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Forged by Fire
Captain Mike Sandhurst leads his newly-formed armored cavalry troop into the heart of the war on Heske.
As the Buzzers mass their forces for a devastating daylight assault, Sandhurst believes his unit has time to regroup on the edge of the battlefield. But no plan survives enemy contact, and the Buzzers are far more cunning than anyone anticipated.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Vivian Llewelyn and the Thunderbolts have deployed to Heske’s northern front, ready to strike. After a successful campaign with their newly christened Ospreys, the Thunderbolts are battle-hardened, but internal discord threatens to unravel their effectiveness. With a new executive officer causing chaos in the ranks, they teeter on the brink of disarray just as the enemy closes in.
When the Buzzers launch their all-out assault, Sandhurst and Llewelyn are thrust into a brutal fight for survival. Earth’s forces will be pushed to their limits, with the cavalry and Thunderbolts caught in the crossfire. To survive, they must adapt, tighten their bonds, and fight as one—shoot, move, and communicate—against an enemy unlike anything they’ve ever faced before.
Continue the fight against the Buzzers in this new rollicking Science Fiction thrill ride from Kevin Ikenberry. With realistic military action, space and ground battles, and a vicious bug alien invasion, it's perfect for fans of Starship Troopers, Hell Divers 2, and Rick Partlow's Drop Trooper!
As the Buzzers mass their forces for a devastating daylight assault, Sandhurst believes his unit has time to regroup on the edge of the battlefield. But no plan survives enemy contact, and the Buzzers are far more cunning than anyone anticipated.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Vivian Llewelyn and the Thunderbolts have deployed to Heske’s northern front, ready to strike. After a successful campaign with their newly christened Ospreys, the Thunderbolts are battle-hardened, but internal discord threatens to unravel their effectiveness. With a new executive officer causing chaos in the ranks, they teeter on the brink of disarray just as the enemy closes in.
When the Buzzers launch their all-out assault, Sandhurst and Llewelyn are thrust into a brutal fight for survival. Earth’s forces will be pushed to their limits, with the cavalry and Thunderbolts caught in the crossfire. To survive, they must adapt, tighten their bonds, and fight as one—shoot, move, and communicate—against an enemy unlike anything they’ve ever faced before.
Continue the fight against the Buzzers in this new rollicking Science Fiction thrill ride from Kevin Ikenberry. With realistic military action, space and ground battles, and a vicious bug alien invasion, it's perfect for fans of Starship Troopers, Hell Divers 2, and Rick Partlow's Drop Trooper!
428 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 22, 2024
321 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Ikenberry
119 books108 followersKevin’s head has been in the clouds since he was old enough to read. Ask him and he’ll tell you that he still wants to be an astronaut. Kevin has a diverse background in space and space science education. As an adult, he's managed the world-renowned U.S. Space Camp program and operated two Challenger Learning Centers. A retired Army officer, Kevin continues to work with space every day.
Kevin is the author of the science fiction novel SLEEPER PROTOCOL (2016) which Publisher's Weekly called "an emotionally powerful debut." His military science fiction novel RUNS IN THE FAMILY (2016) has gained a growing legion of fans. He continues to work on sequels for both novels as well as short fiction and an alternate history novel.
Kevin is the author of the science fiction novel SLEEPER PROTOCOL (2016) which Publisher's Weekly called "an emotionally powerful debut." His military science fiction novel RUNS IN THE FAMILY (2016) has gained a growing legion of fans. He continues to work on sequels for both novels as well as short fiction and an alternate history novel.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 9, 2025
*[To anyone reading my review of the first book in this series, I apologize. It had way, way too many spelling errors that I did not correct and was way too long. Sorry, I guess I was too excited when I wrote that review. It’s been corrected! - Jim C]*
As I said for the first book in this series, this is a fantastic series that you must read if you’re anywhere close to being interested in military science fiction. This brings back so many memories I personally have while I was doing my time in the US Army. I wasn’t a tanker or a pilot, but I knew how to put steel on target with my artillery battalion. In this book, some of the operations are very realistic although much more futuristic than anything I experienced.
Captain Mike Sandhurst is now the commander of the 175th Regimental Cavalry Troop. He’s at the tip of the spear when they go into attack and he knows it. Fortunately, he acquired former Captain now Major Davies tank which came with a very well trained crew. So, now all Mike has to worry about is the training of his subordinate Lieutenants and making sure his unit operates as a team. He doesn’t know how soon they will have to go into action, but he knows it going to be very soon.
