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Poor Man's Fight #4
No Medals for Secrets
The Union of Humanity exists only because the aliens demanded it. After a hundred different treaties and countless broken promises, mankind’s powerful neighbors forced humanity into a common defense and a single diplomatic voice. Yet within the Union’s borders, the human race is as fractious as ever. When the star system of Archangel is invaded by the three greatest corporations in human space, the Union is powerless to intervene. Corporal Alicia Wong thrives on the front lines. She doesn’t like the war, but she likes the challenges and the clear-cut goals. She likes knowing who her friends and enemies are, too. Yet after uncovering evidence of alien contact in violation of Union laws, Alicia finds herself in a world of espionage and covert missions. Before it’s all over, her choices may change the course of Archangel’s war—and humanity’s future.
345 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 6, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
April 26, 2019
The fourth book in the Poor Man’s Fight series recounts a side story left over from the war between Archangel and the big Corporations told in the first three books. References to things that happened as a result of this novel appear in the third book of the series. It follows one of the secret missions that Corporal Alicia Wong was drawn into and gives us our first look at two of the extraterrestrial species in Kay’s universe.
Like much of the series an important theme of the books is ethical—what is the correct use of force even in a war. What are the correct rules of engagement in a covert operation with huge implications for the future of Archangel? Kay handles these questions quite well and makes them meaningful with real consequences for the decisions of his characters.
I found this book a little bit slower moving than the first two in the series. Perhaps I was just disappointed that we had gone back in time to tell another story of the war when I was ready to look at the consequences of the fighting for our characters. That doesn’t mean it’s not a good story and it gives us further insight into some of the important members of the supporting cast of the first three books.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
Like much of the series an important theme of the books is ethical—what is the correct use of force even in a war. What are the correct rules of engagement in a covert operation with huge implications for the future of Archangel? Kay handles these questions quite well and makes them meaningful with real consequences for the decisions of his characters.
I found this book a little bit slower moving than the first two in the series. Perhaps I was just disappointed that we had gone back in time to tell another story of the war when I was ready to look at the consequences of the fighting for our characters. That doesn’t mean it’s not a good story and it gives us further insight into some of the important members of the supporting cast of the first three books.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
May 9, 2018
This is not book 3 of Poor Man's fight. While it does feature characters from the series, it is a separate story, one I did not really enjoy, which is probably the first time I can say that about an Elliott Kay book.
July 6, 2019
This fourth installment of Poor man's fight is detached from the main plot. It only involves secondary characters from the series (Alicia Wong, Janeka, Ravenell) and is located chronologically before the third installment of the series.
It returns to an event in the series that was not explained. This event being the consequence of actions of a small secret commando, mixed unit of secret agents and marines.
On paper, this book had everything to seduce me: the plot finally puts in scene the aliens of this universe, it is full of action, it is relatively short.
Except that not at all: I was bored all along this reading, without really understanding why. While it is predictable, it lacks stakes (because we know at the beginning of the adventure that the heroes will not die), the action scenes are repetitive, but logically, it should have pleased me.
So what? Mystery and boule de gomme!
It returns to an event in the series that was not explained. This event being the consequence of actions of a small secret commando, mixed unit of secret agents and marines.
On paper, this book had everything to seduce me: the plot finally puts in scene the aliens of this universe, it is full of action, it is relatively short.
Except that not at all: I was bored all along this reading, without really understanding why. While it is predictable, it lacks stakes (because we know at the beginning of the adventure that the heroes will not die), the action scenes are repetitive, but logically, it should have pleased me.
So what? Mystery and boule de gomme!
September 7, 2021
The Debtor's War was largely skipped over by the events of the third book, sort of like the Clone Wars between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith before the cartoons filled it up. The system of Archangel has gone to war with the three largest transtellar megacorps and we don't get to see much of the actual conflict. I'm pleased to see this fills in the gaps of the war a bit with the conflict against the CDC (not the Center for Disease Control). It also stars a different protagonist than Tanner Malone.
While some might be disappointed in this, I really enjoyed Corporal Allicia Wong and her moral struggles that make her a TERRIBLE person to bring onto a black ops mission. It has a lot of information on the aliens in the setting and also a kind of Star Trek, "What is the right thing to do?" ethical question.
I enjoyed it as a coda to the series and wish it had been Book 3# instead of #4.
While some might be disappointed in this, I really enjoyed Corporal Allicia Wong and her moral struggles that make her a TERRIBLE person to bring onto a black ops mission. It has a lot of information on the aliens in the setting and also a kind of Star Trek, "What is the right thing to do?" ethical question.
I enjoyed it as a coda to the series and wish it had been Book 3# instead of #4.
August 20, 2017
Short review: a very quick filler story lacking in a lot of character but patching a couple of gaps in the "Poor Man's Fight" universe.
Longer review: I loved the original 3 stories in the "Poor Man's Fight" story arc. A few mechanical issues but otherwise solid, romping, original space adventure. Unfortunately, this installment, which is less than 300 pages, lacks most of the wit and charm of the previous stories. In fact, I felt myself starting to zone out a bit at times because the writing just sounded too hollow, too procedural. I hate to give a 3 star review to one of these books, but this was definitely not a work on par with Kay's previous novels.
This story does provide some background context for events leading into "Dead Man's Debt". It also provides material on the previously absent alien species that have been mentioned several times in passing during the "Poor Man's Fight" arc.
That said, the reveal of these aliens is largely flat and the nature of the aliens themselves is bizarre and stretching the bounds of believability. The Nyuyanaro are painted as basically superheroes and the Krokinthians are enormous and weird. Neither seem to be biologically practical or of a design that would lend itself to sapience.
Despite my lackluster feelings on this novel, I would like to see additional stories in this universe.
Longer review: I loved the original 3 stories in the "Poor Man's Fight" story arc. A few mechanical issues but otherwise solid, romping, original space adventure. Unfortunately, this installment, which is less than 300 pages, lacks most of the wit and charm of the previous stories. In fact, I felt myself starting to zone out a bit at times because the writing just sounded too hollow, too procedural. I hate to give a 3 star review to one of these books, but this was definitely not a work on par with Kay's previous novels.
This story does provide some background context for events leading into "Dead Man's Debt". It also provides material on the previously absent alien species that have been mentioned several times in passing during the "Poor Man's Fight" arc.
That said, the reveal of these aliens is largely flat and the nature of the aliens themselves is bizarre and stretching the bounds of believability. The Nyuyanaro are painted as basically superheroes and the Krokinthians are enormous and weird. Neither seem to be biologically practical or of a design that would lend itself to sapience.
Despite my lackluster feelings on this novel, I would like to see additional stories in this universe.
June 12, 2017
A jump back on the timeline, and not in the Tanner sequence. Not what I was expecting after waiting more than a year for this next part of the Archangel Saga
November 9, 2017
bring back tanner
August 12, 2020
2.49☆ this is basically a side story that happened during books 2 and 3. Not a sequel.
October 13, 2017
The dude keeps getting better and better
Kay is turning into a solid author.
This piece started off with energy and kept it up throughout. The protagonist changed away from that of the last three works to a still-familiar character.
I wasn't able to care about it for more than a few moments and then I quickly forgot about it.
For those that care about the author's politics: yes, they're crap but so far he's one of the very few that doesn't ruin his work with infantile preaching. And when he does throw in something it tends to fit within the world, is well written and/or is a throw-away line quick enough not to hamper the reader's immersion.
There is one obvious reference that's eyeroll worthy but was smooth enough to work.
The book in total is a fun sci-fi action affair. It's shorter than I'd have liked (what reader isn't a gready reader, though?) yet I still feel I underpaid for it.
This will be an easy buy for those that have followed this author.
If you're new, he has this series plus an urban fantasy (risque as all hell) that you really should treat yourself to.
Kay is turning into a solid author.
This piece started off with energy and kept it up throughout. The protagonist changed away from that of the last three works to a still-familiar character.
I wasn't able to care about it for more than a few moments and then I quickly forgot about it.
For those that care about the author's politics: yes, they're crap but so far he's one of the very few that doesn't ruin his work with infantile preaching. And when he does throw in something it tends to fit within the world, is well written and/or is a throw-away line quick enough not to hamper the reader's immersion.
There is one obvious reference that's eyeroll worthy but was smooth enough to work.
The book in total is a fun sci-fi action affair. It's shorter than I'd have liked (what reader isn't a gready reader, though?) yet I still feel I underpaid for it.
This will be an easy buy for those that have followed this author.
If you're new, he has this series plus an urban fantasy (risque as all hell) that you really should treat yourself to.
November 23, 2017
I'm a bit torn on this book. On the one hand, once you get into it, the pace is the same gripping pace of earlier books, and I literally finished it the same day. Plus you get to follow along Alicia Wong instead of Tanner Malone, which makes this a great addition to the series. (Would love to hear some back story from the other characters in the series like the Gunny, Admiral Yeogh, or Baldwin).
On the other hand, this book poses some issues for the timeline. Book 3 wrapped things up pretty finally, with some characters "riding off into the sunset" but Book 4 jarringly puts us in a different timeline, where that ending doesn't exist.
This was my biggest frustration, and the reason I couldn't give it 5 stars. I'd've liked to have either seen this clearly addresses the change in the timeline (which could have been done), or had the book clear that it was taking place before the end of book 3 (which also would have been good).
Still, if you're a fan of the series, definitely worth a read even if it adds a bit of confusion. I think I finally settled on my mind that it's an alternate ending :D
On the other hand, this book poses some issues for the timeline. Book 3 wrapped things up pretty finally, with some characters "riding off into the sunset" but Book 4 jarringly puts us in a different timeline, where that ending doesn't exist.
This was my biggest frustration, and the reason I couldn't give it 5 stars. I'd've liked to have either seen this clearly addresses the change in the timeline (which could have been done), or had the book clear that it was taking place before the end of book 3 (which also would have been good).
Still, if you're a fan of the series, definitely worth a read even if it adds a bit of confusion. I think I finally settled on my mind that it's an alternate ending :D
January 12, 2018
This is really, really good. I like this series very much and now, that this one introduced a new perspective (this story is from the point of view of Alicia Wong, Tanner has some little part in the beginning only) it refreshed the whole storyline again. I really liked Tanner as the protagonist in the previous three, but sometimes it's good to have some change and still stay in the same universe. I really liked this book. Maybe better than the previous in the series. Or the previous two. It was at least as good as the first one.
So to everybody who has read the first trilogy. Don't abandon the saga. It just gets better.
P.s.: It was so good, that even though I have a strict list what to read next planned in advance for at least 2 or 3 months, I inserted the other series by Eliot Key (Good Intentions) just to read some more from him. It doesn't happen ver often.
So to everybody who has read the first trilogy. Don't abandon the saga. It just gets better.
P.s.: It was so good, that even though I have a strict list what to read next planned in advance for at least 2 or 3 months, I inserted the other series by Eliot Key (Good Intentions) just to read some more from him. It doesn't happen ver often.
February 18, 2018
I have read the other books in this military science fiction series and they definitely keep you reading. Although the main characters change - the author uses many of the same characters but moves them around into supporting or main character point of view - you get familiar with this world. Set in the future where Earth has colonized other worlds and paid for it by basically indenturing all of their citizens into paying for much of it by making them pay dearly for ALL of their education, this book takes up the story of the planet of Archangel which has broken with the 3 main [debt collecting] companies and is now at war. Alicia Wong, a Marine corporal is drawn into much more than regular Marine operations when she and 2 others are loaned out for an intelligence operation. Kay is fleshing out his characters and makes you look forward to the next installment in this series.
April 11, 2019
An inbetween the others book (II and III) in the series. After a surprising evacuation of a science station Alicia Wong and Marines are seconded to an intel mission. Our usual Combat Wombat Tanner gets to miss this one out after having most of a lung shot out, as you do. The mission goes sideways as it appears one of the naughty corporations is doing illegal research on aliens. The same aliens who really don't like humanity already and only decided not to destroy us as we're already doing an excellent job on that between ourselves. As an example, one of the alien races only turned up at the peace talks so they could angrily storm out of them. With conflicting mission priorities and less than aspirational leadership from the spooks, Alicia gets to learn the hard way about when it's time to refuse an illegal order.
October 26, 2021
This is not a full follow-up novel in the Poor Man's Fight series. I would say this is #3.1. We take a side tour of Janeka and Alice on a secret mission, but since this novella was significant shorter than the first 3 in the series and did not give us Tanner Malone I don't think it was as outstanding as the previous three. Enjoyable to read, for sure, I like the crisp language and mature feelings of the main characters in this series in general, although the "evil secret agent against the marines" was a little too much and unnecessary. The missions also went too (?) smooth (head in first and let us see if all survive) and felt much James Bond, which was exactly why I liked the other novels better as that feeling was absent. The alien introductions nicely done, I hope they wont play too much of a main role in the next book, which I will read for sure. 3.5 stars, rounded down.
April 26, 2019
Even with the story revolving around side characters from the Poor Man's Fight universe I still enjoyed this book as much as the previous three. The ending was a little abrupt.
I do see why some reviewers might have been annoyed to have a story that didn't revolve around Tanner if they were reading the books as they were released. Lucky for me the entire series is finished so I get to move right on to the next Tanner story.
Ok narration. I understand a different narrator since this one revolves around Alicia as the main character, but this narrator isn't blowing me away. Her reading voice is fine, but the voices she does are rough. Especially male voices. I wish they'd stuck with the previous narrator female main character or not. The annoying wore off after a while and I will say I was happy with her by the end.
I do see why some reviewers might have been annoyed to have a story that didn't revolve around Tanner if they were reading the books as they were released. Lucky for me the entire series is finished so I get to move right on to the next Tanner story.
Ok narration. I understand a different narrator since this one revolves around Alicia as the main character, but this narrator isn't blowing me away. Her reading voice is fine, but the voices she does are rough. Especially male voices. I wish they'd stuck with the previous narrator female main character or not. The annoying wore off after a while and I will say I was happy with her by the end.
June 21, 2017
When there's a book in a good series they get some free points even before you read the book. Then when you get into it, you get critical when the focus changes or there's little plot/story advancement. That's my main complaint for this book. It's a fun book, action flies pretty freely, but the main character in the series was side-barred pretty early on, which seemed very contrived. I'm not a fan of the constant backstory flashbacks either. But, the book was an easy read, was good entertainment and worth a read. Was a little disappointed about its place in the series, but I'd still recommend the book for fans of the other books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2018
You know how some authors throw out a 3 book series of 120 page books, then chuck in a "3.5" 30 page short story just to get you to cough up another fiver?
Well. This feels a bit like that to start with, the volume is slimmer than its predecessors (each of the previous 3 actually increased in length). I wondered where it would go, toward the beginning, especially when our main man was laid low.
I shouldn't have been concerned, though - kay has concocted a superb morality story and given us a view into something only lightly passed over earlier-on in the time line. I really got into it.
Well. This feels a bit like that to start with, the volume is slimmer than its predecessors (each of the previous 3 actually increased in length). I wondered where it would go, toward the beginning, especially when our main man was laid low.
I shouldn't have been concerned, though - kay has concocted a superb morality story and given us a view into something only lightly passed over earlier-on in the time line. I really got into it.
March 26, 2020
Another compelling Sci-Fi tale from Elliot Kay
Alicia is the main protagonist in this one with only a brief appearance from Tanner Malone. But the story rattles along at pace and is as enjoyable as the previous books in this series. Some aliens make an appearance and we learn more of Alicia's back story. You need to read the books in order to fully appreciate the characters methinks. Once I start reading these books I find it difficult to stop. Narration in the accompanying audiobook may not be to some listener's tastes but after a short while I found that I enjoyed that too. Devotees of Honor Harrington, Kat Falcone et al will find plenty to enjoy here.
Alicia is the main protagonist in this one with only a brief appearance from Tanner Malone. But the story rattles along at pace and is as enjoyable as the previous books in this series. Some aliens make an appearance and we learn more of Alicia's back story. You need to read the books in order to fully appreciate the characters methinks. Once I start reading these books I find it difficult to stop. Narration in the accompanying audiobook may not be to some listener's tastes but after a short while I found that I enjoyed that too. Devotees of Honor Harrington, Kat Falcone et al will find plenty to enjoy here.
April 26, 2020
Excellent Characters Abound in this 6-Star Sci-fi Series👏
Mr Kay is an excellent author, and this is my favorite space opera. I'm 74, and have read literally thousands of books of numerous genres. While his writing quality, plot development and storytelling are top notch, it is his character development that sets him apart in this genre. During the series we get to know their subtleties and quirks, which most authors don't bother to develop. This volume features the characters of Wong, Janeka, and Ravenell. They have been included from early on, but now with more nuance. Please keep volumes coming!
Mr Kay is an excellent author, and this is my favorite space opera. I'm 74, and have read literally thousands of books of numerous genres. While his writing quality, plot development and storytelling are top notch, it is his character development that sets him apart in this genre. During the series we get to know their subtleties and quirks, which most authors don't bother to develop. This volume features the characters of Wong, Janeka, and Ravenell. They have been included from early on, but now with more nuance. Please keep volumes coming!
April 10, 2021
Decent but not as good as the previous three in the series. Maybe this book should have been a #3.5 instead of #4 in the series as it's out of sequence and is a side story.
I listened to the audiobook version and the reader/narrator was different from the other three audiobooks in the series an not nearly as good. I think that also contributed negatively to my impression of this book. Her cadence, pronunciations and voices and accents for characters already established in the first three audiobooks was jarring and hard to adjust to.
It's not a bad book, and it's fun to delve more into the lives of other characters in the series but it just wasn't as good at the others.
I listened to the audiobook version and the reader/narrator was different from the other three audiobooks in the series an not nearly as good. I think that also contributed negatively to my impression of this book. Her cadence, pronunciations and voices and accents for characters already established in the first three audiobooks was jarring and hard to adjust to.
It's not a bad book, and it's fun to delve more into the lives of other characters in the series but it just wasn't as good at the others.
August 12, 2017
While I enjoy Kay's Poor Man's Fight series, I found "No Medals for Secrets" wasn't as good as the previous books in the series though still readable and enjoyable. The writing was choppier and despite being the primary character in this book, Alicia Wong remained mostly two-dimensional with a moral crisis that wasn't true to her past actions or behavior. Even Gunny Janeka seemed false. Ultimately the author seemed to be fighting himself as the tried to expand on characters in ways that seemed forced and contrary to previous portrayals.
August 18, 2017
I liked this book a lot. While I was expecting Tanner and more of his adventures, I was pleasantly surprised to learn about Wong, and I appreciated getting more of the bigger picture with the aliens, since they are barely mentioned in the first 3. This one seemed shorter than the others, so I wouldn't really call it a book 4. Maybe more of a companion novella.
Anyway, I liked Wong's backstory and the motivations for her actions. I also appreciated hearing about Ravenell, and a tad about Collins. All in all I like the universe and am looking forward to more.
Anyway, I liked Wong's backstory and the motivations for her actions. I also appreciated hearing about Ravenell, and a tad about Collins. All in all I like the universe and am looking forward to more.
September 11, 2022
This book follows a different set of characters as the main characters from the poor man's fight series.
It introduces alien races to the storyline (I guess it's no spoiler judging from the cover of the book)
The storyline is not as complex and full of twists compared to the first three books but it is as action packed as the first one, no doubt.
I also enjoyed the fact that the book focused on other characters and gave them more depth. I think it gives an opportunity for future stories not solely focusing on tanner malone.
It introduces alien races to the storyline (I guess it's no spoiler judging from the cover of the book)
The storyline is not as complex and full of twists compared to the first three books but it is as action packed as the first one, no doubt.
I also enjoyed the fact that the book focused on other characters and gave them more depth. I think it gives an opportunity for future stories not solely focusing on tanner malone.
December 5, 2017
A side story/mid-quil (happens during the previous books - possibly actually in the middle of one of them) so it takes just a bit to get bearings on the time frame. Good explanation of some of the comments in the other books and gives a good dose of supporting information on one of the points of how book 3 wrapped up. Not as "fast" as the first 3 books, but digs deeper into the backstory and fleshes out the story universe very nicely.
October 5, 2018
Loved the first two books, but this one sadly was not up to the same page turning standard, possibly because the original central character was invalided out early on and another took centre stage for the best part of the story.. The action scenes felt a little forced at times too.
The ending suggests there'll be more. I might try a sample first if there is. Not at all a bad book, just a bit disappointing after the others.
The ending suggests there'll be more. I might try a sample first if there is. Not at all a bad book, just a bit disappointing after the others.
February 21, 2019
Another highly entertaining installment in the Poor Man's Fight sequence of books.
This one follows Alicia Wong, one of the original characters in Tanner's training unit in the first book.
It is a fast paced read, following an undercover cover mission into illegal operations by one of the big corporations.
If you liked the first three, you'll definitely enjoy this one - I'm onto the most recent release which is back with Tanner and highly entertaining.
This one follows Alicia Wong, one of the original characters in Tanner's training unit in the first book.
It is a fast paced read, following an undercover cover mission into illegal operations by one of the big corporations.
If you liked the first three, you'll definitely enjoy this one - I'm onto the most recent release which is back with Tanner and highly entertaining.
June 20, 2020
Flawed
Neat story, good examination of familiar faces, and nice filling of plot questions.
The tension was seriously harmed by having this as book four instead of three.
The pacing and tone are a bit off. It took significantly longer to read than the page count justifies.
The content is three big gunfights and two transitional bits that move the story.
Pretty good but has some issues.
Neat story, good examination of familiar faces, and nice filling of plot questions.
The tension was seriously harmed by having this as book four instead of three.
The pacing and tone are a bit off. It took significantly longer to read than the page count justifies.
The content is three big gunfights and two transitional bits that move the story.
Pretty good but has some issues.
Read
December 13, 2020Change of Focus
Military SciFi
The focus shifts from Tanner Malone of the Archangel Navy, enter Tanner's high school friend and fellow recruit, space marine Alicia Wong. Elliott Kay paints some broader strokes here and introduces some alien races. Pacing was different than before, but still greatly enjoying this series.
This is a replacement review because this another of my older book reviews that have vanished.
Military SciFi
The focus shifts from Tanner Malone of the Archangel Navy, enter Tanner's high school friend and fellow recruit, space marine Alicia Wong. Elliott Kay paints some broader strokes here and introduces some alien races. Pacing was different than before, but still greatly enjoying this series.
This is a replacement review because this another of my older book reviews that have vanished.
June 5, 2024
Writing: 4 stars
Audio book narrator: 2 stars
Verrrrry different than the first three. It was refreshing and an interesting take. I wouldn't recommend listening to the audiobook on this one. The narrator had very little inflection change between characters. Every character had the same cadence, so it was difficult not only to discern between characters but also to gage a character's intentions, goals, etc. I especially don't like how she presented Janeka.
Audio book narrator: 2 stars
Verrrrry different than the first three. It was refreshing and an interesting take. I wouldn't recommend listening to the audiobook on this one. The narrator had very little inflection change between characters. Every character had the same cadence, so it was difficult not only to discern between characters but also to gage a character's intentions, goals, etc. I especially don't like how she presented Janeka.
June 11, 2017
Good book liked it mostly
Enjoyed reading it. Now what I didn't like. Too much Wong not enough Tanner. I had rather read more about Tanner and his actions and love life. Thats what I started w8th with and that' is what I wanted to read more of . This Wong shit is nice to know not need to know.
Enjoyed reading it. Now what I didn't like. Too much Wong not enough Tanner. I had rather read more about Tanner and his actions and love life. Thats what I started w8th with and that' is what I wanted to read more of . This Wong shit is nice to know not need to know.
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