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Gun Runner
THRILLING SCIENCE FICTION ADVENTURE FROM BEST-SELLING AUTHORS LARRY CORREIA AND JOHN BROWN The Heart of a Warrior Once, Jackson Rook was a war hero. Raised from boyhood to pilot an exosuit mech, he’d fought gallantly for the rebellion against the Collectivists. But that was a long time ago, on a world very far away. Now, Jackson Rook is a criminal, a smuggler on board the Multipurpose Supply Vehicle Tar Heel. His latest steal a top-of-the-line mech called the Citadel and deliver it to the far-flung planet Swindle, a world so hostile even the air will kill you. The a man known only as the Warlord. Rook has been in the smuggling business long enough to know that it’s best to take the money and not ask questions. But Rook cannot stand by and watch as the Warlord runs roughshod over the citizens of Swindle, the way the Collectivists did on his homeworld. For all his mercenary ways, Rook is not a pirate. And deep within the smuggler, the heart of a warrior still beats. At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management). Larry Correia is the creator of the Wall Street Journal and New York Times best-selling Monster Hunter series, with first entry Monster Hunter International, as well as urban fantasy hardboiled adventure saga the Grimnoir Chronicles, with first entry Hard Magic, and epic fantasy series The Saga of the Forgotten Warrior, with first entry Son of the Black Sword and latest entry House of Assassins. He is an avid gun user and advocate who shot on a competitive level for many years. Before becoming a full-time writer, he was a military contract accountant, and a small business accountant and manager. Correia lives in Utah with his wife and family.
490 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 2, 2021
116 people are currently reading
532 people want to read
About the author
Larry Correia
121 books4,404 followersLarry Correia (born 1977) is the New York Times bestselling author of the Monster Hunter International series, the Grimnoir Chronicles, and the thriller Dead Six.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
September 15, 2023
The premise of this book appealed to me, and it received (mostly) rather positive reviews, so I took the plunge.
In a way this book reminded me of the old Robotech: Defenders comics that DC released in the 80s. I think there was a whopping two issues, but for some reason they stuck in my memory.
Giant mechs just seem like such an 80s thing, in a good way of course.
Anyway, I digress, but not entirely without purpose. The main character in Gun Runner is a Mech Pilot. Therein also lies the main issue that I had with this novel, namely not enough Mech action and too much filler.
I might also just mention that the book occasionally comes across as a bit unpolished, and the banter between the characters just feels a bit iffy at times. If I were to speculate, I would guess it might have something to do with the fact that this is a collaboration.
Now the good bits:
- Giant spaceship converted into an orbital city,
- Giant critters that want to eat you,
- Super soldiers with body augmentations,
- Mechs!
In summary, or at least insofar as my own reading experience was concerned, the book started promising and ended strong, but there is a longish middle where things slow down considerably.
Enjoyable enough, but with lots more brawn than brains.
In a way this book reminded me of the old Robotech: Defenders comics that DC released in the 80s. I think there was a whopping two issues, but for some reason they stuck in my memory.
Giant mechs just seem like such an 80s thing, in a good way of course.
Anyway, I digress, but not entirely without purpose. The main character in Gun Runner is a Mech Pilot. Therein also lies the main issue that I had with this novel, namely not enough Mech action and too much filler.
I might also just mention that the book occasionally comes across as a bit unpolished, and the banter between the characters just feels a bit iffy at times. If I were to speculate, I would guess it might have something to do with the fact that this is a collaboration.
Now the good bits:
- Giant spaceship converted into an orbital city,
- Giant critters that want to eat you,
- Super soldiers with body augmentations,
- Mechs!
In summary, or at least insofar as my own reading experience was concerned, the book started promising and ended strong, but there is a longish middle where things slow down considerably.
Enjoyable enough, but with lots more brawn than brains.
July 26, 2021
Super fun sci fi shoot'em up with plenty of heart.
I've been trying a lot of different sci fi books during the month of July 2021 as I take a little break from reading fantasy. It has honestly been kind of a mixed bag even though I love sci fi generally. After reading a book that was really slow and somewhat disappointing like Pandora's Star I really needed a more exciting sci fi romp. I kind of got that with Old Man's War, but ultimately it still didn't really scratch that itch. Gun Runner absolutely did.
I had a pretty good feeling it would hit the spot based on the other Larry Correia works I had read, the back cover description, and of course that bad ass kaiju monster on the cover. The gist of the story is that in the far future as humanity has expanded across the galaxy we follow a former soldier named Jackson Rook. His career as a soldier ends in horror and years later has turned to smuggling weapons. His crew ends up selling a war mech to the leader of a planet called Swindle to help the people there fight the horrible monsters that treat the human inhabitants as prey. However, questions are raised and there is more going on than meets the eye.
In the author statement in the back the two co-authors stated the project of writing this book started with them getting together at a con and saying what would happen if they just wrote a book with the idea of including "what's cool". The answer they decided on was "giant robots, bandits, and murderers". Later spaceships, space battles, and horrific alien monsters must have been thrown in there as well. Of course all that stuff turns my interest up to 11, but you could have all of that and if the execution is poor it wouldn't be worth the time. The execution here though is excellent. They didn't just throw in all of that "cool" stuff at the expense of a good story and, yes, really good characters. I really wasn't even expecting that, but by the end of the book I felt very emotionally connected to all of the happenings of Jackson, Jane, The Captain, Tui, even some of the little bots. I was really surprised at how well the character relationships are developed here as well. Even the villains are well developed. Despite having a somewhat silly name the main bad guy is has real motivations and sees his own actions as righteous as the best actions to take for this world. No mustache twirling here. And of course on top of all of that there is excellent action and tech including giant mechs.
If I had to nitpick any downsides I'd probably say that I wasn't really invested in some of the character backstory that sets up some of the mystery to be explored in future books. We're supposed to be hooked and wondering about certain things, but it just fell a little flat for me. Maybe the subsequent books in the series will change my mind, but this really feels like a more contained story. The other thing I'll say is that if you're looking for epic scope space opera with planet hopping this really isn't that. The overwhelming bulk of the story takes place on Swindle. The good news is that it's still really good and the story doesn't stagnate.
Overall I really really enjoyed this, and I have seen no one else talk about this book in discord, on booktube, or even here on Goodreads. It seems like that is where most of the people I talk to get their recommendations. This book is a really good example of how you can still find a really great read by just browsing a book store, and picking up something based on your own intuition.
I've been trying a lot of different sci fi books during the month of July 2021 as I take a little break from reading fantasy. It has honestly been kind of a mixed bag even though I love sci fi generally. After reading a book that was really slow and somewhat disappointing like Pandora's Star I really needed a more exciting sci fi romp. I kind of got that with Old Man's War, but ultimately it still didn't really scratch that itch. Gun Runner absolutely did.
I had a pretty good feeling it would hit the spot based on the other Larry Correia works I had read, the back cover description, and of course that bad ass kaiju monster on the cover. The gist of the story is that in the far future as humanity has expanded across the galaxy we follow a former soldier named Jackson Rook. His career as a soldier ends in horror and years later has turned to smuggling weapons. His crew ends up selling a war mech to the leader of a planet called Swindle to help the people there fight the horrible monsters that treat the human inhabitants as prey. However, questions are raised and there is more going on than meets the eye.
In the author statement in the back the two co-authors stated the project of writing this book started with them getting together at a con and saying what would happen if they just wrote a book with the idea of including "what's cool". The answer they decided on was "giant robots, bandits, and murderers". Later spaceships, space battles, and horrific alien monsters must have been thrown in there as well. Of course all that stuff turns my interest up to 11, but you could have all of that and if the execution is poor it wouldn't be worth the time. The execution here though is excellent. They didn't just throw in all of that "cool" stuff at the expense of a good story and, yes, really good characters. I really wasn't even expecting that, but by the end of the book I felt very emotionally connected to all of the happenings of Jackson, Jane, The Captain, Tui, even some of the little bots. I was really surprised at how well the character relationships are developed here as well. Even the villains are well developed. Despite having a somewhat silly name the main bad guy is has real motivations and sees his own actions as righteous as the best actions to take for this world. No mustache twirling here. And of course on top of all of that there is excellent action and tech including giant mechs.
If I had to nitpick any downsides I'd probably say that I wasn't really invested in some of the character backstory that sets up some of the mystery to be explored in future books. We're supposed to be hooked and wondering about certain things, but it just fell a little flat for me. Maybe the subsequent books in the series will change my mind, but this really feels like a more contained story. The other thing I'll say is that if you're looking for epic scope space opera with planet hopping this really isn't that. The overwhelming bulk of the story takes place on Swindle. The good news is that it's still really good and the story doesn't stagnate.
Overall I really really enjoyed this, and I have seen no one else talk about this book in discord, on booktube, or even here on Goodreads. It seems like that is where most of the people I talk to get their recommendations. This book is a really good example of how you can still find a really great read by just browsing a book store, and picking up something based on your own intuition.
December 14, 2020
Gun Runner by Larry Correia and John Brown
This is a classic space opera. Jackson Rook grew up as a child warrior. He had the mental abilities to be able to mind control a mechanized warbot. His PTSD was not all psych, a large part of it was due to invasive malware attacking his implanted hardware. Saved by the Captain of the galactic freighter the Tar Heel, Jackson was comfortably ensconced as a crew member. The Tar Heel and its crew were forced to realize that they violated their ethical code by supplying weapons to the Warlord of Swindle. Their ensuing actions are the fuel for the plot of the book.
Mech Warrior was a Microsoft computer game that I played years and years ago. There was a rush of adrenalin suiting up in your Mech and sometimes stomping on enemies. The authors capitalize on that feeling. The ability to shed your feeble organic body and morph into a mechanical force of nature would be intoxicating and addictive. Jackson had some issues which precluded him from diving back into his mechanical paradise.
Swindle is an inhospitable planet that has a valuable resource and whose original colonists discovered the true meaning of the name of the planet.
Jane, a mysterious IT guru, provides a wonderful menagerie of bots.
I enjoyed this book, the mechs, the bots and the creatures.
This is a classic space opera. Jackson Rook grew up as a child warrior. He had the mental abilities to be able to mind control a mechanized warbot. His PTSD was not all psych, a large part of it was due to invasive malware attacking his implanted hardware. Saved by the Captain of the galactic freighter the Tar Heel, Jackson was comfortably ensconced as a crew member. The Tar Heel and its crew were forced to realize that they violated their ethical code by supplying weapons to the Warlord of Swindle. Their ensuing actions are the fuel for the plot of the book.
Mech Warrior was a Microsoft computer game that I played years and years ago. There was a rush of adrenalin suiting up in your Mech and sometimes stomping on enemies. The authors capitalize on that feeling. The ability to shed your feeble organic body and morph into a mechanical force of nature would be intoxicating and addictive. Jackson had some issues which precluded him from diving back into his mechanical paradise.
Swindle is an inhospitable planet that has a valuable resource and whose original colonists discovered the true meaning of the name of the planet.
Jane, a mysterious IT guru, provides a wonderful menagerie of bots.
I enjoyed this book, the mechs, the bots and the creatures.
April 4, 2021
A Firefly crew goes to an Avatar planet where a Thanos are in charge from an orbital and his evil Alien space marines on the ground are feeding Oliver Twists to the local monster wildlife as a distraction while they're harvesting Dune spice to pay for heisted Pacific Rim Jaegers they need against the Cthulhu Kaiju down at the beachfront.
Everyone has a French foreign legion type mysterius past, the reluctant hero have military implants with bad viruses in his brain, and there's a well armed secret resistance on the orbital as well as the planet just waiting for a chance to start a revolution and light everything up.
Yeah, I could totally make an elevator pitch for this to be a Michael Bay blockbuster shot-'em-up movie!
The authors shine in the details and the mixing of all those influences, and the writing is five stars, but I'm deducting one because the overall outcome is totally predictable over the last 200 pages, there's never any doubt that the bad guy is gonna bite the dust.
Everyone has a French foreign legion type mysterius past, the reluctant hero have military implants with bad viruses in his brain, and there's a well armed secret resistance on the orbital as well as the planet just waiting for a chance to start a revolution and light everything up.
Yeah, I could totally make an elevator pitch for this to be a Michael Bay blockbuster shot-'em-up movie!
The authors shine in the details and the mixing of all those influences, and the writing is five stars, but I'm deducting one because the overall outcome is totally predictable over the last 200 pages, there's never any doubt that the bad guy is gonna bite the dust.
July 4, 2022
Excellent sci-fi thriller. Picture if you will a smuggler ship crewed by a bunch of misfits ala Firefly, with a touch of Mission Impossible winding up dealing with an Avatar type planet, caustic atmosphere and hostile beasts, and MECH FIGHTS!
I am a huge fan of Correia's MHI series and was looking forward to diving into this scifi adventure and it didn't leave me wanting. I am hoping that there is a sequel
I am a huge fan of Correia's MHI series and was looking forward to diving into this scifi adventure and it didn't leave me wanting. I am hoping that there is a sequel
February 14, 2021
The start of a very promising new series.
Very taut from beginning to end. I was immediately pulled into the story and the characters. Successfully takes the smuggler with basically good heart trope and evolves the story with heists, intrigues, mech-suit action, etc. I enjoyed the characters and the setups for the futre.
Very taut from beginning to end. I was immediately pulled into the story and the characters. Successfully takes the smuggler with basically good heart trope and evolves the story with heists, intrigues, mech-suit action, etc. I enjoyed the characters and the setups for the futre.
July 27, 2021
Fun and all but nothing that is standing out. The plot is predictable in my opinion and doesn't try to tell anything besides the main story. It's a book about Mecha VS Monsters like stated on the cover, so it serves its purpose very well but doesn't offer much besides a good moment of fun.
February 11, 2021
Gun Runner by Larry Correia and John D. Brown is an excellent read! I have read most of the novels that Larry Correia has published so far and as far as I know this is his first foray into pure Science Fiction. I had never read anything by John D. Brown but I knew from past experience that anyone who co-writes with Larry Correia is going to be worth reading.
This book starts out with action from almost the first page. It has Mech battles, spaceships, and a planet full of monsters reminiscence of "Death World" by Harry Harrison. The characters are interesting and have backstories that would make good novels all on their own. This book is an excellent example of Space Opera and Military type Science Fiction. A must-read for fans of Larry Correia.
This book starts out with action from almost the first page. It has Mech battles, spaceships, and a planet full of monsters reminiscence of "Death World" by Harry Harrison. The characters are interesting and have backstories that would make good novels all on their own. This book is an excellent example of Space Opera and Military type Science Fiction. A must-read for fans of Larry Correia.
June 30, 2021
Pretty good space adventure. A smuggler who occasionally runs illegal weapons steals an awesome mech and delivers it to a planet that has kaiju and other lethal fauna they need to destroy to make the planet habitable. Their good deed turns out bad and they must steal back the mech before it wipes out the remaining settlers. Suspect this might become a series, but the ending isn't how I expected it to go.
January 21, 2022
Despite how long it took me to read this I did enjoy it. I liked the fact the idea that not everyone who disobeys an unjust law is doing so for a just reason. I think this would have been a much weaker book if the main villain had been the over-government enforcing the weapons ban rather than the strong man leader trying to circumvent it. That isn't to say that the over-government isn't corrupt and wrong, it is just more of a background bureaucratic corrupt and wrong.
The book starts with a strong action scene, then middle is still action, but somehow felt a bit slower, then on to a strong finish.
Overall, I liked it.
The book starts with a strong action scene, then middle is still action, but somehow felt a bit slower, then on to a strong finish.
Overall, I liked it.
August 24, 2021
I read other books written by this author.
This was the hardest one to read so far. I did manage to finish it. In some places it seemed to move slow, I felt somewhat clunky.
Maybe it's just that the large robot robotech style books are not my cup of tea. I've read many reviews where people really liked it.
It was entertaining just a slow read
This was the hardest one to read so far. I did manage to finish it. In some places it seemed to move slow, I felt somewhat clunky.
Maybe it's just that the large robot robotech style books are not my cup of tea. I've read many reviews where people really liked it.
It was entertaining just a slow read
November 22, 2021
A fun Correia collaboration. If I recall correctly this is the story that was plotted out in front of an audience at one of the Cons (Dragoncon?) with story ideas from his kid.
I was hoping it was a stand alone, but the ending indicates otherwise.
Great narration
I was hoping it was a stand alone, but the ending indicates otherwise.
Great narration
Read
February 9, 2021Ok, This Is A Cool Book!
Giant mechanized exosuits? Check. Space smugglers? Check. Brilliant computer geek with a secret backstory? Check. Giant monsters? Check. Really arrogant and guys? Check. Exciting start? Check. Space battles? Check. Revolution? Check. All of the above delivered with some right writing? Check.
Sequel? I'm not sure, but if there is one, I'll buy it!
Giant mechanized exosuits? Check. Space smugglers? Check. Brilliant computer geek with a secret backstory? Check. Giant monsters? Check. Really arrogant and guys? Check. Exciting start? Check. Space battles? Check. Revolution? Check. All of the above delivered with some right writing? Check.
Sequel? I'm not sure, but if there is one, I'll buy it!
November 4, 2024
I’m going to have to start this over again some day. I got to about 9% and can’t remember most of what happened. Must’ve been reading in my sleep.
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I had to start this book over 3 different times because I kept picking it up and having no idea what was going on! Finally after dedicating a larger block of time I was able to start it and get all the way through. I don’t know if it was the books fault. It was actually a good book. I feel like there was enough that could still happen with these characters that would warrant a sequel.
———-
I had to start this book over 3 different times because I kept picking it up and having no idea what was going on! Finally after dedicating a larger block of time I was able to start it and get all the way through. I don’t know if it was the books fault. It was actually a good book. I feel like there was enough that could still happen with these characters that would warrant a sequel.
February 19, 2021
"What is cool?" Is a good question for any author. If you have a "message," subordinate it to readability.
That is, if you care more about entertaining and educating than preaching. Serving your readers as opposed to making yourself feel virtuous.
That is, if you care more about entertaining and educating than preaching. Serving your readers as opposed to making yourself feel virtuous.
June 10, 2022
A fun read following this crew of good-hearted mercenary space pirates as they capture a top-tier mech and deliver it to their client, a man named Warlord who they believe to be using the weapons and mechs to protect his people as they work on a planet named Swindle. Yep, very innocent sounding. While the plot can run a little thin in places, overall it's a fun story.
The characters are interesting, albeit the bad guy having a name as Warlord kinda paints that picture quite plainly. We primarily follow Jackson, the ace mech pilot, who ends up getting left behind on the planet's surface, a truly brutal and dangerous world. He survives for a time and then is captured by this group of rogues the Warlord sees as terrorists called the Originals (again, rather on the nose as to their place in this world). Jackson vows to help them, to which they accept by implanting him with a spine-melting capsule in his back, just be assured of his cooperation. Part of me wonders how they have such technology, something that cannot be bypassed, scanned, or tinkered with by any system the crew have, including their superstar specter/hacker Jane, yet all the rest of their gear appears to be basement level tech. Outdated mechs and exos, old weaponry, ect. How or where did they get this advanced and specific form of coercive technology yet the rest is far behind their enemy. It's like a guerrilla faction having a high-powered laser anti-aircraft defensive package yet they fight with black powder rifles. Add to that the fact that no one on Jackson's crew thinks to fix/remove it by simply encasing it (as they do late in the story) and then surgically removing it before it releases the spine melt toxin. I mean, they have nanite tech that performs brain surgery and battles the Warlord's nanites, so why couldn't they have the nanites construct a metal/titanium/plastic/whatever case around the capsule (it was small enough to be injected, so I assume it's no bigger than a pill)? The casing would hold the toxin in place long enough for a surgical removal, especially given the level of technology in healing the society has - implanted active health systems, regrowth of limbs, ect. Seems like such an easy problem to fix.
Honestly, that's probably the biggest complaint I have. Not only do the good guys (the Originals) spike him with a lethal spine-melting toxin bomb, but that no one seems to think enough on how to remove it. And, as mentions, where these people got such an advanced weapon of sorts and why, considering they're fighting a guerrilla war on the surface of Swindle.
Overall, the story is fun, the planet and it's dangers are interesting - though I would've liked to have spent more time on the planet rather than in the orbital station, where most of the story lounges. The characters are a lot of fun and I liked the interplay between Jackson and Jane. There is a bit of a subplot revolving around Jane's history, as well as their Broker's shady boss - the broker, in another example of on-the-nose, is named Shade - , but they're both only lightly covered and seemingly pushed away for a future story. If you're looking for an entertaining romp that is pretty straightforward in it's story, give this one a try. There aren't very many twists and turns to it (few, if any honestly) and the story doesn't dive terribly deep, but it was an entertaining ride.
The characters are interesting, albeit the bad guy having a name as Warlord kinda paints that picture quite plainly. We primarily follow Jackson, the ace mech pilot, who ends up getting left behind on the planet's surface, a truly brutal and dangerous world. He survives for a time and then is captured by this group of rogues the Warlord sees as terrorists called the Originals (again, rather on the nose as to their place in this world). Jackson vows to help them, to which they accept by implanting him with a spine-melting capsule in his back, just be assured of his cooperation. Part of me wonders how they have such technology, something that cannot be bypassed, scanned, or tinkered with by any system the crew have, including their superstar specter/hacker Jane, yet all the rest of their gear appears to be basement level tech. Outdated mechs and exos, old weaponry, ect. How or where did they get this advanced and specific form of coercive technology yet the rest is far behind their enemy. It's like a guerrilla faction having a high-powered laser anti-aircraft defensive package yet they fight with black powder rifles. Add to that the fact that no one on Jackson's crew thinks to fix/remove it by simply encasing it (as they do late in the story) and then surgically removing it before it releases the spine melt toxin. I mean, they have nanite tech that performs brain surgery and battles the Warlord's nanites, so why couldn't they have the nanites construct a metal/titanium/plastic/whatever case around the capsule (it was small enough to be injected, so I assume it's no bigger than a pill)? The casing would hold the toxin in place long enough for a surgical removal, especially given the level of technology in healing the society has - implanted active health systems, regrowth of limbs, ect. Seems like such an easy problem to fix.
Honestly, that's probably the biggest complaint I have. Not only do the good guys (the Originals) spike him with a lethal spine-melting toxin bomb, but that no one seems to think enough on how to remove it. And, as mentions, where these people got such an advanced weapon of sorts and why, considering they're fighting a guerrilla war on the surface of Swindle.
Overall, the story is fun, the planet and it's dangers are interesting - though I would've liked to have spent more time on the planet rather than in the orbital station, where most of the story lounges. The characters are a lot of fun and I liked the interplay between Jackson and Jane. There is a bit of a subplot revolving around Jane's history, as well as their Broker's shady boss - the broker, in another example of on-the-nose, is named Shade - , but they're both only lightly covered and seemingly pushed away for a future story. If you're looking for an entertaining romp that is pretty straightforward in it's story, give this one a try. There aren't very many twists and turns to it (few, if any honestly) and the story doesn't dive terribly deep, but it was an entertaining ride.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2025
MY RATING GUIDE: A Very Satisfied 5 Stars. GUN RUNNER reminded me of Classic Sci-fi adventures I read as a kid. It contains a fast moving, captivating story; fabulous world building & complex, well developed, ethical characters. I’m glad I gave this one a try. Oliver Wyman performs GUN RUNNER. I love his performances in Correia’s Lost Planet Homicide series, so having him again in GUN RUNNER was a big win. :D I highly anticipate listening to this audio again.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/fairly good & might or might not read it again; 3.5= I enjoyed it & might read it again; 4= I liked it a lot & would read it again; 5= I LOVED THIS; it was great! & most likely will read again ((I SELDOM give 5 Stars).
Comments ~
GUN RUNNER was published in 2021. It is a Standalone Sci-fi adventure which takes place in a distant world system, in a future time. Certain characters’ personal histories link back to former years employed in earth’s military forces. Yet this is a period when far advanced body modification is considered normal.
I previous purchased and have very much enjoyed Correia’s Sci-fi audiobooks for the Lost Planet Homicide series, a dystopian film noir-type setting, so when I noticed GUN RUNNER in the audiobook format, I snatched it up. I was hoping the 2 series might be connected in that GUN RUNNER might explain the origin and/or the beginning for the Lost Homicide world, but it doesn’t. Nevertheless, GUN RUNNER is an excellent action adventure Sci-fi novel that reminded me of books I read and loved as a kid. I heartily recommend it to readers who enjoy:
> Classic Sci-fi action adventure novels with para-military characters.
> Novels featuring Underdog characters who take on the Big, Bad, Wolf.
> tough, seasoned characters who live in a grey world (as mercenaries) but who, when pressed, stand up for what they believe is right rather than what is most profitable.
> Novels with mostly good endings (good prevails over evil).
> Novels with great world building and solid characters that the reader connects with and cares about.
> Novels that leave the reader/listener with a smile, thinking about the story, the characters and the world in which they lived even after completing the book.
I listened to the audiobook a bit at a time, while walking each day, frequently still listening after returning to my home (especially near the end). I wanted to savor rather than gulp down this captivating adventure.
READER CAUTIONS ~
PROFANITY - Yes. Strong language is used, ie., Military & Para-military characters in high stress, life vs death situations.
VIOLENCE - Yes. Military and Sci-fi gore & violence (yet not particularly dark or graphic. Think Super-hero type, Marvel or DC).
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - None.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/fairly good & might or might not read it again; 3.5= I enjoyed it & might read it again; 4= I liked it a lot & would read it again; 5= I LOVED THIS; it was great! & most likely will read again ((I SELDOM give 5 Stars).
Comments ~
GUN RUNNER was published in 2021. It is a Standalone Sci-fi adventure which takes place in a distant world system, in a future time. Certain characters’ personal histories link back to former years employed in earth’s military forces. Yet this is a period when far advanced body modification is considered normal.
I previous purchased and have very much enjoyed Correia’s Sci-fi audiobooks for the Lost Planet Homicide series, a dystopian film noir-type setting, so when I noticed GUN RUNNER in the audiobook format, I snatched it up. I was hoping the 2 series might be connected in that GUN RUNNER might explain the origin and/or the beginning for the Lost Homicide world, but it doesn’t. Nevertheless, GUN RUNNER is an excellent action adventure Sci-fi novel that reminded me of books I read and loved as a kid. I heartily recommend it to readers who enjoy:
> Classic Sci-fi action adventure novels with para-military characters.
> Novels featuring Underdog characters who take on the Big, Bad, Wolf.
> tough, seasoned characters who live in a grey world (as mercenaries) but who, when pressed, stand up for what they believe is right rather than what is most profitable.
> Novels with mostly good endings (good prevails over evil).
> Novels with great world building and solid characters that the reader connects with and cares about.
> Novels that leave the reader/listener with a smile, thinking about the story, the characters and the world in which they lived even after completing the book.
I listened to the audiobook a bit at a time, while walking each day, frequently still listening after returning to my home (especially near the end). I wanted to savor rather than gulp down this captivating adventure.
READER CAUTIONS ~
PROFANITY - Yes. Strong language is used, ie., Military & Para-military characters in high stress, life vs death situations.
VIOLENCE - Yes. Military and Sci-fi gore & violence (yet not particularly dark or graphic. Think Super-hero type, Marvel or DC).
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - None.
April 13, 2022
Gun Runner by Larry Correia, John D. Brown
This is a review of the audio version narrated by Oliver Wyman.
Trigger warning(s): hetero-normative behavior, alien dinosaurs, firearms, money grubbing capitalists
First, the narrator: Oliver…. Wish you all the best brother. You certainly did a better job than I ever could but…. you’re not my favorite. That said, I still loved the book and will probably listen to it again at some point. This is an epic length listen, 18 hours! Correia keeps giving us our money’s worth.
So, 18 hours of mechs, bots, dinosaur like alien creatures, space ships, rail guns, missles, etc. What’s not to like? Well, it depends. One of the main characters, the ship captain, Holloway, appears to be a cisgender hetero-normative male from North Carolina. Oh my god! Patriarchy much? Come to think of it, pretty much every character in this book seems to be, well, normal. There isn’t a single mention of any character being trans, gay or even confused. I found this refreshing. In the interest of diversity there should be the occasional sci-fi book without any of the currently fashionable gender weirdness included.
There isn’t any sex in this book. I know, right? No strange human alien coupling. No getting jiggy with sex-bots. There is one instance of attraction between two young crew members, one female, one male. They go out on a date. Freaky! This nearly qualifies the book as counter cultural.
I didn’t get bored. Correia is a damn good writer. I’ve read a few of his books. Brown co-authored & I couldn’t tell where so evidently he’s up to snuff. At 18 hours and 384 pages, most writers would have figured out some way to split this into 2 books. Not Correia. He’s known for epic length tomes. He does a great job of moving things along as well. He’s either fleshing out the plot or doing an action deep dive from beginning to end.
4 Stars. I will definitely recommend except if you’re in to space kink or lefty politics. You guys are gonna hate it. Just stay at least 6 feet away from any hard copies of “Gun Runner” and you should be ok.
This is a review of the audio version narrated by Oliver Wyman.
Trigger warning(s): hetero-normative behavior, alien dinosaurs, firearms, money grubbing capitalists
First, the narrator: Oliver…. Wish you all the best brother. You certainly did a better job than I ever could but…. you’re not my favorite. That said, I still loved the book and will probably listen to it again at some point. This is an epic length listen, 18 hours! Correia keeps giving us our money’s worth.
So, 18 hours of mechs, bots, dinosaur like alien creatures, space ships, rail guns, missles, etc. What’s not to like? Well, it depends. One of the main characters, the ship captain, Holloway, appears to be a cisgender hetero-normative male from North Carolina. Oh my god! Patriarchy much? Come to think of it, pretty much every character in this book seems to be, well, normal. There isn’t a single mention of any character being trans, gay or even confused. I found this refreshing. In the interest of diversity there should be the occasional sci-fi book without any of the currently fashionable gender weirdness included.
There isn’t any sex in this book. I know, right? No strange human alien coupling. No getting jiggy with sex-bots. There is one instance of attraction between two young crew members, one female, one male. They go out on a date. Freaky! This nearly qualifies the book as counter cultural.
I didn’t get bored. Correia is a damn good writer. I’ve read a few of his books. Brown co-authored & I couldn’t tell where so evidently he’s up to snuff. At 18 hours and 384 pages, most writers would have figured out some way to split this into 2 books. Not Correia. He’s known for epic length tomes. He does a great job of moving things along as well. He’s either fleshing out the plot or doing an action deep dive from beginning to end.
4 Stars. I will definitely recommend except if you’re in to space kink or lefty politics. You guys are gonna hate it. Just stay at least 6 feet away from any hard copies of “Gun Runner” and you should be ok.
March 27, 2021
This was a really good read, but that's no surprise for a Larry Correia novel. At the beginning I wasn't exactly sure where it was going, but it sorts itself out pretty fast, and then we are on for the ride.
We are made some promises on what to expect almost right from the start with Jackson, and they all pay off. This was a very satisfying read, and one well worth the time.
The reader of the Audible version is the same guy who reads all the monster hunter books, and it was nice to have the same voice put to another Larry Correia book.
Normally I'm not a fan of books where everything possible goes wrong for the characters at every possible chance, but this one didn't bother me too bad. It does take away from the suspense some when you already expect everything to go wrong, but it doesn't detract from the overall story.
Well worth a read either in text or by grabbing and listening on Audible.
We are made some promises on what to expect almost right from the start with Jackson, and they all pay off. This was a very satisfying read, and one well worth the time.
The reader of the Audible version is the same guy who reads all the monster hunter books, and it was nice to have the same voice put to another Larry Correia book.
Normally I'm not a fan of books where everything possible goes wrong for the characters at every possible chance, but this one didn't bother me too bad. It does take away from the suspense some when you already expect everything to go wrong, but it doesn't detract from the overall story.
Well worth a read either in text or by grabbing and listening on Audible.
December 16, 2021
Thrilling sci-fi adventure! I read a review that said the reviewer considered this YA. It is not YA. The main protagonist is in his twenties. In the Prologue, he starts as a teenager, though. I love the characters; they have lots of personality. There's something to like about each one, and a lot of characters have solid backstory. The dialogue in this novel is whip-smart, which I really liked! It has an anime-inspired feel to me, with all the mecha action, giant creatures, modded/cybernetically enhanced characters, and even murderous microbots, which is a good thing! In the Author's Note, the authors said they kept asking themselves, "What's cool?" They definitely integrated and implemented a lot of cool sci-fi elements. I wonder if they intentionally incorporated anime elements. So, who is this novel for? It's for anyone, adult or teen, looking for a light-hearted sci-fi action and adventure story! And I'd say, if you're anime fan, check this out as well.
February 8, 2021
This review is more specific for the Audible edition, but it applies to what I thought about the story as well.
First, listening to Oliver Wyman try to read this story is like listening to a 16 year-old trying to learn how to drive a stick-shift for the first time. "Shift! Shift! SHIFT!" His overwhelming up fluctuation is painful, building and building after every sentence and then a final down fluctuation at the end of the paragraph. Wow! It hurts so bad, and not only is it distracting, it flat out killed my entire perception of the story as a whole.
As for the story, it starts out very cliché, non-original, and I am sure if it wasn't for Mr. Wyman I would have probably continued the tale to the point of forgiving such lazy plot progression and character analysis.
So, if you want to read this book, please READ it, don't listen to it.
First, listening to Oliver Wyman try to read this story is like listening to a 16 year-old trying to learn how to drive a stick-shift for the first time. "Shift! Shift! SHIFT!" His overwhelming up fluctuation is painful, building and building after every sentence and then a final down fluctuation at the end of the paragraph. Wow! It hurts so bad, and not only is it distracting, it flat out killed my entire perception of the story as a whole.
As for the story, it starts out very cliché, non-original, and I am sure if it wasn't for Mr. Wyman I would have probably continued the tale to the point of forgiving such lazy plot progression and character analysis.
So, if you want to read this book, please READ it, don't listen to it.
August 13, 2021
Larry Correiaa and John D. Brown’s tale of a Gun Runner (hard from Baen) contains all the cool excitement readers enjoy, like a planet filled with giant monsters, mechanized warriors fighting it out toe to toe, and an evil warlord. There’s even a small fight between two starships. Jackson Rook had been a mech pilot and hero until the enemy used illegal viral programs to turn him against his friends. Rescued by the Gun Runner ship Tar Heel, he helps steel a top-of-the-line mech fighter to be delivered to Swindle, a world of giant monsters. The Warlord turns out to be evil, the rebels plant a bomb on jack’s spinal cord, and his only way out is to steal back the mech fighter. There’s a lot of this universe I’d like to see more of. The characters are fun and the action edge-of-your-seat. This is much better than I expected.Review printed by Philadelphia Free Press
June 30, 2022
LC’s first launch into Sci-Fi was entertaining, but not up to his standard. I admit, Mr. Correia’s standard is a Magnum Opus for most others (yes, I like him that much). Not sure if it was his co-writer, or the new genre, or that I’m an idiot and know not what I speak (I’d go with that one), but Gun-Runner just didn’t keep me hooked like the rest of his library. Look, it’s a worthy read; unfortunately, Mr. Correia has set the literary bar so high that one of his Kaiju would have trouble reaching it. So please disregard any negativity you may have construed from this review, and go out and obtain a copy. Anything that Mr. Correia writes is worth reading, just be ready for something different from Gun-Runner. Thank you, David
February 13, 2021
Ahh, yes, a good old fashioned slug fest with mechs going toe to toe on the battlefield. If you're a fan of the mech genre, or you just like some old fashioned scifi with a heavy slant towards the military aspect of things, this might suit you. If you like all the little cool things that make a scifi book fun to read, this just might be your book. If you enjoy alien planets, space craft, pirates, smugglers and the like, then you most certainly have to add this to your to read list. A fun story, and although it didn't exactly end on a series spanning note, I'd honestly not mind reading more in this series if it ever materalizes.
October 15, 2021
Excellent military science fiction action novel! Jackson Rook was a mech pilot. Due to extenuating circumstances, he ends up with a group of gun-running smugglers. The team was great, however, they end up selling arms to a very bad warlord. Great characters and a good solid story. I tend to read everything by Correia and I was not disappointed with this collaboration with John Brown. I don't think I've read anything by Brown. Keep up the great work and I cannot wait for #2 in the series. As usual, excellent narration by Oliver Wyman in the audible version, except that I kept hearing MHI characters.
October 6, 2021
Having not really read the Dust Jacket I was a bit surprised by the novel. While an interesting story about a gun runner in a Sci-Fi future. It turned into a great story about a small group of people trying to take down a evil government. Lots of great Action, some the suspense seemed added on. There is the part where the Captain asks his partner to call in favors, and nothing seems to happen with that, even though it was kind of a big plot point. Lots of things gt hinted at, and left open-ended so maybe a second book in the future.
April 27, 2025
Entertaining listen with likeable smart characters. The story had a lot of interesting ideas and the world we are introduced to is detailed enough to add to the story without weighing it down. There was a lot of action and fighting described - more than I usually care for - but I am probably not the demographic the book is written for. The little bit of love interest was fine - no anatomy or detailed descriptions - and there was no misogyny in the story - something that previously ended my fandom of Larry Correia books co-written with a couple of co-authors. After some years, I am trying out newer Correia books and they are quite good, without the annoying misogyny that previously ended my purchases.
April 11, 2021
Great start to hopefully a new series. It was a slow listen for me, but I think it was more me than the book.
The Tar Heel has a very diverse cast of characters. The captain's "last run" before retirement doesn't go quite according to plan.
Jackson Rook might be a smuggler, but he's also a mech-pilot that's been compromised, and an innate sense of right and wrong. He's loyal to a fault.
I really hope there's a 2nd book. The ending definitely set up future books.
The Tar Heel has a very diverse cast of characters. The captain's "last run" before retirement doesn't go quite according to plan.
Jackson Rook might be a smuggler, but he's also a mech-pilot that's been compromised, and an innate sense of right and wrong. He's loyal to a fault.
I really hope there's a 2nd book. The ending definitely set up future books.
April 21, 2021
Absolutely fantastic read, very difficult to put down. It's got all the cool things - giant robots, cool hackers, monsters, and more.
Honestly my only complaint is that it's not a standalone, follow up books are definitely needed. So, my only problem is really I want to read more in the series, and I reckon that's a good thing.
Oh yeah, and there were no beam sabers. Mechs need beam sabers. Maybe in the next book. Which will be an autobuy.
Honestly my only complaint is that it's not a standalone, follow up books are definitely needed. So, my only problem is really I want to read more in the series, and I reckon that's a good thing.
Oh yeah, and there were no beam sabers. Mechs need beam sabers. Maybe in the next book. Which will be an autobuy.
January 26, 2023
While I expected this book to be steeped with mech-on-mech combat (which I wouldn't have minded one bit, and don't worry, there's plenty of that also!) it was so much more than that. Correia and Brown have woven intense action scenes with wonderful world building, complex characters, and plots within plots, all whirling around in what can only be described as a phenomenal read. I enjoyed every page from beginning to end!
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