As you know, Mike had met up with some of the pilots flying Ospreys which had conducted some much needed close air support in the first book and their last action. It was the first time that the Space Force/Air Force had actually bothered coordinating their actions with what was going on on the ground. They had so much success that the bosses above them were happy to see this kind of coordination continue even thought some thought that the Osprey wasn’t the best airframe for that job. Still, it’s what they had so they got it done.
This is until Lieutenant Commander Steuben showed up in VXA-101 Thunderbolts Squadron. He was the newly assigned XO even thought Commander Strunk definitely wanted his maintenance chief, Lieutenant Commander Fujita in the position. But somehow, the higher ups had sent Steuben and he was causing a lot of problems. He specifically didn’t like how the Osprey was being used in close air support and was going to figure out a way to stop those missions. He was going to be a lot of trouble for everyone.
Lieutenant Vivian Llewelyn, a.k.a. “Hellcat”, was one of the pilots scheduled to go up and provide close air support for that day. She in her aircraft went by the callsign of Bolt 503 and she would eventually get into a lot of trouble which caused a lot of people to start scrambling. A downed pilot is one that everyone wants to recover no matter the cost if at all possible. To say that Captain Sandhurst wanted to be the one to rescue Hellcat would be an understatement. As things work out, he and his unit get heavily involved.
In the meantime, all the intelligence assets are trying to figure out what the Buzzers were up to. They were creating gravimetric anomalies all over the place. Commander Kathy March had been assigned by the GTF Forces Commander to find out what they meant. So, she was going down to the ground to do just that. Although she was normal a qualified pilot, she excelled at putting intelligence information together. The best way she thought to figure this stuff out was to be where it was happening so she showed at the TOC of the 157th Tank Regiment. Then she was going to spend some time in Major Davies Tank which was going to be a very interesting development.
I like that the various levels of command are addressed and they speak to each other using what I’d call normal radio traffic. I believe a lot of their over the air transmission are secured which is something we didn’t have in my days. Everything we said had to be encoded or spoken around about without giving away what you were talking about. Here in this book they are more free in their conversations. Listening to radio traffic is something someone gets very used to while living an a Tactical Operations Center.
This book describes only one operation on the planet Heske. No one knows what the Buzzers are up to but it looks like this could be a very long war. And I like that just so I can read more of these books. The next book, “Sound the Charge”, is now out on Amaz
As I said for the first book in this series, this is a fantastic series that you must read if you’re anywhere close to being interested in military science fiction. This brings back so many memories I personally have while I was doing my time in the US Army. I wasn’t a tanker or a pilot, but I knew how to put steel on target with my artillery battalion. In this book, some of the operations are very realistic although much more futuristic than anything I experienced.
Captain Mike Sandhurst is now the commander of the 175th Regimental Cavalry Troop. He’s at the tip of the spear when they go into attack and he knows it. Fortunately, he acquired former Captain now Major Davies tank which came with a very well trained crew. So, now all Mike has to worry about is the training of his subordinate Lieutenants and making sure his unit operates as a team. He doesn’t know how soon they will have to go into action, but he knows it going to be very soon.
As you know, Mike had met up with some of the pilots flying Ospreys which had conducted some much needed close air support in the first book and their last action. It was the first time that the Space Force/Air Force had actually bothered coordinating their actions with what was going on on the ground. They had so much success that the bosses above them were happy to see this kind of coordination continue even thought some thought that the Osprey wasn’t the best airframe for that job. Still, it’s what they had so they got it done.
This is until Lieutenant Commander Steuben showed up in VXA-101 Thunderbolts Squadron. He was the newly assigned XO even thought Commander Strunk definitely wanted his maintenance chief, Lieutenant Commander Fujita in the position. But somehow, the higher ups had sent Steuben and he was causing a lot of problems. He specifically didn’t like how the Osprey was being used in close air support and was going to figure out a way to stop those missions. He was going to be a lot of trouble for everyone.
Lieutenant Vivian Llewelyn, a.k.a. “Hellcat”, was one of the pilots scheduled to go up and provide close air support for that day. She in her aircraft went by the callsign of Bolt 503 and she would eventually get into a lot of trouble which caused a lot of people to start scrambling. A downed pilot is one that everyone wants to recover no matter the cost if at all possible. To say that Captain Sandhurst wanted to be the one to rescue Hellcat would be an understatement. As things work out, he and his unit get heavily involved.
In the meantime, all the intelligence assets are trying to figure out what the Buzzers were up to. They were creating gravimetric anomalies all over the place. Commander Kathy March had been assigned by the GTF Forces Commander to find out what they meant. So, she was going down to the ground to do just that. Although she was normal a qualified pilot, she excelled at putting intelligence information together. The best way she thought to figure this stuff out was to be where it was happening so she showed at the TOC of the 157th Tank Regiment. Then she was going to spend some time in Major Davies Tank which was going to be a very interesting development.
I like that the various levels of command are addressed and they speak to each other using what I’d call normal radio traffic. I believe a lot of their over the air transmission are secured which is something we didn’t have in my days. Everything we said had to be encoded or spoken around about without giving away what you were talking about. Here in this book they are more free in their conversations. Listening to radio traffic is something someone gets very used to while living an a Tactical Operations Center.
This book describes only one operation on the planet Heske. No one knows what the Buzzers are up to but it looks like this could be a very long war. And I like that just so I can read more of these books. The next book, “Sound the Charge”, is now out on Amaz
October 28, 2024
Learning hard lessons from experience
The same people who we met in the first book are continuing to expand the tactics and mixes of forces that will give them the best possible chances to achieve their missions with the minimum of casualties.
While there is still a dichotomy that leaves an undesirable barrier between the Fleet and the ground forces, there is some hope on the horizon.
While by no means is the view widely held & accepted by senior “brass” there are starting to be enough people who see evidence of how much more capable & lethal the ground forces are when they have Close Air Support combining with the ATLAS armored infantry that it’s becoming obvious that the humans need it.
But of course just because something is in the best interest of the troops or even humanity in general doesn’t stop some types of people who are just out for themselves…
The same people who we met in the first book are continuing to expand the tactics and mixes of forces that will give them the best possible chances to achieve their missions with the minimum of casualties.
While there is still a dichotomy that leaves an undesirable barrier between the Fleet and the ground forces, there is some hope on the horizon.
While by no means is the view widely held & accepted by senior “brass” there are starting to be enough people who see evidence of how much more capable & lethal the ground forces are when they have Close Air Support combining with the ATLAS armored infantry that it’s becoming obvious that the humans need it.
But of course just because something is in the best interest of the troops or even humanity in general doesn’t stop some types of people who are just out for themselves…
November 7, 2024
Estrogen-fueled Wannabe SciFi “Winds of War” Soap Opera
“Forged By Fire (The Buzzer War Book 2)” is an estrogen-fueled, wannabe SciFi “Winds of War” soap opera, with much hugging and tears. Every other protagonist seems to be a highly skilled female fighter jock, or tanker, or Special Operator, or a combination of all, in romantic entanglements with their somewhat less skilled and adroit male counterparts.
It’s a demonstrable trend with this author in his books whether this series or others [SEE ‘Four Horsemen Universe’ (4HU) franchise], and the so-called ‘military’ SciFi genre writ large, as Marxist-Maoist ideology is prevalent and pervasive throughout, pushed through consistent narratives designed to ensnare the uninformed and unwary.
Some Highlights and Notes on Goodreads.
“Forged By Fire (The Buzzer War Book 2)” is an estrogen-fueled, wannabe SciFi “Winds of War” soap opera, with much hugging and tears. Every other protagonist seems to be a highly skilled female fighter jock, or tanker, or Special Operator, or a combination of all, in romantic entanglements with their somewhat less skilled and adroit male counterparts.
It’s a demonstrable trend with this author in his books whether this series or others [SEE ‘Four Horsemen Universe’ (4HU) franchise], and the so-called ‘military’ SciFi genre writ large, as Marxist-Maoist ideology is prevalent and pervasive throughout, pushed through consistent narratives designed to ensnare the uninformed and unwary.
Some Highlights and Notes on Goodreads.
October 23, 2024
Time for some fireworks
Book 2 shows the war progression but lay the few in the front understand this war is unlike any before we chacthers who still think in political mindset prewar now we see how they different mindset shape the military focus in this for better or worst.
In the tools depart nothing new in the Human side but the Buzzards give some new artillery do that’s it lay we get more info on there tech works the mystery behind is still hidden maybe book 3 will answer that I hope. With the weapons and people aspects said the story was abit below the Lv the first book set hope you get creative in the next book are you’ll lose your readers interest.
Book 2 shows the war progression but lay the few in the front understand this war is unlike any before we chacthers who still think in political mindset prewar now we see how they different mindset shape the military focus in this for better or worst.
In the tools depart nothing new in the Human side but the Buzzards give some new artillery do that’s it lay we get more info on there tech works the mystery behind is still hidden maybe book 3 will answer that I hope. With the weapons and people aspects said the story was abit below the Lv the first book set hope you get creative in the next book are you’ll lose your readers interest.
November 8, 2024
Hammer’s Slammers meets Starship Troopers
Instant classic series building here! Not sure about the Starship Troopers reference, but can’t think of a combined Ops reference. Glad to see the third of the trilogy is out soon. Don’t like long waits. Hope this is a long series. Very enjoyable!
Instant classic series building here! Not sure about the Starship Troopers reference, but can’t think of a combined Ops reference. Glad to see the third of the trilogy is out soon. Don’t like long waits. Hope this is a long series. Very enjoyable!
December 4, 2024
Fast paced.
Fast paced, good read. Some grammatical errors and typos.
Your instead of You’re. Ugh! Pet peeve. Nit picking because I only noticed it once in the book;-)
Hard to put down and get something else done! The kind of book I like to read.
On to the next book in the series.
Fast paced, good read. Some grammatical errors and typos.
Your instead of You’re. Ugh! Pet peeve. Nit picking because I only noticed it once in the book;-)
Hard to put down and get something else done! The kind of book I like to read.
On to the next book in the series.
October 25, 2024
Fast moving
Tanks and aircraft and Infantry battle the bugs. Ikenberry writes well rounded characters that you care about. The search for a downed pilot has you on the edge of your chair.
Tanks and aircraft and Infantry battle the bugs. Ikenberry writes well rounded characters that you care about. The search for a downed pilot has you on the edge of your chair.
October 30, 2024
Dana Sterling to the rescue?
Seems what is needed to defeat this enemy is an ATAC. Armored hover tanks and jump jets ala armies of the Southern Cross. Smaller, faster vehicles to bring more weapons to bear in the fight.
Seems what is needed to defeat this enemy is an ATAC. Armored hover tanks and jump jets ala armies of the Southern Cross. Smaller, faster vehicles to bring more weapons to bear in the fight.
December 15, 2024
Friendships strenghened
Mike,Vivian and Paige build on their original budding friendship. This creates a bond which builds a strong working relationship.
New friendships are developed which show the way for mankind
Mike,Vivian and Paige build on their original budding friendship. This creates a bond which builds a strong working relationship.
New friendships are developed which show the way for mankind
October 27, 2024
Great read!
Great read, tons of battle fighting against an inoxrable aliens, well written, kind of got lost in the military talk, but tons of action!
Great read, tons of battle fighting against an inoxrable aliens, well written, kind of got lost in the military talk, but tons of action!
December 21, 2024
I really liked the first in this series. This one is kinda more of the same.
January 27, 2025
Excellent! Non-stop action that makes this a fast read.
March 12, 2025
Good series
I hope the next in the series stands up to muster. The characters are well developed and interesting. I hope Stuebing is suitably punished,or killed.
I hope the next in the series stands up to muster. The characters are well developed and interesting. I hope Stuebing is suitably punished,or killed.
October 1, 2025
Woke Loses
Good storyline but degraded value in the pronoun usage with they/their/them. It created confusion and broke into the flow of the story.
Good storyline but degraded value in the pronoun usage with they/their/them. It created confusion and broke into the flow of the story.
December 30, 2024
Bounces back and forth between DATs and Brown shoes
A good tale that (at least the armor side) seems well researched. Author does a great job keeping the action rolling and realistic with the exposition flowing smoothly without bogging things down. The characters are well written and balanced neither OP nor all knowing. I think I learned a lot about aviation ops. Kept me engaged and enjoying
A good tale that (at least the armor side) seems well researched. Author does a great job keeping the action rolling and realistic with the exposition flowing smoothly without bogging things down. The characters are well written and balanced neither OP nor all knowing. I think I learned a lot about aviation ops. Kept me engaged and enjoying
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews