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Mercenary's Child
The slums of Cerberus Corporation are the dumping grounds for trash, secrets, and the dregs of society. And they're the only home Janus has ever known. But when an Overlord of Cerberus comes knocking, searching for new recruits for her swelling armies in the battle for supremacy, he is swept up in a conflict that has been brewing for years.
Janus is not destined for the front lines, however. When he is unexpectedly sold to the ODIN Legion, an elite mercenary unit living on the fringes of Corporate control, he finds that his years of survival in the fetid slums will be put to the test. But survival will soon be the least of his concerns.
The ODIN Legion is about to be thrust into the middle of a conspiracy that will roil the very foundations of Corporate dominance. Can Janus, and ODIN, make it out alive?
Janus is not destined for the front lines, however. When he is unexpectedly sold to the ODIN Legion, an elite mercenary unit living on the fringes of Corporate control, he finds that his years of survival in the fetid slums will be put to the test. But survival will soon be the least of his concerns.
The ODIN Legion is about to be thrust into the middle of a conspiracy that will roil the very foundations of Corporate dominance. Can Janus, and ODIN, make it out alive?
- GenresDystopia
266 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 30, 2019
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2 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 9, 2019
You can read all my review on Blog - Books Teacup and Reviews
Mercenary’s Child was fantastic futuristic science-fiction that revolved around main character’s journey from the slum area of the corporation to the skilled soldier of Odin legion. It was about survival, friendship, loyalty, courage, valor, and politics.
Characters-
There were many characters in the book.
Janus was smart, quick in mind and reflexes, and slight arrogant who couldn’t keep his voice and eyes down even in front of mighty overlord, even if his life was at risk. Sometimes, he thought he could outwit anybody but that developed greatly during his training on Odin. He made new friends and developed leadership ability. His growth was gradual and I could see there was more to him in next books.
Other side characters were also amazing. New recruits and Janus’s friends, Sargent Wouris, and Praetor Jennings are my personal favorite. All Janus’s friends were interesting. Celes was most mysterious of all. I’m curious to find out where she came from and how she knew so many things in next books. Marcus was security trooper before he came on Odin. There was strong competition of being best between him and Janus. I’m sure there will be more complicated situation between these two in series. I loved Lyn and Ramirez and loved to read their background and about their skills. Together they made fabulous team.
What I liked-
This book formed the firm foundation of the Phoenix Fallacy series. It explored the world in depth and gave overview on characters. The book was third person narrative. Writing was gripping, in depth and easy to follow.
It started with Clara raising Janus in slums ever since she found him on the heap of garbage dropped from the cities above, keeping him out of danger, educating him and teaching things that might one day help him to get out of slums and have better life. And that opportunity came sudden and quick. Janus found himself caught in eyes of one of the overlords, where his mother worked, and was sold to the group of Mercenaries of Odin Legion who traded with corporations. Life as a mercenary was not easy but was better than slum and his experience of slums helped him to pass tests but when the mission was given to Odin legion and its soldiers, they found themselves in the middle of conspiracy. It was interesting to find out what was that conspiracy was and why they were in that situation, if Janus, his team and Odin Legion come out of it safely.
There were other questions that were intriguing from the very beginning- Why Janus was dumped to slums, who were his real parents, why Jennings took interest in Janus, did he knew something about Janus? Now these were not answered in this book but I’m hoping answers will be given in next books. After climax we get little idea about it which kept me thinking all kind of scenario and made me curious to read next book as soon as it is released.
Now the best and half part of the book was world building. Each and every chapter provided important detail on world- What were the corporations, how cities were built and its structure, politics and hierarchy, Odin legion and its intricate structure, old wars, armory and fancy gadgets, suits and some big machineries and air crafts. Everything was so detailed and brilliantly written. It was unique and impressive. Author thought about every minute detail and well-presented it. Even though the book was filled with information, it never felt like info dumping.
Training of new recruits covered another half part of the book. I liked reading this portion too. It provided secondary characters’ background, their development and bits of world building, mostly about Odin Legion- how it works and importance of training. I liked the way it taught characters discipline, loyalty, and battle tactics. It turned them into best soldiers. But the fruits of training were tasted in the real battle and that happened in the third part of the book when they got mission.
It was exciting to read battle and how they carried their mission. I could figure out something was amiss but couldn’t point what until they were in middle of the mission. Climax was surprising and tense. Many things were revealed after climax and conspiracy unveiled. End was bittersweet. I liked how it ended and I’m curious to see what will happen in next and uncover those remaining mysteries.
Overall, it was gripping, action packed, and most unique science-fiction with amazing world and characters. If you are fan of Sci-Fi, don’t miss this.
*** Note: I received e-copy of this book from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Vulpine Press for the copy. ***
Mercenary’s Child was fantastic futuristic science-fiction that revolved around main character’s journey from the slum area of the corporation to the skilled soldier of Odin legion. It was about survival, friendship, loyalty, courage, valor, and politics.
Characters-
There were many characters in the book.
Janus was smart, quick in mind and reflexes, and slight arrogant who couldn’t keep his voice and eyes down even in front of mighty overlord, even if his life was at risk. Sometimes, he thought he could outwit anybody but that developed greatly during his training on Odin. He made new friends and developed leadership ability. His growth was gradual and I could see there was more to him in next books.
Other side characters were also amazing. New recruits and Janus’s friends, Sargent Wouris, and Praetor Jennings are my personal favorite. All Janus’s friends were interesting. Celes was most mysterious of all. I’m curious to find out where she came from and how she knew so many things in next books. Marcus was security trooper before he came on Odin. There was strong competition of being best between him and Janus. I’m sure there will be more complicated situation between these two in series. I loved Lyn and Ramirez and loved to read their background and about their skills. Together they made fabulous team.
What I liked-
This book formed the firm foundation of the Phoenix Fallacy series. It explored the world in depth and gave overview on characters. The book was third person narrative. Writing was gripping, in depth and easy to follow.
It started with Clara raising Janus in slums ever since she found him on the heap of garbage dropped from the cities above, keeping him out of danger, educating him and teaching things that might one day help him to get out of slums and have better life. And that opportunity came sudden and quick. Janus found himself caught in eyes of one of the overlords, where his mother worked, and was sold to the group of Mercenaries of Odin Legion who traded with corporations. Life as a mercenary was not easy but was better than slum and his experience of slums helped him to pass tests but when the mission was given to Odin legion and its soldiers, they found themselves in the middle of conspiracy. It was interesting to find out what was that conspiracy was and why they were in that situation, if Janus, his team and Odin Legion come out of it safely.
There were other questions that were intriguing from the very beginning- Why Janus was dumped to slums, who were his real parents, why Jennings took interest in Janus, did he knew something about Janus? Now these were not answered in this book but I’m hoping answers will be given in next books. After climax we get little idea about it which kept me thinking all kind of scenario and made me curious to read next book as soon as it is released.
Now the best and half part of the book was world building. Each and every chapter provided important detail on world- What were the corporations, how cities were built and its structure, politics and hierarchy, Odin legion and its intricate structure, old wars, armory and fancy gadgets, suits and some big machineries and air crafts. Everything was so detailed and brilliantly written. It was unique and impressive. Author thought about every minute detail and well-presented it. Even though the book was filled with information, it never felt like info dumping.
Training of new recruits covered another half part of the book. I liked reading this portion too. It provided secondary characters’ background, their development and bits of world building, mostly about Odin Legion- how it works and importance of training. I liked the way it taught characters discipline, loyalty, and battle tactics. It turned them into best soldiers. But the fruits of training were tasted in the real battle and that happened in the third part of the book when they got mission.
It was exciting to read battle and how they carried their mission. I could figure out something was amiss but couldn’t point what until they were in middle of the mission. Climax was surprising and tense. Many things were revealed after climax and conspiracy unveiled. End was bittersweet. I liked how it ended and I’m curious to see what will happen in next and uncover those remaining mysteries.
Overall, it was gripping, action packed, and most unique science-fiction with amazing world and characters. If you are fan of Sci-Fi, don’t miss this.
*** Note: I received e-copy of this book from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Vulpine Press for the copy. ***
September 3, 2019
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
In Mercenary's Child we mainly follow Janus, a young man from the slums of Cerberus Corporation. No one knows where he came from, as another girl in the slums, Clara, found him and raised him by herself. From the very beginning you can tell that Janus has a bit of a chip on his shoulder. He does come off as arrogant rather than just being sure of himself and pretty early on we can see this getting him into trouble. Pretty early on in the book he is sold by the higher ups of the corporation he lives in to the ODIN mercenaries.
The world building in this book is superb, though it does take up a good chunk of the book. You can really understand what has happened in this sci fi/dystopian world to get it where it is today. Once he is with ODIN, there is even more layering of the world. The usage of references to mythologies (especially Norse in the case of ODIN) was also a great touch.
A good portion of the book is also Janus and his fellow cadets training and learning the ways of ODIN, but it's a great way for them to build relationships and to figure out what each is good at. We see more of Janus being arrogant and over confident, and being warned about what such attitudes could do.
There is definite growth in Janus and his fellow cadets as they go through training and their first mission, where things far larger than them are revealed. The way the story ends, you know some things that will probably happen in the following book, but it's also a good ending that leaves the reader anticipating what will be coming.
In Mercenary's Child we mainly follow Janus, a young man from the slums of Cerberus Corporation. No one knows where he came from, as another girl in the slums, Clara, found him and raised him by herself. From the very beginning you can tell that Janus has a bit of a chip on his shoulder. He does come off as arrogant rather than just being sure of himself and pretty early on we can see this getting him into trouble. Pretty early on in the book he is sold by the higher ups of the corporation he lives in to the ODIN mercenaries.
The world building in this book is superb, though it does take up a good chunk of the book. You can really understand what has happened in this sci fi/dystopian world to get it where it is today. Once he is with ODIN, there is even more layering of the world. The usage of references to mythologies (especially Norse in the case of ODIN) was also a great touch.
A good portion of the book is also Janus and his fellow cadets training and learning the ways of ODIN, but it's a great way for them to build relationships and to figure out what each is good at. We see more of Janus being arrogant and over confident, and being warned about what such attitudes could do.
There is definite growth in Janus and his fellow cadets as they go through training and their first mission, where things far larger than them are revealed. The way the story ends, you know some things that will probably happen in the following book, but it's also a good ending that leaves the reader anticipating what will be coming.
September 19, 2019
What an adventure! The author took great care in creating a fascinating dystopian world. The descriptions throughout the book reveal the new societies, places and landscapes smoothly. It allowed me to be part of Janus’s journey and discover the scary future as if I were part of it! Great verisimilitude through details!
All characters are very well-developed, and the MCs are likable and relatable. I can't wait to learn more about their secrets in the coming books. Since this is the first book in a series, it was more of a set-up for the future ones and the author did a good job in creating the premisses and lingering problems/mysteries. I am left with many questions, but this first book ends well, with enough answers to make the wait for the second book bearable! ;o)
Read it; your time won't be wasted!
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
All characters are very well-developed, and the MCs are likable and relatable. I can't wait to learn more about their secrets in the coming books. Since this is the first book in a series, it was more of a set-up for the future ones and the author did a good job in creating the premisses and lingering problems/mysteries. I am left with many questions, but this first book ends well, with enough answers to make the wait for the second book bearable! ;o)
Read it; your time won't be wasted!
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
August 1, 2019
I started this book 2 days ago, and it was hard to put it down. The writing style is both in depth and easy enough for anyone to follow. There is surprisingly a LOT of character development, and the story is compelling. I felt myself feeling right along with the primary characters- eager to understand what's going on in the world around them, excited by the flurry of activity they face.
I don't want to give the story away, but there were a couple of scenes where I found myself feeling the awe/wonder that Janus felt when he was exposed to a world he'd never imagined, and I swear I could FEEL the body aches described. I'm so curious about who Celes really is and where she comes from. I want to know more about all of the characters actually....
I'm anxious for the next book, I can't wait to find out what happens next.
I don't want to give the story away, but there were a couple of scenes where I found myself feeling the awe/wonder that Janus felt when he was exposed to a world he'd never imagined, and I swear I could FEEL the body aches described. I'm so curious about who Celes really is and where she comes from. I want to know more about all of the characters actually....
I'm anxious for the next book, I can't wait to find out what happens next.
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