Rogue Trooper #1: Crucible

Rogue Trooper

by Gordon Rennie

The sole survivor of his unit, Rogue Trooper--cut off from Souther lines and hunted by Nort forces--is on the trail of a traitor general who betrayed his unit, but the general has set a trap within the ruins of Nordstadt, sending a master sniper on his trail. Original.

Genres: Science Fiction, Military Fiction, Fiction, War, Action

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 9, 2004

About the author

Freelance writer for over 20 years – When he’s not being ungainfully employed as a BAFTA-nominated video games scriptwriter, he keeps himself busy writing comics, novels, screenplays and Doctor Who audio plays. Comics work includes Predator, Judge Dredd, Rogue Trooper, Missionary Man, Necronauts, Caballistics Inc and Absalom, and Dept. of Monsterology for Renegade.

Reviews

[David Dalton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stayed up late to knock out this exciting story. I really liked this sci-fi action story, which is based on the Rogue Trooper comics. This is the 1st of 3 books in this Rogue Trooper series. Rogue is a genetically designed soldier (blue skinned) created to survive in the chemically polluted and radioactive atmosphere of Nu-Earth (without a suit). Regular humans must wear suits for protection from all the toxic gasses and radiation. But not so our Rogue Trooper. He was once part of a specially created army but now (due to a Traitor General) it is down to just him (plus a blue skinned pilot). Nu-Earth is located near a worm-hole where two forces are fighting large scale battles to control this toxic world (Norts and Southers).

Crucible has plenty of sci-fi military action and tons of battle scenes. At times Rogue seemed to disappear from the storyline for long stretches, but the author continued the story from several other points of view. Revenge plays a big part in this story as well (really loved that part and the assassin hunting Rogue as well). I have plans to read the 2nd book: by James Swallow, In addition I am reading the new version of the comic series as well (two issues are out, in paper and e-book formats).

[Mark Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable future war is HELL shenanigans.

A rogue warrior on a personal mission to avenge his fallen comrades and along the way kill the enemy and save as many of his own sides troops as he can, whilst being branded a traitor himself and evading capture and death from all sides.

Liked the comic back in the day and the book's a bit more in depth to all characters involved.

Not too hard a read and teens may enjoy it, even if they have no idea who Rogue is.

[Alvaro Espírito Santo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun sci-fi.