Mankind's luck has run out... As humanity rushes toward universal slaughter, the last Marine standing in the way of extinction is the least qualified one around — just ask him.
With the conspiracy now fully in power, Lucky & Co. have turned into fugitives within the Empire. As the ranks of the gods close in, one last, desperate gamble is their only chance at survival — they must strike directly at the heart of the Emperor's Guard. Luck may not be on their side this time.
Lucky & Co. are at their over-the-top finest in this third outing, reveling in salty language, violent outbursts, and lucky escapes – even if their fearless leader would rather be dead already.
Gritty. Fast-Paced. Addictive. You'll love this high-octane military sci-fi because it's the love child of "Starship Troopers" and "Jason Bourne."
Feeling Lucky? Buy Lucky Empire today!
Lucky Legacy is the second book in the Lucky’s Marines series.
Lucky Universe — Feb 2018
Lucky Legacy — March 2018 Lucky Empire — April 2018
Lucky Forever — May 2018
Lucky Invasion — June 2018
Lucky Revenge — July 2018
Lucky Justice — Aug 2018
Lucky Bastard — Sept 2018
And don’t miss the free prequel story, LUCKY SHOT, available exclusively at www.LuckyShotBook.com
“I never thought I’d be back here again, on an undefined mission with no clear strategy and no good options. This is everything I thought I hated about being a Marine, and everything I miss about it, too.” The powerful aliens are still around and it seems that they cut a deal will Lucy's Empire....but it may not be the real deal. Lucky & company are branded "enemies of the Empire," so how can this little band prevent the elimination of all humanity when they rendezvous at Old Earth?
Just wanted to note that I detect a vibe from these yarns that reminds me of the stories of Dudley Do-right of the Mounties. Dudley was a not - so - bright player, much like "Lucky" Savage He was always having to rescue Nell, who wasn't into him at all (It was his horse that she cared for. ) Snidely Whiplash was always around to make things difficult. Lucky is always trying to save some body or some thing. The bad guys are always very bad and Dudley....I mean Lucky is always outnumbered and always outgunned. Credit James' writing for keeping it interesting and funny. 4*
Solid jarhead tale that demands little from its audience, save a robust constitution as it delights in brutally descriptive gore. It’s an unapologetically action-packed, destruction-fest, and yet it manages to steer clear of the blatant misogyny and objectification of its peers - sadly that’s actually praiseworthy in this genre.
The plot is generic but the execution is decent and there are no glaringly stupid science blunders - largely because the author wisely focuses on what he does best.
The Empire’s alien tech level managed to build up in the background to a difficult-to-believe level. The number of ships that have been built, soldiers experimented on, weapons deployed… it’s just hard to understand why none of Lucky’s marines had ever seen a trace of it all before the events of Lucky Universe. It’s the only part of the world-building that doesn’t quite hold up for me. Other than that, the universe is great. The small glimpses we get of several alien races are intriguing and unusual. The Frontier Marines are fantastic, with lots of personality both individually and as a whole. I love Lucky and his crew, and April becomes a little bit easier to like this time.
As has been the case since book one, the pacing and action are fantastic. Lucky Empire is relentlessly fast-paced, with lulls just long enough to let you catch your breath without ever getting boring. Ship combat, ground combat, hand-to-hand, shootouts… all of these things are handled with skill and adrenaline-fueled energy. There’s a ton of variety, and lots of half-baked plans that tend to go to Hell as soon as they get rolling. Another new person joins the intrepid group: Hector, a disgraced former marine who’s been leading a life of crime. He’s a fun new character with an interesting background.
All in all I’m really glad I discovered this series. I love military SF, but it can be hard to find really good military SF.
A very good read though it's starting to get a little predictable.
I like the books, but as I said above he's getting a little predictable. He writes about at the end is love for science fiction and how his first book wasn't really researched well but he got his act together. And yes some of the things he writes about makes sense with science and theories black holes and everything else I guess. But it just keeps throwing Lucky in his Marines in these situations, and he never discusses how they recover get resupplied, they're like old westerns they're six shooters never run out of bullets, and three books they've gone all over the universe not once heard about they sat down and had a ham sandwich. Lots of action lots of science but a lot of other things don't connect. I still like the books but I'm just saying he talks about he got all this stuff together and unconnecting Science and getting Publishers and fax Checkers and grammar Checkers and all that but he just kind of says jumping there kill somebody jump through space you can travel or bend time by yourself. They run out of drones but they never run out of energy for their rifles or you never hear about how they get new armor or food.
**** SPOILER ALERT **** I LOVED reading "Lucky Empire: ( Lucky's Marines | Book Three )"!! James has a deft touch with his world building and character development as the story races from one seemingly fatal incident to the next. The action is, as always, non-stop! We even get introduced to Hector, April's Dad. Hector proves the ancient adage "Once A Marine, ALWAYS A Marine". Q: Can Lucky and krew save the Sol system? A: Grab this book and find out. At the time of my reading this installment, James has released a boxset containing Books One through Four, perhaps consider snagging that instead and binge-read the first four books. I'm jumping into Book four as soon as I finish posting this review. I highly recommend this book series to anyone that loves Military Science Fiction and and Space Opera. This review is my own honest opinion.
I got me gripped from page 1 and got into trouble several times with the better half. She wanted to do something and wanted to find out what lucky and his crew where at next lol. Sorry dear i have finished the book for now and lucky for you my battery is about flat. If you want a difficult book to put down then read this and apologise to your other half first even better get some chocolate for them as you won't put this down till you have finished it. If you got the chocolates your ok if not expect trouble. ENJOY A GOOD READ THAT'S DIFFICULT TO PUT DOWN
First of all I have enjoyed all three books of the series, if you have not read them then please do so. You will get engrossed with the characters, the plot, and the humor. I am in Lee awaiting the next book in the series, it is very addictive reading. If you want a Shakespearean sonnet then this book is not for you. But if you want plenty of action fun humor guns Marines or should I say space Marines and AIs you will thoroughly enjoyed this book and the series.
Maybe this time it will end well. Alien battle-forces join with lucky’s crack team of crazy soldiers on a suicide mission to save the galaxy.
This is not a good place to get acquainted with Lucky and crew. It starts in the thick of the action. Without a grounding in the first two books you would be lost. Still it is a worthwhile read. Enjoyed it big time.
If you like non-stop action with just the bare minimum of plot in between, this is the series for you. Lucky and his friends are still trying to save the Empire even though they have been declared traitors to the Empire and have Empire soldiers (under the control of the alien enemy) coming after them. The action is fun and the team dynamic is pretty good, but for me this series has never reached the level of intrigue and excitement that the mystery in the first book provided.
I only got a third of the way through this one. The non-stop action was one thing but the confusion between factions, aliens and organizations was too much for me to follow. It probably won't trouble most readers and the book continues the story in the same style with the same funny cast.