Darwin's Soldiers

Origin #1

by Ste Sharp

John Greene has been torn from his World War One battle and thrown into a world inhabited by soldiers from Spartan, Cherokee and Viking.

The eclectic assembly of warriors from every continent and era, form an army of Earth’s greatest soldiers and are sent on a mission to prove themselves worthy. As they travel, they develop powerful mutations that aid their survival against the strange lifeforms inhabiting the bizarre land.

John just wants to get home to his son and as the army is drawn into a major battle, he wonders if he is ready to risk his life for his new friends. But whoever brought him to this world has fixed the rules here everyone must evolve or die.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy

460 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 20, 2018

About the author

Ste Sharp's novels follow ordinary people on extra-ordinary journeys venturing beyond the boundaries of regular life.

Head to the '90s to solve the mystery of The Penguin Killer with Luke Redfern, or traverse the galaxy with WW1 soldier, John Greene, one of Darwin's Soldiers.

Reviews

[Annette Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adapt and survive

I was unsure what to expect when I chose to read Ste's novel. Fully expecting to put it down unfinished I found myself following our first hero from his trench somewhere along the First Wor!d war front to a place where old and new warriors from different lands have been p!ucked from their fields of battle to face an unknown enemy. Their struggle to adapt physiologically and psychologically is brilliantly document through they eyes of John Greene and other members of this fantastic army. This novel has a feel of Robert Heinlein at his strongest. However Ste has his own unique style, using historical facts to weave his characters back stories, giving authenticity and depth to his fiction. I look forward to book 2 of this fantastic trilogy. What a brilliant debut.

[Lynette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping read from start to finish, there are lots of characters but as the journey and battle progress you get to know the key players and are invested in the story. The whole concept of the book is unique and I feel like I've learned a bit of history and animal biology alongside the entertainment of the story. A truly cracking read, highly recommended and I'll be pledging towards the sequel! Good work Ste!

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent concept of bringing together an eclectic bunch of warriors from different times battling well thought out and new alien races. Both sides constantly evolving and fighting for the ultimate goal, victory, survival, escape! It reminded me of Jack L Chalker's Well World series, so if you liked that, you will love this. Great book.

[Michael Ritchie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Original, engaging and properly weird - excellent work! Bring on the second!

[Simon Dell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does it take a little while to get into the story? Yes. But is it worth it once you get there? Hell, yes. This is science fiction with imagination. There are a lot of characters, so pay attention, but the scene is fantastical, the story surprising and the detail vivid. Well worth getting into and the sequel that is due should be even better.

[Eli Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darwin's Soldier is an exciting read filled to the brim with rich characters, impressive action scenes and imaginative locations. The prose is clean and sharp with great pace which makes this book fun to read. I enjoyed the vast array of characters from different times and places figuring out how to work together and the premise is something I've never read before. If I have one criticism it would be how male heavy it felt, although I completely understand how a story about warriors from history would naturally be one-sided with the sexes. I would love to see in the sequel a race of warriors where it is only the woman who fight and how an encounter between the two groups would play out.
The potential for this series to explore philosophic ideas around the nature of war is vast and I can't wait to see what the author comes up with next. Highly recommend if you idea fast-paced action with an interesting premise.

[M.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very cool idea deftly delivered. Warriors across the ages are transported and forced to do battle in an alien world while undergoing enforced evolutionary enhancements for specialist warfare. Fight or die is the motto, and only those who adapt to their new environment and abilities will live to fight another day. Can't wait for the sequel!

[Mandy Wultsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It is good sci-fi, an action that answers the questions of which of Earth's warriors would be the best against aliens, and how Earth's warriors would respond to being picked up and plunked down in a truly alien environment. Many are able to adapt and overcome the challenges thrown their way.

My only real complaint is one of the main characters is killed off in the final climactic battle. I liked this character, so I will miss reading about them when I read the next book in the series.

I really liked that there were at least a couple of women soldiers. It nice to see that real life is reflected in the fiction I consume.

Recommended for pre-teens and up. Has some graphic violence, but language is clean and there is no sexual content.

[Ifor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

This isn't normally read this type of book but I'm glad I did. Slight issue with printing, as some letters are separated from each when they shouldn't be. Apart from that a good book.

[Tony Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

This was an exciting read, keeping me hooked right to the end! Great stuff, and an intriguing start to the next book in the series.