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Warp Marine Corps #1
Decisively Engaged
(WARNING: Contains violence, strong language and adult content)
They picked a fight with the wrong species.
A NATION AT WAR: The United Stars of America. Born in the conflagration of unprovoked alien attack, the newest entrant to galactic politics took the few crumbs of hypertech gifted to it and ran with them, soon expanding over dozens of star systems and establishing a wide trade network, protected by its powerful Navy and the dreaded Warp Marines.
A FIGHT TO THE DEATH: A single Marine platoon, tasked with protecting an embassy on a hostile alien planet. An embassy – and the human enclave around it – that soon finds itself surrounded by armed mobs. Can the Marines and a ragtag band of civilian and Navy personnel survive long enough to be rescued?
They picked a fight with the wrong species.
A NATION AT WAR: The United Stars of America. Born in the conflagration of unprovoked alien attack, the newest entrant to galactic politics took the few crumbs of hypertech gifted to it and ran with them, soon expanding over dozens of star systems and establishing a wide trade network, protected by its powerful Navy and the dreaded Warp Marines.
A FIGHT TO THE DEATH: A single Marine platoon, tasked with protecting an embassy on a hostile alien planet. An embassy – and the human enclave around it – that soon finds itself surrounded by armed mobs. Can the Marines and a ragtag band of civilian and Navy personnel survive long enough to be rescued?
276 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 28, 2015
287 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Carella
78 books159 followersC.J. discovered his obsession with making up crap and writing it down at the age of 6, when he wrote his first short story, back in the days when the Cold War was still on and the only mobile devices were the wrist watch and the walkie-talkie. He's been making up crap and writing it down for fun and profit ever since.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
February 12, 2016
Warp Marines Up!
An excellent beginning to what I hope will be a long series. Set in a universe in which most interstellar species are of the genocide first, ask questions never persuasion, newly promoted US Warp Marine Captain Fromm arrives to take his new command, a weapons platoon on detached duty to protect the humans in the alien Enclave of the xenophobic nation of Kirosha. The Kiroshans dislike of outsiders soon turns hostile, and the Enclave is placed under siege.
The battle scenes are extremely well done, and the background is fascinating. I look forward to reading a lot more stories set in this universe.
An excellent beginning to what I hope will be a long series. Set in a universe in which most interstellar species are of the genocide first, ask questions never persuasion, newly promoted US Warp Marine Captain Fromm arrives to take his new command, a weapons platoon on detached duty to protect the humans in the alien Enclave of the xenophobic nation of Kirosha. The Kiroshans dislike of outsiders soon turns hostile, and the Enclave is placed under siege.
The battle scenes are extremely well done, and the background is fascinating. I look forward to reading a lot more stories set in this universe.
August 9, 2021
Thoughts as I read it:
Of fucking course the USA is pretty much the only nation left. Of course everyone else is rendered impudent. Oh, the exceptionalism!
The 'puppy' aliens are 'cute'. There would be a literal countdown clock going for these poor bastards till some earthman tries to have sex with one.
Then, the book skips over some real interesting times and goes to some guy I don't care about out in the alien system. Did the earth become united? No - he still works for the USA.
And I'm done. DNF.
Of fucking course the USA is pretty much the only nation left. Of course everyone else is rendered impudent. Oh, the exceptionalism!
The 'puppy' aliens are 'cute'. There would be a literal countdown clock going for these poor bastards till some earthman tries to have sex with one.
Then, the book skips over some real interesting times and goes to some guy I don't care about out in the alien system. Did the earth become united? No - he still works for the USA.
And I'm done. DNF.
June 19, 2024
I bought it because it was on sale. the Amazon reviews looked decent if not many. so far solid writing with clear historic precedent in the Boxer Rebellion. always a pleasure when an author picks an unusual setting.
Also the author throws in a number of famous quotes which can be interesting to look for.
Also the author throws in a number of famous quotes which can be interesting to look for.
January 19, 2021
A fascist redneck's wet dream.
The Aliens come and conveniently conduct The Final Solution plan on Earth.
Now, not bothered by other nations anymore, US is free to kick alien asses in the galaxy.
Apart from the funny start it is an average read. Recommended for facists, kill all the aliens
and red and white stripes fans.
The Aliens come and conveniently conduct The Final Solution plan on Earth.
Now, not bothered by other nations anymore, US is free to kick alien asses in the galaxy.
Apart from the funny start it is an average read. Recommended for facists, kill all the aliens
and red and white stripes fans.
Read
July 17, 2018j'ai mis 3 étoiles parce que j'ai lu jusqu'au bout et que je suis bon lecteur quand il s'agit d'exploits militaires alors que d'autres trouveront ce genre ennuyeux et sans intérêt
à réserver donc aux amateurs de combats dans le style America vs the universe et son lot de soldats prêts à tout Chaque page est un massacre sans beaucoup de répit même si la politique et la situation de l'Homme dans l'univers des aliens est vaguement évoquée Cela rappelle tout de même fortement la colonisation (le primitif défendant sa terre contre l'envahisseur plus 'éduqué' (équipé serait plus juste ...) on sait alors comment cela finira même si l'auteur sacrifie certains personnages plutôt attachants
C'est plaisant à lire (y compris les descriptions techniques de l'arsenal militaire) même si on grince parfois des dents tant les traits sont forcés
Reste que l'essentiel des batailles se déroule au sol Je m'attendais à des batailles spatiales Ce sera peut-être pour le prochain opus ...
à réserver donc aux amateurs de combats dans le style America vs the universe et son lot de soldats prêts à tout Chaque page est un massacre sans beaucoup de répit même si la politique et la situation de l'Homme dans l'univers des aliens est vaguement évoquée Cela rappelle tout de même fortement la colonisation (le primitif défendant sa terre contre l'envahisseur plus 'éduqué' (équipé serait plus juste ...) on sait alors comment cela finira même si l'auteur sacrifie certains personnages plutôt attachants
C'est plaisant à lire (y compris les descriptions techniques de l'arsenal militaire) même si on grince parfois des dents tant les traits sont forcés
Reste que l'essentiel des batailles se déroule au sol Je m'attendais à des batailles spatiales Ce sera peut-être pour le prochain opus ...
January 5, 2016
I enjoyed this one. A great read. One of those you look forward to getting back into when you simply must put it down. Not a brilliant work but, a really fun and good read.,
April 9, 2017
Do you like your aliens deep fried, broiled, or sushi style. Maybe just shot in the face. No holds bared military Sci-fi. Enjoyed it.
September 3, 2016
violence, hatred and gore
I agree with the guy who noted that Carella's political preaching and vicious attacks on anyone who diverges from his views got very old very fast. Clearly his solution to political diversity is "round up all them commie liberals and put them in the work camps or better yet, just beat them to death and save the expense of feeding them." And he wouldn't shut up about it long enough for me to just read the story, either. So no more Carella books for me, purely for that reason. He's an okay writer, though too fond of cardboard characters and "us vs. them" attitudes. I was hoping the LDS missionaries would offer some leaven to the "grab your gun and blast the Eetee's head off" theme, but not really, though the one missionary left behind at the end of the book might help the next books develop into something more than shoot-em ups. I just don't want to be smothered in any more of this spewed bile, so won't be reading further.
I agree with the guy who noted that Carella's political preaching and vicious attacks on anyone who diverges from his views got very old very fast. Clearly his solution to political diversity is "round up all them commie liberals and put them in the work camps or better yet, just beat them to death and save the expense of feeding them." And he wouldn't shut up about it long enough for me to just read the story, either. So no more Carella books for me, purely for that reason. He's an okay writer, though too fond of cardboard characters and "us vs. them" attitudes. I was hoping the LDS missionaries would offer some leaven to the "grab your gun and blast the Eetee's head off" theme, but not really, though the one missionary left behind at the end of the book might help the next books develop into something more than shoot-em ups. I just don't want to be smothered in any more of this spewed bile, so won't be reading further.
August 21, 2018
If you are American, and love military sci-fi, this is your book/nay! Series!
Everyone else, once you can choke down the central premise that the American's are the dominant faction after the cleansing of Earth (not unbelievable, just difficult as the jingoism is extreme here) it's a cracking piece of writing, great characters, concepts and writing are on show here.
Given the garish art on the cover I nearly skipped it, and I'm glad I didn't. I've already bought the next three books in the series.
Everyone else, once you can choke down the central premise that the American's are the dominant faction after the cleansing of Earth (not unbelievable, just difficult as the jingoism is extreme here) it's a cracking piece of writing, great characters, concepts and writing are on show here.
Given the garish art on the cover I nearly skipped it, and I'm glad I didn't. I've already bought the next three books in the series.
December 16, 2017
An intense, action packed military sci book novel with plenty of dead aliens. My only real complaint is the number of dead aliens was, at times, simply too large and massive to be totally believable. I don't see how these few Marines weren't eventually totally overwhelmed and slaughtered, but then, hey, there couldn't be a series now, could there? ;) Definitely recommended for those who like this genre.
August 10, 2023
It was ok. A decent story. Pretty good action scenes. It had a lot of stuff I hate. Tons of filler from different POVs of people I don't care about. An MC who's kinda lame, kinda stupid. One pet peeve I have is when the author let's you know some important plot point from some random POV chapter and then you have to endure the MCs trying to find that information you already know. Some of that in here and it was annoying.
January 28, 2018
I was Decisively Engaged
Loved this story. Could it use some tightening and have a few typos? Yes, but the story! Page turner and then some. Spent so much time on the "throne of reading" my leg fell asleep. At least something slept because I couldn't put it down. Very enjoyable. On to book two after a brief respite with a new mystery writer!
Loved this story. Could it use some tightening and have a few typos? Yes, but the story! Page turner and then some. Spent so much time on the "throne of reading" my leg fell asleep. At least something slept because I couldn't put it down. Very enjoyable. On to book two after a brief respite with a new mystery writer!
May 1, 2019
Putting the ‘mil’ in Mil-SF
Impossible odds, mass casualties, being-wave attacks, heroism, and unflinching courage.
This was a fun read. A little light on character development, but the narrative moves well and the pace is constant.
I will continue with the series. Worth my time.
Impossible odds, mass casualties, being-wave attacks, heroism, and unflinching courage.
This was a fun read. A little light on character development, but the narrative moves well and the pace is constant.
I will continue with the series. Worth my time.
May 24, 2017
Highly intelligent
The defense of the Peking delegation 1901 during the boxer rebellion on a distant planet. USMC small unit tactics and CIA spook ops are transplanted to the future and distant. Star systems. Very readable. Seems like the start of a good series
The defense of the Peking delegation 1901 during the boxer rebellion on a distant planet. USMC small unit tactics and CIA spook ops are transplanted to the future and distant. Star systems. Very readable. Seems like the start of a good series
June 7, 2017
Good but not great
This book as an example of good solid military sci-fi. It's well written and moves at a good pace. The setting is also well developed. This is not a memorable book but it's a fun read and worth checking out.
This book as an example of good solid military sci-fi. It's well written and moves at a good pace. The setting is also well developed. This is not a memorable book but it's a fun read and worth checking out.
February 11, 2016
Non stop military action. Dead aliens abound.
June 12, 2017
In preparation for the newest book in the series (In Dread Silence) I realized that I had to re-read all of the previous titles as it had been much too long since I'd met up with my favorite Warp Marine friends!
Decisively Engaged is an excellent book - it draws you in from page one and just keeps the action churning. I'd definitely recommend it if you're a fan of the Military SciFi Genre & especially so if you love small unit tactics. While there is some ship to ship combat, this book doesn't really give it enough weight.
My full review is here on Zone Six.
Decisively Engaged is an excellent book - it draws you in from page one and just keeps the action churning. I'd definitely recommend it if you're a fan of the Military SciFi Genre & especially so if you love small unit tactics. While there is some ship to ship combat, this book doesn't really give it enough weight.
My full review is here on Zone Six.
August 29, 2019
RECOMMENDED
"Decisively Engaged" introduces Captain Fromm
of the United Stars of America Warp Marines, as
a new war kicks off after the Earth is devastated
in the First Contact with the Snakes.
"Decisively Engaged" introduces Captain Fromm
of the United Stars of America Warp Marines, as
a new war kicks off after the Earth is devastated
in the First Contact with the Snakes.
May 29, 2017
Good read, well thought out
Good book on what happens as civilizations collide and grind into each other. Nice peek at how the Marines will adapt.
Good book on what happens as civilizations collide and grind into each other. Nice peek at how the Marines will adapt.
June 9, 2017
Good Read, ooooorrrraaaaaahhhh
Good book a little rushed at the end. Seemed the author just wanted to move on. A little more closure would have been good.
Good book a little rushed at the end. Seemed the author just wanted to move on. A little more closure would have been good.
August 16, 2017
Excellence
Thought I was in for a long boring read,but it was all action from the start.Felt like I read a trilogy in one sitting,well done that man!!!!
Thought I was in for a long boring read,but it was all action from the start.Felt like I read a trilogy in one sitting,well done that man!!!!
December 2, 2017
Starfist meets Falkenbergs Legion
Great read. WiFi won't let me finish this. Third rewrite so fuck it. Just read and finish the damn book.
Great read. WiFi won't let me finish this. Third rewrite so fuck it. Just read and finish the damn book.
March 25, 2019
solid read
July 12, 2020
A Fine Read
God bless the USA. Now fight the ET enemys or its a s*** storm ahead. Great characters, believable action; terrific series. Follow this author, he’s a good one!
God bless the USA. Now fight the ET enemys or its a s*** storm ahead. Great characters, believable action; terrific series. Follow this author, he’s a good one!
February 17, 2021
Can’t go wrong with Space Marines. Pretty interesting universe and political theories
June 20, 2022
It was fine, a blend of subjects I enjoy just not in a way I found engaging this time. I'll maybe try book 2 another time.
April 12, 2024
Good conversations
Destroyer revolves a lot around action and that certainly exciting. Could conversations kind of tightened it up nicely for me
Destroyer revolves a lot around action and that certainly exciting. Could conversations kind of tightened it up nicely for me
February 25, 2025
Great book loved the story and the book narration can’t wait to listen to the next book I highly recommend it 👍😀⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 17, 2017
Good book, can't wait to read the next book in this thrilling series.
A very good book, both entertaining and riveting in the action as the storey goes on. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
A very good book, both entertaining and riveting in the action as the storey goes on. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
January 26, 2016
I liked the characters in this book. There was one point where one said, "Are we there yet?" and the other one responded, "I'll turn this car around right now." I like that kind of repartee.
I like space opera, and there was some fine space opera here. Earth was attacked by the Snakes, saved by the Puppies, and then powered up enough to whup the Snakes really bad. In the process, we learned that Humans handle "warp" better than most species, by recovering quicker from the effects of being in warp space. Hey, that's pretty good. I like thinking that we're good at something.
Fast forward to a backwater outpost where the Humans and two other species have diplomatic missions in an industrial era kingdom. The other two species get along with the Humans okay, and are more advanced.
The Humans have some marines and some Navy on the planet, when some uprisings fueled by outside agitators put everyone in mortal danger. The story is about how that conflict builds, and unfolds.
But here's the problem. How can three space races put diplomatic missions out there and not put a single ship in orbit, not even a freighter or a scout or something? And when the balloon goes up, and the fighting gets scary, where are the support resources for the other two races?
And when the other side produces some "swatters" that take down observation drones, there is nothing that can tear up the swatters? Really?
I felt like the author wanted to create a conflict where the outcome was in doubt but had to underpower the good guys too much in this instant. It kept pulling me out of the story.
And as a last issue, there was an opportunity here for diplomacy to save many lives, and it failed. When that happened, it wasn't because we made our best effort. The author fell back on the "clueless ambassador" meme, and didn't have any support staff that could take up the slack before violence settled into every crack and crevice. Is that a spoiler? Should I mark that?
Don't get me wrong. I can't wait to read more in the series. I like the characters, the dialog is fine, and nothing beats a strong gunnery sargeant in my book. A fine interstellar war is brewing, and the Warp Marines are the closest thing to Star Fist that I've seen since ... well, Star Fist.
I like space opera, and there was some fine space opera here. Earth was attacked by the Snakes, saved by the Puppies, and then powered up enough to whup the Snakes really bad. In the process, we learned that Humans handle "warp" better than most species, by recovering quicker from the effects of being in warp space. Hey, that's pretty good. I like thinking that we're good at something.
Fast forward to a backwater outpost where the Humans and two other species have diplomatic missions in an industrial era kingdom. The other two species get along with the Humans okay, and are more advanced.
The Humans have some marines and some Navy on the planet, when some uprisings fueled by outside agitators put everyone in mortal danger. The story is about how that conflict builds, and unfolds.
But here's the problem. How can three space races put diplomatic missions out there and not put a single ship in orbit, not even a freighter or a scout or something? And when the balloon goes up, and the fighting gets scary, where are the support resources for the other two races?
And when the other side produces some "swatters" that take down observation drones, there is nothing that can tear up the swatters? Really?
I felt like the author wanted to create a conflict where the outcome was in doubt but had to underpower the good guys too much in this instant. It kept pulling me out of the story.
And as a last issue, there was an opportunity here for diplomacy to save many lives, and it failed. When that happened, it wasn't because we made our best effort. The author fell back on the "clueless ambassador" meme, and didn't have any support staff that could take up the slack before violence settled into every crack and crevice. Is that a spoiler? Should I mark that?
Don't get me wrong. I can't wait to read more in the series. I like the characters, the dialog is fine, and nothing beats a strong gunnery sargeant in my book. A fine interstellar war is brewing, and the Warp Marines are the closest thing to Star Fist that I've seen since ... well, Star Fist.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews