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Metal Legion Complete Series Omnibus #1-8
Victory or death! Fight to survive.
The complete set in one package – as much military science fiction adventure as your heart can handle. Aliens. Galactic conquest. Grunts. And firepower. Humanity learns that it's not the biggest or the baddest in the universe, but that doesn't stop them.
Scorpion's
Who kicks off the battle? Cannon fodder. Soften up the enemy. The Metal Legion. Old mechs crewed by former prisoners with nowhere else to go. They carry the burden. They bear the pain.
But they don't want to die. “Never fight fair when fighting for your life” The motto of the Metal Legion. They fight to win.
The mechs stand tall, or crawl, or run, or scamper. A dozen different designs, held together by rough welds and sheer willpower. And the soldiers within, like Xi Bao who refuses to give up.
Taking her armor underground, she finds the enemy, in numbers far greater than she was told. Knee deep in the war, her crew gives their old mech new vigor for one last chance at glory.
Victory or death! More ammo. More missiles. More beds in the hospital.
All 8 books included in this GIANT
Scorpion's FuryFrozen FireHellfireLunar AssaultWatery GraveCry HavocSearch & DestroyEnd of WarMetal Legion – climb the ramp and come along for the ride. It’ll be bumpy and hot, but fire the mains and full speed ahead. Read Metal Legion today.
The complete set in one package – as much military science fiction adventure as your heart can handle. Aliens. Galactic conquest. Grunts. And firepower. Humanity learns that it's not the biggest or the baddest in the universe, but that doesn't stop them.
Scorpion's
Who kicks off the battle? Cannon fodder. Soften up the enemy. The Metal Legion. Old mechs crewed by former prisoners with nowhere else to go. They carry the burden. They bear the pain.
But they don't want to die. “Never fight fair when fighting for your life” The motto of the Metal Legion. They fight to win.
The mechs stand tall, or crawl, or run, or scamper. A dozen different designs, held together by rough welds and sheer willpower. And the soldiers within, like Xi Bao who refuses to give up.
Taking her armor underground, she finds the enemy, in numbers far greater than she was told. Knee deep in the war, her crew gives their old mech new vigor for one last chance at glory.
Victory or death! More ammo. More missiles. More beds in the hospital.
All 8 books included in this GIANT
Scorpion's FuryFrozen FireHellfireLunar AssaultWatery GraveCry HavocSearch & DestroyEnd of WarMetal Legion – climb the ramp and come along for the ride. It’ll be bumpy and hot, but fire the mains and full speed ahead. Read Metal Legion today.
2264 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 8, 2020
259 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 11, 2023
The idea is a classic: a group of misfits battle to make the universe safe for humanity. They square off against various aliens, a galaxy-wide conspiracy, and the higher ups in their own military. Oh, and very occasionally each other. Finally, the menace is unraveled, although at a heavy toll in life, machines and munitions. Peace prevails.
This is sweeping, combat-heavy, epic in scale and ambitious in concept. Compared to comparable series, very little in the series is done badly. Conversely, very little is exceptional either. I had no trouble maintaining my immersion in and enjoyment of the story, once I accepted the dominant point of view and a major style quirk, both outlined below. Lots of combat and a great premise, but I wanted more from it.
The good: there is a ton of action, and Gideon/Martell and Wachter don’t let too much time elapse between episodes of fighting. The aliens were devious and enjoyable friends/enemies--they tended to help or hold back according to their own interests, mixing duplicity and friendship together in a remarkable display of political realism. There is an awesome heavy metal music theme/soundtrack.
The bad: there is a ton of action, and Gideon/Martell and Wachter don’t let too much time elapse between episodes of fighting. There is character development, just not much and it’s spotty and uneven. Star mech driver Xi in particular disappointed -- she starts off as a believable misfit, grows up just enough to be interesting, takes on a really sophisticated semi-diplomatic challenge which she handles with grace, accrues steady promotions -- and by the last two books is back to treating mankind’s most important allies and the species’ existential crisis with one-dimensional flippancy. Lee “Leroy” Jenkins (hah!) hints at being a commander with a dark and twisty past, but only hints at it. Et cetera…
The ugly: patchy world-building. This has an almost “operations research SF” flavor. Battles have lengthy and excruciatingly detailed counts of how many of which type of projectile were fired, at which point and how they are shot down or intercepted, missed, hit the target, and how much damage they inflicted. I found myself skipping through battles to avoid this. This same level of detail is rarely applied to characters or back story. This is too bad--the authors are clearly talented enough to pull that off.
(For whatever reason this series tripped some mental circuit breaker for me at a point when I had a lot of time on my hands. There is an (even) longer review on my blog. This touches on how the series is a very American view of war, and the "uncreative anachronism" factor in it, among other things. Caveat lector.)
August 16, 2020
I really enjoyed this series.I got the bundle e-book and read via Kindle on my phone. what i like about this author is that having been in the military the stories like this have the proper tone and realism.
In this series you follow the Mechanized Legion as they are formed and fit their battles, not only with alien forces bent on destroying humanity, but also with Terran Fleet and Government who wants to control them. You get to know many of the soldiers as they rise in rank and responsibility through the books. You see their ups and downs and follow them in battles that seem to be come directly from hell.
If you like epic battles with hundreds of good guys fighting off 1000's of bad guys who just won't stop coming, you'll love these books. The amount of ordinance expended in these battles is incredible. Made me think that some day in the far future some space craft will run into a "asteroid storm" made up of railgun ammo that missed their targets. (LOL)
Anyway its a fun read, enjoyable characters and lots of interesting ideas for space campaigns.
In this series you follow the Mechanized Legion as they are formed and fit their battles, not only with alien forces bent on destroying humanity, but also with Terran Fleet and Government who wants to control them. You get to know many of the soldiers as they rise in rank and responsibility through the books. You see their ups and downs and follow them in battles that seem to be come directly from hell.
If you like epic battles with hundreds of good guys fighting off 1000's of bad guys who just won't stop coming, you'll love these books. The amount of ordinance expended in these battles is incredible. Made me think that some day in the far future some space craft will run into a "asteroid storm" made up of railgun ammo that missed their targets. (LOL)
Anyway its a fun read, enjoyable characters and lots of interesting ideas for space campaigns.
November 20, 2020
Honking Big Mechs
I'll normally put in some stars on a book I've enjoyed but very rarely take the time to write any sort of review. That's pretty selfish given the hours of enjoyment I've had from a host of authors but would be almost a criminal offence given how much I've enjoyed the Metal Legion.
I've always enjoyed stories about Big stompy robots, though they are scarce amongst the more common scifi tropes. Metal Legion has been a fun and immersive ride as the Terran Colonists fight for their place and humaniity's in a vast galaxy filled with conflict both home and afar, on and off the battlefield.
If you enjoy military scifi and fast paced frantic battles this is definitely for your 'to read' list.
I'll normally put in some stars on a book I've enjoyed but very rarely take the time to write any sort of review. That's pretty selfish given the hours of enjoyment I've had from a host of authors but would be almost a criminal offence given how much I've enjoyed the Metal Legion.
I've always enjoyed stories about Big stompy robots, though they are scarce amongst the more common scifi tropes. Metal Legion has been a fun and immersive ride as the Terran Colonists fight for their place and humaniity's in a vast galaxy filled with conflict both home and afar, on and off the battlefield.
If you enjoy military scifi and fast paced frantic battles this is definitely for your 'to read' list.
August 15, 2021
A very fun read
Fast paced but with a good rhythm that makes you turn just one more page, just one more page, well maybe just one more page. Off beat banter between the characters makes the ridiculous real in a way that feels like the impossible is plausible. Just like real life. So, maybe it’s not so impossible after all. Thank you Mr. Martelle first, for 20 years of service, but also for the entertainment, for some memorable quotes, and maybe a few thoughts worth further exploration. Just what the doctor ordered. Now I need to find myself a 100 foot, 150 ton armored behemoth, throw some Ozzy on eleven and lay waste to some human hating aliens! Because metal never dies!
Fast paced but with a good rhythm that makes you turn just one more page, just one more page, well maybe just one more page. Off beat banter between the characters makes the ridiculous real in a way that feels like the impossible is plausible. Just like real life. So, maybe it’s not so impossible after all. Thank you Mr. Martelle first, for 20 years of service, but also for the entertainment, for some memorable quotes, and maybe a few thoughts worth further exploration. Just what the doctor ordered. Now I need to find myself a 100 foot, 150 ton armored behemoth, throw some Ozzy on eleven and lay waste to some human hating aliens! Because metal never dies!
March 20, 2024
Metal Never Dies Indeed!
This is a great series. It is great on characters with character; with witty banter and with good taste in a playlist. The mechs are good in the multitude of designs. I would say that this is not a hard core science type science fiction book. If you want books that dive into quantum enery taps, etc. That does not happen here. There is enough science to make the background work and is believable. Read it for what it is...Good Storytelling!
This is a great series. It is great on characters with character; with witty banter and with good taste in a playlist. The mechs are good in the multitude of designs. I would say that this is not a hard core science type science fiction book. If you want books that dive into quantum enery taps, etc. That does not happen here. There is enough science to make the background work and is believable. Read it for what it is...Good Storytelling!
October 26, 2025
engagingly exciting from start to finish
A space battle opera with something for everyone. I was pulled in and held by the story through epic space and ground battles. I adventured underground with awesome war machines. And I fell unabashedly in love with the characters as they fought and thought their way through treachery and outright political sabotage during their struggle for the continued existence of humanity in a universe that considered them sub-standard.
A space battle opera with something for everyone. I was pulled in and held by the story through epic space and ground battles. I adventured underground with awesome war machines. And I fell unabashedly in love with the characters as they fought and thought their way through treachery and outright political sabotage during their struggle for the continued existence of humanity in a universe that considered them sub-standard.
January 17, 2021
Ya have to read this
This series has been a great for me here in Texas where it can drop 6" of snow on Sunday and be 65 on Wednesday. To be able to get so engrossed in a novel as exciting as Metal Legion. Craig Martelle has created a marvelous universe where we (humanity) are the youngsters in the galaxy. Trying to defend ourselves from a race bent on genocide of humanity.
This series has been a great for me here in Texas where it can drop 6" of snow on Sunday and be 65 on Wednesday. To be able to get so engrossed in a novel as exciting as Metal Legion. Craig Martelle has created a marvelous universe where we (humanity) are the youngsters in the galaxy. Trying to defend ourselves from a race bent on genocide of humanity.
December 31, 2023
Metal Never Dies
Metal may never dies but sadly this series has came to a end. I loved this series of books and must say anyone that grew up on the 70s and 80s would love this series. The music, Dragonlance, movie, and pop culture references are great! Craig is obviously a man with great tastes. LOL But in all seriousness this is a great series I would highly recommend.
Metal may never dies but sadly this series has came to a end. I loved this series of books and must say anyone that grew up on the 70s and 80s would love this series. The music, Dragonlance, movie, and pop culture references are great! Craig is obviously a man with great tastes. LOL But in all seriousness this is a great series I would highly recommend.
September 13, 2020
Outstanding series
Excellent characters with great music. Really enjoyed getting to know all of the crazy characters in this series. Great story. Glad I added this series to my library. Definitely recommend to anyone looking for a great read.
Excellent characters with great music. Really enjoyed getting to know all of the crazy characters in this series. Great story. Glad I added this series to my library. Definitely recommend to anyone looking for a great read.
December 16, 2022
One superior read
Another great series that was thoroughly enjoyable on so many divergent story lines. As always Mr. Gideon, Mr. Wachter, Mr. Martelle superbly merged their styles, characters and prose to make an outstanding series that will stand forever. Thanks.
Another great series that was thoroughly enjoyable on so many divergent story lines. As always Mr. Gideon, Mr. Wachter, Mr. Martelle superbly merged their styles, characters and prose to make an outstanding series that will stand forever. Thanks.
June 16, 2023
A Fun Read!
I started this because really who doesn’t love “big honkin mechs?” But the story kept me involved. Took me a bit to finish but a well done story and I recommend it. “Metal Never Dies!”
I started this because really who doesn’t love “big honkin mechs?” But the story kept me involved. Took me a bit to finish but a well done story and I recommend it. “Metal Never Dies!”
July 30, 2024
Metal Never Dies
Mechs, Fleet battles, and intrigue. How much can one down in the dumps, freed from prison person do? Check out this omnibus to see how far one group will go to save humanity!!
Mechs, Fleet battles, and intrigue. How much can one down in the dumps, freed from prison person do? Check out this omnibus to see how far one group will go to save humanity!!
July 21, 2020
Thank you
Thank you for the entertainment. Once again you have helped me put the crap going on right now aside for a while. Keep up the excellent work
Thank you for the entertainment. Once again you have helped me put the crap going on right now aside for a while. Keep up the excellent work
August 21, 2020
Great box set
I need to write 20 words and can only think to write great 20 times
Guess that's why I read not write and this is well worth reading
I need to write 20 words and can only think to write great 20 times
Guess that's why I read not write and this is well worth reading
September 5, 2020
Great series
Good main characters. Lots of fast fiery battles in space and on the ground. With some good humor throughout. Very technical.
Good main characters. Lots of fast fiery battles in space and on the ground. With some good humor throughout. Very technical.
September 25, 2020
Metal Never Dies!
A great series with really good characters and storylines. Craig is a master story teller who brought Jenkins, Xi and Podsy to life.
A great series with really good characters and storylines. Craig is a master story teller who brought Jenkins, Xi and Podsy to life.
September 29, 2021
Entertaining Story
At first I was turned off by the concept of a 19 year old being promoted to Lt. Once I got over that I really enjoyed this series. Metal never dies!
At first I was turned off by the concept of a 19 year old being promoted to Lt. Once I got over that I really enjoyed this series. Metal never dies!
May 10, 2025
Really enjoyed this series lots of fun wish there was more or at least more stories set in the same universe
September 4, 2020
Excellent series
September 30, 2020
This is an engaging tale of galaxy wide combat in which the excitement just keeps on building. I hope the author either expands the story line or add other stories in the Metal Legion Universe.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews