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Marshals of Rhea #1
House Omega
Mechs, Machine-magic, and Monsters...
For over a hundred cycles, the Marshals of Rhea have defended their strongholds against the wastelands’ many dangers, from vicious raiders to mechanical beasts. To fight these foes they pilot Chargers: eighteen-foot mechs engineered by the secretive Armorers’ Guild.
At Clarion, the ancient stronghold of House Omega, anticipation is high as the Marshals gather for a major hunting expedition. But when disaster strikes and House Omega is left leaderless, it falls to no-nonsense Head Cook Xanthe to investigate. She’s not alone, however, and is aided by an unlikely group of individuals including a haughty young noblewoman, a world-weary Armorer, a fastidious bodyguard, and a whimsical assassin.
As they endeavor to solve this tragic mystery, they unveil truths about their world, themselves, and each other that perhaps should have stayed hidden—for what they ultimately discover will shake their techno-feudal civilization to its very foundations…
Experience the first installment of the Marshals of Rhea trilogy, a military sci-fi epic packed with mech combat, techno-magic, and a helping of courtly intrigue. Perfect for fans of Rick Partlow, Chris Fox, and the Forgotten Ruin Series.
For over a hundred cycles, the Marshals of Rhea have defended their strongholds against the wastelands’ many dangers, from vicious raiders to mechanical beasts. To fight these foes they pilot Chargers: eighteen-foot mechs engineered by the secretive Armorers’ Guild.
At Clarion, the ancient stronghold of House Omega, anticipation is high as the Marshals gather for a major hunting expedition. But when disaster strikes and House Omega is left leaderless, it falls to no-nonsense Head Cook Xanthe to investigate. She’s not alone, however, and is aided by an unlikely group of individuals including a haughty young noblewoman, a world-weary Armorer, a fastidious bodyguard, and a whimsical assassin.
As they endeavor to solve this tragic mystery, they unveil truths about their world, themselves, and each other that perhaps should have stayed hidden—for what they ultimately discover will shake their techno-feudal civilization to its very foundations…
Experience the first installment of the Marshals of Rhea trilogy, a military sci-fi epic packed with mech combat, techno-magic, and a helping of courtly intrigue. Perfect for fans of Rick Partlow, Chris Fox, and the Forgotten Ruin Series.
456 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 7, 2021
41 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Gus Harris-Reid
6 books3 followersGus Harris-Reid is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer working in aerospace/defence (radar, lasers & advanced targeting). No, he doesn’t work for Stark Industries...
He is also the author of the techno-fantasy 'Gundam x Game of Thrones' Marshals of Rhea trilogy and the military sci fi 'Top Gun Maverick x Pacific Rim x BattleTech' EngineMasters series. Both heavily feature mech battle suits, because what's life without mechs?
Gus was born in London, grew up in Devon, South-West England and now lives and works in Edinburgh, Scotland.
You can check out Gus's website (gusharrisreid dot com) and follow him on BlueSky or on X.
He is also the author of the techno-fantasy 'Gundam x Game of Thrones' Marshals of Rhea trilogy and the military sci fi 'Top Gun Maverick x Pacific Rim x BattleTech' EngineMasters series. Both heavily feature mech battle suits, because what's life without mechs?
Gus was born in London, grew up in Devon, South-West England and now lives and works in Edinburgh, Scotland.
You can check out Gus's website (gusharrisreid dot com) and follow him on BlueSky or on X.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 10, 2021
Soft Spot.
I have always had a good feeling when reading books about powered armour. This goes way back to when I rad the first Isamov robot books and foresaw the needs for the three rules. Already here, we see brain powered armour. Perhaps we see androids? Certainly we see humanity fighting each other. We need competition in order to evolve and who better than our equals. The fight is built into us and without that fight we WILL just fade away. Envy of a better qualified or endowed person is natural, just not jealousy and hate.
I have always had a good feeling when reading books about powered armour. This goes way back to when I rad the first Isamov robot books and foresaw the needs for the three rules. Already here, we see brain powered armour. Perhaps we see androids? Certainly we see humanity fighting each other. We need competition in order to evolve and who better than our equals. The fight is built into us and without that fight we WILL just fade away. Envy of a better qualified or endowed person is natural, just not jealousy and hate.
December 16, 2021
Am I allowed to review my own book? Apparently so... XD
Writing House Omega (and its sequels), I tried to combine all my favourite literary/story characteristics into one book; namely mechs, a multi-POV ensemble cast, and rival factions each with their own symbols, colour schemes & character...
I hope you enjoy exploring the world of Rhea much as I enjoyed creating it!
Writing House Omega (and its sequels), I tried to combine all my favourite literary/story characteristics into one book; namely mechs, a multi-POV ensemble cast, and rival factions each with their own symbols, colour schemes & character...
I hope you enjoy exploring the world of Rhea much as I enjoyed creating it!
October 30, 2024
Slog with two and a half good characters.
Too many characters. Kane and Voss are the best, followed by Biella (who improves massively from her first chapters) and then Xanthe.
Weird enemies. Waste dwellers that have no reason to sacrifice themselves do so anyway. Scylla are okay but very vague and bland.
Very weird tech levels - they have mechs but no crossbows? Signs of obvious tech degradation for no reason (most of the tech guys are loyal).
The world is in decay for no apparent reason. I don't think it even has the population to support its current state (just hand farming can't feed and arm 10-30 soldiers from a population of 300 when they need mechs and also have gigantic feasts and have such a high attrition rate).
There's a point early on where there's a duel. One of the characters intervenes to prevent a quick, essentially costless end to it. This character then expresses later that he views the duel as pointless and a waste of resources. Then why did you stop it from ending then? Nobody would have thought him wrong for doing it.
There's also some (frankly) pointless intrigue about the first poisoning. This intrigue then results in the character who has the least motivation to cause the event having caused it. In fact it hurts him and his plans!
The concept is fine. But the execution is highly flawed.
Too many characters. Kane and Voss are the best, followed by Biella (who improves massively from her first chapters) and then Xanthe.
Weird enemies. Waste dwellers that have no reason to sacrifice themselves do so anyway. Scylla are okay but very vague and bland.
Very weird tech levels - they have mechs but no crossbows? Signs of obvious tech degradation for no reason (most of the tech guys are loyal).
The world is in decay for no apparent reason. I don't think it even has the population to support its current state (just hand farming can't feed and arm 10-30 soldiers from a population of 300 when they need mechs and also have gigantic feasts and have such a high attrition rate).
There's a point early on where there's a duel. One of the characters intervenes to prevent a quick, essentially costless end to it. This character then expresses later that he views the duel as pointless and a waste of resources. Then why did you stop it from ending then? Nobody would have thought him wrong for doing it.
There's also some (frankly) pointless intrigue about the first poisoning. This intrigue then results in the character who has the least motivation to cause the event having caused it. In fact it hurts him and his plans!
The concept is fine. But the execution is highly flawed.
May 11, 2022
Had potential.
While the writing was fairly well done, the plot needed some serious work. I can overlook a few major flaws but when they keep coming i get annoyed. The lack of any sort of projectile weapons was baffling. The supposed advanced dweller chargers with an so painfully obvious design flaw was disappointing to say the least. Why would the dwellers abandon a strategy that was clearing working? I won't even go into the absurd logistics of 5 small houses even surviving or seemingly flexible distance and time. Specifically Kane's rise to get help from his house. How did he travel that far and back with help before the enemy attacked? I could go on, but wont. Very disappointed at what could have been a fun read.
While the writing was fairly well done, the plot needed some serious work. I can overlook a few major flaws but when they keep coming i get annoyed. The lack of any sort of projectile weapons was baffling. The supposed advanced dweller chargers with an so painfully obvious design flaw was disappointing to say the least. Why would the dwellers abandon a strategy that was clearing working? I won't even go into the absurd logistics of 5 small houses even surviving or seemingly flexible distance and time. Specifically Kane's rise to get help from his house. How did he travel that far and back with help before the enemy attacked? I could go on, but wont. Very disappointed at what could have been a fun read.
May 5, 2025
Just could not do it
I don't mind POV changes in a story but there were so many it kept taking me out of the story. I wanted to finish this book just to know what happens but all it did was fuel my frustrations when the POV would change before something was resolved or in the middle of something happening.
On a side note someone should take this authors thesaurus away.
I don't mind POV changes in a story but there were so many it kept taking me out of the story. I wanted to finish this book just to know what happens but all it did was fuel my frustrations when the POV would change before something was resolved or in the middle of something happening.
On a side note someone should take this authors thesaurus away.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews