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Starfist #6
Hangfire
Six agents have died hideously trying to penetrate the crime families behind a vast empire of pleasure and debauchery--
Now it's up to the Marines to break the circle.
Most people will visit Havanagas only in their dreams, for few can afford the exclusive resort planet that recreates ancient worlds and caters to every taste. Witches are burned at the stake in medieval towns while riotous hordes fill Rome's Coliseum to watch gladiators battle. Even the basest of human lusts are satiated by deadly sex acts and a thriving slave trade.
The crime bosses' control of Havanagas and its people is brutally effective. Now three Marines from Co. L's 3rd Platoon--masquerading as discharged military buddies on holiday--are going in to break the kingpins' bloody stranglehold. From bordellos and rebellious enclaves to the very pit of the Coliseum filled with deadly beasts, Corporal Pasquin and Lance Corporals Claypoole and Dean face certain death with only their wits and skills as weapons. But they're Marines, built to survive. . . .
Now it's up to the Marines to break the circle.
Most people will visit Havanagas only in their dreams, for few can afford the exclusive resort planet that recreates ancient worlds and caters to every taste. Witches are burned at the stake in medieval towns while riotous hordes fill Rome's Coliseum to watch gladiators battle. Even the basest of human lusts are satiated by deadly sex acts and a thriving slave trade.
The crime bosses' control of Havanagas and its people is brutally effective. Now three Marines from Co. L's 3rd Platoon--masquerading as discharged military buddies on holiday--are going in to break the kingpins' bloody stranglehold. From bordellos and rebellious enclaves to the very pit of the Coliseum filled with deadly beasts, Corporal Pasquin and Lance Corporals Claypoole and Dean face certain death with only their wits and skills as weapons. But they're Marines, built to survive. . . .
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
16 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
David Sherman
67 books99 followersDavid Sherman was the author or co-author of some three dozen books, most of which are about Marines in combat.
He wrote about US Marines in Vietnam (the Night Fighters series and three other novels), and the DemonTech series about Marines in a fantasy world. The 18th Race trilogy is military science fiction.
Other than military, he wrote a non-conventional vampire novel, The Hunt, and a mystery, Dead Man's Chest. He also released a collection of short fiction and non-fiction from early in his writing career, Sherman's Shorts; the Beginnings.
With Dan Cragg he wrote the popular Starfist series and its spin off series, Starfist: Force Recon—all about Marines in the Twenty-fifth Century.; and a Star Wars novel, Jedi Trial.
His books have been translated into Czech, Polish, German, and Japanese.
David passed away in November 2022.
He wrote about US Marines in Vietnam (the Night Fighters series and three other novels), and the DemonTech series about Marines in a fantasy world. The 18th Race trilogy is military science fiction.
Other than military, he wrote a non-conventional vampire novel, The Hunt, and a mystery, Dead Man's Chest. He also released a collection of short fiction and non-fiction from early in his writing career, Sherman's Shorts; the Beginnings.
With Dan Cragg he wrote the popular Starfist series and its spin off series, Starfist: Force Recon—all about Marines in the Twenty-fifth Century.; and a Star Wars novel, Jedi Trial.
His books have been translated into Czech, Polish, German, and Japanese.
David passed away in November 2022.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
April 8, 2022
I've read the entire series multiple times but usually by book #5 I lose the desire to continue, this time was the same.
March 11, 2013
This is not a bad book. Definitely a lot better than the previous one in the series. In general it is enjoyable reading. Unlike the previous books which have all involved an actual deployment of a group of marines the main story of this one is about three “lone” marines which are deployed as undercover agents without any equipment whatsoever. I have to say I was not too thrilled about this but the story is well written and as the story progresses they do get their hands on some suitable equipment for the favorite pastime (officially they are on holiday) of said marines. That is blowing things up.
Also, somewhat unlike the previous books there is not one single story thread in this book but several. The main story is the undercover operation of the three marines but then there is also the story of the commander going to earth to try and find out who is screwing with his command and another story with our mysterious aliens making a reappearance on one of the humans colony worlds. The two latter stories are actually, in a sense, somewhat related and both are really setting the stage for the next book in the Starfist series.
The book is well written and even the duller parts of the book make for an enjoyable read. The authors have a bad habit of inventing names in languages they do not properly understand (or they understand them but have a very weird sense of humor) to the extent of it being annoying but luckily there’s not too much of that nonsense in this book. The way the book builds up towards some alien butt-kicking in the next installment makes me look forwards to reading that one.
Also, somewhat unlike the previous books there is not one single story thread in this book but several. The main story is the undercover operation of the three marines but then there is also the story of the commander going to earth to try and find out who is screwing with his command and another story with our mysterious aliens making a reappearance on one of the humans colony worlds. The two latter stories are actually, in a sense, somewhat related and both are really setting the stage for the next book in the Starfist series.
The book is well written and even the duller parts of the book make for an enjoyable read. The authors have a bad habit of inventing names in languages they do not properly understand (or they understand them but have a very weird sense of humor) to the extent of it being annoying but luckily there’s not too much of that nonsense in this book. The way the book builds up towards some alien butt-kicking in the next installment makes me look forwards to reading that one.
May 7, 2012
Picked this up at the library on a whim (I do like my Space Marines...) but the action in the book was very, very dull. There were also some sections which were chronologically out of order (which can work!) but pretty much killed any teeny tiny bit of suspense that might have been generated.
The book also suffered from a lack of dynamic tension between the rebels and the Federation Marines in terms of ability to fight, strategy, etc. The Marines showed up, killed the rebels while taking few or no casualties, marched on to victory. Great to happen in real life, very boring in a book.
Near the end, things perked up a little bit, but the political maneuvering came too little, too late to salvage the whole experience.
The book also suffered from a lack of dynamic tension between the rebels and the Federation Marines in terms of ability to fight, strategy, etc. The Marines showed up, killed the rebels while taking few or no casualties, marched on to victory. Great to happen in real life, very boring in a book.
Near the end, things perked up a little bit, but the political maneuvering came too little, too late to salvage the whole experience.
February 7, 2024
Good, but split focus too much
The Starfist saga continues. As expected, it provides a level of entertainment and excitement that this series is known for while at the same time touches on many of the common hallmarks that can be found in most elite military forces around the modern world to give readers a unique connection to the story.
My one complaint was the storyline involving Dean & Claypool. From the beginning to the end, I was constantly asking myself why the entire storyline was relevant. It was entertaining, but it doesn't really do anything to significantly evolve the main characters involved. The writers could have found better uses for Dean & Claypool. I'm also disappointed that Dean, at least, has not yet been promoted.
The Starfist saga continues. As expected, it provides a level of entertainment and excitement that this series is known for while at the same time touches on many of the common hallmarks that can be found in most elite military forces around the modern world to give readers a unique connection to the story.
My one complaint was the storyline involving Dean & Claypool. From the beginning to the end, I was constantly asking myself why the entire storyline was relevant. It was entertaining, but it doesn't really do anything to significantly evolve the main characters involved. The writers could have found better uses for Dean & Claypool. I'm also disappointed that Dean, at least, has not yet been promoted.
June 24, 2011
Havanagas is a resort planet for the wealthy. There iis entertainment to suit every taste regardless of how obscure. Six Confederation agents have tried to infiltrate the controlling criminal element of the planet but failed. Three enlisted Confederation Marines are sent in plain clothes pretending to be recently discharged veterans on vacation. Their mission - break the control of the crime bosses.
March 25, 2016
Marines playing undercover cops! While aliens do mischief and people do things!
Legitimately a lot better than pretty much all the prior books. Most of the prior ones were enjoyable, if forgettable, yarns. This one is a bit more involved and moves along a bit more swiftly with its multiple plot archs, better pacing, less firefights that just drag on. Oddly less 'believable' than the prior ones (I know, strange, its already Sci-Fi/Fantasy) but some of it just seemed... off.
Legitimately a lot better than pretty much all the prior books. Most of the prior ones were enjoyable, if forgettable, yarns. This one is a bit more involved and moves along a bit more swiftly with its multiple plot archs, better pacing, less firefights that just drag on. Oddly less 'believable' than the prior ones (I know, strange, its already Sci-Fi/Fantasy) but some of it just seemed... off.
May 3, 2016
This book had a potentially great setting with the protagonists heading for a planet built as an amusement park, with sections from different eras. Instead of making the most of this the author spends half the book building up for the events of the next three books.
January 17, 2016
Boy, I've fallen behind in reviewing my books. This is #6 and I'm already waiting to read #9.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews