot here was excellent and sets up the final book perfectly.
3: The AI Cross-Dimensional Superpowers
I think I mentioned this in my last review, but I’m really digging the whole cross-dimensional superpower element and how it’s evolved. The way Rick Partlow developed this big tech-based concept is pretty unique. Even more impressive is how it ties into communication with a superior alien race in this book. The author does a great job plugging all the pieces in. That kind of payoff — with a concept that big — is rare, and it’s done right here.
4: I’m Excited for the End!
Sixteen books in this universe. I thought I was done by book 10. That’s the thing about Rick Partlow — he drags you along, makes you feel like the universe is collapsing… then somehow Cam survives and saves the day again. It’s a love-hate relationship. I want it to be over, but I also don’t want to put my Kindle down. That ending — with so much up in the air — actually has me excited to see how it wraps up. And honestly, if a book can still do that after 15 entries? It’s doing a good job.
⸻
(Cons)
1: The Robert Chang Issue
Unfortunately, the book wasn’t perfect. There were some unrealistic fight scenes and parts that felt far-fetched — but nothing more deserving of criticism than Robert Chang and his cyborgs. His character just didn’t make sense. He shows up out of nowhere, magically has a Predecessor ship, and somehow ends up as a clone of the man he used to be. And the whole bit about cyborgs being addicted to perfection? It felt like filler. That whole subplot and those characters didn’t need to be there. They added nothing and felt completely forced.
⸻
Final Thoughts
All in all, the book was engaging, well-structured, and exciting. Like I said — I’m looking forward to ending this long addiction, and I can’t wait to see how it all blows up in the end!
Thanks for reading,
– Alex
July 8, 2024
Not exactly sure what the title has to do with this book, but it’s still a very interesting and exciting story. Captain Cameron Alvarez is still leading his band of adventurers that are still trying to get back to the Commonwealth. They have gone further than any human exploration mission has ever gone, but now they are tired of all this exploring and just want to go home. They thought there was something like a “Northwest Passage” that would lead them back to home; a shortcut they desperately needed. Now they were being told, the Northwest Passage had been shutdown.
A guy named Robert Chang had just arrived on the last Predecessor planet which Captain Alvarez’s group was on and he was telling them he had taken his Predecessor ship through the passage and “flipped the switch” that the Predecessors had left to such down that Transit Lane. His ship also contained a crew of cyborgs who were fleeing the Commonwealth because their kind weren’t warmly welcomed. It seems that Chang had been involved in some questionable medical practices including machine to human interfaces and cloning. He himself was a clone but he didn’t know how many times he had cloned himself. Still, he appeared to be sane and was telling the truth.
Cam (Cameron) has been enhanced by the resident AI called “Briggs”. His new powers were enough to destroy the latest attack fight off and destroy Lilandreth when the Ghosts had overtaken her mind. Now, Cam had to be aware that the same condition could affect him. Since he had the same powers given to Lilandreth, he was subjected to these same Ghosts whispering in his ear (mind). And these Ghosts were persistent. Every time he used these powers, they were there to tell him that he could do so much more. They wanted him to take over everything and return to the Commonwealth has a near God and rule the universe. Cam was fighting off their whispering as much as he could, but just like Lilandreth, he knew they would soon drive him crazy. He had told Vicky, his wife and fellow Marine Captain, that if he did become a megalomaniac, that she was to kill him before they ever got close to the Commonwealth.
Cam wanted to get rid of these powers. He didn’t want them and only took them on to ensure Lilandreth didn’t kill every one of the humans remaining in this expedition. Briggs told him there might be another AI capable of removing the powers but that AI occupied another planet. So the expedition boarded the *Orion* once again and went into T-Space heading for this new planet.
This journey was going to take a long time. Being in T-Space as most of the crew had been for some time was causing some moral problems aboard ship. Cam knew that his people needed a break and they needed a break on a planet where everyone could feel the wind in their faces and smell fresh air. They found such a planet and decided to stop and land for a while. This new planet was like an Earth Eden and he decided to call it “Primeval” although he knew they wouldn’t be there long. Cam also figured that if they eventually couldn’t find a way back to the Commonwealth, this planet might just make a good settlement home. That is until Mr. Chang and his Predecessor ship came screaming back from his scouting mission.
Chang had apparently ran into another alien civilization in the form of alien spacecraft that looked very much like elongated skulls! This ships were fast, very fast and hard to destroy. They also carried ground troops and they began to drop them on the planet where Cam and his Marines and scouting party were located. They also began attacking the *Orion* in orbit, but she fled to T-Space and would continue to hop in and out of that space as a means to avoid being destroyed. Now Cameron had to find a means to prevent all his people on the planet from getting destroyed.
Cam eventually has to resort to using his powers again. This results in these new aliens called the Skalex being destroyed and the humans and the Orion surviving to continue on their journey. Cam didn’t know where this new aliens, the Skalex, had come from but he knew they were better equipped than their old enemies the Skrella. They flew the Orion on-ward through T-Space where the Ghosts in Cam’s mind lived. They were constantly badgering him to become a dictator to this group and start commanding them as though he were their God. Cam steadfastly refused and hoped that this next Predecessor planet did in fact have an AI that could rid of these powers before he succumb to their taunting. He was soon to find out that he had a whole lot of disappointment coming, but there was something deep within the planet that might provide some hope.
So, will they ever get back to the Commonwealth? Cam and Vicky certainly hope so, but they don’t see any means to do this. With the Northwest Passage closed, it would take a very, very long time to get back home even if they knew where they were and what direction to go. And they only have this one ship, the * Orion*. What happens if it gets destroyed?
The series will continue in book 16, “Kill Chain”, available as a pre-order on Amazon. It will be available for reading on 12 November 2024 so we have a long time to wait.
A guy named Robert Chang had just arrived on the last Predecessor planet which Captain Alvarez’s group was on and he was telling them he had taken his Predecessor ship through the passage and “flipped the switch” that the Predecessors had left to such down that Transit Lane. His ship also contained a crew of cyborgs who were fleeing the Commonwealth because their kind weren’t warmly welcomed. It seems that Chang had been involved in some questionable medical practices including machine to human interfaces and cloning. He himself was a clone but he didn’t know how many times he had cloned himself. Still, he appeared to be sane and was telling the truth.
Cam (Cameron) has been enhanced by the resident AI called “Briggs”. His new powers were enough to destroy the latest attack fight off and destroy Lilandreth when the Ghosts had overtaken her mind. Now, Cam had to be aware that the same condition could affect him. Since he had the same powers given to Lilandreth, he was subjected to these same Ghosts whispering in his ear (mind). And these Ghosts were persistent. Every time he used these powers, they were there to tell him that he could do so much more. They wanted him to take over everything and return to the Commonwealth has a near God and rule the universe. Cam was fighting off their whispering as much as he could, but just like Lilandreth, he knew they would soon drive him crazy. He had told Vicky, his wife and fellow Marine Captain, that if he did become a megalomaniac, that she was to kill him before they ever got close to the Commonwealth.
Cam wanted to get rid of these powers. He didn’t want them and only took them on to ensure Lilandreth didn’t kill every one of the humans remaining in this expedition. Briggs told him there might be another AI capable of removing the powers but that AI occupied another planet. So the expedition boarded the *Orion* once again and went into T-Space heading for this new planet.
This journey was going to take a long time. Being in T-Space as most of the crew had been for some time was causing some moral problems aboard ship. Cam knew that his people needed a break and they needed a break on a planet where everyone could feel the wind in their faces and smell fresh air. They found such a planet and decided to stop and land for a while. This new planet was like an Earth Eden and he decided to call it “Primeval” although he knew they wouldn’t be there long. Cam also figured that if they eventually couldn’t find a way back to the Commonwealth, this planet might just make a good settlement home. That is until Mr. Chang and his Predecessor ship came screaming back from his scouting mission.
Chang had apparently ran into another alien civilization in the form of alien spacecraft that looked very much like elongated skulls! This ships were fast, very fast and hard to destroy. They also carried ground troops and they began to drop them on the planet where Cam and his Marines and scouting party were located. They also began attacking the *Orion* in orbit, but she fled to T-Space and would continue to hop in and out of that space as a means to avoid being destroyed. Now Cameron had to find a means to prevent all his people on the planet from getting destroyed.
Cam eventually has to resort to using his powers again. This results in these new aliens called the Skalex being destroyed and the humans and the Orion surviving to continue on their journey. Cam didn’t know where this new aliens, the Skalex, had come from but he knew they were better equipped than their old enemies the Skrella. They flew the Orion on-ward through T-Space where the Ghosts in Cam’s mind lived. They were constantly badgering him to become a dictator to this group and start commanding them as though he were their God. Cam steadfastly refused and hoped that this next Predecessor planet did in fact have an AI that could rid of these powers before he succumb to their taunting. He was soon to find out that he had a whole lot of disappointment coming, but there was something deep within the planet that might provide some hope.
So, will they ever get back to the Commonwealth? Cam and Vicky certainly hope so, but they don’t see any means to do this. With the Northwest Passage closed, it would take a very, very long time to get back home even if they knew where they were and what direction to go. And they only have this one ship, the * Orion*. What happens if it gets destroyed?
The series will continue in book 16, “Kill Chain”, available as a pre-order on Amazon. It will be available for reading on 12 November 2024 so we have a long time to wait.
August 13, 2024
Good Read
Trying desperately to get home to Earth in their own galaxy is hitting a few bump on the spaceway! Cameron who was transformed into a being with superpowers by and alien virus that makes him almost invisible of course has a downside. The more he uses these super abilities the more his mind is subverted. In the end he will be all powerful but his mind will loose the battle for sanity resulting in the destruction of everything and everyone he loves. One hope is for a different AI than the one that infected Cameron to combat the aliens that are bent on wiping out his people can’t reverse the process. The AI tells him there is a vert slim chance another AI in a different system could reverse the process only if he and his friends can get there in time. Simple? No! One of his Allie’s scouting ahead has caught the attention of a far superior race from another galaxy. They are of one mind. Eradication of any other sentient race not their own. It’s not looking good! This other alien race is far more advanced in everything! There is .000001 percent chance of survival. But they have to try, right!
Trying desperately to get home to Earth in their own galaxy is hitting a few bump on the spaceway! Cameron who was transformed into a being with superpowers by and alien virus that makes him almost invisible of course has a downside. The more he uses these super abilities the more his mind is subverted. In the end he will be all powerful but his mind will loose the battle for sanity resulting in the destruction of everything and everyone he loves. One hope is for a different AI than the one that infected Cameron to combat the aliens that are bent on wiping out his people can’t reverse the process. The AI tells him there is a vert slim chance another AI in a different system could reverse the process only if he and his friends can get there in time. Simple? No! One of his Allie’s scouting ahead has caught the attention of a far superior race from another galaxy. They are of one mind. Eradication of any other sentient race not their own. It’s not looking good! This other alien race is far more advanced in everything! There is .000001 percent chance of survival. But they have to try, right!
September 17, 2024
Building to a crescendo?
I think the author is trying to continuously make us feel like we’ve reached a hopeless ending yet Cam manages to adapt, improvise and overcome somehow despite the situation growing more grim with every passing page.
It’s difficult to convey much of the story without giving spoilers. I will simply say that while it is growing more difficult to keep up the fight, so far Cameron is managing to resist the taunts, imprecations and threats from the transition space ghosts. But it’s becoming increasingly painful to have to constantly make a concerted effort against them.
Cam & Vicky feel the pain of losing the new Vergai almost as badly as they do in losing a Drop Trooper Marine but they refuse to give up and quit.
I think the author is trying to continuously make us feel like we’ve reached a hopeless ending yet Cam manages to adapt, improvise and overcome somehow despite the situation growing more grim with every passing page.
It’s difficult to convey much of the story without giving spoilers. I will simply say that while it is growing more difficult to keep up the fight, so far Cameron is managing to resist the taunts, imprecations and threats from the transition space ghosts. But it’s becoming increasingly painful to have to constantly make a concerted effort against them.
Cam & Vicky feel the pain of losing the new Vergai almost as badly as they do in losing a Drop Trooper Marine but they refuse to give up and quit.
May 21, 2024
Exciting
Down Range (Drop Trooper Book 15) is exciting and captivating at the same time. There are several surprises in this part of Vickie and Cam's galactic journey, which makes a person so engrossed in the story that they want to turn the page to see what else is going to happen.
Down Range (Drop Trooper Book 15) is exciting and captivating at the same time. There are several surprises in this part of Vickie and Cam's galactic journey, which makes a person so engrossed in the story that they want to turn the page to see what else is going to happen.
June 4, 2025
With this book the series almost reaches its conclusion. I didn’t like the story very much except for the last 4 chapters. Too many enemy alien races are introduced in the end and the story progresses very slowly. I hope for a better reading experience in the next (final) installment of the series.
July 29, 2024
Enjoyed!
Start at the beginning of the series. You'll enjoy it much more. The characters are great. I'm counting on Can kicking the enemies of humanities butt's. Make sure they know humans are the apex predators!
Start at the beginning of the series. You'll enjoy it much more. The characters are great. I'm counting on Can kicking the enemies of humanities butt's. Make sure they know humans are the apex predators!
December 24, 2024
The punishment for a job well done.
Absolutely brilliant military sci-fi action.
Boss level reached. A new alien enemy revealed.
Great characters with realistic situations and lots of action.
Absolutely brilliant military sci-fi action.
Boss level reached. A new alien enemy revealed.
Great characters with realistic situations and lots of action.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews