What do you think?
Rate this book
Drop Trooper #9
Kill Box
Cam Alvarez is lost in the depths of the galaxy…and the only way home is through a horde of alien monsters.
Cam and the others in the task force have followed Zan Thint through the Predecessor Gateway to another spiral arm of the galaxy. There, they are stranded…unless they can find another of the gateways.
Following the trail of the Predecessors, who’d fled our space millennia ago, they discover one lost civilization after another…but will they find the Predecessors?
And even if they do, will the mysterious Predecessors, the original sentient life to evolve on Earth, help the heirs to their world and their star empire…or just lead them to their doom?
For it’s not only the Predecessors who lurk in the dark recesses of space. So do the bioengineered alien horde, the implacable Skrela, dedicated to wiping out all intelligent life in the universe.
And if the godlike Predecessors couldn’t defeat the Skrela, what hope does a ragtag band of humans stand?
Book 9 in the Amazon Bestselling Drop Trooper series by Rick Partlow is here. Grab your copy today!
Cam and the others in the task force have followed Zan Thint through the Predecessor Gateway to another spiral arm of the galaxy. There, they are stranded…unless they can find another of the gateways.
Following the trail of the Predecessors, who’d fled our space millennia ago, they discover one lost civilization after another…but will they find the Predecessors?
And even if they do, will the mysterious Predecessors, the original sentient life to evolve on Earth, help the heirs to their world and their star empire…or just lead them to their doom?
For it’s not only the Predecessors who lurk in the dark recesses of space. So do the bioengineered alien horde, the implacable Skrela, dedicated to wiping out all intelligent life in the universe.
And if the godlike Predecessors couldn’t defeat the Skrela, what hope does a ragtag band of humans stand?
Book 9 in the Amazon Bestselling Drop Trooper series by Rick Partlow is here. Grab your copy today!
276 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 18, 2022
375 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
Rick Partlow
211 books373 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 24, 2022
High quality military Sci-Fi
Yup, a boundary to a boundary to fiction, just like the “Sci” part. The other side of the coin is that it’s well done. What’s acceptable, or desirable, to you is up to you. Kind of like any other subjective choice, yes?
OK, fine. Whatever.
The characters and their relationships are engrossing, the plots simple but also absorbing, and the world building suggestive without being confining. Reader supplied subplots available. Action, close enough to overwhelming for any junky.
Fine escapism, as we snuggle in our lacunae.
Yup, a boundary to a boundary to fiction, just like the “Sci” part. The other side of the coin is that it’s well done. What’s acceptable, or desirable, to you is up to you. Kind of like any other subjective choice, yes?
OK, fine. Whatever.
The characters and their relationships are engrossing, the plots simple but also absorbing, and the world building suggestive without being confining. Reader supplied subplots available. Action, close enough to overwhelming for any junky.
Fine escapism, as we snuggle in our lacunae.
April 7, 2023
Another good installment of the series
Cam and Vicky have come a long way since the first book. Now they find themselves on the Predecessor homeworld, the skrela on the attack and no idea where they are. The story is still as compelling as ever.I'm looking forward to the next book.
Cam and Vicky have come a long way since the first book. Now they find themselves on the Predecessor homeworld, the skrela on the attack and no idea where they are. The story is still as compelling as ever.I'm looking forward to the next book.
June 11, 2024
A terrific roller coaster of sci-fi, military conquest, mystery and neverrelenting pressure. I loved it, really brought me back to the series as I was debating if I wanted to finish all of it. Moving forward the series looks very promising and full of different roads Cameron Alvarez and his wife Vicky will have to go through. In any case here are my pros.
Pros
So Many Worlds!!:
I think my favorite part about this author is his creativity in making these new discovered planets. Without giving the book away I just wanted to say I really appreciated how well the author kept the whole lost feeling going even when finding other humanoid planets. Most importantly everything flowed with the plot and no lost or twisted ends were made when each additional planet was found. They all formed together which made the book an easy pick up put down light read feeling.
Rich Character Development:
On previous book I felt the author was missing the mark in adding and explaining new characters into the series. When he did he would put a certain level of focus on the character in one book and kill them off in the next. While I get the strategy I would want there to be a little subliminal way in building up the characters without me wondering “does this mean someone is going to die soon.” While I can’t say Mr.Partlow did not get away from that method in this book completely he did a hell of a lot better in adding his charters growth without much force. One character in particular is Matis. I’m not going into any more conversation about him but I just loved his personal story and his loyalty to Captain Alvarez.
Simple Sci-Fi Comprehension
With all this new tech being thrown out there by the predecessors I was worried the information would be hard to follow. Everything new such as gravmag tech, internal blackhole generation, proton weapons, and my favorite heat signature removed on star ships by sending all exhaust fumes to another dimension. What the f%#! is that about. Loved it, additionally all the diverse alien languages described and different cultures they encountered was perfect.
Satisfied/Well Written Ending
On most endings in Mr.Partlow’s series it gets a little rushed and as he tries his best to sew all the plot points together he normally falls short with leaving readers with loose ends. This is not always a case with this series but the last three books I definitely felt like too much was happening too fast. You do not get that feeling in Kill Box. Everything was put togagher in the end and he even left you with a little mystery with the predecessors.
Diverse & solid Battle Scenes
One of my favorite take aways from this book was how well written and expressive the batttle/action scenes were made. There is a part where Cam has to fight with other humans from another planet that are on the tech level of early 1900es. The next battle he his getting his suit upgraded by predecessor tech and fighting things that should be in another dimension. I loved all of it and all the complexity’s that came with them. This mght be one of my favorite books by Mr. Partlow in this particular series but we shall see how the others are as I am feeling very confident in what the rest of books have to offer.
Thanks for reading,
-Alex
Pros
So Many Worlds!!:
I think my favorite part about this author is his creativity in making these new discovered planets. Without giving the book away I just wanted to say I really appreciated how well the author kept the whole lost feeling going even when finding other humanoid planets. Most importantly everything flowed with the plot and no lost or twisted ends were made when each additional planet was found. They all formed together which made the book an easy pick up put down light read feeling.
Rich Character Development:
On previous book I felt the author was missing the mark in adding and explaining new characters into the series. When he did he would put a certain level of focus on the character in one book and kill them off in the next. While I get the strategy I would want there to be a little subliminal way in building up the characters without me wondering “does this mean someone is going to die soon.” While I can’t say Mr.Partlow did not get away from that method in this book completely he did a hell of a lot better in adding his charters growth without much force. One character in particular is Matis. I’m not going into any more conversation about him but I just loved his personal story and his loyalty to Captain Alvarez.
Simple Sci-Fi Comprehension
With all this new tech being thrown out there by the predecessors I was worried the information would be hard to follow. Everything new such as gravmag tech, internal blackhole generation, proton weapons, and my favorite heat signature removed on star ships by sending all exhaust fumes to another dimension. What the f%#! is that about. Loved it, additionally all the diverse alien languages described and different cultures they encountered was perfect.
Satisfied/Well Written Ending
On most endings in Mr.Partlow’s series it gets a little rushed and as he tries his best to sew all the plot points together he normally falls short with leaving readers with loose ends. This is not always a case with this series but the last three books I definitely felt like too much was happening too fast. You do not get that feeling in Kill Box. Everything was put togagher in the end and he even left you with a little mystery with the predecessors.
Diverse & solid Battle Scenes
One of my favorite take aways from this book was how well written and expressive the batttle/action scenes were made. There is a part where Cam has to fight with other humans from another planet that are on the tech level of early 1900es. The next battle he his getting his suit upgraded by predecessor tech and fighting things that should be in another dimension. I loved all of it and all the complexity’s that came with them. This mght be one of my favorite books by Mr. Partlow in this particular series but we shall see how the others are as I am feeling very confident in what the rest of books have to offer.
Thanks for reading,
-Alex
March 14, 2022
Cameron Alvarez and his wife Vicky are stuck with Colonel Hachette or not! They went after the Thani Colonel Zan-Thint and they had caught him, but now things have settled down and they feel their mission is over. Now they just want to go back home or at least in the "cluster" that home resides. That doesn't appear possible unless they can find the gateway back to the Earth cluster. And the only way to find that is to find the Predecessors.
Meanwhile, they have an unstable truce with Col. Zan-Thint and his Karai faction that he currently sides with on this planet. Of course, Col. Hachette, Captain's Alvarez and Sandoval, along with others that came with them have sided with the Vergai who have decidedly less technology, but plenty of will to stand up to Zan-Thint. As long as the humans are with the Vergai, Zan-Thint won't attack or at least it's expected he won't attack. Captain's Alvarez and Sandoval have been up-training the Vergai and they might just make a decent deterrent given enough time.
But, time isn't something the humans have in abundance. Neither is resources for their starship and everything else they brought with them. There isn't any place in known space that has the technology to manufacture replacement parts for the starship, their weapons, their ammo or even the fuel it requires to go from planet to planet. They need to find the gateway and that's what Colonel Hachette now wants to do.
He's got some leads so he's taking all his people and their starship to follow these leads in hopes of finding the Predecessors or some clue as to where they might have left the gateway back to Earth. He knows he can't go jumping around in space looking at every possible location, he's already very critical on starship fuel. They can transition out to a new system, but will only just have enough fuel to get back to where they are now and that's it. Once the starship runs out of fuel, they are going to be stuck on whatever planet they orbit, like, well, forever! That's not appealing at all to anyone from Earth.
So, what if they can find the actual descendants of the Predecessors. They have clues they exist, but nothing definite. And if they do find them, how will they know that the dreaded Skrela haven't already destroyed the gateway, or worse yet, that the humans led the Skrela directly to the Predecessors hidden planet! All of that is possible. If the Skrela find them or the Predecessors, it's all over. Everyone dies. But, that might not happen in this book.
It's a good story but I think Captain Alvarez and Captain Sandoval are getting a little fed-up with this whole thing. If they can find their way back to Earth, I don't think they are going to be leaving again and they are definitely not staying in the Marines. This whole thing has to end some day and it just might in the next book, but not in this one!
Meanwhile, they have an unstable truce with Col. Zan-Thint and his Karai faction that he currently sides with on this planet. Of course, Col. Hachette, Captain's Alvarez and Sandoval, along with others that came with them have sided with the Vergai who have decidedly less technology, but plenty of will to stand up to Zan-Thint. As long as the humans are with the Vergai, Zan-Thint won't attack or at least it's expected he won't attack. Captain's Alvarez and Sandoval have been up-training the Vergai and they might just make a decent deterrent given enough time.
But, time isn't something the humans have in abundance. Neither is resources for their starship and everything else they brought with them. There isn't any place in known space that has the technology to manufacture replacement parts for the starship, their weapons, their ammo or even the fuel it requires to go from planet to planet. They need to find the gateway and that's what Colonel Hachette now wants to do.
He's got some leads so he's taking all his people and their starship to follow these leads in hopes of finding the Predecessors or some clue as to where they might have left the gateway back to Earth. He knows he can't go jumping around in space looking at every possible location, he's already very critical on starship fuel. They can transition out to a new system, but will only just have enough fuel to get back to where they are now and that's it. Once the starship runs out of fuel, they are going to be stuck on whatever planet they orbit, like, well, forever! That's not appealing at all to anyone from Earth.
So, what if they can find the actual descendants of the Predecessors. They have clues they exist, but nothing definite. And if they do find them, how will they know that the dreaded Skrela haven't already destroyed the gateway, or worse yet, that the humans led the Skrela directly to the Predecessors hidden planet! All of that is possible. If the Skrela find them or the Predecessors, it's all over. Everyone dies. But, that might not happen in this book.
It's a good story but I think Captain Alvarez and Captain Sandoval are getting a little fed-up with this whole thing. If they can find their way back to Earth, I don't think they are going to be leaving again and they are definitely not staying in the Marines. This whole thing has to end some day and it just might in the next book, but not in this one!
December 16, 2025
wow! what a cliffhanger!
Love this series. The writing—depth of the characters, the setting of the scenes, the battle action and the whole drama filled story—is superbly done. I really enjoy the interactions between the characters, who are head strong, confident and usually knowledgeable people who can really get into some what feels like real spats, arguments, that may or may not end up in brawls and sometimes there are serious dramatic conversations, whether that be about life or death decisions or a marriage that may not survive those decisions, etc. The end of book is dramatic and the cliffhanger definitely surprised me. I’m on to three next book in the series, Drop Zone.
Love this series. The writing—depth of the characters, the setting of the scenes, the battle action and the whole drama filled story—is superbly done. I really enjoy the interactions between the characters, who are head strong, confident and usually knowledgeable people who can really get into some what feels like real spats, arguments, that may or may not end up in brawls and sometimes there are serious dramatic conversations, whether that be about life or death decisions or a marriage that may not survive those decisions, etc. The end of book is dramatic and the cliffhanger definitely surprised me. I’m on to three next book in the series, Drop Zone.
February 10, 2022
Very, very good read.
Once the action started I didn't even realize that I did not put the book down until the end. Make sure you don't get to the action as you lay down to go to sleep because when you do get to sleep you won't get much before it's time to get up again. RP does an excellent job of keeping your attention. I am going to be fighting weaponized scorpion-rhinos in my dreams, and flying around in a battlesuit, that would so cool, the flying part. I sure hope we get to meet these monstrosities makers eventually.
Once the action started I didn't even realize that I did not put the book down until the end. Make sure you don't get to the action as you lay down to go to sleep because when you do get to sleep you won't get much before it's time to get up again. RP does an excellent job of keeping your attention. I am going to be fighting weaponized scorpion-rhinos in my dreams, and flying around in a battlesuit, that would so cool, the flying part. I sure hope we get to meet these monstrosities makers eventually.
September 1, 2025
drop trooper 9 - Kill Box - still a pager turner!!
I'm 68. An English lit major. Never in the military. Read Sci-Fi quite a bit tho'. I've just finished Book 9 in the Drop Trooper series, and have found all of them thus far compulsively readable, page turners with characters that draw you in and one twist and turn after another.
I highly recomend!
I'm 68. An English lit major. Never in the military. Read Sci-Fi quite a bit tho'. I've just finished Book 9 in the Drop Trooper series, and have found all of them thus far compulsively readable, page turners with characters that draw you in and one twist and turn after another.
I highly recomend!
January 23, 2022
Great continuation
I enjoyed these next jumps down the story line, action and twists follow the lost Marines, ending at another cliff hanger. Should we trust the Predecessors? Should we pursue the Skrela?
I enjoyed these next jumps down the story line, action and twists follow the lost Marines, ending at another cliff hanger. Should we trust the Predecessors? Should we pursue the Skrela?
February 2, 2022
Wow
Talk about dramatic plot changes and totally unexpected surprises in a series that is a thrill to read! You need a five point harness to strap in to read this series. A regular seatbelt wouldn’t come close! What a story!
Talk about dramatic plot changes and totally unexpected surprises in a series that is a thrill to read! You need a five point harness to strap in to read this series. A regular seatbelt wouldn’t come close! What a story!
March 7, 2022
Good reading
So I might have missed a book or 2 in this series but I remembered the characters and it was easy enough to follow. Good story but the ending just has me going Oh no! Now I really need to get to the next book!
So I might have missed a book or 2 in this series but I remembered the characters and it was easy enough to follow. Good story but the ending just has me going Oh no! Now I really need to get to the next book!
March 10, 2022
Overall great series
When i started readimg this series, it was just to kill some time. It almost lost me in the middle with the farming and follow up with skrela pods, but he last two books have peaked my interest again and im looking forward to reading #10!
When i started readimg this series, it was just to kill some time. It almost lost me in the middle with the farming and follow up with skrela pods, but he last two books have peaked my interest again and im looking forward to reading #10!
March 23, 2022
Very good read
Continues with the same charactors and used them well. He is able to continue follow his story line ever deeper. He also does well with high end tech. Looking forward to the next book.
Continues with the same charactors and used them well. He is able to continue follow his story line ever deeper. He also does well with high end tech. Looking forward to the next book.
April 10, 2022
Unexpected Twists
Total change in pace and direction with this one as we find some very unexpected truths. A bit less battle than I like but this feels more like a set up for a new continuation in the series so shall see with the next one due soon.
Total change in pace and direction with this one as we find some very unexpected truths. A bit less battle than I like but this feels more like a set up for a new continuation in the series so shall see with the next one due soon.
April 23, 2022
Beyond the cluster, out among the unfeeling stars.
Full on action and aliens, everywhere. But can they be trusted.
Great characters with lots of action and adventure.
I look forward to the next one.
Full on action and aliens, everywhere. But can they be trusted.
Great characters with lots of action and adventure.
I look forward to the next one.
October 28, 2023
Great story
I was glad you didn't drag out the hunt for decision. One and done. Good job. Best quotes in this book of all of the series. Completely understandable! Nailed it. Keep them coming!
I was glad you didn't drag out the hunt for decision. One and done. Good job. Best quotes in this book of all of the series. Completely understandable! Nailed it. Keep them coming!
January 26, 2022
An outstanding book
Kill Box is literally interstellar in scope as Cam and Vickie chasing after the Predecessors . There are many twists and turns as they hunt for them.
Kill Box is literally interstellar in scope as Cam and Vickie chasing after the Predecessors . There are many twists and turns as they hunt for them.
January 27, 2022
Another great chapter in the Drop Troopers universe!!No matter where they are, who they have to fight, Cam and Vicki will get it done..some way some how!
January 27, 2022
I really love this series and am enjoying the new places it is going. Book 10 is out in July.
February 23, 2022
Great
A great continuation of Captain Alvarez and the Drop Trooper Series, good storyline and a very fast read. Highly recommended, can’t wait for book 10.
A great continuation of Captain Alvarez and the Drop Trooper Series, good storyline and a very fast read. Highly recommended, can’t wait for book 10.
April 18, 2022
Fun read
Another hit by the author, great read and enjoy the characters that are crazy but interesting.Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Another hit by the author, great read and enjoy the characters that are crazy but interesting.Looking forward to the next book in the series.
February 7, 2023
Better and better
The evolving story is entertaining and well thought out. While I can make some guesses (skynet) the future is unclear.
The evolving story is entertaining and well thought out. While I can make some guesses (skynet) the future is unclear.
May 23, 2024
Another adventure with Cam and Vicky, trying tot find a way home, while fighting several alien races. A solid story with plenty of action. The overall story is still interesting enough.
July 3, 2024
Disappointing. Three-quarters of this novel had no conflict and the great mystery was solved without being earned.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews