A new chapter opens in the Fallen Empire as the echoes of war fade away…
War broke him. The jungle might finish him off.
After losing everything in the Succession Wars, Sergeant Marques Branch is just trying to survive. He and his partner Wells, a secretive former Terran Marine with a chip on his shoulder, are barely scraping by as freelance guns-for-hire. When a job goes sideways, they sign on with Highland Combat Applications, a shady private military contractor promising steady pay and a fresh start.
Highland ships them to Rumah Besar, a backwater DMZ world where interspecies tensions have erupted into civil war after the fall of the Grausian Empire. Marques is made platoon sergeant and with Wells, is assigned to Company D, “Doom Company”.
His new command is sent to root out rebels hiding in the jungle, but the mission doesn’t make sense. Branch’s platoon is stuck patrolling from a swampy outpost, chasing ghosts… until his soldiers start dying in ways no one can explain. Something is out there, hunting them from the shadows.
As the body count rises, Branch begins to question the corporation’s true motives and his own ability to lead. At the same time, a captivating dropship crew chief draws him into a slow burning connection that reopens old wounds. Haunted by the loss of his family during the Charee invasion of Aetheria, he’s forced to confront ghosts long suppressed by booze and the thrill of combat.
With enemies closing in and trust wearing thin, Branch must hold his platoon together long enough to uncover the truth…
Doom Company is a pulse-pounding military sci-fi thriller packed with brutal gunfights, claustrophobic paranoia, slow-burn romance, and the unbreakable bonds forged in the fire of combat.
Doom Company has exceeded ALL my expectations. I expected a good book but got hit by next level writing. Absolute greatness. There’s relentless action, the kind that glues you to the edge of your seat. The action scenes left me trying to catch my breath, dragging me on the same rollercoaster of rage, fear, frustration and camaraderie as the characters. Sergeant Branch and the rest of the cast are well-rounded, charismatic and, yeah, fun. Even in the midst of chaos, uncertainty and death. They’re bone-hard tough and resourceful. But don’t be fooled. This is a doomed mission and they’re not coming out unscathed. Prepare to feel the anger, banter, and courage. All this on a background of negligence, corporate politics, and historical revenge. Doom Company is told through the eyes of a former marine who’s clearly a brilliant and promising writer. If you enjoy military sci-fi like Galaxy’s Edge this is a MUST read. Plus, you can jump into it without having read the other 3 books in the series. My husband read it in less than 2 days! (it's normally a struggle to get him to read!)
I couldn't put it down. It was a fantastic interpretation of gritty combat along with a science fiction twist. Just enough action and story progression to really have the horrors of combat sink-in but also have the characters progress in a satisfying story arc. The ending was a satisfying conclusion that revealed more backstory of the heroes.
Of particular accuracy was the combat encounter descriptions of the various battles. These were realistic and grounded in real-world tactics that made it all the more horrific and lethal, especially with the futuristic technologies introduced. One absolutely awesome part was the description of how some other factions had better tech. I liked that the heroes' best asset was their combat experience not their tech supremacy like in so many other novels.
Overall a fantastic first introduction for me to J.R Wise's writing. I'll be picking up all the rest of his novels for sure.
Doom Company has a little taste of everything that makes a book great—action, sharp dialogue, strong friendships, and even a hint of romance. While J.R. Wise is best known for his work in military sci-fi, this book proves he’s more than capable of branching out.
The story is fast-paced and immersive, with characters that feel real and relationships that are both relatable and meaningful. Whether it's the thrill of combat, the loyalty among comrades, or the emotional undercurrents that add depth, Doom Company hits all the marks.
This is a must-read for fans of character-driven stories that delivers on action and heart. Wise’s unique personality shines through, making this a standout addition to his body of work.
Fast, gritty, and genuinely authentic—Doom Company feels like military sci-fi written by someone who’s actually worn the gear. As a fellow Marine Corps GWOT veteran, the author brings a level of credibility to the dialogue, mindset, and small details that a lot of the genre misses. It’s action-packed without getting cartoonish, and the pacing keeps you turning pages. Highly recommend for anyone who likes their sci-fi with real military teeth.
Simply excellent! This book is pure adrenaline with well developed characters and a great plot. This heart pounding masterpiece will have you lying awake at night thinking about the crazy epicness you just read. If you like military sci-fi, you cannot go wrong with Doom Company.
I really enjoyed this book and who wouldn’t like wells! He’s like aWolverine space marine lol. Interested where this will go. Hope they get those highland jackasses and that loser LT.
Not a great read. But a good read. Don’t know if or when there will be a sequel/book two but will probably read it to see which direction the storyline goes and weather I will continue. Good characters story also moves at a good pace. I look forward to the next installment when or if it comes.