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Col Sec #1
Ronin
In the first of this thrilling sci-fi adventure series, we are introduced to Kurt Stryder, a Special Forces soldier assigned to Col Sec, Colonial Security. Kurt is changed due to his volunteering for an experimental program he was told would change the military forever.
This puts him in the path of an enemy that will stop at nothing to obtain what they consider to be the key to controlling the galaxy. With this new threat, Kurt has to decide whether to remain a pawn of his government or to become a soldier with no master, a Ronin.
This puts him in the path of an enemy that will stop at nothing to obtain what they consider to be the key to controlling the galaxy. With this new threat, Kurt has to decide whether to remain a pawn of his government or to become a soldier with no master, a Ronin.
325 pages, ebook
First published October 12, 2010
22 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 19, 2015
2.5
*Book source ~ A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
It’s the 25th century and Kurt Stryder is a Captain in Recon Delta, the special forces of Colonial Security or Col Sec. He and three other men have volunteered for a project that in the right hands could help many people, but in the wrong hands could be used as a devastating weapon. When Kurt is the only survivor of the experiment the project is abandoned. However, he didn’t just survive. His transformation was a success. Now he’s fighting to stay out of enemy hands as well as prevent his life from being hijacked by his own government. Who will win the battle?
The premise behind this book was a darn good one. Who doesn’t like a good futuristic yarn about super soldiers? Unfortunately, this one failed to wow me. The plot is excellent, but the characters could use more definition. They seemed a bit two-dimensional. Plus, Kurt is too much of a badass. Someone who is nearly indestructible and strikes fear into the hearts of everyone is not cool, it’s boring. Remember what Qui-Gon Jinn said in Phantom Menace? “There’s always a bigger fish.” Believe me when I say, unless the character is named Q, I do not want to read about an omnipotent person. Yes, I just referenced Star Wars *and* Star Trek. I happen to love both. Get over it.
In addition, the writing is mediocre. Over explaining is a constant, certain sentences appear to be favorites as they are repeated frequently and dialogue is stilted. There are also passages that are awkwardly worded and there are a few plot points that make no sense. Since this story revolves around the military, I have to mention that the portrayal of how the military is run is unrealistic even if it is futuristic. I had a hard time with the way the soldiers talked (there’s those dialogue issues again) and no matter how fictional, I just can’t accept a Marine as a marine or being called a soldier. As a wife and mother to Marines I just can’t acknowledge that. It’s a personal thing.
Finally, for all that’s holy (mainly chocolate, tea and books), both cases of insta-love needs to be dropped. Seriously. They are not only ridiculous in the extreme, but I rolled my eyes so hard at them both that I hurt myself. There was zero build up for any kind of romance and it felt as if they were shoehorned in to add a romantic element. No. Just, no.
*Book source ~ A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
It’s the 25th century and Kurt Stryder is a Captain in Recon Delta, the special forces of Colonial Security or Col Sec. He and three other men have volunteered for a project that in the right hands could help many people, but in the wrong hands could be used as a devastating weapon. When Kurt is the only survivor of the experiment the project is abandoned. However, he didn’t just survive. His transformation was a success. Now he’s fighting to stay out of enemy hands as well as prevent his life from being hijacked by his own government. Who will win the battle?
The premise behind this book was a darn good one. Who doesn’t like a good futuristic yarn about super soldiers? Unfortunately, this one failed to wow me. The plot is excellent, but the characters could use more definition. They seemed a bit two-dimensional. Plus, Kurt is too much of a badass. Someone who is nearly indestructible and strikes fear into the hearts of everyone is not cool, it’s boring. Remember what Qui-Gon Jinn said in Phantom Menace? “There’s always a bigger fish.” Believe me when I say, unless the character is named Q, I do not want to read about an omnipotent person. Yes, I just referenced Star Wars *and* Star Trek. I happen to love both. Get over it.
In addition, the writing is mediocre. Over explaining is a constant, certain sentences appear to be favorites as they are repeated frequently and dialogue is stilted. There are also passages that are awkwardly worded and there are a few plot points that make no sense. Since this story revolves around the military, I have to mention that the portrayal of how the military is run is unrealistic even if it is futuristic. I had a hard time with the way the soldiers talked (there’s those dialogue issues again) and no matter how fictional, I just can’t accept a Marine as a marine or being called a soldier. As a wife and mother to Marines I just can’t acknowledge that. It’s a personal thing.
Finally, for all that’s holy (mainly chocolate, tea and books), both cases of insta-love needs to be dropped. Seriously. They are not only ridiculous in the extreme, but I rolled my eyes so hard at them both that I hurt myself. There was zero build up for any kind of romance and it felt as if they were shoehorned in to add a romantic element. No. Just, no.
December 7, 2018
Disappointing
Narrative explanations would've worked a whole lot better than the Q&A conversations the characters had. Those types of questions would've been trained out of them at boot camp let alone "elite" soldiers. It did the opposite of character building.
Narrative explanations would've worked a whole lot better than the Q&A conversations the characters had. Those types of questions would've been trained out of them at boot camp let alone "elite" soldiers. It did the opposite of character building.
March 25, 2019
RECOMMENDED
Ronin, the first book of a series, is a military action adventure.
Overall well done; a few things a military professional probably
would not do, but it moved the story forward. I will be looking
for book 2.
Ronin, the first book of a series, is a military action adventure.
Overall well done; a few things a military professional probably
would not do, but it moved the story forward. I will be looking
for book 2.
November 24, 2018
Hardy
Why did Hardy have to die, that just totally killed the story. She should have been made to take the serum in secret when they went to destroy it in the lab.
Why did Hardy have to die, that just totally killed the story. She should have been made to take the serum in secret when they went to destroy it in the lab.
March 17, 2019
Not so good
Simple spy vs spy stuff. Not even that well written. No character development, no twists, and nothing special. I'm done.
Simple spy vs spy stuff. Not even that well written. No character development, no twists, and nothing special. I'm done.
April 29, 2019
Interesting story. Thrilling read. Awesome characters. Perfect? Nope. But still a damn fine book.
June 1, 2020
An intriguing storyline
This book has lots of action and intrigue. With interesting characters and a good storyline it is well worth reading
This book has lots of action and intrigue. With interesting characters and a good storyline it is well worth reading
October 30, 2017
If you want to read a book with plenty of action then you’ve found it in Ronin. After a short foreword which lets the reader know where and when the book takes place, it is straight into the heart of the story with the Prologue which caught my attention immediately. It gave just enough information to make me want to find out what was going on and the first Chapter didn’t disappoint. And so it continued with plenty of action in the form of fist and gun fights throughout the book.
I really liked some of the techy ideas, the most interesting of them being the Neural Interface which enabled communication directly to the brain rather than via a phone or screen. I don’t want to give too much away so I can’t give specifics, but I found the situation that the main character, Kurt Stryder, found himself in to be though-provoking and the ethical dilemma he finds himself dealing with was an interesting and unexpected level to the story.
It was suspenseful and the action sequences appeared believable. It did surprise me at one point, but I can’t tell you why because it would spoil the story for you when you read it. There are no aliens in this story so it would also suit those who are not particular sci-fi fans but just like a good action adventure.
This first book was a great way to introduce the character who I presume will be the main focus of the other books in the series. I would certainly recommend Ronin and look forward to finding out what is in store for him in the following books.
May 9, 2014
I bought all 4 of the Col Sec series when I heard about these when a friend told me about them. I'm glad I did because they are fast-paced and set closely together in a timeline that left me wanting to dive into the next book immediately.
This is just the first and we are introduced to Kurt, who undergoes a transformation which leaves him in a unique postion to be a super-soldier. He explores his new abilities while contemplating the greater implications to his world if knowledge of what he was now capable of got out.
Kurt is a well developed character who is not only tall and handsome, but intelligent and insightful. He instantly became one of my favorite leading characters along with others like Jack Ryan. I see great promise with Kurt in future novels.
The world and settings are both uncomplicated and very believable while still being futuristic and were a perfect complement to the story. I felt right at home.
My only complaint was the book ended too soon and I wanted to see more right away.
There is a bit of everything in this book - high action, fast pace, military, some space & technology, strong characters, and even a girl to threaten to throw a monkey wrench into things. There is all of this while leaving you thinking, "Hey, this could happen..."
This is just the first and we are introduced to Kurt, who undergoes a transformation which leaves him in a unique postion to be a super-soldier. He explores his new abilities while contemplating the greater implications to his world if knowledge of what he was now capable of got out.
Kurt is a well developed character who is not only tall and handsome, but intelligent and insightful. He instantly became one of my favorite leading characters along with others like Jack Ryan. I see great promise with Kurt in future novels.
The world and settings are both uncomplicated and very believable while still being futuristic and were a perfect complement to the story. I felt right at home.
My only complaint was the book ended too soon and I wanted to see more right away.
There is a bit of everything in this book - high action, fast pace, military, some space & technology, strong characters, and even a girl to threaten to throw a monkey wrench into things. There is all of this while leaving you thinking, "Hey, this could happen..."
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews