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Lucky's Mercs #1
Retribution
Meet the galaxy's unluckiest mercenaries. Lucky Savage was once a powerful Empire Marine. But that was before the Empire collapsed, sinking the outer colonies into chaos and leaving the galaxy on the precipice of disaster.
Now his ship, Last Gasp, is home to a ragtag crew of misfits and ex-soldiers just trying to navigate the endless conflicts while hoping to score a big payday. So far, they'd settle for scratching out enough to cover fuel.
When a job with Lucky's old employer comes along, it looks like their luck might be turning. But it quickly goes sideways, and they find themselves in the middle of a massive manhunt for a deadly experiment gone wrong.
Can the mercs save the day? Who knows. They're just trying to save their own skin.
It wouldn't hurt to get paid, either.
Retribution is the first book in Lucky's Mercs, an action-packed new series that reads like an unholy union of Starship Troopers and Firefly.
Now his ship, Last Gasp, is home to a ragtag crew of misfits and ex-soldiers just trying to navigate the endless conflicts while hoping to score a big payday. So far, they'd settle for scratching out enough to cover fuel.
When a job with Lucky's old employer comes along, it looks like their luck might be turning. But it quickly goes sideways, and they find themselves in the middle of a massive manhunt for a deadly experiment gone wrong.
Can the mercs save the day? Who knows. They're just trying to save their own skin.
It wouldn't hurt to get paid, either.
Retribution is the first book in Lucky's Mercs, an action-packed new series that reads like an unholy union of Starship Troopers and Firefly.
- GenresScience Fiction
294 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 10, 2019
295 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 21, 2019
Once Lucky was powerful. Now things have disintegrated quickly. How will Lucky and his crew save the planet. I was so involved that I was surprised when it came to the end.
December 26, 2020
Action packed adventure with lots of suspense
It has an interesting story with a full group of wonderful characters. Each person is well described. There are some interesting species and some artificial intelligence thrown into the mix. Lucky really is lucky. This book kept me on the edge of my seat wondering how Lucky was going to keep his crew alive. A crew that is new to working together and his little trust in the other members. There are a few different fractions that get along and have worked together before. The characters have ARC and each one brings something special to the group.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes space stories, a wide variety of species like cyborgs, or alien planets and lab experiments gone wrong. I look forward to reading the next book.
It has an interesting story with a full group of wonderful characters. Each person is well described. There are some interesting species and some artificial intelligence thrown into the mix. Lucky really is lucky. This book kept me on the edge of my seat wondering how Lucky was going to keep his crew alive. A crew that is new to working together and his little trust in the other members. There are a few different fractions that get along and have worked together before. The characters have ARC and each one brings something special to the group.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes space stories, a wide variety of species like cyborgs, or alien planets and lab experiments gone wrong. I look forward to reading the next book.
February 13, 2020
Interesting
Not really a ‘first’ book; their seems to have been a series preceding this that informs the characters. That leaves a newcomer a bit puzzled as to who the characters *are*. Oddly, I think it may have helped to move the narrative a bit quicker than normal for new series, which played in favor.
Characters are a bit thin, but the chaotic nature of the narrative and the speed of the story keep you from dwelling on their shortcomings.
Dysfunctional mercenary team survives screwing up a mission.
I will try the next novel.
Not really a ‘first’ book; their seems to have been a series preceding this that informs the characters. That leaves a newcomer a bit puzzled as to who the characters *are*. Oddly, I think it may have helped to move the narrative a bit quicker than normal for new series, which played in favor.
Characters are a bit thin, but the chaotic nature of the narrative and the speed of the story keep you from dwelling on their shortcomings.
Dysfunctional mercenary team survives screwing up a mission.
I will try the next novel.
September 29, 2020
Lucky Savage is now a mercenary, out to right the wrongs in the cosmos, but still has the same (lack of) control over his situations. He and his squad are constantly facing oblivion – can they really successfully complete a mission? There’s lots of action with twists and turns to keep the reader guessing and turning pages. Buckle up and enjoy the roller coaster! The epilogue promises more adventures – I'm ready to get to them!
April 8, 2025
My favorite of the Lucky books so far. Being mercenaries has changed the dynamics in his team members and equipment, but the withholding of information is the same. HIs new members have their own secrets and none of the marine team loyalty. They still have plenty of adversaries, but not on the same universal scale.
February 21, 2020
Lucky and his mercenaries take a job to guard a train on an alien planet. What they get is a whole heap of trouble. Attacking aliens, lies, crazy killer experiments, it’s all in there. Great story with characters that are easy to love and hate all with their own secrets.
March 10, 2020
Book 1
Book 1 was a fun read and had a lot of errors. The overall plot and characters are interesting. The plot is ongoing from a previous series. Lucky and his crew have different views and mash well enough together. I look forward to book 2.
Book 1 was a fun read and had a lot of errors. The overall plot and characters are interesting. The plot is ongoing from a previous series. Lucky and his crew have different views and mash well enough together. I look forward to book 2.
February 18, 2020
A little below standard
The author seems to be coasting, and getting a tad bit sloppy. Still a fun read, although you need to read each series in order
The author seems to be coasting, and getting a tad bit sloppy. Still a fun read, although you need to read each series in order
March 6, 2020
Worth reading
Lucky gets lucky again. He is a merc contractor now not in the military. Tuff being a contract owner. See what happens
Lucky gets lucky again. He is a merc contractor now not in the military. Tuff being a contract owner. See what happens
March 9, 2020
This is a kick-ass SF with awesome characters and a particularly nasty bad-guy. Loved it!
March 23, 2020
Lucky all the way
Loved the characters and the story is well written. I recommend this book and cannot wait for the rest of the series.
Loved the characters and the story is well written. I recommend this book and cannot wait for the rest of the series.
July 26, 2020
Lucy's Mercs
Very entertaining. Light humor, heavy on action. Don't start this novel unless you have the time to finish it. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Very entertaining. Light humor, heavy on action. Don't start this novel unless you have the time to finish it. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
September 12, 2020
Fast paced a good read
took me a while to get the AI and the people straight.
took me a while to get the AI and the people straight.
December 30, 2024
4/5 Stars
August 13, 2025
Very entertaining
Lucky's Mercs are great books and very entertaining. I've read a couple books and can't put them down. Excellent books.
Lucky's Mercs are great books and very entertaining. I've read a couple books and can't put them down. Excellent books.
June 7, 2020
I truly think this is by far the weakest book of all the Lucky's series... maybe its just a new intro, but it does not have any of the thing that I love from the last tres arc series.
December 2, 2019
It’s interesting watching the new team jostle and jockey for position and understanding. Spider’s willing to follow Jiang’s lead, more or less, because Jiang seems to have her head on straight. Merlin goes where Spider goes, and Knives needs the rest of them in order to get his money. Lucky will always be a reluctant hero, even if he is the hyper-violent kind (violence alert!). The book notes up front that this second series is meant to be able to stand alone, so you don’t need to have read Lucky’s Marines. Since I have read that series I can’t say for sure, but I believe it actually does stand up well on its own. Even the complicated things like the Hate are fairly well summed up just by explaining they were the products of Empire skunkworks (special projects), which works surprisingly well.
The characters are fun. They’re just beginning to be sketched out as we start the new series, but there’s already some character growth and interesting relationships forming. In her own way, Jiang is pretty much the one holding the party together with her quiet strength and sheer competence; without her Lucky would be screwed. Spider is an interesting character who clearly has a fascinating background, and it looks like we’ll be poking into that quite soon. Malby is his old, crazy, foolish self, and Merlin is a depressed cyborg who’s having a sexual relationship with an AI. It’s all just plain fun! And if you have read and enjoyed Lucky’s Marines, you’ll find more of what you’re looking for in here, but minus Emperor April’s occasionally too-twisted crazy plans. I think it’s the perfect setup.
Original review posted on my blog: http://www.errantdreams.com/2019/12/r...
The characters are fun. They’re just beginning to be sketched out as we start the new series, but there’s already some character growth and interesting relationships forming. In her own way, Jiang is pretty much the one holding the party together with her quiet strength and sheer competence; without her Lucky would be screwed. Spider is an interesting character who clearly has a fascinating background, and it looks like we’ll be poking into that quite soon. Malby is his old, crazy, foolish self, and Merlin is a depressed cyborg who’s having a sexual relationship with an AI. It’s all just plain fun! And if you have read and enjoyed Lucky’s Marines, you’ll find more of what you’re looking for in here, but minus Emperor April’s occasionally too-twisted crazy plans. I think it’s the perfect setup.
Original review posted on my blog: http://www.errantdreams.com/2019/12/r...
November 29, 2019
For the record, I received an Advanced Review Copy (ARC) of this book with the request that I leave a voluntary honest review for other potential readers. That having been said, here is my honest opinion and review of this book. This first installment of the new Lucky Marine series is a definite hit. It is action packed and very entertaining. The story continues to build on the existing world already established as well as the existing principle characters. Adding new characters to the mix, the story expands on the existing universe with pulse pounding adventures. Blight is an absolutely fascinating character invention, something that I don't believe I have ever run across before. The author already has a well established writing style that flows along nicely from start to finish. Altogether, this book is well worth the time it takes to read it. I look forward to the sequel.
December 19, 2019
Action packed adventure
Take a large breath before you start because you may forget to take another one for awhile. This book pulls you in and won't let you go. I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
Take a large breath before you start because you may forget to take another one for awhile. This book pulls you in and won't let you go. I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
November 13, 2019
**** SPOILER ALERT ****
In "Retribution: Lucky's Mercs Book 1"
James takes us on another madcap, twist, and action packed roller coaster of a ride.
The author continues to deliver great works building and character development along the way. It was quite entertaining and I highly recommend this book.
In the interest of transparency: I was given a free review copy of this book and I am voluntarily sharing this review.
It is my own honest opinion.
In "Retribution: Lucky's Mercs Book 1"
James takes us on another madcap, twist, and action packed roller coaster of a ride.
The author continues to deliver great works building and character development along the way. It was quite entertaining and I highly recommend this book.
In the interest of transparency: I was given a free review copy of this book and I am voluntarily sharing this review.
It is my own honest opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2019
Received as an ARC, this an honest review. For Lucky Savage the vast galactic empire he once knew has crumbled; becoming a mercenary seems a perfect choice for him. With a crew of ragtags wanting more than just to survive; what could go wrong with a job involving a dangerous experiment? Just about everything. A gritty space opera that keeps you on edge of seat, transfixed by the adventure and absolute craziness that follows. Highly recommended.
November 14, 2019
I received an ARC, and this review is my own opinion, and completely voluntary. I have not yet read the previous series, but that did not seem to detract from this story, which was action filled, violent and lots of fun if military sci-fi is what you like, as I do! The characters, and the interactions between them were interesting, and I look forward to seeing where the story goes from here. I will also be reading the first series.
November 20, 2019
Amazing
Another lucky adventure that leaves you wanting more lucky is like a normal everyday screwed up person just trying his best to get along and hopefully do the right thing Jiang is like the most perfect woman to have a a friend and maybe more I do love these Lucky adventures
Another lucky adventure that leaves you wanting more lucky is like a normal everyday screwed up person just trying his best to get along and hopefully do the right thing Jiang is like the most perfect woman to have a a friend and maybe more I do love these Lucky adventures
November 18, 2019
Not just another mission for Lucky's team!
I have read all of Lucky's books so far, and still think this is a great story.
Now that he has moved on to a new story line. I think it will be just as good as the others.
I have read all of Lucky's books so far, and still think this is a great story.
Now that he has moved on to a new story line. I think it will be just as good as the others.
November 20, 2019
Nice third episode
I have a feeling this story is just getting started.
What will the bad guy do to achieve its objectives.
What will the hero’s do to stop it.
Will the hate show up?
How much more can go wrong and these guys still be breathing?
Only JJ KNOWS.
I have a feeling this story is just getting started.
What will the bad guy do to achieve its objectives.
What will the hero’s do to stop it.
Will the hate show up?
How much more can go wrong and these guys still be breathing?
Only JJ KNOWS.
November 25, 2019
Lucky and his mercs are back for another adventure. The story was fun to read and had a few twists in it that I enjoyed. It was fast to read except when I stopped to laugh. Oh the characters in the story were great. The crazy situations they end up in were just as wild as they were.
December 15, 2019
A great read, fast paced and full of action, exactly at you'd expect in a space marines sci fi. Great to be back with Lucky, some familiar characters and some new ones. An easy and entertaining read.
May 28, 2020
Great characters, adventure, action! A well told story I would recommend.
December 5, 2019
Great Characters
Characters were individually established strong emerging from almost to the possible. Loved the story growth and knowing that it was just a start for this group.
Characters were individually established strong emerging from almost to the possible. Loved the story growth and knowing that it was just a start for this group.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews