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Earthrise #4
Earth Fire
They emerge from shadows. Hungry for flesh, they scurry forth. They are the marauders, the galaxy's deadliest predators. And they crave Earth. Five years ago, we won our first galactic war. We defeated the scum, a race of alien centipedes. But the marauders are stronger, smarter, and crueler by far. And they will show us no mercy. Marco Emery, hero of the last war, struggles today as a civilian. Shell shock cripples him. Nightmares haunt him. Yet now he must become a soldier again. Now his old platoon must reunite. Together, they must defeat the greatest threat Earth has ever known. Or humanity will fall.
472 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2016
682 people are currently reading
285 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Arenson
148 books877 followersDaniel Arenson is a bookworm, proud geek, and USA Today bestselling author of fantasy and science fiction. His novels have sold over a million copies. The Huffington Post has called his writing "full of soul." He's written over forty novels, most of them in five series:
EARTHRISE — They came from deep space. They came to destroy us. Against the alien onslaught, Earth stands alone. But we will fight. We will rise. We will win. Start reading with Earth Alone, the first novel in this military science fiction series.
REQUIEM — Welcome to Requiem, an ancient kingdom whose people can grow wings and scales, breathe fire, and take flight as dragons. Requiem is explored in six trilogies, which can be read in any order. If you're new to Requiem, you can start reading with Requiem's Song (you can download it for free). For fans of dark, gritty fantasy like A Game of Thrones.
MOTH — Discover Moth, a world torn between day and night—its one half drenched in eternal daylight, the other cloaked in endless darkness. For fans of classic fantasy worlds such as Middle Earth and Narnia. Start reading with Moth, the first novel in this epic fantasy saga.
ALIEN HUNTERS — Got trouble with aliens? Call the Alien Hunters. A group of scruffy mercenaries, they'll remove the pest for you. Low rates. No questions asked. Start reading with Alien Hunters, the first book in this space opera series. For fans of Star Wars, Firefly, and Guardians of the Galaxy.
KINGDOMS OF SAND — Enter a world of sand and splendor, a world where gladiators battle in the arena, where legionaries and barbarians fight for glory, and where empires rise and fall.
EARTHRISE — They came from deep space. They came to destroy us. Against the alien onslaught, Earth stands alone. But we will fight. We will rise. We will win. Start reading with Earth Alone, the first novel in this military science fiction series.
REQUIEM — Welcome to Requiem, an ancient kingdom whose people can grow wings and scales, breathe fire, and take flight as dragons. Requiem is explored in six trilogies, which can be read in any order. If you're new to Requiem, you can start reading with Requiem's Song (you can download it for free). For fans of dark, gritty fantasy like A Game of Thrones.
MOTH — Discover Moth, a world torn between day and night—its one half drenched in eternal daylight, the other cloaked in endless darkness. For fans of classic fantasy worlds such as Middle Earth and Narnia. Start reading with Moth, the first novel in this epic fantasy saga.
ALIEN HUNTERS — Got trouble with aliens? Call the Alien Hunters. A group of scruffy mercenaries, they'll remove the pest for you. Low rates. No questions asked. Start reading with Alien Hunters, the first book in this space opera series. For fans of Star Wars, Firefly, and Guardians of the Galaxy.
KINGDOMS OF SAND — Enter a world of sand and splendor, a world where gladiators battle in the arena, where legionaries and barbarians fight for glory, and where empires rise and fall.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
January 13, 2020
Earth Fire
Earthrise, Book 4
By: Daniel Arenson
Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer
Our poor characters each have their own hell to live in this fourth book. Then comes another alien invasion that's even worse than the first! This is a sad, dark book. I found it hard to listen to because it really was a such a constant downer. I almost wanted to skip it and go on to the next book. The book was really good but sad.
The narration was excellent as usual!
Earthrise, Book 4
By: Daniel Arenson
Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer
Our poor characters each have their own hell to live in this fourth book. Then comes another alien invasion that's even worse than the first! This is a sad, dark book. I found it hard to listen to because it really was a such a constant downer. I almost wanted to skip it and go on to the next book. The book was really good but sad.
The narration was excellent as usual!
November 6, 2016
A new enemy has appeared from the depths of space to threaten a broken Earth.
It's been five years since humanity's biggest and most expensive war in Earth's history. Earth won the war, but it left earth bankrupt and broken. The heroes of the attack on the Scum homeworld Abaddon, Staff Sergeants Marco Emery and Addy Linden, have finished their service and returned to Earth as civilians. With no money, no transportation, barely any clothes Marco and Addy hitchhike home to Toronto, anticipating a warm reunion with Marco's father in their apartment above the library. Finally arriving in Toronto only to find the library boarded up and scheduled for demolition and Marco's father dead.
Captain Einav Ben-Ari and Lieutenant Kemi Abasi are assigned to Space Station One on the rogue planet Nightwall, the center of the Space Territorial Command, the great guardian of Earth's might in the darkness of space. Patrolling on the edge of the demilitarized zone between human space and what was left of the Scum sphere of influence, Ben-Ari and Abasi discover a prison colony filled with human prisoners. The facility is overrun by alien creatures unknown to the captain who exhibit a taste for human flesh and a particular delight in brains. Their squad killed, Ben-Ari and pilot Abasi escape in their spacecraft, the 'Saint Brendan'. Although wounded, they return to Nightwall and report their findings to Admiral Komagata, the commander of Space Station One. Komagata informs Ben-Ari that he's aware of the facility, the aliens, and their hunger, and that the information is classified and if they spoke of it, they would be executed for treason!
Once again humanity is faced with extinction and our heroes are broken and battered, mentally and physically, imprisoned and helpless. The future is grim.
Once again the author brings the characters to life, making the readers feel the hopes and fears, the anguish and despair, the bravery and determination of his creations. The story flows smoothly as we experience the separation of military and civilian life, and share the anxiety of returning to a broken world, no help, no understanding or comprehension of what they've gone through.
If you like to find new friends richly described and share their lives in the words of a thrilling story, you'll like this book. If you like military sagas with colorfully crafted action, you'll love this story. If you like space operas blending action and romance, you'll have to have this remarkable story. I can highly recommend this story and this series to entertain you for hours. I've fallen in love with all the characters and the story, I know you will too.
It's been five years since humanity's biggest and most expensive war in Earth's history. Earth won the war, but it left earth bankrupt and broken. The heroes of the attack on the Scum homeworld Abaddon, Staff Sergeants Marco Emery and Addy Linden, have finished their service and returned to Earth as civilians. With no money, no transportation, barely any clothes Marco and Addy hitchhike home to Toronto, anticipating a warm reunion with Marco's father in their apartment above the library. Finally arriving in Toronto only to find the library boarded up and scheduled for demolition and Marco's father dead.
Captain Einav Ben-Ari and Lieutenant Kemi Abasi are assigned to Space Station One on the rogue planet Nightwall, the center of the Space Territorial Command, the great guardian of Earth's might in the darkness of space. Patrolling on the edge of the demilitarized zone between human space and what was left of the Scum sphere of influence, Ben-Ari and Abasi discover a prison colony filled with human prisoners. The facility is overrun by alien creatures unknown to the captain who exhibit a taste for human flesh and a particular delight in brains. Their squad killed, Ben-Ari and pilot Abasi escape in their spacecraft, the 'Saint Brendan'. Although wounded, they return to Nightwall and report their findings to Admiral Komagata, the commander of Space Station One. Komagata informs Ben-Ari that he's aware of the facility, the aliens, and their hunger, and that the information is classified and if they spoke of it, they would be executed for treason!
Once again humanity is faced with extinction and our heroes are broken and battered, mentally and physically, imprisoned and helpless. The future is grim.
Once again the author brings the characters to life, making the readers feel the hopes and fears, the anguish and despair, the bravery and determination of his creations. The story flows smoothly as we experience the separation of military and civilian life, and share the anxiety of returning to a broken world, no help, no understanding or comprehension of what they've gone through.
If you like to find new friends richly described and share their lives in the words of a thrilling story, you'll like this book. If you like military sagas with colorfully crafted action, you'll love this story. If you like space operas blending action and romance, you'll have to have this remarkable story. I can highly recommend this story and this series to entertain you for hours. I've fallen in love with all the characters and the story, I know you will too.
November 4, 2016
This one stands on its own
Reviewed 2, gave 2 -- 3 stars? , because I did enjoy book 1. Book 2, author did things that I just didn't get why -- killed off the male cast, MCs and threw buckets of blood around that as a reader, try as I might I couldn't follow close enough to being entertained nor getting involved and provoking thought.
Based on book 1, I gave books 3 and 4 a shot. After a few chapters, started skimming -- the old first few sentences and last sentences of paragraphs -- and then skimmed big time.
Action, characters weren't credible, real, involving. The plot and subsequent twists, good grief. A species so vile and 'humans' get involved and help them , to the point where ya just gotta say -- good grief. We're not talking about folk way down the food chain. Smart, intelligent, accomplished and their motivations to turn on humanity just don't pass the smell test.
70-80% of book 4 is about PTSD. Sex, drugs, alcohol , failure, useless bum and burden to friends and society. Another is bothered a lot but can still function . But the flash backing of both, constantly... dragged story down, IMO . That's not PTSD. That's making a case for yourself what PTSD must be like. And it's the version that sells. Survivor guilt, coulda, shoulda, woulda,tragedy, comrades, frustration, anger at many levels ....
Just felt author making case for homeless, addiction and crime. Didn't feel right through out and just stupid plot twists to turn the knife so us readers could empathize . Should have been unnecessary if story was told well, would have been easy to identify w MCs with well told story. Using vile species and buckets n buckets of blood to sell..,
Reviewed 2, gave 2 -- 3 stars? , because I did enjoy book 1. Book 2, author did things that I just didn't get why -- killed off the male cast, MCs and threw buckets of blood around that as a reader, try as I might I couldn't follow close enough to being entertained nor getting involved and provoking thought.
Based on book 1, I gave books 3 and 4 a shot. After a few chapters, started skimming -- the old first few sentences and last sentences of paragraphs -- and then skimmed big time.
Action, characters weren't credible, real, involving. The plot and subsequent twists, good grief. A species so vile and 'humans' get involved and help them , to the point where ya just gotta say -- good grief. We're not talking about folk way down the food chain. Smart, intelligent, accomplished and their motivations to turn on humanity just don't pass the smell test.
70-80% of book 4 is about PTSD. Sex, drugs, alcohol , failure, useless bum and burden to friends and society. Another is bothered a lot but can still function . But the flash backing of both, constantly... dragged story down, IMO . That's not PTSD. That's making a case for yourself what PTSD must be like. And it's the version that sells. Survivor guilt, coulda, shoulda, woulda,tragedy, comrades, frustration, anger at many levels ....
Just felt author making case for homeless, addiction and crime. Didn't feel right through out and just stupid plot twists to turn the knife so us readers could empathize . Should have been unnecessary if story was told well, would have been easy to identify w MCs with well told story. Using vile species and buckets n buckets of blood to sell..,
November 6, 2016
Addictive
I really enjoyed this book. Read the 4 books in 2 weeks. The earth serie is one of the best duty I read
I really enjoyed this book. Read the 4 books in 2 weeks. The earth serie is one of the best duty I read
November 2, 2016
The story continues
The first war has been won, but the next one is about to start. captain Ben-Ari and her small team are once again thrown into a battle. But this time they have not only taking on a new aliens, but also forces on earth.
The first war has been won, but the next one is about to start. captain Ben-Ari and her small team are once again thrown into a battle. But this time they have not only taking on a new aliens, but also forces on earth.
November 2, 2016
Amazing!
So many feels! I laughed. I cried. And I wish I could jump forward in time to the release of book 5!
So many feels! I laughed. I cried. And I wish I could jump forward in time to the release of book 5!
April 12, 2018
Great plot, this book has a lot of surprises right from the start, really enjoyed it could not put it down, cannot wait to start book 5.
February 10, 2018
Problems Arise
Problems abound during the reading of this book. It comes down to repetition and editing. There are other issues, so let's look at this book in detail.
First, writing a novel, let alone a series of novels, is a daunting task. You have so much to do like coming up with a plot, characters, narrative, dialogue, and artwork that it is surprising how many people think they can do it, let alone do it right.
The point of the reviews I give are to show what is wrong with not doing the job correctly, and thus exposing to you where an author may have just used the short cuts out there to get the novel in front of your noses. In other words, created something not worth your time reading.
The novel, Earth Fire, is the forth book in the Earthrise series by Daniel Arenson. I've read the three prior novels and will continue to read the others to finish off the series, that is until they become unreadable. This book bordered on it.
Notice - Spoiler Alert
The novel takes place after the Human/Scum war. It tells the story of two ex-military, Marco and Addy. After their five year military stent they return to their home town of Toronto only to find life has changed. Three years after the Scum war, the population of Earth is divided by those who want to prosecute the two heroes for their part in the war and those who want them to be praised for it. In honesty, it's just a little too early for those detractors to come to light. Each one would understand what the human race went through and thus not have any problems with the annihilation of the Scum race.
With this taking a head, the author decides to change the way the Canadian legal system is run. I can understand a bit of why, but there's a lot of problems with it. Maybe the author needs to understand constitutional law a little more. But he needed to find a reason why our two heroes are not on Earth for the next book.
Meanwhile, in a different part of the galaxy, a new threat comes to life, the Marauders. This new threat, just like the prior one, wants to eat humans (lord help us). From one race that eats humans to another that does the same.
Hero Problems
Our heroes immigrate to the planet Haven, and are duped by false advertising and poverty. During their stay on the planet, Marco completes his book and writes another one. With the inability to have them published, he falls into despair and sleeps with a multitude of women. All this while working in a call centre trying to sell all types of products we see advertised on late night TV. Really? Like he couldn't have found a better dead end job the guy could find?
This goes on for the rest of the novel and becomes a drag to read. It came to the point where I wondered why I kept going. Then the planet is invaded, and the world comes crashing down for them. We end there, hoping they will survive.
The Wrap Up
It would be interesting to find an alien race that doesn't want to eat, enslave, or impregnate humans. It's not that hard of an ask, is it?
In my opinion the work is not at a publisher stage yet. It need rewrites and critiques. I write this review in the hopes Daniel reads it and understands that more is needed to make a good novel.
Problems abound during the reading of this book. It comes down to repetition and editing. There are other issues, so let's look at this book in detail.
First, writing a novel, let alone a series of novels, is a daunting task. You have so much to do like coming up with a plot, characters, narrative, dialogue, and artwork that it is surprising how many people think they can do it, let alone do it right.
The point of the reviews I give are to show what is wrong with not doing the job correctly, and thus exposing to you where an author may have just used the short cuts out there to get the novel in front of your noses. In other words, created something not worth your time reading.
The novel, Earth Fire, is the forth book in the Earthrise series by Daniel Arenson. I've read the three prior novels and will continue to read the others to finish off the series, that is until they become unreadable. This book bordered on it.
Notice - Spoiler Alert
The novel takes place after the Human/Scum war. It tells the story of two ex-military, Marco and Addy. After their five year military stent they return to their home town of Toronto only to find life has changed. Three years after the Scum war, the population of Earth is divided by those who want to prosecute the two heroes for their part in the war and those who want them to be praised for it. In honesty, it's just a little too early for those detractors to come to light. Each one would understand what the human race went through and thus not have any problems with the annihilation of the Scum race.
With this taking a head, the author decides to change the way the Canadian legal system is run. I can understand a bit of why, but there's a lot of problems with it. Maybe the author needs to understand constitutional law a little more. But he needed to find a reason why our two heroes are not on Earth for the next book.
Meanwhile, in a different part of the galaxy, a new threat comes to life, the Marauders. This new threat, just like the prior one, wants to eat humans (lord help us). From one race that eats humans to another that does the same.
Hero Problems
Our heroes immigrate to the planet Haven, and are duped by false advertising and poverty. During their stay on the planet, Marco completes his book and writes another one. With the inability to have them published, he falls into despair and sleeps with a multitude of women. All this while working in a call centre trying to sell all types of products we see advertised on late night TV. Really? Like he couldn't have found a better dead end job the guy could find?
This goes on for the rest of the novel and becomes a drag to read. It came to the point where I wondered why I kept going. Then the planet is invaded, and the world comes crashing down for them. We end there, hoping they will survive.
The Wrap Up
It would be interesting to find an alien race that doesn't want to eat, enslave, or impregnate humans. It's not that hard of an ask, is it?
In my opinion the work is not at a publisher stage yet. It need rewrites and critiques. I write this review in the hopes Daniel reads it and understands that more is needed to make a good novel.
December 9, 2016
Warning! This book is very dark. If you’ve ever suffered from PTSD, you might want to consider reading something else. Still, I had a mild case, if there is such a thing, of PTSD after my Vietnam War experiences and I got through the book pretty well. It does bring back some memories I would have preferred to forget. But, then again, if you have had no such experiences, then this book might be very appealing to you because it follows right behind the privous book in the series, “Earth Rising”.
We get to keep reading about all our former main characters, Captain Enavi Ben-Ari, Marco Emery, Lialani and Addy, although they have all gone their separate ways. As you’ll recall, the humans have defeated the scum. They destroyed the emperor himself in that cave on Abaddon. They were all war heroes! Now, their five year enlistments are up and they are looking forward to becoming civilians and going home; back to the Earth they almost died to defend. But, things have changed in five years; changed for the worse. Humans, in my opinion, tend to scare easy and when they do, they become very stupid. All the brave ones that fought to save Earth from the scum went to war leaving the scared, afraid, and cowards back home. Now, they are waiting for the return of all those war veterans and they start to turn ugly. It’s unfortunate that Marco and Addy have to return to this kind of situation. They are not viewed as war heroes, but now they are viewed a war criminals who exterminated an entire alien race. It doesn’t matter that this alien race killed over a billion humans. That’s how stupid people thing.
Also, and I don’t know how anyone could stand for this, the Home Defense Force (HDF) doesn’t pay it’s troops! That’s pretty stupid right there. Remember, that all eighteen year olds have to “volunteer” for the HDF or spend their five years in prison. So, Marco, Addy and Lialani are dumped back on Earth with no money, no jobs and no where to live. Their expected to return to their original homes, but that’s not going to happen. What comes next for our trio is heartbreaking all through the book. And not just for these three.
Captain Einav Ben-Ari has found something totally unexpected while on a rescue mission in the new DeMilitarized Zone (DMZ). A human signal is calling out for help and she and her crew of the HDFS Saint Brendan have gone to investigate. She finds something more terrible than the scum. Something she can’t believe exists. Then, after barely escaping a very intelligent trap, she reports back to her superior, Admiral Komagata. To her shock, he already knows about this enemy in the deep dark. The rest of the story gets much, much worse. "Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet vellum.” — Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus ("Let him who desires peace, prepare for war.”)
I’ll have to read the next book, because there has to be some kind of better ending for humanity than what was left in this book.
We get to keep reading about all our former main characters, Captain Enavi Ben-Ari, Marco Emery, Lialani and Addy, although they have all gone their separate ways. As you’ll recall, the humans have defeated the scum. They destroyed the emperor himself in that cave on Abaddon. They were all war heroes! Now, their five year enlistments are up and they are looking forward to becoming civilians and going home; back to the Earth they almost died to defend. But, things have changed in five years; changed for the worse. Humans, in my opinion, tend to scare easy and when they do, they become very stupid. All the brave ones that fought to save Earth from the scum went to war leaving the scared, afraid, and cowards back home. Now, they are waiting for the return of all those war veterans and they start to turn ugly. It’s unfortunate that Marco and Addy have to return to this kind of situation. They are not viewed as war heroes, but now they are viewed a war criminals who exterminated an entire alien race. It doesn’t matter that this alien race killed over a billion humans. That’s how stupid people thing.
Also, and I don’t know how anyone could stand for this, the Home Defense Force (HDF) doesn’t pay it’s troops! That’s pretty stupid right there. Remember, that all eighteen year olds have to “volunteer” for the HDF or spend their five years in prison. So, Marco, Addy and Lialani are dumped back on Earth with no money, no jobs and no where to live. Their expected to return to their original homes, but that’s not going to happen. What comes next for our trio is heartbreaking all through the book. And not just for these three.
Captain Einav Ben-Ari has found something totally unexpected while on a rescue mission in the new DeMilitarized Zone (DMZ). A human signal is calling out for help and she and her crew of the HDFS Saint Brendan have gone to investigate. She finds something more terrible than the scum. Something she can’t believe exists. Then, after barely escaping a very intelligent trap, she reports back to her superior, Admiral Komagata. To her shock, he already knows about this enemy in the deep dark. The rest of the story gets much, much worse. "Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet vellum.” — Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus ("Let him who desires peace, prepare for war.”)
I’ll have to read the next book, because there has to be some kind of better ending for humanity than what was left in this book.
October 27, 2018
Beware of spiders offering peace
Darkness in the world because of those in power.
You showed why leaders can't always be trusted.
Your characters have had to deal with many of the things our soldiers face.
I have a greater respect for them.
Keep up the great work.
Darkness in the world because of those in power.
You showed why leaders can't always be trusted.
Your characters have had to deal with many of the things our soldiers face.
I have a greater respect for them.
Keep up the great work.
September 12, 2017
I wound up being very disappointed by this book. I tore through 1-4 of this series in 2 days loving it up till this book. I think the look into PTSD was really good, but I think there was just too much downfall that didn't quite make sense as a whole especially from the characters perspective.
Did they have their heads in the ground for years while the Earth was going downhill? They had zero clue before they arrived that things sucked? Poet seemed like the type of person that would have read a newspaper every so often. Or maybe do a quick search on Haven to see whether any of the claims of that place were true? It just seemed to go completely against his character, so everything crappy that happened to them just seemed wrong. If anything I would imagine they would get out of the military and have movies and books written about them and paid for speaking engagements similar to the Seal Team Six members that got Bin Laden.
Did they have their heads in the ground for years while the Earth was going downhill? They had zero clue before they arrived that things sucked? Poet seemed like the type of person that would have read a newspaper every so often. Or maybe do a quick search on Haven to see whether any of the claims of that place were true? It just seemed to go completely against his character, so everything crappy that happened to them just seemed wrong. If anything I would imagine they would get out of the military and have movies and books written about them and paid for speaking engagements similar to the Seal Team Six members that got Bin Laden.
November 30, 2016
Another great book in the series. While the characters are the same its a entire new story arc for our familiar cast. I did say this book did pull on some heart strings at the beginning and then deals with love/loss and PTSD I was unable to put the book down as I was rooting for our heros! Can't wait for the next one!
August 20, 2020
The fourth installment of Daniel Arenson’s Earthrise series opens with the pursuit of the source of a distress signal, with the scum being the primary suspects, and a warning that “nightmares are coming.” Meanwhile, Marco and Addy receive formal discharges from military service, although they both are broke, and both encounter tragedy when they return home, not to mention the loss of their apartment. They also find harassment by the antiwar Never War organization, with its lawyers wanting to put Marco and Addy on trial for alleged atrocities against the scum that served as antagonists in prior entries.
Marco and Addy ultimately decide to go to a colony known as the Haven on a habitable planet orbiting Earth’s nearest star system, Alpha Centauri, although it’s not what they anticipated it to be, and they have trouble finding residency and work. Meanwhile, Captain Einav Ben-Ari and Kemi encounter the threat of another hostile alien race, the marauders, and seek to break Corporal David Min-jun Greene, nicknamed Noodles, out of a prison term for cybercrime. Earth and Haven eventually experience the fury of the marauders, with room naturally left for sequels.
Overall, I definitely enjoyed the fourth installment of Arenson’s science-fiction series, which one could suggest is the All Quiet on the Western Front of the genre, given its focus on life after the horrors of war, and definitely raises good points about the nature of conflict and the divide between pouring resources into alleviating human suffering or boosting militaristic might. Granted, the darker tone of the novel might alienate certain readers, and occasional topical references make it something of a period piece, but otherwise, I would very much recommend Earth Fire to those who liked its precursors.
Marco and Addy ultimately decide to go to a colony known as the Haven on a habitable planet orbiting Earth’s nearest star system, Alpha Centauri, although it’s not what they anticipated it to be, and they have trouble finding residency and work. Meanwhile, Captain Einav Ben-Ari and Kemi encounter the threat of another hostile alien race, the marauders, and seek to break Corporal David Min-jun Greene, nicknamed Noodles, out of a prison term for cybercrime. Earth and Haven eventually experience the fury of the marauders, with room naturally left for sequels.
Overall, I definitely enjoyed the fourth installment of Arenson’s science-fiction series, which one could suggest is the All Quiet on the Western Front of the genre, given its focus on life after the horrors of war, and definitely raises good points about the nature of conflict and the divide between pouring resources into alleviating human suffering or boosting militaristic might. Granted, the darker tone of the novel might alienate certain readers, and occasional topical references make it something of a period piece, but otherwise, I would very much recommend Earth Fire to those who liked its precursors.
July 5, 2023
Help me read more books
This book would have been much improved if the entire middle of the book was just deleted.
The first dozen or so chapters are fine, the last dozen or so chapters are fine, the rest of the book was just plain garbage.
I understand the author was trying to convey the depths of the soldier's mental status, but to be blunt, it sucked, and the book suffered as a result of those chapters.I'd suggest rewriting those chapters, distilling all the middle chapters down to maybe 4 or 5 chapters, and getting rid of the excess baggage that made the story drag for so long. The book will be considerably better as a result.
If you've read the other books in the series leading up to this point, you'll find this book to be decent enough, but I suggest skimming the middle chapters, reading them takes too long, and adds nearly nothing to the overall story.
I did read them, and that's multiple hours of my life I'll never get back.
I sincerely hope the rest of the books in this series don't suffer from this same fault, if so, I'll need to stop reading after another book or two, I can't handle that much boredom in a book I'm reading for pleasure.
This book would have been much improved if the entire middle of the book was just deleted.
The first dozen or so chapters are fine, the last dozen or so chapters are fine, the rest of the book was just plain garbage.
I understand the author was trying to convey the depths of the soldier's mental status, but to be blunt, it sucked, and the book suffered as a result of those chapters.I'd suggest rewriting those chapters, distilling all the middle chapters down to maybe 4 or 5 chapters, and getting rid of the excess baggage that made the story drag for so long. The book will be considerably better as a result.
If you've read the other books in the series leading up to this point, you'll find this book to be decent enough, but I suggest skimming the middle chapters, reading them takes too long, and adds nearly nothing to the overall story.
I did read them, and that's multiple hours of my life I'll never get back.
I sincerely hope the rest of the books in this series don't suffer from this same fault, if so, I'll need to stop reading after another book or two, I can't handle that much boredom in a book I'm reading for pleasure.
July 4, 2021
The first several books in this series are not bad--a little black-and-white (you can spot pretty early who's going to live and who's going to die, classic horror movie rules), but overall not bad.
As we get past the first six or so books, though, the writing becomes progressively worse, almost as if the author wanted to try and tailor his prose to be more accommodating to 12-year-olds, even as he continues to display some pretty adult themes (sex, violence, even rape threats).
The characters never really seem to learn anything, they continue to agonize over the same issues, they continue to have the same internal conversations, and by about the twelfth book, everybody in the inner circle has slept with everybody else, and are constantly revisiting every decision they've ever made, even if they just made that decision a few pages ago.
My enjoyment of the series has progressively declined with each successive book, to the point that I will not buy anything further in this series.
As we get past the first six or so books, though, the writing becomes progressively worse, almost as if the author wanted to try and tailor his prose to be more accommodating to 12-year-olds, even as he continues to display some pretty adult themes (sex, violence, even rape threats).
The characters never really seem to learn anything, they continue to agonize over the same issues, they continue to have the same internal conversations, and by about the twelfth book, everybody in the inner circle has slept with everybody else, and are constantly revisiting every decision they've ever made, even if they just made that decision a few pages ago.
My enjoyment of the series has progressively declined with each successive book, to the point that I will not buy anything further in this series.
digital
February 6, 2023They emerge from shadows. Hungry for flesh, they scurry forth. They are the marauders, the galaxy's deadliest predators.
And they crave Earth.
Five years ago, we won our first galactic war. We defeated the scum, a race of alien centipedes. But the marauders are stronger, smarter, and crueler by far. And they will show us no mercy.
Marco Emery, hero of the last war, struggles today as a civilian. Shell shock cripples him. Nightmares haunt him. Yet now he must become a soldier again. Now his old platoon must reunite. Together, they must defeat the greatest threat Earth has ever known.
Or humanity will fall.
**
About the AuthorDaniel Arenson is a bookworm, proud geek, and USA Today bestselling author of fantasy and science fiction. His novels have sold over a million copies. The Huffington Post has called his writing "full of soul." He's written over forty novels, most of them in five series: Earthrise, Requiem, Moth, Alien Hunters, and Kingdoms of Sand. Learn more about the books at DanielArenson.com.
February 28, 2019
You might get PTSD reading this series.
Is that a good thing or a bad thing? I'm not really sure. This series is dark and horrifying. This is war. This is aliens conducting genetic experiments on men, women, and babies.
The author leaves nothing to the imagination. Everything feels very real as you read it.
This book is just so good. There is a lot of action in the beginning and end. I won't spoil it for you but for those who might say the middle is boring, it really captures the effect war has on the human psyche.
Characters were well developed like usual, and act pretty much like real people would. However, Lailani explains something near the beginning that doesn't make enough sense. They went through so much together. Why? I feel the relationship between Lailani and Marco are recycled from the previous books.
Daniel Arenson is indeed a Poet, given how well he writes and fleshes out characters and character motivations.
Is that a good thing or a bad thing? I'm not really sure. This series is dark and horrifying. This is war. This is aliens conducting genetic experiments on men, women, and babies.
The author leaves nothing to the imagination. Everything feels very real as you read it.
This book is just so good. There is a lot of action in the beginning and end. I won't spoil it for you but for those who might say the middle is boring, it really captures the effect war has on the human psyche.
Characters were well developed like usual, and act pretty much like real people would. However, Lailani explains something near the beginning that doesn't make enough sense. They went through so much together. Why? I feel the relationship between Lailani and Marco are recycled from the previous books.
Daniel Arenson is indeed a Poet, given how well he writes and fleshes out characters and character motivations.
October 12, 2018
The 4th Novel in the Earthrise Series/Marauders/Anacrids/War
DA has penned the 4 th novel in the Earthrise series which is about another big, human eater known as the Marauders. They are fierce snacked shaped bugs who are cannibals., And their demons following around with our fighters. They do not want to give the humans time to set up a defense. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
DA has penned the 4 th novel in the Earthrise series which is about another big, human eater known as the Marauders. They are fierce snacked shaped bugs who are cannibals., And their demons following around with our fighters. They do not want to give the humans time to set up a defense. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
March 3, 2019
Dark, really dark
Lots of people suffering in this book. Heartache, disappointment, loss, and tragedy dominate the story here. It's a lot to get through and it is a bit difficult to get through. It's well written and understandable. It is gritty and real for a lot of veterans of war. The feelings of isolation and confusion are very common in many of those that survive. Worth your time. Picking up the next book for sure.
Lots of people suffering in this book. Heartache, disappointment, loss, and tragedy dominate the story here. It's a lot to get through and it is a bit difficult to get through. It's well written and understandable. It is gritty and real for a lot of veterans of war. The feelings of isolation and confusion are very common in many of those that survive. Worth your time. Picking up the next book for sure.
December 2, 2020
Intense and Wrenching
This book was hard to read but I couldn't put it down. Marco's trip through the horrors of PTSD were gut wrenching but so impressively written. The only thing I have issue with is the language. It's not the way I talk, but I get that soldiers use a lot of things to cope. Excessive language being one. But the story itself, the winding tale of a doomed people and their drive to never give up hope - so well done.
On to book 5!
This book was hard to read but I couldn't put it down. Marco's trip through the horrors of PTSD were gut wrenching but so impressively written. The only thing I have issue with is the language. It's not the way I talk, but I get that soldiers use a lot of things to cope. Excessive language being one. But the story itself, the winding tale of a doomed people and their drive to never give up hope - so well done.
On to book 5!
July 18, 2018
A worthy start to a new series with a beloved cast
The original series started out rather slowly for me, but sped up nicely and ended on a high note. I’m glad to be back with the familiar cast of characters. That they get put through hell in a new way wasn’t super comfortable, but interesting and worth it. Looking forward to the next book.
The original series started out rather slowly for me, but sped up nicely and ended on a high note. I’m glad to be back with the familiar cast of characters. That they get put through hell in a new way wasn’t super comfortable, but interesting and worth it. Looking forward to the next book.
April 17, 2019
The continuation of a great and epic story
This forth book in the Earthrise series has continued the story to the next antagonist and are they a frightening apparition. Marco stands out as a reluctant hero while the author moves the story quickly down its path. Did I like it? I just bought the next book.
All I can say is ‘read it’ you won’t regret it.
This forth book in the Earthrise series has continued the story to the next antagonist and are they a frightening apparition. Marco stands out as a reluctant hero while the author moves the story quickly down its path. Did I like it? I just bought the next book.
All I can say is ‘read it’ you won’t regret it.
November 1, 2020
This is an enjoyable series. I've enjoyed seeing the characters develop over time. I've read some reviews refer to this series as a space opera, which is true. It's not as deep as some science fiction, but to be honest sometimes I just enjoy reading a good story without seeking the deeper meaning.
July 4, 2024
Thought the Scum Were Bad
It has finally happened, the Marauders have come to the human worlds. They out number the human fleets out maneuver and out shoot. They bombarded all of Earth's major cities and destroyed the space fleets, they are rounding up the remaining Humans to use them as a food source.
It has finally happened, the Marauders have come to the human worlds. They out number the human fleets out maneuver and out shoot. They bombarded all of Earth's major cities and destroyed the space fleets, they are rounding up the remaining Humans to use them as a food source.
February 8, 2017
Marco's story gets better
A moving tale of the characters from the first 3 books. Marco's battle with PTSD is particularly harrowing. Fantastic adventure, a complex new enemy and a technological marvel. Well done
A moving tale of the characters from the first 3 books. Marco's battle with PTSD is particularly harrowing. Fantastic adventure, a complex new enemy and a technological marvel. Well done
May 8, 2017
Another good book in this dark, and not always happy ending, series. The writing style gets better in each book but still has room for improvement. The storyline is great, but the author repeats descriptions and backstories way too much.
May 12, 2017
Best one yet
The previous trilogy of the scum wars was a blast to read. Throughout the series you feel as though you are growing with the characters. However, this book shows how the author has grown. He juggles multiple story arch's and does it without missing a step.
The previous trilogy of the scum wars was a blast to read. Throughout the series you feel as though you are growing with the characters. However, this book shows how the author has grown. He juggles multiple story arch's and does it without missing a step.
March 14, 2018
Simply amazing
I can't even describe how accurately he portrayed the helplessness that some soldiers feel after being discharged. It hit me in a way that words on paper shouldn't. Bravo mr. Arenson, bravo.
I can't even describe how accurately he portrayed the helplessness that some soldiers feel after being discharged. It hit me in a way that words on paper shouldn't. Bravo mr. Arenson, bravo.
August 15, 2018
This was the most sad and frustrating book I’ve read from Daniel Arenson...maybe ever. I was so mad at him for what he did to our heroes during this book. I lost sleep at night because of this book. You deserve this five star rating.
December 2, 2018
Wow!
It is said that "war is hell", but in this story we see that the peace after war can be far worse. I can't believe how many times I cried reading this book. I'm looking forward to the next book.
It is said that "war is hell", but in this story we see that the peace after war can be far worse. I can't believe how many times I cried reading this book. I'm looking forward to the next book.
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