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A Marine’s Path
It is in the future…
At the cusp of the 3rd millennium, vast swaths of space have been colonized by humanity. New nations have risen among the stars; technological marvels have been unveiled. Yet even in this advanced future, war remains an ever-present shadow.
When Connor's homeworld is suddenly and brutally attacked by an unknown alien force, his life is shattered in an instant. Grief turns to fury, and his drive for vengeance propels him to enlist in the Union Marine Core. This decision thrusts him into the frontlines of a new conflict of epic proportions, one where the Union’s finest must use every weapon in their arsenal to overcome.
As the conflict escalates, one thing becomes clear-this is no ordinary war, and humanity’s very existence depends upon victory.
That humanity begins to learn about its past.
At the cusp of the 3rd millennium, vast swaths of space have been colonized by humanity. New nations have risen among the stars; technological marvels have been unveiled. Yet even in this advanced future, war remains an ever-present shadow.
When Connor's homeworld is suddenly and brutally attacked by an unknown alien force, his life is shattered in an instant. Grief turns to fury, and his drive for vengeance propels him to enlist in the Union Marine Core. This decision thrusts him into the frontlines of a new conflict of epic proportions, one where the Union’s finest must use every weapon in their arsenal to overcome.
As the conflict escalates, one thing becomes clear-this is no ordinary war, and humanity’s very existence depends upon victory.
That humanity begins to learn about its past.
309 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2025
5 people are currently reading
723 people want to read
About the author
Kirk Richardson
2 books11 followersKirk writes during his free time as an outlet of his creative drive. Time can be difficult to find with a family and young children, but he is devoted to sharing the stories that have been brewing in his mind for years. He is thankful you are joining him on this journey!
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 3, 2025
Book Review: A Marine’s Path (Empire Lost Book 1) by Kirk Richardson
Rating: 4.2/5
Concept & Worldbuilding
Kirk Richardson’s A Marine’s Path is a compelling entry into military science fiction, set against a backdrop of interstellar colonization and existential conflict. The novel’s strength lies in its meticulous worldbuilding—humanity’s fractured star nations and the looming alien threat feel richly imagined, with technological advancements and political tensions woven seamlessly into the narrative. The premise of a war that forces humanity to confront its own past adds a layer of philosophical depth, elevating the story beyond typical combat-driven sci-fi.
Strengths & Emotional Impact
The protagonist, Connor, anchors the story with a visceral arc from grief-fueled vengeance to disciplined soldiery. His emotional journey—particularly the raw anguish following his homeworld’s destruction—resonates powerfully, evoking empathy without melodrama. The Union Marine Core’s portrayal balances grit and camaraderie, reminiscent of classic military sci-fi like Starship Troopers, but with a fresher focus on the psychological toll of war.
Action sequences are kinetic and well-paced, but the novel’s quieter moments—Connor’s introspection, fleeting bonds with fellow Marines—linger longer. The gradual revelation of humanity’s obscured history introduces tantalizing mystery, though some reveals feel rushed.
Constructive Criticism
While the prose is generally crisp, occasional infodumps about technology or galactic politics disrupt immersion. A subtler integration of lore (e.g., through dialogue or environmental cues) would enhance flow. Secondary characters, though memorable in battle scenes, lack depth outside their roles as war archetypes (the grizzled sergeant, the rookie, etc.). Expanding their backstories could enrich the ensemble dynamic.
The alien threat, while menacing, suffers from vague motivations in the early stages. Clarifying their objectives earlier—without spoiling twists—might tighten the stakes.
Final Verdict
A Marine’s Path succeeds as both a gripping war story and a thought-provoking exploration of legacy and survival. Its flaws—minor pacing issues and underdeveloped side characters—are outweighed by its emotional authenticity and ambitious scope. Recommended for:
-Fans of military sci-fi with emotional depth (The Forever War, Old Man’s War).
-Readers who enjoy unraveling cosmic mysteries alongside battlefield action.
-Those seeking a protagonist whose growth mirrors humanity’s reckoning with its past.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to the publisher and Goodreads Giveaways for providing a free copy for review. This opportunity allowed for a thorough engagement with Richardson’s promising debut.
Closing Note
A standout first installment in the Empire Lost series, A Marine’s Path leaves readers eager for the next chapter in humanity’s fight—and self-discovery.
Rating: 4.2/5
Concept & Worldbuilding
Kirk Richardson’s A Marine’s Path is a compelling entry into military science fiction, set against a backdrop of interstellar colonization and existential conflict. The novel’s strength lies in its meticulous worldbuilding—humanity’s fractured star nations and the looming alien threat feel richly imagined, with technological advancements and political tensions woven seamlessly into the narrative. The premise of a war that forces humanity to confront its own past adds a layer of philosophical depth, elevating the story beyond typical combat-driven sci-fi.
Strengths & Emotional Impact
The protagonist, Connor, anchors the story with a visceral arc from grief-fueled vengeance to disciplined soldiery. His emotional journey—particularly the raw anguish following his homeworld’s destruction—resonates powerfully, evoking empathy without melodrama. The Union Marine Core’s portrayal balances grit and camaraderie, reminiscent of classic military sci-fi like Starship Troopers, but with a fresher focus on the psychological toll of war.
Action sequences are kinetic and well-paced, but the novel’s quieter moments—Connor’s introspection, fleeting bonds with fellow Marines—linger longer. The gradual revelation of humanity’s obscured history introduces tantalizing mystery, though some reveals feel rushed.
Constructive Criticism
While the prose is generally crisp, occasional infodumps about technology or galactic politics disrupt immersion. A subtler integration of lore (e.g., through dialogue or environmental cues) would enhance flow. Secondary characters, though memorable in battle scenes, lack depth outside their roles as war archetypes (the grizzled sergeant, the rookie, etc.). Expanding their backstories could enrich the ensemble dynamic.
The alien threat, while menacing, suffers from vague motivations in the early stages. Clarifying their objectives earlier—without spoiling twists—might tighten the stakes.
Final Verdict
A Marine’s Path succeeds as both a gripping war story and a thought-provoking exploration of legacy and survival. Its flaws—minor pacing issues and underdeveloped side characters—are outweighed by its emotional authenticity and ambitious scope. Recommended for:
-Fans of military sci-fi with emotional depth (The Forever War, Old Man’s War).
-Readers who enjoy unraveling cosmic mysteries alongside battlefield action.
-Those seeking a protagonist whose growth mirrors humanity’s reckoning with its past.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to the publisher and Goodreads Giveaways for providing a free copy for review. This opportunity allowed for a thorough engagement with Richardson’s promising debut.
Closing Note
A standout first installment in the Empire Lost series, A Marine’s Path leaves readers eager for the next chapter in humanity’s fight—and self-discovery.
September 8, 2025
This is an interesting novel to review, because it is an almost-perfect example of the Military Action genre. Except for the technical level of the weaponry, this story could have been written about the Marine Corps in any conflict since WWII. The enemy soldiers even carry ceremonial (and deadly) swords. And how many books or movies about war involve a platoon of newly trained recruits complete with a green lieutenant and a grizzled sergeant?
The advantage to this adherence to the style is that the format that works. The girl back home, the widowed mother, the tough boot camp and all the rest are elements that contribute to a tried-and-true emotional experience for the reader.
It is a cleaned up version, however, and we are spared the usual demonstrations of bullying, hazing, and general nastiness that many authors find it necessary to include. Coincidental events and situations (“I just happened to buy a space ship this week.”) smooth the paths of the characters so they can get on with the important action.
Another positive of the writing is the clear, well-thought-out details of the setting and technology. There is a good balance between action and description, and the details are so interesting and clearly expressed we don’t mind taking the time to enjoy them.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention a few glitches in the writing style. There are several jarring slips into present tense in the narration, and paying closer attention to word order in sentences could make reading smoother in several spots. Otherwise, the style is clear and correct.
This is a great example of the genre, but for the experienced reader, in places it’s a bit predictable. At times it was a bit of a game to guess what was coming next, because often, I was right. Which is just a different level of enjoyment, I suppose.
The final battle is a particularly finely crafted conflict, with the suspense increasing in a series of escalating engagements. While the reader might wish that the main character could be the hero and save everyone, the scope of the battle makes that unlikely, and merely to survive is triumph enough.
And then came the ending. Let’s just say that I’m suspicious the next book in the series will be departing from the pattern. I’m looking forward to it.
This review was originally published on Reedsy Discovery
The advantage to this adherence to the style is that the format that works. The girl back home, the widowed mother, the tough boot camp and all the rest are elements that contribute to a tried-and-true emotional experience for the reader.
It is a cleaned up version, however, and we are spared the usual demonstrations of bullying, hazing, and general nastiness that many authors find it necessary to include. Coincidental events and situations (“I just happened to buy a space ship this week.”) smooth the paths of the characters so they can get on with the important action.
Another positive of the writing is the clear, well-thought-out details of the setting and technology. There is a good balance between action and description, and the details are so interesting and clearly expressed we don’t mind taking the time to enjoy them.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention a few glitches in the writing style. There are several jarring slips into present tense in the narration, and paying closer attention to word order in sentences could make reading smoother in several spots. Otherwise, the style is clear and correct.
This is a great example of the genre, but for the experienced reader, in places it’s a bit predictable. At times it was a bit of a game to guess what was coming next, because often, I was right. Which is just a different level of enjoyment, I suppose.
The final battle is a particularly finely crafted conflict, with the suspense increasing in a series of escalating engagements. While the reader might wish that the main character could be the hero and save everyone, the scope of the battle makes that unlikely, and merely to survive is triumph enough.
And then came the ending. Let’s just say that I’m suspicious the next book in the series will be departing from the pattern. I’m looking forward to it.
This review was originally published on Reedsy Discovery
July 24, 2025
I'm 78, been reading SiFi for about 70 years. Everything from the classics to SOME of the new stuff. I can heartily this book.
It's been awhile that an author has written something that "was hard for me to put down". Finished in less than 2 days.
I don't do recaps. I give my impressions of the mains aspects of any SiFi book. Believably in hardware, it is SiFi after all (wiz bang gimmicks turn me off), believably in the software (humanity of charter's actions, emotions, thoughts), and finally how the author handles introducing new aspects to flesh out a story that's been told thousands(?) of times already.
Krik has accomplished all 3 admirably. I'm not usually this enthusiastic about recommending a new author considering my favorites are Ringo, Web , Drake
It's been awhile that an author has written something that "was hard for me to put down". Finished in less than 2 days.
I don't do recaps. I give my impressions of the mains aspects of any SiFi book. Believably in hardware, it is SiFi after all (wiz bang gimmicks turn me off), believably in the software (humanity of charter's actions, emotions, thoughts), and finally how the author handles introducing new aspects to flesh out a story that's been told thousands(?) of times already.
Krik has accomplished all 3 admirably. I'm not usually this enthusiastic about recommending a new author considering my favorites are Ringo, Web , Drake
July 11, 2025
This is a coming-of-age story would fit well on the same shelf as Brazee's Heritage Marines series along with Hawk's Peace Warrior series. The son of a renowned soldier enlists and proves himself his father's son in a conflict that determine the fate of empires, with weird twists along the way. Gritty, determined yet valorous - this would be a great read for young adult military sci-fi enthusiasts (like me).
I received an ARC via Hidden Gems and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received an ARC via Hidden Gems and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 21, 2025
A Marine's Path is Book 1 in the Empire Lost Series by Kirk Richardson. I enjoy SiFi stories and this story is so good. Connor has just turned 18 and he is a wonderful main character. The alien, Titan, is a scary enemy. I thought the author showed Connors growth from a shy young man to maturity as A Marine. He wants revenge for the losses in his life. But, what is the cost for his revenge. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
July 16, 2025
His life is turned upside down when his home is attacked and everyone is killed. He joins the marines to get revenge on those who attacked them. Follow his adventures and see how he gets on
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great space adventure
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great space adventure
September 11, 2025
This was unlike any military sci-fi book that I have read. I cannot recommend it enough! Focused on character building and the emotions that come with a world being taken over, humans rallying together, and relationships that could go one way or the other. 10 out of 10!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews