What do you think?
Rate this book
Recon #1
A War to the Knife
Tyler Callas is the pampered heir of a high-level Corporate Council executive, groomed from birth to take a seat beside her as a member of the ruling class of the Commonwealth society. But the bloody war with the alien Tahni has hit close to home and Tyler wants to join the military, something his powerful mother won’t allow.
Desperate to escape her control, Tyler changes his identity to Randall Munroe, a product of the poverty-stricken Underground, and enlists in the Marines. There he flourishes, becoming a member of an elite Force Recon unit and striking deep behind enemy lines. But when his platoon is assigned to take back the colony on Demeter from the Tahni, the mission falls apart, most of his comrades are killed and Munroe is wounded, separated from his unit and left for dead on an enemy occupied world.
With no other choice, he organizes the civilian colonists into a resistance movement and begins fighting against the occupation with limited supplies and no support. As the situation becomes more and more desperate, what began as a high-tech, interstellar conflict will become a war to the knife…
Desperate to escape her control, Tyler changes his identity to Randall Munroe, a product of the poverty-stricken Underground, and enlists in the Marines. There he flourishes, becoming a member of an elite Force Recon unit and striking deep behind enemy lines. But when his platoon is assigned to take back the colony on Demeter from the Tahni, the mission falls apart, most of his comrades are killed and Munroe is wounded, separated from his unit and left for dead on an enemy occupied world.
With no other choice, he organizes the civilian colonists into a resistance movement and begins fighting against the occupation with limited supplies and no support. As the situation becomes more and more desperate, what began as a high-tech, interstellar conflict will become a war to the knife…
280 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 21, 2017
162 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Rick Partlow
214 books373 followersRick Partlow is that rarest of species, a native Floridian. Born in Tampa, he attended Florida Southern College and graduated with a degree in History and a commission in the US Army as an Infantry officer.
His lifelong love of science fiction began with Have Space Suit---Will Travel and the other Heinlein juveniles and traveled through Clifford Simak, Asimov, Clarke and on to William Gibson, Walter Jon Williams and Peter F Hamilton. And somewhere, submerged in the worlds of others, Rick began to create his own worlds.
He has written over 70 books in over a dozen different series, and his short stories have been included in many different anthologies.
He currently lives in norther Wyoming with his wife and their dog. Besides writing and reading science fiction and fantasy, he enjoys outdoor photography, hiking and camping.
His lifelong love of science fiction began with Have Space Suit---Will Travel and the other Heinlein juveniles and traveled through Clifford Simak, Asimov, Clarke and on to William Gibson, Walter Jon Williams and Peter F Hamilton. And somewhere, submerged in the worlds of others, Rick began to create his own worlds.
He has written over 70 books in over a dozen different series, and his short stories have been included in many different anthologies.
He currently lives in norther Wyoming with his wife and their dog. Besides writing and reading science fiction and fantasy, he enjoys outdoor photography, hiking and camping.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 15, 2021
Another hoopla gem. After looking at the major type* of the sf books available there, I think hoopla should be renamed to “booya!”
*”Major” Type. I crack myself up.
Rich influential boy want to not be rich or influential. He runs away to join the military and is actually an effective soldier. But there’s not much insight, growth, heroics, or character development. That’s why I can’t recommend this coming of age story.
*”Major” Type. I crack myself up.
Rich influential boy want to not be rich or influential. He runs away to join the military and is actually an effective soldier. But there’s not much insight, growth, heroics, or character development. That’s why I can’t recommend this coming of age story.
October 31, 2017
Knife fighting means that you get up close!
Very interesting character in this book. Hard charging Marine Recon. Out to save the world. Next comes the intelligence assets The Glory Boys
Well is cowboys and aliens. So you knows who wins but how makes this a good book
Very interesting character in this book. Hard charging Marine Recon. Out to save the world. Next comes the intelligence assets The Glory Boys
Well is cowboys and aliens. So you knows who wins but how makes this a good book
March 23, 2017
Good, Enjoyable Read
I felt author did a very good job in maintaining character development and action throughout entire story. Not sure how everyone feels about flashbacks, but most authors don't really understand how to use and strangle,kill their stories without realizing it. This author used flashbacks expertly to maintain action going throughout, no dead spots of dreary monologue for character, tech soapboxing.
Author obviously has mil knowledge and expresses mil action well -- rolling off your shot and MC saves his own life with an infantry fundamental , basic used for past few centuries. Movement is life -- solid knowledge n nuances throughout and reader learns weapon, equipment capability as it's used versus the standard classroom w pages of text readers have to go through as they get schooled in these new worlds we get introduced to. Not a fan of the standard break in story, get schooled for pages -- frequently boring techno speak - and back to ...... where exactly were we?
Several issues -- some leaps of credibility here n there and other than MC, can't say you get emotionally involved w anyone else except for one. Maybe spoiler, but characters you get feel for, want to know more but aren't around after a few plus chapters.
Credible, entertaining, relate-able characters, interesting story and interesting 'universe', good tempo throughout. AND..... THANK YOU, AUTHOR! for not dragging us through boot camp, ITR, BITS, AIT, +,+,+.... Genre is overwhelmed w RPG authors using Emery like training authentication of their books.
I felt author did a very good job in maintaining character development and action throughout entire story. Not sure how everyone feels about flashbacks, but most authors don't really understand how to use and strangle,kill their stories without realizing it. This author used flashbacks expertly to maintain action going throughout, no dead spots of dreary monologue for character, tech soapboxing.
Author obviously has mil knowledge and expresses mil action well -- rolling off your shot and MC saves his own life with an infantry fundamental , basic used for past few centuries. Movement is life -- solid knowledge n nuances throughout and reader learns weapon, equipment capability as it's used versus the standard classroom w pages of text readers have to go through as they get schooled in these new worlds we get introduced to. Not a fan of the standard break in story, get schooled for pages -- frequently boring techno speak - and back to ...... where exactly were we?
Several issues -- some leaps of credibility here n there and other than MC, can't say you get emotionally involved w anyone else except for one. Maybe spoiler, but characters you get feel for, want to know more but aren't around after a few plus chapters.
Credible, entertaining, relate-able characters, interesting story and interesting 'universe', good tempo throughout. AND..... THANK YOU, AUTHOR! for not dragging us through boot camp, ITR, BITS, AIT, +,+,+.... Genre is overwhelmed w RPG authors using Emery like training authentication of their books.
May 20, 2020
Meh. That kind of sums it all up. Promising, but skipped over a lot of the interesting bits and the timeskips made it feel really disjointed.
July 2, 2017
Solid "C, C+" Quick Moving Read
"Recon: A War to the Knife," authored by Mr. Rick Partlow, is the first book of a series, that reads relatively well, quickly moves (after the first 20%), has some missteps, and is middle-of-the-road, military SciFi.
The story takes place about a century and one-half in the future. Humanity has discovered a network of "wormholes" within the Sol System that branches out into the galaxy, construct separate FTL technology, colonized a great number of planets, fought one, abridged war against an alien race, the "Tahni," and is governed by a "Commonwealth," which in turn is controlled by a "Council," corrupt and self serving. An heir to one of the elites, falls afoul of his mother, has a temporary genetic redo, along with some cosmetic surgery, and joins the Commonwealth Marines to escape. Munroe, becomes a Recon Marine, is the sole survivor of a unit destroying ambush, on an operation to retake an occupied colony, is found by the remaining "resistance" elements, leads the guerrilla forces, and helps free the planet.
First, the "nuts and bolts," the writing, is only so-so. There are structurally many defects. The first quarter of the book is wasted on "flashbacks," explaining Munroe's mommy issues, his special, hero Marine, great-grandfather's mentoring, and sundry items. It just muddles the narrative flow, and undercuts both the great-grandfather/great-grandson relationship. Once out of confused timeline, the remainder of the book moves well. The author's gratuitous, insincere, and commercially greedy assignment of sexual orientation to a few passing characters, without foundation or story need, is lazy at best, dishonorable at worst. The storyline, plots, are reminiscent of guerrilla bands in the Pacific (with particular reference to the Philippines) Theatre against the Japanese Empire, and to lesser degree, partisans fighting the Nazis in the European Theatre, during WW II.
Overall, "Recon: A War to the Knife," is an "ok" read, not a particularly good or great one.
The book is recommended and was fully read via Kindle Unlimited.
"Recon: A War to the Knife," authored by Mr. Rick Partlow, is the first book of a series, that reads relatively well, quickly moves (after the first 20%), has some missteps, and is middle-of-the-road, military SciFi.
The story takes place about a century and one-half in the future. Humanity has discovered a network of "wormholes" within the Sol System that branches out into the galaxy, construct separate FTL technology, colonized a great number of planets, fought one, abridged war against an alien race, the "Tahni," and is governed by a "Commonwealth," which in turn is controlled by a "Council," corrupt and self serving. An heir to one of the elites, falls afoul of his mother, has a temporary genetic redo, along with some cosmetic surgery, and joins the Commonwealth Marines to escape. Munroe, becomes a Recon Marine, is the sole survivor of a unit destroying ambush, on an operation to retake an occupied colony, is found by the remaining "resistance" elements, leads the guerrilla forces, and helps free the planet.
First, the "nuts and bolts," the writing, is only so-so. There are structurally many defects. The first quarter of the book is wasted on "flashbacks," explaining Munroe's mommy issues, his special, hero Marine, great-grandfather's mentoring, and sundry items. It just muddles the narrative flow, and undercuts both the great-grandfather/great-grandson relationship. Once out of confused timeline, the remainder of the book moves well. The author's gratuitous, insincere, and commercially greedy assignment of sexual orientation to a few passing characters, without foundation or story need, is lazy at best, dishonorable at worst. The storyline, plots, are reminiscent of guerrilla bands in the Pacific (with particular reference to the Philippines) Theatre against the Japanese Empire, and to lesser degree, partisans fighting the Nazis in the European Theatre, during WW II.
Overall, "Recon: A War to the Knife," is an "ok" read, not a particularly good or great one.
The book is recommended and was fully read via Kindle Unlimited.
May 12, 2017
Great Alien-Conflict/Military Space Opera Volume 1
Partlow has created a very interesting galaxy, in which humanity has been governed by the "Corporate Council " since the first war against an alien race. Humanoid, but not human, these aliens are driven by a religious belief that the galaxy is theirs...humanity disagrees, of course...
Our protagonist is the only child of one of the top corporate council members. His mother is a domineering and unemotional woman who engineered his DNA for success. However, our seventeen year-old hero is more impressed by her grandfather, a former U.S. Marine, with whom he has a close relationship. When the aliens attack again, he wants to join the Marines. An unusual (by human standards) war ensues.
The protagonist is believable, but this first volume is about becoming a Marine, rather than coming of age. A combination of the training offered by his grandfather and fortuitous events sets the plot, but this is much less believable. As in the majority of space operas, he is the luckiest man around.
RECOMMENDED AS: GOOD MILITARY SPACE OPERA...A LA "STARSHIP TROOPERS ".
Partlow has created a very interesting galaxy, in which humanity has been governed by the "Corporate Council " since the first war against an alien race. Humanoid, but not human, these aliens are driven by a religious belief that the galaxy is theirs...humanity disagrees, of course...
Our protagonist is the only child of one of the top corporate council members. His mother is a domineering and unemotional woman who engineered his DNA for success. However, our seventeen year-old hero is more impressed by her grandfather, a former U.S. Marine, with whom he has a close relationship. When the aliens attack again, he wants to join the Marines. An unusual (by human standards) war ensues.
The protagonist is believable, but this first volume is about becoming a Marine, rather than coming of age. A combination of the training offered by his grandfather and fortuitous events sets the plot, but this is much less believable. As in the majority of space operas, he is the luckiest man around.
RECOMMENDED AS: GOOD MILITARY SPACE OPERA...A LA "STARSHIP TROOPERS ".
August 18, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed the novel and since it belonged to the same universe as Gloryboys it felt like I was continuing on a series of sorts though this book is the start of another series.
The set up is pretty is good.. it has good flow , plotting and seeding. You get to see bias the characters develop (though I still feel the antagonism between mother and son could be better set up) and how in the process of escape and new identity a destiny is built.
The story is not ultra gory or doom and gloom . It is pretty realistic and you still see how the economic class divide can give one a head start even when one is not looking for it.
You get to see a number of new worlds, how travel and life happens amongst them and you have a war with an alien race. Rick Partlow got all the right ingredients and baked them well.
I truly appreciate Tantor audio too for their voice actors ... they seem to make every character just jump out and come alive.
It is a mighty fine read. Do pick it up.
The set up is pretty is good.. it has good flow , plotting and seeding. You get to see bias the characters develop (though I still feel the antagonism between mother and son could be better set up) and how in the process of escape and new identity a destiny is built.
The story is not ultra gory or doom and gloom . It is pretty realistic and you still see how the economic class divide can give one a head start even when one is not looking for it.
You get to see a number of new worlds, how travel and life happens amongst them and you have a war with an alien race. Rick Partlow got all the right ingredients and baked them well.
I truly appreciate Tantor audio too for their voice actors ... they seem to make every character just jump out and come alive.
It is a mighty fine read. Do pick it up.
October 7, 2020
His mother, a powerful member of the consumer council , once to control his life. She's concerned the influence of his grandfather the famous sergeant Torres will lead him to make badd decisions like joining the service Academy. Pulling strings behind the shadows she blocks his entrance but she can't deny him his dreams. In a desperate attempt to escape her control he flees only to face her arm security and end up in a struggle for his life that ends in the death of the security man. With the help of his great grandfather he is whisked to Las Vegas to get a new name a new face and a new genetic marker to help disguise him and smooth his way into an listing into the Marines. But the tawny have attach Mars and he knows that it is only the beginning of his struggle. And thats if he can keep his mother in tje dark.
August 25, 2021
Actual review: 4.5 stars
This is an amazing book with a great storyline.
This book follows the story of Tyler (Later Randall) who joins the Recon Marines to fight in the war between the Recon Marines and the Tahni. The storyline is great, and the action scenes are also amazing.
What made we leave a four and a half star review rather than a five star review was the beginning. The beginning of this book was so confusing. The first five or six chapters were jumping between present time where Randall was wounded back to the past, but the way the author did it was SUPER confusing.
Despite that minor thing that might have just been me, not the actual book, this was an amazing book that I recommend to anyone who likes first-person and action.
This is an amazing book with a great storyline.
This book follows the story of Tyler (Later Randall) who joins the Recon Marines to fight in the war between the Recon Marines and the Tahni. The storyline is great, and the action scenes are also amazing.
What made we leave a four and a half star review rather than a five star review was the beginning. The beginning of this book was so confusing. The first five or six chapters were jumping between present time where Randall was wounded back to the past, but the way the author did it was SUPER confusing.
Despite that minor thing that might have just been me, not the actual book, this was an amazing book that I recommend to anyone who likes first-person and action.
September 19, 2017
Great characters, good story, worth the read.
This has all the pieces that I look for in the books that I look for. Action, relationships that matter, life and death scenarios that make me believe that the author has had some interaction with the real thing.
I did appreciate the cameo involving some aspects of "The Glory Boys" and reminded me how good that read was and to read it again.
This has all the pieces that I look for in the books that I look for. Action, relationships that matter, life and death scenarios that make me believe that the author has had some interaction with the real thing.
I did appreciate the cameo involving some aspects of "The Glory Boys" and reminded me how good that read was and to read it again.
August 9, 2018
Summary: Lots of action, reasonable plot the premise is not right, but overall not a bad story
Plotline: A bit one threaded and not too many surprises, but moves along nicely
Premise: I like the aliens but the political set up doesn't really work
Writing: Pretty good, gritty.
Ending: Our hero is a hero
Pace: Never a dull moment!
Plotline: A bit one threaded and not too many surprises, but moves along nicely
Premise: I like the aliens but the political set up doesn't really work
Writing: Pretty good, gritty.
Ending: Our hero is a hero
Pace: Never a dull moment!
January 23, 2021
Aliens, guerrilla warfare, and love!
Rick does a great job weaving a convoluted personal discovery and growth tale into a fast-paced shootem up space warfare tale! Looking forward to the next installment.
I received a no cost copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review.
Rick does a great job weaving a convoluted personal discovery and growth tale into a fast-paced shootem up space warfare tale! Looking forward to the next installment.
I received a no cost copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review.
October 8, 2017
A War to the Knife?
I don’t know if the title has some hidden meaning, but it’s an excellent story. Strong characters, believable dialogue and future events that seem entirely possible. An outstanding read and now I’m on to the next book in the series.
I don’t know if the title has some hidden meaning, but it’s an excellent story. Strong characters, believable dialogue and future events that seem entirely possible. An outstanding read and now I’m on to the next book in the series.
June 16, 2020
Excellent
Enjoyed this. I’ve now touched on 4 different series and liked them all. They all have something different to offer with the comfort of a story framework and world I have got to know.
Enjoyed this. I’ve now touched on 4 different series and liked them all. They all have something different to offer with the comfort of a story framework and world I have got to know.
January 5, 2023
It took me a while to get into the book, placed on hold a few times. It's ok, I feel the last few chapters were not necessarily needed. Having said that, the Norse Mythology named location was a surprise.
May 19, 2018
Wolf Squad
Book was a good read. I hope you have a good series. Keep up on your writing for you write a good book. Luther
Book was a good read. I hope you have a good series. Keep up on your writing for you write a good book. Luther
October 2, 2018
Good plot, good characters what else could you ask for? Characters and dialogue were believable. Will read rest of series
October 31, 2019
"Recon: A War to the Knife," authored by Mr. Rick Partlow, is the first book of a series. I only have one thing to say," Momma issue from Hell."
May 16, 2020
Great read
May 18, 2020
A good read
This book started solid and continued in that vein tell the end. I am looking forward to what is next.
This book started solid and continued in that vein tell the end. I am looking forward to what is next.
July 17, 2025
Great really enjoyed this book. Full of action and tension. Great characters and storytelling
May 3, 2017
Good first book of this series. Excellent characters that I was able to empathize with. I am looking forward to the next books.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews