What do you think?
Rate this book
Legacy Earth #1
Legacy Earth
With an 85% dropout rate, find the strength within or go home.
So far, Officer Candidate School is living up to its cutthroat reputation. Still, the merciless mental, physical, and psychological torture may be worth it for Lance Warder to have a chance to fight in space.
The space that awaits isn’t for the faint of heart. He’ll have to shed his mental chains to prove his mettle. Because no one cares who your father is when you’re faced with unknown threats in a dark, infinite void.
To help deal with the everyday grind of survival, evasion, resistance, and escape training, Lance will join a boxing league and even find himself in the middle of a mysterious AI takeover that may spell doom for mankind.
So far, Officer Candidate School is living up to its cutthroat reputation. Still, the merciless mental, physical, and psychological torture may be worth it for Lance Warder to have a chance to fight in space.
The space that awaits isn’t for the faint of heart. He’ll have to shed his mental chains to prove his mettle. Because no one cares who your father is when you’re faced with unknown threats in a dark, infinite void.
To help deal with the everyday grind of survival, evasion, resistance, and escape training, Lance will join a boxing league and even find himself in the middle of a mysterious AI takeover that may spell doom for mankind.
- GenresScience FictionAudiobook
420 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 16, 2021
140 people are currently reading
260 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 23, 2022
Wow… So many clichés crammed in the first three chapters, it's really impressive! The girl is delicate but of course also tough, the big guy is ready to use his fists at the first teasing, the midget is obviously smart and cunning, Lance the MC is burdened by being the "son of", the drill sergeants yell for the sake of yelling… There's absolutely not one ounce of nuance and subtlety, the writing is bad (lots of repetitions, it doesn't make any sense to refer to Lance as a stranger when he's the MC and the story is written from his point of view), and I couldn't pass the fourth chapter mark. DNF at 10%.
January 5, 2022
Mediocre. It's not that this is a bad book, it's written fairly well, bar a few inconsistencies and annoyances (like Lance being a wonder boy who can do everything better than anyone else including fighting seasoned veterans). It merely takes VASTLY too long to get going - literally, something happens only at 90% of the book. Up until that point it is all about the daily life of cadet Lance Warder and his comrades on their quest to graduate. That is the greatest let down. It forces you to now look at the next book if you want to take the story further. Perhaps the pseudo coming-of-age story appeals to some, it certainly doesn't to me. Ideally the path to graduation should have been at most 30% of the book.
October 31, 2021
This was a first time author and I'll have to get used to his writing. While he does write well, his story-line seems to be just too good to be true, like this is one of those stories that never, ever happens to you! We're going to OCS (Officer Candidate School) which is undoubtedly going to be very hard. Our main character is Lance Warder and he has a side-kick friend in Justin Cooper. Justin is kind of unique in that he's a midget. They start off in a shuttle taking them to their initial training base. Needless to say, Earth has been in space for awhile and these Officer Cadets will be looking for posting away from Earth on or various starships. They will eventually chose a speciality be it as a pilot, engineer and communications or a Marine. This cadet class isn't large and it will get smaller.
Of course they get their first "friendly" greeting from their new Drill Sergeant! Yeah, friendly, right! He's yelling at the top of his voice for the new cadets to get on the yellow foot prints on the tarmac. If you've been to any kind of basic training, you'll be familiar with this routine. You and your other confused and terribly frightened recruits or cadets in this case, scramble to get on the yellow foot prints while at the same time paying attention to this crazy person who's yelling at everybody. If you make the dumb mistake of gaining their attention, you will regret it! This is you indoctrination period. You are going to change from a civilian into a military person one way or another and you Drill Sergeant is going to make you do that his way. Of course you can D.O.R. (Drop On Request) which means you're out of the program and you go home.
Lance Warder is just as unsure of himself as are all the other cadets. He believes that he's ready for what's coming, but he doesn't know what he doesn't know. So, he takes the smart way and starts paying attention right from the beginning. Lance has the advantage of coming from a family with a long line of military history, all of it very successful. He want's to prove that he's just a tough has those before him and he has a name to live up to as you'll learn later in the story.
Now I don't have a lot of problems with how Lance's officer cadet training happens, but it doesn't really go as smoothly as this book wants it to sound. There are things that happen to him that just really don't happen. The first is that he meets a young nurse while in-processing and getting his first shots at medical. Since this is just a story in a book, there are such things as young nurses taking care of young men going through OCS. Most of the time, in real life, these people are definitely highly professional and don't care to get involved with the young men or women that are really going to be way too busy to have a romance. So this part of the story is really too perfect and not very believable.
Then we have the fact that Lance wants to win the boxing Championship while he's going through OCS. There shouldn't be anything like this going on except it is, but supposedly in secret, I think. Something happened towards the end of the story that doesn't seem to make sense when a Drill Sergeant blows up and terminates the boxing activities. It seems that all the Drill Sergeants clearly knew about these activities and Lance's Drill Sergeant certainly did. Additionally, Lance seems to be just too ready to be able to do anything and everything. I don't really think anyone going into OCS is prepared for what they encounter since they've never been there before. I think Lance Warder is just too prepared and everyone seems to just want to follow along with him even though there's no reason to do so.
And, it seems that these cadets get just too much free time on their own. They actually talk about having the weekend off or at least Sunday, and they seem to have a lot of time in the evenings to do practically whatever they want. That's probably not going to be the way it is although I can't say for sure since my OCS was through a National Guard Academy and we trained once a month for three intense days or more for 13 months. If you went through ROTC (college) then you would have graduated with a commission and not gone to this OCS.
Ok, then during the story something happens which was totally unexpected, but kind of what you should have expected for a story like this. It puts Lance and his other cadets directly into combat on their own and they some how figure it out. I don't know what the people that were supposed to be taking care of them were doing, but they weren't doing their jobs.
Of course Lance makes it through OCS. Some of his buddies don't and then he's awaiting his new orders. He knows where he doesn't want to go, but you'll just have to read what his first assignment turns out to be. Also, while Earth is not at war, something seems to be coming and it's totally unexpected. I think I'll probably read the next book in the series, "First Contact", which is available on Amazon.
Of course they get their first "friendly" greeting from their new Drill Sergeant! Yeah, friendly, right! He's yelling at the top of his voice for the new cadets to get on the yellow foot prints on the tarmac. If you've been to any kind of basic training, you'll be familiar with this routine. You and your other confused and terribly frightened recruits or cadets in this case, scramble to get on the yellow foot prints while at the same time paying attention to this crazy person who's yelling at everybody. If you make the dumb mistake of gaining their attention, you will regret it! This is you indoctrination period. You are going to change from a civilian into a military person one way or another and you Drill Sergeant is going to make you do that his way. Of course you can D.O.R. (Drop On Request) which means you're out of the program and you go home.
Lance Warder is just as unsure of himself as are all the other cadets. He believes that he's ready for what's coming, but he doesn't know what he doesn't know. So, he takes the smart way and starts paying attention right from the beginning. Lance has the advantage of coming from a family with a long line of military history, all of it very successful. He want's to prove that he's just a tough has those before him and he has a name to live up to as you'll learn later in the story.
Now I don't have a lot of problems with how Lance's officer cadet training happens, but it doesn't really go as smoothly as this book wants it to sound. There are things that happen to him that just really don't happen. The first is that he meets a young nurse while in-processing and getting his first shots at medical. Since this is just a story in a book, there are such things as young nurses taking care of young men going through OCS. Most of the time, in real life, these people are definitely highly professional and don't care to get involved with the young men or women that are really going to be way too busy to have a romance. So this part of the story is really too perfect and not very believable.
Then we have the fact that Lance wants to win the boxing Championship while he's going through OCS. There shouldn't be anything like this going on except it is, but supposedly in secret, I think. Something happened towards the end of the story that doesn't seem to make sense when a Drill Sergeant blows up and terminates the boxing activities. It seems that all the Drill Sergeants clearly knew about these activities and Lance's Drill Sergeant certainly did. Additionally, Lance seems to be just too ready to be able to do anything and everything. I don't really think anyone going into OCS is prepared for what they encounter since they've never been there before. I think Lance Warder is just too prepared and everyone seems to just want to follow along with him even though there's no reason to do so.
And, it seems that these cadets get just too much free time on their own. They actually talk about having the weekend off or at least Sunday, and they seem to have a lot of time in the evenings to do practically whatever they want. That's probably not going to be the way it is although I can't say for sure since my OCS was through a National Guard Academy and we trained once a month for three intense days or more for 13 months. If you went through ROTC (college) then you would have graduated with a commission and not gone to this OCS.
Ok, then during the story something happens which was totally unexpected, but kind of what you should have expected for a story like this. It puts Lance and his other cadets directly into combat on their own and they some how figure it out. I don't know what the people that were supposed to be taking care of them were doing, but they weren't doing their jobs.
Of course Lance makes it through OCS. Some of his buddies don't and then he's awaiting his new orders. He knows where he doesn't want to go, but you'll just have to read what his first assignment turns out to be. Also, while Earth is not at war, something seems to be coming and it's totally unexpected. I think I'll probably read the next book in the series, "First Contact", which is available on Amazon.
September 18, 2021
Excellent!
At one level this is just another sci fi recruit to marine book but I thoroughly liked it and thought it was very well written.
Mostly focused on training but very enjoyable and one of the best versions of this kind of story I have read.
You can pretty much guess how these stories go but still keeps you in the moment and enjoying the ride.
At one level this is just another sci fi recruit to marine book but I thoroughly liked it and thought it was very well written.
Mostly focused on training but very enjoyable and one of the best versions of this kind of story I have read.
You can pretty much guess how these stories go but still keeps you in the moment and enjoying the ride.
November 5, 2021
This is my first book by this author, although I am aware of the LitRPG series he wrote as well.
Lance is a marine legacy, in that his father and grandfather were both marines. When his time comes up, he doesn't hesitate. He is joined by the rest of the recruiting class for Officer Training School, where they are greeted by the sergeant who will be molding them into officers.
I was excited by this plot, but it simply doesn't deliver. Yes, they go on some long hikes carrying heavy rifles, and there is the obligatory obstacle course, but it felt more piecemeal than a training program. The physical training is pushed back to make way for classes, goofing around, dating the hot nurse who heals Lance back to health, time in 53 degree water, and more.
Sure, they're officers, but it's supposed to be an intense time of training all their skills, which it isn't.
I won't share what happens at the end other than to say the recruits save the day. Because what other outcome could there be?
Overall, I wanted to like this book, but it didn't take its own subject matter serious enough. There are enough scenes that made me look past that, but then it's back to goofing around or dating the hot nurse. The characters are well drawn and stay consistent, but the story is all over the place.
4/5* I wanted to like the book more than it wanted to entertain me
Lance is a marine legacy, in that his father and grandfather were both marines. When his time comes up, he doesn't hesitate. He is joined by the rest of the recruiting class for Officer Training School, where they are greeted by the sergeant who will be molding them into officers.
I was excited by this plot, but it simply doesn't deliver. Yes, they go on some long hikes carrying heavy rifles, and there is the obligatory obstacle course, but it felt more piecemeal than a training program. The physical training is pushed back to make way for classes, goofing around, dating the hot nurse who heals Lance back to health, time in 53 degree water, and more.
Sure, they're officers, but it's supposed to be an intense time of training all their skills, which it isn't.
I won't share what happens at the end other than to say the recruits save the day. Because what other outcome could there be?
Overall, I wanted to like this book, but it didn't take its own subject matter serious enough. There are enough scenes that made me look past that, but then it's back to goofing around or dating the hot nurse. The characters are well drawn and stay consistent, but the story is all over the place.
4/5* I wanted to like the book more than it wanted to entertain me
October 8, 2021
Very engaging military sci-fi! It is very familiar, and doesn't have anything new to add to the genre you haven't seen before, but it is well-written and well-paced.
I had a blast reading through this, and the author captures a lot of the feel from life in the military environment. I thought he did a great job with the bittersweet romance, too, and thankfully he followed through on how the characters developed instead of forcing a fake outcome.
There's a lot of concepts and tech that are very obviously lifted from video games and other popular media, but the author wisely makes it known via the characters that the tech is directly inspired by those sources.
My one nitpick is the ease with which a new engineering grad, part of our protagonist's group, manages to figure out what the enemy's true objective is during its attack, when nobody else on the entire base seems to notice. I've never been a fan of the plucky young heroes conveniently discovering stuff the supposedly experienced adults/veterans all miss, but it didn't hamper my enjoyment of the story one bit.
I have to admit as I got closer to the end, I was afraid the novel was going to let me down with an infuriating cliffhanger... but I am very glad to say I was wrong. The story wrapped up nicely while still leaving me anxious to read what's next. I've already pre-ordered the sequel, I can't wait to see what those Reeves are all about, not to mention the newcomers!
I had a blast reading through this, and the author captures a lot of the feel from life in the military environment. I thought he did a great job with the bittersweet romance, too, and thankfully he followed through on how the characters developed instead of forcing a fake outcome.
There's a lot of concepts and tech that are very obviously lifted from video games and other popular media, but the author wisely makes it known via the characters that the tech is directly inspired by those sources.
My one nitpick is the ease with which a new engineering grad, part of our protagonist's group, manages to figure out what the enemy's true objective is during its attack, when nobody else on the entire base seems to notice. I've never been a fan of the plucky young heroes conveniently discovering stuff the supposedly experienced adults/veterans all miss, but it didn't hamper my enjoyment of the story one bit.
I have to admit as I got closer to the end, I was afraid the novel was going to let me down with an infuriating cliffhanger... but I am very glad to say I was wrong. The story wrapped up nicely while still leaving me anxious to read what's next. I've already pre-ordered the sequel, I can't wait to see what those Reeves are all about, not to mention the newcomers!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2022
Legacy Earth Book 1 - a review by Rosemary Kenny.
Lance Warder is a Luke Skywalker-type character, living under the shadow of his father as he tries to find his own way, by enrolling at the tough Officer Candidate School that has a mere 15% success rate of graduates.
Yet determination to succeed in becoming a space warrior, is Lance's raison d'etre and he overcomes all obstacles, while making firm friends among his peers - and even finding time for a burgeoning, bittersweet relationship.
A modern sci-fi classic, Ross Buzzell's Legacy Earth series opener of the same name, is worthy of a place on your sci-fi bookshelves.
A must for fans of Star Wars and the novels of Arthur C Clarke and Isaac Asimov...get it today!
Lance Warder is a Luke Skywalker-type character, living under the shadow of his father as he tries to find his own way, by enrolling at the tough Officer Candidate School that has a mere 15% success rate of graduates.
Yet determination to succeed in becoming a space warrior, is Lance's raison d'etre and he overcomes all obstacles, while making firm friends among his peers - and even finding time for a burgeoning, bittersweet relationship.
A modern sci-fi classic, Ross Buzzell's Legacy Earth series opener of the same name, is worthy of a place on your sci-fi bookshelves.
A must for fans of Star Wars and the novels of Arthur C Clarke and Isaac Asimov...get it today!
December 27, 2021
A highly entertaining read, but...
... 3 stars due typos, grammar, and, for lack of a better word, continuity errors. The frequency of errors increased dramatically after about 75%. Most of the military stuff appeared to be correct with one irritating exception: a training class at OCS is not a command. So the Drill Instructor should not be referred to as a Commanding Officer. Especially since Drill Instructors are usually not officers. Picky, I know. All of that was somewhat distracting from an otherwise fine reading experience. I will search out and read the sequels. It seems as if there may have been prequels. Hope so.
... 3 stars due typos, grammar, and, for lack of a better word, continuity errors. The frequency of errors increased dramatically after about 75%. Most of the military stuff appeared to be correct with one irritating exception: a training class at OCS is not a command. So the Drill Instructor should not be referred to as a Commanding Officer. Especially since Drill Instructors are usually not officers. Picky, I know. All of that was somewhat distracting from an otherwise fine reading experience. I will search out and read the sequels. It seems as if there may have been prequels. Hope so.
October 21, 2021
Recruits trying to attain their goal of being marines in a futuristic timeline.
All of the typical subplots are in play.
The story is nicely written. The plot holds together.
If I were to criticize one thing, it would be the almost perfect answers generated by the main character. Yes, his family has a military background, so he ALWAYS HAS THE ANSWER?
It is a nice story that generally goes exactly where you expect it to, but the main character is so clearly described that he practically jumps off the pages.
Well worth reading.
All of the typical subplots are in play.
The story is nicely written. The plot holds together.
If I were to criticize one thing, it would be the almost perfect answers generated by the main character. Yes, his family has a military background, so he ALWAYS HAS THE ANSWER?
It is a nice story that generally goes exactly where you expect it to, but the main character is so clearly described that he practically jumps off the pages.
Well worth reading.
November 10, 2021
It's the usual first book
No real surprises, book takes you through the usual training of a bunch of raw recruits, although one is not quite as raw as most
Story starts with a group of hopefuls and they get whittled down to the high flyers. As expected there are a few moments where the select few get to shine and the requisite real world, this is not a drill scenario happens
Lastly the book end with the oh my god moment, which draws you into getting the next. Ok
It's pretty formulaic, but manages to keep you turning the next page and in my case the next book
No real surprises, book takes you through the usual training of a bunch of raw recruits, although one is not quite as raw as most
Story starts with a group of hopefuls and they get whittled down to the high flyers. As expected there are a few moments where the select few get to shine and the requisite real world, this is not a drill scenario happens
Lastly the book end with the oh my god moment, which draws you into getting the next. Ok
It's pretty formulaic, but manages to keep you turning the next page and in my case the next book
December 18, 2022
Author Buzzell has written one really great military yarn
Lance Warren is standing in line with a bunch of kids (18 -19 year old) waiting for entry to O.C.S. training. Most are nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof, lance not so much. Walking up he hands his documents to the clerk, who asks " are you that Warden? Yup I'm that one, you really got some big shoes to fill!
This begins Legacy Earth, book 1 in O.C.S. Training. If you want a book that can keep you enthralled with great characters, intense training that is as closer to being the real deal this is for you!
Lance Warren is standing in line with a bunch of kids (18 -19 year old) waiting for entry to O.C.S. training. Most are nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof, lance not so much. Walking up he hands his documents to the clerk, who asks " are you that Warden? Yup I'm that one, you really got some big shoes to fill!
This begins Legacy Earth, book 1 in O.C.S. Training. If you want a book that can keep you enthralled with great characters, intense training that is as closer to being the real deal this is for you!
March 6, 2022
Keeps your interest
Previous to this book I read 25% of a book where at OCS a student was rich, smart, good-looking and all his teachers couldn't do enough for him. Yeah totally believable. This main character Lance does have some of the same characteristics but works hard for them and the drill instructors don't lavish praise.
The book keeps you interested even though you know what the outcome will be.
Previous to this book I read 25% of a book where at OCS a student was rich, smart, good-looking and all his teachers couldn't do enough for him. Yeah totally believable. This main character Lance does have some of the same characteristics but works hard for them and the drill instructors don't lavish praise.
The book keeps you interested even though you know what the outcome will be.
May 27, 2022
Outstanding start of a new series
The writing is intense. The characters are very personable and easy to root for. The story Is a war story and follows Lance Harder thru through it. There is a mystery not solved until half way thru the book. Well set up and executed. I was very engaged with the story and thoroughly enjoyed it. I heartily recommend this book and look forward to the next in the series.
The writing is intense. The characters are very personable and easy to root for. The story Is a war story and follows Lance Harder thru through it. There is a mystery not solved until half way thru the book. Well set up and executed. I was very engaged with the story and thoroughly enjoyed it. I heartily recommend this book and look forward to the next in the series.
October 28, 2021
nicely written story
This is a very nice story following a young man entering into the service. As we follow him through his training we get to experience things as he does. There are not a lot of twists (until the end) but it is still very engaging, and I cant wait to see what happens next..
This is a very nice story following a young man entering into the service. As we follow him through his training we get to experience things as he does. There are not a lot of twists (until the end) but it is still very engaging, and I cant wait to see what happens next..
January 10, 2022
Decent
Not quite your typical group of youths in the military space academy, but close. Similar formula. Felt like I either missed a few chapters early on or else, more likely, the author painted himself into a corner and created some additional backstory on the fly to explain it away and proceed.
Not quite your typical group of youths in the military space academy, but close. Similar formula. Felt like I either missed a few chapters early on or else, more likely, the author painted himself into a corner and created some additional backstory on the fly to explain it away and proceed.
September 22, 2021
A nice book
This book has interesting characters as well as an intriguing storyline. There’s a lot of unanswered questions i hope will be answered in the next book, but it is well worth reading.
This book has interesting characters as well as an intriguing storyline. There’s a lot of unanswered questions i hope will be answered in the next book, but it is well worth reading.
October 23, 2021
Great story
Wow that was a great storyline could not out the kindle down. Love it when stories start with the full on training to give you a good idea of how the main character is going to be
Wow that was a great storyline could not out the kindle down. Love it when stories start with the full on training to give you a good idea of how the main character is going to be
May 11, 2022
A wonderful view of a future military.
Page turner. Well done. Thanks for your efforts. I have the next one coming as I write this review. Keep them coming. Can't wait to start the next one.
Page turner. Well done. Thanks for your efforts. I have the next one coming as I write this review. Keep them coming. Can't wait to start the next one.
June 12, 2022
Intense
I loved this character driven story that takes you from day one of training up to their first assignment. I felt like I was part of the story and experiencing every hurt,sorrow, and victory along the way.
I loved this character driven story that takes you from day one of training up to their first assignment. I felt like I was part of the story and experiencing every hurt,sorrow, and victory along the way.
December 9, 2022
Here Come the Marines
A new class of twenty recruits start their basic training in Officer Candidate School. How many will graduate? Lance Walker leads his class as old enemies reappear and something new shows up. An exciting fast paced story. I recommend this book.
A new class of twenty recruits start their basic training in Officer Candidate School. How many will graduate? Lance Walker leads his class as old enemies reappear and something new shows up. An exciting fast paced story. I recommend this book.
October 3, 2021
Space
Great start let's see where we go. I hate having to submit X amount of words. D ghb dg hr day used fee eg hcf
Great start let's see where we go. I hate having to submit X amount of words. D ghb dg hr day used fee eg hcf
October 5, 2021
Not what I expected, but a fairly well done story, and one with more in the series. I'm certainly going to read the rest of the series, I liked this one.
December 23, 2021
Brilliant first book in the series
An outstanding military sci-fi action novel.
Great characters with realistic situations and lots of action.
I look forward to the next one 😀
An outstanding military sci-fi action novel.
Great characters with realistic situations and lots of action.
I look forward to the next one 😀
January 30, 2022
Fun reading
I greatly enjoyed reading this story, and I can't wait to start book two. Great caracters fantastic story , lots of action.
I greatly enjoyed reading this story, and I can't wait to start book two. Great caracters fantastic story , lots of action.
January 18, 2023
Great Start
Great start to this series as Lance and his class navigates OCS and decide to which branch of Space Force to join. Strong characters and good storylines.
Great start to this series as Lance and his class navigates OCS and decide to which branch of Space Force to join. Strong characters and good storylines.
December 6, 2024
So good read
So good read I read it twice the story is very well written and skilfully arranged to keep you informed in it all the way to the last page
So good read I read it twice the story is very well written and skilfully arranged to keep you informed in it all the way to the last page
August 29, 2023
This is now my favorite book and book series.
February 23, 2025
Author lost my interest by calling the drill sergeant the CO (Commanding Officer).
Several other statements made it pretty clear the author either never went to basic training or completely forgot what he learned. I did not wish to waste my time reading another combat book written by what appears to be a non-vet.
Several other statements made it pretty clear the author either never went to basic training or completely forgot what he learned. I did not wish to waste my time reading another combat book written by what appears to be a non-vet.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews