Boots Down

Tall Boys #1

by Scott Moon

One mechanized combat rig falls. Others respond.

When a platoon of tall boys learns their sergeant’s brother is MIA, they go into a city wracked with centuries of war to find him.

By the end of the fight, they will learn of a massive government coverup by the highest officers in the expeditionary fleet, an alien invasion, new portal technology, and an AI uprising that may or may not be benevolent.

All they must do to put things right is save humanity.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction

356 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 25, 2024

About the author

Scott Moon loves audio books, especially the works of George R.R. Martin, Patrick O'Brian, and Michael Connelly. He has been writing fantasy, science fiction, and urban fantasy thrillers most of his life and aims to read or listen to 100 books a year. Currently, he is a commissioned police officer serving in a street level counter drug and gang unit. Some of his most rewarding and heartbreaking work was as a detective in the Exploited Missing Child Unit. His favorite assignment is SWAT, primarily for the eighty pounds of tactical gear he gets to wear in the blazing summer heat. In 2005, he helped arrest a serial killer who had been at large for over thirty years.

Follow Scott Moon on Twitter @Scottmoonwriter or visit www.scottmoonwriter.com to view his author page.

Reviews

[Tabi Butela · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.2- im coming off a book hangover so its not fully finished this book’s fault but i had no urge to pick it up again every time i put it down. I love the concept of robots and ai and space battles so i will try the next one but im going to give it a little time before i do.

[Vanteacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary:
The Sarge's brother is missing. The team of bad-ass mechs are going off the books to find him. Lots of action, big bangs and some gruesome injuries. It's not just a fetch quest, it's an epic journey

Pros:
The action is well written. I could taste the dust and grit, the anxiety, the desperation and general bad-assery. If you like big mechs, AI and scifi-ery this scratches the itch. The world building is fun and really got my imagination going. The protagonist is hard as nails but shows some vulnerability as well.

Cons:
Some parts feel a bit predictable. There's a lull about a third into the book. Get over it and two twists will get you going again. I had to re-read some parts I didnt quite get, but that could be because I'm not a native speaker.

My 10 cents:
I liked it. I lost about two hours of sleep finishing it. I recommend the Scavenger by the same author. That made me read this. Preferred Scavenger, but this was good too. I know more about the factions and world now. Might dip into the series again later in the year.

Thanks Scott Moon. Really cool, I had fun.

[Bruce Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just started this series after seeing some favorable recommendations. I liked it a lot. There is a fair amount of worldbuilding and background setting going on, being basically the first book in the series (technically, I guess Scavenger is first, but it is not numbered and is, I believe, a short story). This story opened several possibly development routes, which is great. I very much enjoyed the development of the AI MCRs, leaving a lot of room for "buddy story" angles. One of the main characters is well fleshed out, a couple others could use a little more backstory, but I'm sure there is plenty of time for that in the next books. I'm looking forward to book 2. The only reason I didn't give this a 5 star rating, and I almost did anyway, was that it came to a rather (to me) jarring abrupt end. I was reading on an iPad using the Kindle app, and I thought maybe it lost some pages, but it just ended in kind of a stop short manner. Otherwise, great start to a new "mech" oriented series for me. The only thing better would be to throw in time travel somewhere (and with the portal tech, that's not beyond the realm of possibility...).

[Ryan Reed · Rating 2 out of 5]

Difficult to read

I only made it 33% through the book. The writing was really hard to follow and I had to reread sections several times. The book is written in 1st person narration. It's in the perspective of Jam. It's his thoughts about what is going on. The narrative makes a lot of absolute statements about what he thinks happened. It's stated it a way that makes me think it's a fact. But shortly after these "facts" are stated the reverse ends up happening. Maybe he's being sarcastic a lot and I just can't seem to catch it. Also the dialogue between the characters is very realistic with a lot of inside jokes or phrases that aren't always explained. Lastly the story pace is very quick with time jumps in the middle of a page. This would be fine if everything else wasn't already hard to follow. I do really like the characters and the world I just find this book hard to read and relax while I'm reading

[Lynn Nicholson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Gripping Start to an Unforgettable Journey

The first installment of the Tall Boys Trilogy is an absolute triumph, pulling you into a world that’s as thrilling as it is richly crafted. The plot hums with energy, weaving twists and turns that keep you hooked without ever feeling contrived. The characters leap off the page, each one distinct and brimming with personality—none more so than Jam, whose razor-sharp attitude injects every scene with a mix of grit, humor, and heart. It’s the kind of book that doesn’t just entertain; it lingers, leaving you eager to dive into the next chapter of this epic saga. A must-read for anyone craving a story that’s bold, smart, and utterly addictive!

[Alexander Shearer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked this up from a Facebook ad and 100% don't regret it. Solid military action throughout, with likeable and interesting characters (humans and AI alike).

I'm sure it was advertised to me because I'm a Battletech fan, and if you also are, I think t think this will work well for you (similarly if you're a fan of Titanfall, or Heavy Gear, or the original Starship Troopers novel.)



The book took what was, to me, a pretty wild tonal shift in the last fifth of the story or so. Still loved it, but it felt like we went from harder military SF to John Carter of Mars. Still liked it.

[Marty Taft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of enjoyable twists and turns!

Lots of clever banter and good opposing character development. Scott Moon is way smarter than me, and I wonder if I really get all the twists in the story. It's like being led through a maze, but a maze that you can't stop in because the next corner is so alluring. It was an entertaining read, especially if you like companion exoskeleton war machines with Artificial intelligence like I do.
Good job!

[Barbara Lowry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down. Epic.

I first got a taste of this universe and characters with the short Salvager novela, which was more or less a prequel. The world building, storyline, and characters are top-notch. This was a fresh take on the Military Sci Fi mech warrior genre. This was a real page turner. I can't wait for the next one

[Jes Larson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable, but stilted and needs polishing

First off, I’m interested in reading more of this series and it’s engaging. But typos/errors, choppy prose, and stilted dialog makes this a bit of a chore to read. Hopefully the later books improve (and I’m willing to give them a shot) but there are parts here that feel more like an outline rather than a finished product.

[G. Everett · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's an interesting story, it scratches that sci-fi itch, and isn't too full of itself. The belief one need provide it isn't a stretch, seems like a plausible future, the aliens feel a bit monodirectional; however, it seems we tend to write about races as unified, or aligned, where the human condition is anything but that.

[Daniel Lee Stephenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brace yourself for some serious action in a big tin can!

This book moves fast. Action, mischief, trouble, and adventure at every step. Written and spoken like someone who has been there. I look forward to the next book.

[Lonn Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another home run for Scott Moon

Gripping and well paced. The characters are well thought and fleshed out. I finished reading far past my bedtime, I was not willing to put this book down.

[GREGG CORDELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read.

This book was a good read . I thought there would be more fighting in it but instead they made a new ally and found out about a bigger war going on headed there way with bigger machines and a lot bigger people instead of just the three wars going on on this planet.

[Abi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best mech Book I've read in a while

Clean, well-written, good storytelling. Artificial intelligence, mechs, aliens, teamwork, and humor. Thanks for the good read! Looking forward to reading the next book in the series!

[James T. Allen, II · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good reading, and different too!

Great science fiction, great action, and different than most books of the genre, I really recommend this one to all fans of military science fiction with a twist. Oh, and lots of humor too.

[Steven Reneau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Start! Already bought the next 2 in series

Great character development, troop attitudes and interactions ring true. Mission goals fluid, lots going on, new friends(?) bring news of greater enemy. The stage is set, Tall Boys will be ready.

[Bill Rathbone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of things to complain about. Written in the first person (choppy, blunt prose), and what it lacks in context and descriptions it tries to make up for with nonstop action. More than a few grammatical errors. And an end that reveals it’s just a setup for the rest of the series.

[Jeff Rikard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!

This is a fun read! It's what I've come to expect from Scott Moon. It's got great characters without too much world and character building. As a fan of Moon, Chaney, and McGinnis, I would definitely recommend it

[Brad Grinstead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book greatly. Was surprised that he seemed to spend more time out of his mech than in it, but the story was great and I enjoyed the twist in the third act. Can't wait to start the next one.

[Aaron Byers · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an okay mech-armor read. There is clearly some secrets about the protagonist, but instead of making him the hero with credentials, he seems to be the hero without credentials. Meh.

I'll probably skim the next couple books, just to see what happens.

[Michael Hackerott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good and Very Good

The first part of the story was good but the ending was very good. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Divad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my!

This never slowed down nor got stale. It likely has been many decades since I read as good a SF book

[Keith Knudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Enjoyable

I really enjoyed this book. Articulate description of futuristic combat rigs, interesting enemy characters, very fun read! Looking forward to the next book.

[David Besly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great combat story

Lots of action, world building without chapters of exposition, and characters who react from their own motives and even grow a little in the process.

[x x x · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action heros

Fast paced and very sci-fi. Enjoyable room with integral meanings beyond each and every protagonists ' sight line for the book.

[andrez uriarte · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read!

This book turned into an all night read. Good plot, great writing and plenty of action and surprises. Looking forward to the next book.

[Richard E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read. Want more.

Good read. Good comradery. Action could be more, some things took too long. Good main character, funny, brave. Try it yourself.

[Randy Schleicher · Rating 5 out of 5]

action non stop

What a way to be a ground pounder then exposed to AI & alien support
Read it all in a day

[Robert W McCalla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hang on, this book is quite a ride!

Interesting characters plus lots of action and more than a couple of surprises as well. Can’t wait to start the next one.

[Jaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Keeps momentum the whole way. Good descriptions without getting too descriptive. Nice balance between harder science and sci fi. Would recommend