Bolo Strike

Bolo #6

by William H. Keith Jr.

When Colonel Jon Streicher leads his team of men and Bolos in a planetary invasion against Caern and the Aetryx, a group of mysterious beings, they find themselves caught in a trap, stranded in the midst of a battle against an immortal foe. Reprint.

Genres: Science Fiction, Military Fiction, Fiction, Military Science Fiction, War, Space

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Bill Keith was raised in the mountains of western Pennsylvania, and served in the Navy as a corpsman for many years. In addition to writing fiction and non-fiction works, he is an award-winning illustrator/artist.

He has also published under the psuedonyms:
Ian Douglas (SF series: Heritage, Legacy, Inheritance, Star Carrier, Andromedan Dark)
H. Jay Riker (SEALS:The Warrior Breed series)
Keith Douglass (Carrier and Seal Team 7 series)
Bill Keith
Keith William Andrews (Freedom's Rangers series)
Robert Cain (Cybernarc series)

Reviews

[Vincent Stoneking · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this expecting a straight up techno-battle book. I was surprised to find a really good, coherent, human story that deals with several foundational human ideals. It took a while to hit its stride, but very engaging.

[Nathan Balyeat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was... satisfied... with this book. It's a full length Bolo novel written by William H. Keith Jr. (Who goes by numerous pen names as well), but it wasn't up to the standards of the short stories or the full length novels written by other writers (like Ringo and Weber). The tanks aren't as likeable, the plot is kind of muddied, and the intensity that makes the shorter stories engaging page turners isn't present here. Part of it is Keith trying to take the universe off in a single direction, part of it is the story length, and part of it, honestly, is just the story.

As part of the Bolo universe, it's worth the read. As a stand alone book, your mileage may vary.

[Marshall Clowers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been away from the BOLO series for quite some time. I do miss those massive machines of destruction that Keith Laumer introduced us to all those years ago.

In Bolo Strike mankind is again wrapped up in interstellar conflict, this time with beings that see themselves as gods. How can we fight gods? Particularly those that have enlisted the aid of countless Mk XXXII Bolos as defenders?

There's plenty of action here that the Bolo fan will find familiar, as well as a human interest side story just for kicks.

If any readers are in the mood for something similar but different (with giant helpings of humor) check out Tim Gawne's Chronicles of Old Guy. Gotta love cybertanks!

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bolo Strike is a novella stretched out to novel length. The characters are simply but clearly defined. Exactly 2 characters grow along obvious trajectories. That said, the combat sequences are well written and although the story unfolds predictably, it is enjoyable.

[Lynn Calvin]

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[Jonathan Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

A complete Bolo novel, a good story for its type (i.e. lots
of high tech shootouts). Fun.

[Durval Menezes · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do not remember anything about this book, so it must have been unremarkable (therefore the 2 stars rating).