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Planetside #4
Darkside
In this thrilling, action-packed fourth installment in the Planetside series from acclaimed science fiction author Michael Mammay, retired Colonel Carl Butler gears up for another military investigation, full of danger, corporate intrigue, and tech people would kill for—perfect for fans of John Scalzi and Craig Alanson.
Colonel Butler has paid his dues and just wants to enjoy his retirement on a remote planet. But the galaxy has had other plans. He has been roped into searching for a politician’s missing son and an industry magnate’s missing daughter. He has been kidnapped, violated numerous laws, and caused the destruction of colonial facilities. He’s famous—or infamous, depending on who you ask—praised and reviled in equal measure across the galaxy for his exploits.
And he is determined to never let the government drag him into another investigation.
But when a runaway twelve-year-old girl whose father has gone missing asks him for help, well…it’s a lot harder to say no.
The girl’s father, Jorge Ramiro, was supposed to have been on Taug, a moon orbiting the gas giant Ridia 5, working on a dig with a famous archaeologist. But now there’s no sign of him and no record of him being there. Mining operations on the moon are run by two different consortiums, Caliber and Omicron—both of which have tried to kill Butler in the past. Butler doesn’t believe in coincidence.
Landing on Taug with his right-hand man Mac, computer genius Ganos, and an elite security squad, Butler soon finds that they’ve charged back into the crosshairs—because Ramiro is not the only who has disappeared, and the perpetual darkside of this moon is hiding more than the truth about a missing archeologist…
Colonel Butler has paid his dues and just wants to enjoy his retirement on a remote planet. But the galaxy has had other plans. He has been roped into searching for a politician’s missing son and an industry magnate’s missing daughter. He has been kidnapped, violated numerous laws, and caused the destruction of colonial facilities. He’s famous—or infamous, depending on who you ask—praised and reviled in equal measure across the galaxy for his exploits.
And he is determined to never let the government drag him into another investigation.
But when a runaway twelve-year-old girl whose father has gone missing asks him for help, well…it’s a lot harder to say no.
The girl’s father, Jorge Ramiro, was supposed to have been on Taug, a moon orbiting the gas giant Ridia 5, working on a dig with a famous archaeologist. But now there’s no sign of him and no record of him being there. Mining operations on the moon are run by two different consortiums, Caliber and Omicron—both of which have tried to kill Butler in the past. Butler doesn’t believe in coincidence.
Landing on Taug with his right-hand man Mac, computer genius Ganos, and an elite security squad, Butler soon finds that they’ve charged back into the crosshairs—because Ramiro is not the only who has disappeared, and the perpetual darkside of this moon is hiding more than the truth about a missing archeologist…
9 pages, Audiobook
First published September 24, 2024
60 people are currently reading
362 people want to read
About the author
Michael Mammay
8 books598 followersMichael Mammay is a retired army officer and a graduate of the United States Military Academy. He has a masters degree in military history, and he is a veteran of more wars than he cares to remember. His first novel, PLANETSIDE, was a Library Journal 'Best books of 2018' pick and the sequels, SPACESIDE and COLONYSIDE, received starred reviews. GENERATION SHIP is his first foray out of the military SF sub-genre and comes out in October of 2023. He lives with his family in Georgia.
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December 27, 2023This is the fourth book in the Planetside series. Due to taking a break between books 3 and 4 to write other things, the publisher is having me put in a short summary of the previous three books at the beginning for those who want to refresh their memory. You can read book 4 without having read the other three -- it has it's own self-contained plot -- but there are callbacks and decisions made that reflect things that happened in previous books, and some of the characters from previous books return for this one. The two most notable returning characters (other than Carl Butler, obviously, as the POV character) are Mac and Ganos. In Darkside, Mac even has one chapter of his own, told from his point of view.
September 21, 2024
No more military missions. No more battling big corporations who literally got away with murder. Retired life is good. Then a runaway twelve year old girl begs the most infamous people finder in the galaxy to find her missing father. This was my first visit to Michael Mammay’s writing and I was eager to try a sci-fi thriller with mystery and intrigue.
Darkside is the fourth book in the Planetside series following the exploits of Colonel Carl Butler as he got the job done by coloring outside the lines and hanging tough as the underdog up against the powerful corporations and sometimes his own military. Darkside can be read standalone- which is what I did- with little trouble. For series fans, Darkside comes along after the author took time away to write other stuff so there is a handy review of Carl Butler’s previous adventures right at the beginning to get oldtimers and newcomers up to speed.
I’m not sure what I was expecting when I picked this up other than a mystery around the disappearance of an archeologist on a mining moon and a retired missing persons investigator taking the case. This was that, but it was also a big action thriller with good political intrigue. Colonel Carl Butler is something of an anti-hero. He tends to get the job done and doesn’t sweat it if this means bending or breaking the rules and thumbing his nose at the powers that be. That said, his moral compass points true north and he’s one of the good guys along with his trusty team particularly Mac who has been with him a long time.
The writing style took some adjustment. It’s got a passive voice quality to it that mutes rather than sharpens the actions scenes. But, I don’t mean that it is passive voice because there is lots of action and dialogue even monologue inside Butler’s fascinating mind.
Carl Butler is the focus and he’s larger than life with his experience and his charisma. He plays the soldier to perfection and loves to let his enemies underestimate his ability to play chess several moves out. I loved how Butler and his people go up against two big powerful mining corporations he’s had rough dealings with in the past and he’s even got the local military keyed up about his presence because of his notorious past missions. He’s walking a tightrope the whole time. He finds out quickly this is much bigger and more complicated than locating a missing man. I enjoyed the twisting, exciting trail he had to follow to the truth. There are so many times he seems to be checkmated, but then he pulls a brilliant move and outwits his opponents.
I ended up enjoying this and the surprise twists and action sequences. My only niggle was the abrupt ending. Sure, things are pretty much wrapped up, but it just stops. At least, I have a nice stack of series backlist books to go back and get more of Carl Butler’s thrillers from the beginning.
As to recommendations, yes, sci-fi mystery fans might be a target, but for sure those who enjoy military space opera, sci fi thrillers and adventures.
I rec'd an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at Caffeinated Reviewer 9.18.24.
Darkside is the fourth book in the Planetside series following the exploits of Colonel Carl Butler as he got the job done by coloring outside the lines and hanging tough as the underdog up against the powerful corporations and sometimes his own military. Darkside can be read standalone- which is what I did- with little trouble. For series fans, Darkside comes along after the author took time away to write other stuff so there is a handy review of Carl Butler’s previous adventures right at the beginning to get oldtimers and newcomers up to speed.
I’m not sure what I was expecting when I picked this up other than a mystery around the disappearance of an archeologist on a mining moon and a retired missing persons investigator taking the case. This was that, but it was also a big action thriller with good political intrigue. Colonel Carl Butler is something of an anti-hero. He tends to get the job done and doesn’t sweat it if this means bending or breaking the rules and thumbing his nose at the powers that be. That said, his moral compass points true north and he’s one of the good guys along with his trusty team particularly Mac who has been with him a long time.
The writing style took some adjustment. It’s got a passive voice quality to it that mutes rather than sharpens the actions scenes. But, I don’t mean that it is passive voice because there is lots of action and dialogue even monologue inside Butler’s fascinating mind.
Carl Butler is the focus and he’s larger than life with his experience and his charisma. He plays the soldier to perfection and loves to let his enemies underestimate his ability to play chess several moves out. I loved how Butler and his people go up against two big powerful mining corporations he’s had rough dealings with in the past and he’s even got the local military keyed up about his presence because of his notorious past missions. He’s walking a tightrope the whole time. He finds out quickly this is much bigger and more complicated than locating a missing man. I enjoyed the twisting, exciting trail he had to follow to the truth. There are so many times he seems to be checkmated, but then he pulls a brilliant move and outwits his opponents.
I ended up enjoying this and the surprise twists and action sequences. My only niggle was the abrupt ending. Sure, things are pretty much wrapped up, but it just stops. At least, I have a nice stack of series backlist books to go back and get more of Carl Butler’s thrillers from the beginning.
As to recommendations, yes, sci-fi mystery fans might be a target, but for sure those who enjoy military space opera, sci fi thrillers and adventures.
I rec'd an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at Caffeinated Reviewer 9.18.24.
May 24, 2024
I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of Darkside the fourth installment in the Planetside Series. Having read all of Mammay’s books except Generational Ship, I was thrilled to be able to read this advance copy.
The beginning of the novel summarizes the first 3 installments. The 4th book picks up where the 3rd one left. Our hero, Carl Butler is asked by a little girl to find her father, Jorge Ramiro. Butler who is an expert a finding missing person can’t resist and agrees reluctantly to do it. Along with his sidekick Mac, Ganos, “C” and Barnes they are off to the moon to investigate.
When they landed on the moon it’s here the met Jacob Whiteman. Whiteman holds the key to finding Ramiro. While on the moon, Butler again is tasked with battling his old nemesis Omicron and Caliber. When Omicron and Caliber gets a wind of Butler, they know he brings nothing but bad news. While on their missing, Butler’s crew found out they are going up against the deadliest assassin on the planet.
While trying to locate Whiteman, Butler insists Ganos stay behind to try and locate the assassin. The rest of the crew is on a mission to locate Whiteman when they are ambush. When the dust clears, Butler’s crew was able to apprehend the enemies. While trying to decide if the enemies work for Omicron or Caliber, they enemies deny being hired by either company. Butler arrests their leader Alexander and try to use her against the company.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. While the mystery of who killed Ramiro is easy to figure out it did not take the enjoyment away from the story. It contains some nice actions and it’s easy to root for Ganos and Mac and becoming easier to root for Butler as he is becoming less of jerk with each series. There’s also a nice twist in there I won’t spoil for the reader which I didn’t see coming.
Thanks to Net Galley, Harper Collins for allowing me to read an advance copy. Darkside will be released on September 24, 2024.
These opinions are my own. If you haven’t read the Planetside series, do yourself a favor and read them. I recommend reading them in order.
The beginning of the novel summarizes the first 3 installments. The 4th book picks up where the 3rd one left. Our hero, Carl Butler is asked by a little girl to find her father, Jorge Ramiro. Butler who is an expert a finding missing person can’t resist and agrees reluctantly to do it. Along with his sidekick Mac, Ganos, “C” and Barnes they are off to the moon to investigate.
When they landed on the moon it’s here the met Jacob Whiteman. Whiteman holds the key to finding Ramiro. While on the moon, Butler again is tasked with battling his old nemesis Omicron and Caliber. When Omicron and Caliber gets a wind of Butler, they know he brings nothing but bad news. While on their missing, Butler’s crew found out they are going up against the deadliest assassin on the planet.
While trying to locate Whiteman, Butler insists Ganos stay behind to try and locate the assassin. The rest of the crew is on a mission to locate Whiteman when they are ambush. When the dust clears, Butler’s crew was able to apprehend the enemies. While trying to decide if the enemies work for Omicron or Caliber, they enemies deny being hired by either company. Butler arrests their leader Alexander and try to use her against the company.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. While the mystery of who killed Ramiro is easy to figure out it did not take the enjoyment away from the story. It contains some nice actions and it’s easy to root for Ganos and Mac and becoming easier to root for Butler as he is becoming less of jerk with each series. There’s also a nice twist in there I won’t spoil for the reader which I didn’t see coming.
Thanks to Net Galley, Harper Collins for allowing me to read an advance copy. Darkside will be released on September 24, 2024.
These opinions are my own. If you haven’t read the Planetside series, do yourself a favor and read them. I recommend reading them in order.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2024
I just love this Butler character—please keep them coming—I would also totally read a Mac or Ganos spinoff. Highly recommend this author to anyone who likes military sci-fi.
September 15, 2024
Darkside by Michael Mammay - Fourth book in the Planetside series
adventurous challenging funny informative inspiring reflective sad tense
Medium-paced
Plot or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters are a main focus? Yes
4.75 Stars
This book was/is an amazing read. It checks a LOT of the boxes for me. This is a Science Fiction Military action novel. I've read the previous three novels within the Planetside series...and I'm happy to say that this is my favourite of the series, so far (and I hope that he continues to tell the story of "retired" Colonel Carl Butler).
I also recognize that not everyone will love it as much as I did, but I also believe that when a book hooks me so much, that I read it in one day...it's something special.
This story is the reluctant hero, takes a case of helping someone who's not able to help themselves, and this is actually perfect for Carl Butler and the crew that he's gathered together...to find out the answer to the mystery for a helpless soul.
I sat down on the couch, and for most of this day, I was reading, chuckling, fist pumping in the air, recounting the scenes with my wife, and all-around...enjoying the story being relayed to me.
The action was visceral. The dialogue is pure military (with some inside baseball type references), characters that put their lives on the live, for the overall achievement of the set goal, and the "never say die" attitude.
The bad guys get what's due to them, and the good guys get banged up and suffer some losses, but at the end of the mission...it was well worth it.
I loved this story. Please write another. Please.
This was an eArc that was given to me for an honest review via Net Galley. Thank you for this opportunity.
adventurous challenging funny informative inspiring reflective sad tense
Medium-paced
Plot or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters are a main focus? Yes
4.75 Stars
This book was/is an amazing read. It checks a LOT of the boxes for me. This is a Science Fiction Military action novel. I've read the previous three novels within the Planetside series...and I'm happy to say that this is my favourite of the series, so far (and I hope that he continues to tell the story of "retired" Colonel Carl Butler).
I also recognize that not everyone will love it as much as I did, but I also believe that when a book hooks me so much, that I read it in one day...it's something special.
This story is the reluctant hero, takes a case of helping someone who's not able to help themselves, and this is actually perfect for Carl Butler and the crew that he's gathered together...to find out the answer to the mystery for a helpless soul.
I sat down on the couch, and for most of this day, I was reading, chuckling, fist pumping in the air, recounting the scenes with my wife, and all-around...enjoying the story being relayed to me.
The action was visceral. The dialogue is pure military (with some inside baseball type references), characters that put their lives on the live, for the overall achievement of the set goal, and the "never say die" attitude.
The bad guys get what's due to them, and the good guys get banged up and suffer some losses, but at the end of the mission...it was well worth it.
I loved this story. Please write another. Please.
This was an eArc that was given to me for an honest review via Net Galley. Thank you for this opportunity.
October 2, 2024
I didn't understand what the purpose of this series was before. I believe I understand now after having read this one. Apparently this is going to be a series of semi-standalone books that each have self-contained stories. The formula is that Carl Butler, the protagonist, reluctantly takes on some mission that initially seems like it won't be all that much, then turns out to be of extreme importance. This time it's a young girl requesting Butler to find her father, a seemingly simple missing persons case, albeit an interplanetary one. Butler isn't a detective, he's ex-military, but that's what each book has increasingly been pushing him towards, much to his dismay.
The premise of this series was military SF investigations and while that may have been true for the first book, it's increasingly more investigations and less anything else. There's some combat in this one, though it feels more like it was included as part of a quota. It made everything read more like a procedural than the previous books, which may have been the intention. I don't personally mind, as much popular media does the same, but if you're looking for more than that, it isn't here. That's disappointing in that I know Mammay can be more ambitious, as with Generation Ship, though that isn't this.
Perhaps it's because I haven't read much in the way of thrillers that explains why I'm increasingly reminded of John Sanford's Davenport series, especially the latter books in the series. Incidentally there's a minor character in this book named Davenport. As with many books in the Davenport series, and a few other series I read, they aren't that enjoyable to read, but they fulfill a specific niche of enjoyment and that's enough for me to keep going. These books won't ever be something I think fondly of, it'd more be of a lukewarm remembrance, but even so I feel I'd be missing out on a bit if I haven't read them. There's a limit to how many series I can read that are like that, however I won't know what that limit is unless I've reached it. I won't worry about it until then.
The particular problem I have with this one is its intentional negation of its sense of wonder. By doing so it does make quite the point, though considering the disconnect between the books, I have to wonder whether it, or really anything that happens in the books, will have a consequences for the setting. Having a situation where you become involved in possibly the greatest discovery in human history and it's downplayed as merely a commercial venture is quite something. Considering how powerful corporations are in this setting it's not surprising. It's presented as being the realities of the situation. The nonchalance reminds of me Amy Griswold's "Still Tomorrow's Going to Be Another Working Day", which as you may infer from the title, no matter what happens, the grind continues, and maybe that's all there is.
The premise of this series was military SF investigations and while that may have been true for the first book, it's increasingly more investigations and less anything else. There's some combat in this one, though it feels more like it was included as part of a quota. It made everything read more like a procedural than the previous books, which may have been the intention. I don't personally mind, as much popular media does the same, but if you're looking for more than that, it isn't here. That's disappointing in that I know Mammay can be more ambitious, as with Generation Ship, though that isn't this.
Perhaps it's because I haven't read much in the way of thrillers that explains why I'm increasingly reminded of John Sanford's Davenport series, especially the latter books in the series. Incidentally there's a minor character in this book named Davenport. As with many books in the Davenport series, and a few other series I read, they aren't that enjoyable to read, but they fulfill a specific niche of enjoyment and that's enough for me to keep going. These books won't ever be something I think fondly of, it'd more be of a lukewarm remembrance, but even so I feel I'd be missing out on a bit if I haven't read them. There's a limit to how many series I can read that are like that, however I won't know what that limit is unless I've reached it. I won't worry about it until then.
The particular problem I have with this one is its intentional negation of its sense of wonder. By doing so it does make quite the point, though considering the disconnect between the books, I have to wonder whether it, or really anything that happens in the books, will have a consequences for the setting. Having a situation where you become involved in possibly the greatest discovery in human history and it's downplayed as merely a commercial venture is quite something. Considering how powerful corporations are in this setting it's not surprising. It's presented as being the realities of the situation. The nonchalance reminds of me Amy Griswold's "Still Tomorrow's Going to Be Another Working Day", which as you may infer from the title, no matter what happens, the grind continues, and maybe that's all there is.
May 11, 2024
I received this ARC from netgalley.
There's something about these books that confounds belief. The protagonist isn't a superhero and doesn't have an uber intellect for deduction, but there's something engaging about a rational person doing rational things in strange circumstances. This book is no different. Butler is older, not necessarily wiser, but he goes up against massively powerful villains and wins the day through bloody-mindedness, grit and sheer will.
A good read, nothing earthshattering or genre defining, but definitely a good book to settle into enjoy some solid storytelling.
There's something about these books that confounds belief. The protagonist isn't a superhero and doesn't have an uber intellect for deduction, but there's something engaging about a rational person doing rational things in strange circumstances. This book is no different. Butler is older, not necessarily wiser, but he goes up against massively powerful villains and wins the day through bloody-mindedness, grit and sheer will.
A good read, nothing earthshattering or genre defining, but definitely a good book to settle into enjoy some solid storytelling.
October 7, 2025
The previous book in this series was very weak. This book is brilliant.
The character work, which has always been a strength of the series, continues to be very strong, with a 3-dimensional and interesting protagonist and several solid supporting characters.
The plot is more thriller than straight SF, but it's done very well. There are high stakes, believable enemies, and real consequences. And the pacing is excellent, keeping my attention throughout.
The world remains the generic, somewhat dystopian SF world that was established in the previous book, and not much new is added in this volume. The tone is rather cyberpunk, with uncontrolled evil corporations up against our plucky band of heroes. Not exactly groundbreaking, but well executed.
Overall, while I had my doubts after book 3, this book has redeemed the series for me. Highly recommended.
The character work, which has always been a strength of the series, continues to be very strong, with a 3-dimensional and interesting protagonist and several solid supporting characters.
The plot is more thriller than straight SF, but it's done very well. There are high stakes, believable enemies, and real consequences. And the pacing is excellent, keeping my attention throughout.
The world remains the generic, somewhat dystopian SF world that was established in the previous book, and not much new is added in this volume. The tone is rather cyberpunk, with uncontrolled evil corporations up against our plucky band of heroes. Not exactly groundbreaking, but well executed.
Overall, while I had my doubts after book 3, this book has redeemed the series for me. Highly recommended.
September 6, 2024
This was a good science fiction read. This is book four in the Planetside series and there’s plenty of recapping in the beginning to remind readers of what happened in previous books as well as to inform readers that are new to the series. I hadn’t read the previous books in this series, but I was able to jump in just fine. This book was very well written and had an interesting story. I liked how this book combined science fiction with a bit of mystery and overall it was an intriguing read.
Thank you to Kaye Publicity and Harper Voyager for the gifted copy.
Thank you to Kaye Publicity and Harper Voyager for the gifted copy.
November 29, 2024
Michael Mammay's Planetside books have been my absolute favorite comfort reads of this year and Darkside is no exception!
I'm still missing a bit of worldbuilding and more backstory on Butler, but that didn't negatively impact my enjoyment of this one. I do think the series is a bit repetitve in terms of plot and themes, but sometimes coming back to something familiar and knowing what I'll get is exactly what I need!
If you enjoyed the previous three books, there's no reason you wont like this one. I had a blast!
I'm still missing a bit of worldbuilding and more backstory on Butler, but that didn't negatively impact my enjoyment of this one. I do think the series is a bit repetitve in terms of plot and themes, but sometimes coming back to something familiar and knowing what I'll get is exactly what I need!
If you enjoyed the previous three books, there's no reason you wont like this one. I had a blast!
February 8, 2025
Fun, Fast, and Violent Read
This is definitely military space opera fiction. "Darkside" is the fourth book in a series featuring Colonel Carl Butler (primarily told in first person). The books are fast-paced and pretty violent. Many characters don't survive, and even the main characters suffer setbacks. They aren't complicated or sophisticated, but they are really enjoyable, fast reads.
This is definitely military space opera fiction. "Darkside" is the fourth book in a series featuring Colonel Carl Butler (primarily told in first person). The books are fast-paced and pretty violent. Many characters don't survive, and even the main characters suffer setbacks. They aren't complicated or sophisticated, but they are really enjoyable, fast reads.
October 29, 2024
Another great adventure with Butler, Mac, and the rest. Enjoyed the chapter from Mac point of view. Can't wait for the next adventures to come .
November 11, 2025
Once again, Butler takes on an investigation that rapidly expands in magnitude.
November 13, 2024
Another excellent installment.
October 9, 2024
Darkside by Michael Mammay is the fourth book in the "Planetside" series. This is an action-packed Space Opera/Military Science Fiction novel. Although part of a series this book can be enjoyed if read as a stand-alone. The characters are interesting and the storyline has many plot twists and turns. An enjoyable read, as always, from Michael Mammay.
October 6, 2024
Carl Butler has the worst best luck in universe. Or the other way around. He always gets his team out of whatever FUBAR situation he’s gotten them into. Then again, it’s a FUBAR situation that they’re in because FUBAR follows him around like a lost puppy that doesn’t seem to realize it’s already found a forever home.
Or, to put it the way that Butler’s ace hacker Ganos put it, “This is a Carl Butler operation. When is it not the worst-case scenario?”
Carl and company put themselves into this particular mess because an almost literal lost puppy – or at least a young girl with puppy dog eyes – has shown up on his rather remote doorstep.
He’s retired and he’s enjoying it. Dammit. At least that’s what Butler says, anyway.
But he can’t resist Eliza Ramiro and her crowdfunded campaign to hire him to find out what happened to her missing father. Based on her story, he’s pretty sure it’s going to be bad news. At 12, she’s old enough to know that as well.
Still, she needs to KNOW and not just assume. And he gets that. And he’s probably a bit bored – even if he’s trying to tell himself that he’s not.
His team knows he’s going as soon as Eliza tells her story. It just takes Carl a while to catch up. Which is fine because they are way ahead of him on planning this trip he says he doesn’t want to take – when they all know that he really does.
The problem that Butler discovers when he reaches the last place Jorge Ramiro was seen is that everyone on Taug is way, way ahead of him as well. Including not one but two interstellar mining corporations who have each done their damndest to kill Butler in the past – and are unlikely to have compunctions about doing so in the present.
Especially on a remote little moon where each corporation is sure that they control all the shots on the surface and all the lawyers and spin doctors they could possibly need to make sure that what happens on the darkside stays buried there forever.
Escape Rating A: I got caught up in Carl Butler’s (mis)adventures back in the first book in this series, Planetside, and I’ve been just as captivated by each of the subsequent “clusterf–ks” the man has somehow managed to get himself into, Spaceside and Colonyside. And now here we are on Darkside, literally the darkside of a moon. And it looks like Butler is going to leave this moon as the scapegoat for everything that happens – even the stuff that happened before he arrived – again.
Which seems to be his role in the universe. I wouldn’t say he’s exactly “OK” with that role, but he’s willing to accept it as long as the job gets done and he and his people get out more or less in the same number of pieces they started in. He’s honestly less invested in whether he, himself, gets out intact – but his team is VERY invested in THAT, in spite of himself.
What makes this book, and this whole series, work, is that it rides or dies – and does it ever ride – on the universe-weary voice of its protagonist, Colonel Carl Butler (ret.) Butler had and still has a reputation for getting the job done. At the same time, he had more than enough rank in the military to have gotten a good picture of how the universe’s sausage gets made. He’s pragmatic about pretty much everything except the fate of his team, and will bend ALL the rules to the point of breakage to take care of business.
He’s experienced enough and smart enough – when he lets himself take the time to BE smart – to understand how the levers of power get pulled – and to make sure that a realistic number of them get pulled in his favor whenever possible.
Above all, he’s loyal to his team – and they’re loyal to him. And that loyalty inspires others to be loyal as well. One of the things that he does very well, that shines as part of his personality, is the way that he does his best to bring out the best in everyone he works with.
He’s a good man who does some very bad things – but tries to mitigate the damage whenever he realistically can. Which doesn’t mean he isn’t perfectly willing to ream EVERYNONE involved in this CLUSTERF*** a new one. Then again, they deserve it. And we’re right there with him hoping that they all get exactly what they deserve.
At the top, I said that Carl Butler has the worst best luck in the universe. He’s actually not alone in that distinction. I was listening to Ghostdrift, coincidentally also the fourth book but in the Finder Chronicles, as I read Darkside, and Fergus Ferguson has pretty much the same kind of luck that Butler does. He’s a walking avatar for Murphy’s Law, he gets into the worst situations at the drop of a hat, everyone’s plans go straight to hell in his vicinity, but he somehow manages to survive and bring his team out intact. The two stories are both told in the first-person, and both characters have similar universe-weary voices which they each came by honestly although from different directions. Meaning that if you like one you’ll like the other. I certainly do.
Which means that I was thrilled to read in the author’s blog that he’s working on book 5 in this series and has started planning book 6. Wherever those stories take Butler and his team, I’ll be along for the ride.
Originally published at Reading Reality
Or, to put it the way that Butler’s ace hacker Ganos put it, “This is a Carl Butler operation. When is it not the worst-case scenario?”
Carl and company put themselves into this particular mess because an almost literal lost puppy – or at least a young girl with puppy dog eyes – has shown up on his rather remote doorstep.
He’s retired and he’s enjoying it. Dammit. At least that’s what Butler says, anyway.
But he can’t resist Eliza Ramiro and her crowdfunded campaign to hire him to find out what happened to her missing father. Based on her story, he’s pretty sure it’s going to be bad news. At 12, she’s old enough to know that as well.
Still, she needs to KNOW and not just assume. And he gets that. And he’s probably a bit bored – even if he’s trying to tell himself that he’s not.
His team knows he’s going as soon as Eliza tells her story. It just takes Carl a while to catch up. Which is fine because they are way ahead of him on planning this trip he says he doesn’t want to take – when they all know that he really does.
The problem that Butler discovers when he reaches the last place Jorge Ramiro was seen is that everyone on Taug is way, way ahead of him as well. Including not one but two interstellar mining corporations who have each done their damndest to kill Butler in the past – and are unlikely to have compunctions about doing so in the present.
Especially on a remote little moon where each corporation is sure that they control all the shots on the surface and all the lawyers and spin doctors they could possibly need to make sure that what happens on the darkside stays buried there forever.
Escape Rating A: I got caught up in Carl Butler’s (mis)adventures back in the first book in this series, Planetside, and I’ve been just as captivated by each of the subsequent “clusterf–ks” the man has somehow managed to get himself into, Spaceside and Colonyside. And now here we are on Darkside, literally the darkside of a moon. And it looks like Butler is going to leave this moon as the scapegoat for everything that happens – even the stuff that happened before he arrived – again.
Which seems to be his role in the universe. I wouldn’t say he’s exactly “OK” with that role, but he’s willing to accept it as long as the job gets done and he and his people get out more or less in the same number of pieces they started in. He’s honestly less invested in whether he, himself, gets out intact – but his team is VERY invested in THAT, in spite of himself.
What makes this book, and this whole series, work, is that it rides or dies – and does it ever ride – on the universe-weary voice of its protagonist, Colonel Carl Butler (ret.) Butler had and still has a reputation for getting the job done. At the same time, he had more than enough rank in the military to have gotten a good picture of how the universe’s sausage gets made. He’s pragmatic about pretty much everything except the fate of his team, and will bend ALL the rules to the point of breakage to take care of business.
He’s experienced enough and smart enough – when he lets himself take the time to BE smart – to understand how the levers of power get pulled – and to make sure that a realistic number of them get pulled in his favor whenever possible.
Above all, he’s loyal to his team – and they’re loyal to him. And that loyalty inspires others to be loyal as well. One of the things that he does very well, that shines as part of his personality, is the way that he does his best to bring out the best in everyone he works with.
He’s a good man who does some very bad things – but tries to mitigate the damage whenever he realistically can. Which doesn’t mean he isn’t perfectly willing to ream EVERYNONE involved in this CLUSTERF*** a new one. Then again, they deserve it. And we’re right there with him hoping that they all get exactly what they deserve.
At the top, I said that Carl Butler has the worst best luck in the universe. He’s actually not alone in that distinction. I was listening to Ghostdrift, coincidentally also the fourth book but in the Finder Chronicles, as I read Darkside, and Fergus Ferguson has pretty much the same kind of luck that Butler does. He’s a walking avatar for Murphy’s Law, he gets into the worst situations at the drop of a hat, everyone’s plans go straight to hell in his vicinity, but he somehow manages to survive and bring his team out intact. The two stories are both told in the first-person, and both characters have similar universe-weary voices which they each came by honestly although from different directions. Meaning that if you like one you’ll like the other. I certainly do.
Which means that I was thrilled to read in the author’s blog that he’s working on book 5 in this series and has started planning book 6. Wherever those stories take Butler and his team, I’ll be along for the ride.
Originally published at Reading Reality
November 27, 2024
Adequate SF military thriller, but somewhat less engaging after the previous ones, especially the first one.
September 30, 2024
Let me preface this by saying I’ve not read the three other books in the “Planetside” series by Michael Mammay. However, after completing his latest iteration Darkside, it’s not a necessity. Mammay has crafted an intense and intriguing who-done-it set in a galaxy far, far away that will keep readers turning page after page to find out the truth behind the latest mission for his hero Colonel Carl Butler.
Colonel Carl Butler is, for all intents and purposes, retired. He’s been through a hell of a lot and is finally taking some time to grab a beer. That brief moment of bliss is interrupted when a young girl approaches. She has crowdfunded the money to get his aid to locate her father, Jorge Ramiro, who was last seen working on a dig with a famous archeologist. Unfortunately for her, Butler is none too eager to get back into the bad graces of two troublesome consortiums – Caliber and Omicron – (both of whom have tried to take out Butler in the past) running the mining operations on that particular moon. However, Butler can’t let the mission go and enlists his right-hand man slash bodyguard Mac and computer hacker Ganos to face what lies ahead on Taug. Add in a few new faces to assist with security and Butler feels a bit more comfortable about what lies ahead – and things get muddy fast.
Mammay is a retired army officer and, boy, can you tell when reading Darkside. There are battle scenes and tactical moments described that could only come from a military mind. And let me say, Mammay can write an action scene! Not that his talents are wasted in novel form, but he could definitely be screenwriting the next big action flick! Back in the day you could see Sylvester Stallone or Arnold Schwarzenegger as Butler but these days I’d say Dwayne Johnson or Jason Statham stepping into his shoes. Add to it that Mac is basically Vin Diesel (buff, snarky, loyal and badass) and Ganos could be Michelle Rodriguez (holds her own and doesn't put up with guff) and you’ve got yourself one epic action flick. Every character serves a purpose and becomes a saving grace when Butler needs it and there are plenty of bad guys to train their sights on.
If you’re looking for a topnotch action adrenaline rush pick up a copy of Darkside. Butler and crew will keep you turning pages to find out if they can bring back Ramiro and what hoops they have to jump through in order to make it happen. You’re in for quite a read.
Colonel Carl Butler is, for all intents and purposes, retired. He’s been through a hell of a lot and is finally taking some time to grab a beer. That brief moment of bliss is interrupted when a young girl approaches. She has crowdfunded the money to get his aid to locate her father, Jorge Ramiro, who was last seen working on a dig with a famous archeologist. Unfortunately for her, Butler is none too eager to get back into the bad graces of two troublesome consortiums – Caliber and Omicron – (both of whom have tried to take out Butler in the past) running the mining operations on that particular moon. However, Butler can’t let the mission go and enlists his right-hand man slash bodyguard Mac and computer hacker Ganos to face what lies ahead on Taug. Add in a few new faces to assist with security and Butler feels a bit more comfortable about what lies ahead – and things get muddy fast.
Mammay is a retired army officer and, boy, can you tell when reading Darkside. There are battle scenes and tactical moments described that could only come from a military mind. And let me say, Mammay can write an action scene! Not that his talents are wasted in novel form, but he could definitely be screenwriting the next big action flick! Back in the day you could see Sylvester Stallone or Arnold Schwarzenegger as Butler but these days I’d say Dwayne Johnson or Jason Statham stepping into his shoes. Add to it that Mac is basically Vin Diesel (buff, snarky, loyal and badass) and Ganos could be Michelle Rodriguez (holds her own and doesn't put up with guff) and you’ve got yourself one epic action flick. Every character serves a purpose and becomes a saving grace when Butler needs it and there are plenty of bad guys to train their sights on.
If you’re looking for a topnotch action adrenaline rush pick up a copy of Darkside. Butler and crew will keep you turning pages to find out if they can bring back Ramiro and what hoops they have to jump through in order to make it happen. You’re in for quite a read.
May 14, 2025
This volume, fourth in the series, is appropriately titled, because this is darkly cynical. This perfectly matches the zeitgeist of current events here in the real world, with the addition that many if not all of the bad guys go to prison or their graves. It is a MilSF Mystery, after all - there’s shooting.
This whole series is solid:
Planetside
Spaceside
Colonyside
Darkside
If you like these books, I highly recommend the Cutter’s Wars series by Steve Perry:
The Ramal Extraction
The Vastalimi Gambit
The Tejano Conflict
This whole series is solid:
Planetside
Spaceside
Colonyside
Darkside
If you like these books, I highly recommend the Cutter’s Wars series by Steve Perry:
The Ramal Extraction
The Vastalimi Gambit
The Tejano Conflict
August 27, 2024
#4 in the terrific military science fiction/procedural/mystery hybrid that is the Planetside series.
The plot in a nutshell: It's been a couple of years since the events of book three, Colonyside, and Carl seems to be enjoying his reclusive retirement. He's out having a couple of beers with Mac when a young girl tracks him down to ask him to find her father. He disappeared during an archeological excavation on the dark side of a distant moon. On this same moon? The two nefarious corporations Caliber and Omicron; there's a history with those two entities. If you've made it this far into the series it'll come as no surprise that events rapidly deteriorate during the course of the investigation.
I've got to say that I love Carl. He's no spring chicken and he's like a terrier worrying a bone. His way with words is outstanding, too :) He sounds like the no-nonsense retired Colonel that he is. He takes his team with him to this moon and they're also very likeable, particularly Ganos and Mac. The various peripheral characters all seem to be hiding something, and there was one specific character that really caught me by surprise.
The pacing was very good. I was never bored and yet this wasn't one firefight after another. There were fights, but they didn't overpower the narrative. The plot elements just seemed to naturally progress.
Incidentally, the author was kind enough to give synopses for each of the previous books in the series. Which was a "whew" moment since my memory isn't what it used to be! I hope he continues to write books in this series because I'll continue to read them.
This eARC was provided courtesy of HarperCollins Publishers.
The plot in a nutshell: It's been a couple of years since the events of book three, Colonyside, and Carl seems to be enjoying his reclusive retirement. He's out having a couple of beers with Mac when a young girl tracks him down to ask him to find her father. He disappeared during an archeological excavation on the dark side of a distant moon. On this same moon? The two nefarious corporations Caliber and Omicron; there's a history with those two entities. If you've made it this far into the series it'll come as no surprise that events rapidly deteriorate during the course of the investigation.
I've got to say that I love Carl. He's no spring chicken and he's like a terrier worrying a bone. His way with words is outstanding, too :) He sounds like the no-nonsense retired Colonel that he is. He takes his team with him to this moon and they're also very likeable, particularly Ganos and Mac. The various peripheral characters all seem to be hiding something, and there was one specific character that really caught me by surprise.
The pacing was very good. I was never bored and yet this wasn't one firefight after another. There were fights, but they didn't overpower the narrative. The plot elements just seemed to naturally progress.
Incidentally, the author was kind enough to give synopses for each of the previous books in the series. Which was a "whew" moment since my memory isn't what it used to be! I hope he continues to write books in this series because I'll continue to read them.
This eARC was provided courtesy of HarperCollins Publishers.
September 3, 2024
The fourth book in the Planetside Series
Previous Review of Colonyside
And I have read them all. Just in case you have lost the thread here, there is a convenient review right up from that will bring you up to speed. So Col Butler is back and he is as entertaining as ever with his trusty sidekick Sgt Murphy … as in the best laid plans and all that. Of course, now he is retired with a collection of misfits that would make the A team jealous. In this story, a young girl sweet talks him into investigating the disappearance of her father on a mining moon run by two former, corporate adversaries … and of course, something just doesn’t add up. So what we get he is a little mashup between military SciFi and a detective thriller/mystery … and I have to admit my nostalgia for the military contributes a lot to why I really liked this story. For the most part, Carl is simply shaking trees to see what pops out and everybody has something to hide. As with the previous installments, the pacing is solid and quickly pulls you through the slightly over-the-top story to a satisfying conclusion.
I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#Darkside #Planetside #NetGalley
Previous Review of Colonyside
And I have read them all. Just in case you have lost the thread here, there is a convenient review right up from that will bring you up to speed. So Col Butler is back and he is as entertaining as ever with his trusty sidekick Sgt Murphy … as in the best laid plans and all that. Of course, now he is retired with a collection of misfits that would make the A team jealous. In this story, a young girl sweet talks him into investigating the disappearance of her father on a mining moon run by two former, corporate adversaries … and of course, something just doesn’t add up. So what we get he is a little mashup between military SciFi and a detective thriller/mystery … and I have to admit my nostalgia for the military contributes a lot to why I really liked this story. For the most part, Carl is simply shaking trees to see what pops out and everybody has something to hide. As with the previous installments, the pacing is solid and quickly pulls you through the slightly over-the-top story to a satisfying conclusion.
I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#Darkside #Planetside #NetGalley
December 11, 2024
Thanks to Michael Mammay, Avon Books, Harper Voyager US, and NetGalley for access to the Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is the fourth book in the Planetside series and the author does a great job getting us up to speed quickly on what has happened before, so this book can be read independently of the others.
I like this book! The protagonist, Carl Butler is retired from the military after several successful missions and is looking forward to a well-earned rest. Then a teenaged girl approaches him asking for help to find her father, who has gone missing on a remote moon. Butler gets his group back together for what is supposed to be a straightforward mission. Turns out they encounter many complications in this entertaining story.
Not full military sci-fi, although it does have military elements, this was more of a space adventure story for me. It took me back and reminded me of Harry Harrison’s Stainless Steel Rat series, where the protagonist and his crew bring justice and resolution for the bad guys. Well written and a fast read. Recommended.
@AvonBooks @HarperVoyagerUS
This book is the fourth book in the Planetside series and the author does a great job getting us up to speed quickly on what has happened before, so this book can be read independently of the others.
I like this book! The protagonist, Carl Butler is retired from the military after several successful missions and is looking forward to a well-earned rest. Then a teenaged girl approaches him asking for help to find her father, who has gone missing on a remote moon. Butler gets his group back together for what is supposed to be a straightforward mission. Turns out they encounter many complications in this entertaining story.
Not full military sci-fi, although it does have military elements, this was more of a space adventure story for me. It took me back and reminded me of Harry Harrison’s Stainless Steel Rat series, where the protagonist and his crew bring justice and resolution for the bad guys. Well written and a fast read. Recommended.
@AvonBooks @HarperVoyagerUS
March 16, 2025
Another fantastic book in the Mammay Planetside series. I have throughly enjoyed all four of the books with the last two really hitting the mark. As an author Mammay has gone from good, but a little stilted with his writing to fast paced with superb action and fantastic humor. As a retired Army Colonel he excels at tactics and set pieces. At times he takes a little dramatic license and puts our protagonist a little closer to the action than a “real” Colonel would find himself but that benefits us the readers so good on you Sir. This installment finds our man Carl Butler (the hero no stick up his ass here) enjoying his retirement when he gets contacted by a young girl to find her missing father on a moon controlled by dirty corrupt corporations (as another Colonel Nathan Jessup would say “Are there any other kind?”). There is also a small military presence which Butler taps into to help provide resources and Intel once he of course accepts the mission. Without revealing any spoilers this is a fast paced fun science fiction book that I highly recommend. Butler is a kick ass good guy not afraid to spill some blood to make the grass grow even on a barren moon. Check it out.
November 9, 2024
Colonel Carl Butler (retd), finds himself called out of his daily routines from an unlikely source, a young girl. Does he ignore her plea for assistance in locating her missing father or stir himself off planet to poke around? We can count on Butler to listen to his conscious. We can also count on mayhem ensuing. The resulting action makes this a total page-turner, while constant tension between his mandate and justice adds depth and dimension.
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for this ARC. I'm a huge fan of the Planetside series and recommend it to all of my Army buddies as well as anyone remotely into military or sci-fi. Butler's irreverence and proclivity to kick the hornet's nest of power brokers whomever they may be never ceases to delight. This is an roaring good read and though a little shy of the full-throttle flaunting of military and corporate rules than some of the other books contain, it demonstrates a seasoning. Bonus, did I mention Mac and Ganos are back?!
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for this ARC. I'm a huge fan of the Planetside series and recommend it to all of my Army buddies as well as anyone remotely into military or sci-fi. Butler's irreverence and proclivity to kick the hornet's nest of power brokers whomever they may be never ceases to delight. This is an roaring good read and though a little shy of the full-throttle flaunting of military and corporate rules than some of the other books contain, it demonstrates a seasoning. Bonus, did I mention Mac and Ganos are back?!
September 16, 2024
Do you like old-school science fiction? Darkside by Michael Mammay has that feel.
“Retired Colonel Butler has been asked by a twelve-year-old girl to help find her father. He was last seen working on Taug with a well-known archeologist. But she hasn’t heard from him and is worried for his safety. Butler finds out that two corporations, Caliber and Omicron, are both involved in mining operations on the moon. Since they both tried to kill him before, he’s a little worried. But he can’t say no to a little girl.”
This is the 4th book in Mammay’s Planetside series. He gives a detailed recap at the beginning of this book with lots of spoilers. Butler is a manipulator in the sense that he will try to talk someone into something first, but willing to fight if needed. There’s lots of talking here and some good action. There’s a surprise betrayal and interesting ending.
Thanks to @kayepublicity for the advanced copy.
Fans of the Murderbot series will enjoy this.
“Retired Colonel Butler has been asked by a twelve-year-old girl to help find her father. He was last seen working on Taug with a well-known archeologist. But she hasn’t heard from him and is worried for his safety. Butler finds out that two corporations, Caliber and Omicron, are both involved in mining operations on the moon. Since they both tried to kill him before, he’s a little worried. But he can’t say no to a little girl.”
This is the 4th book in Mammay’s Planetside series. He gives a detailed recap at the beginning of this book with lots of spoilers. Butler is a manipulator in the sense that he will try to talk someone into something first, but willing to fight if needed. There’s lots of talking here and some good action. There’s a surprise betrayal and interesting ending.
Thanks to @kayepublicity for the advanced copy.
Fans of the Murderbot series will enjoy this.
January 1, 2025
Carl Butler is approached by a young girl to find her missing father.. and thus starts this adventure pulling Carl out of retirement.
This fourth book in the series was fabulous. I don't generally like to mix my Mystery or Military Fiction with the SciFi because I am usually disappointed. This was definitely not the case. Michael Mammay seamlessly combined the these genres.
It has a fast steady pace that is easy to follow. Doesn't bog you down in the science and tech so will be great for mainstream readers.
Full disclosure: I did not read the the first three, but author provides enough background the intro about the other books that I did not feel I missed anything critical to the story and reads like a standalone, but I will definitely be going back to read the initial three.
This book was provided as an eARC by the publisher Avon and Harper Voyager via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This fourth book in the series was fabulous. I don't generally like to mix my Mystery or Military Fiction with the SciFi because I am usually disappointed. This was definitely not the case. Michael Mammay seamlessly combined the these genres.
It has a fast steady pace that is easy to follow. Doesn't bog you down in the science and tech so will be great for mainstream readers.
Full disclosure: I did not read the the first three, but author provides enough background the intro about the other books that I did not feel I missed anything critical to the story and reads like a standalone, but I will definitely be going back to read the initial three.
This book was provided as an eARC by the publisher Avon and Harper Voyager via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 17, 2024
These books have a charm based primarily on how Mammay depicts the internal dialog of the main character former Colonel Carl Butler. He has a fascinating ability to read situations and people in the most difficult situations. He makes the tough decisions but stays loyal to his team and understands what represents good and bad leadership, at least in a military context.
This story starts with Butler in retirement but helping out a 12 year old girl find her father. In typical Butler fashion, the story has a much more important significance and involves both the military and two adversarial companies leading to serious military skirmishes on the small moon the story is set upon.
I enjoyed the story but didn't like it quite as much as some of the earliest entries. I will definitely read a fifth entry if Michael Mammay decides to write one.
This story starts with Butler in retirement but helping out a 12 year old girl find her father. In typical Butler fashion, the story has a much more important significance and involves both the military and two adversarial companies leading to serious military skirmishes on the small moon the story is set upon.
I enjoyed the story but didn't like it quite as much as some of the earliest entries. I will definitely read a fifth entry if Michael Mammay decides to write one.
May 17, 2025
I was less impressed with this one. The feel of the writing was different. The premise was awkward as well. I can tell there is a ramp up to a bigger plot line but this book felt like filler wrapped around a story bridge. There is information (probably the archeology find) that the author needed us to know but it didn’t really fit into the coming books so this book was whipped together to bridge it all. Not in love with the random POV switch either. The emotions also feel a bit hollow. I know we are supposed to be emotionally invested in Mac, Ganos, etc but I just don’t really feel it. I’ve actually been attached to others that haven’t become recurring characters. Also Butler talks about loving his kid, Mac, his other feelings but I’m not sure I actually believe he feels anything, he comes across so coldly. I’m interested in finishing the series but I’m left feeling a little meh.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2024
Darkside is another excellent military sci-fi mystery novel from Michael Mammay, and a rock solid return for the Planetside series. I've enjoyed all of Mammay's books that I've read to date, but there's something special about Planetside and its cast of characters that makes it so engrossing. These are short, tight books that are easy to read, as if Butler was sitting beside you at a bar telling the story over a whiskey. I'll always look forward to a new Planetside story, and that's more true than ever after reading Darkside.
My full review of Darkside is at Winter Is Coming:
https://winteriscoming.net/review-dar...
My full review of Darkside is at Winter Is Coming:
https://winteriscoming.net/review-dar...
October 15, 2024
Near the beginning of Michael Mammay’s Darkside, retired Col. Carl Barton says, “I found it interesting that my stress dreams had gone from combat things to administrative,” but he still wasn’t happy about them. He needn’t have worried; his life would once again be full of combat. A twelve-year-old girl who “won’t take no for an answer” has engaged him to search for her father, an archeologist who has disappeared on the moon of a gas giant. His search leads him to more than one kind of skullduggery. Darkside is the darkest of the Planetside series, even darker than the one involving genocide. As he comments, at one point, “You know you’ve got a fucked-up situation” when the discovery of a dead body “isn’t at the top of the list of questions.” Noir, indeed.
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