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Terran Armor Corps #1
Iron Dragoons
I am Armor. I am Fury. I Will not Fail.
Soldiers of the Terran Armor Corps wage war across the stars. Wired into mechanized battle suits, they fight the terrifying battles which must be won, no matter the cost. Their deeds are legend, their reputation feared by the enemies of Earth and her allies, but how the Corps forges young men and women into mighty warriors is shrouded by mystery.
Roland Shaw lost his parents to war, he volunteers for the Armor Corps to honor their memory and discover just how far he can push himself. To succeed, he must find the iron in his heart and prove himself worthy to the Corps. For the Amor, there is no substitute for victory and to fail is to die.
Iron Dragoons is an action-packed military sci-fi novel, the first of a new series by the author of The Ember War Saga.
Soldiers of the Terran Armor Corps wage war across the stars. Wired into mechanized battle suits, they fight the terrifying battles which must be won, no matter the cost. Their deeds are legend, their reputation feared by the enemies of Earth and her allies, but how the Corps forges young men and women into mighty warriors is shrouded by mystery.
Roland Shaw lost his parents to war, he volunteers for the Armor Corps to honor their memory and discover just how far he can push himself. To succeed, he must find the iron in his heart and prove himself worthy to the Corps. For the Amor, there is no substitute for victory and to fail is to die.
Iron Dragoons is an action-packed military sci-fi novel, the first of a new series by the author of The Ember War Saga.
378 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 30, 2017
1343 people are currently reading
678 people want to read
About the author
Richard Fox
131 books613 followersRichard Fox is a Nebula Award nominated author, and winner of the 2017 Dragon Award for Best Military Science Fiction or Fantasy novel, author of The Ember War Saga, a military science fiction and space opera series, and other novels in the military history, thriller and space opera genres.
He lives in fabulous Las Vegas with his incredible wife and three boys, amazing children bent on anarchy.
He graduated from the United States Military Academy (West Point) much to his surprise and spent ten years on active duty in the United States Army. He deployed on two combat tours to Iraq and received the Combat Action Badge, Bronze Star and Presidential Unit Citation.
The Ember War Saga:
1. The Ember War
2. The Ruins of Anthalas
3. Blood of Heroes
4. Earth Defiant
5. The Gardens of Nibiru
6. Battle of the Void
7. The Siege of Earth
8. The Crucible
9. The Xaros Reckoning
Terran Armored Corps
1. Iron Dragoons
2. The Ibarra Sanction
3. The True Measure
4. A House Divided
5. The Last Aeon
6. Ferrum Corde
Terran Strike Marines
1. The Dotari Salvation
2. Rage of Winter
3. Valdar's Hammer
4. The Beast of Eridu
5. Gott Mit Uns
The Exiled Fleet:
1. Albion Lost
2. The Long March
3. Finest Hour
4. Point of Honor
The Terra Nova Chronicles
1. Terra Nova
2. Bloodlines
3. Wings of Redemption
4. Hale's War
Subscribe to Richard's spam free email list and get free short stories set during the Ember War Saga (and more as they become available) at: http://eepurl.com/bLj1gf
Like him on Facebook (best place to reach him): https://www.facebook.com/Richard-Fox-...
Website: www.richardfoxauthor.com
He lives in fabulous Las Vegas with his incredible wife and three boys, amazing children bent on anarchy.
He graduated from the United States Military Academy (West Point) much to his surprise and spent ten years on active duty in the United States Army. He deployed on two combat tours to Iraq and received the Combat Action Badge, Bronze Star and Presidential Unit Citation.
The Ember War Saga:
1. The Ember War
2. The Ruins of Anthalas
3. Blood of Heroes
4. Earth Defiant
5. The Gardens of Nibiru
6. Battle of the Void
7. The Siege of Earth
8. The Crucible
9. The Xaros Reckoning
Terran Armored Corps
1. Iron Dragoons
2. The Ibarra Sanction
3. The True Measure
4. A House Divided
5. The Last Aeon
6. Ferrum Corde
Terran Strike Marines
1. The Dotari Salvation
2. Rage of Winter
3. Valdar's Hammer
4. The Beast of Eridu
5. Gott Mit Uns
The Exiled Fleet:
1. Albion Lost
2. The Long March
3. Finest Hour
4. Point of Honor
The Terra Nova Chronicles
1. Terra Nova
2. Bloodlines
3. Wings of Redemption
4. Hale's War
Subscribe to Richard's spam free email list and get free short stories set during the Ember War Saga (and more as they become available) at: http://eepurl.com/bLj1gf
Like him on Facebook (best place to reach him): https://www.facebook.com/Richard-Fox-...
Website: www.richardfoxauthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
March 31, 2018
I am absolutely thrilled to find another series that starts out like this one. I love reading about young people or a young person getting their first indoctrination to the military. Coming from civilian life to a military life can and is a traumatic experience for a lot of young people. I like reading about how science fiction authors treat the prospect of basic military training for those who will become heroes in their books. Starting from scratch like this, really gives a reader a great background on the main character and makes them feel they know why and how they got to be as good as they eventually will be.
Here we follow a young orphan named Roland Shaw as he decides upon what branch of the military he will go into when his 18th birthday has rolled around. His parents died serving the Terran Union during the war with the Xaros. That war ended with the Terran's victorious, but very costly. Most of the Earth was destroyed and now just barely coming back to life. Those few large population centers still in existence are doing well, but there isn’t much else for a young person to do but join the military at 18. Besides, it’s mandatory now that the humans know there are “bad guys” out in the far and not so far reaches of space.
So, of course, Roland decides he wants to join the Armor Corps. Now, this is a different kind of armor that you and I know of. It’s not tanks with crews that roam the battlefield and reign destruction on exposed enemies. No, these are huge 15-foot tall, self-contained mechanical monsters that act like the humans contained inside their wombs. Only, these humans inside these walking super fortresses magnifies the abilities of the humans a hundred fold. They each carry the firepower equal to a current day battalion of tanks with even more destructive power available. That’s what Roland Shaw wants to be and command.
So, he opts for the Armor Corps only to be told that the Armor Corps doesn’t just take anyone. You have to show the ability to interface with these armored automatons which isn’t all that easy. The interface between human and machine is done through a plug surgically implanted into the back of the head/neck of each Armor soldier. Whether Roland can take the implant won’t be known until he passes all the preliminary tests and they aren’t going to be easy.
I could follow the logic of Roland’s training for the most part. It was just like any other basic training one would go through, but obviously we don’t get all the details. Still he has to survive some pretty gruesome trials, but it seems he and his fellow recruits or candidates are getting some personal instructions. They are assigned an Armor Lieutenant almost from the beginning and he seems to be guiding them through their trials explaining a lot of stuff a DI or TI wouldn’t bother to do. Roland can ask questions about anything and usually he gets an answer. Most times in basic training you find out asking questions is a good way to get extra duty and you never, ever get any answers from you DI or TI. That’s just the way it was, or at least it was in my personal experience.
Not surprisingly, Roland and his fellow almost Armor soldiers get called into battle early. They don’t know if they are ready or not nor does their Lieutenant really want to take them into harms way, but he has no choice. They must follow the orders given and hope they can stop this new problem from becoming larger. Very good writing.
I have the next book, “The Iberra Sanction” already bought and will be reading it very soon. I’m very happy to have found this series so far and look forward to reading more books about Roland Shaw and the Armor Corps.
Oh, yes, this series also ties into a previous series by Richard Fox,”The Ember War”. That series has added a lot more books since I stopped at book 3, so I’ve got some more reading to do from this author. No problem!
Here we follow a young orphan named Roland Shaw as he decides upon what branch of the military he will go into when his 18th birthday has rolled around. His parents died serving the Terran Union during the war with the Xaros. That war ended with the Terran's victorious, but very costly. Most of the Earth was destroyed and now just barely coming back to life. Those few large population centers still in existence are doing well, but there isn’t much else for a young person to do but join the military at 18. Besides, it’s mandatory now that the humans know there are “bad guys” out in the far and not so far reaches of space.
So, of course, Roland decides he wants to join the Armor Corps. Now, this is a different kind of armor that you and I know of. It’s not tanks with crews that roam the battlefield and reign destruction on exposed enemies. No, these are huge 15-foot tall, self-contained mechanical monsters that act like the humans contained inside their wombs. Only, these humans inside these walking super fortresses magnifies the abilities of the humans a hundred fold. They each carry the firepower equal to a current day battalion of tanks with even more destructive power available. That’s what Roland Shaw wants to be and command.
So, he opts for the Armor Corps only to be told that the Armor Corps doesn’t just take anyone. You have to show the ability to interface with these armored automatons which isn’t all that easy. The interface between human and machine is done through a plug surgically implanted into the back of the head/neck of each Armor soldier. Whether Roland can take the implant won’t be known until he passes all the preliminary tests and they aren’t going to be easy.
I could follow the logic of Roland’s training for the most part. It was just like any other basic training one would go through, but obviously we don’t get all the details. Still he has to survive some pretty gruesome trials, but it seems he and his fellow recruits or candidates are getting some personal instructions. They are assigned an Armor Lieutenant almost from the beginning and he seems to be guiding them through their trials explaining a lot of stuff a DI or TI wouldn’t bother to do. Roland can ask questions about anything and usually he gets an answer. Most times in basic training you find out asking questions is a good way to get extra duty and you never, ever get any answers from you DI or TI. That’s just the way it was, or at least it was in my personal experience.
Not surprisingly, Roland and his fellow almost Armor soldiers get called into battle early. They don’t know if they are ready or not nor does their Lieutenant really want to take them into harms way, but he has no choice. They must follow the orders given and hope they can stop this new problem from becoming larger. Very good writing.
I have the next book, “The Iberra Sanction” already bought and will be reading it very soon. I’m very happy to have found this series so far and look forward to reading more books about Roland Shaw and the Armor Corps.
Oh, yes, this series also ties into a previous series by Richard Fox,”The Ember War”. That series has added a lot more books since I stopped at book 3, so I’ve got some more reading to do from this author. No problem!
August 8, 2017
Ok, I read this book first before I read the Ember War series. It is totally fine to do so, you get the basics of what happened and the history. I DO recommend you go back and read the others that came before this (9 books I think).
This book is a launching point for a new story in the same universe. WOW did it leave me wanting a lot more! The action is great, and the characters were good and memorable. This is a start for a new armored mech angle. Honestly when I went back and read the original series all I wanted to know was more about the armor in that series. You get all the details in this book.
This book is a launching point for a new story in the same universe. WOW did it leave me wanting a lot more! The action is great, and the characters were good and memorable. This is a start for a new armored mech angle. Honestly when I went back and read the original series all I wanted to know was more about the armor in that series. You get all the details in this book.
September 17, 2020
Look, there is no excuse. You pick something like this and you already know that is going to be a slight variation on the other 200 space action type things you read. You have already set your expectations that this will be a “kid joins some military unit, goes through training then had to face real action before he is ready, but stands up to the challenge” thing. You are expecting that, right?
Anyway, this is one of those “kid joins some military unit, goes through training then had to face real action before he is ready, but stands up to the challenge” stories. Not a shock to anyone.
So, Roland joins the Iron Dragoons, an elite unit that fight in armoured suits. Earth seems to be in conflict with some beastly aliens and the Iron Dragoons are the boys and girls that can make the difference. The team he works with, including the alien Cha’ril, are entertaining as is some of the mysticism surrounding the Iron Dragoons.
So fun and easy reading. We knew that.
Anyway, this is one of those “kid joins some military unit, goes through training then had to face real action before he is ready, but stands up to the challenge” stories. Not a shock to anyone.
So, Roland joins the Iron Dragoons, an elite unit that fight in armoured suits. Earth seems to be in conflict with some beastly aliens and the Iron Dragoons are the boys and girls that can make the difference. The team he works with, including the alien Cha’ril, are entertaining as is some of the mysticism surrounding the Iron Dragoons.
So fun and easy reading. We knew that.
September 10, 2022
Action packed introduction to the series. Clearly a set up for what is to come. Worth a read
August 30, 2021
A nice example of how having a good idea is not enough to make a good book.
We're told that its extremely difficult to get into the "Armor" corps. We're told that it has a 95% dropout rate. And what we're actually shown is utterly banal series of training, medical check-ups and submerge conditioning scenarios that in no way should result in that high a dropout rate. So what the author does to make up is just have the volunteers get cold feet at last moment and start dropping out, which is just silly and shows lack of actually planning a gruelling and difficult test regime.
It makes sense in one way though: there would otherwise be no way the equally banal main character could pass his test. He has no passion, no drive, takes every single step with utmost trepidation and hesitation, and we're supposed to believe he can get qualified for a programme where more than 9 out of 10 people fail.
While the writing is somewhat good, what's been written is completely amateurish. Anytime the main character opens his mouth, he spouts completely stupid and inconsequential questions or observations that add nothing to overall insight the reader gains of the world. I'd guess that this again points out to the author himself having not taken the effort to detail his sci-fi systems. All thats left to enlarge the book is worthless dialogues and references from history which presumably point to his previous series.
We're told that its extremely difficult to get into the "Armor" corps. We're told that it has a 95% dropout rate. And what we're actually shown is utterly banal series of training, medical check-ups and submerge conditioning scenarios that in no way should result in that high a dropout rate. So what the author does to make up is just have the volunteers get cold feet at last moment and start dropping out, which is just silly and shows lack of actually planning a gruelling and difficult test regime.
It makes sense in one way though: there would otherwise be no way the equally banal main character could pass his test. He has no passion, no drive, takes every single step with utmost trepidation and hesitation, and we're supposed to believe he can get qualified for a programme where more than 9 out of 10 people fail.
While the writing is somewhat good, what's been written is completely amateurish. Anytime the main character opens his mouth, he spouts completely stupid and inconsequential questions or observations that add nothing to overall insight the reader gains of the world. I'd guess that this again points out to the author himself having not taken the effort to detail his sci-fi systems. All thats left to enlarge the book is worthless dialogues and references from history which presumably point to his previous series.
April 14, 2017
Great Armored Mech/Military Space Opera
I love military space opera in all it's forms, and I think the mechanized infantry is one of the best, so this is perhaps the best of the best. Fox builds on his "Ember War" series, and the great mechanized warriors there to create this wonderful story. This story takes place years after the Ember War, as the former allies start competing with each other for worlds and ancient tech. This competition leads to large battles. If one group or another can find the RIGHT ancient hi-tech, that one piece of technology may allow victory over the rival races and civilizations.
The most powerful human force consists of the Terrain Armor Corps; tiny groups of infantry troops, suspended in artificial wombs within their mechanized armor, capable of extreme feats of arms. (During the Ember War, it was the armor who defeated a virtual god to save humanity.)
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: MECHANIZED INFANTRY ARMOR SPACE OPERA
I love military space opera in all it's forms, and I think the mechanized infantry is one of the best, so this is perhaps the best of the best. Fox builds on his "Ember War" series, and the great mechanized warriors there to create this wonderful story. This story takes place years after the Ember War, as the former allies start competing with each other for worlds and ancient tech. This competition leads to large battles. If one group or another can find the RIGHT ancient hi-tech, that one piece of technology may allow victory over the rival races and civilizations.
The most powerful human force consists of the Terrain Armor Corps; tiny groups of infantry troops, suspended in artificial wombs within their mechanized armor, capable of extreme feats of arms. (During the Ember War, it was the armor who defeated a virtual god to save humanity.)
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: MECHANIZED INFANTRY ARMOR SPACE OPERA
September 21, 2017
I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did.
I’ve never read Richard Fox’s work before and I have developed a healthy dose of skepticism regarding indie authors and marketing. When I saw he had won the Dragon Award, I decided to give it a shot, having long sice bought it on sale based on the stunning cover alone.
As I dove into the book, I realized I was wrong to doubt. This book is excellent. Seriously, a great example of the military sci-fi genre, and a real showcase for the good that happens when a soldier decides to write what they know.
The powered armor concept shown in this book (and, I understand, also in the Ember War books, which this is a sort of sequel to) is very well thought out and executed. The training scenes, both the rigors of the qualifying evolutions and the action they contain, is top notch.
This is the first book in a series, and I think it speaks volumes that I’ve already bought the second book.
Final Verdict: Highly Recommended.
I’ve never read Richard Fox’s work before and I have developed a healthy dose of skepticism regarding indie authors and marketing. When I saw he had won the Dragon Award, I decided to give it a shot, having long sice bought it on sale based on the stunning cover alone.
As I dove into the book, I realized I was wrong to doubt. This book is excellent. Seriously, a great example of the military sci-fi genre, and a real showcase for the good that happens when a soldier decides to write what they know.
The powered armor concept shown in this book (and, I understand, also in the Ember War books, which this is a sort of sequel to) is very well thought out and executed. The training scenes, both the rigors of the qualifying evolutions and the action they contain, is top notch.
This is the first book in a series, and I think it speaks volumes that I’ve already bought the second book.
Final Verdict: Highly Recommended.
September 19, 2023
It's an above-average tale of its kind with good character development. Not as different from it's like than it could have been, however. I listened to it as an audio book and Luke Daniels (one of my favorite narrators) improved it substantially. If you haven't already read it, try Terms of Enlistment a great series also narrated by him.
December 19, 2022
This book is in my read folder and I have zero recollections of it. I don't remember a thing about it. Apparently I didn't listen to any more either.
Bulk input day. (This is the first and last year I don't keep track of this as I go along.)
Bulk input day. (This is the first and last year I don't keep track of this as I go along.)
September 8, 2017
Can't remember if I rated this or not...
So I am either doing it or redoing it! Lol . If you like military sci-fi with some Templar added, you'll LOVE this story.
So I am either doing it or redoing it! Lol . If you like military sci-fi with some Templar added, you'll LOVE this story.
October 24, 2018
I am Armor.
The book was fun up until the unit became Armor, I struggled to finish it from then on.
The book was fun up until the unit became Armor, I struggled to finish it from then on.
October 31, 2020
I am armor.
I will not fail.
Pretty good start to a Gundam like universe, wherein instead of tanks, we have big tank robots(??).
I like science fiction that makes humanity the least among the interstellar races, then slowly build them up due to their perseverance and ingenuity plus their willingness to go to war.
Mr. Fox has a lot of books, but I like this one among the others, actually this is my first time reading his work, I chose this series because of mecha (hopefully) and the armor contingent, the armour contigent in any battle is the hammer(at least I think), they are deployed as a last resort, either to protect or act as a spearhead to breach any stalemated battleground(tales of WWII, panzer division, General Patton's mobile heavy units), and the story is quite exciting, a lot of stellar races, which are flying above my head, a lot of unknowns, but little by little, I hope to piece together the puzzle. Very, very good first book.
I will not fail.
Pretty good start to a Gundam like universe, wherein instead of tanks, we have big tank robots(??).
I like science fiction that makes humanity the least among the interstellar races, then slowly build them up due to their perseverance and ingenuity plus their willingness to go to war.
Mr. Fox has a lot of books, but I like this one among the others, actually this is my first time reading his work, I chose this series because of mecha (hopefully) and the armor contingent, the armour contigent in any battle is the hammer(at least I think), they are deployed as a last resort, either to protect or act as a spearhead to breach any stalemated battleground(tales of WWII, panzer division, General Patton's mobile heavy units), and the story is quite exciting, a lot of stellar races, which are flying above my head, a lot of unknowns, but little by little, I hope to piece together the puzzle. Very, very good first book.
April 7, 2017
New Series Built Upon Last Series
"Iron Dragoons (Terran Armor Corps Book 1)," by Mr. Richard Fox, is a decent, lightweight, humorous, quick moving story, that takes a previous storyline of the "Iron Hearts," of the "Ember Wars" series, apparently into a series focused on the "Iron."
The story begins after the successful war against the "Xaros," invasion and genocide of intelligent life in the Milky Way Galaxy. An eighteen year old, military orphan, elects to enter the "Armor Corps," a branch of powerful mechs, piloted by humans and "Dotori" allies, in an individual, neurological, hardwired link. The "Iron," are almost a metaphysical military sect, who embrace a warrior mysticism. The tale follows the recruit, through his initial training, and premature trial by combat.
The story can be read as a stand alone, but frankly, due to all the references and history that Mr. Fox employs in "Iron Dragoons," someone who is unfamiliar with the "Ember Wars" series, will be lost. As a stand alone, the story is pretty much the standard SciFi cliche: young recruit, struggling to first enter, and then stay in the program, and ultimately overcoming all obstacles. The "Iron" of the "Ember Wars," is what makes the story appealing.
Mr. Fox writes reasonably well, though he has a penchant for repeating particular words or phrases (i.e. "...azure..."). The proofreading and editing are adequate. Book is actually a bit shorter than advertised, as "promo" pages are abundant after the ending chapter.
For prior readers of, and enjoyed "Ember Wars," this book is recommended. For other readers, it is recommended with the caveat of missing much of the plot and narrative. The story was fully read via Kindle Unlimited.
"Iron Dragoons (Terran Armor Corps Book 1)," by Mr. Richard Fox, is a decent, lightweight, humorous, quick moving story, that takes a previous storyline of the "Iron Hearts," of the "Ember Wars" series, apparently into a series focused on the "Iron."
The story begins after the successful war against the "Xaros," invasion and genocide of intelligent life in the Milky Way Galaxy. An eighteen year old, military orphan, elects to enter the "Armor Corps," a branch of powerful mechs, piloted by humans and "Dotori" allies, in an individual, neurological, hardwired link. The "Iron," are almost a metaphysical military sect, who embrace a warrior mysticism. The tale follows the recruit, through his initial training, and premature trial by combat.
The story can be read as a stand alone, but frankly, due to all the references and history that Mr. Fox employs in "Iron Dragoons," someone who is unfamiliar with the "Ember Wars" series, will be lost. As a stand alone, the story is pretty much the standard SciFi cliche: young recruit, struggling to first enter, and then stay in the program, and ultimately overcoming all obstacles. The "Iron" of the "Ember Wars," is what makes the story appealing.
Mr. Fox writes reasonably well, though he has a penchant for repeating particular words or phrases (i.e. "...azure..."). The proofreading and editing are adequate. Book is actually a bit shorter than advertised, as "promo" pages are abundant after the ending chapter.
For prior readers of, and enjoyed "Ember Wars," this book is recommended. For other readers, it is recommended with the caveat of missing much of the plot and narrative. The story was fully read via Kindle Unlimited.
September 24, 2017
An interesting story that left me curious as to what would happen next... despite near constant disappointment with poor military tactics and culture. Editing and continuity issues abound. Societal memory doesn’t change as fast as the author seems to think it does.
The book is basically Enders Game with mecha
1 Star - Hated It
2 stars - didn’t like it
3 stars - it was ok
4 stars - liked it
5 stars - Loved it
The book is basically Enders Game with mecha
1 Star - Hated It
2 stars - didn’t like it
3 stars - it was ok
4 stars - liked it
5 stars - Loved it
December 8, 2022
Note: this is the review for all of Volume 1 (Books 1-3)
TLDR: Great pacing, great characters, great action, great story, great universe. Head to toe, a great new sci-fi series.
More reviews at: https://www.fsfreviews.com/
So I came to Terran Armor Corps straight off the back of finishing another sci-fi series that was so compelling and entertaining (Galaxy’s Edge + spinoffs) that I smashed through all 20 books in 8 weeks, so you can imagine that I was a little apprehensive as to how anything else would stack up for a good while. However, the awesome series of military-sci-fi that is Terran Armor Corps well and truly kicked that notion in the nuts.
First off, let me just say how good of an idea it is for shorter audiobooks to be bunched together and sold in volumes that are the same price as one standard standalone audiobook. There are a lot of other series (almost always sci-fi) that I won’t start listening to because one 9hr book costs the same Audible credit as a 20+hr book from a different series, but here they’ve lumped Books 1-3 and 4-6 together in two volumes. I cans safely say that this was the factor that led to me actually buy the books, and by god am I glad I started this series. Now for the actual content.
Terran Armor Corps follows an eighteen-year-old Roland as he enters his mandatory government service roughly 10-15 years after humanity was nearly wiped out by an intergalactic race of super-aliens who were busy exterminating all life in the Milky Way. 30-50 years before, when the evil aliens and FTL travel were discovered, Earth joined a millennia-old alliance of aliens standing against the threat and at the last minute it was humanity that was able to wipe the bad guys out. Our story now takes place as the hundreds of races from the victorious alliance of necessity are forming new pacts and sparking off new wars as each nation tries to carve out its own corner within a heavily depopulated galaxy. Roland decides to sign up with the Armor Corps of the military, elite soldiers who fight in insanely powerful mech-suits. And from there, the fun begins.
This story has a bit of everything that I enjoy. In the whole first book, very little actual combat takes places as it is primarily Roland’s training, and yet I couldn’t stop listening. The training and getting to know Roland’s lancemates and the other array of amazing characters was so gripping that it even kept an action-hungry pace-fiend like myself rivetted. It’s not just an awesome story, but it’s one that is fantastically written. These books got multiple out-loud laughs from me. The back and forth between Roland and his lancemates is some of the most believable inter-friend dialogue that I’ve come across in sci-fi. They mess with each other in exactly the way friends do in real life, and in doing so the characters are incredibly humanised (even the non-humans). Now there’s an aspect of the universe-building that is both brilliant and infuriating, and this aspect is that we aren’t given all the info on the historical events all at once. In fact, I’m now 5 books in and I think I just about get most of what has happened… I think. That’s why I was a little vague with the timeline earlier. I genuinely don’t know exactly how many years ago each of the series of ground-shatteringly huge events that occurred to humanity actually happened. I’m having to infer it from how old I think current characters are who lived through the events. It’ so irritating as I am trying to build up this universe within my mind. However, because I am constantly having to re-evaluate my understanding of events, I never stop thinking about them, and as such, I am now far more knowledgeable of the events in this series’s timeline than I would be with many other series. It has made me heavily invested in the story and hooked me perfectly.
The combat, of which there is plenty in Books 2 and 3, is awesomely written. Fantastic and epic battle scenes that are fast-paced and graphic. Exactly what I like. However, as the Armor (what one suit is called) are so few in number, we rarely get to see massed groups of them. It is usually just Roland and his lance of three others doing all the in-scene fighting, and as such their plot-armour is about as thick as the Armor they ride. But that’s me just nit-picking.
All in all, I loved Books 1-3 of this series (and I am currently loving Books 4-6). It was lacking that super special something to tip it over the edge to one of my very rare 5-star reviews, but it comes as close as you can get to earning one.
As for narration, I believe this was the first time I’ve heard Luke Daniels narrate, and to start with I didn’t really like him. However, by the end of Book 1 I had done a total 180 on my opinion and now couldn’t imagine anyone else knocking through the extremely wide range of character voices.
Personal Score: 4.75 stars
Professional Score: 4.75 stars
Like the way I write a review? Then you might like the way I write a novel.
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TLDR: Great pacing, great characters, great action, great story, great universe. Head to toe, a great new sci-fi series.
More reviews at: https://www.fsfreviews.com/
So I came to Terran Armor Corps straight off the back of finishing another sci-fi series that was so compelling and entertaining (Galaxy’s Edge + spinoffs) that I smashed through all 20 books in 8 weeks, so you can imagine that I was a little apprehensive as to how anything else would stack up for a good while. However, the awesome series of military-sci-fi that is Terran Armor Corps well and truly kicked that notion in the nuts.
First off, let me just say how good of an idea it is for shorter audiobooks to be bunched together and sold in volumes that are the same price as one standard standalone audiobook. There are a lot of other series (almost always sci-fi) that I won’t start listening to because one 9hr book costs the same Audible credit as a 20+hr book from a different series, but here they’ve lumped Books 1-3 and 4-6 together in two volumes. I cans safely say that this was the factor that led to me actually buy the books, and by god am I glad I started this series. Now for the actual content.
Terran Armor Corps follows an eighteen-year-old Roland as he enters his mandatory government service roughly 10-15 years after humanity was nearly wiped out by an intergalactic race of super-aliens who were busy exterminating all life in the Milky Way. 30-50 years before, when the evil aliens and FTL travel were discovered, Earth joined a millennia-old alliance of aliens standing against the threat and at the last minute it was humanity that was able to wipe the bad guys out. Our story now takes place as the hundreds of races from the victorious alliance of necessity are forming new pacts and sparking off new wars as each nation tries to carve out its own corner within a heavily depopulated galaxy. Roland decides to sign up with the Armor Corps of the military, elite soldiers who fight in insanely powerful mech-suits. And from there, the fun begins.
This story has a bit of everything that I enjoy. In the whole first book, very little actual combat takes places as it is primarily Roland’s training, and yet I couldn’t stop listening. The training and getting to know Roland’s lancemates and the other array of amazing characters was so gripping that it even kept an action-hungry pace-fiend like myself rivetted. It’s not just an awesome story, but it’s one that is fantastically written. These books got multiple out-loud laughs from me. The back and forth between Roland and his lancemates is some of the most believable inter-friend dialogue that I’ve come across in sci-fi. They mess with each other in exactly the way friends do in real life, and in doing so the characters are incredibly humanised (even the non-humans). Now there’s an aspect of the universe-building that is both brilliant and infuriating, and this aspect is that we aren’t given all the info on the historical events all at once. In fact, I’m now 5 books in and I think I just about get most of what has happened… I think. That’s why I was a little vague with the timeline earlier. I genuinely don’t know exactly how many years ago each of the series of ground-shatteringly huge events that occurred to humanity actually happened. I’m having to infer it from how old I think current characters are who lived through the events. It’ so irritating as I am trying to build up this universe within my mind. However, because I am constantly having to re-evaluate my understanding of events, I never stop thinking about them, and as such, I am now far more knowledgeable of the events in this series’s timeline than I would be with many other series. It has made me heavily invested in the story and hooked me perfectly.
The combat, of which there is plenty in Books 2 and 3, is awesomely written. Fantastic and epic battle scenes that are fast-paced and graphic. Exactly what I like. However, as the Armor (what one suit is called) are so few in number, we rarely get to see massed groups of them. It is usually just Roland and his lance of three others doing all the in-scene fighting, and as such their plot-armour is about as thick as the Armor they ride. But that’s me just nit-picking.
All in all, I loved Books 1-3 of this series (and I am currently loving Books 4-6). It was lacking that super special something to tip it over the edge to one of my very rare 5-star reviews, but it comes as close as you can get to earning one.
As for narration, I believe this was the first time I’ve heard Luke Daniels narrate, and to start with I didn’t really like him. However, by the end of Book 1 I had done a total 180 on my opinion and now couldn’t imagine anyone else knocking through the extremely wide range of character voices.
Personal Score: 4.75 stars
Professional Score: 4.75 stars
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February 14, 2018
I will consider the book okay. It falls into the Mecha category. Where one is implanted into a mechanical robot or tank. Something similar that you would see in Japan animation. It does have hardcore science. No fantasy involved. The way science fiction is supposed to be.
There are new aspects of this type of Mecha story. For example, the candidates for the armor unit are trained to live in amniotic fluid. While they are inside their machines the pilot compartment is called the womb. This makes absolute sense. Since the soldier may be in different combat situations their survival rate is better living in the fluid than breathing gas.
The amniotic fluid is the protective liquid contained by the amniotic sac of a gravid Amniote. This fluid serves as a cushion for the Pilot but also serves to facilitate the exchange of nutrients, water, and biochemical products. The pilot, of course, is attached to his armor via a plug at the base of his neck.
The operation of his armor is also based on science. Other than that the book it's basically about individuals getting prepped for using the armor.
All about training and the technology that is involved, and there is two battle scenes one at the beginning and one at the end. I am looking forward to book 2.
There are new aspects of this type of Mecha story. For example, the candidates for the armor unit are trained to live in amniotic fluid. While they are inside their machines the pilot compartment is called the womb. This makes absolute sense. Since the soldier may be in different combat situations their survival rate is better living in the fluid than breathing gas.
The amniotic fluid is the protective liquid contained by the amniotic sac of a gravid Amniote. This fluid serves as a cushion for the Pilot but also serves to facilitate the exchange of nutrients, water, and biochemical products. The pilot, of course, is attached to his armor via a plug at the base of his neck.
The operation of his armor is also based on science. Other than that the book it's basically about individuals getting prepped for using the armor.
All about training and the technology that is involved, and there is two battle scenes one at the beginning and one at the end. I am looking forward to book 2.
October 15, 2017
I started this without realising it was following a 9-book earlier series because it was free on Prime Reading. Given that, it stands alone pretty well as a "boot camp" account of a young man trying to qualify for the elite and mysterious (even cult-like) Armor Corps. The world building is pretty detailed but the info-dump relating to the previous series is mostly managed fairly well. That said, I'd consider going back and reading the first series before I would press on, especially given that this series isn't finished.
I enjoy some military SF but wouldn't claim to be an expert; I'm aware that "Mecha" fiction is an established genre but can't comment on similarities and differences. I can see clear influences from Starship Troopers but this novel is not in itself concerned with political organisation, but is interested in questions about the psychology of an elite unit, how you turn green recruits into committed soldiers, and the personal cost of that kind of commitment. When it's not being addictively page-turning. Must... put... book... down.. now....
I enjoy some military SF but wouldn't claim to be an expert; I'm aware that "Mecha" fiction is an established genre but can't comment on similarities and differences. I can see clear influences from Starship Troopers but this novel is not in itself concerned with political organisation, but is interested in questions about the psychology of an elite unit, how you turn green recruits into committed soldiers, and the personal cost of that kind of commitment. When it's not being addictively page-turning. Must... put... book... down.. now....
February 27, 2024
Iron Dragoons is a strong opening for a military science fiction series.
War orphan Roland Shaw needs to belong to something. Hoping to honour his parents’ sacrifice, he enlists in the Terran Armor Corps, an elite unit that can always be found where the fighting is the thickest. But is he good enough to pass the demanding selection course that has a ninety-seven percent attrition rate? Roland and his fellow candidates battle to pass each training iteration, each more challenging than the one before.
Overall, I enjoyed the story. It has a similar arc to Marko Kloos’s Terms of Enlistment, but Iron Dragoons has more texture, and the characters are far less wooden. The concept of armour as neural interfaced suits is not only interesting, but the suits themselves bring their own peril to the narrative. Most importantly, it is evident the novel was written by someone who has served, which makes all the difference when reading this genre.
I look forward to reading the sequel.
War orphan Roland Shaw needs to belong to something. Hoping to honour his parents’ sacrifice, he enlists in the Terran Armor Corps, an elite unit that can always be found where the fighting is the thickest. But is he good enough to pass the demanding selection course that has a ninety-seven percent attrition rate? Roland and his fellow candidates battle to pass each training iteration, each more challenging than the one before.
Overall, I enjoyed the story. It has a similar arc to Marko Kloos’s Terms of Enlistment, but Iron Dragoons has more texture, and the characters are far less wooden. The concept of armour as neural interfaced suits is not only interesting, but the suits themselves bring their own peril to the narrative. Most importantly, it is evident the novel was written by someone who has served, which makes all the difference when reading this genre.
I look forward to reading the sequel.
September 15, 2017
Iron Dragoons
I’ve always wanted to read a Science Fiction story based on military chaplains serving in combat. Heinlein touched on the subject in Starship Troopers. And, there are real-life examples such as, Rev John Burkhalter who was assigned as a chaplain with the First Infantry and landed in Normandy with Allied forces during the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944.
Iron Dragoon pays homage to several military/religious aspects of service including faith, miraculous events, and a strong code of honor. It seems to have a Crusades flavor rather than a chaplain perspective but it’s done well, it is fitting for a military story, and the details are nicely woven into the story.
As my stepping stone into the series, Iron Dragoon introduced several main characters, depicted the rigors of training and provided some kickass action sequences. The strong characters, compelling storyline, contrasting elements of drama and humor provided by the author are reason enough for me to sign up for the upcoming series installments. And for a science fiction fan of books and movies, there are nice little Easter Eggs/nuggets within the story just to keep the reader on his/her toes.a
I’ve always wanted to read a Science Fiction story based on military chaplains serving in combat. Heinlein touched on the subject in Starship Troopers. And, there are real-life examples such as, Rev John Burkhalter who was assigned as a chaplain with the First Infantry and landed in Normandy with Allied forces during the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944.
Iron Dragoon pays homage to several military/religious aspects of service including faith, miraculous events, and a strong code of honor. It seems to have a Crusades flavor rather than a chaplain perspective but it’s done well, it is fitting for a military story, and the details are nicely woven into the story.
As my stepping stone into the series, Iron Dragoon introduced several main characters, depicted the rigors of training and provided some kickass action sequences. The strong characters, compelling storyline, contrasting elements of drama and humor provided by the author are reason enough for me to sign up for the upcoming series installments. And for a science fiction fan of books and movies, there are nice little Easter Eggs/nuggets within the story just to keep the reader on his/her toes.a
August 8, 2020
Good fun
It took me some time to "get into" the story. I like a sci fi/military book that begins with action. Oddly enough, the book that did it best, and first, I think, is Steakley's Armor. There are other similarities and forward glances of other books in the genre, but this doesn't necessarily detract. Some of the questions I had in references made to previous occurrences in the history of Earth, it's wars, and the Armor Corps might have been answered if I had read this author's books from other series first. But I saw this referred to first, and missing those 'history's didn't detract from the plot much. The characters are developed well enough, and when the action begins, it's done well. I did take issue with the author's s naming of Three planets about three-quarters into the book. I' m not sure if it's meant to be an Easter egg for sci go buffs, or it's just silly. I won't spoil it for you. But I "got" it, and I laughed.
It took me some time to "get into" the story. I like a sci fi/military book that begins with action. Oddly enough, the book that did it best, and first, I think, is Steakley's Armor. There are other similarities and forward glances of other books in the genre, but this doesn't necessarily detract. Some of the questions I had in references made to previous occurrences in the history of Earth, it's wars, and the Armor Corps might have been answered if I had read this author's books from other series first. But I saw this referred to first, and missing those 'history's didn't detract from the plot much. The characters are developed well enough, and when the action begins, it's done well. I did take issue with the author's s naming of Three planets about three-quarters into the book. I' m not sure if it's meant to be an Easter egg for sci go buffs, or it's just silly. I won't spoil it for you. But I "got" it, and I laughed.
April 19, 2018
This is the first vol to a new series set in the Author's "Ember Wars" series, but it can be read without any prior knowledge. It won a "Dragon" award in 2017 at Dragon-Con.
It's a good book, but it seemed far too short to me. Roland has just turned 18, and has to do his compulsory military service. For some reason, he decides to join the "Armour Corps" which means he gets to use a 15 foot tall robot mech, that he controls while inside a "womb" of fluid. After a series of gruelling training challenges, the group we are introduced to are sent on a mission to recover an "artifact" of some kind before alien enemies can get it. They battle against a larger enemy force, and get saved by air support in the end.
I'll get the next book in the series, but I'm probably not going to jump it straight into my TBR list for now.
It's a good book, but it seemed far too short to me. Roland has just turned 18, and has to do his compulsory military service. For some reason, he decides to join the "Armour Corps" which means he gets to use a 15 foot tall robot mech, that he controls while inside a "womb" of fluid. After a series of gruelling training challenges, the group we are introduced to are sent on a mission to recover an "artifact" of some kind before alien enemies can get it. They battle against a larger enemy force, and get saved by air support in the end.
I'll get the next book in the series, but I'm probably not going to jump it straight into my TBR list for now.
May 16, 2020
I confess I did not finish this book, because I was on page 295, chapter 17, 72% done with this book, so I was almost there, almost to the end, but I could not read any further this military sci-fi, because of the military part, for, even though I have read many military sci-fi books and seemed to enjoy them, I guess it finally got to me, and became detestable, that learning how to kill each other, and strike abject fear in others before you pulverize them into death, never to be alive again, just became too much for my sensibilities, especially since Templar stuff and God got all mixed in with killing others as some kind of weird justification was really over the top for me, so I think I am going to read a book titled, "The Art of Loving," by Erich Fromm and see if I can figure out what it means to live a life that does not strike pulverizing fear and death in another person.
February 8, 2022
This was barely alright! It consisted mostly of Roland training to be an "Armor:, the best of the fighters in the galaxy wars. BUT, I had a hard time reading it since the main character is only 17 years old. A little young to be the best of anything.
I bought this as a set of a three book bundle but I'm not sure I'll read the other books. It just wasn't interesting enough for me. I'm really not that interested in the MC growing into an adult. Plus, the religious parts were a little much for me too.
There was no romance and doing a search of all 3 books I found the F-bomb used 1 time.
As for the narration: Luke Daniels is an awesome narrator but even he couldn't make me excited about this story.
I bought this as a set of a three book bundle but I'm not sure I'll read the other books. It just wasn't interesting enough for me. I'm really not that interested in the MC growing into an adult. Plus, the religious parts were a little much for me too.
There was no romance and doing a search of all 3 books I found the F-bomb used 1 time.
As for the narration: Luke Daniels is an awesome narrator but even he couldn't make me excited about this story.
November 21, 2017
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
This is basically a story about a specialized unit in the future and their recruitment procedures. This is not boring, dry, and full of uninteresting details. This tells the story of the men and women of this particular unit, their sorrows, happiness, and the ultimate sacrifice some of them make. It follows one raw recruit as he enlists, decides on the unit, and the challenges he faces to make it. It continues to follow him as he encounters his first battle, what happens, and the ultimate repercussion of his actions. A good book to read.
This is basically a story about a specialized unit in the future and their recruitment procedures. This is not boring, dry, and full of uninteresting details. This tells the story of the men and women of this particular unit, their sorrows, happiness, and the ultimate sacrifice some of them make. It follows one raw recruit as he enlists, decides on the unit, and the challenges he faces to make it. It continues to follow him as he encounters his first battle, what happens, and the ultimate repercussion of his actions. A good book to read.
February 12, 2020
Surprisingly good, original and emotional Military SciFi
Im new to Mr. Fox's work, and happily surprised.
The religious overtones, off-putting at first, are incredibly well done.
The technology is incredibly real feeling with out too much deus ex in the machine.
Mr. Fox has a talent for writing just enough and letting the reader's imagination fill inn the blanks.
The world is fresh and interesting, far better than many set after an apocalyptic event.
The characters are incredibly human without being pandering or over wrought drama queens, and very believable.
The action is we'll written.
I'm very happy to have discovered this and recommend it to any fans of the genre.
Im new to Mr. Fox's work, and happily surprised.
The religious overtones, off-putting at first, are incredibly well done.
The technology is incredibly real feeling with out too much deus ex in the machine.
Mr. Fox has a talent for writing just enough and letting the reader's imagination fill inn the blanks.
The world is fresh and interesting, far better than many set after an apocalyptic event.
The characters are incredibly human without being pandering or over wrought drama queens, and very believable.
The action is we'll written.
I'm very happy to have discovered this and recommend it to any fans of the genre.
August 19, 2024
I haven't read the author's Ember War series, but that said, this seems to be a sequel (based on name continuity and similarity of background).
This book begins in the aftermath of a war that threatened the existence of humanity in the galaxy, but at least begins with much lower stakes. It has quite a bit of Starship Troopers DNA (powered armor, training, though isn't at all a calque of that story.
The protagonist is decently written, an orphan of the Ember War who wants to be a member of the elite Armor Corps. The military elements felt relatively believable.
The book is light, but entertaining. I'll be continuing with the series.
This book begins in the aftermath of a war that threatened the existence of humanity in the galaxy, but at least begins with much lower stakes. It has quite a bit of Starship Troopers DNA (powered armor, training, though isn't at all a calque of that story.
The protagonist is decently written, an orphan of the Ember War who wants to be a member of the elite Armor Corps. The military elements felt relatively believable.
The book is light, but entertaining. I'll be continuing with the series.
August 10, 2017
Well written but nothing original
The book flows and is easy to read. The author seems to have used clichés from as many TV shows, movies, books and graphic novels as he could fit in to a little less four hundred pages. I found it difficult to emphasize with the main character because of all the overused mishmash of coming of age in a military training situation the author felt he needed to expose the reader to. Though there is nothing particularly original in the book, it is a quick read and has a modicum of action to keep the reader's interest.
The book flows and is easy to read. The author seems to have used clichés from as many TV shows, movies, books and graphic novels as he could fit in to a little less four hundred pages. I found it difficult to emphasize with the main character because of all the overused mishmash of coming of age in a military training situation the author felt he needed to expose the reader to. Though there is nothing particularly original in the book, it is a quick read and has a modicum of action to keep the reader's interest.
February 26, 2018
A true hardcore science fiction book.
I wish there were more than five stars, this story deserves more. The best hardcore sci-fi I've read in some time. Terran and alien allies fight alien bad guys on an alien world. A deadly race to secure a precious artifact that may hold the answer to an upcoming invasion...well, it will be beyond Biblical proportions. The author mentioned that he was a fan of Star Trek as a wee lad (weren't we all?). He was also a fan of TDTESS. Caught that Easter egg Mr. Fox. Good one.
I wish there were more than five stars, this story deserves more. The best hardcore sci-fi I've read in some time. Terran and alien allies fight alien bad guys on an alien world. A deadly race to secure a precious artifact that may hold the answer to an upcoming invasion...well, it will be beyond Biblical proportions. The author mentioned that he was a fan of Star Trek as a wee lad (weren't we all?). He was also a fan of TDTESS. Caught that Easter egg Mr. Fox. Good one.
June 24, 2018
This is a boot camp story--and not much else. There are micro conflicts and at the end the hint of a bigger story. But there really isn't any other plot going on than an average guy with grit joining an elite military unit in the future (learning to fight from inside mecha suits).
There are several exposition dumps (just explaining what's going on) and the characters are diverse. So it's not written poorly. But I love plot above all else--creative, surprising, stories. And this didn't really have a complex plot, just series of training scenes.
There are several exposition dumps (just explaining what's going on) and the characters are diverse. So it's not written poorly. But I love plot above all else--creative, surprising, stories. And this didn't really have a complex plot, just series of training scenes.
October 27, 2024
Fun and uncomplicated.
This was an ok story to read. The scifi elements are fine, the story is fine the characters are subpar, the result is just ok.
A little too much military-centric without much work in the "why". Yes, humanity was almost obliterated, but it's told so coldly that it loses a lot of credibility.
Didn't like the Usacentrism and the christian approach either. It sounded artificially put into the story as the "default" setting.
A light and a little uninspired scifi story. I'm not hooked to continue.
This was an ok story to read. The scifi elements are fine, the story is fine the characters are subpar, the result is just ok.
A little too much military-centric without much work in the "why". Yes, humanity was almost obliterated, but it's told so coldly that it loses a lot of credibility.
Didn't like the Usacentrism and the christian approach either. It sounded artificially put into the story as the "default" setting.
A light and a little uninspired scifi story. I'm not hooked to continue.
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