Mech Warrior: Born of Steel

Metal Warrior #1

by James David Victor

The world as we know it has come to an end, and humanity’s only hope may be a man who cannot survive without the aid of a robotic suit. Fortunately, that suit is one of the most powerful weapons ever created.

A military sci-fi adventure from Amazon All-Star author James David Victor

Dane Williams barely survived the Exin attack and is faced with a life of pain and torment. With the help of experimental drugs and a robotic suit, he has a chance for a semi-normal life. And as a new Marine in the Mechanized Infantry Division, he has a chance to strike back at the enemy that has caused so much pain and destruction. Can Dane and his fellow Marines fight back and save humanity or is Earth heading for an extinction level event?

Mech Warrior: Born of Steel is the first book in the Mechanized Infantry Division series. If you like fast-paced space adventures with engaging characters and exciting battles, you will definitely want to see how the Mech Warriors save mankind, or if they can.

Genres: Science Fiction, Amazon

204 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 3, 2020

About the author

James David Victor is the pen name used by science fiction and fantasy author David J. VanBergen Jr. for co-authored projects. It is his way of sharing more stories with you than he could write by himself.

If you would like to check out all of his books, under both pen names, and get a free short story, be sure to sign up for his Science Fiction newsletter by visiting:
fairfieldpublishing.com/sci-fi-newsle...

Reviews

[papasteve · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick entertaining read. This one is mainly set up for the following 8 books, so a lot of story and character building here. And what’s up with flower headed, multi-toothed creatures in many sci-fi stories lately?

[Goddess of Chaos · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Pick your fights, son. Pick ’em well…”

First, A trigger warning, if you are looking for escapism reading from COVID-19, this isn't it. This deals with a virus, lots of deaths (predominantly in the abstract) and concern/fear of infection.

I enjoyed this a lot, for me it captures the same energy of Pacific Rim, Real Steel, and edge of tomorrow.

Dane is a fighter, maybe not an Olympic athlete, or a millionaire sports team member, but good enough at what he does to have fans, and hold his own in the arena.

When Earth is hit in a brutal two pronged attack, Dane catches it on both prongs... yet he finds the strength to be driven forward, to not give up.

This done in one Kindle Unlimited quick read was a light page turner for me... some of the characters gave me what I expected... right up until a little twist set them up to teach Dane, and me, an unexpected lesson.

The book ends at a solid conclusion, with a clear implication that all this world building is leading to at least a second book, if not an entire series, and I find myself looking forward to more.

[Carol Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engrossing story of a man who has been disabled due to an alien attack. He gets a second chance – and an opportunity for revenge – if he signs up as a soldier. There he has to deal with bullying, and learns a lot about himself, and about brotherhood. I really enjoyed being with him on that journey. There was action, but also character development, which was thought-provoking. Alert: a bit of swearing in the first few pages, only. I received a free copy of this book, with no obligation.

[Victoria Zigler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for the "Febookary" reading challenge, where you have to read a book you might not usually pick up; this book was recommended to me when I asked someone for a recommendation for my Febookary book. It turned out to be a really good read, with a fascinating plot, and interesting characters. The actual writing itself could use a little attention (there are some issues like how we're told how people are reacting, rather than being shown, for example) but it was an otherwise great book, and I'm even feeling some enthusiasm about reading the rest of the series.

[Edward McCool · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author needs to study the military if he is going to write a military novel.

The book was enjoyable, however some minor things irked me. Mostly military references. For instances, a Lance corporal is below a corporal and wouldn't give orders to one. An NCO is a non commissioned officer, so you wouldn't call them NCO officers.
A Lance corporal or any other NCO wouldn't be called 'sir' as though aren't officers.
Otherwise, the books are entertaining and worth a read.

[Michael Moody · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started good

Good premise but shit execution. Another author that puts basic military training into a no learning unrealistically masochistic ideal where you are taught nothing but ordered to do it all. Not to mention retarded nonsense bullying where earth has colonies on other heavenly. Bodies yet a secure military site doesn't have cameras for security. Not worth the read.

[Kenneth Bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Study in becoming a Marine

It took me back to my boot camp. I was Air Force, but I believe all Drill instructors come from the same mold. The development of warriors require harsh task masters to mold them in a very short time from a civilian into a true warrior. I loved the story and look forward to the following books in the series.

[Martin E Dinner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good concept, poor execution

The author has a firm grip on his mecha design, but sorely needs a military consultant and CDC or USAMRIID consultant.

Standard security protocols would prevent a major plot point in the first half of the book. One does not store military heavy equipment in unsecured public areas.

[Suki Rickey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 1

Book 1 was a fun read and had errors throughout. The plot and characters developed well. The plot was a bit different than most alien invasion books. The characters were likable enough and developed well with background information on the MC's. I look forward to the next book.

[Mark H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast-paced action with little wasted time. The background was built into the story as you read it. A decent start to the lead character's development from a civilian to a Marine.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just like all the other books that I have read by this author, I loved it. The descriptions are so vivid that my imagination did not need much help. I love the story and getting to know the very interesting characters. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

[Jarryd Kalideen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read

Interesting story, a nice take on alien invasion,plenty of mystery and mechs. I will give book two a shot and see if the story improves. Biggest failing is the writing of screams, shouts etc. Sounds like a comic and cheesy.

[R. Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

"Metal Warrior: Born of Steel" is a great opening for this series. It is well thought out and has several surprises in the story that will have the reader anxiously awaiting the next chapter.

[Evelyn Goughnour · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome book!

This book is great! An extraterrestrial enemy is invading earth with a bio virus. Now the US Marines have to fight this new enemy. With grit and determination, they become a forced to be reckoned with.

[MR A R FAIRBAIRN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice beginning to the series

I liked this first book. The action was tense at times and there's the classic rivalry going on, but also the camaraderie between soldiers. Onto the second. The wiring style is fine, nothing exceptional but

[Dave Webber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Drafting into the Military

Take a person who fights semi-pro in a mech league and see how he does in a military mech. Great character development as he learns the routine and joins the brotherhood.

[Kathy Rinaldo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

For anyone who enjoys sci-fi this is a great read. I tend to lose interest halfway through books so I skip to the end. Not with this book. It help my attention from start to finish.

[DAVID · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

Well what a cracking storyline totally enjoyed. Looking forward to the next book Nerves of Steel and Hopefully Osgud won't be such a giant pain lol

[Ron Baumer · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting new series. Good action and plot. Definitely want to see what happens in the next book! A great SciFi read.

[Ann Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Start for the Series

This grabbed me from the start, plenty of action and exciting stuff. I can't wait to read the next episode

[David Harcourt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

I greatly enjoyed reading this wonderful story. I felt that I loved the people and they felt so believable. I highly recommend this set of books.

[James Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Armored Marines

A decent story but not really about mecha. Not a lot of character development. Some good action sequences and a mystery.

[J.D. Schechter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rousing Sci-fi

Plenty of action, good writing- aside from a few obvious non sequiturs- and a healthy shot of Marine Corps ethos

[Gabriel A · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was a pretty good read. Very easy to follow along. Finished in under 24 hours. I was able to drift into the world of the book and forget my surroundings. I’ll look into the set.

[Rita Whinfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

Good start to this new series. Bit of a different take on Aliens. I hope Dane makes a success of his marine career. Looking forward to the next book.

[The Terrible Triplet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Fast paced, action, grit, drive and a good beginning of a series.

Five stars from me.

Read the free pages for more info. I'm no wordsmith.

[Darren · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was a kid, the toy to play with was “Rock ’em Sock ’em Robots”. I can still hear the noise it made when you knocked the other robots block (head) off. Then, in the 80’s I got my hot little hands on “Battletech: A Game of Armored Combat”. Yes, I love the idea of piloting a huge robot in combat.

The reason I mentioned both games in my intro is in Metal Warrior: Born of Steel, James David Victor gave me the best of both worlds and a massive trip down memory lane. Dane Williams is a mech fighter in a wrestling arena. When a fight goes wrong, he finds himself in a hospital, infected with an alien virus and in incredible amounts of pain. He is given a choice, live out the rest of his life in a hospital bed, or join the Marines and get back in a mech, relatively pain free. He jumps at the chance to join the marines, but finds that this decision maybe harder that just living out his days in a hospital bed. He does not fit in, and there is another recruit who is determined to prove that Dane does not belong among the marines. When the doctor who is helping him control his pain goes missing, it is a chance for Dane to prove himself worthy, but the question is is if he can survive his first mission out.

Now, this book moves fast. In the first night, I knocked out the first half, and if it wasn’t so late when I went to sleep, I would have finished it. If you are a fast reader, you might want to consider getting the next couple of books in the series. If you are familiar with books dealing with mechs, this one will be a bit formulaic to you, and my initial gut reaction is that it is written for young adults; for a book dealing with marines, there is no foul language. Sure this is unrealistic, but it is also refreshing.

I give this 4 bookmarks out of 5!

[Barbara Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

It takes less than four hours to read this PG military sci-fi procedural involving an alien virus and the importance of teamwork for keeping the goal in sight.
I had a copy via Booksprout and this voluntary review is my own opinion

[Barbara Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

It takes less than four hours to read this PG military sci-fi procedural involving an alien virus, the importance of team work, and keeping the goal in sight.

[Erik Sapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is short and simplistic. It's a quick read and is clearly intended to set up the rest of the series. Nothing spectacular, but decent.