War World: Falkenberg's Regiment

by John F. Carr

War Falkenberg’s Regiment is the first new John Christian Falkenberg novel in over 20 years. Falkenberg was created by Jerry E. Pournelle and made his first appearance in “Peace With Honor” in Analog Science Fiction and Fact in 1972. That and other Falkenberg stories appeared in his fix-up novel, The Mercenary. Colonel Falkenberg and his 42nd Marine Regiment served as the last line of defense of the CoDominium and its many colonial words. This book continues the Falkenberg story, detailing his adventures and those of the 42nd CoDominium Marines on Haven (War World) and on Churchill, as Falkenberg and Admiral Lermontov struggle to keep the CoDominium from fracturing. On Haven the Colonel finds himself set between the Mahdi and his fanatical forces, on one hand, and Dover Minerals and the Bronson family, on the other hand. While on Churchill, Falkenberg is called upon to rectify the problems caused by the CoDominium Bureau of Relocations wholesale dumping of antagonistic populations on the hardscrabble world of Churchill, previously settled by British subjects in favor of the monarchy. Nor, does it help when the Brotherhood, a conspiracy of colonial CD military officers, gets involved providing weapons and money to the rebels.

Genres: Science Fiction

311 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[David Hyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Sad Chaoter

Science Fiction writers have taught me more history than history professors. John Carr is someone that I can add to the list. Sadly the reason for this book is that his long time collaborator and creator of the Codominium,Jerry Pournelle, died before writing the book.

[David L · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are a fan of Jerry Pournelle's Falkenberg novels, then you will probably enjoy this book.

It is not as well written as the Pournelle books. Trying to keep itself within Pournelle's chronology and maintain continuity, though being set before the events in most of Pournelle's novels, it gets clunky in places, and Carr just doesn't have that feel for telling a Military S.F. novel that Pournelle had. Nevertheless it is competently written, and most of the time enjoyable to read.

This book is mostly about Major Savage, and Falkenberg is a secondary character, so those who are absolute Falkenberg fans, rather than fans of the Legion, will be disappointed.

Recommended, but for hardcore Military S.F. fans only, which gains it the 3 stars. For the general S.F. community this is a one star.

[Michael Reese · Rating 3 out of 5]

Falkenberg'a Legion lives on

Since I have read every book published on the Legion (I knew of) this book seemed "flat". By that I mean a lot of the book was filler on the Legion and Condominium. Presumably for new readers. Otherwise two campaigns are covered in the book. Recommended but not with enthusiasm.

[F. Michael McCarty · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been years since I read my first Falkenberg novel...

This was a great story of the foundation and formation of the "Legion". A totally gripping story often the development of a young officer. I'll be searching for more.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved Pournelle's Falkenberg stories. This is not the same. Not even a pale copy.

[Randal Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicely merged ...

... with Pournelle's universe. Believable political and military scenarios and plotlines. Android addition to any Military SF library. Well done

[Jeff Crosby]

Clearly I started this book at some point. I don’t know when, but too much is familiar at the beginning.

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, but flat. The early stages of F becoming a mercenary. Set against Pournelle’s bleak future.