Live Echoes

Sim War #5

by Henry V. O'Neil, Vincent H. O'Neil

THE THRILLING CONCLUSION TO THE SIM WAR SERIES

There’s new hope for resolution of the decades-long war against the Sims: the discovery of Omega, a mysterious planet far from the fighting. Reena Mortas, the embattled leader of the human alliance, is betting everything that Omega could unlock the mystery of what’s creating the Sims.

Meanwhile, her husband and predecessor, the missing-and-believed-dead Olech Mortas, has made contact with the aliens who gave mankind the faster-than-light mode of travel known as the Step. Existing in a different realm, Olech is re-living the most important decisions of his life—while trying to explain human contradiction to a being that looks just like him, known only as Mirror.

Olech’s children, Jander and Ayliss, are still embroiled in the war. Jander has rejoined the Orphan Brigade on the mineral-rich planet Celestia, where he comes to believe what many of the Orphans feel: they’re supporting the wrong side. Ayliss, fighting in the all-female Banshees, is soon thrown into the losing war against the Sims, not knowing that every Banshee in the Human Defense Force is slated for an all-out assault on Omega that could win the war—or get them all killed.

Live Echoes is the gripping end to the Sim War series, and finally answers its central question: Where did the Sims come from, and why are they bent on humanity’s destruction?

261 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 28, 2017

About the author

Henry V. O’Neil is the name under which Malice Award-winning mystery novelist Vincent H. O’Neil publishes his science fiction work. In 2017 HarperCollins released the fifth and final novel in his military science Sim War series (Glory Main, Orphan Brigade, Dire Steps, CHOP Line, and Live Echoes).

After graduating from West Point, he served in the US Army Infantry with the Tenth Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York and the 1st Battalion (Airborne) of the 508th Infantry in Panama. He holds a Master’s degree in International Business from The Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy.

In 2005 he won the St. Martin’s Press “Malice Domestic” writing award for his debut novel Murder in Exile. Murder in Exile was the first book in the Frank Cole/Exile series, and was followed by Reduced Circumstances, Exile Trust, and Contest of Wills.

He is also the author of the theater-themed murder mystery Death Troupe and two horror novels called Interlands and Denizens.

Reviews

[Robert Enzenauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! I really like this finale to O'Neil's Sim War series. And I confess that I will miss future stories with the incredible leaders of Henry's imagination - Jander and Alyiss Mortas. I liked this Book Five much more tha Book Four, mainly because there were more combat scenes and actions compared to political intrigue. O'Neill created an incredible cast of characters. The plot moved fast. Lots of combat action. And the author obviously relies upon his military experience to create some fantastic mil-sci-fi. The two related protagnoists are really heroically epic in their actions. And the Mortas children are unique in their leadership by example. When faced with corruption in their military chain-of-command, the entire Mortas clan truly chose O'Neil's "the harder right instead of the easier wrong" (from the author's West Point Cadet Prayer), and lead from the middle. Olech Mortas shouted: "Ever been in a war, Mirror? One night I left my platoon on a hill, going back with a detail for ammo, anbd while we were gone the Sime bombarded that place for hours. "By the time he got they were all dead. He continued..."But what did I do? I was just a private, but I reorganized the defenses. They hit us time and again, but we held them off because I didn't sit there cyring about the dead." And later, when Lieutenant Mortas is surrounded, he replies: "I won't lie to you. They're going to kill us all, whether we surrender or not," continuing, "Never forget we did the right thing here. We rid this world of an evil government, and we told the entire galaxy about the suffering and injustice that goes on here to this day." In an Alamo-like moment, LT Jander Mortas say" I'm going out shooting. It has been an honor to lead you." And his senior NCO responds "Then lead us out, sir." This is a great novel of military leadership, not dissimilar from ONCE AN EAGLE by Anton Myer. Great fiction, and great leadership examples by ALL of the Mortas family, Olech, Jander, and Arliss. Strong work O'Neil.... I think that your publisher should consider two more Mortas series.... one with Major Mortas ten years in the future, and one twenty years in the future with General Mortas.

[Sgt Maj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sorry, I don't do 5's unless it's a classic to me

I was entertained, intrigued and enjoyed entire series. I kinda break down Mil SciFi into 3 categories: Mil, SciFi, Story(Plot, Characters, Writing).

There aren't many military credible writers in the genre -- 5% tops. Most are gamers, movie goers and may read. Some actually research and you can tell. This author knows Mil and is able to convey it. It's very credible, real and author provides it with details, nuances. A platoon night movement , setting up 360 and notes GUN placement, fields of fire. Being a traditionalist, author bringing back the Grenadier was outstanding; I was confused why they took them away in the 80's and gave us the 203 , based on my experiences. Ironic that their now developing new gen launchers and nothing replaces a well trained, single shot grenadier.

I believe I allocated most of this review to Mil unless I want to write a book. SciFi was right for me but my only complaint is that I would believe weapons tech to be a little further along -- rails, smart rnds, more capable body armor for avg grunts. Banshees with powered armor was great solution to today's PC enlightened -- or today's incredibly naive.

Character development was very good. If a story doesn't have people you like, relate to and understand -- you don't have a story. And then there's plot where author provided twists and turns, mystery and genuine human emotions, actions where I , as the reader, laughed -- cried -- got mad, frustrated , etc.

Good series, take your time reading!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This final tale in the Sim War series leads to a satisfying ending where all questions are answered in an action-packed finale. The Mortas family is at the core of the story, and we see what happens to each member along the way. From a rebellion on the planet Celestia to hidden caverns on the mysterious world known as Omega, our heroes fight to end a war with an enemy both within and without their political sphere of operations. The gripping read jumps from one action scene to the next with enough personal reflection to give depth to the characters and weight to the story. If you’ve read this series from book one, you’ll be highly satisfied at the conclusion.

[Ann Keeran · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book finishes an epic adventure through the universe. Strange people and creatures inhabit planets where amazing battles are fought. Henry V O'Neil has written an amazing account of what could happen.

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I just missed too much between the first and fifth books. While it was a decent military action SF release, it just didn't hold my attention. One guy is stuck in a loop being cross examined by a higher intelligence, another guy is reminiscing about events from previous books while barely advancing the plot, and the two female characters feel like product placement more than anything. Dead in the middle 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 because it wasn't horrible, it just wasn't interesting.

[I was given an eARC of this novel via the Harper Voyager Super Reader program in return for an honest review.]