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Crimson Worlds #9
The Fall
The Epic Conclusion to the Crimson Worlds Series…
Erik Cain is the hero of the Marine Corps, a celebrated warrior who has led his grim veterans into every war the Alliance and mankind have faced. But now he has left the Corps, driven to near madness by an overwhelming need for vengeance. He has sworn to kill Gavin Stark, the madman responsible for his mentor’s death and, with a small band of dedicated followers, he is pursuing his prey across occupied space.
Meanwhile, on a dozen colony worlds, Marines land to face the occupying forces of Stark’s Shadow Legions. They are supported by the Janissaries, their longtime enemies, now turned allies, but they are exhausted and outnumbered, facing a vastly superior enemy entrenched and waiting for them. But they are veterans, Marines and Janissaries both, men and women who have battled the armies of the First Imperium and lived to tell the tale. They know what is at stake, and they are determined to prevail, even if none of them come back.
And on Earth, the economic collapse Stark engineered has shattered the Treaty of Paris and its century-long prohibition against terrestrial warfare. Millions are already dead as the war between the Superpowers spreads across the Earth, a growing conflagration that could end in apocalyptic nuclear, chemical, and biological exchanges between the powers.
Will mankind live under the iron boot of Gavin Stark and his clone descendants forever? Or will Erik Cain and the Marines defeat him once and for all?
The Crimson Worlds Series:
Marines (Crimson Worlds I)
The Cost of Victory (Crimson Worlds II)
A Little Rebellion (Crimson Worlds III)
The First Imperium (Crimson Worlds IV)
The Line Must Hold (Crimson Worlds V)
To Hell’s Heart (Crimson Worlds VI)
The Shadow Legions (Crimson Worlds VII)
Even Legends Die (Crimson Worlds VIII)
War Stories (3 Crimson Worlds Prequels)
Also by Jay Allan:
Gehenna Dawn (Portal Wars I)
The Ten Thousand (Portal Wars II)
The Dragon's Banner (Pendragon Chronicles I)
Erik Cain is the hero of the Marine Corps, a celebrated warrior who has led his grim veterans into every war the Alliance and mankind have faced. But now he has left the Corps, driven to near madness by an overwhelming need for vengeance. He has sworn to kill Gavin Stark, the madman responsible for his mentor’s death and, with a small band of dedicated followers, he is pursuing his prey across occupied space.
Meanwhile, on a dozen colony worlds, Marines land to face the occupying forces of Stark’s Shadow Legions. They are supported by the Janissaries, their longtime enemies, now turned allies, but they are exhausted and outnumbered, facing a vastly superior enemy entrenched and waiting for them. But they are veterans, Marines and Janissaries both, men and women who have battled the armies of the First Imperium and lived to tell the tale. They know what is at stake, and they are determined to prevail, even if none of them come back.
And on Earth, the economic collapse Stark engineered has shattered the Treaty of Paris and its century-long prohibition against terrestrial warfare. Millions are already dead as the war between the Superpowers spreads across the Earth, a growing conflagration that could end in apocalyptic nuclear, chemical, and biological exchanges between the powers.
Will mankind live under the iron boot of Gavin Stark and his clone descendants forever? Or will Erik Cain and the Marines defeat him once and for all?
The Crimson Worlds Series:
Marines (Crimson Worlds I)
The Cost of Victory (Crimson Worlds II)
A Little Rebellion (Crimson Worlds III)
The First Imperium (Crimson Worlds IV)
The Line Must Hold (Crimson Worlds V)
To Hell’s Heart (Crimson Worlds VI)
The Shadow Legions (Crimson Worlds VII)
Even Legends Die (Crimson Worlds VIII)
War Stories (3 Crimson Worlds Prequels)
Also by Jay Allan:
Gehenna Dawn (Portal Wars I)
The Ten Thousand (Portal Wars II)
The Dragon's Banner (Pendragon Chronicles I)
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
357 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
July 28, 2020
This book ends the 3rd story arc and finishes the main series. There is a follow-on trilogy and a 4 book spin off series. Overall this is a good Military SiFi series. Tons of action throughout and a good fast entertaining read. I think the write recycles some phrases, descriptions and paragraphs a bit to much instead of finding ways to rewrite them. I will continue to read the other connected series and some of the other writer's work when i am looking for a quick entertaining read. Recommended
August 25, 2015
A thrilling conclusion to the Military Science Fiction series. Eric Cain continues his quest to find Gavin Stark, and kill him. This is the only solution to the current crises facing mankind.
