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Order of the Centurion #2
Iron Wolves
There can be no victory without sacrifice. The Iron Wolves are a company of legionnaires whose legendary exploits date back to the Savage Wars. When they are invited to be guests of honor at a ceremony on a small, backwater planet, they look forward to some precious time away from the constant conflicts of galaxy's edge. But when a neighboring country invades, disrupting the ceremony and killing innocents, the Wolves are forced to make an impossible decision. Aid a people pleading for their protection... or obey the cynical orders of their Senate to stand down and see how the dust settles. Taking their careers and lives into their hands, the Iron Wolves and local militia form a brotherhood determined to fight for what they believe in. War is on the wind, the battle is at hand, and the Legion is on the move once more. Strap on your bucket, grab your blaster, and start reading today. The Iron Wolves call and death is on the hunt.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 5, 2019
363 people are currently reading
203 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Yanez
198 books534 followersInternational bestselling author, check.
USA Today bestselling author, check.
Writing wild tales since 2012, check, check.
I'm Jonathan, a husband, father, and writer. I write because that's what I was born to do and I love doing it. Because of the support from awesome people like you, I get to do it full-time.
Connecting with fellow lovers of the written word is important to me so please join the Pack via my website at www.jonathan-yanez.com where you can grab an exclusive story or hang out with us at www.facebook.com/groups/jonathansread...
Hope you decide to stay in touch,
Jonathan
USA Today bestselling author, check.
Writing wild tales since 2012, check, check.
I'm Jonathan, a husband, father, and writer. I write because that's what I was born to do and I love doing it. Because of the support from awesome people like you, I get to do it full-time.
Connecting with fellow lovers of the written word is important to me so please join the Pack via my website at www.jonathan-yanez.com where you can grab an exclusive story or hang out with us at www.facebook.com/groups/jonathansread...
Hope you decide to stay in touch,
Jonathan
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
March 14, 2019
Another cracking story in this series,can't wait to buy the next one!
March 10, 2019
Haha when the stars of the book are not the legionaries you know it is a great story
Fenra and Sola steal the show here. The legionaries are so great but they are just a backdrop two Fenra and Sola!
Can’t wait for more books in this series!!!
Fenra and Sola steal the show here. The legionaries are so great but they are just a backdrop two Fenra and Sola!
Can’t wait for more books in this series!!!
March 14, 2019
Another great book. It was hard to put down at times. looking forward to another one.
March 11, 2019
Great book
Yanez has crafted the absolute best beginning of a military sci-fi series. The story sucks you right in to the gun smoke and fury of the non-stop action. Do yourself a favor, grab a copy. Read it. You'll like it
.
.
Yanez has crafted the absolute best beginning of a military sci-fi series. The story sucks you right in to the gun smoke and fury of the non-stop action. Do yourself a favor, grab a copy. Read it. You'll like it
.
.
March 7, 2019
It’s a little bit Apocalypse Now, a little bit Guns of Navarone, and a little bit Zulu. And it’s definitely an excellent new entry to the Galaxy’s Edge universe. One of the things that is so fun about this series is the varied locations. Solid story, interesting characters, and all the action we’ve come to expect. This one will not leave you disappointed. If you’re a fan of the Galaxy’s Edge universe, you will want to read this one.
March 10, 2019
“He didn’t forget nothin’.”
Legionnaires....crazy as all get out, but they know when it's time to fight and KTF.
Another recipient of the Order of the Centurion, another story of underappreciated heroes.
Legionnaires....crazy as all get out, but they know when it's time to fight and KTF.
Another recipient of the Order of the Centurion, another story of underappreciated heroes.
March 13, 2019
Oorah
I love the whole series and can't wait for the next one to come out. Keep up the good work
I love the whole series and can't wait for the next one to come out. Keep up the good work
March 13, 2019
Struggling to finish
2 stars for the well written action sequences, -3 stars for the atrocious and cringey dialogue, poorly developed characters, inconsistency with the main series and numerous plot holes. As a HUGE fan of the overall series I am extremely disappointed. Let's hope this is Yanezs last book in the Galaxies Edge universe.
2 stars for the well written action sequences, -3 stars for the atrocious and cringey dialogue, poorly developed characters, inconsistency with the main series and numerous plot holes. As a HUGE fan of the overall series I am extremely disappointed. Let's hope this is Yanezs last book in the Galaxies Edge universe.
April 18, 2020
One dimensional story. Difficult to finish.
July 20, 2021
Another very good book in this collection. I can't believe how good book in the entire Galaxy's Edge universe are turning out to be. If you're a fan of military science fiction, then you've hit the jackpot with all of these books.
This story involves a platoon of Iron Wolf Legionnaires. They are assigned to what seems to be an out-of-the-way mission to represent the Republic when a new government signs up to be part of the Galactic Republic. Cononga is one nation that wants to join the Republic, but it has problems with its neighbors to the north. They are displaces Alines and appear to have a strong leader that wants to takeover all of Cononga. He initially attacks the capital city of Noi right after the Iron Wolves had landed. With a frantic effort, the Iron Wolves fight off these rebels which getting support from another alien by the name of Sola who was hired as a guide for the Iron Wolves. She is accompanied by Fenra, who is definitely an alien and lots of it! While the Iron Wolves successfully fight off this first attack, they find out that this mission isn't going to be as easy as it was described.
First, the President of Cononga specifically requested the Iron Wolves attend the official signing ceremony and that's why the Iron Wolves were on this mission when they normally wouldn't show for what amounts to a diplomatic event. It just so happens that in the long past of the Iron Wolves during Savage Wars, another detachment of Iron Wolves were instrumental in defending Cononga and to this day, everything associated with the Iron Wolves is held in high esteem. There's even a museum in the capital city palace with tons of old Savage Wars weapons and other fighting gear that was used by those Iron Wolves of yesteryears.
Captain Zeno is in command of this Iron Wolves detachment with Sergeant Sam Samson as his Senior NCO. You'll meet and read about almost everyone in the detachment as the story goes along. They are typical Legionnaires, ready to KTF, as usual and feel right at home when they have to protect the capital city right off the bat. Unfortunately, they do have a Major stationed on the Republic space cruiser in orbit. I say, "unfortunately", because he is a "Point" or a politically appointed officer in the Legion and has no operational background at all. He also has no plans to come down to the ground to survey the situation for himself. He has declared this mission a diplomatic mission and that's what it's going to be. He specifically orders Captain Zeno not to engage any indigenous people of the planet.
But, of course, the Legionnaires on the ground aren't going to just stand around when they're fighting to be done. The enemy to the north has hired another alien army of mercenaries and they are coming to take the capital city of Noi. That means that Captain Zeno and Sgt Samson will have to fight with what they got since they're not getting any support from the Republican cruiser. Turns out that a well stocked museum might come in very handy. Modern weapons aren't the only thing the Legion can kill the enemy with.
Lots of fighting, but only in this one place. Pretty easy to follow the story and stay abreast with what was happening. Not sure if this was based on some kind of true-life situation, but I can see that it could easily have been. Lots of little countries trying to stay free by inviting a bigger nation to come in, but that doesn't set well with all the people. So a civil war usually starts out. In this story, there's a little dictator wanting to have more and he's not going to get it. Now on to the next book.
This story involves a platoon of Iron Wolf Legionnaires. They are assigned to what seems to be an out-of-the-way mission to represent the Republic when a new government signs up to be part of the Galactic Republic. Cononga is one nation that wants to join the Republic, but it has problems with its neighbors to the north. They are displaces Alines and appear to have a strong leader that wants to takeover all of Cononga. He initially attacks the capital city of Noi right after the Iron Wolves had landed. With a frantic effort, the Iron Wolves fight off these rebels which getting support from another alien by the name of Sola who was hired as a guide for the Iron Wolves. She is accompanied by Fenra, who is definitely an alien and lots of it! While the Iron Wolves successfully fight off this first attack, they find out that this mission isn't going to be as easy as it was described.
First, the President of Cononga specifically requested the Iron Wolves attend the official signing ceremony and that's why the Iron Wolves were on this mission when they normally wouldn't show for what amounts to a diplomatic event. It just so happens that in the long past of the Iron Wolves during Savage Wars, another detachment of Iron Wolves were instrumental in defending Cononga and to this day, everything associated with the Iron Wolves is held in high esteem. There's even a museum in the capital city palace with tons of old Savage Wars weapons and other fighting gear that was used by those Iron Wolves of yesteryears.
Captain Zeno is in command of this Iron Wolves detachment with Sergeant Sam Samson as his Senior NCO. You'll meet and read about almost everyone in the detachment as the story goes along. They are typical Legionnaires, ready to KTF, as usual and feel right at home when they have to protect the capital city right off the bat. Unfortunately, they do have a Major stationed on the Republic space cruiser in orbit. I say, "unfortunately", because he is a "Point" or a politically appointed officer in the Legion and has no operational background at all. He also has no plans to come down to the ground to survey the situation for himself. He has declared this mission a diplomatic mission and that's what it's going to be. He specifically orders Captain Zeno not to engage any indigenous people of the planet.
But, of course, the Legionnaires on the ground aren't going to just stand around when they're fighting to be done. The enemy to the north has hired another alien army of mercenaries and they are coming to take the capital city of Noi. That means that Captain Zeno and Sgt Samson will have to fight with what they got since they're not getting any support from the Republican cruiser. Turns out that a well stocked museum might come in very handy. Modern weapons aren't the only thing the Legion can kill the enemy with.
Lots of fighting, but only in this one place. Pretty easy to follow the story and stay abreast with what was happening. Not sure if this was based on some kind of true-life situation, but I can see that it could easily have been. Lots of little countries trying to stay free by inviting a bigger nation to come in, but that doesn't set well with all the people. So a civil war usually starts out. In this story, there's a little dictator wanting to have more and he's not going to get it. Now on to the next book.
August 17, 2019
In Iron Wolves, we get to see a part of the Legion inhabited by men less high-minded than Cohen Chhun or Subs, the Dark Ops legionnaire from Order of the Centurion. Men on the borderline of control. Men interested in chasing skirts. Men who might have trouble adjusting to civilian life again, if they live that long.
Sergeant Sam Samson [who knows, maybe back on lost Earth, his distant ancestors were from Iceland] can KTF with the best of them, but he gets a little too enthusiastic about it. Since this isn’t exactly what the Legion is looking for in a recruitment holo, Sam has been promoted to Sergeant and busted back down more times than he would probably like to think about. I get the impression that if Sam ever gets out of the Legion alive, he is going to find civilian life bewildering, at best.
Yet, Sam isn’t a heartless monster who’ll coolly [or heatedly] pull the trigger on anyone he is ordered to, or someone who looks at him funny. His problem is a lack of control, not a lack of a conscience. Sam Samson is not a nice guy, but he does at least try to be good, even if he frequently fails. Guys like him can find a place in the military sometimes, which can put that impulsiveness to use in the field. I bet Sam would be a nightmare on barracks duty though.
Going back 95 years to Beau Geste, or alternatively in the more modern They Shall Not Grow Old, men like Sam have been seen as the foundation of the armed forces. Whether in the conscript armies of the early twentieth century, or the volunteer services we have now in the Anglosphere, men like Sam, crass but loyal, with no real home outside of military life, have been the solid core. They provide the cultural continuity that makes an army work.
But to be a Legionnaire in the waning days of the Galactic Republic is to find your loyalty tested. I take Iron Wolves, like all of the Galaxy’s Edge books, to be a reflection on the lived experience of the men who served. In this book, the central question is: how do you know when following orders is not the right thing to do? When it comes down to it, to whom are you truly loyal?
A persistent problem over time with militaries with strong esprit-de-corps is that the men tend to be loyal to each other, and their commanders, far more than their political masters. In the United States, the strong tradition of civilian control of the military is intended to counter precisely this tendency. At Galaxy’s Edge, the points, appointed officers, are likewise intended to subvert this, for the Legion was intended from the beginning to be inward-looking.
An interesting wrinkle is that professional soldiers like Sam often find themselves growing fond of the peoples and places where they are stationed. They can find a home in many ways more welcoming than their own. Thus when the politicians no longer see benefit in these remote places, and cynically withdraw support, it is not just abstract honor that is offended, but a very real love of place and a sense of belonging. The very things that make men fight.
What Sam Samson and the rest of the Iron Wolves do in response to political cynicism is simply what they do best: kill the other guy before he kills you and let the chips fall where they may. This was the first Order of the Centurion book primarily written by someone other than Jason and Nick, and so far I pleased with how their experiment is turning out.
Sergeant Sam Samson [who knows, maybe back on lost Earth, his distant ancestors were from Iceland] can KTF with the best of them, but he gets a little too enthusiastic about it. Since this isn’t exactly what the Legion is looking for in a recruitment holo, Sam has been promoted to Sergeant and busted back down more times than he would probably like to think about. I get the impression that if Sam ever gets out of the Legion alive, he is going to find civilian life bewildering, at best.
Yet, Sam isn’t a heartless monster who’ll coolly [or heatedly] pull the trigger on anyone he is ordered to, or someone who looks at him funny. His problem is a lack of control, not a lack of a conscience. Sam Samson is not a nice guy, but he does at least try to be good, even if he frequently fails. Guys like him can find a place in the military sometimes, which can put that impulsiveness to use in the field. I bet Sam would be a nightmare on barracks duty though.
Going back 95 years to Beau Geste, or alternatively in the more modern They Shall Not Grow Old, men like Sam have been seen as the foundation of the armed forces. Whether in the conscript armies of the early twentieth century, or the volunteer services we have now in the Anglosphere, men like Sam, crass but loyal, with no real home outside of military life, have been the solid core. They provide the cultural continuity that makes an army work.
But to be a Legionnaire in the waning days of the Galactic Republic is to find your loyalty tested. I take Iron Wolves, like all of the Galaxy’s Edge books, to be a reflection on the lived experience of the men who served. In this book, the central question is: how do you know when following orders is not the right thing to do? When it comes down to it, to whom are you truly loyal?
A persistent problem over time with militaries with strong esprit-de-corps is that the men tend to be loyal to each other, and their commanders, far more than their political masters. In the United States, the strong tradition of civilian control of the military is intended to counter precisely this tendency. At Galaxy’s Edge, the points, appointed officers, are likewise intended to subvert this, for the Legion was intended from the beginning to be inward-looking.
An interesting wrinkle is that professional soldiers like Sam often find themselves growing fond of the peoples and places where they are stationed. They can find a home in many ways more welcoming than their own. Thus when the politicians no longer see benefit in these remote places, and cynically withdraw support, it is not just abstract honor that is offended, but a very real love of place and a sense of belonging. The very things that make men fight.
What Sam Samson and the rest of the Iron Wolves do in response to political cynicism is simply what they do best: kill the other guy before he kills you and let the chips fall where they may. This was the first Order of the Centurion book primarily written by someone other than Jason and Nick, and so far I pleased with how their experiment is turning out.
August 25, 2021
This is #2 in the Order of the Centurion series which is a spinoff of the Galaxy’s Edge series. I chose to read it even though #1 was only 3 stars. I enjoyed the original series books and figured that the prior book was an anomaly and the authors would return to their 4-star+ ratings. They did not – and in this genera, essentially escapism, there’s a pretty low bar.
There’s nothing new; nothing special. … A squad of series’ Legionnaires help the a local. (Yawn.) Using old/antique weapons, low, on ammunition, the final battle – and not that well done – is with swords and knives. (Yawn, yawn, YAWN. ) BTW, Johnathan Yanez was added as an author. I wonder if he gave his novel to the other two successful authors who integrated it into their series. … I’m done with this series.
There’s nothing new; nothing special. … A squad of series’ Legionnaires help the a local. (Yawn.) Using old/antique weapons, low, on ammunition, the final battle – and not that well done – is with swords and knives. (Yawn, yawn, YAWN. ) BTW, Johnathan Yanez was added as an author. I wonder if he gave his novel to the other two successful authors who integrated it into their series. … I’m done with this series.
June 20, 2020
This series is a Must for Sci-Fi fans.
This is the 2nd book of the series for me and I’m in love. I’ll start by saying the writing doesn’t have dark vibes or a gritty sense to it but where it lacks in that area the other elements make up for greatly, at least in my opinion. The world is immersive and I like that it establishes itself really well by the way the author writes. The only true gripes I have are the comedy bits and quips which are very few and fit neatly in, so it isn’t much of an issue but more of a personal view. I’m definitely going to buy more of this series and would recommend to other readers/ fans of the genre.
This is the 2nd book of the series for me and I’m in love. I’ll start by saying the writing doesn’t have dark vibes or a gritty sense to it but where it lacks in that area the other elements make up for greatly, at least in my opinion. The world is immersive and I like that it establishes itself really well by the way the author writes. The only true gripes I have are the comedy bits and quips which are very few and fit neatly in, so it isn’t much of an issue but more of a personal view. I’m definitely going to buy more of this series and would recommend to other readers/ fans of the genre.
July 26, 2022
This is an okay story, a nice tale from the history of the Galaxy’s Edge universe. The MC, Sam, seems a rather flawed legionnaire, so much so it sometimes became hard to believe he was part of ‘the best of the best’, ‘the 1% of the 1%’.
This book is part of the Order of the Centurion mini series, and as such I had expected that the one who receives it at the end of this story, would have been been fleshed out more and would have gotten his own character arc.
All in all this was entertaining enough, but nowhere near the same quality as the main GE story arc or the Rechs trilogy.
This book is part of the Order of the Centurion mini series, and as such I had expected that the one who receives it at the end of this story, would have been been fleshed out more and would have gotten his own character arc.
All in all this was entertaining enough, but nowhere near the same quality as the main GE story arc or the Rechs trilogy.
ebooks
December 1, 2020Not a bad book, but not a great one either. it's the story of a squad from the Iron Wolves, sent to a planet as an Honour Guard, as the planet prepares to sign on to the Galactic Republic. However, there are people on the planet who are against the signing, and they stage an attack to prevent and invade the country. The Iron Wolves defend themselves with ancient weapons and Savage Wars weapons, and eventually win the day.
July 19, 2023
This is the five-star rating system I use:
★★★★★ Great book! Can’t wait to read it again (and I will).
★★★★☆ Good book. I am glad I read this.
★★★☆☆ OK book. Nothing special but not bad.
★★☆☆☆ Not good. Why did I waste my time?
★☆☆☆☆ Lousy. I didn’t finish.
If for whatever reason, I go back and reread a good book, I will change the rating to five-star because I read it again.
★★★★★ Great book! Can’t wait to read it again (and I will).
★★★★☆ Good book. I am glad I read this.
★★★☆☆ OK book. Nothing special but not bad.
★★☆☆☆ Not good. Why did I waste my time?
★☆☆☆☆ Lousy. I didn’t finish.
If for whatever reason, I go back and reread a good book, I will change the rating to five-star because I read it again.
October 31, 2023
wonderful science fiction
Thank you to the authors for such a great book audio book the narrators were great the nation and character s was great the great Jason Anspach is one of my favorite authors Nick Cole
And Johnathon Yanezbare great in their own wright. thank again all of you
Terri
Thank you to the authors for such a great book audio book the narrators were great the nation and character s was great the great Jason Anspach is one of my favorite authors Nick Cole
And Johnathon Yanezbare great in their own wright. thank again all of you
Terri
September 24, 2019
The Legion Legend Lives!
Gritty and real - the stories of the Legionaries touch a place in my heart - somewhere deep, and true. I picked up this book on the way to the airport - and finished it before I could lay my head down that night. KTF!
Gritty and real - the stories of the Legionaries touch a place in my heart - somewhere deep, and true. I picked up this book on the way to the airport - and finished it before I could lay my head down that night. KTF!
January 20, 2020
Fast Paced...
I like the action and once I start reading it is hard to put it down...
I am recommending this to my boys they like this stuff too... I am moving on to the next book...
I like the action and once I start reading it is hard to put it down...
I am recommending this to my boys they like this stuff too... I am moving on to the next book...
July 26, 2021
The first book of this series was pretty good, totally enjoyable but this one destroyed it all, so bad which made me wish for it to be over soon so I can move to something better, something which don’t feel like it was written for young children .
August 24, 2021
A bit of savage fun & frolicsome military action as we escape to a backwater world where a small contingent of Iron Wolves take on an Alien Warlord Wannabe.
The goos guys even have their on Wookie.
A 3* rating means it is a fun to read guilty pleasure that is good escapist fiction.
The goos guys even have their on Wookie.
A 3* rating means it is a fun to read guilty pleasure that is good escapist fiction.
August 27, 2021
3.8/5 - audiobook
Jonathan Davis was an excellent narration choice here, bringing such enthusiasm to the Legionaries. The book is kind of like a tv show episode, in that it's entertaining but not necessarily deep in it's own right. Still great installment.
Jonathan Davis was an excellent narration choice here, bringing such enthusiasm to the Legionaries. The book is kind of like a tv show episode, in that it's entertaining but not necessarily deep in it's own right. Still great installment.
May 19, 2025
Good!
There is a ton of action and interesting characters in this book. The odds are ridiculous, and some of the injuries are too severe for the men to continue fighting, but it still makes for a good read!
There is a ton of action and interesting characters in this book. The odds are ridiculous, and some of the injuries are too severe for the men to continue fighting, but it still makes for a good read!
March 30, 2019
Great read
Like the previous book characters developed their only personalities while dodging gunfire and snatch ing defeat from the enemy. You will like it
Like the previous book characters developed their only personalities while dodging gunfire and snatch ing defeat from the enemy. You will like it
April 20, 2019
Another great read from the Edge!
The GE universe continues to reveal it's diversity, mettle of the Legion, and hints of the Savage Wars. Add it to your collection!
The GE universe continues to reveal it's diversity, mettle of the Legion, and hints of the Savage Wars. Add it to your collection!
October 14, 2019
KTF!
Another great book in the series, I enjoy the stand alone books as much as the sequential books as they expand the universe
Another great book in the series, I enjoy the stand alone books as much as the sequential books as they expand the universe
February 12, 2020
A good series
This is the second book in this series i’ve read and I’m looking forward to reading the next book. With lots of action and suspense
This is the second book in this series i’ve read and I’m looking forward to reading the next book. With lots of action and suspense
April 6, 2020
A wild ride, no rest in sight.
April 21, 2020
Very enjoyable ! Fast paced, excellent use of military jargon and slang, fun and interesting characters.
July 1, 2020
good
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews