Battlefield Diplomacy

Battlefield Diplomacy #1

by L.L. Richman

A lone soldier must save humanity from the remnants of a vicious alien enemy bent on revenge.

A fragile alliance. A stolen weapon. A war for Humanity's future.
Special Forces operator Matt Whitaker survived the Oniki War — but only just. Now the war is over, and a tenuous peace has been struck.

When weapons plans are stolen from an Oniki shipyard and all evidence points to human involvement, tensions flare, threatening that hard-won peace. Whitaker is the only person with the knowledge and experience to uncover the truth.

Still recovering from his injuries, he is forced to face his demons, and charge back into the fray.

His orders are uncover the truth and exonerate humanity. But the mission unearths more than just stolen plans, and what Whitaker discovers is worse than anyone could have imagined.

Now, the fate of both civilizations rests on his shoulders… and time is running out. Can one soldier save humanity from a second, and final, war?

Genres: Science Fiction, Audiobook

474 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 11, 2025

About the author

L.L. Richman has a diverse career background, having spent more than a decade working in radiation physics, and twice that as a director of film and video. Richman is also a pilot and has close ties to the special forces community.

Richman's series feature the pulse-pounding action of small mission units set in the future and near future. Woven into each story is a scientific backdrop that is, if not plausible, at least grounded in some aspect of hard science.

For more information on upcoming releases or the latest news on space science and technology, subscribe to the newsletter at www.llrichman.com/newsletter, or follow on Facebook at facebook.com/LLRichman.

Reviews

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect book for those of you who, like me, enjoy a fast paced space adventure in every chapter. I can see this becoming a movie with few script changes. Very well written. Very good author. I'll be following and reading the sequels. Please, someone, make a movie out of this great story.

[Marti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I obtained this novel via Kindle Unlimited. I engaged with the story line quickly and empathized with the struggles of the main character. I also appreciated the antics of the secondary characters. While this is primarily military sci-fi, I think the novel may appeal to a wider audience due to its focus on relationships while keeping the science aspect easy to understand/relatively believable. The second book in the series releases in April and I’m looking forward to reading it.

All of the opinions in this review are my own.

[Mystery Theater · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is part of the fantastic Vision Rising series in the Oniki universe. Richman works some marvelous twists, including going back to Joe Kovacs. Maybe the best book in the series.
Richman writes genuine "hard Sci fi," with struct attention to technical detail at the cutting edge of physics, biology, cybernetics...
This is serious, adult sci fi, not goofy pulp.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

[Craig Zimick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readers Beware

This Book labeled first in series, reads like book 3 where the story was defined in the missing books… But wait, the writing is soooo good at capturing your imagination that is plays out like a movie with a soundtrack and everything.

I am hoping that at some point the author tells us the earlier stories that are alluded to throughout this telling.

Loved it!

[Doug Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quality that compelled an excellent review

Well I dislike having to pause to write this review, I just want to get on to book 2. I really enjoyed the story. Well written and holds your attention. Perfect mix of explaining the science and keeping the plot moving. You're gonna enjoy the read.

[Terri]

DNF

This is an abrupt story. The attitude about-face in the first scene is a warning.

I got to 12%, but feel nothing for the MC, probably because the author's given me no reason to have any emotional faith in him. As with many a science fiction novel, the tech is better 'drawn' than the character(s), and I'm just not interested.

[Kathy Church · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Book

I have never been a big fan of science fiction but this book has changed my mind. I loved it. Lots of action and a story line that was easy to follow. Great characters.

[Matthew Ambrose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story!

Battlefield Diplomacy has great characters, action and science. It's everything you want in a military science fiction classic. I'm looking forward to the next installment.

[Noel Browne · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Battlefield Diplomacy" is a masterful sci-fi novel that seamlessly combines intense military action with high-stakes political intrigue. The author does a fantastic job of crafting a rich, immersive universe where war isn’t just fought with weapons but also with words, strategy, and diplomacy.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starts in the middle

Great start to a series. Reader should be aware that it feels like you're starting at episode IV. There is an entire backstory that we only get bits and pieces of. That said, there are enough hints to make this a reasonable stand alone.

[William (Mr. Bill) Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Battlefield Diplomacy - maybe 'life' is more than you think

A very creative and interesting book with a twist on 'alien life' and what 'is' life. I really enjoyed the story and look forward to additional books by author L. L. Richman. -Mr.Bill

[Dantegideon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very competent military sci-fi, just not quite a four as the plot was a bit obvious at times.

[Eugene Humbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Need a bit more background

As I stated, need a bit more background to this story. If it were provided in a previous series, that should have been made clear.

[Aaron Eichler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matt was in rough shape when he was called back up to serve in a job that only he could do with the help of old teammates including one in a coma they were able to accomplish their mission.

[John Mchale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this. Got very full of Sci-fi techno babble in places but coped!

[Timothy Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matt’s PTSD and a development of cutting edge technology collide when he’s recalled to the battlefield. I enjoyed Matt’s perspective and following him along this special ops mission in space. The aliens and tech aspect were well written and the pacing kept me excited through the end. I would enjoy listening to the next. The narration was very well done.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the sequel trilogy first, and then read this. I then went back and re-read the sequel trilogy, and now I've gone back and re-read the original trilogy.

It has spiders. It has action. It has fictional science inspired by real science (double bonus points). Story set in space and on space stations, with spiders. Did I say how much I enjoyed the spiders? They're great.

[Manie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cover of Battlefield Diplomacy shows a rampant spider with a rather strange snarling visage. Quite apt too considering that is what the Oniki looks like. Once a devastating enemy the Oniki and humans are on an uneasy peace accord, both sides having the diehards keen to try and rub the other side out.
Then the Oniki contacted the humans as they seem to have proof that humans succeeded in obtaining secret weapons plans from the Oniki.
Sergeant Matt Whitaker an injured war veteran, is despatched to prove or disprove this allegation.
And all hell starts breaking loose.
Battlefield Diplomacy is a great, very original, compulsive, awe inspiring SciFi thriller that sets many new standards in SciFi writing. Quite the tome too and likely to leave a reader most likely bleary eyed in the morning when unable to stop the compulsion to turn just one more page. Then another. And another.
Phew!
Enjoy.

[The One True Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let's set aside the story for a minute and talk about the important subject the author seamlessly wove into this story. PTSD is something experienced by people of all walks of life and it is an incredibly important thing that is greatly misunderstood. The respectful way it was discussed served to emphasize how critical it should be to approach it with compassion amd empathy.

Instead of dwelling on that though, let's just dive into this book. This is a well written book that delivers an interesting and fast paced story. It has great action sequences that that make you feel like you are there. The scientific principles have a firm foundation in what we currently know and theorize. This book left me wanting to read the sequel and counting the days until it comes out.

[Marti · Rating 5 out of 5]

BATTLEFIELD DIPLOMACY: Great story!
The tale flows well, it’s exciting and well plotted. I love the little touch of romance between Matt and Dee and that everything doesn’t “come easy.”
The camaraderie between Charlie and the team is wonderful! Love your dry humor.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book with no strings attached.