Lots of action on the ground and in space.
A wonderful conclusion to this 9 book series
RECOMMENDED
Lots of action on the ground and in space.
A wonderful conclusion to this 9 book series
RECOMMENDED
October 6, 2019
Emotional thoughts repeated
Too much retrospect. Reliving thoughts and emotions from past events. Started skipping sections as it was the same sentiment as earlier stated both in this book and in previous.
Good conclusion to general plotline though
Too much retrospect. Reliving thoughts and emotions from past events. Started skipping sections as it was the same sentiment as earlier stated both in this book and in previous.
Good conclusion to general plotline though
October 3, 2018
After finishing all nine books in the series, I'm glad I read them. As one can surmise from the jacket blurbs and others' reviews, the series portrays the best and worst aspects of humanity on a large stage. After investing the time in reading this series, I may wait a bit before beginning the two follow-on series, but I definitely will read more from this author.
December 13, 2020
Very good series of book with of course this last one. NOW - where is the next one ? There are numerous items still hanging in the wind and he just HAS to address them. The half of the fleet on the other side of the collapsed warp gate; the remaining Confederacy intelligence agent - Vance - his future; and numerous other things.
Enjoy the books anyhow. Keep up the good work.
Enjoy the books anyhow. Keep up the good work.
July 22, 2022
WOW! What a final book in a series!
This book is a great ending to a great series! Each entwined sub plot is taken to its final in heart stopping action. The final pages are a warning to today's political and social issues for all Earth citizens to be aware of the future of mankind!
This book is a great ending to a great series! Each entwined sub plot is taken to its final in heart stopping action. The final pages are a warning to today's political and social issues for all Earth citizens to be aware of the future of mankind!
March 2, 2025
Peace at last, or is it?
A worthy conclusion to an epic story. So many good people - gone. So much progress - destroyed. So much blood spilled for a just solution that is just out of reach. This story ends at a good time. We were getting low on heros, and survivors. The light at the end was very dim. Is another story in our future? Please let it be so.
A worthy conclusion to an epic story. So many good people - gone. So much progress - destroyed. So much blood spilled for a just solution that is just out of reach. This story ends at a good time. We were getting low on heros, and survivors. The light at the end was very dim. Is another story in our future? Please let it be so.
September 15, 2018
Good ending
Good ending
However Amazon won't let me out of this section until I say something about the book. This is amazingly retentive of them when all I want to do is read another book purchased through them on my device.
Good ending
However Amazon won't let me out of this section until I say something about the book. This is amazingly retentive of them when all I want to do is read another book purchased through them on my device.
October 4, 2021
And So It Ends
This series has been a real pleasure since the first paragraph. It ranks with the best military sci-fi I have seen. Move over, David Drake, there is another guy with great tales here.
This series has been a real pleasure since the first paragraph. It ranks with the best military sci-fi I have seen. Move over, David Drake, there is another guy with great tales here.
November 27, 2017
jay allen never fails to provide a great read and this one is no exception sorry to see it end
January 4, 2019
Great conclusion to a great series
Most of the loose ends are tied up for the time being. A reasonable quick read, too. The mimis doctrine is also very accurate.
Most of the loose ends are tied up for the time being. A reasonable quick read, too. The mimis doctrine is also very accurate.
January 15, 2019
Good Ending
I enjoyed the book. I’m sad to see the series end but I think the way it ended was well.
I enjoyed the book. I’m sad to see the series end but I think the way it ended was well.
May 26, 2019
Fitting Ending
Overall this was an interesting read. As soon as I finished one book I immediately picked up the next one. Great series.
Overall this was an interesting read. As soon as I finished one book I immediately picked up the next one. Great series.
October 30, 2019
Great book
January 16, 2020
Amazing finish to this epic space opera with a cliffhanger at the end of chapter.
Would definitely recommend
Would definitely recommend
December 19, 2021
Brilliant!
The Fall is an amazing finale to a brilliant series. The pace of the story never falters, characterisation is very good, and all the strands come together nicely. Excellent series
The Fall is an amazing finale to a brilliant series. The pace of the story never falters, characterisation is very good, and all the strands come together nicely. Excellent series
June 10, 2019
I bought this in the box set. Book 9 was fun and had a few errors throughout. The last book was interesting to read and predictable in outcome. I enjoyed the series overall. Book 9 had information that could have been left out, but overall was complete in its finality.
March 2, 2020
Was a fun ending. Changes styles a bit for the last book, with plenty of action and excitement. Overall, this series dragged on a bit to long for me.
January 10, 2015
Cain gone wild! Yeah, that’s not much different than his normal mode of operation! Yet, in this book he has shed his Marine Corps colors and rank and is off on a vendetta to kill Gavin Stark! Aided by a few fellow ex-Marines and a Navy Captain commanding a small scout vessel, Cain initially tries to figure out where Stark actually is right now.
Back on Columbia, Gen. Gilson is now in charge of the fighting and is trying to make a stand against the Shadow Legion. Then she meets up with Gen. Taylor of the Columbia Resistance and finds out he has 1500 more troops to throw into the fight. He is also the acting Chief Executive of what’s left of Columbia and authorizes Gilson to use atomics on his planet. He figures it can’t be any worse than it is since he’s already released atomics on his own capital city in order to drive the Shadow Legion out of that region.
So with the fleet orbiting above and capable of dropping unimaginable amounts of ordinance on the Shadow Legion, that battle is about to be done. Yet, Starks hidden operatives start showing up on Earth driving the SuperPowers to the brink of total all out nuclear war. Starks plan is to release his 300,000 person Shadow Legion upon the devastated Earth once everything is destroyed. That doesn’t really make sense. Who wants to govern over a burned out hulk of a planet?
Anyway, Stark has a plan to attack Mars. He realizes that Mars will always be a source of resupply and arms for Garrett’s fleet so he has to take it out. Unfortunately for the good guys, Stark has several stealth ships that are undetectable by normal space sensors. Can he get close enough to Mars to cause it problems? Remember, Mars citizens live under domes.
And how can Cain find Stark if Stark is flying around in a stealth starship. Space is a huge place and it doesn’t take much to hide. But, you can bet that Cain isn’t going to fail in this last mission! How he brings his career to an end is for you to read about.
This, as were the other books in this series, well written. Probably one of the best endings to a series I have read. Most of the immediate loose ends were nicely tied up, but there is still enough left to branch off into other series which Mr. Allan has already begun producing.
I look forward to reading any future books by this author. He is good and the stories just keep coming!
Back on Columbia, Gen. Gilson is now in charge of the fighting and is trying to make a stand against the Shadow Legion. Then she meets up with Gen. Taylor of the Columbia Resistance and finds out he has 1500 more troops to throw into the fight. He is also the acting Chief Executive of what’s left of Columbia and authorizes Gilson to use atomics on his planet. He figures it can’t be any worse than it is since he’s already released atomics on his own capital city in order to drive the Shadow Legion out of that region.
So with the fleet orbiting above and capable of dropping unimaginable amounts of ordinance on the Shadow Legion, that battle is about to be done. Yet, Starks hidden operatives start showing up on Earth driving the SuperPowers to the brink of total all out nuclear war. Starks plan is to release his 300,000 person Shadow Legion upon the devastated Earth once everything is destroyed. That doesn’t really make sense. Who wants to govern over a burned out hulk of a planet?
Anyway, Stark has a plan to attack Mars. He realizes that Mars will always be a source of resupply and arms for Garrett’s fleet so he has to take it out. Unfortunately for the good guys, Stark has several stealth ships that are undetectable by normal space sensors. Can he get close enough to Mars to cause it problems? Remember, Mars citizens live under domes.
And how can Cain find Stark if Stark is flying around in a stealth starship. Space is a huge place and it doesn’t take much to hide. But, you can bet that Cain isn’t going to fail in this last mission! How he brings his career to an end is for you to read about.
This, as were the other books in this series, well written. Probably one of the best endings to a series I have read. Most of the immediate loose ends were nicely tied up, but there is still enough left to branch off into other series which Mr. Allan has already begun producing.
I look forward to reading any future books by this author. He is good and the stories just keep coming!
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.
March 15, 2017
Fantastic conclusion to the series
This book has a great and exciting conclusion. I have enjoyed the characters as they fought for freedom . One of the best military science fiction series I have read.
This book has a great and exciting conclusion. I have enjoyed the characters as they fought for freedom . One of the best military science fiction series I have read.
March 5, 2015
I am glad that this series came to a sound conclusion. It was a great deal to try and fit into just one book. There were so many different storylines progressing, that it seemed that things were forced in the end. I have read many books were it felt like the author just got tired of writing and did a version "and then they woke up" (Stephen King et. all). So this was more along the lines of "and then they blew up" but you get the idea. There were also so many characters who were "emotionally detached" from the decisions that they made; I began to wonder if Jay Allan can write about someone with emotions...
I have followed this series for a long time, Allan's writing style is improved but his story telling seems to have been left behind.
I have followed this series for a long time, Allan's writing style is improved but his story telling seems to have been left behind.
February 3, 2017
I enjoyed the lead up to the ending of this book. The finale cleared up a lot of loose ends and set up the universe for future works with a different cast of characters.
That said, it felt like there should have been more to the book. What seemed like a major effort to break the Shadow Legion conditioning, seemed to be blown off. The fast forward after the climatic events to the ending chapter left other things unsaid. Where did the characters on Earth go that survived to the point of the final bombing?
That said, it felt like there should have been more to the book. What seemed like a major effort to break the Shadow Legion conditioning, seemed to be blown off. The fast forward after the climatic events to the ending chapter left other things unsaid. Where did the characters on Earth go that survived to the point of the final bombing?
January 14, 2015
Fairly typical
This series hasn't offered many surprises since the first couple books. All the fighting and the characters seem to be the same. I would have appreciated a new character or two and felt like the most interesting ones (Axe and Werner) were entirely left out of the conclusion. Their stories just ended. Maybe Allen is going to bring them back in sequels/spin offs. I powered through because after reading so many of the books you can't ignore the last one.
This series hasn't offered many surprises since the first couple books. All the fighting and the characters seem to be the same. I would have appreciated a new character or two and felt like the most interesting ones (Axe and Werner) were entirely left out of the conclusion. Their stories just ended. Maybe Allen is going to bring them back in sequels/spin offs. I powered through because after reading so many of the books you can't ignore the last one.
February 5, 2016
Heart wrenching climax
This final installment doesn't disappoint the vested reader. To see man's fall into final catastrophe is horrifying yet culpable. That's what I love about Jay's books, there is a believability to them. I think Stark got off easy, but was glad to see it through.
This final installment doesn't disappoint the vested reader. To see man's fall into final catastrophe is horrifying yet culpable. That's what I love about Jay's books, there is a believability to them. I think Stark got off easy, but was glad to see it through.
December 21, 2014
An excellent ending to a great series, cudos Mr. Allen
This book ties up most of the loose ends in the Crimson worlds series, and like all Jay Allan's books in this series does so in a straightforward manner. Well done, and well worth the read.
This book ties up most of the loose ends in the Crimson worlds series, and like all Jay Allan's books in this series does so in a straightforward manner. Well done, and well worth the read.
February 3, 2015
Satisfying conclusion
Despite the fast pace, or maybe because I was yearning for more, I found this book a bit too short. But nonetheless, a very satisfactory ending to this series! Now I cannot wait to jump into the follow-on series AND the spinoff series too!!
Despite the fast pace, or maybe because I was yearning for more, I found this book a bit too short. But nonetheless, a very satisfactory ending to this series! Now I cannot wait to jump into the follow-on series AND the spinoff series too!!
August 7, 2015
A real page turner
This is a great book at a price that is allow by my standards. Crimson World will take you place I've never been. I just wish the series never ended
Roger DeVito
This is a great book at a price that is allow by my standards. Crimson World will take you place I've never been. I just wish the series never ended
Roger DeVito
August 5, 2015
Couldn't put it down!
This was a great ending to a great series! But is there enough of humanity left to survive?
This was a great ending to a great series! But is there enough of humanity left to survive?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews