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Empire's Corps #11
First to Fight
Before Avalon, before the Fall of the Empire, Edward Stalker was a young man growing up in Earth’s Undercity - a nightmarish rabbit warren of tiny apartments dominated by gangs who loot, rape and murder with impunity. When his family is killed in a gang attack, Ed takes the opportunity to run to the one place that will take him; the Terran Marine Corps.
But becoming a Marine isn't easy and Ed will find himself pushed to the limits, surviving a training program designed to weed out everyone but the best, before he learns what it means to be a Terran Marine ...
But becoming a Marine isn't easy and Ed will find himself pushed to the limits, surviving a training program designed to weed out everyone but the best, before he learns what it means to be a Terran Marine ...
341 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 24, 2015
148 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 18, 2016
This is book eleven in the Empire Corp Series. The series opened with Edward Stalker and his company being deployed to Avalon. In this episode Nuttall has decided to give us the back story of Stalker’s early life. Stalker was born on Earth in the under city, the home of the poor. He was disgusted with school and ready to graduate; his brother was attempting to recruit Stalker into a gang. Stalker decided he wanted out; to get away, move someplace. From school he finds information regarding military recruiters, he reads about the various services and thinks this might be a way out for him. The family was eating dinner one evening when a gang raids the apartment and kills everyone but Stalker. Stalker then heads to the Marine recruiting center and joins. Nuttall proceeds to tell the story of Stalker life in basic training, the Slaughterhouse and to his first deployment.
Nuttall is constantly improving his writing skills; it is enjoyable to watch the development of a writer. Nuttall has created some very interesting characters and it’s pleasant to learn the back story of the key people. The story is a straight forward basic training type of story with suspense and action along with some humor. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Jeffrey Kafer does an excellent job narrating this series.
Nuttall is constantly improving his writing skills; it is enjoyable to watch the development of a writer. Nuttall has created some very interesting characters and it’s pleasant to learn the back story of the key people. The story is a straight forward basic training type of story with suspense and action along with some humor. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Jeffrey Kafer does an excellent job narrating this series.
August 21, 2015
This series never fails to impress. The author has created such a detailed universe and such amazing characters that the reader cannot help but be drawn in and want to know what happens next. The way "historical" excerpts are used to segue between chapters is a great way to keep the reader informed of the big picture while not wasting time away from the story. I cannot wait to read the next one.
April 11, 2024
The origin of Col. Stalker.
Largely a training montage, this gives excellent details about the training and culture of the Imperial Marines. The various vignettes are handled believably and entertainingly.
The obligatory "application of the training" section of the book is decent, but it walks well-worn trails. The training is the star of this book.
As is true in most of this series, the political philosophy is laid down rather thickly, but seems less obtrusive than in some other volumes.
While I generally dislike prequels, this book doesn't have the tightly specified end state that most such books do. Even though I had hoped that this book would continue the storyline of "Never Surrender", this was one of the better entries in a good series.
Recommended.
Largely a training montage, this gives excellent details about the training and culture of the Imperial Marines. The various vignettes are handled believably and entertainingly.
The obligatory "application of the training" section of the book is decent, but it walks well-worn trails. The training is the star of this book.
As is true in most of this series, the political philosophy is laid down rather thickly, but seems less obtrusive than in some other volumes.
While I generally dislike prequels, this book doesn't have the tightly specified end state that most such books do. Even though I had hoped that this book would continue the storyline of "Never Surrender", this was one of the better entries in a good series.
Recommended.
October 20, 2021
Good read
This is the background of Stalker. It is interesting as he leads you through everything the marine recruits go through. I am thoroughly enjoying this series so far!! I have already purchased the next book.
This is the background of Stalker. It is interesting as he leads you through everything the marine recruits go through. I am thoroughly enjoying this series so far!! I have already purchased the next book.
January 4, 2019
Slaughterhouse Revealed!
If you ever wondered about the slaughterhouse marines training that has a 90% dropout rate, this is your book!
Excellent read!
If you ever wondered about the slaughterhouse marines training that has a 90% dropout rate, this is your book!
Excellent read!
March 7, 2022
Good story, weird fetish
Loved the story and the characters. Not a fan of his insistence on describing every female characters' breasts in detail.
Loved the story and the characters. Not a fan of his insistence on describing every female characters' breasts in detail.
September 29, 2023
Well written prequel
Helps you understand the basis for the Terran Corps. I don't think a program like this would be allowed to exist today.
Helps you understand the basis for the Terran Corps. I don't think a program like this would be allowed to exist today.
July 8, 2015
I have to say that I am a wee bit embarrassed by having waited so long to read another book by one of my favourite authors. I do have several books from Mr. Nuttall, that I have already purchased, sitting on my tablet after all. I have also said before that I have never really been disappointed by a book written by Christopher Nuttall. This one is, again, no exception. I mean it is a side story in a series which I generally do not like., It is a science fiction story which is pretty much devoid of any space action which is also not exactly my favourite cup of tea.
Nevertheless I did quite enjoy this book. I stated above that some elements of the story was not my cup of tea. Well, one element of it was really my cup of tea. The basic story of someone coming from nothing and going through basic training to become a marine or some other military killing machine (hey that is what they train these people for after all) is right up my alley though.
The first two thirds of the book are just excellent. Well written, good character interactions and simply a nice story that really made you feel compelled to turn to the next page and I do not mean the rushed page turning that some books inspire but really turning to the next page after having completely read the previous one.
The last third of the book did not give the same wow-great feeling as the first two thirds though. In the last third Walker is a true marine and is embarking on real missions. Unfortunately these missions fails to provide much thrill. At least to this particular reader. They feel like they could have been any chapter in any of the other books in the series. Okay, okay that is not entirely true. Walker is a newly reqruited marine etc. etc. but still. The last third is okay, actually it is even good, but not really more than that and, as far as I am concerned this book is a really good book but I am afraid that it falls a wee bit short of the great mark.
Now, as I wrote above, Mr. Nuttall is one of my favourite authors and this is not just because he’s writing is “just” my cup of tea. He is a good, and I mean good, writer. This particular book is as well written as all of his. It was interesting to get some of the back story of Walker. On the whole is a very read worthy book. It might not be my favourite book my Mr. Nuttall but it is still quite high up on the list and, anyway, even my least favourite book or Mr. Nuttall is better than a lot of books.
Yeah, I know that I sound like a fan boy but what the heck, I just happen to like pretty much every book from this author that I have read so far. Period!
Nevertheless I did quite enjoy this book. I stated above that some elements of the story was not my cup of tea. Well, one element of it was really my cup of tea. The basic story of someone coming from nothing and going through basic training to become a marine or some other military killing machine (hey that is what they train these people for after all) is right up my alley though.
The first two thirds of the book are just excellent. Well written, good character interactions and simply a nice story that really made you feel compelled to turn to the next page and I do not mean the rushed page turning that some books inspire but really turning to the next page after having completely read the previous one.
The last third of the book did not give the same wow-great feeling as the first two thirds though. In the last third Walker is a true marine and is embarking on real missions. Unfortunately these missions fails to provide much thrill. At least to this particular reader. They feel like they could have been any chapter in any of the other books in the series. Okay, okay that is not entirely true. Walker is a newly reqruited marine etc. etc. but still. The last third is okay, actually it is even good, but not really more than that and, as far as I am concerned this book is a really good book but I am afraid that it falls a wee bit short of the great mark.
Now, as I wrote above, Mr. Nuttall is one of my favourite authors and this is not just because he’s writing is “just” my cup of tea. He is a good, and I mean good, writer. This particular book is as well written as all of his. It was interesting to get some of the back story of Walker. On the whole is a very read worthy book. It might not be my favourite book my Mr. Nuttall but it is still quite high up on the list and, anyway, even my least favourite book or Mr. Nuttall is better than a lot of books.
Yeah, I know that I sound like a fan boy but what the heck, I just happen to like pretty much every book from this author that I have read so far. Period!
July 5, 2015
I've been reading military science fiction for a very long time, back to before ML King was gunned down. The story of a young man (now including a young woman) going through basic is hoary. The tough DI's, the impossible field problems, the buddy, the first swing during martial arts, the kid who doesn't make it, ad nauseum, are expected tropes. Nothing new here. No unexpected plot twists, no ka-thunk-how-the-hell-are-they-going-to-escape moments.
For what it is, First to Fight is okay, which is the definition of 2 stars. The story is told from a 3rd person POV. Mr. Nuttall is now popular enough that he can afford good proofers and the errors of his early books are gone. He includes his usual open moralizing about freedom. (As did Heinlein, remember, and Asimov upon occasion).
This book should be read by: (1) Devoted fans of the Empire's Corps series; and (2) by relative new-comers to military sci-fi who haven't read many boot camp books already.
My disclaimer: I bought the book, I don't know the author or publisher and I wasn't asked to review it. On the following scale, I give it 4.5/10:
1 = absolutely bloody - don't touch it with a bargepole
2 = bloody - probably don't bother, but it might be one up from the back of a cereal packet
3 = poor - approach with hope but without expectation
4 = below average - readable with a few redeeming qualities
5 = average - good for a duvet day
6 = above average - good characters or a good plot but not both
7 = good - good characters, good plot and well researched
8 = very good - all the above and beautifully written as well
9 = excellent - all the above in spades
10 = do not miss this under any circumstances - even if you have to sell the children to obtain a copy
For what it is, First to Fight is okay, which is the definition of 2 stars. The story is told from a 3rd person POV. Mr. Nuttall is now popular enough that he can afford good proofers and the errors of his early books are gone. He includes his usual open moralizing about freedom. (As did Heinlein, remember, and Asimov upon occasion).
This book should be read by: (1) Devoted fans of the Empire's Corps series; and (2) by relative new-comers to military sci-fi who haven't read many boot camp books already.
My disclaimer: I bought the book, I don't know the author or publisher and I wasn't asked to review it. On the following scale, I give it 4.5/10:
1 = absolutely bloody - don't touch it with a bargepole
2 = bloody - probably don't bother, but it might be one up from the back of a cereal packet
3 = poor - approach with hope but without expectation
4 = below average - readable with a few redeeming qualities
5 = average - good for a duvet day
6 = above average - good characters or a good plot but not both
7 = good - good characters, good plot and well researched
8 = very good - all the above and beautifully written as well
9 = excellent - all the above in spades
10 = do not miss this under any circumstances - even if you have to sell the children to obtain a copy
July 8, 2015
First to Fight is a memoir of Colonel Stalker's early years from the point just before leaving Earth to join the Marines through his first combat assignment. It is a very well written book and it lay's out who Edward was before he joined the Marines and became the man we know from the first book of the series, The Empire's Corps. It is a slight detour from the ongoing story but it was an enjoyable to read about what happened in his life that lead him to where he is now.
Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Must read.
Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Must read.
July 31, 2015
First
This was an excellent book. It paid tribute to Edward stalker and gave the reader tremendous insight into his background, motivations, values , training and overall life experiences. I highly recommend this book as a stand alone or as a compliment to the previous empire corps books.
This was an excellent book. It paid tribute to Edward stalker and gave the reader tremendous insight into his background, motivations, values , training and overall life experiences. I highly recommend this book as a stand alone or as a compliment to the previous empire corps books.
April 4, 2021
I like this whole every other book is a side novel deal. At first it kinda sucks because I'm coming off the rush of the previous book but they are all well written and interesting enough to grab my attention fairly quickly
August 1, 2015
Great Read!!
July 26, 2015
Classic nuttall
Solid story line in the same Empire Corps universe. Nothing that stands out as truly original but I always enjoy reading his books.
Solid story line in the same Empire Corps universe. Nothing that stands out as truly original but I always enjoy reading his books.
November 2, 2015
Pitiful.
February 23, 2016
Love this series!
April 1, 2016
Great continuation. Filler book on Stalker.
March 10, 2016
Good good as usual wondering if Christopher Nuttall will ever continue this series?
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews