What do you think?
Rate this book
Operation Grendel
It's the war story he's dreamed of. But the battle may cost him his mind.
Military journalist Raymin Dahl thinks he's finally getting the story of a lifetime. Secret peace talks on a remote tropical moon are about to surrender five colonized worlds—and six hundred million civilians—to a ruthless enemy.
But when his commanding officer, Captain Ansell Sterling, is fatally wounded before the negotiations can begin, Dahl can no longer just report on the mission. He's ordered to complete it. With help from the AI embedded in Sterling's comms bracelet, Dahl must impersonate his commander—a Marine Corps hero and psychological operations expert.
However, Sterling's AI may be luring him to surrender more than he realizes. And the mission Corporal Dahl thinks he's running isn't the only operation underway.
Military journalist Raymin Dahl thinks he's finally getting the story of a lifetime. Secret peace talks on a remote tropical moon are about to surrender five colonized worlds—and six hundred million civilians—to a ruthless enemy.
But when his commanding officer, Captain Ansell Sterling, is fatally wounded before the negotiations can begin, Dahl can no longer just report on the mission. He's ordered to complete it. With help from the AI embedded in Sterling's comms bracelet, Dahl must impersonate his commander—a Marine Corps hero and psychological operations expert.
However, Sterling's AI may be luring him to surrender more than he realizes. And the mission Corporal Dahl thinks he's running isn't the only operation underway.
242 pages, Hardcover
Published March 9, 2021
7 people are currently reading
278 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Schwabauer
18 books216 followersDaniel Schwabauer, ThD, teaches English at MidAmerica Nazarene University and writes award-winning fantasy and science fiction novels. He earned an MA in creative writing under science fiction legend James Gunn and completed his doctoral work in semiotic theology with Leonard Sweet. He lives in Olathe, Kansas, with his wife and dogs.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
May 1, 2021
8 November, 2020: at some point I'll do my proper ARC duty and write a review, but I just need a moment, okay
March 23, 2021
WOW. I am speechless. I think "flabbergasted" is the best word to describe how I felt over the ending of this masterpiece. This book had me on the edge of my seat the whole time and the ending left my jaw on the floor.
The characters are masterfully intricate and realistic. The different motives and layered relationships added such incredible depth to the story. I am utterly floored by the emotional twists and turns this took me on.
The plot. THE PLOT. Such a unique, epic premise. I was in love before I started reading, but as soon as I started this story grabbed me by the throat and dragged me along unrelentingly. The intrigue and the double-sided plot threads had me constantly guessing, but never quite discovering the truth until it was revealed. The intricacy of this story is utterly incredible.
I am so completely in awe of this book. It took my breath away. Definitely the kind of book I could reread again and again without growing tired of it. A phenomenal standalone sci-fi that absolutely blew my mind (in the best way) with it's complex twists. I could never recommend this enough!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review.
The characters are masterfully intricate and realistic. The different motives and layered relationships added such incredible depth to the story. I am utterly floored by the emotional twists and turns this took me on.
The plot. THE PLOT. Such a unique, epic premise. I was in love before I started reading, but as soon as I started this story grabbed me by the throat and dragged me along unrelentingly. The intrigue and the double-sided plot threads had me constantly guessing, but never quite discovering the truth until it was revealed. The intricacy of this story is utterly incredible.
I am so completely in awe of this book. It took my breath away. Definitely the kind of book I could reread again and again without growing tired of it. A phenomenal standalone sci-fi that absolutely blew my mind (in the best way) with it's complex twists. I could never recommend this enough!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review.
March 10, 2021
One of those stories you have to read a couple of times over to fully process. Really engaging to read, cool, and cleverly done. Highly recommend.
March 11, 2021
I'm reeling from the end of this story. Mr. S is such a masterful storyteller! Thank you so much to Enclave and Mr. S for sending me an e-ARC so I could read and review early. This story was incredible, and I couldn't put it down.
The first line sets you up for a story of lies and intrigue: "Like every journalist, I lie for a living." I thought I knew what was happening every page, every chapter of this story. But then at the end, everything I thought was real was fake. Everything I thought was truth was a lie. The story is about a PSYOP (psychological operations) mission gone wrong (or is it?) and this story in itself is a psychological operation for the reader as you try to unravel the story behind the story.
I loved reading from Raymin Dahl's perspective as he had such a unique outlook on life. I felt like I really got to see how he thinks and operates yet I feel like this book is also one of those books where you need to read it multiple times to understand all the little mysteries woven throughout it. Dahl is such a complex character--just like a real person.
I've never read a story where lies are truth and truths are lies and you as the reader don't know which is which. Uncovering the mysteries of Operation Grendel was such a fun experience and I can't wait for this book to release to the rest of the world!
The first line sets you up for a story of lies and intrigue: "Like every journalist, I lie for a living." I thought I knew what was happening every page, every chapter of this story. But then at the end, everything I thought was real was fake. Everything I thought was truth was a lie. The story is about a PSYOP (psychological operations) mission gone wrong (or is it?) and this story in itself is a psychological operation for the reader as you try to unravel the story behind the story.
I loved reading from Raymin Dahl's perspective as he had such a unique outlook on life. I felt like I really got to see how he thinks and operates yet I feel like this book is also one of those books where you need to read it multiple times to understand all the little mysteries woven throughout it. Dahl is such a complex character--just like a real person.
I've never read a story where lies are truth and truths are lies and you as the reader don't know which is which. Uncovering the mysteries of Operation Grendel was such a fun experience and I can't wait for this book to release to the rest of the world!
August 6, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
I've been reading a lot of sci-fi lately, and Operation Grendel was a special treat. It's set in one of those far-future, "humans have expanded to colonize space" scenarios we've seen a hundred times, but unlike most of them, it actually felt completely realistic to the way humanity might in fact develop in the future. It was technologically advanced but still grounded in recognizable human culture. The military aspect of it felt particularly realistic to our present experiences (rather chillingly so... *googly eyes emoji*)
One interesting feature of this world is the military controls the journalism sector, controls the major news outlets, so the only news stories you can get are propaganda pieces. Our hero, Raymin Dahl, is a reporter chafing against these restrictions and longing to publish a Real Story. In pursuit of this goal, he ends up impersonating a military officer and going on a top-secret mission in order to get a firsthand account he can publish without any official varnish.
Except... that's not really what the story is about at all, and I can't discuss it more fully because #spoilers, but it involves AI and propaganda and thought control and the power of narrative and all that good stuff.
I will say there is a major twist at the end with some pretty uNCOMFORTABLE MORAL IMPLICATIONS, so be wary of that if you prefer your fiction to draw clear moral lines. At the same time, I don't really believe the author is presenting this twist as morally good, but rather, simply asking us to accept it as a Thing That Happened. Kind of like the end of a Twilight Zone episode where the guy in the suit comes on and says "Damn, wasn't that crazy? Anyway, I'm Rod Serling." Operation Grendel is very much in the same vein as the Twilight Zone, and that's not a bad place for a science fiction tale to occupy, since the point of science fiction is ultimately to get us to think about the choices humanity is making and how those choices might impact our future.
I've been reading a lot of sci-fi lately, and Operation Grendel was a special treat. It's set in one of those far-future, "humans have expanded to colonize space" scenarios we've seen a hundred times, but unlike most of them, it actually felt completely realistic to the way humanity might in fact develop in the future. It was technologically advanced but still grounded in recognizable human culture. The military aspect of it felt particularly realistic to our present experiences (rather chillingly so... *googly eyes emoji*)
One interesting feature of this world is the military controls the journalism sector, controls the major news outlets, so the only news stories you can get are propaganda pieces. Our hero, Raymin Dahl, is a reporter chafing against these restrictions and longing to publish a Real Story. In pursuit of this goal, he ends up impersonating a military officer and going on a top-secret mission in order to get a firsthand account he can publish without any official varnish.
Except... that's not really what the story is about at all, and I can't discuss it more fully because #spoilers, but it involves AI and propaganda and thought control and the power of narrative and all that good stuff.
I will say there is a major twist at the end with some pretty uNCOMFORTABLE MORAL IMPLICATIONS, so be wary of that if you prefer your fiction to draw clear moral lines. At the same time, I don't really believe the author is presenting this twist as morally good, but rather, simply asking us to accept it as a Thing That Happened. Kind of like the end of a Twilight Zone episode where the guy in the suit comes on and says "Damn, wasn't that crazy? Anyway, I'm Rod Serling." Operation Grendel is very much in the same vein as the Twilight Zone, and that's not a bad place for a science fiction tale to occupy, since the point of science fiction is ultimately to get us to think about the choices humanity is making and how those choices might impact our future.
October 3, 2023
Where to start? This novel had me hooked right from the beginning. The writing, character development and plot are all superb, and the constant twists kept me turning the pages.
I must admit that I'm not usually one for sci-fi. Other genres such as fantasy and historical fiction typically hold my attention better, so picking up a military sci-fi novel isn't something I would normally do. The premise of this book intrigued me right from the start, however, and it didn't disappoint.
And while I won't spoil anything about the ending, I will say that it had me floored. Rarely have I read a book that takes me that much by surprise, and I can safely say that I'll be returning to this book just to find all of the hidden clues that lead up to the twist at the end.
Note: I received a free advance copy of this book, however all opinions expressed are my own.
I must admit that I'm not usually one for sci-fi. Other genres such as fantasy and historical fiction typically hold my attention better, so picking up a military sci-fi novel isn't something I would normally do. The premise of this book intrigued me right from the start, however, and it didn't disappoint.
And while I won't spoil anything about the ending, I will say that it had me floored. Rarely have I read a book that takes me that much by surprise, and I can safely say that I'll be returning to this book just to find all of the hidden clues that lead up to the twist at the end.
Note: I received a free advance copy of this book, however all opinions expressed are my own.
March 14, 2021
Well, I did not see that ending coming. XD Loved this story from one of my most favorite writing teachers/mentor, and there will definitely need to be rereads!
March 3, 2021
WOW, what a book! I’m still reeling from just how amazing it was! I never expected to enjoy a military sci-fi book so much, but this book really drew me in. I mean, how can you not be drawn in by a first line that reads, “Like every journalist, I lie for a living”? It’s a masterpiece. I had to read it through a second time just to fully appreciate it.
Worldbuilding: The worldbuilding was really well-developed and well-explained without info dumping or being tedious. At first, I did find the amount of information a little overwhelming, but once I got into the story and read carefully enough, most of it made sense. And even if you don’t know much about the military or weapons, Mr. S includes just enough explanation so that you don’t feel lost. From what I could tell (although I haven’t read much sci-fi), the story kept within the expectations of the genre while also being unique and fresh. The psychological aspect and the AIs especially intrigued me. Overall, the amount of detail in the book was just right and really made the world feel believable.
Plot: The plot was amazing. This story is truly a fascinating twist of irony, deception, and mystery, where no one is ever quite sure of the truth. Knowing this, I should have seen the clues and expected the plot twists. But somehow, they surprised me every time. But reading through it a second time, I could see how every twist was foreshadowed with carefully placed clues leading up to the climax. The psychological aspect of the book added a fascinating depth to it, like a story within a story.
Mr. S pulled off the flashbacks really well. They gave me just enough information to put together more pieces to the puzzle without confusing me, and they made sense in the context. I thought Mr. S balanced the showing/implying and telling really well. And finally, I loved the ending. It was unexpected and abrupt, but also beautiful with a touch of the romantic.
Characters: The characters were my favorite part of the book. Each person had such a distinct personality that felt solid and well-developed, even those who only had a short appearance. And each of them—even the villains--was so enjoyable without being stereotypical.
Ivy was also fun—unique, unpredictable, and not the stereotypical love interest at all. I really enjoyed the romance between her and Sterling. I’m not a fan of shallow, stereotypical romantic subplots, but this book was nothing like that. It felt like the romance was an important part of the story—not just tacked on to satisfy readers. It felt real, genuine, and just really sweet.
Of course, I have to mention the secondary characters. They were all so unique in their own ways with individual quirks, strengths, and weaknesses. Laclos and Major Weston were two of my favorites. They’re the kind of characters that are hard to forget!
Themes: I love a good book with strong, well-developed themes, and Operation Grendel certainly delivered on that! I loved that while truth ultimately triumphed, it was not an easy path to get there. Mr. S brings up difficult questions like, How far should you go to make sure the truth gets out? How much would you sacrifice for truth? And ultimately, is it ok to lie to get the truth? Although this book doesn’t have a strong Christian theme to it, I can see hints of where it comes out. Men can try to make up their own narratives, their own truth, to fit what they want, but their efforts are futile. In the end, truth will win.
The power of story was another strong theme. Stories are most powerful not just when they make us feel something, but when they tell the truth. We don’t need to sacrifice one for the other. We can intertwine them both together to create a truly powerful story. It’s books with timeless themes like these that make them stay in your mind long after you’ve read them!
Prose: I loved Mr. S’s style! It was easy to read, informative, and flowed smoothly from one sentence to the next. I learned so much about journalism. Mr. S obviously knows what he’s talking about!
Content: There is mild kissing, but it’s not described in detail. As for violence, there are quite a few fight scenes with some shooting and descriptions (not graphic) of dead bodies. There is some torture, physical and psychological, in the second half of the book. I would recommend this book for ages 13+.
Operation Grendel is definitely not a quick read, but it is a deeply satisfying and masterful story. I love books like this that make me think and inspire me to write deeper, more God-glorifying stories. This is a book you have to read. It’s not slapped-together or hastily-written. It’s a quality, inspiring book that has obviously been carefully crafted from beginning to end. You need to read this story. Believe me, you’ll be a better person for having read it.
Thank you so much to Mr. S and Enclave Publishing for allowing me to read and review an e-ARC. It is truly an honor to get to review this amazing book!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Worldbuilding: The worldbuilding was really well-developed and well-explained without info dumping or being tedious. At first, I did find the amount of information a little overwhelming, but once I got into the story and read carefully enough, most of it made sense. And even if you don’t know much about the military or weapons, Mr. S includes just enough explanation so that you don’t feel lost. From what I could tell (although I haven’t read much sci-fi), the story kept within the expectations of the genre while also being unique and fresh. The psychological aspect and the AIs especially intrigued me. Overall, the amount of detail in the book was just right and really made the world feel believable.
Plot: The plot was amazing. This story is truly a fascinating twist of irony, deception, and mystery, where no one is ever quite sure of the truth. Knowing this, I should have seen the clues and expected the plot twists. But somehow, they surprised me every time. But reading through it a second time, I could see how every twist was foreshadowed with carefully placed clues leading up to the climax. The psychological aspect of the book added a fascinating depth to it, like a story within a story.
Mr. S pulled off the flashbacks really well. They gave me just enough information to put together more pieces to the puzzle without confusing me, and they made sense in the context. I thought Mr. S balanced the showing/implying and telling really well. And finally, I loved the ending. It was unexpected and abrupt, but also beautiful with a touch of the romantic.
Characters: The characters were my favorite part of the book. Each person had such a distinct personality that felt solid and well-developed, even those who only had a short appearance. And each of them—even the villains--was so enjoyable without being stereotypical.
Ivy was also fun—unique, unpredictable, and not the stereotypical love interest at all. I really enjoyed the romance between her and Sterling. I’m not a fan of shallow, stereotypical romantic subplots, but this book was nothing like that. It felt like the romance was an important part of the story—not just tacked on to satisfy readers. It felt real, genuine, and just really sweet.
Of course, I have to mention the secondary characters. They were all so unique in their own ways with individual quirks, strengths, and weaknesses. Laclos and Major Weston were two of my favorites. They’re the kind of characters that are hard to forget!
Themes: I love a good book with strong, well-developed themes, and Operation Grendel certainly delivered on that! I loved that while truth ultimately triumphed, it was not an easy path to get there. Mr. S brings up difficult questions like, How far should you go to make sure the truth gets out? How much would you sacrifice for truth? And ultimately, is it ok to lie to get the truth? Although this book doesn’t have a strong Christian theme to it, I can see hints of where it comes out. Men can try to make up their own narratives, their own truth, to fit what they want, but their efforts are futile. In the end, truth will win.
The power of story was another strong theme. Stories are most powerful not just when they make us feel something, but when they tell the truth. We don’t need to sacrifice one for the other. We can intertwine them both together to create a truly powerful story. It’s books with timeless themes like these that make them stay in your mind long after you’ve read them!
Prose: I loved Mr. S’s style! It was easy to read, informative, and flowed smoothly from one sentence to the next. I learned so much about journalism. Mr. S obviously knows what he’s talking about!
Content: There is mild kissing, but it’s not described in detail. As for violence, there are quite a few fight scenes with some shooting and descriptions (not graphic) of dead bodies. There is some torture, physical and psychological, in the second half of the book. I would recommend this book for ages 13+.
Operation Grendel is definitely not a quick read, but it is a deeply satisfying and masterful story. I love books like this that make me think and inspire me to write deeper, more God-glorifying stories. This is a book you have to read. It’s not slapped-together or hastily-written. It’s a quality, inspiring book that has obviously been carefully crafted from beginning to end. You need to read this story. Believe me, you’ll be a better person for having read it.
Thank you so much to Mr. S and Enclave Publishing for allowing me to read and review an e-ARC. It is truly an honor to get to review this amazing book!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
March 6, 2022
Simply awesome. Skipped all kinds of work I “had” to get done so I could finish reading it.
Great job, Dan!
Great job, Dan!
January 29, 2023
Wowowow
April 18, 2021
THIS WOULD MAKE A GREAT MOVIE!! I loved the themes of truth and stories weaved throughout this book. Definitely felt pretty lost up until page 150 and then I started catching on. But if you are currently reading this book, keep going because it’s worth it!! Mr. S is amazing and it was so cool to read his new book. I will be thinking about this one for a long time!!
September 6, 2025
4 stars — woah that was crazy. I genuinely don’t know how to review this but if you like sci-fi or if the synopsis sounds good to you- please read it! I need to talk to someone about this!!! This was such a good audiobook!
April 30, 2024
This is a gripping, terrifying, masterfully-crafted science fiction. I’m reeling from that ending which almost has me wanting to shoot back to the beginning and read the story over again.
May 10, 2021
3.5 - I feel bad about this but military scifi is very much not my bag because the way it operates is antithetical to how my brain parses information. The concept is super cool, though, and, like Literary Strawberry's review says, I think I want to give it another read at some point to see how knowing the Big Twist informs how the characterization actually works.
Usually in books like these I get REAL tired of the inevitable Femme Fatale love interest and just wish she wasn't there (misogyny in military fiction of any subgenre is... Woo Boy) but Ivy was the character I was invested in most. I just found her really interesting - there was the way the MC saw her/felt about her and then there was Ivy as she actually was. Which was a really clever way to handle an estranged, sometimes villainized love interest in a novel all about the stories we tell ourselves vs the stories others tell about themselves vs The Truth.
Usually in books like these I get REAL tired of the inevitable Femme Fatale love interest and just wish she wasn't there (misogyny in military fiction of any subgenre is... Woo Boy) but Ivy was the character I was invested in most. I just found her really interesting - there was the way the MC saw her/felt about her and then there was Ivy as she actually was. Which was a really clever way to handle an estranged, sometimes villainized love interest in a novel all about the stories we tell ourselves vs the stories others tell about themselves vs The Truth.
March 25, 2021
There is much talk of fake news and the role of media in propaganda these days. In light of that, this book could not have come at a better time. It delves deep into the ethics of truth in media and the control of technology. However it isn’t just a symbolic look at journalism through a sci-fi lens. At its heart, Operation Grendel is a story first. A war story- a spy story- a journalism story-and a good one at that. A pretty superb main character (unreliable narrator done right); a well thought out world; and that plot twist- oooooh brother. This book will definitely keep you turning pages and maybe make you think a little too.
September 1, 2023
Um. I did not expect that ending to hit so hard. 😭
April 20, 2021
A wild ride with a satisfying ending.
(Full review to come)
My rating: 4-4.5*
Thanks to the publisher for a free copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
(Full review to come)
My rating: 4-4.5*
Thanks to the publisher for a free copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 22, 2020
If you are a fan of military fiction, classic sci-fi, and military sci-fi, then this book is for you. And even if you are not a fan of these genres, Operation Grendel is 100% worth the read. While not a big fan of military sci-fi myself, I enjoyed the story immensely, and I loved the winding twists and turns throughout. Seriously, fantastic twists. They are my favorite.
Truly a great a read and wonderful addition to my Daniel Schwabauer collection. So happy I got to read an ARC!
Truly a great a read and wonderful addition to my Daniel Schwabauer collection. So happy I got to read an ARC!
July 29, 2021
This book is a thrill ride full of twists and turns. I honestly didn’t know what to expect next.
I loved the protagonist’s voice and the unique premise, as well as the themes woven into the plot.
A definite read for sci-fi fans who love an edge-of-your-seat ride!
I loved the protagonist’s voice and the unique premise, as well as the themes woven into the plot.
A definite read for sci-fi fans who love an edge-of-your-seat ride!
October 24, 2023
Like every journalist, I lie for a living.
Superficially a rousing science fiction tale of special operations and galactic subterfuge, Grendel digs deeper into questions of autonomy and self. Schwabauer spins a believable tale of misdirection and false identity while challenging the reader to ferret out who is who and what they want.
I’m still convinced we’re made by our choices more than our genes or our environment.
Schwabauer dumps the reader right into the action, then fills the back story later. Some of those chunks are chapter length, leaving the reader adrift out of the story. But those back flashes help sustain the intentional confusion around who the protagonist is, what his goals are, and how he will achieve them. At times he isn’t sure.
“You think the universe is just matter and energy. It’s why your stories have to end in a lie, because a lie is the only way you can make them fulfilling. But life isn’t a hard news story. It’s a feature.”
To discover the truth behind the enslaving technology of the enemy, the protagonist subjects himself to it. The cost may be his autonomy. How then does he warn others? A technology which seems to serve your every wish may subvert who you are. A culture based on such a subversion is irresistible and lethal. Does dying for others outdo killing for others if the others don’t benefit from the sacrifice?
You never really know what a feature is about until the end. That’s when everything that came before is revealed in a new light.
Superficially a rousing science fiction tale of special operations and galactic subterfuge, Grendel digs deeper into questions of autonomy and self. Schwabauer spins a believable tale of misdirection and false identity while challenging the reader to ferret out who is who and what they want.
I’m still convinced we’re made by our choices more than our genes or our environment.
Schwabauer dumps the reader right into the action, then fills the back story later. Some of those chunks are chapter length, leaving the reader adrift out of the story. But those back flashes help sustain the intentional confusion around who the protagonist is, what his goals are, and how he will achieve them. At times he isn’t sure.
“You think the universe is just matter and energy. It’s why your stories have to end in a lie, because a lie is the only way you can make them fulfilling. But life isn’t a hard news story. It’s a feature.”
To discover the truth behind the enslaving technology of the enemy, the protagonist subjects himself to it. The cost may be his autonomy. How then does he warn others? A technology which seems to serve your every wish may subvert who you are. A culture based on such a subversion is irresistible and lethal. Does dying for others outdo killing for others if the others don’t benefit from the sacrifice?
You never really know what a feature is about until the end. That’s when everything that came before is revealed in a new light.
April 7, 2022
I wanted to like this but the plot was so complex that I was lost for most of the novel.
Content: war-related violence, kissing
1 Star
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.
Content: war-related violence, kissing
1 Star
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.
April 11, 2021
Loved it. Kept me guessing and guessing. I found it very interesting that the values and techniques of journalism are part of the plot itself, not just a character occupation. Really well done.
Read
April 14, 2021I'm still too shocked to grasp what happened at the end and whether this is the book's fault or mine I truly do not know.
March 17, 2021
Just. . . give me a moment.
I think I need to read this book again.
Okay so like, cards on the table, I'm not a huge sci-fi fan, it really has to be deep for me to love it. So I walked into this hesitant but intrigued. And most of the book was basically what I expected... until it totally wasn't.
The plot was spectacular. The worldbuilding was cool, but not *amazing* cool. Advanced AI systems have been done before, though this was a slightly different take. And I'd even say the main character wasn't my favorite, but then that ending.
Yeah, I think I need to read this book again.
I think I need to read this book again.
Okay so like, cards on the table, I'm not a huge sci-fi fan, it really has to be deep for me to love it. So I walked into this hesitant but intrigued. And most of the book was basically what I expected... until it totally wasn't.
The plot was spectacular. The worldbuilding was cool, but not *amazing* cool. Advanced AI systems have been done before, though this was a slightly different take. And I'd even say the main character wasn't my favorite, but then that ending.
Yeah, I think I need to read this book again.
March 28, 2021
This futuristic novel is a psychological exploration of truth and the telling of lies to advance a cause. Much of the novel is about memories, whether real or manufactured. There is quite a bit of backstory interspersed with the present action but sometimes that backstory is itself a lie. It is an era when people wear a comms bracelet that can be invaded and reality, or the perception of it, manufactured. Like some of the characters, I was unsure of what was really happening or who was really telling the story.
One aspect of speculative fiction or science fiction is world building. There is next to no world building in this novel. I felt like the action was taking place on a bare stage. A case in point was a hike through the jungle for several hours. There was no description, not of a tree, a rock, anything. It seemed like the action was somewhere but was not grounded anywhere. We readers are initially thrust into a world and society and impending war without any framework. We learn much more about the history of the main characters than we do about the history of the situation they find themselves in.
This novel is for readers who like one with a plot centered on mind games. You'll experience contradictory memories of events. You'll wonder which of the characters are who they claim to be and whether some of them are actually real. And you'll have a twist at the end that may surprise you.
This novel is sometimes listed within the Christian fiction genre but there is nothing about Christianity in it. In fact, at one point the hero remembers going for a weekend with a woman he's not married to and speaks of “our hotel room.” (315/3755) The hero also frequents night clubs (374/3755) and likes to drink bourbon. (315/3755) Don't expect any spiritual insights from this novel. It is purely psychological and adventurous fiction.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.
One aspect of speculative fiction or science fiction is world building. There is next to no world building in this novel. I felt like the action was taking place on a bare stage. A case in point was a hike through the jungle for several hours. There was no description, not of a tree, a rock, anything. It seemed like the action was somewhere but was not grounded anywhere. We readers are initially thrust into a world and society and impending war without any framework. We learn much more about the history of the main characters than we do about the history of the situation they find themselves in.
This novel is for readers who like one with a plot centered on mind games. You'll experience contradictory memories of events. You'll wonder which of the characters are who they claim to be and whether some of them are actually real. And you'll have a twist at the end that may surprise you.
This novel is sometimes listed within the Christian fiction genre but there is nothing about Christianity in it. In fact, at one point the hero remembers going for a weekend with a woman he's not married to and speaks of “our hotel room.” (315/3755) The hero also frequents night clubs (374/3755) and likes to drink bourbon. (315/3755) Don't expect any spiritual insights from this novel. It is purely psychological and adventurous fiction.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.
October 10, 2021
I'm kinda at a loss about what to say because I'm still reeling from that ending! What a shocker! It completely blew my mind and sorta threw me for a loop. I haven't been that surprised in a long time. I want to reread the book immediately to see if I can pick up on some of the clues I obviously missed.
I loved the writing style and will definitely be on the lookout for more from this author. It was intense, exciting, and filled with so many surprising twists. A page-turner, for sure. I don't really read much military sci-fi, but I think that needs to change because I enjoyed this one so much. I highly recommend it.
I loved the writing style and will definitely be on the lookout for more from this author. It was intense, exciting, and filled with so many surprising twists. A page-turner, for sure. I don't really read much military sci-fi, but I think that needs to change because I enjoyed this one so much. I highly recommend it.
February 13, 2022
I picked this up on a whim from my local library and it's "new to us" shelf. I strongly disagree with many of the other reviewers lauding the "incredible prose" or "amazing story." In fact, I suspect many of the glowing reviews are astroturfed or insincere.
The writing is functional, sparse, and oddly disconnected. Characterization is minimal, as much of the novel is spent inside the main character's head. This "military sci-fi" book is light on both military and sci-fi. The plot (and its unreliable narrator) are nothing new either.
There are other, better options, and you would do well to find them.
The writing is functional, sparse, and oddly disconnected. Characterization is minimal, as much of the novel is spent inside the main character's head. This "military sci-fi" book is light on both military and sci-fi. The plot (and its unreliable narrator) are nothing new either.
There are other, better options, and you would do well to find them.
January 20, 2021
I am 37% through this novel and it is fantastic. What a great story and fantastic writing. This is a must read. And as an aside, authors: take note! There has been no swearing or sex. A fantastic novel that goes on the strength of its writing and story!
I have finished this book and am still reeling from the ending. The book is amazing! Daniel Schwabauer is very talented. I truly hope he has more in the pipeline. I am blown away...
This book must be read a second time (at least) to pull out all the nuances. Wow...
I have finished this book and am still reeling from the ending. The book is amazing! Daniel Schwabauer is very talented. I truly hope he has more in the pipeline. I am blown away...
This book must be read a second time (at least) to pull out all the nuances. Wow...
October 10, 2024
As a military journalist myself, I am impressed. This is a wonderful book for those who value truth through story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews