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Green Zone War #1
Rumors of War
Out of the frying pan … Tom Thrush thinks Basic Officer Training is tough – until he joins the frigate Kestrel and finds out what tough really means. The crew resents him. The First Officer is actively hostile. As the ship hunts pirates in deep space Tom struggles to fit in and wonders if things can get any worse. They can. And into the fire of interstellar war A devastating attack leaves the ship crippled with half the crew dead or dying. The senior officers are wiped out, leaving a terrified sublieutenant in the last place he wants to be. In command.
373 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 20, 2018
214 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 25, 2018
Mediocre, takes a while to get going. When it does it’s not really gripping.
Space combat takes place a matter of a few kilometres away and seemingly using visual aiming.
Light speed weapons like lasers miss ships just 50km away but manage to destroy small missiles with ease.
Despite all the cosmic radiation you’d encounter in space radiation shielding seems non existent.
A few errors in the writing, missing words etc that should have been caught if properly proof read.
Going to read the second, but not holding out much hope of improvement.
Space combat takes place a matter of a few kilometres away and seemingly using visual aiming.
Light speed weapons like lasers miss ships just 50km away but manage to destroy small missiles with ease.
Despite all the cosmic radiation you’d encounter in space radiation shielding seems non existent.
A few errors in the writing, missing words etc that should have been caught if properly proof read.
Going to read the second, but not holding out much hope of improvement.
March 24, 2018
Worth a read, expecting more of this series
February 2, 2019
Nottttt what I was hoping for. Returning.
February 8, 2020
An unhealthy disdain for the main character's autonomy
The title/one line summary I'm giving to this series (as a whole) may seem a little harsh. Just know that it comes from a place of true endearment and not of spite. This is a good series that could've been great if it did not have one crippling problem.
So what's the problem?
Tom Thrush is entirely too passive, to the point that he becomes a secondary character in a story centred on him. This is a useless critique in and of itself because it doesn't make the problem any easier to understand. Instead let me point to two generalisations that will more accurately describe the situation.
1. Tom Thrust knows nothing.
In a very literal sense this isn't true, Tom may have started out as an inexperienced spacer but by the end of the 5th novel he is a capable officer. Yet my critique still holds. Tom's character (knowledge and personality) plays an almost none existent role in the events of the 5 novels. Everything he knows, is also known by his surrounding teammates to an even more intimate degree and much of his role as "captain" could be boiled down to "sitting confidently and not letting anger cloud his judgement". Which in effect means that for much of the story Tom does nothing except stress about the situation he is in.
This is only made worse by the small bursts of ingenuity and actual leadership shown by Tom because it shows that Elwood knows how to make his main character act.
2. Tom isn't required
This is a natural result of the first problem above. Since Tom doesn't have anything (personality or knowledge wise) that distinguishes him from the his peers, he is in effect not required for the mission to succeed. Other than some lip service to the contrary, there is nothing to suggest that the story wouldn't continue exactly the same with another person elected to lead.
Again infuriatingly, Elwood knows how to make someone crucial to the story and for an example you don't have to look any further than Alice. Whenever she's the POV, she knows and does things that only her character in that situation would do - it doesn't always make the situation better, but the subsequent events hang of her every movement. If only Tom had 10% of the action given to Alice, I would be satisfied.
To conclude, this is by no means a bad series, however it isn't great either, it's middling at best. It honestly reads like a story about Alice with context given by Tom. I think Elwood should've realised the character he was most interested in writing about was Alice and just thrown the farce of Tom away, I think that would've been a better series in the end.
If you are looking for a series that does the whole "captain of a warship" trope well, here's my recommendation: Dauntless by Jack Campbell
The title/one line summary I'm giving to this series (as a whole) may seem a little harsh. Just know that it comes from a place of true endearment and not of spite. This is a good series that could've been great if it did not have one crippling problem.
So what's the problem?
Tom Thrush is entirely too passive, to the point that he becomes a secondary character in a story centred on him. This is a useless critique in and of itself because it doesn't make the problem any easier to understand. Instead let me point to two generalisations that will more accurately describe the situation.
1. Tom Thrust knows nothing.
In a very literal sense this isn't true, Tom may have started out as an inexperienced spacer but by the end of the 5th novel he is a capable officer. Yet my critique still holds. Tom's character (knowledge and personality) plays an almost none existent role in the events of the 5 novels. Everything he knows, is also known by his surrounding teammates to an even more intimate degree and much of his role as "captain" could be boiled down to "sitting confidently and not letting anger cloud his judgement". Which in effect means that for much of the story Tom does nothing except stress about the situation he is in.
This is only made worse by the small bursts of ingenuity and actual leadership shown by Tom because it shows that Elwood knows how to make his main character act.
2. Tom isn't required
This is a natural result of the first problem above. Since Tom doesn't have anything (personality or knowledge wise) that distinguishes him from the his peers, he is in effect not required for the mission to succeed. Other than some lip service to the contrary, there is nothing to suggest that the story wouldn't continue exactly the same with another person elected to lead.
Again infuriatingly, Elwood knows how to make someone crucial to the story and for an example you don't have to look any further than Alice. Whenever she's the POV, she knows and does things that only her character in that situation would do - it doesn't always make the situation better, but the subsequent events hang of her every movement. If only Tom had 10% of the action given to Alice, I would be satisfied.
To conclude, this is by no means a bad series, however it isn't great either, it's middling at best. It honestly reads like a story about Alice with context given by Tom. I think Elwood should've realised the character he was most interested in writing about was Alice and just thrown the farce of Tom away, I think that would've been a better series in the end.
If you are looking for a series that does the whole "captain of a warship" trope well, here's my recommendation: Dauntless by Jack Campbell
April 6, 2020
Tom Thrush is just an ordinary guy (well sort of, he is actually of Cree background, which earns him a lot of disrespect from some people in the book), with one little flaw, he has a bit of an anger issue, and goes into a beserker rage when he gets fired up. Unfortunately, one day, when he is at Uni, and a protester gets in his face, it turns ugly, and Tom loses his temper, after he is punched, he beats a man very badly. He is given a choice, several years in prison, or the Military. Not wanting to just be a grunt, Tom decides to join the Navy, becoming an officer. Here, he learns a lot of things, meets a lot of great people, one of the things her learns is how to control his anger, to use it as a skill for him.
The first part of the book covers Tom going through the Academy, and I have to say, although there where a lot of the standard elements (you just can’t avoid some things!), there was a good variant in this story to actually make the training sequence a bit of a stand-out to the normal training sequences that you read in this type of book. Again, his Cree background made for some interesting sequences, although, this has been done before in other books as well. It was done well in this book though, the writer actually handled it like things would be done.
Eventually Tom is posted aboard a Frigate, the Kestrel, ready for duty.
There is the usual time aboard as he settles in, and as one comes to expect from this type of book, there is a major incident that wipes out the majority of the senior crew, leaving only Thrush alive (or capable of operating), in the line of command. The Kestrel is in total disarray, left floating, and multiple potential threats.
The situation that killed the crew was somewhat unique, and rather clever for a change.
As the new Captain, Thrush is left with a choice, continue on with a damaged ship to finish their mission, or run back home. Their dreaded enemy, that they are meant to have a tentative truce with, the Dawn Alliance, is active, but Tom decides it is too important not to complete their mission, against the wishes of some of the other officers still alive, but Tom is Captain.
What follows (without giving too much away), is several rather harried sets of ‘missions’ as the crew completes one set of goals after another, before returning to friendly space.
As a lot of reviews point out, yes this has been done before, as a lot of books have in the Mil-Sci-Fi Genre, but it is ‘HOW’ they are done that counts. And Elwood has done a fantastic job of writing a great Main Character, with a lot of really exceptional side characters that work well with him. The story is outstanding, well written, a lot of fun to read, and has some great elements to it. I really look forward to reading part 2.
The first part of the book covers Tom going through the Academy, and I have to say, although there where a lot of the standard elements (you just can’t avoid some things!), there was a good variant in this story to actually make the training sequence a bit of a stand-out to the normal training sequences that you read in this type of book. Again, his Cree background made for some interesting sequences, although, this has been done before in other books as well. It was done well in this book though, the writer actually handled it like things would be done.
Eventually Tom is posted aboard a Frigate, the Kestrel, ready for duty.
There is the usual time aboard as he settles in, and as one comes to expect from this type of book, there is a major incident that wipes out the majority of the senior crew, leaving only Thrush alive (or capable of operating), in the line of command. The Kestrel is in total disarray, left floating, and multiple potential threats.
The situation that killed the crew was somewhat unique, and rather clever for a change.
As the new Captain, Thrush is left with a choice, continue on with a damaged ship to finish their mission, or run back home. Their dreaded enemy, that they are meant to have a tentative truce with, the Dawn Alliance, is active, but Tom decides it is too important not to complete their mission, against the wishes of some of the other officers still alive, but Tom is Captain.
What follows (without giving too much away), is several rather harried sets of ‘missions’ as the crew completes one set of goals after another, before returning to friendly space.
As a lot of reviews point out, yes this has been done before, as a lot of books have in the Mil-Sci-Fi Genre, but it is ‘HOW’ they are done that counts. And Elwood has done a fantastic job of writing a great Main Character, with a lot of really exceptional side characters that work well with him. The story is outstanding, well written, a lot of fun to read, and has some great elements to it. I really look forward to reading part 2.
November 27, 2022
(3.50 Stars)
I have to be completely honest... I thought really hard about how I should rate this book, and I am trying to weigh it on it's own merits and not compare it to other, similar, books I've read. Space Adventure is probably my "go-to" genre, and I've read both, the excellent The Expanse series by the writing team of James S.A. Corey, and the wonderfully written Golden Age of the Solar Clipper series by Nathan Lowell. I don't know if I am more critical because of my familiarity with the genre, or if I give it more of a chance because I can see (predict) where it is going?
This book is a fun little adventure, which sets the stage for a much larger series. It is easy to see where (I think) this series will go, because it follows the tropes common in this genre, but is written well enough to be entertaining and even offer fresh takes on its journey.
I do like this book, and have already started the second book in the series. The characters are well written and the dialog is really good. I'm "reading" the Audio book version narrated by Jonathan McClain and he is excellent with giving each of the characters their own voice. The major factions in the book are explained when introduced and backstory is given with appropriate timing and foreshadowing within the book. The main character is likeable enough (more on that later), and a few of the supporting characters seem to be building in importance.
The "bad" is common in a lot of books, not just in this genre... I get the whole bad guy turned good trope and loser to winner plot... but there is a fine line between establishing a rebellious righteousness and just rewarding bad behavior. In my opinion, this book didn't do a good job of this, but with several more books in the series I am hopeful that the characters start to grow, instead of just changing at appropriate times.
Again, I don't want to be too harsh in my criticism. This book is enjoyable if you like Space Drama/Adventure.
I have to be completely honest... I thought really hard about how I should rate this book, and I am trying to weigh it on it's own merits and not compare it to other, similar, books I've read. Space Adventure is probably my "go-to" genre, and I've read both, the excellent The Expanse series by the writing team of James S.A. Corey, and the wonderfully written Golden Age of the Solar Clipper series by Nathan Lowell. I don't know if I am more critical because of my familiarity with the genre, or if I give it more of a chance because I can see (predict) where it is going?
This book is a fun little adventure, which sets the stage for a much larger series. It is easy to see where (I think) this series will go, because it follows the tropes common in this genre, but is written well enough to be entertaining and even offer fresh takes on its journey.
I do like this book, and have already started the second book in the series. The characters are well written and the dialog is really good. I'm "reading" the Audio book version narrated by Jonathan McClain and he is excellent with giving each of the characters their own voice. The major factions in the book are explained when introduced and backstory is given with appropriate timing and foreshadowing within the book. The main character is likeable enough (more on that later), and a few of the supporting characters seem to be building in importance.
The "bad" is common in a lot of books, not just in this genre... I get the whole bad guy turned good trope and loser to winner plot... but there is a fine line between establishing a rebellious righteousness and just rewarding bad behavior. In my opinion, this book didn't do a good job of this, but with several more books in the series I am hopeful that the characters start to grow, instead of just changing at appropriate times.
Again, I don't want to be too harsh in my criticism. This book is enjoyable if you like Space Drama/Adventure.
October 23, 2021
Introduces a character, loses a character, so that's annoying I imagine them randomly being intrinsic at some point but I doubt it. He brought one back only to mention who she was just for her to promptly disappear again. I read a space book that dealt with the physics of space battles and it ruined me for these simple battles, also there's no weird communication work around which feels odd because he used the internet randomly one time aboard a small craft so... Not really sure what's going on there. but still started and listened straight through while sitting on five other books I'm muddling through so it was exactly what I wanted. I like how he really needed therapy but instead they just keep putting him in high pressure situations and punishing him for making the same mistakes. Now he has grown so no more crazy guy, I'll miss him. Here's hoping the series is as good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2018
Awesome science fiction
This writer gets that the heart of any story, even military science fiction is the character set, the interactions, their motivations and their reactions. These characters are real. Their emotions are real. I think that it would be difficult to not care about the outcomes of their decisions.
The writing is very welcome after some other space opera/military sf, whose writers take those labels as a license to write drivel, usually jingoistic and often misogynistic.
The tech seems well thought out. The action is well thought out and very tense. The social and military organization is logical and provides a decent background to the story. I am looking forward to reading more of this series.
This writer gets that the heart of any story, even military science fiction is the character set, the interactions, their motivations and their reactions. These characters are real. Their emotions are real. I think that it would be difficult to not care about the outcomes of their decisions.
The writing is very welcome after some other space opera/military sf, whose writers take those labels as a license to write drivel, usually jingoistic and often misogynistic.
The tech seems well thought out. The action is well thought out and very tense. The social and military organization is logical and provides a decent background to the story. I am looking forward to reading more of this series.
September 30, 2021
This is an excellent start to what could become a classic military space opera series. A slow detailed build up to a gritty and action packed last third make this a very satisfying read. It follows Tom Thrush from a raw recruit who only joins the navy to avoid prison to a capable if inexperienced acting Captain. The story is excellent and is backed up by some engrossing writing. I read this in one session and was fully involved in the story throughout. I hope this series keeps up this standard and, I have already bought the next one in anticipation of that. Great characters with issues and attitude. Some quite emotional scenes and a super climax. The narration really enhances the story giving it depth and emotion. I loved it and highly recommend it
February 28, 2023
Nice writing, but the author simply does not understand the scale of a planetary system - half the distance to the moon is .. marginall for the ship's sensors LOL.
Probably none whatsoever scientific background. He heard some stuff and then made up things: Searching for incoming spaceships with the.. eyeball, ships just entering the system ...hundreds(!) of kilometres away, space storms a couple of kilometres away...
The guy has had a divorce with science classes at highschool, somebody must have told him about the real scale of the universe and he thought he was pulling his leg, LOL. Or just asked a sailor friend of him for sea scenes info, and transferred everything from sea to space, including the distances. Once a cheater... LOL
Probably none whatsoever scientific background. He heard some stuff and then made up things: Searching for incoming spaceships with the.. eyeball, ships just entering the system ...hundreds(!) of kilometres away, space storms a couple of kilometres away...
The guy has had a divorce with science classes at highschool, somebody must have told him about the real scale of the universe and he thought he was pulling his leg, LOL. Or just asked a sailor friend of him for sea scenes info, and transferred everything from sea to space, including the distances. Once a cheater... LOL
March 8, 2023
Elwood, Jake. Rumors of War. Kindle, 2018. Green Zone 4 1.
Horatio Hornblower is the gift that keeps on giving to military science fiction. Jake Elwood’s Rumors of War sticks close to the model. We follow Tom Thrush, a young man of Cree heritage, through the military academy to his first posting as an officer on the frigate Kestrel. The Kestrel sets out to fight pirates but soon finds itself in an unannounced three-party war. When a sneak attack wipes out the bridge officers, young Tom finds himself in command. Rumors of War is not the worst Hornblower space opera I have read, but David Weber has nothing to fear from Elwood. 3.5 stars.
Horatio Hornblower is the gift that keeps on giving to military science fiction. Jake Elwood’s Rumors of War sticks close to the model. We follow Tom Thrush, a young man of Cree heritage, through the military academy to his first posting as an officer on the frigate Kestrel. The Kestrel sets out to fight pirates but soon finds itself in an unannounced three-party war. When a sneak attack wipes out the bridge officers, young Tom finds himself in command. Rumors of War is not the worst Hornblower space opera I have read, but David Weber has nothing to fear from Elwood. 3.5 stars.
September 23, 2020
Good start to the series
Military Sci-fi at it's best, after finding himself in trouble with the law he's given the opportunity to join the military or go to jail he opts for the space navy and his troubles begin. Sadistic trainers impossible targets it just keeps getting worse then he's sent into space and things start to fall into place. Action adventure new responsibility and epic battles make this book well worth reading can't wait to see what the next one brings, Baz.
Military Sci-fi at it's best, after finding himself in trouble with the law he's given the opportunity to join the military or go to jail he opts for the space navy and his troubles begin. Sadistic trainers impossible targets it just keeps getting worse then he's sent into space and things start to fall into place. Action adventure new responsibility and epic battles make this book well worth reading can't wait to see what the next one brings, Baz.
October 1, 2020
The author does a very good job of Creating Characters for this series. The plot for "Rumors of War" is exciting and very entertaining. This book of the Crew and the ship "Kestrel", and "Captain" Tom Thrush, sets up a very good Tale that will continue on in the Series. Read and Enjoy, this is a very Good read. Santa Mike
October 3, 2020
Another true military sci fi story. This follows a future person on the journey of joining the military officer corps from basic training to their first assignment. A lil slow to start but a twist about a third into the story really starts the excitement rolling that you want to find out what's next. A continuing series
April 8, 2022
More fiction than science, we have the classic tale of imposter syndrome as an inexperienced, and frankly whiny whelp, is thrust, conveniently into leadership. Thankfully, he’s surrounded by far more qualified subordinates.
It’s not a bad tale, and it’s reasonably well written; but I find the 1930s style science lazy and off putting, and the protagonist unsympathetic.
It’s not a bad tale, and it’s reasonably well written; but I find the 1930s style science lazy and off putting, and the protagonist unsympathetic.
May 31, 2022
27. I had read a review of the book which mentioned that the reader felt that the main protagonist Tom Thrush didn’t actually do anything and that none the actions described happened because of anything inherently part of Tom’s character.
However I don’t agree with that for a number of reasons and I found this book to be really quite enjoyable and could recommend to the normal crew.
However I don’t agree with that for a number of reasons and I found this book to be really quite enjoyable and could recommend to the normal crew.
May 17, 2020
Solid character growth. The main character isn't a perfect super hero, they have flaws and are faced with them at multiple points through the story, but by the end, by going through the fire and at times failing, he get's stronger. By the end you can look back and see progress.
September 30, 2020
Recommended
"Rumors of War" is book one of the Green Zone War series. A young officer has to take command
of his ship when all of the senior officers and half of the crew are killed in the first battle of the
Green Zone War. Looks to be a great series.
"Rumors of War" is book one of the Green Zone War series. A young officer has to take command
of his ship when all of the senior officers and half of the crew are killed in the first battle of the
Green Zone War. Looks to be a great series.
October 1, 2020
Enjoyable read.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters are complex personalities, throughly believable. The story line is good, with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. I bought the sequel before I finished this one.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters are complex personalities, throughly believable. The story line is good, with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. I bought the sequel before I finished this one.
October 4, 2020
This book is the first one I have finished in the last five I have started. I have lost interest in the other four and not finished them but this one held my interest. In fact I have not even listed the others here.
February 24, 2022
Not bad, but nothing special either. Could be any generic SYFY-channel ’scifi’ series’ script.
Unlikely hero overcomes impossible odds. Again.
Honestly, I can’t remember much else about it, but I’ve read worse.
Unlikely hero overcomes impossible odds. Again.
Honestly, I can’t remember much else about it, but I’ve read worse.
November 4, 2025
This short space-opera was unexceptional, unobjectionable, and by the numbers. On the other hand, the grammar was good, the plot well paced. and the protagonist sympathetic/relatable.
I'll be reading a little more to see if the author wants to show us something original.
I'll be reading a little more to see if the author wants to show us something original.
May 6, 2018
Very good
This book was an easy read. The plot flowed with good high points and some dramatically tense sections. I hop you enjoy it,as much as I did.
This book was an easy read. The plot flowed with good high points and some dramatically tense sections. I hop you enjoy it,as much as I did.
August 9, 2018
Enjoyable
This was enjoyable and built well through to the end with the main character also growing with the story. Worth a read.
This was enjoyable and built well through to the end with the main character also growing with the story. Worth a read.
February 20, 2020
Slow start building the world. Stock standard space opera that looks like it has potential in future books. I liked it.
Not a book I would read .. its audiobook material.
Not a book I would read .. its audiobook material.
October 4, 2020
Enjoyable
Interesting from the start. The story centers on the growth of the main character instead of war and fighting. I just bought book two.
Interesting from the start. The story centers on the growth of the main character instead of war and fighting. I just bought book two.
July 23, 2021
特别俗套，就刚听那个改剧的男主角也是类似的情节，男主角也很奇怪，性格特别薄，导致给他写的很俗套的台词都不像这个角色能说出来的……但因为很薄所以也不是特别讨厌？这个一共五本也是免费的，接着听听。
January 6, 2022
If you like space navy Sci Fi this is a fun one. It didn't quite enough content for me to give it five stars, but for a straight forward story this is good. I'll read book two.
April 8, 2022
Great scifi series
September 8, 2025
no plot, just a narrative of daily life. didnt help my interest. dnf
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews