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Crimson Worlds #8
Even Legends Die
The final battle has begun. Gavin Stark, the former head of Alliance Intelligence and the bitter nemesis of the Marine Corps, has made his bid for power. The manufactured clone soldiers of his Shadow Legions have seized control of dozens of colony worlds, imposing his brutal rule over millions of colonists. His plan is no less than to subjugate all mankind under his iron fist. On Earth, Stark’s manipulations have brought the Superpowers to the brink of war, threatening the Treaty of Paris and its prohibition against terrestrial combat. For a century, man has restricted his conflicts to space, but now the Powers are sliding closer to the edge…the final battle that could kill billions, and turn Earth into a wasteland. On a few key colony worlds, Erik Cain, Elias Holm, and the remnants of the shattered Marine Corps struggle against Stark’s vast armies…the only hope of turning back the tide of destruction and despair that threatens to engulf all mankind. They are outnumbered and outgunned, but they will fight nevertheless, standing grimly in the breach, holding back Stark and his dark legions. The Marines will give their all, fight with the last of their strength and resolve. But this time the cost will be too high to bear, too personal. Even Marines need their heroes, their legends. But even legends die. Even Legends Die is book eight of Jay Allan’s bestselling Crimson Worlds series (over 1,200,000 sold). The Crimson Worlds Series (Reading Order) Book 1: Marines Book 2: The Cost of Victory Book 3: A Little Rebellion Book 4: The First Imperium Book 5: The Line Must Hold Book 6: To Hell's Heart Book 7: The Shadow Legions Book 8: Even Legends Die Book 9: The Fall Standalone, Can be Read at Any Red Team Alpha (A Crimson Worlds Adventure) Jay Allan’s Blood on the Stars Series Book 1: Duel in the Dark Book 2: Call to Arms Book 3: Ruins of Empire Book 4: Echoes of Glory Book 5: Cauldron of Fire Book 6: Dauntless Book 7: The White Fleet Book 8: Black Dawn Book 9: Invasion Book 10: Nightfall Book 11: The Grand Alliance Book 12: The Colossus Book 13: The Others Book 14: The Last Stand Book 15: Empire’s Ashes (coming) Book 16: Attack Plan Alpha (coming)
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2014
327 people are currently reading
233 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 20, 2020
Good solid military SiFi series. One more book to go to end the main series (it was 3 trilogies) then the spin offs take over. Good entertaining read. Recommended
February 6, 2017
This review covers Crimson Worlds Books 1-9. I read them consecutively, so can only review them comprehensively.
Overall: The books are really good, but fall short of being great, for reasons I'll outline below.
Characters: The protagonists are well written, likable, and appropriately complex. The antagonists are clever, and help drive the plot, but perhaps at times lack sufficient positive features to make them completely realistic.
Writing/Editing: The copy editing is well done - no complaints there. The author could use a good developmental editor, however, as there are too many cases of repeating the same phrase and wording. There are also a few cases in which the wrong person or place name is used, which can pop the reader out.
Writing/Combat Scenes: The author does a great job of describing land combat scenes in a way that both gives the reader a feel and view of the overall battle while also engaging the reader in the stress and anxiety of the POV character. I've read few that match the author in this area. The space battles, while good, do not hit the same standards of say a Jack Campbell. These battles are decidedly two-dimensional and the tactical nuances are far less pronounced and engaging.
Writing/Other: There are a large number of characters, as is normal for the genre, though the author does change POV more rapidly than some at times. Thematically, the author is perhaps a bit pessimistic about the human race, but does weave in a solid thread of hope.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the series, and hold the author's portrayal of futuristic ground combat in high esteem. The need for a developmental editor can be a distraction at times, but not enough to make me want to stop reading.
Overall: The books are really good, but fall short of being great, for reasons I'll outline below.
Characters: The protagonists are well written, likable, and appropriately complex. The antagonists are clever, and help drive the plot, but perhaps at times lack sufficient positive features to make them completely realistic.
Writing/Editing: The copy editing is well done - no complaints there. The author could use a good developmental editor, however, as there are too many cases of repeating the same phrase and wording. There are also a few cases in which the wrong person or place name is used, which can pop the reader out.
Writing/Combat Scenes: The author does a great job of describing land combat scenes in a way that both gives the reader a feel and view of the overall battle while also engaging the reader in the stress and anxiety of the POV character. I've read few that match the author in this area. The space battles, while good, do not hit the same standards of say a Jack Campbell. These battles are decidedly two-dimensional and the tactical nuances are far less pronounced and engaging.
Writing/Other: There are a large number of characters, as is normal for the genre, though the author does change POV more rapidly than some at times. Thematically, the author is perhaps a bit pessimistic about the human race, but does weave in a solid thread of hope.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the series, and hold the author's portrayal of futuristic ground combat in high esteem. The need for a developmental editor can be a distraction at times, but not enough to make me want to stop reading.
September 30, 2018
Having finished the book, I now know which legend died. The author also has managed to convey through the many battle scenes a glimpse of the never ending sameness of the repetitive carnage of war and the great burden of those who command in such situations, facts that eventually hone the main protagonist into the instrument of vengeance he becomes in the end. I look forward to completing the series with the next volume.
As in the preceding couple of volumes, this one had a few proofreading escapes as well. I also note that the author tends to repeat explanatory information about a character's actions and motivations a bit more frequently than necessary, sometimes within a page or two. Perhaps this is a side effect of the manner in which the scenes are written, but in this volume the practice intruded on the story enough to take me out of the fictional world momentarily in several instances. Each time, it's almost like a serial TV show that starts off "previously on ...."
As in the preceding couple of volumes, this one had a few proofreading escapes as well. I also note that the author tends to repeat explanatory information about a character's actions and motivations a bit more frequently than necessary, sometimes within a page or two. Perhaps this is a side effect of the manner in which the scenes are written, but in this volume the practice intruded on the story enough to take me out of the fictional world momentarily in several instances. Each time, it's almost like a serial TV show that starts off "previously on ...."
August 19, 2019
Pretty decent book. I feel like Allan's writing has gotten stronger as the series goes on. Stark makes an interesting villain, not the best but still fun to read. The stakes keep going up and up, and watching everyone fall into the traps of war is fairly interesting. Overall, pretty good book and definitely can see Allan growing as an author.
May 27, 2018
Can’t put it down!
Good golly miss Molly! What a ride each of these books have been! Exceptional storyline and character builds. Jay Allan knows how to deliver a well constructed story, keeping the reader completely satisfied
Good golly miss Molly! What a ride each of these books have been! Exceptional storyline and character builds. Jay Allan knows how to deliver a well constructed story, keeping the reader completely satisfied
August 8, 2018
Full Circle.
Full Circle. Great trip to get back to where it started. I appreciated that we didn't have to revisit every single character's background every time they appeared in the story. Well done.
Full Circle. Great trip to get back to where it started. I appreciated that we didn't have to revisit every single character's background every time they appeared in the story. Well done.
July 15, 2022
Allan writes an amazing story!
A lot of military ground and naval space fighting very well written! Multiple story lines coming to a crescendo in the next to last book in this series. And a surprise death of a central character! Who?
A lot of military ground and naval space fighting very well written! Multiple story lines coming to a crescendo in the next to last book in this series. And a surprise death of a central character! Who?
February 1, 2017
You can really feel the story line winding down in this book. The doomsday clock moves every closer to midnight and the numbers of those working to prevent it dwindles.
September 2, 2017
Getting too unreal
No way Stark could have built an underground base that large without detection. No extra dirt anywhere to show evidence? No construction equipment? Too unreal.
No way Stark could have built an underground base that large without detection. No extra dirt anywhere to show evidence? No construction equipment? Too unreal.
March 8, 2018
Heatbreaking
January 13, 2020
Great addition to the series would definitely recommend it grips from the first to the last page
March 30, 2021
Another one down in this epic series
Another one down in this epic series that is expertly written with so much heart and style it is hard to imagine.
Another one down in this epic series that is expertly written with so much heart and style it is hard to imagine.
September 20, 2021
Hail Caesar!
Christ and Antichrist , Gains and Stark. Something explosive is coming. The reckoning is nothing either would have predicted and the next chapter WILL be the last.
Christ and Antichrist , Gains and Stark. Something explosive is coming. The reckoning is nothing either would have predicted and the next chapter WILL be the last.
September 21, 2022
Grim, exciting, and vast
This is a soldier's book. It is full of sacrifice and blood. It does set the stage for an amazing series. I look forward to more.
This is a soldier's book. It is full of sacrifice and blood. It does set the stage for an amazing series. I look forward to more.
May 4, 2025
9:07
June 10, 2019
I bought this in the box set. Book 8 was fun and had more errors than expected. The overall plot and characters have grown and I enjoy each book. The overall plot still have a lot of filler information that is not needed, but is still fast paced and fun.
January 11, 2017
Superpowers war against each other as a madman bids for power. B
October 6, 2014
I wasn’t sure about reading this book. I didn’t want any of the main characters to die and that’s what the title sounded like. Someone important was going to die sometime in this book. I certainly didn’t want it to be Gen. Erik Cain.
There were two great men in this series, Erik Cain and his boss, Elias Holm, both Generals who often fought as privates! They both came up through the ranks and fought their enemies with strong determination. Gen Holm taught Gen Cain all about being a senior leader through numerous battles. It wasn’t always easy because Erik Cain was always head strong and wanted to rush into battle with little preparation. But with Gen Holm as his mentor, Erik Cain turned into a warrior that brought terror to his enemies just at the mention of his name.
Now both Generals find their armies in planetary-wide combat with an enemy that is as well trained or better trained than his own Marines. Come to find out, these Shadow troopers have the memories of long dead Marines now in a clone body. Only these clones have no fear of death. They were made by Gavin Stark, the former top spy for the Earth government who planned and executed his own death. Now with visions of conquest in his mind and a clone army capable of executing his imperial plan, all he needs to do is finish off Gen Cain and Gen Holms on the two planets they have decided to protect. Neither has access to a resupply and the Marines they have now, are all they will every get.
But, there are things going on that even Gavin Stark isn’t aware of. Things that just might come to the aid of not only one General but maybe both. It would be nice if both Gen Cain and Gen Holms could defeat the Shadow Legends but, as the book title indicates, one of them will surely die!
You’ll have to read the book to find out which one. It’s great reading so at least you’ll enjoy that part!
There were two great men in this series, Erik Cain and his boss, Elias Holm, both Generals who often fought as privates! They both came up through the ranks and fought their enemies with strong determination. Gen Holm taught Gen Cain all about being a senior leader through numerous battles. It wasn’t always easy because Erik Cain was always head strong and wanted to rush into battle with little preparation. But with Gen Holm as his mentor, Erik Cain turned into a warrior that brought terror to his enemies just at the mention of his name.
Now both Generals find their armies in planetary-wide combat with an enemy that is as well trained or better trained than his own Marines. Come to find out, these Shadow troopers have the memories of long dead Marines now in a clone body. Only these clones have no fear of death. They were made by Gavin Stark, the former top spy for the Earth government who planned and executed his own death. Now with visions of conquest in his mind and a clone army capable of executing his imperial plan, all he needs to do is finish off Gen Cain and Gen Holms on the two planets they have decided to protect. Neither has access to a resupply and the Marines they have now, are all they will every get.
But, there are things going on that even Gavin Stark isn’t aware of. Things that just might come to the aid of not only one General but maybe both. It would be nice if both Gen Cain and Gen Holms could defeat the Shadow Legends but, as the book title indicates, one of them will surely die!
You’ll have to read the book to find out which one. It’s great reading so at least you’ll enjoy that part!
January 3, 2015
I liked this book, it did a nice job of tying up some loose ends in the series. There still are a great number of those loose ends remaining. This is part of the difficulty I had with the book. There were so many different plot lines, it did get a little distracting at times.
One nice feature, Jay Allan seems to really be getting a handle on his character development. The sub-sub plots while a bit distracting from the main story line were short stories in there own right with developed and interesting characters. Its almost too bad Allan didn't use some of this new found skill on his existing characters.
This does bode very well for the spin off series, if Allan can keep it up.
One nice feature, Jay Allan seems to really be getting a handle on his character development. The sub-sub plots while a bit distracting from the main story line were short stories in there own right with developed and interesting characters. Its almost too bad Allan didn't use some of this new found skill on his existing characters.
This does bode very well for the spin off series, if Allan can keep it up.
August 7, 2015
Another great story in the Crimson Worlds series. This is book 8 in a 9 book series.
Heavy duty military science fiction series with space and land battles of epic proportions. Gavin Stark is trying to destroy Earth so he can then repopulate it and be the supreme leader.
His shadow forces far outnumber the Marines but the Marines have their own supreme leader in Eric Cain and Stark knows this. That is why he has sent two top operatives to kill him.
Great suspense leading up to the ending.
A GREAT read, and a GREAT series. Highly recommended
Heavy duty military science fiction series with space and land battles of epic proportions. Gavin Stark is trying to destroy Earth so he can then repopulate it and be the supreme leader.
His shadow forces far outnumber the Marines but the Marines have their own supreme leader in Eric Cain and Stark knows this. That is why he has sent two top operatives to kill him.
Great suspense leading up to the ending.
A GREAT read, and a GREAT series. Highly recommended
December 31, 2014
Jay Allen once again does not disappoint.From the politics of earth to the politics of space and the battlefields they both fight it out on, Even Legends Die is just the next example of how the Crimson Worlds series keeps on the edge of your set until the last page.Just like the first seven books in the series you couldn't guess what going to happen. The Crimson Worlds series is a very fresh and unique military science fiction series that every military sifi reader should read.
July 14, 2014
Just like the previous books in this series, I loved it. Some things I could see coming, but I enjoyed reading them come around nonetheless. There were even things I did not see coming. I can't wait for the conclusion of the series, although I hate to see it come to an end.
September 10, 2015
Great saga
Already at the eighth book of the story it still keeps you wanting to know what will happen to the Alliance, the future of the Earth and all the secondary characters that grew through the plot
Already at the eighth book of the story it still keeps you wanting to know what will happen to the Alliance, the future of the Earth and all the secondary characters that grew through the plot
March 3, 2015
I wish there was a 4.5 rating for that is where I would put this book. It is exciting as is this series - hopefully it will continue
April 2, 2015
Exciting near-end!
Another fantastic addition to the series! The self recriminations of the protagonists gets a wee bit repetitious but otherwise loved it!
Another fantastic addition to the series! The self recriminations of the protagonists gets a wee bit repetitious but otherwise loved it!
July 18, 2015
Darker matters
Definitely stepped up a gear here - broader supporting cast but the heroes and villains move to a darker place. Good action scenes as always.
Definitely stepped up a gear here - broader supporting cast but the heroes and villains move to a darker place. Good action scenes as always.
December 31, 2015
Least favorite of the series to date. Too much re-hashing and melodrama. Still like the story line. Just not juiced about this installment.
May 22, 2014
Absolutely brilliant this series is a must read for all military sci fi fans
August 23, 2015
It was a step up from the last book.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews