What do you think?
Rate this book
The Fighting Season
An explosive thriller from the heart of Afghanistan
Outside the wire, Uruzghan Province, Afghanistan, 2010...
In the badlands of central Afghanistan an Australian Special Forces platoon is fatally hit by a roadside bomb.
A shadowy Taliban commander, codenamed 'Rapier', is identified as responsible for the deadly attack. Matt Rix, the ultra tough commando who led the ambushed platoon, swears vengeance. Rix is one of Special Forces' most lethal operators. He'll neutralise Rapier - whatever it takes.
But in Afghanistan's brutal war, not all things are as they seem.
'The Fighting Season is military fiction of the first order: as tough as nails and packed with the insider knowledge of someone who has done it for real.' - Matthew Reilly
'Action packed, gritty and authentic to the core.' - Merrick Watts
Outside the wire, Uruzghan Province, Afghanistan, 2010...
In the badlands of central Afghanistan an Australian Special Forces platoon is fatally hit by a roadside bomb.
A shadowy Taliban commander, codenamed 'Rapier', is identified as responsible for the deadly attack. Matt Rix, the ultra tough commando who led the ambushed platoon, swears vengeance. Rix is one of Special Forces' most lethal operators. He'll neutralise Rapier - whatever it takes.
But in Afghanistan's brutal war, not all things are as they seem.
'The Fighting Season is military fiction of the first order: as tough as nails and packed with the insider knowledge of someone who has done it for real.' - Matthew Reilly
'Action packed, gritty and authentic to the core.' - Merrick Watts
336 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 2016
24 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
About the author
Bram Connolly
5 books31 followersAs a Special Forces officer, Bram Connolly served several tours in Afghanistan and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for leadership in combat. He takes you deep into the world of high-intensity combat few have experienced.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
March 3, 2019
The Fighting Season is an exciting, action-packed thriller set in Afghanistan. The author, Bram Connolly, is a former Australian Special Forces soldier. I'm looking forward to reading more about Matt Rix in the sequel. I received this book through Goodreads Giveaways.
June 19, 2016
“Bram Connolly is Chris Ryan with and Aussie twang” – Liam Saville, Author of the military crime thrillers Resolute Action and Predator Strike.
The Fighting Season, an exciting first novel by breakout Aussie author, Bram Connolly, is due to hit the shelves in late July and is set to explode. A few weeks ago I was given an advanced review copy of his book by Connolly’s publishers, and somewhat foolishly I added it to my “to be read” pile behind a couple of other novels. Had I known then what I know now, I’d have dropped those other books in a heartbeat and jumped head first into this one.
Connolly is a former Australian special forces officer who served several tours in Afghanistan. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for leadership in combat, and makes full use of this experience to bring a refreshing and authentic new voice to the military thriller genre.
In The Fighting Season, Connolly introduces the reader to Matt Rix, an Australian Army officer and the commander of Yankee Platoon of the 2nd Commando Regiment, who along with his troops is midway through a tour of Afghanistan as an element of the Australian Special Operations Taskgroup. From the opening scenes, the reader is treated to an insider’s account of life as a special forces operator. Although never slow or dull, The Fighting Season has an almost memoir-like feel it that quickly drew me into the action and the plight of Rix and his platoon. I particularly enjoyed Connolly’s depiction of the intensity, confusion, and pace of modern warfighting, which he has served up with biting reality, as and his depiction of the rivalry between the Australian SAS and Commandos.
I highly recommend this book to fans of fast paced action thrillers by the likes of Andy McNab, Matthew Rielly, or Mark Abernethy. Bram Connolly is Chris Ryan with an Aussie twang, and The Fighting Season is an absolute winner.
The Fighting Season, an exciting first novel by breakout Aussie author, Bram Connolly, is due to hit the shelves in late July and is set to explode. A few weeks ago I was given an advanced review copy of his book by Connolly’s publishers, and somewhat foolishly I added it to my “to be read” pile behind a couple of other novels. Had I known then what I know now, I’d have dropped those other books in a heartbeat and jumped head first into this one.
Connolly is a former Australian special forces officer who served several tours in Afghanistan. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for leadership in combat, and makes full use of this experience to bring a refreshing and authentic new voice to the military thriller genre.
In The Fighting Season, Connolly introduces the reader to Matt Rix, an Australian Army officer and the commander of Yankee Platoon of the 2nd Commando Regiment, who along with his troops is midway through a tour of Afghanistan as an element of the Australian Special Operations Taskgroup. From the opening scenes, the reader is treated to an insider’s account of life as a special forces operator. Although never slow or dull, The Fighting Season has an almost memoir-like feel it that quickly drew me into the action and the plight of Rix and his platoon. I particularly enjoyed Connolly’s depiction of the intensity, confusion, and pace of modern warfighting, which he has served up with biting reality, as and his depiction of the rivalry between the Australian SAS and Commandos.
I highly recommend this book to fans of fast paced action thrillers by the likes of Andy McNab, Matthew Rielly, or Mark Abernethy. Bram Connolly is Chris Ryan with an Aussie twang, and The Fighting Season is an absolute winner.
August 17, 2016
The Fighting Season is an outstanding insight into the Australian Special Forces community. I literally could not put it down which I have NEVER done before. The novel is action packed and fast paced. Bram Connolly is able to delve into the emotions at the coal face and articulate the machinations of strategic policy and its impact on tactical operations.
Extremely well written by a bloke who has been there and done that!
Extremely well written by a bloke who has been there and done that!
June 12, 2016
Firstly I would like to thank the publisher for a promotional copy of this book.
Full of high adrenaline action. I must admit I am not usually a fan of books about modern warfare – for me books are an escape from reality and the world of terrorists is not one I wish to escape into. But, that being said, I did find myself get swept away by the story. I think that the fact the author was a special forces operative is why there is such a heightened sense of realism. For those who love tales of war and loads of action, this one is for you.
Full of high adrenaline action. I must admit I am not usually a fan of books about modern warfare – for me books are an escape from reality and the world of terrorists is not one I wish to escape into. But, that being said, I did find myself get swept away by the story. I think that the fact the author was a special forces operative is why there is such a heightened sense of realism. For those who love tales of war and loads of action, this one is for you.
September 4, 2016
Thank you for my copy of 'The Fighting Season' which I won on facebook.
I can't say that I am normally a fan of war type books, but I really wanted to read this one as it was written by an Australian ex Special Forces Soldier, who had served in the Middle East!
Once I began I was hooked in, the action was fast, I could clearly visualise the story as it progressed.
Intriguing, insightful and a really great read.
I highly recommend this book to Goodread readers.
I can't say that I am normally a fan of war type books, but I really wanted to read this one as it was written by an Australian ex Special Forces Soldier, who had served in the Middle East!
Once I began I was hooked in, the action was fast, I could clearly visualise the story as it progressed.
Intriguing, insightful and a really great read.
I highly recommend this book to Goodread readers.
July 26, 2016
I won a copy of this book on Good Reads. This is not a book I would normally pick up, but I did find that I got caught up in the story. It was an exciting adventure that was easy to read. One of those books that keep you reading as you need to know what will happen next.
Good plot, strong characters and a very interesting setting with lots of adventure. If I see another book by Bram Connolly in the future, I will pick it up.
Good plot, strong characters and a very interesting setting with lots of adventure. If I see another book by Bram Connolly in the future, I will pick it up.
August 29, 2016
To disclaim I won a proof copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
I was excited to read this book even though it isn't my got genre, but I am so happy to have read it. This book was great. Easy to read, exciting, suspenseful. All round awesome. I can't wait to see what Matt Rix will do now. Bram Connelly well done!!!
I was excited to read this book even though it isn't my got genre, but I am so happy to have read it. This book was great. Easy to read, exciting, suspenseful. All round awesome. I can't wait to see what Matt Rix will do now. Bram Connelly well done!!!
August 31, 2016
A cracking, fast paced read. Bram Connolly has written a fantastic first novel and delivered a new Australian action hero. I'm looking forward to reading more about Matt Rix and (hopefully) his platoon.
If you are looking for an adrenaline fueled story that is littered with fast and deadly battles and inter-service and unit politics, definitely give this a read.
If you are looking for an adrenaline fueled story that is littered with fast and deadly battles and inter-service and unit politics, definitely give this a read.
September 6, 2016
Written by a man who has been there first hand himself. This read is nothing short of edge of your seat, page turning, intensity. A compelling read that makes you feel as if you are in the thick of it. Spectacular for a budding author!
July 24, 2016
I did enjoy this story and it is obvious the author is writing from first-hand knowledge of the operations in a war zone. I can imagine it being made into a movie down the track. I received this "uncorrected proof copy" through Goodreads and although this disclaimer is is on the cover, the book is clearly in need of a huge edit and I can't believe it has actually got as far as printing. The book is littered with spelling errors, grammatical errors (eg my pet hate - your instead of you're), missing words and duplicated phrases, the worst of which being where a whole paragraph was duplicated, practically word for word, on two consecutive pages. It was so obvious, I had to go back and check what I had just read - it felt like Groundhog Day. With a good edit and these niggling annoyances cleared up, The Fighting Season will be an entertaining read, which gives the reader an insight into life in Afghanistan for our soldiers.
September 12, 2016
The Fighting Season to be one of the best military fiction books I've ever read, I seriously couldn't put it down and finished it within a few hours of reading!! Truly felt like I was on tour with Matt Rix and Yankee Platoon as they completed their missions and felt the emotions that they felt as things unfolded.
Bram has definitely cracked top 3 military fiction writers for me so he's up there with Tom Clancy and Matthew Reilly but bram has something that they don't have and that's actual combat experience which sets his story out from the rest!!
Can't wait for the next book when it's published.
Keep up the good work Bram
Bram has definitely cracked top 3 military fiction writers for me so he's up there with Tom Clancy and Matthew Reilly but bram has something that they don't have and that's actual combat experience which sets his story out from the rest!!
Can't wait for the next book when it's published.
Keep up the good work Bram
August 29, 2016
Was a good read. Quite Australian, with a lot of "mate", but didn't detract from the story. Would really appeal to anyone who has been or is in the armed forces, but I still really enjoyed it, a 50 year old female, with no military connections. Looks like there will be a sequel, which I will be eagerly awaiting.
August 23, 2016
Who to trust in a story that has its share of twists with intense moments in an often busy read. Head spinning action, gruesome details and shocking battlefield descriptives. Unmissable reading.
Review copy received from Allen & Unwin Australia for an honest rating
Review copy received from Allen & Unwin Australia for an honest rating
February 27, 2018
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I don't usually read war books but this was written from a insider view of the background planning involved in a war. It makes a reader appreciate what goes on behind the scenes.
October 11, 2016
From the very first pages, Bram's breakout novel bursts from the page in vivid and gritty detail that can only come from a lifetime of firsthand experience. With honest, real and sometimes humourous insight into the elusive world of Special Forces, he has created a well-conceived and expertly executed military thriller of the first order that transports the reader to the exciting and terrifying world of modern warfare. Bram has successfully reduced in-the-know jargon to am accessible level for readers of all walks of life and, perhaps most commendably, portrayed a complex enemy with a sensitive integrity that explores the personal drive and struggles of these people whilst never lowering himself to the perhaps easier path of simply dehumanizing. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel though not a usual reader is the genre. Through descriptions of the harsh landscape and people that border on poetry, Bram has truly lifted the bar on what could have simply been an empty page turning adventure, cementing his place as a contender in the market.
Am exceptional first novel from am exceptional first time author. Congratulations and can't wait to see what's next in store - it's sure to be something really special when the standard has been set so high already!
Am exceptional first novel from am exceptional first time author. Congratulations and can't wait to see what's next in store - it's sure to be something really special when the standard has been set so high already!
October 1, 2016
Bram Connoly's military thriller "The Fighting Season" may be a fictional tale of the service of Australian Special Forces in Afghanistan, but it's enthralling story-line and relatable characters are skillfully interwoven with the credibility of an author who has fought and survived the war himself. An absolute page turner! I can't wait for the next installment.
August 28, 2016
Solid writing...just felt too similar to others previously written. Definitely could see that the author had experience on the battlefront. Has some promise just wasnt for me.
January 9, 2017
Interesting to read a book about modern warfare. Bram Connolly seems to know his stuff. The plot is all based around office politics army style, nothing changes.
April 13, 2018
As a peace-loving individual who probably wouldn’t respond well to “orders” I do not normally read military fiction and I had to wait to read this until my husband had done so after he saw it arrive in the post from Goodreads and snaffled it. He enjoys this genre and he loved this novel to the point where he went out straightaway and purchased the sequel.
The author, Bram Connolly, is the holder of the Distinguished Service Medal for leadership in combat and his experience as an Australian Special Forces officer shines through this story which introduces the reader to Matt Rix, the Captain of a platoon of the Second Commando Regiment in Afghanistan. An IED soon finds its target in one of the young men under Rix’s command and the fatality rocks the platoon. Connolly does not shy away from describing the graphic and, to me, shocking reality of modern warfare in a harsh environment: the gruesome deaths, the chaos, confusion, desperation, fear, exhaustion, stress, and the attempts to keep intense emotions in check. As the pace quickly picks up, Rix wonders why his platoon seems always to be the target, and not just from the Taliban. Initially I struggled a little with the weapons technology, but the strategy and tactics hooked me and I suspect that anyone from a non-military background who has operated at a strategic level will also find this element gripping, particularly with lives at stake. It was the first time that I had read a book of this genre which explored so compellingly the rivalry between different services and units, in this case the Australian SAS and Commandos, and the interface between operatives and intelligence officers, plus their Commanding Officers, and I found it interesting if also shocking, as I wondered how much of the well-written story was based on real events that the author had experienced. Now let me go and find my husband’s copy of the sequel (“Off Reservation”) to snaffle from him …
The author, Bram Connolly, is the holder of the Distinguished Service Medal for leadership in combat and his experience as an Australian Special Forces officer shines through this story which introduces the reader to Matt Rix, the Captain of a platoon of the Second Commando Regiment in Afghanistan. An IED soon finds its target in one of the young men under Rix’s command and the fatality rocks the platoon. Connolly does not shy away from describing the graphic and, to me, shocking reality of modern warfare in a harsh environment: the gruesome deaths, the chaos, confusion, desperation, fear, exhaustion, stress, and the attempts to keep intense emotions in check. As the pace quickly picks up, Rix wonders why his platoon seems always to be the target, and not just from the Taliban. Initially I struggled a little with the weapons technology, but the strategy and tactics hooked me and I suspect that anyone from a non-military background who has operated at a strategic level will also find this element gripping, particularly with lives at stake. It was the first time that I had read a book of this genre which explored so compellingly the rivalry between different services and units, in this case the Australian SAS and Commandos, and the interface between operatives and intelligence officers, plus their Commanding Officers, and I found it interesting if also shocking, as I wondered how much of the well-written story was based on real events that the author had experienced. Now let me go and find my husband’s copy of the sequel (“Off Reservation”) to snaffle from him …
March 18, 2019
I am a pacifist and I find war fiction to be an oxymoron, much like a war game. I have currently exhausted basically every outlet into understanding the nazi regime, this had a huge impact on me and has completely persuaded me into believing that all war is nothing more than a biased system that seeks death through ignorant hatred and victory through selfish arrogance. This book clearly has its bias against the Taliban and is birthed out of the heart of a military complex that seethes with anger and malicious destruction. I am almost convinced that book deserved to be placed under the category of propaganda. I picked it up in a clearance bin for two dollars which I thought was pretty sweet and I was hoping for a novel that might fair in the likes of Hack saw ridge or saving private Ryan. Instead I felt like I was confronted with 9 11 gibberish. I did endure and read the entire book. The Characters were shallow, just guys following orders. Much the same as it was for the girls.
The theme was rather stagnant and uneventful. I did not find the story captivating or interesting. There was no substantial depth in emotion, wit, intelligence or passion of any kind.
The entire story just felt basic and robotic.
The theme was rather stagnant and uneventful. I did not find the story captivating or interesting. There was no substantial depth in emotion, wit, intelligence or passion of any kind.
The entire story just felt basic and robotic.
March 19, 2018
STOP READING REVIEWS AND BUY THIS BOOK NOW!!
I do not know the author nor did I get a free book for a fair review, I simply read the book and found it to be such a refreshingly 'real' military novel that I felt compelled to leave a review. I am a fan of Thor, Clancy, Flynn, etc. and this book stacks up with some of their best. For fans of military thrillers, you will be easily able to discern that the author knows his sh#t. This is not a one man vs 100 unrealistic cartoonist military thriller, this book is so well written, it makes me think this may be more the author's personal, real-life experience-at least with parts of the book.
Enough from me. Click the BUY IT NOW BUTTON and be glad you found your way to The Fighting Season. Can't wait for the next book! Well done Mr. Connolly, well done.
I do not know the author nor did I get a free book for a fair review, I simply read the book and found it to be such a refreshingly 'real' military novel that I felt compelled to leave a review. I am a fan of Thor, Clancy, Flynn, etc. and this book stacks up with some of their best. For fans of military thrillers, you will be easily able to discern that the author knows his sh#t. This is not a one man vs 100 unrealistic cartoonist military thriller, this book is so well written, it makes me think this may be more the author's personal, real-life experience-at least with parts of the book.
Enough from me. Click the BUY IT NOW BUTTON and be glad you found your way to The Fighting Season. Can't wait for the next book! Well done Mr. Connolly, well done.
June 17, 2021
This is a thoroughly engaging read. Action packed and fast paced! As a civilian with an interest in our Defence Force this book, although fiction, gives the reader a fantastic insight into what our Special Forces deal with in regards to the enemy, the Military machine of war and also within the teams. And you know the descriptions are accurate, given the author has actually got his boots dirty in Afghanistan. Well written, Bram- a great story and a real page turner.
September 13, 2017
Provides a sound insight into the places and tasks of soldiering in the Middle East, but unfortunately, in my humble option, lacks in depth and eloquence. Mind you, Vince Flynn isn't exactly a word smith yet he makes a killing so never mind me lol.
February 12, 2018
There was just something missing from this book, it felt like it was someone writing about what a book would be about, but not actual book itself.
It felt distanced from the characters and emotionally dry.
There was a decent story in their somewhere it just did not make it to the written page.
It felt distanced from the characters and emotionally dry.
There was a decent story in their somewhere it just did not make it to the written page.
August 7, 2017
Action packed, fast paced, never a dull moment, Afghanistan, Taliban, Aussie troops, combat, tactics, war, guns, violence, missions, bombs, heroes and enemies, this book has all that and more.
September 9, 2017
The Fighting Season is a compelling,exciting and action packed book. Bram's special forces experience give the book real authenticity. An outstanding novel which I didn't want to put down.
October 24, 2017
This book was a great insight into war from the perspective of an elite Australian soldier. It was fast paced and interesting and I cared about Matt Rix and his team.
April 13, 2019
Move over Jack Reacher
Great read. Jack Reacher has a new rival in Matt Rex. Bram Connolly is a smooth writer. Can’t wait to read the second instalment.
Great read. Jack Reacher has a new rival in Matt Rex. Bram Connolly is a smooth writer. Can’t wait to read the second instalment.
January 26, 2020
Great fast paced read; authentic aussie language and ADF humour!
November 15, 2021
I loved this awesome book about Aussie Commandos In Afghanistan very realistic.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews