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The Revelations Cycle #9
CASPer Alamo
**Two new stories in one volume!**
CASPers—Combat Assault Systems, Personal—are the lords of the future battlefield. The massive mechs were created to give humanity an edge against the rest of the mercenary forces in the Galactic Union.
Just like today’s tanks, though, massive amounts of armor and weaponry just make the CASPers “hard to kill,” not “invulnerable.” There are things in the galaxy even stronger than the CASPer, and when Humans run up against them, it’s up to the Human inside to figure out a way to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
“CASPer Alamo” includes two new stories by Eric S. Brown and Jason Brannon, loosely recreating the Battles of the Alamo and Isandlwana on a galactic scale. When all seems lost, it’s up to the mech operator to save the day!
CASPers—Combat Assault Systems, Personal—are the lords of the future battlefield. The massive mechs were created to give humanity an edge against the rest of the mercenary forces in the Galactic Union.
Just like today’s tanks, though, massive amounts of armor and weaponry just make the CASPers “hard to kill,” not “invulnerable.” There are things in the galaxy even stronger than the CASPer, and when Humans run up against them, it’s up to the Human inside to figure out a way to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
“CASPer Alamo” includes two new stories by Eric S. Brown and Jason Brannon, loosely recreating the Battles of the Alamo and Isandlwana on a galactic scale. When all seems lost, it’s up to the mech operator to save the day!
- GenresScience Fiction
262 pages, Paperback
First published January 30, 2018
191 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Eric S. Brown
273 books115 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 18, 2019
I obtained this book through the Kindle Unlimited program.
Recently, I became aware of just how far behind I was on this series, so I've been obtaining a LOT of these books via KU. And that contributes, perhaps, to a small bit of confusion I have as to where these two stories fall in the timeline. That may not make any difference, in terms of the story arc. This IS, after all, Book 9 of the Revelations Cycle, which makes it relatively recent. The subject matter, however, makes me associate this with the Alpha Contracts. But I think it's more recent.
A WORD ABOUT SPOILERS: First of all, the book is given the TITLE “CASPer Alamo.” Secondly, the blurb states that the stories re-create the Battles of the Alamo and Isandlwana. Therefore, I'm not sure that 'spoilers' really exist for this book. Maybe for a particular character? I'm not gonna beat this to death. I just don't want anyone pretesting that I gave too much away.
With respect to those particular battles: I recently watched John Wayne's 1960 budget buster “The Alamo,” comparing it to my memories of earlier views. I started school in San Antonio in 1959, so the Alamo was a part of my childhood. As a result of that recent viewing, I found myself comparing the behavior of the characters in the first story, and was pleased to discover that there is no significant carry-over. However, a different movie led me astray for the second story, as I had the Battle of Rorke's Drift in mind from a somewhat recent viewing of 1964's “Zulu” with Michael Caine. Well, that's NOT the right battle; The Battle of Isandlwana, which immediately preceded Rorke's Drift, was very different, and had a very different outcome. O, brave new world, in which we live, where I can switch between my book and unleash my google-fu, without leaving the comfort of my chair!
The first story, “CASPer Alamo,” is the story of mercenary unit Bowie's Marauders, under the command of cigar-chomping Colonel Travis, aided by Major Bowie, and yes, Bowie DOES have a big honken knife he keeps close by and sharpens when he needs to think. His company has a contract to defend the colonists of Durin II, a religious commune who intended to support themselves by mining. However, something has been eating the miners, and for safety, everyone has withdrawn to the fortress-compound known as the Sanctuary.
The local security force, under the leadership of Commander Neill, is not equipped to deal with the threat, and are significantly undermanned as well. Although Neill was delighted to have the Marauders hired, the high-handed manner in which Col. Travis treats him brings them into conflict.
Legendary fighter/trader David Crockett is on the scene, and not likely to be leaving, either, his ship having broken a critical part.
Everybody is on their last chance. Bowie's Marauders are about to be seized by creditors. The colonists have no hope of survival, much less prosperity. Crockett either gets the part he needs, or his traveling days are over.
And so they all hunker down to wait on the attack, hoping they have enough to keep the monsters at bay.
The second story, “Devils,” is also a 'mining-enterprise-gone-bad' story. That's a reasonably inevitable outcome, as the story is based on the first battle in the war between the Zulu and the British, and the reason behind the British (and the other European nations) colonization of Africa was primarily driven by the mineral wealth found there.
The main merc group is the Hellhounds, lead by Colonel Hendershot, appear to be a rough-and-ready group; the primary POV character is Lt. Rai, a highly competent CASPer pilot. Robert's Guard, on the other hand, is a spit-and-polish unit with shiny CASPers and strict discipline. They are led by Colonel Robert, who appears to have a stick inserted in places sticks shouldn't come near, and infantry commander Drake, a nasty, highly efficient killer.
Their opponents seem to be pitiful. True, they have overcome previous expeditions, but they aren't taken seriously by the CASPer-equipped units, since they don't appear to have progressed beyond stone-tipped spears and arrows. There ARE some reports that they possess unusual strength, but the prospect of facing pre-industrial warriors with the modern weapons and defenses of the CASPer units seems laughable.
So much so, that at least one of the troops is suffering a crisis of conscience about the ethics of this mission. Unlike prior contracts, in which she could at least see her role as defeating an armed, hostile ruler, oppressing his people, she clearly sees that this mission is nothing more than a blunt grab for resources, and that the lives of the natives aren't a factor, since they are so primitive. To her credit, she rejects that appraisal. But she goes along with the mission, anyway, with the intention of quitting when this one is over. She has a special reason for this course of action, and I'm not going to tell you what it is.
There are several nice sources of conflict in the story: the friction between the leadership of the teams, the personal animosity felt for Drake by Hellhounds Lt. Rai, and the tension between Rai and Kylie, when Kylie reveals her doubts. All of that pretty much is forgotten, as soon as they encounter the natives of the planet, the devils of the title. I shall close the door on further consideration; saying only that emergency evacuation from a contested landing zone presents one of the most suspenseful scenes you'll read.
Recently, I became aware of just how far behind I was on this series, so I've been obtaining a LOT of these books via KU. And that contributes, perhaps, to a small bit of confusion I have as to where these two stories fall in the timeline. That may not make any difference, in terms of the story arc. This IS, after all, Book 9 of the Revelations Cycle, which makes it relatively recent. The subject matter, however, makes me associate this with the Alpha Contracts. But I think it's more recent.
A WORD ABOUT SPOILERS: First of all, the book is given the TITLE “CASPer Alamo.” Secondly, the blurb states that the stories re-create the Battles of the Alamo and Isandlwana. Therefore, I'm not sure that 'spoilers' really exist for this book. Maybe for a particular character? I'm not gonna beat this to death. I just don't want anyone pretesting that I gave too much away.
With respect to those particular battles: I recently watched John Wayne's 1960 budget buster “The Alamo,” comparing it to my memories of earlier views. I started school in San Antonio in 1959, so the Alamo was a part of my childhood. As a result of that recent viewing, I found myself comparing the behavior of the characters in the first story, and was pleased to discover that there is no significant carry-over. However, a different movie led me astray for the second story, as I had the Battle of Rorke's Drift in mind from a somewhat recent viewing of 1964's “Zulu” with Michael Caine. Well, that's NOT the right battle; The Battle of Isandlwana, which immediately preceded Rorke's Drift, was very different, and had a very different outcome. O, brave new world, in which we live, where I can switch between my book and unleash my google-fu, without leaving the comfort of my chair!
The first story, “CASPer Alamo,” is the story of mercenary unit Bowie's Marauders, under the command of cigar-chomping Colonel Travis, aided by Major Bowie, and yes, Bowie DOES have a big honken knife he keeps close by and sharpens when he needs to think. His company has a contract to defend the colonists of Durin II, a religious commune who intended to support themselves by mining. However, something has been eating the miners, and for safety, everyone has withdrawn to the fortress-compound known as the Sanctuary.
The local security force, under the leadership of Commander Neill, is not equipped to deal with the threat, and are significantly undermanned as well. Although Neill was delighted to have the Marauders hired, the high-handed manner in which Col. Travis treats him brings them into conflict.
Legendary fighter/trader David Crockett is on the scene, and not likely to be leaving, either, his ship having broken a critical part.
Everybody is on their last chance. Bowie's Marauders are about to be seized by creditors. The colonists have no hope of survival, much less prosperity. Crockett either gets the part he needs, or his traveling days are over.
And so they all hunker down to wait on the attack, hoping they have enough to keep the monsters at bay.
The second story, “Devils,” is also a 'mining-enterprise-gone-bad' story. That's a reasonably inevitable outcome, as the story is based on the first battle in the war between the Zulu and the British, and the reason behind the British (and the other European nations) colonization of Africa was primarily driven by the mineral wealth found there.
The main merc group is the Hellhounds, lead by Colonel Hendershot, appear to be a rough-and-ready group; the primary POV character is Lt. Rai, a highly competent CASPer pilot. Robert's Guard, on the other hand, is a spit-and-polish unit with shiny CASPers and strict discipline. They are led by Colonel Robert, who appears to have a stick inserted in places sticks shouldn't come near, and infantry commander Drake, a nasty, highly efficient killer.
Their opponents seem to be pitiful. True, they have overcome previous expeditions, but they aren't taken seriously by the CASPer-equipped units, since they don't appear to have progressed beyond stone-tipped spears and arrows. There ARE some reports that they possess unusual strength, but the prospect of facing pre-industrial warriors with the modern weapons and defenses of the CASPer units seems laughable.
So much so, that at least one of the troops is suffering a crisis of conscience about the ethics of this mission. Unlike prior contracts, in which she could at least see her role as defeating an armed, hostile ruler, oppressing his people, she clearly sees that this mission is nothing more than a blunt grab for resources, and that the lives of the natives aren't a factor, since they are so primitive. To her credit, she rejects that appraisal. But she goes along with the mission, anyway, with the intention of quitting when this one is over. She has a special reason for this course of action, and I'm not going to tell you what it is.
There are several nice sources of conflict in the story: the friction between the leadership of the teams, the personal animosity felt for Drake by Hellhounds Lt. Rai, and the tension between Rai and Kylie, when Kylie reveals her doubts. All of that pretty much is forgotten, as soon as they encounter the natives of the planet, the devils of the title. I shall close the door on further consideration; saying only that emergency evacuation from a contested landing zone presents one of the most suspenseful scenes you'll read.
May 4, 2018
Ahhhh, the arrogance of man! Both of these stories highlight the assumption that heavily armed CASPer's and APC's, and soldiers, can deal with "simple savages". In both cases, the "savages" kick Mercenary ass. I like the fact that the Merc's don't win, but I'd have liked to have seen some alien influence in the stories, even if it was a mere mention that an alien Merc company had turned the job down beforehand.
The characters are great, and I want to hear more about them,
The characters are great, and I want to hear more about them,
February 23, 2018
Excellent continuation of 4HU
In the previous stories the mercs won, as a general rule. Not so in book 9. Sad to watch our heroes take an asswhoopin, but it happens to the best of us. Personally, I hope things get brighter and I believe it will, for you can't keep a good merc down!
In the previous stories the mercs won, as a general rule. Not so in book 9. Sad to watch our heroes take an asswhoopin, but it happens to the best of us. Personally, I hope things get brighter and I believe it will, for you can't keep a good merc down!
June 2, 2019
Remember the Alamo
or, like Hamlet, shit happens and you know what comes next. I should have expected it, given the title and a man named Crockett. If you don't like violence and gore, you will not enjoy this book. If you do, it's two pretty good stories about Jeff units against overwhelming odds.
or, like Hamlet, shit happens and you know what comes next. I should have expected it, given the title and a man named Crockett. If you don't like violence and gore, you will not enjoy this book. If you do, it's two pretty good stories about Jeff units against overwhelming odds.
March 2, 2018
Wow
Getting contracts that really have little or wrong intel is a pain!! These stories show that no matter how good you think you are there can always be someone better, and sticks and stones can brake your bones and kill you!!
Getting contracts that really have little or wrong intel is a pain!! These stories show that no matter how good you think you are there can always be someone better, and sticks and stones can brake your bones and kill you!!
April 29, 2018
Good book
Not every mission a mercy gets ends well. Two good stories set in the four horseman universe that illustrate this very point. Great action, enjoyable read. I read this on Kindle Unlimited.
Not every mission a mercy gets ends well. Two good stories set in the four horseman universe that illustrate this very point. Great action, enjoyable read. I read this on Kindle Unlimited.
July 30, 2020
Just WOW!!!
What can I say, the authors in this universe rock!!!! The stories are well developed and pull you in. The characters are real and touch you deep. Each story is another look at humanity in the deepest darkest moments back into triumphant and light. Read these books
What can I say, the authors in this universe rock!!!! The stories are well developed and pull you in. The characters are real and touch you deep. Each story is another look at humanity in the deepest darkest moments back into triumphant and light. Read these books
January 29, 2021
Near and Far
Sometimes you you can follow a line too closely other times not closely enough. The Alamo and islandhwana. Rourke's Drift next? The writers are good with good characterizations. These stories fit nicely in the u iverse.
Sometimes you you can follow a line too closely other times not closely enough. The Alamo and islandhwana. Rourke's Drift next? The writers are good with good characterizations. These stories fit nicely in the u iverse.
January 9, 2024
Definitely not a highlight of the series. Consisting of two novellas, the first was poorly pulled from the Battle of the Alamo. The characters were poor copies of historical figures, with little introduction for some (i.e., Davy Crockett). The second novella was better, but not by much.
March 22, 2018
Meh
Not part of the main story lines. More like extended fed versions of the short story comps they’ve been putting out.
Not terrible but wasn’t worth the time for me either.
Not part of the main story lines. More like extended fed versions of the short story comps they’ve been putting out.
Not terrible but wasn’t worth the time for me either.
August 19, 2018
Two novellas in the 4HU universe which illustrate 'never underestimate your opponent'.
January 15, 2019
Wow
Shockingly bad situations and amazing heroism. I can not think of anything else to say. I'm shook. Read it, please.
Shockingly bad situations and amazing heroism. I can not think of anything else to say. I'm shook. Read it, please.
May 18, 2019
Great read
I enjoyed these stories. I found them to be well written and I could imagine that I was there in person.
I enjoyed these stories. I found them to be well written and I could imagine that I was there in person.
December 31, 2019
The Mercenary's life is rough & often too short.
Two tales that drive this point home.
Two tales that drive this point home.
March 10, 2020
My least favorite of these books, the only one I seriously considered making a DNF. Not interesting stories at all.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews