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Galaxy's Edge #6
Sword of the Legion
Choose your legacy.
Captain Chhun’s Dark Ops squad is reunited with Wraith, and they are entrusted with the task of denying Goth Sullus the shipyards he so eagerly desires. But when the mission doesn’t go as planned, Chhun and Wraith must find a way to stop the Black Fleet’s advance—even if it costs them their lives.
Meanwhile, an old friend from Nether Ops executes a covert operation that will turn the focus of the Last War of the Republic in a terrible new direction.
Daring heroics, sacrifice, and courage come together as the Legion attempts to contain the fire sparked at the Battle of Tarrago.
Captain Chhun’s Dark Ops squad is reunited with Wraith, and they are entrusted with the task of denying Goth Sullus the shipyards he so eagerly desires. But when the mission doesn’t go as planned, Chhun and Wraith must find a way to stop the Black Fleet’s advance—even if it costs them their lives.
Meanwhile, an old friend from Nether Ops executes a covert operation that will turn the focus of the Last War of the Republic in a terrible new direction.
Daring heroics, sacrifice, and courage come together as the Legion attempts to contain the fire sparked at the Battle of Tarrago.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 25, 2017
712 people are currently reading
459 people want to read
About the author
Jason Anspach
186 books839 followersJASON ANSPACH is the author of Galaxy's Edge, Wayward Galaxy, Forgotten Ruin. and more.
He lives in Puyallup, WA with his wife and their seven (not a typo) children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
November 28, 2020
This series is just as fresh as it was at the beginning
This series continues as first class military sci-fi. Captain Ford aka Wraith aka Keel is finally called in from the cold where he has been thriving. But after seven years on his own, doing whatever he thought necessary, does he even know who he is anymore? Ford or Keel? Legionnaire or outlaw?
The first part of the mission for which he has been called back is simple. Well simple for a dark ops mission. Rescue a Dark Ops Kill Team which has bern abandoned by the Republic Navy then transport the team on a new mission.
Of course things go sideways. His crew disappears from his ship while he and the Dark Ops team are completing the mission. This isn't horror fiction but there is real horror in the fate of some of the Dark Ops team members involved in the disappearance of Ford/Keel's crew. Anspach and Cole write some of the very best military and political fiction currently being published.
This series continues as first class military sci-fi. Captain Ford aka Wraith aka Keel is finally called in from the cold where he has been thriving. But after seven years on his own, doing whatever he thought necessary, does he even know who he is anymore? Ford or Keel? Legionnaire or outlaw?
The first part of the mission for which he has been called back is simple. Well simple for a dark ops mission. Rescue a Dark Ops Kill Team which has bern abandoned by the Republic Navy then transport the team on a new mission.
Of course things go sideways. His crew disappears from his ship while he and the Dark Ops team are completing the mission. This isn't horror fiction but there is real horror in the fate of some of the Dark Ops team members involved in the disappearance of Ford/Keel's crew. Anspach and Cole write some of the very best military and political fiction currently being published.
January 27, 2018
I keep being surprised by Cole and Anspach. I have said that before, but I'm going to keep on saying it as long as it keeps happening. Right now, the Galaxy's Edge series is hot stuff in the "Space Marines" category on Amazon. When I read Legionnaire, I thought I knew where the series was going. It turns out I was mistaken.
Let me explain my continuing surprise regarding the Galaxy's Edge series by recourse to Gurren Lagann. Gurren Lagann is a 2007 series by GAINAX, one of my favorite Japanese studios. At the beginning, Gurren Lagann is the story of two boys, Simon and Kamina, who are bored with their rote and regimented life, and who act out in predictable ways. Then, Simon stumbles on an artifact of great power, the core drill. This sets in train a sequence of events that culminates in a battle for the fate of the galaxy.
However, none of this is apparent at first. The core drill and its spiral power is a metaphor for what is going to happen. Each revolution of the crank brings you to a higher level, but the spiral itself is unchanged; it simply grows in diameter. Gurren Lagann is a brutal sendoff of mecha anime, and often uses puerile humor to mask its subtlety. Simon and Kamina are teenage boys, after all. But the total effect is a fascinating story that happens on multiple levels simultaneously, while keeping its essence unchanged throughout.
Galaxy's Edge is much like this. You think, space marines, OK, this is Tom Clancy in space! Or Tom Clancy with Star Wars! We will get elite soldiers who kick ass, some political intrigue, and we all get to be heroes in the end, right?
As it turns out, all of the real heroes are dead. [Spoiler alert. I'm not kidding about that.] They don't give out the Order of the Centurion posthumously 98.4% of the time for nothing. Each book in the series feels very different because each one is a turn of the crank, expanding beyond the gripping tale of the survivors of Victory Company in Legionnaire, to something much, much bigger. New secrets are revealed, deeper connections forged to things that seemed incidental at the time. Yet, we are also getting something much the same: space opera competently done, with a touch of dark humor and military action-adventure
And, by the way, I agree: it is never a good idea to give weapons strong AI, even if they make interesting observations about poetry.
Let me explain my continuing surprise regarding the Galaxy's Edge series by recourse to Gurren Lagann. Gurren Lagann is a 2007 series by GAINAX, one of my favorite Japanese studios. At the beginning, Gurren Lagann is the story of two boys, Simon and Kamina, who are bored with their rote and regimented life, and who act out in predictable ways. Then, Simon stumbles on an artifact of great power, the core drill. This sets in train a sequence of events that culminates in a battle for the fate of the galaxy.
However, none of this is apparent at first. The core drill and its spiral power is a metaphor for what is going to happen. Each revolution of the crank brings you to a higher level, but the spiral itself is unchanged; it simply grows in diameter. Gurren Lagann is a brutal sendoff of mecha anime, and often uses puerile humor to mask its subtlety. Simon and Kamina are teenage boys, after all. But the total effect is a fascinating story that happens on multiple levels simultaneously, while keeping its essence unchanged throughout.
Galaxy's Edge is much like this. You think, space marines, OK, this is Tom Clancy in space! Or Tom Clancy with Star Wars! We will get elite soldiers who kick ass, some political intrigue, and we all get to be heroes in the end, right?
As it turns out, all of the real heroes are dead. [Spoiler alert. I'm not kidding about that.] They don't give out the Order of the Centurion posthumously 98.4% of the time for nothing. Each book in the series feels very different because each one is a turn of the crank, expanding beyond the gripping tale of the survivors of Victory Company in Legionnaire, to something much, much bigger. New secrets are revealed, deeper connections forged to things that seemed incidental at the time. Yet, we are also getting something much the same: space opera competently done, with a touch of dark humor and military action-adventure
And, by the way, I agree: it is never a good idea to give weapons strong AI, even if they make interesting observations about poetry.
November 14, 2017
Epic story telling
An amazing sci-fi adventure that will capture your mind and stop your heart with nonstop action and thoughtfully created characters.
Anyone who enjoys sci-fi and fantasy, start reading this impossible to put down series. You can bet your bippy you'll be hooked after the first chapter or two.
An amazing sci-fi adventure that will capture your mind and stop your heart with nonstop action and thoughtfully created characters.
Anyone who enjoys sci-fi and fantasy, start reading this impossible to put down series. You can bet your bippy you'll be hooked after the first chapter or two.
April 24, 2021
This one was fun! Nearly constant action. The book can really be split on two. Two almost separate but closely connected stories. I didn't think I'd like the second, but it was fantastic. The first? So good. Action filled.
I was kind of annoyed at the start since, again, this book goes back to just after the start of the previous book. It details events that happen at the same time, but was wonderfully done. We will have to see what else this dumpster fire of a galaxy has in store!
I was kind of annoyed at the start since, again, this book goes back to just after the start of the previous book. It details events that happen at the same time, but was wonderfully done. We will have to see what else this dumpster fire of a galaxy has in store!
October 23, 2019
Good but not the best installment in the series. Right at chapter 18 there was enough of a narrative pause for me to put this down for three weeks. Normally, I tear through these within hours of downloading, so take that for what it's worth. That said, I really enjoyed both the beginning and the end of the book, and I've decided Prisma is one of my favorites (first book I can say that too; I disliked her as the Maguffin in book two). Looking forward to the next volume.
February 8, 2020
What is truth?
Deception, twisted lies, blood and death. As life on the Edge progresses this series gets more addictive.
The legionnaires, both serving and ex, are amazing characters. Their battles pull you in and leave you astounded. The differing aspects of the story combine to reveal a cauldron of hate that is close to bubbling over to destroy the galaxy.
It is a masterpiece in the universe of military sci-fi.
Deception, twisted lies, blood and death. As life on the Edge progresses this series gets more addictive.
The legionnaires, both serving and ex, are amazing characters. Their battles pull you in and leave you astounded. The differing aspects of the story combine to reveal a cauldron of hate that is close to bubbling over to destroy the galaxy.
It is a masterpiece in the universe of military sci-fi.
October 31, 2017
Good series
Interesting and doesn't get to bogged down with explanations. The characters are interesting and bring great depth to the storyline as they think thru situations.
Interesting and doesn't get to bogged down with explanations. The characters are interesting and bring great depth to the storyline as they think thru situations.
October 31, 2017
Review
Awesome dude!How is it possible for each book in the series to be better than the last?Can't wait for next one(soon please).
Awesome dude!How is it possible for each book in the series to be better than the last?Can't wait for next one(soon please).
November 14, 2017
Love it
Can't wait for the next installment. Well worth the read. Many sleepless nights spent reading the series. Get it, read it
Can't wait for the next installment. Well worth the read. Many sleepless nights spent reading the series. Get it, read it
June 30, 2018
Summary:
First, let me say that none of what I’ll say in this section couldn’t be found on the back copy of the novel. Heck, I cribbed this summary from the back, and then I add my own twist! And not even much of one, since most of the books I read have kick butt descriptions (aka blurbs). If the blurb doesn’t catch my eye, then I tend to skip the book unless a friend recommends it. Generally speaking, my goal is to provide a spoiler-free review, so here goes nothing!
The time has come for galactic patriots to choose their legacies. In this novel, Captain Chhun’s Dark Ops squad is reunited with Wraith, which was awesome! I mean, the band was back together again! This band assed team was entrusted with the task of denying Goth Sullus the shipyards he so eagerly desires. But when the mission doesn’t go as planned, Chhun and Wraith must find a way to stop the Black Fleet’s advance—even if it costs them their lives. Meanwhile, an old friend from Nether Ops executes a covert operation that will turn the focus of the Last War of the Republic in a terrible new direction. We’ll see daring heroics, sacrifice, and courage come together as the Legion attempts to contain the fire sparked at the Battle of Tarrago.
If you like epic space opera, with a side of military science fiction, you should read this series. Plenty of explosions, with authentically gritty combat. If this sounds like your flavor of badassery, then you’ve come to the right place! This novel is a brilliant continuation of the Galaxy’s Edge Universe, where they fix everything George Lucas broke in this Star-Wars-Not-Star-Wars adventure. I wish I could give you an easy comparison, if you enjoyed Book X, buy this book but I really feel like Nick and Jason broke new ground here. They’ve revived that sense of newness and fun that we loved as children, that brought most of us to the science fiction genre! There are other military sci-fi books out there, but none quite like this!
Characters:
In this novel, we again followed a small group of characters, which I find is how I like this universe. We again meet Chhun and Wraith, the Endurian princess, and the lost little girl bent on revenge. There was even a brief cameo from everyone's favorite NetherOps agent. All of the characters were a lot of fun to spend time with again, and made me want the book to never end (hint, hint)!
Captain Cohen Chhun: He’s a grizzled veteran officer of the numerous campaigns, but he felt real and not one of those stereotypical military killers. He was badass, a consummate professional and genuinely good officer for his troops. He’s the kind of guy you’d want on your side in a firefight, and he seems to be more relaxed and less of an ass than he was in the first novel. I would definitely say we’ve seen some character growth from Chhun, as he grows into his role as the Victory Team Leader. This growth made his character even more enjoyable in this book than he was in previous ones. In this instance, it just seems like his growth is part of the larger Dark Ops culture. Less parade ground, more covert assassin. In the previous reviews, I said that the lack of growth from Chhun felt like they’re building something huge, and boy was I right! Wow, he was one of my favorite characters in this novel! Overall, I really liked him and felt like there was so much more to come from him!
Wraith/Captain Aenson Keel/Captain Ford: He’s an enigmatic character, former/current Legion officer and all around killing machine. The multiple personas that he portrays on his covert quest to blend in with the local rabble he was tasked with watching felt mildly schizophrenic but in a good way. I felt like his character became deeper and even more complex. He’s still a beast, physically, but now we see a side of him that’s compassionate for the downtrodden and ruthless to his enemies. He’s not soft, mind you, just judicious on whom he decides to kill. Plus, he gets to play with all of the coolest toys in the galaxy and tweak his nose at the corruption that the Republic has become!
Prisma Maydoon: She’s a young girl/woman who sometimes seems to be a teenager, and sometimes appears to be only nine or ten. It’s easy to feel sorry for her and to see her potential as she ages, but for now, she’s annoyingly useless. In previous novels, she was a wanna be bounty hunter bent on revenge, being trained by T-Rex himself, but in this novel, she’s a helpless wretch who’s just in the way. She’s got the key to a secret weapon buried inside her, but she definitely leaves you wishing it’d been given to anyone else but her.
Andien Broxin: She was a Nether Ops Agent and an interesting character, but I never felt like she was fully developed. She was an enigma, an unfathomable spook hiding in the shadows. I don’t really feel any connection to her, but I understand her role in the larger plot arc, so I sort of went along for the ride. Plus, her crew of misfit killers was mildly entertaining.
Leenah: She’s a wonderful character that we didn’t get to see enough of. She’s an Endurian princess, from a planet where everyone is royalty, and the royal title won’t even buy you a stale ale on a mid-Core planet. She’s an awesome mechanic, who can fix anything and make it better than it was when it rolled off of the factory floor. She’s a former rebel, who hasn’t changed sides, so much as she’s just tried to make her way in the unforgiving galaxy. Growing up poor, she just wanted options and the chance to survive and thrive. She was one of my favorite characters and definitely needs more screen time.
Overall, it seems like the return to the main team we started within Legionnaire. I give these characters 5 out of 5 Grenades and can’t wait to see where the author takes the survivors of this massive Battle of Tarrago!
Plot:
The premise for this series was to take the kind of Star Wars stories we used to love, strip out all of the political messaging, and just tell fun tales. Escapism and enjoyment, under the banner of intergalactic science fiction. This book was like most of the military fiction I love to read, it was an action-packed novel. The story is set as the galaxy is in turmoil, reeling from the arrival of the instability caused by Goth Sullus’s arrival. We see another side of the Battle of the Tarragon Moon. We get to see this from the view of the Kill Teams that were operating in the peripheries of the previous novel. We see the world from the eyes of the Victory Company survivors of the Kublar affair. The plot was fun, creating tension and excitement. It was never boring, and the characters and universe behaved in a way that made sense for the worlds the authors created. It was a good set-up and well-executed premise that held my interest from the first sentence. They built on what came before this novel, allowing the plot to grow and expanded. I can only image bigger things coming from the Galaxy’s Edge world. I think that this is partly because I’ve become conditioned to these large expansive worlds because of the copious amounts of space opera that I read. Maybe your mileage will vary, but it’s definitely worth checking this book out. As you can tell by the gushing, I really got into this book. I couldn’t put it down, the plot was that compelling. I really loved the premise, and more importantly, I enjoyed how the execution. The pacing was excellent, and there was never a slow moment. I couldn’t ask for anything more; a unique premise, perfect execution, and incredible pacing! I again give Nick Cole and Jason Anspach 5 out of 5 Grenades!
World Building:
This is the fifth book in the Galaxy’s Edge Series, and I absolutely loved it. Can I say that enough? Okay, back to the nitty-gritty of the review. This novel had a very fleshed out world that was consistent, made sense and sucked you in. Some of the details that seemed inconsequential in previous novels suddenly show themselves to be important and depth to the world at the edge of the galaxy. It definitely made me want to become part of the larger world. I liked reading about the technology used by the various services, and how they’ve evolved over the scope of this series. This is especially true with the anti-aging technology used by the Victory Company Kill Team guys, and show a change in the technological lay of the land. Through Wraith/Keel, we get to see some of the other tech from this universe, available to anyone with the credits to burn. I still love the battle armor, and wouldn’t mind a set for my birthday! The vividness of the world leaves you wanting to travel the galaxy in your own battleship. Who wouldn’t want an ion cannon to forge your own galactic empire? I was hooked, and now I want to know it all! I definitely see room for CosPlay and a fandom for this world, and can’t wait for my own Legionnaire armor! Think they come in 12XL? They described the world with plenty of details, and there wasn’t a scene where I couldn’t picture it. They didn’t reinvent the wheel and built on the existing tropes of science fiction. They just made it sexier! Overall, the world building was well done, and I was sold on the way it happened. It felt believable, and the characters fit within the universe Nick Cole and Jason Anspach created. Like most of the stories I read, this one didn’t take itself too seriously, which allowed you to focus on the fun which is why I read in the first place. I give the world building 5 out of 5 Grenades.
Description:
I have to give it to the authors, this novel was chalk full of visualization, and you could definitely imagine yourself in this world. They described things across the sensory spectrum; sights, sounds, smells and even how the world felt. This is how it’s done, and I hope to get that good someday. While I could visualize all of the characters, I would still love it if the authors shared artists renderings for them. Unlike previous books, the spaceships in this one were described in a more vivid way, nothing was left for you to make up. They gave you the building blocks you needed to see it for yourself. One huge plus for me was Nick Cole and Jason Anspach’s descriptive use of language, a skill they’ve carried through the first four books as well. They balanced the explanation of this new world with the need to move a story along. This book didn’t have a single place where I couldn’t picture the scenery and the equipment, which added to the world that felt tangible and I enjoyed it. The author’s description of their universe was evocative, and enough to please rookies and uber fans alike! The only slight drawback of how descriptive they were, it was was a little bit distracting. Seriously, it made you wanna take a moment and explore every nook and cranny, but that’s a sign of an amazingly built universe. In summary, I didn’t find any issues with the descriptions and was impressed by the literary skills of the authors. The action was gripping, and the story was fun. If you want the action, the adventure, and the PEW PEW, then this is the book for you! Nick Cole and Jason Anspach brought it, they were definitely their A game. I give them 5 out of 5 grenades in this category.
Overall:
I really loved this book, it was a lot of fun to read. It brought back the epic space battles that I acted out as a kid, laying in the grass playing with my action figures. This was definitely a lot closer to the fast-paced space combat full of explosions and the fog of war than the previous four novels, which was awesome. It built on what I liked about Legionnaire (Book 1), Kill Team (Book 3) and Attack of Shadows (Book 4). There were no deep messages, or political themes, just good clean fun. Like the previous novels, this story was compelling and made me want to know more. Unlike the previous novel, Attack of Shadows, it felt like I knew who to root for. I knew who the bad guys were, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Like the previous novels in this universe, the first thing that caught my eye was the fantastic cover. Seriously, they’re all amazingly compelling. If you want to learn more about them, the Galaxy’s Edge mailing list will show you how the covers evolved to their final version. This was one series where I wished I weren't color blind, and art dumb. I’d add a section to the book review template on the covers because so many of them are kicking butt these days! I don’t know if the authors are setting that trend, or following it, but I don’t care because we the readers are winning on this front! The Galaxy’s Edge covers reminded me of the iconic science fiction covers I loved as a kid, or the movie posters from the action adventures I watched when I was supposed to be studying. When I finally have a dedicated office or man cave, I’m decorating it with these covers! And whenever they sell swag, that too!
Now onto the book itself! The military culture shown was spot on, just what I’d expect from an Army veteran. Nobody felt like cookie cutter clichés or parodies of the warrior, and the ethos was spot on. I liked how they handled Wraith/Keel’s harsh transition back into the Legion fold, it felt realistic. This deadly literary duo clearly understand the culture of the grunt! Nick and Jason made it clear that their world was flushed out, and didn’t fall into some of the traps most military sci-fi did. The troops run out of ammo, dumb luck happens, and good soldiers still die. My god, lots of them! Rivers of blood ran throughout this novel, luckily this time it was the rebel scum dying in droves. The action was intense, and the characters responded as you’d expect in those circumstances. Moving right along, the ground combat described was primal, and immersive. It was everything you want from the genre. The battle scenes were believable, gripping and I never felt like the author missed a chance to get creative with the tactics. It was textbook KTF, the mantra of the Legionnaire! Kill them first! Such a detailed portrayal of the tactics is rare.
Seriously, I realize I’ve gone full fanboy, but the authors have definitely raised the bar for military science fiction authors everywhere. Even with the flaws of this novel, it was still leaps and bounds above most of what’s out there! I was hooked from the first page because they wove the action in such a compelling way that you wanted to jump into the page and join the party. Some of that was because I’m already invested in this world, but if you’ve been following me, you already know that. Basically, they had me hooked from the beginning and kept it going throughout the whole novel. This is a book I would happily recommend, and an author I will definitely read again. Buy the novel! But hey, it’s easy to spend someone else’s money! I give this novel a 5 out of 5 grenades!
If this book sounds like it’s right up your alley, check it out, you won’t regret it! Well, unless it inspired you to serve the Legion. And you enlist, get kitted up, only to realize that your armor is made of shiny wax paper. Then you’re put on the front line unit, getting to be on the tip of the spear. Except, you find out that the officers in your company are all Points and can’t take a crap without a sergeant to hold their hand. Then, in your first firefight, you’ll realize that the untrained LT leads you straight into Goth Sullus’ ambush. Then you realize that your pretty uniforms won’t save you. And then the other shoe drops, you figure out that the weapons aren’t calibrated, and you can’t hit the broad side of a barn. But, alas, every Shock Trooper traitor’s a crack shot. Well yeah, I guess this could be bad for you. Or maybe you’ll be okay? I mean, you could be the first leej to make it out alive? On second thought, be warned, fanboy/fangirl syndrome just MIGHT kill you. Be wary, you were warned and if you have to go out like that at least enjoy the view from the end times!
First, let me say that none of what I’ll say in this section couldn’t be found on the back copy of the novel. Heck, I cribbed this summary from the back, and then I add my own twist! And not even much of one, since most of the books I read have kick butt descriptions (aka blurbs). If the blurb doesn’t catch my eye, then I tend to skip the book unless a friend recommends it. Generally speaking, my goal is to provide a spoiler-free review, so here goes nothing!
The time has come for galactic patriots to choose their legacies. In this novel, Captain Chhun’s Dark Ops squad is reunited with Wraith, which was awesome! I mean, the band was back together again! This band assed team was entrusted with the task of denying Goth Sullus the shipyards he so eagerly desires. But when the mission doesn’t go as planned, Chhun and Wraith must find a way to stop the Black Fleet’s advance—even if it costs them their lives. Meanwhile, an old friend from Nether Ops executes a covert operation that will turn the focus of the Last War of the Republic in a terrible new direction. We’ll see daring heroics, sacrifice, and courage come together as the Legion attempts to contain the fire sparked at the Battle of Tarrago.
If you like epic space opera, with a side of military science fiction, you should read this series. Plenty of explosions, with authentically gritty combat. If this sounds like your flavor of badassery, then you’ve come to the right place! This novel is a brilliant continuation of the Galaxy’s Edge Universe, where they fix everything George Lucas broke in this Star-Wars-Not-Star-Wars adventure. I wish I could give you an easy comparison, if you enjoyed Book X, buy this book but I really feel like Nick and Jason broke new ground here. They’ve revived that sense of newness and fun that we loved as children, that brought most of us to the science fiction genre! There are other military sci-fi books out there, but none quite like this!
Characters:
In this novel, we again followed a small group of characters, which I find is how I like this universe. We again meet Chhun and Wraith, the Endurian princess, and the lost little girl bent on revenge. There was even a brief cameo from everyone's favorite NetherOps agent. All of the characters were a lot of fun to spend time with again, and made me want the book to never end (hint, hint)!
Captain Cohen Chhun: He’s a grizzled veteran officer of the numerous campaigns, but he felt real and not one of those stereotypical military killers. He was badass, a consummate professional and genuinely good officer for his troops. He’s the kind of guy you’d want on your side in a firefight, and he seems to be more relaxed and less of an ass than he was in the first novel. I would definitely say we’ve seen some character growth from Chhun, as he grows into his role as the Victory Team Leader. This growth made his character even more enjoyable in this book than he was in previous ones. In this instance, it just seems like his growth is part of the larger Dark Ops culture. Less parade ground, more covert assassin. In the previous reviews, I said that the lack of growth from Chhun felt like they’re building something huge, and boy was I right! Wow, he was one of my favorite characters in this novel! Overall, I really liked him and felt like there was so much more to come from him!
Wraith/Captain Aenson Keel/Captain Ford: He’s an enigmatic character, former/current Legion officer and all around killing machine. The multiple personas that he portrays on his covert quest to blend in with the local rabble he was tasked with watching felt mildly schizophrenic but in a good way. I felt like his character became deeper and even more complex. He’s still a beast, physically, but now we see a side of him that’s compassionate for the downtrodden and ruthless to his enemies. He’s not soft, mind you, just judicious on whom he decides to kill. Plus, he gets to play with all of the coolest toys in the galaxy and tweak his nose at the corruption that the Republic has become!
Prisma Maydoon: She’s a young girl/woman who sometimes seems to be a teenager, and sometimes appears to be only nine or ten. It’s easy to feel sorry for her and to see her potential as she ages, but for now, she’s annoyingly useless. In previous novels, she was a wanna be bounty hunter bent on revenge, being trained by T-Rex himself, but in this novel, she’s a helpless wretch who’s just in the way. She’s got the key to a secret weapon buried inside her, but she definitely leaves you wishing it’d been given to anyone else but her.
Andien Broxin: She was a Nether Ops Agent and an interesting character, but I never felt like she was fully developed. She was an enigma, an unfathomable spook hiding in the shadows. I don’t really feel any connection to her, but I understand her role in the larger plot arc, so I sort of went along for the ride. Plus, her crew of misfit killers was mildly entertaining.
Leenah: She’s a wonderful character that we didn’t get to see enough of. She’s an Endurian princess, from a planet where everyone is royalty, and the royal title won’t even buy you a stale ale on a mid-Core planet. She’s an awesome mechanic, who can fix anything and make it better than it was when it rolled off of the factory floor. She’s a former rebel, who hasn’t changed sides, so much as she’s just tried to make her way in the unforgiving galaxy. Growing up poor, she just wanted options and the chance to survive and thrive. She was one of my favorite characters and definitely needs more screen time.
Overall, it seems like the return to the main team we started within Legionnaire. I give these characters 5 out of 5 Grenades and can’t wait to see where the author takes the survivors of this massive Battle of Tarrago!
Plot:
The premise for this series was to take the kind of Star Wars stories we used to love, strip out all of the political messaging, and just tell fun tales. Escapism and enjoyment, under the banner of intergalactic science fiction. This book was like most of the military fiction I love to read, it was an action-packed novel. The story is set as the galaxy is in turmoil, reeling from the arrival of the instability caused by Goth Sullus’s arrival. We see another side of the Battle of the Tarragon Moon. We get to see this from the view of the Kill Teams that were operating in the peripheries of the previous novel. We see the world from the eyes of the Victory Company survivors of the Kublar affair. The plot was fun, creating tension and excitement. It was never boring, and the characters and universe behaved in a way that made sense for the worlds the authors created. It was a good set-up and well-executed premise that held my interest from the first sentence. They built on what came before this novel, allowing the plot to grow and expanded. I can only image bigger things coming from the Galaxy’s Edge world. I think that this is partly because I’ve become conditioned to these large expansive worlds because of the copious amounts of space opera that I read. Maybe your mileage will vary, but it’s definitely worth checking this book out. As you can tell by the gushing, I really got into this book. I couldn’t put it down, the plot was that compelling. I really loved the premise, and more importantly, I enjoyed how the execution. The pacing was excellent, and there was never a slow moment. I couldn’t ask for anything more; a unique premise, perfect execution, and incredible pacing! I again give Nick Cole and Jason Anspach 5 out of 5 Grenades!
World Building:
This is the fifth book in the Galaxy’s Edge Series, and I absolutely loved it. Can I say that enough? Okay, back to the nitty-gritty of the review. This novel had a very fleshed out world that was consistent, made sense and sucked you in. Some of the details that seemed inconsequential in previous novels suddenly show themselves to be important and depth to the world at the edge of the galaxy. It definitely made me want to become part of the larger world. I liked reading about the technology used by the various services, and how they’ve evolved over the scope of this series. This is especially true with the anti-aging technology used by the Victory Company Kill Team guys, and show a change in the technological lay of the land. Through Wraith/Keel, we get to see some of the other tech from this universe, available to anyone with the credits to burn. I still love the battle armor, and wouldn’t mind a set for my birthday! The vividness of the world leaves you wanting to travel the galaxy in your own battleship. Who wouldn’t want an ion cannon to forge your own galactic empire? I was hooked, and now I want to know it all! I definitely see room for CosPlay and a fandom for this world, and can’t wait for my own Legionnaire armor! Think they come in 12XL? They described the world with plenty of details, and there wasn’t a scene where I couldn’t picture it. They didn’t reinvent the wheel and built on the existing tropes of science fiction. They just made it sexier! Overall, the world building was well done, and I was sold on the way it happened. It felt believable, and the characters fit within the universe Nick Cole and Jason Anspach created. Like most of the stories I read, this one didn’t take itself too seriously, which allowed you to focus on the fun which is why I read in the first place. I give the world building 5 out of 5 Grenades.
Description:
I have to give it to the authors, this novel was chalk full of visualization, and you could definitely imagine yourself in this world. They described things across the sensory spectrum; sights, sounds, smells and even how the world felt. This is how it’s done, and I hope to get that good someday. While I could visualize all of the characters, I would still love it if the authors shared artists renderings for them. Unlike previous books, the spaceships in this one were described in a more vivid way, nothing was left for you to make up. They gave you the building blocks you needed to see it for yourself. One huge plus for me was Nick Cole and Jason Anspach’s descriptive use of language, a skill they’ve carried through the first four books as well. They balanced the explanation of this new world with the need to move a story along. This book didn’t have a single place where I couldn’t picture the scenery and the equipment, which added to the world that felt tangible and I enjoyed it. The author’s description of their universe was evocative, and enough to please rookies and uber fans alike! The only slight drawback of how descriptive they were, it was was a little bit distracting. Seriously, it made you wanna take a moment and explore every nook and cranny, but that’s a sign of an amazingly built universe. In summary, I didn’t find any issues with the descriptions and was impressed by the literary skills of the authors. The action was gripping, and the story was fun. If you want the action, the adventure, and the PEW PEW, then this is the book for you! Nick Cole and Jason Anspach brought it, they were definitely their A game. I give them 5 out of 5 grenades in this category.
Overall:
I really loved this book, it was a lot of fun to read. It brought back the epic space battles that I acted out as a kid, laying in the grass playing with my action figures. This was definitely a lot closer to the fast-paced space combat full of explosions and the fog of war than the previous four novels, which was awesome. It built on what I liked about Legionnaire (Book 1), Kill Team (Book 3) and Attack of Shadows (Book 4). There were no deep messages, or political themes, just good clean fun. Like the previous novels, this story was compelling and made me want to know more. Unlike the previous novel, Attack of Shadows, it felt like I knew who to root for. I knew who the bad guys were, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Like the previous novels in this universe, the first thing that caught my eye was the fantastic cover. Seriously, they’re all amazingly compelling. If you want to learn more about them, the Galaxy’s Edge mailing list will show you how the covers evolved to their final version. This was one series where I wished I weren't color blind, and art dumb. I’d add a section to the book review template on the covers because so many of them are kicking butt these days! I don’t know if the authors are setting that trend, or following it, but I don’t care because we the readers are winning on this front! The Galaxy’s Edge covers reminded me of the iconic science fiction covers I loved as a kid, or the movie posters from the action adventures I watched when I was supposed to be studying. When I finally have a dedicated office or man cave, I’m decorating it with these covers! And whenever they sell swag, that too!
Now onto the book itself! The military culture shown was spot on, just what I’d expect from an Army veteran. Nobody felt like cookie cutter clichés or parodies of the warrior, and the ethos was spot on. I liked how they handled Wraith/Keel’s harsh transition back into the Legion fold, it felt realistic. This deadly literary duo clearly understand the culture of the grunt! Nick and Jason made it clear that their world was flushed out, and didn’t fall into some of the traps most military sci-fi did. The troops run out of ammo, dumb luck happens, and good soldiers still die. My god, lots of them! Rivers of blood ran throughout this novel, luckily this time it was the rebel scum dying in droves. The action was intense, and the characters responded as you’d expect in those circumstances. Moving right along, the ground combat described was primal, and immersive. It was everything you want from the genre. The battle scenes were believable, gripping and I never felt like the author missed a chance to get creative with the tactics. It was textbook KTF, the mantra of the Legionnaire! Kill them first! Such a detailed portrayal of the tactics is rare.
Seriously, I realize I’ve gone full fanboy, but the authors have definitely raised the bar for military science fiction authors everywhere. Even with the flaws of this novel, it was still leaps and bounds above most of what’s out there! I was hooked from the first page because they wove the action in such a compelling way that you wanted to jump into the page and join the party. Some of that was because I’m already invested in this world, but if you’ve been following me, you already know that. Basically, they had me hooked from the beginning and kept it going throughout the whole novel. This is a book I would happily recommend, and an author I will definitely read again. Buy the novel! But hey, it’s easy to spend someone else’s money! I give this novel a 5 out of 5 grenades!
If this book sounds like it’s right up your alley, check it out, you won’t regret it! Well, unless it inspired you to serve the Legion. And you enlist, get kitted up, only to realize that your armor is made of shiny wax paper. Then you’re put on the front line unit, getting to be on the tip of the spear. Except, you find out that the officers in your company are all Points and can’t take a crap without a sergeant to hold their hand. Then, in your first firefight, you’ll realize that the untrained LT leads you straight into Goth Sullus’ ambush. Then you realize that your pretty uniforms won’t save you. And then the other shoe drops, you figure out that the weapons aren’t calibrated, and you can’t hit the broad side of a barn. But, alas, every Shock Trooper traitor’s a crack shot. Well yeah, I guess this could be bad for you. Or maybe you’ll be okay? I mean, you could be the first leej to make it out alive? On second thought, be warned, fanboy/fangirl syndrome just MIGHT kill you. Be wary, you were warned and if you have to go out like that at least enjoy the view from the end times!
April 25, 2018
The Victory team Kill Squad is set another impossible mission.. Destroy the shipworks on Tarrago Prime, before the Black Fleet, led by Goth Sullus capture it. Simple right?
Well, the first part goes well, Victory squad and Captain Keel/Wraith manage to destroy the reactor of a ship being built, which destroys the shipworks. Only problem is while they were doing that, Prisma, Garret and Leenah are kidnapped, and taken from their ship by a Nether Ops team to go and activate the "Doomsday" fleet. So keel and Victory Squad sets out in pursuit.
This universe is complex and convoluted, with a deep back history, and so many plots intertwining, that it's hard to follow, but you don't care, because you want to follow the characters, and see what happens to them.
I love this series, and I can't wait to read more.
Well, the first part goes well, Victory squad and Captain Keel/Wraith manage to destroy the reactor of a ship being built, which destroys the shipworks. Only problem is while they were doing that, Prisma, Garret and Leenah are kidnapped, and taken from their ship by a Nether Ops team to go and activate the "Doomsday" fleet. So keel and Victory Squad sets out in pursuit.
This universe is complex and convoluted, with a deep back history, and so many plots intertwining, that it's hard to follow, but you don't care, because you want to follow the characters, and see what happens to them.
I love this series, and I can't wait to read more.
January 25, 2018
At long last, we return to the ragtag crew we left off at the end of Galactic Outlaws, as Wraith and the crew of the Indelible VI team up with the kill team of Victory Company team up and take on the hordes of Goth Sullus, the self-styled Emperor whose goal is the overthrow of the Republic.
Outlaws and Legionnaires go head to head with the Imperial shock troopers...
And it is glorious.
And no sooner do the authors give us the battle we've been waiting for, they top themselves by introducing yet another antagonist in the game, and a truly soulless one at that, scratching one itch with a payoff, and whetting our appetites to know what happens next.
Outlaws and Legionnaires go head to head with the Imperial shock troopers...
And it is glorious.
And no sooner do the authors give us the battle we've been waiting for, they top themselves by introducing yet another antagonist in the game, and a truly soulless one at that, scratching one itch with a payoff, and whetting our appetites to know what happens next.
February 26, 2018
Sword of the Legion is brutal and doesn’t let up. The story beats keep coming and they pummel you into obsession. You won’t want to put this book down after the first page. It finishes in a way you won’t see coming. Satisfying and compelling stuff, as we’ve come to expect from this storytelling team.
December 6, 2017
Best of the books so far!
After book 4 I thought maybe I was losing interest in this series, and I was in no hurry to start reading this one. But once I started, I didn't want to put it down. This story rocks! I'm back on the edge of the galaxy.
After book 4 I thought maybe I was losing interest in this series, and I was in no hurry to start reading this one. But once I started, I didn't want to put it down. This story rocks! I'm back on the edge of the galaxy.
December 16, 2017
Great story!
Another great work in this series. There are some needlessly confusing moments but they don't take away too much.
In all it's a very fun book and I'm looking forward to the next one.
Another great work in this series. There are some needlessly confusing moments but they don't take away too much.
In all it's a very fun book and I'm looking forward to the next one.
December 29, 2017
5 + for me.
I think Dean Koontz is the only author I ever gave 5 1/2 stars to, but this may well get 6. Just when I thought there was no more story at Galaxy's edge, Cole and Anspach took this one to a new level.
I think Dean Koontz is the only author I ever gave 5 1/2 stars to, but this may well get 6. Just when I thought there was no more story at Galaxy's edge, Cole and Anspach took this one to a new level.
February 10, 2018
Series is getting better, imo
I already thought it was going to hell with Sollus, but now you got CRONUS...I'm really looking forward to see where this is going. The odds seem impossible.
I already thought it was going to hell with Sollus, but now you got CRONUS...I'm really looking forward to see where this is going. The odds seem impossible.
April 29, 2018
This book was fascinating because, essentially, you're seeing the giant battle from Book 4, except through the eyes of Wraith and the Kill team.
Great book, loved it. This series definitely has me hooked!
Great book, loved it. This series definitely has me hooked!
June 14, 2018
A fun, guilty pleasure.
The first part rehashes a plot-section from the previous book that I found a little tedious.
Power through it to get to the juicy core.
The story ends in an enticing cliffhanger that makes you buy the next book and read it too.
Enjoyed it
The first part rehashes a plot-section from the previous book that I found a little tedious.
Power through it to get to the juicy core.
The story ends in an enticing cliffhanger that makes you buy the next book and read it too.
Enjoyed it
December 22, 2017
These books keep getting better. Looking forward to the next one.
April 3, 2018
Twists and turns
Who will find the Doomsday fleet. Who is the traitor!! Crazy things happening everywhere. Will the galaxy make it out of this one. Who will make it out alive!!
Who will find the Doomsday fleet. Who is the traitor!! Crazy things happening everywhere. Will the galaxy make it out of this one. Who will make it out alive!!
May 4, 2018
So.Much.Intrigue!
Twists and turns! This book is full of them and MAKES you go on to the next one without delay!
Twists and turns! This book is full of them and MAKES you go on to the next one without delay!
February 1, 2021
This is my favorite of the whole series so far. Where there has previously been a huge imbalance between action and characters, it evens out here. Characters die and that's sad - but at the same time they die and generally fulfill their purpose in the story. That makes a huge difference even if you're attached to one. Now that the main bad guys have all been defeated (because not-a-spoiler, of course they have, they always are in these sorts of stories) - who will be the new ones in the next installment?
The series continues with a new narrator - Ray Porter, who is equal in my eyes to RC Bray, both superb voice actors. So it will be interesting to see where the action leads.
This has been a stop-and-start series for me, mainly because it doesn't follow a traditionally linear plot line with continuous characters. The first couple of books will throw you. But if you stick with it, it ends up being worth it.
The series continues with a new narrator - Ray Porter, who is equal in my eyes to RC Bray, both superb voice actors. So it will be interesting to see where the action leads.
This has been a stop-and-start series for me, mainly because it doesn't follow a traditionally linear plot line with continuous characters. The first couple of books will throw you. But if you stick with it, it ends up being worth it.
November 14, 2020
Im confused
The original Ppl in the first book seem spread all over the galaxy. I thought that the battle between Legion & the Republic was what would happen but now a new secret race is introduced.. a menacing threat, and Magic? So lost.
The original Ppl in the first book seem spread all over the galaxy. I thought that the battle between Legion & the Republic was what would happen but now a new secret race is introduced.. a menacing threat, and Magic? So lost.
February 12, 2019
Very interesting read - action, adventure, SiFi tops and suspense.
August 1, 2018
The previous book was all about capturing the Republic shipyard intact. Towards the middle there was a single, throwaway line, something like 'Legionaries have destroyed the shipyard'. Yes it was Chhun and Wraith, they put the band back together for a one off gig and this is how their their set played out.
As usual the plan goes sideways but the guys keep swinging until the curtain comes down.
Meanwhile, beyond the Edge, another team discover things are far worse than anyone could have known.
This really is page turning stuff.
As usual the plan goes sideways but the guys keep swinging until the curtain comes down.
Meanwhile, beyond the Edge, another team discover things are far worse than anyone could have known.
This really is page turning stuff.
August 11, 2018
The series continues to impress. In this book Lt. Chhunn's Dark Ops is sent to take down the shipyards at Tarrago Prime. Wraith meets up the team to be their extraction and infiltration ride. We also find out more about the Nether Ops, Prisma's role, the Repubkic's mysterious Doomsday Fleet, and Gotu Sullus. More mystery continues to develop as plot points in the series come together. Both a fun read and enough intrigue to make you continue with the series.
February 10, 2020
Love this series
I like how all the books tie together in subtle ways. It would be great to have these stories cross referenced so I can easily remember where I first read about the sentient robots and the hero battle droid.
I like how all the books tie together in subtle ways. It would be great to have these stories cross referenced so I can easily remember where I first read about the sentient robots and the hero battle droid.
July 9, 2018
Goth Sollus
Goes after the Tarrago moon and Prime. But the Legionnaires took away from Goth Sollus the ship building complex. Now he wants the Maydoon child so he can use the Black Fleet.
Read and enjoy.
Goes after the Tarrago moon and Prime. But the Legionnaires took away from Goth Sollus the ship building complex. Now he wants the Maydoon child so he can use the Black Fleet.
Read and enjoy.
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