What do you think?
Rate this book
Absolute Zeros
For the troopers of AZH-01, life is an exercise in routines.Wake up, respond to alarms, stand in formation-slack off in between. Get your gear, don't break scram-time, and stay out of Sergeant's crosshairs. Securing the edges of populated space isn't the glory and excitement they were promised, but these aren't the Inter-Stellar Coalition Force's best and brightest. Rania doesn't mind routines. Routines give her something to hold on to, they guide her as she finds her niche in the sweaty locker room of military life. Just like the other troopers, all she wants is to do her job, stay out of trouble, and get one day closer to getting out. That routine is shattered when something claws its way through the station's doors. Something swift. Vicious. Hungry. With the chain of command shredded and the power knocked out, it's a race against time for Rania and the other troopers of AZH-01. They were just trying to get through the day, now they're fighting to survive the night.
- GenresScience Fiction
226 pages, Paperback
Published July 12, 2019
26 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Xander Franklin
4 books3 followersA life-long science fiction reader and author, Xander Franklin served as a military police officer in the U.S. Air Force. Blessed with thrilling assignments to the frozen missile fields of Wyoming, the sun-baked dust bowl of Qatar, and the swamps of Arkansas, Xander left Active Duty in 2018, pursuing his legal education while continuing his service in the Air Force reserves.
He now splits his time between work as a Deputy District Attorney and as an Air Force Security Forces officer.
He now splits his time between work as a Deputy District Attorney and as an Air Force Security Forces officer.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 28, 2020
Franklin drops us into the equivalent of a COP (military combat outpost) on a frozen planet out on the fringes of occupied space. The planet's name and several other acronyms do elicit a groan, but it is exactly the sort of thing one would encounter if they were to visit such places. If you haven't figured it out, AZH-01 = Asshole, which is a fitting name for a COP in the middle of nowhere on an essentially unpopulated planet.
There is not a single hero whose shoulders we peer over along the way. No character stands alone, but a few do stand out and get more "screen time" than the rest. Others will disagree with my conclusions, but I would say that this book features a team of protagonists that work together to "save the day". They all played a role, and it would have failed to arrive at the conclusion had any been left on the cutting room floor to borrow a phrase from the movie industry.
I mean no disrespect when I say that this is not high art, but if you pick this book up expecting Hemingway or Steinbeck then you will absolutely be disappointed. However, if you are in search of an entertaining and unique story from a new author then this is going to be worth checking out. I think the universe he has created has a great deal of potential and I look forward to reading any future work that Franklin produces!
There is not a single hero whose shoulders we peer over along the way. No character stands alone, but a few do stand out and get more "screen time" than the rest. Others will disagree with my conclusions, but I would say that this book features a team of protagonists that work together to "save the day". They all played a role, and it would have failed to arrive at the conclusion had any been left on the cutting room floor to borrow a phrase from the movie industry.
I mean no disrespect when I say that this is not high art, but if you pick this book up expecting Hemingway or Steinbeck then you will absolutely be disappointed. However, if you are in search of an entertaining and unique story from a new author then this is going to be worth checking out. I think the universe he has created has a great deal of potential and I look forward to reading any future work that Franklin produces!
August 4, 2020
Weird and pointless. Was recommended this by the Paradox Studios "bookclub", but not impressed.
Read
June 20, 2023Abandoned. Couldn't get into it.
November 29, 2019
Sloooooow
Very slow and boring. The first half was mind numbing. The second half was not nearly as bad, hence the two stars instead of one.
Very slow and boring. The first half was mind numbing. The second half was not nearly as bad, hence the two stars instead of one.
June 3, 2020
By-the-numbers marine-style hijinks with a detailed focus on everyday life in service which will go well with fans of the genre. m. Franklin successfully draws on their background to deliver an authentic-feeling SF story (grunt work is the same no matter the time or place) but ultimately feels about as exciting as those long posts in Wyoming.
Not much happens for a loong time being filled with day to day repetitive duties, 'chary' military dialogue and the inevitable personal relationship jostling/maneuvering.
When the fecal matter finally hits the evacuator there's plenty of action but no unfortunately no horror. Lots of tactics and not much suspense. Ultimately a nice read to fill in time and especially if you've an interest in military life, but don't expect another Aliens.
Not much happens for a loong time being filled with day to day repetitive duties, 'chary' military dialogue and the inevitable personal relationship jostling/maneuvering.
When the fecal matter finally hits the evacuator there's plenty of action but no unfortunately no horror. Lots of tactics and not much suspense. Ultimately a nice read to fill in time and especially if you've an interest in military life, but don't expect another Aliens.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews