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Man of War #0.2
The Hunters of Vermin
On his first solo mission, and deep behind enemy lines, young reconnaissance-fighter pilot, Ensign Max Robichaux, Union Space Navy, finds himself prisoner of--not the Krag, humanity's enemy in its decades-long interstellar war for survival--but of the Vaaach, an incredibly advanced race of aliens legendary for their secretive and territorial ferocity. For reasons Max barely understands, the Vaaach decide that they have an obligation to train him to be a Vaaach warrior, or at least as close as a puny, fruit-eating human can come.
Max finds himself on a strange, unknown world, under the tutelage of a nine-foot tall, carnivorous Vaaach drill instructor, learning an alien way of fighting, and stalking and making war. Not only is the training like nothing Max has ever imagined, there's the small matter of the final exam: a real mission involving real combat against real Krag with the life or death of an entire Union naval task force hanging in the balance. Max is going to have to find resources of cunning, creativity, strength, endurance, and courage far beyond his years if he's going to survive and save thousands of his comrades who--unknown to them--are depending on the slender thread of the young officer's abilities for their very survival. The Hunters of Vermin is a short novel (just over 62,500 words, slightly longer than such classic novels as Lord of the Flies and All Quiet on the Western Front), that can be read as a stand-alone adventure or as a part of the longer series of Max Robichaux space tales. Readers who have never met Max Robichaux or encountered Honsinger's fiction before will find a thrilling, self-contained adventure. Fans of Honsinger's other books will gain interesting insight into the events that helped make Max Robichaux the officer we meet in the "Man of War" series, as this novel covers events immediately after the conclusion of the novella Deadly Nightshade and twelve years before the beginning of the "Man of War" Series.
This novel packs everything Honsinger's readers expect--realistically staged combat, deep character development, believable aliens, and the thrill of deep space adventure--into a compact package. The Hunters of Vermin is a military coming-of-age story in the vein of the early Horatio Hornblower books, but set centuries in the future against the backdrop of an interstellar war that threatens the survival of the human race.
177 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 29, 2017
140 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
H. Paul Honsinger
8 books477 followersH. Paul Honsinger is the author of the "Man of War" Trilogy, published by 47North Books and available worldwide in English from Amazon and also translated by major publishers in Japan, France, and Poland into those nations' respective languages. Approximately 150,000 copies have been sold to date.
All three volumes are available in Kindle eBook, paperback, and audio editions (from Brilliance Audio, narrated by top-drawer voice actor Ray Chase).
The story of Max Robichaux, Dr. Ibrahim Sahin, and the colorful personalities that populate the USS Cumberland will continue in the "Brothers of the Black Sky" trilogy. The first volume, "To Stations My Lads" is expected sometime in 2020.
Paul is also the author of the shorter works, "Deadly Nightshade," and "The Hunters of Vermin," a novella and a short novel respectively, which are prequels to the Man of War series, tracing the adventures of a teenage Max Robichaux on his first solo deep space mission.
Space and military history are H. Paul Honsinger's life long passions. Lacking the physical attributes to be an astronaut or a soldier, and not endowed with the mathematical ability essential to become an Aerospace Engineer or an Astronomer, he "settled" for a career in law. But, the study of space and war have always been a part of his life. He became an amateur astronomer, made himself an expert on the history of space exploration (if you ever tell him that the moon landings were a hoax, expect an argument; expect to lose), and never stopped studying the history and the art of war. He started reading science fiction at the age of seven (starting with "Between Planets" by Robert Heinlein) and has been a lifelong fan of the genre.
He also developed an interest in military history upon seeing the movie "Patton" on television in 1972 when he was twelve. He has spent years studying in detail the campaigns of Alexander, Caesar, Napoleon, Lee, Grant, Jackson, Halsey, and Patton and--perhaps most significantly--thinking deeply and precisely about what it would be like if the stories about combat in space he read and saw on the screen were told in a way that made scientific and military sense.
He never thought he would be a fiction writer. His wife, Kathleen, one day pointed at his computer chair and said: "Sit. Start writing. Now." The result was the first draft of Chapter 1 of "To Honor You Call Us" (the Prologue was written later). Paul tremulously presented it to Kathleen and asked "am I wasting my time?" She said "no" and the rest of the novel followed.
Paul's goal is simple: to write military science fiction done right--stories in which the alien enemies are believable foes, fighting for a plausible reason, with weapons that don't violate the laws of physics, and where the tactics used by both sides make some sort of geometric and military sense. He wanted to bring to space the same kind of realistic adventure one finds on the sea in the novels of Patrick O'Brian and C.S. Forester. Why not, he thought, tell realistic human stories against the background of a realistic military conflict that just happens to be set 300 years in the future? And why not try to evoke in the imaginations of readers vivid images of what the lives of these men would be like, fighting for the survival of mankind among the stars, thousands of light years from home?
All three volumes are available in Kindle eBook, paperback, and audio editions (from Brilliance Audio, narrated by top-drawer voice actor Ray Chase).
The story of Max Robichaux, Dr. Ibrahim Sahin, and the colorful personalities that populate the USS Cumberland will continue in the "Brothers of the Black Sky" trilogy. The first volume, "To Stations My Lads" is expected sometime in 2020.
Paul is also the author of the shorter works, "Deadly Nightshade," and "The Hunters of Vermin," a novella and a short novel respectively, which are prequels to the Man of War series, tracing the adventures of a teenage Max Robichaux on his first solo deep space mission.
Space and military history are H. Paul Honsinger's life long passions. Lacking the physical attributes to be an astronaut or a soldier, and not endowed with the mathematical ability essential to become an Aerospace Engineer or an Astronomer, he "settled" for a career in law. But, the study of space and war have always been a part of his life. He became an amateur astronomer, made himself an expert on the history of space exploration (if you ever tell him that the moon landings were a hoax, expect an argument; expect to lose), and never stopped studying the history and the art of war. He started reading science fiction at the age of seven (starting with "Between Planets" by Robert Heinlein) and has been a lifelong fan of the genre.
He also developed an interest in military history upon seeing the movie "Patton" on television in 1972 when he was twelve. He has spent years studying in detail the campaigns of Alexander, Caesar, Napoleon, Lee, Grant, Jackson, Halsey, and Patton and--perhaps most significantly--thinking deeply and precisely about what it would be like if the stories about combat in space he read and saw on the screen were told in a way that made scientific and military sense.
He never thought he would be a fiction writer. His wife, Kathleen, one day pointed at his computer chair and said: "Sit. Start writing. Now." The result was the first draft of Chapter 1 of "To Honor You Call Us" (the Prologue was written later). Paul tremulously presented it to Kathleen and asked "am I wasting my time?" She said "no" and the rest of the novel followed.
Paul's goal is simple: to write military science fiction done right--stories in which the alien enemies are believable foes, fighting for a plausible reason, with weapons that don't violate the laws of physics, and where the tactics used by both sides make some sort of geometric and military sense. He wanted to bring to space the same kind of realistic adventure one finds on the sea in the novels of Patrick O'Brian and C.S. Forester. Why not, he thought, tell realistic human stories against the background of a realistic military conflict that just happens to be set 300 years in the future? And why not try to evoke in the imaginations of readers vivid images of what the lives of these men would be like, fighting for the survival of mankind among the stars, thousands of light years from home?
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
June 12, 2022
Second Prequel to To Honor You Call Us.
Max Robichaux is now a LTJG in this final prequel. Without giving anything away that one couldn't learn from the synopsis- or the ending of the first prequel for that matter- Max undergoes training with the Vaaach to hunt "vermin". To the Vaaach, vermin does not pertain to cockroaches or voles, but any species which lacks honor.
I loved seeing a new side to the Vaaach. They still would deliver scathing insults, but there was much more to them than we've seen so far. Actually, now that I have read these prequels, the scene in the main series where Max meets up with the Vaaach for the first time makes much more sense.
If you enjoyed the all-too-short main series, these two prequels are recommended.
December 18, 2017
DNF at about 51% -- It's not bad, really, I just didn't want to be reading this anymore. That's too bad, bc I really like the grown-up version of Max, and I like this author -- even as I often find myself apologizing for how clumsily he wrote himself out of ever having to include female characters.
Why this doesn't work for me: I think in general, when your character is predicated on being confident and competent, we don't like to see the young version of that character. They're always either a wunderkind or a bundle of nerves, and neither is as fun to read about as a kick-ass captain. I'm not signing up for "the young adventures of Jean Luc Picard," and I probably won't be reading any more Young Max novellas.
Why this doesn't work for me: I think in general, when your character is predicated on being confident and competent, we don't like to see the young version of that character. They're always either a wunderkind or a bundle of nerves, and neither is as fun to read about as a kick-ass captain. I'm not signing up for "the young adventures of Jean Luc Picard," and I probably won't be reading any more Young Max novellas.
December 17, 2017
Well written, but disappointing
There is no question that Honsinger can write. But this work was hugely disappointing in one respect - the proportions were all wrong. The opening sequence was far too long for a book of this size. More important, while ostensibly about Robicheaux's all-important first contact with the Vaacsh it told us almost nothing that we didn't already know about them.
There is no question that Honsinger can write. But this work was hugely disappointing in one respect - the proportions were all wrong. The opening sequence was far too long for a book of this size. More important, while ostensibly about Robicheaux's all-important first contact with the Vaacsh it told us almost nothing that we didn't already know about them.
February 10, 2018
Ended up not finishing it. Like many have said, it wasn't horrible, but it's a book in dire need of an edit to trim down the tech details that slow the pace to a crawl. Really disappointing considering how much I enjoyed the adult Max books.
March 7, 2020
The Hunters of Vermin springboards straight off of Deadly Nightshade, with 16 year old Lieutenant Junior Grade Robichaux still undergoing Vaaach testing and training. This time, instead of tests of bravery and intuition in the air, he gets ground training and then has to undergo a trial to prove himself to the Vaaach and save an Alliance fleet. The book's ending is left wide open for another prequel novella, and I assume this is where Honsinger is intending to go next, if he remains healthy enough to write.
Like the first prequel novella, this is entertaining enough and certainly worth a read for those who enjoy the main trilogy. It also suffers from some of the same issues. The plot shifts so suddenly in this novella and Brothers in Valor that one has to wonder if the author just got tired of writing and wanted to get on with things. Additionally, while Honsinger is verbose to the extreme (beyond belief, really, in terms of Max's internal dialog with himself), taking several pages to describe relatively mundane procedures or maneuvers, it's easy to anticipate what is about to happen and Max's rationale for it - making the wordy affair somewhat tedious at times. His attempts to moralize certain parts of the universe through the eyes of selectively attentive and hormonally charged sixteen year old can also be pretty exasperating.
This is a refreshing change of pace from Honsiger's usual obsession with astrophysical calculations and fine descriptions of warship functionality though. It's kind of fun to see Max on the ground and interacting with the Vaaach (who are very human in their thoughts and behaviors, despite all of the author's attempts to describe them otherwise).
Like the first prequel novella, this is entertaining enough and certainly worth a read for those who enjoy the main trilogy. It also suffers from some of the same issues. The plot shifts so suddenly in this novella and Brothers in Valor that one has to wonder if the author just got tired of writing and wanted to get on with things. Additionally, while Honsinger is verbose to the extreme (beyond belief, really, in terms of Max's internal dialog with himself), taking several pages to describe relatively mundane procedures or maneuvers, it's easy to anticipate what is about to happen and Max's rationale for it - making the wordy affair somewhat tedious at times. His attempts to moralize certain parts of the universe through the eyes of selectively attentive and hormonally charged sixteen year old can also be pretty exasperating.
This is a refreshing change of pace from Honsiger's usual obsession with astrophysical calculations and fine descriptions of warship functionality though. It's kind of fun to see Max on the ground and interacting with the Vaaach (who are very human in their thoughts and behaviors, despite all of the author's attempts to describe them otherwise).
July 26, 2024
The second prequel novella is sadly the last so far. It's obvious there should be a third story, but after nine years, all we have is an independent side story, so I am worried that we will never get the final(?) story here, much less the sequel to the original set of stories.
I can imagine a number of problems that may have led to this situation. But, I'll stick with what's in front of me.
Hunter of Vermin is a direct sequel to Deadly Nightshade, and starts with the usual action-oriented death-defying antics.
This is also the start of things going a bit wrong from my point of view. Max isn't really in charge of his destiny here, and it's fairly obvious this is a test by the Vaach (the latest in a series). Max is doing everything he can for himself, but is also just getting pushed around by aliens with extremely high levels of technology.
The worst part is that while Honsinger is generally on the wordy side, and it's turned up to twelve here. Max's internal thoughts are the bulk of the content, because for much of the novella there's no one else around, and they get interminable in many places. The Vaach themselves, while saying that humans talk too much spend way too many words to say so. There's another alien who is extremely loquacious, and the word count goes up even further, but this part is much more entertaining, and more enjoyable.
Finally, for me, I signed up for military SF featuring ship-to-ship battles, and this moves to ground pounding, which I found I didn't appreciate nearly as much. If you've been reading Honsinger's military SF space operas and enjoying them, keep going, but this is the weakest of the stories so far, and I really hope we get to see more of Max as an adult, in charge of a full destroyer again, and I recommend the original three far more than these prequels.
I can imagine a number of problems that may have led to this situation. But, I'll stick with what's in front of me.
Hunter of Vermin is a direct sequel to Deadly Nightshade, and starts with the usual action-oriented death-defying antics.
This is also the start of things going a bit wrong from my point of view. Max isn't really in charge of his destiny here, and it's fairly obvious this is a test by the Vaach (the latest in a series). Max is doing everything he can for himself, but is also just getting pushed around by aliens with extremely high levels of technology.
The worst part is that while Honsinger is generally on the wordy side, and it's turned up to twelve here. Max's internal thoughts are the bulk of the content, because for much of the novella there's no one else around, and they get interminable in many places. The Vaach themselves, while saying that humans talk too much spend way too many words to say so. There's another alien who is extremely loquacious, and the word count goes up even further, but this part is much more entertaining, and more enjoyable.
Finally, for me, I signed up for military SF featuring ship-to-ship battles, and this moves to ground pounding, which I found I didn't appreciate nearly as much. If you've been reading Honsinger's military SF space operas and enjoying them, keep going, but this is the weakest of the stories so far, and I really hope we get to see more of Max as an adult, in charge of a full destroyer again, and I recommend the original three far more than these prequels.
December 7, 2017
Great series
First off I would like to wish mr Honsinger a speedy recovery from his recent health problems having said that I just want to say I truly enjoy this series it is one of the three best series out there.( The other two being Taylor Anderson's destroyer men and Olan Thorensen destiny crucible) all of them are well written and highly entertaining do yourself a favor and read this series of the other two. I eagerly await the next book in this series
First off I would like to wish mr Honsinger a speedy recovery from his recent health problems having said that I just want to say I truly enjoy this series it is one of the three best series out there.( The other two being Taylor Anderson's destroyer men and Olan Thorensen destiny crucible) all of them are well written and highly entertaining do yourself a favor and read this series of the other two. I eagerly await the next book in this series
March 11, 2018
Vermin = Krag, etal.
This background book adds tremendous information to this series. I recommend this book to anyone who read any of the other books in this series. I gave it a 4 because while being very good, it is still a step below Heinlein, Norten and many other Wi-Fi writers. Still a very GOOD read.
This background book adds tremendous information to this series. I recommend this book to anyone who read any of the other books in this series. I gave it a 4 because while being very good, it is still a step below Heinlein, Norten and many other Wi-Fi writers. Still a very GOOD read.
January 27, 2021
Erudite Grandmaster quality material
As usual, excellent English mechanics. Meticulous homework outside his discipline--the fellow is a lawyer; how does he know about the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual? Expertly realized aliens and characters, maybe the best ever. Riveting plotting, fabulous dialog.
As usual, excellent English mechanics. Meticulous homework outside his discipline--the fellow is a lawyer; how does he know about the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual? Expertly realized aliens and characters, maybe the best ever. Riveting plotting, fabulous dialog.
December 26, 2017
Great Christmas Present.
I really enjoyed this story. Max has become a favorite character off mine. He is smart and likable and most of all very real. The science was interesting and didn't get in the way of a good story. Made for a nice long Christmas weekend read.
I really enjoyed this story. Max has become a favorite character off mine. He is smart and likable and most of all very real. The science was interesting and didn't get in the way of a good story. Made for a nice long Christmas weekend read.
December 26, 2017
Thanks for another great book. Looking forward to seeing more from you!
Good story and world building, even the subtle hint comparing the bwold doctor to doctor sahim was neat. I have nothing but praise for all of the books in the man of war series, and can't wait for more!
Good story and world building, even the subtle hint comparing the bwold doctor to doctor sahim was neat. I have nothing but praise for all of the books in the man of war series, and can't wait for more!
December 31, 2017
All too short
Both very funny and engaging allowing a brief insight and further revelations from 'Max's' early career. Hopefully this could be a series of stories based on his experiences as a 'Hunter of vermin'. Looking forward with some excitement to further adventurers.
Both very funny and engaging allowing a brief insight and further revelations from 'Max's' early career. Hopefully this could be a series of stories based on his experiences as a 'Hunter of vermin'. Looking forward with some excitement to further adventurers.
April 10, 2018
Ah Max - the story unfolds
Yes, you will love visiting with Max again. Very similar to the first short story about his younger years. As a person who reads and/or listens to 100 + books a year... H. Paul Honsigner is in my top 5 favorite authors. Enjoy!
Yes, you will love visiting with Max again. Very similar to the first short story about his younger years. As a person who reads and/or listens to 100 + books a year... H. Paul Honsigner is in my top 5 favorite authors. Enjoy!
May 7, 2018
More fun novellas about early times with the main character. I am a bit sad that the next "real" trilogy hasn't started yet, but I understand the author has had some health problems so I won't complain much. :)
March 5, 2019
this entire series is entertaining and keeps you reading until you finish...then you just want to read another. Hopefully the author will get some new stuff out soon.
I love the tie ins with Star Trek, earth companies, firearms, etc
I love the tie ins with Star Trek, earth companies, firearms, etc
February 3, 2020
Good story!!
Being able to walk quietly and hide in the woods are skills taught by a very advanced citizen from a star faring civilization. It's a good story, but that part is a little hard to believe. I am eagerly waiting for book three.
Being able to walk quietly and hide in the woods are skills taught by a very advanced citizen from a star faring civilization. It's a good story, but that part is a little hard to believe. I am eagerly waiting for book three.
February 5, 2020
Without a doubt, the best story in the series yet, with fantastic characters, convincing, often humorous, dialog, and engaging plot.
Trainer and Doc have quickly become some of my favourite alien characters in mil sco-fi.
Trainer and Doc have quickly become some of my favourite alien characters in mil sco-fi.
June 7, 2020
Love. The writing style interesting aliens and entertaining dialog. Look forward to more.
Love. The writing style interesting aliens and entertaining dialog. Look forward to more. Keep it up, young max is actually more interesting than older max.
Love. The writing style interesting aliens and entertaining dialog. Look forward to more. Keep it up, young max is actually more interesting than older max.
September 8, 2021
I like Pauls' writing and have enjoyed the Man of War series, but I felt like this little story was too full of digressions and out of context ramblings. Glad to have the backstory - but this is one for practicing your speed reading skills.
April 23, 2023
I'll be reading more
This is the first book by H. Paul Honsinger that I have read. Thoroughly enjoyed it and I will be reading more. Entertaining, action packed and outlining a new universe and new alien species. I look forward to visiting that universe again.
This is the first book by H. Paul Honsinger that I have read. Thoroughly enjoyed it and I will be reading more. Entertaining, action packed and outlining a new universe and new alien species. I look forward to visiting that universe again.
September 13, 2025
Damn near 60% is filler, including over a quarter of the story spent on a crash landing that should have been over in about 10 pages and a repetitive catalogue of MRE meals that is somehow duller than reading the ingredients on MRE meals. Removal all that and you have a good story.
December 1, 2017
Another great addition
This sequel to a prequel helps show how Max becomes the officer he is in the first three books in this great series
This sequel to a prequel helps show how Max becomes the officer he is in the first three books in this great series
December 7, 2017
Great addition to the series! I have enjoyed all the Man Of War books, both the prequels and the main series. Am looking forward to the next one already :)
December 19, 2017
Finally!!!!!
I love this series. Max is a great character. I hope there are more prequels in the works. Also looking forward to the next full size novel.
I love this series. Max is a great character. I hope there are more prequels in the works. Also looking forward to the next full size novel.
December 26, 2017
Solid and Entertaining
You get more insight into the background of Max. Go back and read book 1 and see if you catch the references to Deadly Nightshade and Hunters of Vermin.
You get more insight into the background of Max. Go back and read book 1 and see if you catch the references to Deadly Nightshade and Hunters of Vermin.
January 14, 2018
Fresh
Been wondering if he was going to be able to keep the story going, so glad he did! Welcome back, Max. And Paul!!
Been wondering if he was going to be able to keep the story going, so glad he did! Welcome back, Max. And Paul!!
January 20, 2018
Excellent entertainment and great story
I really enjoyed all the books in the series. The prequel can be read on its own. I highly recommend the series and can't wait for more!
I really enjoyed all the books in the series. The prequel can be read on its own. I highly recommend the series and can't wait for more!
February 1, 2018
Another fine Read by Honsinger
I enjoyed the first two books this author gave us and was delighted to discover this one. I recommend it to any and all space opera fans.
I enjoyed the first two books this author gave us and was delighted to discover this one. I recommend it to any and all space opera fans.
July 17, 2018
Big Fan!
One. of my favorite series ever!! Great character development and excellent plot. Parts of this series will make you laugh, cry and rejoice.....it's amazing.
One. of my favorite series ever!! Great character development and excellent plot. Parts of this series will make you laugh, cry and rejoice.....it's amazing.
July 17, 2018
Worth reading
A bit corny,especially with references from Monty Python’s Holy Grail,but I liked it.
As a stand alone,it’s pretty thin,but a good prequel to the series.
A bit corny,especially with references from Monty Python’s Holy Grail,but I liked it.
As a stand alone,it’s pretty thin,but a good prequel to the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews