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Drop Trooper #8
Release Point
It's the final showdown between Cam and a rogue Tahni general... And it might be the end of everything.
Cam and Vicky are chasing down Zan-Thint to his last fortress, a lifeless world deep in Tahni space. If they can't take him down before he activates an ancient alien weapon, a swarm of biomechanical killing machines will wipe out all life in the Commonwealth.
But devastating his enemies is only half of Zan-Thint's plan. He doesn't do anything without an escape route.
And this one will take him--and Cam Alvarez--clear out of the galaxy.
Book 8 in the Amazon Bestselling Drop Trooper series by Rick Partlow is here. It's Military Sci-Fi the way it's supposed to be!
Cam and Vicky are chasing down Zan-Thint to his last fortress, a lifeless world deep in Tahni space. If they can't take him down before he activates an ancient alien weapon, a swarm of biomechanical killing machines will wipe out all life in the Commonwealth.
But devastating his enemies is only half of Zan-Thint's plan. He doesn't do anything without an escape route.
And this one will take him--and Cam Alvarez--clear out of the galaxy.
Book 8 in the Amazon Bestselling Drop Trooper series by Rick Partlow is here. It's Military Sci-Fi the way it's supposed to be!
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 14, 2021
366 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
About the author
Rick Partlow
207 books372 followersRick Partlow is that rarest of species, a native Floridian. Born in Tampa, he attended Florida Southern College and graduated with a degree in History and a commission in the US Army as an Infantry officer.
His lifelong love of science fiction began with Have Space Suit---Will Travel and the other Heinlein juveniles and traveled through Clifford Simak, Asimov, Clarke and on to William Gibson, Walter Jon Williams and Peter F Hamilton. And somewhere, submerged in the worlds of others, Rick began to create his own worlds.
He has written over 70 books in over a dozen different series, and his short stories have been included in many different anthologies.
He currently lives in norther Wyoming with his wife and their dog. Besides writing and reading science fiction and fantasy, he enjoys outdoor photography, hiking and camping.
His lifelong love of science fiction began with Have Space Suit---Will Travel and the other Heinlein juveniles and traveled through Clifford Simak, Asimov, Clarke and on to William Gibson, Walter Jon Williams and Peter F Hamilton. And somewhere, submerged in the worlds of others, Rick began to create his own worlds.
He has written over 70 books in over a dozen different series, and his short stories have been included in many different anthologies.
He currently lives in norther Wyoming with his wife and their dog. Besides writing and reading science fiction and fantasy, he enjoys outdoor photography, hiking and camping.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 15, 2022
Should have been the last
This series was coming to an end, the story had run its course, yet the author seems to think otherwise
The first third of the book starts to bring all the threads together, the humans have won, the stragglers are being chased down, then suddenly a whole new galaxy is brought into the story and we suddenly have a whole new adventure for Cam & Vicky, just a tad too implausible
This series was coming to an end, the story had run its course, yet the author seems to think otherwise
The first third of the book starts to bring all the threads together, the humans have won, the stragglers are being chased down, then suddenly a whole new galaxy is brought into the story and we suddenly have a whole new adventure for Cam & Vicky, just a tad too implausible
November 19, 2021
Finished the book but I don't like where the story is going. The author took a, in my opinion, tidbit of information and made it the new premise of the continuation of the series. I'd prefered if he'd not done that. Might see about the next installment of the series; hoping that the author will change the story.
March 18, 2023
A fitting conclusion, or so I thought
Cam and Vicky find themselves in yet another complex situation as the unit deals with Zan-Thrint and we get a good ending to the series.
3/16/2023
So it turns out that the series isn’t really finished! So I’ll expand my review, but not with spoilers.
As the book begins we find the Marines on Tan Skyah (sp?) Zan-Thrint isn’t done with the traps he’s been setting as they pursue him and wind up in a very dangerous situation (as usual). Beyond that, all I can say is that they catch up with him. But the situation is different than what they were expecting…
Cam and Vicky find themselves in yet another complex situation as the unit deals with Zan-Thrint and we get a good ending to the series.
3/16/2023
So it turns out that the series isn’t really finished! So I’ll expand my review, but not with spoilers.
As the book begins we find the Marines on Tan Skyah (sp?) Zan-Thrint isn’t done with the traps he’s been setting as they pursue him and wind up in a very dangerous situation (as usual). Beyond that, all I can say is that they catch up with him. But the situation is different than what they were expecting…
October 27, 2021
Captains Cam Alvarez and Vicky Sandoval were with Sergeant Wade Cunningham on Tahn-Khandranda doing basically nothing important. They were assigned to occupation duty and not very happy with it. Although the Tahni lost the war, they weren't very happy about it and took every opportunity to show that displeasure. Not only that, but the planets the occupied and now the Earth troops occupied were hotter than heck. Cam, Vicky and Wade didn't like any of these conditions, but that's what they had signed up for so there wasn't much they could do about it.
Then they got a call to report to the Fleet Intelligence HQ for a mission brief. That was a good change to what was otherwise a very boring day. They got picked up by another Captain named Geiger who took them to the HQ building. Just prior to going into the main briefing room, they were told by a duty NCO that another Tahni Priest was again complaining about something. Captain Geiger went to find out what he wanted and took Cam, Vicky and Wade with her. Someone screwed up and the Priest produced a hidden weapon which he proceeded to try to use against Captain Geiger. She, on the other hand had a pulse pistol and that stopped the Priest dead. So, it was pretty exciting beginning to Cam and Vicky's day at Fleet Intel HQ. Hopefully it wouldn't get more exciting, but it did.
Colonel Hatchett wanted Cam and Vicky to find out where General Zan-Thint had went to hide. They were to go to Tahn-Skyyiah and talk with a Tahni informant who might have some information on the General's whereabouts. Well, the informant didn't want to give up any information at all and instead called in a bunch of his Tahni friends and just about took out Cam, Vicky, Wade and Captain Geiger. In fact, they got a pretty nasty firefight going on and Captain Geiger didn't make it back. She got hit just before the Force Recon Marines reaction force made it into the fray. They did capture one of the attacking Tahni. After using some reasonable drugs on the Tahni, he told them that General Zint-Thint was recruiting on the planet Venlann-Skan. So, with that information Cam, Vicky and Wade got back on the Orion which was Col. Hatchett's mission ship, told him what they found out and he directed the ship to the planet Venlann-Skan.
Once they get to this new planet, they find evidence of General Zan-Thint's activities, but not him or his troops. He's build a large dome facility that appears to be housing some Tahni Shock-Troopers, but they are definitely not the High Guard troops you would expect. The human forces don't have much trouble fighting deeper into the dome until they get too far. Cam feels like it's a trap and it is. What they come up against almost ends everyone on the planet. They do escape and then the planet had to be nuked out of existence. It was a trap setup by the General although they did find some interesting intel. It's appears that some of the buildings in the dome were occupied by Tahni females and their children. So, now they knew the General had to find a livable planet for his people to survive.
So they had to look for a system that was capable of being colonized by the Tahni under General Zin-Thint. They found one system that had not been surveyed and that's where they headed. There they found a Tahni starship in orbit around a strange alien construct. It was huge but it's purpose was unknown. Soon after getting in closer to the object, the Orion lost all power except for life support and then it was drawn in towards the alien construct. About this time they also noticed that the Tahni ship was also being pulled towards the huge vessel and there was no way to stop their movement.
What happens after this will cause everything to change. It also might mean the end of Cam and Vicky permanently. In fact, the entire crew of the Orion is at risk and the only ones that can help are the Predecessors! They have to be found!
Pretty good story with some interesting twist. I'm not sure how they are going to get out of this one. Captain Alvarez does some pretty stupid stuff in this book only because he worries too much about Vicky. She shouldn't be going on missions with him nor should he be with her. They both get to concerned with the safety of the other that it can result in mission failure! He should know better than this. The story does continue with book 9, "Kill Box", which is available for pre-order and will be delivered on 18 January 2022!
Then they got a call to report to the Fleet Intelligence HQ for a mission brief. That was a good change to what was otherwise a very boring day. They got picked up by another Captain named Geiger who took them to the HQ building. Just prior to going into the main briefing room, they were told by a duty NCO that another Tahni Priest was again complaining about something. Captain Geiger went to find out what he wanted and took Cam, Vicky and Wade with her. Someone screwed up and the Priest produced a hidden weapon which he proceeded to try to use against Captain Geiger. She, on the other hand had a pulse pistol and that stopped the Priest dead. So, it was pretty exciting beginning to Cam and Vicky's day at Fleet Intel HQ. Hopefully it wouldn't get more exciting, but it did.
Colonel Hatchett wanted Cam and Vicky to find out where General Zan-Thint had went to hide. They were to go to Tahn-Skyyiah and talk with a Tahni informant who might have some information on the General's whereabouts. Well, the informant didn't want to give up any information at all and instead called in a bunch of his Tahni friends and just about took out Cam, Vicky, Wade and Captain Geiger. In fact, they got a pretty nasty firefight going on and Captain Geiger didn't make it back. She got hit just before the Force Recon Marines reaction force made it into the fray. They did capture one of the attacking Tahni. After using some reasonable drugs on the Tahni, he told them that General Zint-Thint was recruiting on the planet Venlann-Skan. So, with that information Cam, Vicky and Wade got back on the Orion which was Col. Hatchett's mission ship, told him what they found out and he directed the ship to the planet Venlann-Skan.
Once they get to this new planet, they find evidence of General Zan-Thint's activities, but not him or his troops. He's build a large dome facility that appears to be housing some Tahni Shock-Troopers, but they are definitely not the High Guard troops you would expect. The human forces don't have much trouble fighting deeper into the dome until they get too far. Cam feels like it's a trap and it is. What they come up against almost ends everyone on the planet. They do escape and then the planet had to be nuked out of existence. It was a trap setup by the General although they did find some interesting intel. It's appears that some of the buildings in the dome were occupied by Tahni females and their children. So, now they knew the General had to find a livable planet for his people to survive.
So they had to look for a system that was capable of being colonized by the Tahni under General Zin-Thint. They found one system that had not been surveyed and that's where they headed. There they found a Tahni starship in orbit around a strange alien construct. It was huge but it's purpose was unknown. Soon after getting in closer to the object, the Orion lost all power except for life support and then it was drawn in towards the alien construct. About this time they also noticed that the Tahni ship was also being pulled towards the huge vessel and there was no way to stop their movement.
What happens after this will cause everything to change. It also might mean the end of Cam and Vicky permanently. In fact, the entire crew of the Orion is at risk and the only ones that can help are the Predecessors! They have to be found!
Pretty good story with some interesting twist. I'm not sure how they are going to get out of this one. Captain Alvarez does some pretty stupid stuff in this book only because he worries too much about Vicky. She shouldn't be going on missions with him nor should he be with her. They both get to concerned with the safety of the other that it can result in mission failure! He should know better than this. The story does continue with book 9, "Kill Box", which is available for pre-order and will be delivered on 18 January 2022!
May 1, 2024
Talk about a whirlwind of a book man, it’s all over the place! Call me old fashioned but I like a good steady build up with a few twists in between, I have said it once and I will say it again this author loves to shotgun blast his readers with huge plot twists and information. For some this is great thing, for slow and steady wins the race readers like myself this is not enjoyable. In any case I still think it was a good book nevertheless. Here are my pros and cons…
Pros:
Great Sci-Fi/ Space Opera Feels
If you are a Sci-Fi fanatic then this book is for you because there are layers upon layers of hi-tech nomenclature in here that it will satisfy your needs. You got advanced alien artificial intelligence, super weapons, starship battles, lasers, proton cannons, EMI blasts, giant floating cubes in space that will teleport you to another galactic system, you name it it’s got it.
Carnage
In book eight I finally got more violence and carnage. Yes there is violence in all the books but I felt more of the blood and tension in this ones battles scenes. *Small spoiler a lot more characters are killed off in this book so be prepared*
Decent Saved Quotes
Honestly this book was a 3.2 / 5 but the only reason it got to 3.2 and not 2.2 was the author does a really good in putting in some decent dialogue. I saved them in my notes feel free to check them out. Mr. Partlow knows how to get his readers invested in his main character Cam. He does it by Cams narrations of his own interactions with the plot and the one liner quotes he leaves in a sarcastic kind of a way I enjoyed. I appreciate it and I know it is hard to make the relationship between the characters in the book and the physical eyeballs reading them.
Negative:
Way Too Much Plot Development
I mean I get it the author wants to keep the series alive by instilling new dilemmas/situations. But honestly I feel like I’m reading about a never ending rabbit hole. Like I said before I like slow and steady. I feel like the author wants to much out of this series and it’s not just doing it for me anymore. Too much is too much and there are so many alien species now that I can’t handle it! In any case I will still continue the books just because I am curious how it all ends up
Cam & Vicky
I did not feel any real connection or dialogue between these two in book 8. Almost all the books have shown their relationship grow and I didn’t get and new development with them in this one. Additionally the deaths of critical characters were really just thrown in there and I didn’t get much of the shock factor as I wanted too.
All and all it was not bad and really had some good stuff in it, but really left me with the feeling of exhaustion when I was done. Mr. Partlow is a great author do not get me wrong but this book was just way to much information for me to get behind with in the end.
Thank you all who took the time to read my post.
-Alex
Pros:
Great Sci-Fi/ Space Opera Feels
If you are a Sci-Fi fanatic then this book is for you because there are layers upon layers of hi-tech nomenclature in here that it will satisfy your needs. You got advanced alien artificial intelligence, super weapons, starship battles, lasers, proton cannons, EMI blasts, giant floating cubes in space that will teleport you to another galactic system, you name it it’s got it.
Carnage
In book eight I finally got more violence and carnage. Yes there is violence in all the books but I felt more of the blood and tension in this ones battles scenes. *Small spoiler a lot more characters are killed off in this book so be prepared*
Decent Saved Quotes
Honestly this book was a 3.2 / 5 but the only reason it got to 3.2 and not 2.2 was the author does a really good in putting in some decent dialogue. I saved them in my notes feel free to check them out. Mr. Partlow knows how to get his readers invested in his main character Cam. He does it by Cams narrations of his own interactions with the plot and the one liner quotes he leaves in a sarcastic kind of a way I enjoyed. I appreciate it and I know it is hard to make the relationship between the characters in the book and the physical eyeballs reading them.
Negative:
Way Too Much Plot Development
I mean I get it the author wants to keep the series alive by instilling new dilemmas/situations. But honestly I feel like I’m reading about a never ending rabbit hole. Like I said before I like slow and steady. I feel like the author wants to much out of this series and it’s not just doing it for me anymore. Too much is too much and there are so many alien species now that I can’t handle it! In any case I will still continue the books just because I am curious how it all ends up
Cam & Vicky
I did not feel any real connection or dialogue between these two in book 8. Almost all the books have shown their relationship grow and I didn’t get and new development with them in this one. Additionally the deaths of critical characters were really just thrown in there and I didn’t get much of the shock factor as I wanted too.
All and all it was not bad and really had some good stuff in it, but really left me with the feeling of exhaustion when I was done. Mr. Partlow is a great author do not get me wrong but this book was just way to much information for me to get behind with in the end.
Thank you all who took the time to read my post.
-Alex
November 7, 2021
Short
I read the first 3 or 4 books and enjoyed them. I got this one thinking it would be the conclusion only to learn that I have to wait for another one. It seems at this point Partlow has lost his direction and didn't even finish the rest of the book. I expected a conclusion and I'm okay with the series ending on them trying to make peace with their past and building a new life with their former enemy. I don't feel that this aspect was explored and he missed a great opportunity for further character development here and I feel like he should have ended rather than restart with a Voyager vibe.
I read the first 3 or 4 books and enjoyed them. I got this one thinking it would be the conclusion only to learn that I have to wait for another one. It seems at this point Partlow has lost his direction and didn't even finish the rest of the book. I expected a conclusion and I'm okay with the series ending on them trying to make peace with their past and building a new life with their former enemy. I don't feel that this aspect was explored and he missed a great opportunity for further character development here and I feel like he should have ended rather than restart with a Voyager vibe.
September 16, 2021
Great fun
I've been waiting for this book to release and it was worth the wait. New bad guys. New area and cultures. Exploration at it's best. Well besides the death and violence.
I enjoyed how we got to go someplace unexpected and saw how things had unfolded throughout the ages. I'm loving the new expansion in the overall storyline.
I highly recommend this to fans and new readers.
I've been waiting for this book to release and it was worth the wait. New bad guys. New area and cultures. Exploration at it's best. Well besides the death and violence.
I enjoyed how we got to go someplace unexpected and saw how things had unfolded throughout the ages. I'm loving the new expansion in the overall storyline.
I highly recommend this to fans and new readers.
May 6, 2024
While the last quarter didn't do much for me, I was pleased with this episode. Cam and Vicky were back in the saddle and taking stupid risks – as is their wont.
Zan-Thint's reasoning, for risking the annihilation of their sector of the galaxy, was madness. However, his character ark was somewhat satisfying.
I have reservations about where the series is heading. Regardless, I think reading at least one more episode is warranted.
Zan-Thint's reasoning, for risking the annihilation of their sector of the galaxy, was madness. However, his character ark was somewhat satisfying.
I have reservations about where the series is heading. Regardless, I think reading at least one more episode is warranted.
December 12, 2021
My Humble Opinion.
It's hard, in a review, not to give some pointers about what's in the book. Let me try to say that if you love military style books, no matter what era, fighting in an armour suit 500 years ago or 500 years from now, you will really appreciate this book (and the others).!
It's hard, in a review, not to give some pointers about what's in the book. Let me try to say that if you love military style books, no matter what era, fighting in an armour suit 500 years ago or 500 years from now, you will really appreciate this book (and the others).!
March 25, 2022
Bit Mixed
Ok without spoilers this turns things on their head a lot and yes we're invested in Cam and Vicky and some of the other characters by now but it's very jarring.
This drops it a star as this feels out of character for the overall story and although this new direction will be very interesting im sure its going to take a while to adjust.
Ok without spoilers this turns things on their head a lot and yes we're invested in Cam and Vicky and some of the other characters by now but it's very jarring.
This drops it a star as this feels out of character for the overall story and although this new direction will be very interesting im sure its going to take a while to adjust.
September 26, 2021
still going strong
If you go enough books into a series you have to keep if fresh. Too often it’s just more of the same.
This books is a paradigm shift for the series and a welcome one. You won’t be disappointed.
If you go enough books into a series you have to keep if fresh. Too often it’s just more of the same.
This books is a paradigm shift for the series and a welcome one. You won’t be disappointed.
October 8, 2021
Great series, was hard to put down the kindle!
Great characters
Did not see plot twist in book 8 comming.
Would rather see more honor and leadership in military and politics vs everyone but a few are corrupt.
Great characters
Did not see plot twist in book 8 comming.
Would rather see more honor and leadership in military and politics vs everyone but a few are corrupt.
February 8, 2023
Very good and unpredicted continuation to the series.
This was an interesting continuation to the series. We get to be introduced to some of the Predecessors we've read so much about and a twist of who enemies are. Looking forward to the next book.
This was an interesting continuation to the series. We get to be introduced to some of the Predecessors we've read so much about and a twist of who enemies are. Looking forward to the next book.
March 18, 2024
This book felt like an episode of Strak Trek, only with more marines and explosions. Cam and Vicky explore parts of the universe where no man has gone before. The story is fast-paced and contains enough action. I like where this series is going.
September 17, 2021
Great ending
Great ending or is it hopefully there is more to come respect as the Skrela are still out there.. Totally worth 5 stars
Great ending or is it hopefully there is more to come respect as the Skrela are still out there.. Totally worth 5 stars
October 29, 2021
Great Read
Again a great story with Cam Vicki and crew. Flung into a whole different universe they still find a way to finish the mission. Highly recommended.
Again a great story with Cam Vicki and crew. Flung into a whole different universe they still find a way to finish the mission. Highly recommended.
December 15, 2021
Great read
Super action. Rick Part low is the bomb. I can almost see the battles like I was there. Where the neck is book 9 ?😡
Super action. Rick Part low is the bomb. I can almost see the battles like I was there. Where the neck is book 9 ?😡
December 28, 2021
Actually it feels like the start to a whole new series even though the same characters are involved. Writing remains at its usual high standards.
December 30, 2021
Chasing on the heels of the Tahni General, Cam and his friends find themselves in a place they never expected to be. And how are they going to get home?
Great series, give it a go!
Great series, give it a go!
January 22, 2022
Best one yet
This is the best of the series so far. It also answers several of the questions that t arose since the book Home Front. Really enjoyable.
This is the best of the series so far. It also answers several of the questions that t arose since the book Home Front. Really enjoyable.
January 27, 2022
great book
Another well written and executed plot. Some plot twists I didn’t see coming that kept this storyline fresh. There’s still hope for humanity!
Another well written and executed plot. Some plot twists I didn’t see coming that kept this storyline fresh. There’s still hope for humanity!
April 17, 2022
Not bad
Great book and ending. Looking forward to the next book in the series,love the author of this series.Give it a shot.
Great book and ending. Looking forward to the next book in the series,love the author of this series.Give it a shot.
October 26, 2023
Excellent send off
To a new adventure. The story has progressed well. Covering everything within the book universe. Well thought out stories and descriptions. Keep it up.
To a new adventure. The story has progressed well. Covering everything within the book universe. Well thought out stories and descriptions. Keep it up.
May 12, 2024
Ah, the plot thickens as humans come into contact with the Ancients.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews