What do you think?
Rate this book
Every kid wanted to be a REV, but very few ever would.
Zac Murphy was the most-badass REV warrior in the Corps. He’d gone on more Runs and killed more aliens than any single Human alive. He’d been one of the early volunteers for the NT-4 Program, which used a powerful performance-enhancing drug to turn ordinary Marines into super killing machines. Affectionately called REV, the drug wasn’t for everyone. Few made it through the screening process, and fewer still into the Fleet.
Zac was the most-senior REV alive, a miracle of science and a legend in the Corps. His job was to be the battering ram for the Marines, the first in while revved up on NT-4. During a Run he was a mindless killing machine, dangerous to both foe and friend alike. That’s why his fellow Marines gave him a wide berth until he could be put down by the Twilight drug. At that point he was somewhat manageable.
But something was happening to Zac. Long after most other REVs were dead, burned out or ‘retired,’ he was growing stronger, more powerful.
He was also doing something else unheard of for a REV on a Run. He was beginning to think.
Zac Murphy was the most-badass REV warrior in the Corps. He’d gone on more Runs and killed more aliens than any single Human alive. He’d been one of the early volunteers for the NT-4 Program, which used a powerful performance-enhancing drug to turn ordinary Marines into super killing machines. Affectionately called REV, the drug wasn’t for everyone. Few made it through the screening process, and fewer still into the Fleet.
Zac was the most-senior REV alive, a miracle of science and a legend in the Corps. His job was to be the battering ram for the Marines, the first in while revved up on NT-4. During a Run he was a mindless killing machine, dangerous to both foe and friend alike. That’s why his fellow Marines gave him a wide berth until he could be put down by the Twilight drug. At that point he was somewhat manageable.
But something was happening to Zac. Long after most other REVs were dead, burned out or ‘retired,’ he was growing stronger, more powerful.
He was also doing something else unheard of for a REV on a Run. He was beginning to think.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 29, 2018
376 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 18, 2018
I’m not really sure what to think about this book. The book blurb did not sound too bad and I have liked the author’s The Human Chronicles series. This book is the first in a new series from T.R. Harris and it was not bad but I am not quite sure that I thought it was really that good either.
The book is written in the same style as The Human Chronicles series which means plenty of action which is good. It is also fairly light reading with an almost “cartoonish” style to the story and the characters which you may or may not like.
What I am not so sure about is the (initial) concept of REV’s. Humans that are drugged up to become superhuman but totally mindless killing machines that rush straight towards the enemy, at least if pointed in the right direction, and slaughters everything in sight totally oblivious to their own injuries. Oh, my leg just got blown off. Well I can still crawl can’t I?
I have a problem with that part on many levels. The inhumanity of it for starters. However, as far as I am concerned, it is also not a viable concept. Come one, any enemy, especially with weapons of the future available to them, would just bring out something that goes boom very loudly and blow these things to pieces, superhuman strength and super armor or not before they even got close.
I also have a few other gripes about the book. In particular this dumb ass colonel Jack Diamond who first provokes a REV episode in our hero and them blames him when, to no one’s but this dum ass’ surprise, shit hits the fan.
Now, having said that the entire book is about the REV’s evolving beyond this out of control berserk mode to a more “ordinary” state of super soldier. Yes I know that sounded crazy but that is exactly what is happening. Unfortunately a third of the book is about the berserk stuff, a third about Zac Murphy learning to control his REV state down on a savage planet for very silly reasons and a third about the new REV teams first mission which makes the book feel like three short stories stitched together.
Of course the REV team do succeed in their first mission. There would not be much story for a second book if they didn’t after all. However, again to no one’s surprise except the dumb ass generals and politicians, the REV team does exactly what they do best which is dealing out destruction. More than previously mentioned dumb asses was expecting. In addition, as usual, their intel was way off.
Thus the book ends on quite a bit of a down note. There are indeed some promise in the story and the action is quite good in the usual T.R. Harris way. I cannot bring myself to give the book more than 3 out of 5 stars though hoping that the next book, if one comes out, will improve on that score.
The book is written in the same style as The Human Chronicles series which means plenty of action which is good. It is also fairly light reading with an almost “cartoonish” style to the story and the characters which you may or may not like.
What I am not so sure about is the (initial) concept of REV’s. Humans that are drugged up to become superhuman but totally mindless killing machines that rush straight towards the enemy, at least if pointed in the right direction, and slaughters everything in sight totally oblivious to their own injuries. Oh, my leg just got blown off. Well I can still crawl can’t I?
I have a problem with that part on many levels. The inhumanity of it for starters. However, as far as I am concerned, it is also not a viable concept. Come one, any enemy, especially with weapons of the future available to them, would just bring out something that goes boom very loudly and blow these things to pieces, superhuman strength and super armor or not before they even got close.
I also have a few other gripes about the book. In particular this dumb ass colonel Jack Diamond who first provokes a REV episode in our hero and them blames him when, to no one’s but this dum ass’ surprise, shit hits the fan.
Now, having said that the entire book is about the REV’s evolving beyond this out of control berserk mode to a more “ordinary” state of super soldier. Yes I know that sounded crazy but that is exactly what is happening. Unfortunately a third of the book is about the berserk stuff, a third about Zac Murphy learning to control his REV state down on a savage planet for very silly reasons and a third about the new REV teams first mission which makes the book feel like three short stories stitched together.
Of course the REV team do succeed in their first mission. There would not be much story for a second book if they didn’t after all. However, again to no one’s surprise except the dumb ass generals and politicians, the REV team does exactly what they do best which is dealing out destruction. More than previously mentioned dumb asses was expecting. In addition, as usual, their intel was way off.
Thus the book ends on quite a bit of a down note. There are indeed some promise in the story and the action is quite good in the usual T.R. Harris way. I cannot bring myself to give the book more than 3 out of 5 stars though hoping that the next book, if one comes out, will improve on that score.
March 1, 2019
Mankind has been suckered, don’t like books like this.
I did enjoy this book, and the storyline. I am not too keen on the main protagonist Zack. Have to follow the next book to see if I will continue to read the series. It seems like humanity has been suckered, don’t like books like that. But I will give the next book a try.
I did enjoy this book, and the storyline. I am not too keen on the main protagonist Zack. Have to follow the next book to see if I will continue to read the series. It seems like humanity has been suckered, don’t like books like that. But I will give the next book a try.
October 17, 2020
Hmm.. Imagine the movie Crank but with a soldier with a heart and body that has started to organically start producing it. Basically go berserk when the need or perceived need is detected.
The first book is like an origin story of sorts but in extra terrestrial politics.
A very interesting premise of alien propaganda that humans once accepted and now are against but which is not true with other alien civilizations.
It is very interesting to see how projection of what is believed to be true can influence society at large to make certain decisions and move in other ways.
The book is enjoyable, the flow is good. The thought that a weapon of mass destruction that just needed to be armed pointed and released suddenly developing control is scary but like how most people look at doctors we often forget the human element and the person just becomes a function.
It was pretty short read but fun. It felt like military had a hold of a team of Deathstalkers (if you haven't read the Deathstalker series highly recommend it).
The first book is like an origin story of sorts but in extra terrestrial politics.
A very interesting premise of alien propaganda that humans once accepted and now are against but which is not true with other alien civilizations.
It is very interesting to see how projection of what is believed to be true can influence society at large to make certain decisions and move in other ways.
The book is enjoyable, the flow is good. The thought that a weapon of mass destruction that just needed to be armed pointed and released suddenly developing control is scary but like how most people look at doctors we often forget the human element and the person just becomes a function.
It was pretty short read but fun. It felt like military had a hold of a team of Deathstalkers (if you haven't read the Deathstalker series highly recommend it).
August 11, 2018
Worth a look
Even with several typos and words misused it was a decent read. A little different take on the super soldier which seems to be so prevalent in books now. Shallow characters but some depth added near the end. Not the constant battle scenes so many are writing but rather trying to put a basis down for the story to move forward in new books.
Even with several typos and words misused it was a decent read. A little different take on the super soldier which seems to be so prevalent in books now. Shallow characters but some depth added near the end. Not the constant battle scenes so many are writing but rather trying to put a basis down for the story to move forward in new books.
July 26, 2025
Good Reading
Not that I’m a big fan of books of war, I found this one to be rather interesting and quite a page turner. It’s interesting to see how other people write about the ongoing saga of the special operations groups throughout the military and what the possibilities could be for future special forces operatives.
Not that I’m a big fan of books of war, I found this one to be rather interesting and quite a page turner. It’s interesting to see how other people write about the ongoing saga of the special operations groups throughout the military and what the possibilities could be for future special forces operatives.
February 8, 2018
REV, book 1
I have read all of this authors series on the Adam Cain series and this new series is just as good. Really happy to see that he is starting a new series. REV is action packed and a great read. Highly recommend this book to all sci-fi readers.
I have read all of this authors series on the Adam Cain series and this new series is just as good. Really happy to see that he is starting a new series. REV is action packed and a great read. Highly recommend this book to all sci-fi readers.
March 9, 2018
Secrets within Secrets
Frankenstein for a new world. Told they were the hero's of the Corp but really a long term experiments! A nice story to start with. Excited for the next book to come out!
Frankenstein for a new world. Told they were the hero's of the Corp but really a long term experiments! A nice story to start with. Excited for the next book to come out!
August 8, 2018
Started slow
The book started out pretty lame and I wasn’t sure if I would finish it, but it picked up nicely and turned out to be a pretty good story. Gonna try the sequel and hope the hell it isn’t one of those 12 book monstrosities.
The book started out pretty lame and I wasn’t sure if I would finish it, but it picked up nicely and turned out to be a pretty good story. Gonna try the sequel and hope the hell it isn’t one of those 12 book monstrosities.
June 26, 2020
A New Blockbuster Series
Along with the Human Chronicles series, Harris continues to entertain us with his firm grasp of action and adventure storytelling. Couldn't put it down. Where's book 2!
Along with the Human Chronicles series, Harris continues to entertain us with his firm grasp of action and adventure storytelling. Couldn't put it down. Where's book 2!
March 23, 2021
Pulp space opera. It features a cartoonish version of the American military with assault plans as complicated as the recipe for boiled water. There's nothing that pushes it into the territory of unreadability, so feel free to knock this one back without remorse.
November 29, 2024
Nice
A well thought out story, with plenty of action and a few plot twist. There is detail in the story elements, which is nice; too many times some of the details don’t match or add up in science fiction, not a problem here. Nice first book of the series.
A well thought out story, with plenty of action and a few plot twist. There is detail in the story elements, which is nice; too many times some of the details don’t match or add up in science fiction, not a problem here. Nice first book of the series.
January 30, 2018
New series of T.R. Harris with all the good things we can find in the Adam Cain Series. Love the books of Harris. What's not to like. :)
February 6, 2018
Robert's Review
Good start on another alien eradication series. Different concept being explored thru the use of NT-4. I look forward to the next book. Thanks for GoodRead.
Good start on another alien eradication series. Different concept being explored thru the use of NT-4. I look forward to the next book. Thanks for GoodRead.
June 12, 2018
Entertaining reading
Very enjoyable. Not high drama but entertaining none the less. It will be interesting to read the next book to see the creation of the next super soldiers
Very enjoyable. Not high drama but entertaining none the less. It will be interesting to read the next book to see the creation of the next super soldiers
June 25, 2018
I loved it! Lots of action and I'm on to the second book in the series!!!
July 19, 2018
A good start
An exciting story that keeps the reader engaged. I found myself wanting more right from the beginning. I'm anxious to see where the story goes.
An exciting story that keeps the reader engaged. I found myself wanting more right from the beginning. I'm anxious to see where the story goes.
February 17, 2019
Solid
Nothing earth shattering in this book but a good, solid, enjoyable adventure. The REVs are almost super human but they didn’t seem over-powered. Decent cliff-hanger ending.
Nothing earth shattering in this book but a good, solid, enjoyable adventure. The REVs are almost super human but they didn’t seem over-powered. Decent cliff-hanger ending.
July 31, 2019
It is a good read
Can't wait to read the next book. I like the characters and setting. Hope the next book is just as good.
Can't wait to read the next book. I like the characters and setting. Hope the next book is just as good.
June 3, 2022
Was a good read.
This was a good book the storyline was good and it was packed with action from front to back .
This was a good book the storyline was good and it was packed with action from front to back .
January 5, 2025
Had possibilities it didn’t live up to
January 28, 2021
Military rank goofs.
Three stars. I called a Gunnery Sergeant, 'Sarge'. Once!
A Master Sergeant became a Sergeant Major and later was referred as a Master Sergeant again.
Overall wasn't that bad.
Three stars. I called a Gunnery Sergeant, 'Sarge'. Once!
A Master Sergeant became a Sergeant Major and later was referred as a Master Sergeant again.
Overall wasn't that bad.
Read
January 30, 2019Love Harris, another good one from him.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews