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Drop Trooper #1-4
Drop Trooper Books 1-4: A Military Sci-Fi Box Set
Four complete books. 1200+ pages of explosive, military sci-fi action complete the entire first arc of the bestselling Drop Trooper Series. Go to war or go to jail. For small-time street hustler Cam Alvarez, the choice is simple...He has no family, no friends, no place in the world…nothing to lose. When his latest con results in the death of a cartel hitman, Cam opts to join the Marines and leave Earth to fight a vicious alien enemy. Drafted into the Marine Drop-Troopers, Cam discovers there’s one thing he’s even better at than running street-con games, and that’s killing the enemy. Wrapped in an armored battlesuit, Cam finds purpose amidst the horror and destruction of the war, and the opportunity for a new sort of friends and family…if he can break the habits of a life spent alone, trusting no one.And, if he can survive...Buy this special edition omnibus to experience a thrilling and unpredictable Military Sci-Fi Adventure! It's perfect for fans of JN Chaney, Jay Allan, and Joshua Dalzelle.Books included in the Book 1: Contact FrontBook 2: Kinetic StrikeBook 3: Danger CloseBook 4: Direct Fire
1158 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 16, 2021
223 people are currently reading
47 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 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 20, 2022
Worth the price! This gives four well-told books. But I do have my problems. Now, this comes from someone with no military background. When I saw this book, I went, oh, military Sci-fi, just like Halo! This is not like Halo the games. I do appreciate that we do not go far into military training. However, there are points where I think dropping some of the military security reasons shouldn't be a part of the story.
For example, the enemy alien was captured and was somewhat cooperating with the human military. Why didn't we see that alien again? Why couldn't we get some debriefing about the alien to expand upon the monsters they are fighting?
Then was another one with how close a ship could get to a planet. For some reason, it was classified information for the main character, and the main character got in trouble just for asking questions because of its a "security breach."
I understand that this is a part of being in the military environment but for my taste, I think it harms the story more than helps it. However, I will not judge the book because it is a military sci-fi; it's in the name. Just because I don't like some of the military lifestyles doesn't mean these are bad books. As a matter of fact, these books are written very well, and the action is off the charts.
So with that being said, I recommend those who like sci-fi to give it a go and just remember it is a military sci-fi with emphasis on the military part.
For example, the enemy alien was captured and was somewhat cooperating with the human military. Why didn't we see that alien again? Why couldn't we get some debriefing about the alien to expand upon the monsters they are fighting?
Then was another one with how close a ship could get to a planet. For some reason, it was classified information for the main character, and the main character got in trouble just for asking questions because of its a "security breach."
I understand that this is a part of being in the military environment but for my taste, I think it harms the story more than helps it. However, I will not judge the book because it is a military sci-fi; it's in the name. Just because I don't like some of the military lifestyles doesn't mean these are bad books. As a matter of fact, these books are written very well, and the action is off the charts.
So with that being said, I recommend those who like sci-fi to give it a go and just remember it is a military sci-fi with emphasis on the military part.
February 26, 2022
Dependable Meat and Potatoes
Tired of investing time is military SciFi that starts with a bang and leads you into a wet cupcake? Well this story ain't that. This 4 book box set (not 4 overblown chapters) pays off in spades. You get you mil-scifi, big robots, implacable alien menaces and action-action-action. Earth shattering and ground breaking? No. This is a meat and potatoes read that will leave you satisfied.
Tired of investing time is military SciFi that starts with a bang and leads you into a wet cupcake? Well this story ain't that. This 4 book box set (not 4 overblown chapters) pays off in spades. You get you mil-scifi, big robots, implacable alien menaces and action-action-action. Earth shattering and ground breaking? No. This is a meat and potatoes read that will leave you satisfied.
December 16, 2021
Review of: Drop Trooper Books 1-4
A very well written story with plenty of action. I really enjoyed reading. My one comment is that, never call a Forest Recon a straight leg, he is a paratrooper like the Airborne, their are no legs , but support in the Airborne! Us, Paratroopers, Seals, SF, Para Rescue, Forest Recon, and Rangers have to stick together. No tin can better call me a leg!
A very well written story with plenty of action. I really enjoyed reading. My one comment is that, never call a Forest Recon a straight leg, he is a paratrooper like the Airborne, their are no legs , but support in the Airborne! Us, Paratroopers, Seals, SF, Para Rescue, Forest Recon, and Rangers have to stick together. No tin can better call me a leg!
November 27, 2025
good series
Action, battles, drama, military ranks and all their complications and jerk superior and all the headaches and drama they can cause, as well as trouble within the everyday soldiers. There’s also wonderful relationships, friends, colleagues, mentors and even love, but all of those are fleeting or worries of fleeting because they never know who will die in the next battle against this zealot empire. Their struggles are all true real, each living day to day not knowing what will come next, plus the real struggles of losing their friends in battle, their brothers and sisters in arms. The struggle is worse or maybe different for those in leadership roles as they not only lose their friends but they make split second decisions that may or may not cause the deaths of one or all of the soldiers they’re leading, but the yell make that call anyway because that’s what is expected of them in order to complete the mission. And the mission is everything. That is abundantly clear in this series. Really a great series.
Action, battles, drama, military ranks and all their complications and jerk superior and all the headaches and drama they can cause, as well as trouble within the everyday soldiers. There’s also wonderful relationships, friends, colleagues, mentors and even love, but all of those are fleeting or worries of fleeting because they never know who will die in the next battle against this zealot empire. Their struggles are all true real, each living day to day not knowing what will come next, plus the real struggles of losing their friends in battle, their brothers and sisters in arms. The struggle is worse or maybe different for those in leadership roles as they not only lose their friends but they make split second decisions that may or may not cause the deaths of one or all of the soldiers they’re leading, but the yell make that call anyway because that’s what is expected of them in order to complete the mission. And the mission is everything. That is abundantly clear in this series. Really a great series.
May 15, 2023
More than justa mil sci-fi romp
This box set contains some the best written delves into what it means to be a soldier/marine/trooper in a bloody, terrible war that I've read in a long time. The psychology of the main character was very well done. Yes, there are tropes, but they are very well integrated I to the plot and character arcs that they work well. I recommend this to any fan of sci-fi.
Warning: As expected, there is a LOT of foul language, but thankfully, it worst in the 1st book and tapers off a LOT as the story progresses into the following book. Also, the author shows that you don't need to add detailed sexually explicit scenes into a book. There is a fair amount of implied sex, but it is just that.
This box set contains some the best written delves into what it means to be a soldier/marine/trooper in a bloody, terrible war that I've read in a long time. The psychology of the main character was very well done. Yes, there are tropes, but they are very well integrated I to the plot and character arcs that they work well. I recommend this to any fan of sci-fi.
Warning: As expected, there is a LOT of foul language, but thankfully, it worst in the 1st book and tapers off a LOT as the story progresses into the following book. Also, the author shows that you don't need to add detailed sexually explicit scenes into a book. There is a fair amount of implied sex, but it is just that.
March 8, 2022
An excellent box collection.
Trying to review 4 books at once would end up reading like a novel in itself, so I won't try
The high level is bad kid gets conscripted into the marines and it's his story that is told. All sorts of difficulties are experienced and it's how he overcomes them that makes the books enjoyable
He becomes a true marine, with the values they live and die by and as a result does well
I have looked a head and 10 books feel a stretch, but hopefully the next few are worth it
Trying to review 4 books at once would end up reading like a novel in itself, so I won't try
The high level is bad kid gets conscripted into the marines and it's his story that is told. All sorts of difficulties are experienced and it's how he overcomes them that makes the books enjoyable
He becomes a true marine, with the values they live and die by and as a result does well
I have looked a head and 10 books feel a stretch, but hopefully the next few are worth it
December 28, 2021
One heck of a good story
I started this and it just really was a top sci-fi war story. BUT, it developed into a very well done storyline, excellent characters, and more than a quick read. Just enough technically to make it interesting, but almost a personal autobiography for the lead character Cam. It had a nice ending, but enough of twists that you really couldn't see it coming. Definitely turned into a page turner, that you didn't want to put down.
I started this and it just really was a top sci-fi war story. BUT, it developed into a very well done storyline, excellent characters, and more than a quick read. Just enough technically to make it interesting, but almost a personal autobiography for the lead character Cam. It had a nice ending, but enough of twists that you really couldn't see it coming. Definitely turned into a page turner, that you didn't want to put down.
November 28, 2021
Outstanding
The best story in some time very believable, for a couple hundred years in the future very believable tech wise seems maybe a little short on fancy tech but excellent story and set up for continuing to another number of books, if they are forthcoming be sure and let me know I certainly will purchase all. Dan
The best story in some time very believable, for a couple hundred years in the future very believable tech wise seems maybe a little short on fancy tech but excellent story and set up for continuing to another number of books, if they are forthcoming be sure and let me know I certainly will purchase all. Dan
February 5, 2022
Loved it. This is why I read military sci-fi/space opera. Enjoyable characters and relationships. Well written which to me means it flows, no major twists but you can't accurately extrapolate where the story goes in the sub plots. The core plot is always good guys win. (The characters you're supposed to identify with.)
March 12, 2022
Great military scifi!
Didn't really expect to like it. A lot of times mech stories are just a lot unrealistic battle scenes and gore and weak plots. But this story is really well told and well written, and manages to capture the military life accurately. Extra points for very few spelling and grammatical errors which drive me crazy. A great read!
Didn't really expect to like it. A lot of times mech stories are just a lot unrealistic battle scenes and gore and weak plots. But this story is really well told and well written, and manages to capture the military life accurately. Extra points for very few spelling and grammatical errors which drive me crazy. A great read!
June 16, 2022
Great Scifi
The characters are believable and consistent. There's just enough technology background information to allow me to picture the action as I read along. There are enough unexpected things happening in the combat sequences, good and bad orders. This book should be studied by anyone wishing to write Military Sci-Fi. Get close to this talent and you'll have a hit.
The characters are believable and consistent. There's just enough technology background information to allow me to picture the action as I read along. There are enough unexpected things happening in the combat sequences, good and bad orders. This book should be studied by anyone wishing to write Military Sci-Fi. Get close to this talent and you'll have a hit.
November 28, 2021
Required!
I think a marine MUST have written this book. Most probably a NCO. The tech stuff is right, it feels right. It has just the right touches in the right places. I'm going to buy the next book, even if that's a four and the one after it a three. This book has left me happy.
I think a marine MUST have written this book. Most probably a NCO. The tech stuff is right, it feels right. It has just the right touches in the right places. I'm going to buy the next book, even if that's a four and the one after it a three. This book has left me happy.
January 16, 2022
One of the better stories in this class
The hero of this story grows as a person and leader and yet still has the same core principles. It is a good account of how leadership changes a person.
The hero of this story grows as a person and leader and yet still has the same core principles. It is a good account of how leadership changes a person.
March 13, 2022
Really enjoyed the first four books of this series.
After reading the first four books in this series I am looking forward to completing it. Starting book five as soon as I complete this review. Can't wait.
After reading the first four books in this series I am looking forward to completing it. Starting book five as soon as I complete this review. Can't wait.
March 31, 2022
Good action story.
The story kept me engaged. It was maybe a little too good to be true, but the the author maintained a good balance of personal betterment and simple war time battles.
The story kept me engaged. It was maybe a little too good to be true, but the the author maintained a good balance of personal betterment and simple war time battles.
March 31, 2022
Awesome stories books 1-4! Great read!
Couldn’t put these books down. Fabulous characters with compelling stories. I cared. Thanks to the author for weaving plot lines that kept me on the edge of my seat and awake long into the night. Can’t wait to start the next ones!
Couldn’t put these books down. Fabulous characters with compelling stories. I cared. Thanks to the author for weaving plot lines that kept me on the edge of my seat and awake long into the night. Can’t wait to start the next ones!
May 22, 2022
First rate military space opera.
Never bores, jars or is hokey. Crisp, visceral action. Thoughtful and tender in personal moments. Feels like you're there, smelling the air and taking the punch. Can't wait to read more.
Never bores, jars or is hokey. Crisp, visceral action. Thoughtful and tender in personal moments. Feels like you're there, smelling the air and taking the punch. Can't wait to read more.
October 10, 2022
Fast paced military sci-fi story.
Interesting story. Not unexpected ending. A fast. Entertaining read. Not the currently too popular armageddon/end of humanity story that is all too prevalent these days.
Interesting story. Not unexpected ending. A fast. Entertaining read. Not the currently too popular armageddon/end of humanity story that is all too prevalent these days.
June 2, 2024
Fantastic series!
One of the best Sci-Fi books I have read! Excellent character development and engrossing Sci-Fi military action! I found the nonaction periods to still keep my attention to plot. The reader will find it difficult to put down the series!
One of the best Sci-Fi books I have read! Excellent character development and engrossing Sci-Fi military action! I found the nonaction periods to still keep my attention to plot. The reader will find it difficult to put down the series!
November 9, 2024
A page-turner from beginning to end! The twists and turns kept me guessing, and the characters were richly developed. I loved the unexpected surprises that were sprinkled throughout. It’s rare to find something that keeps you hooked like this. Definitely one of the best reads this year!
November 6, 2025
An Excellent Series
I retired as an Army 1SG and approve of this book. Great characters development, great story and a great read. Go the war with the Marines (always the dang Marines!).
I retired as an Army 1SG and approve of this book. Great characters development, great story and a great read. Go the war with the Marines (always the dang Marines!).
December 13, 2021
Outstanding
Outstanding read. I caught the feels a few times. Brings back memories of times past and foreign places visited. Some too often.
Outstanding read. I caught the feels a few times. Brings back memories of times past and foreign places visited. Some too often.
January 18, 2022
An excellent series, I can't wait to get into the next volume. Action packed, relatable characters, written in the first person, killing aliens what's not to like!!
June 7, 2022
Military SF at it's best
Read all four books on the trot, at times could not put them down. Great and fresh story telling. Characters well developed.
Read all four books on the trot, at times could not put them down. Great and fresh story telling. Characters well developed.
November 21, 2022
LOVED this series
Reminded me of basic all over again! Loved the whole story, and the participants!I highly recommend these books to all
Reminded me of basic all over again! Loved the whole story, and the participants!I highly recommend these books to all
June 1, 2024
Very good
Couldn't put the book down. Great story told by a great story teller. Can't wait to read the next books in the series.
Couldn't put the book down. Great story told by a great story teller. Can't wait to read the next books in the series.
April 6, 2025
🎧 - The Marine nostalgia was top notch. Cam is such a good main character. So easy to root for, so easy to forgive when he makes a mistake. Can’t wait to read more.
December 27, 2022
BOOK 1
A good beginning of this series. It's about Cam Alverez who was raised in Trans Angeles, after a nuclear war. His home was underground his whole life so when he had to enlist or put to sleep for 50 years, he chose enlisting. Only to find out how good he was at killing the Tahni, the aliens, like so many other aliens, who thought the galaxy belonged to then and was killing millions to prove it.
This is the first book of 4 in a bundle I bought to listen to but I'll be reviewing them separately, rather than 4 books in the same review.
So, no romance, it's only mentioned and the F-bomb was used 393 times in the 4 books.
As for the narration: James Patrick Cronin does a great job.
BOOK 2
Jeez! One thing I hate about these books on war and battles is that you get to know and like all these characters and then they die and you tell yourself you don't want to read anymore. BUT, you go on to the next book anyway.
In this one Cam came up with an idea that would stop so many from dying but even with his good idea there was still so many dead, marines Cam didn't know and one he particularly liked, as well as me. I was very pissed off when she died. But, at least they were able to take the Tahni's planet that supplied their other planets with food.
I'll remind all of you that I'm doing these 4 books separately because I bought them as a bundle of 4 books in the Drop Trooper series.
Again, no sex and the F-bomb was used 393 times in the 4 books.
As for the narration: James Patrick Cronin continues to do a fantastic job.
BOOK 3
In this story Cam and the other Drop Troopers have taken Silvanus back from the Tahni. Cam has become a Second Lieutenant and his love has gone to OCS to become one too. Now, the military is heading to rid the galaxy of the Emperor and the remaining Tahni.
Again, I bought this as a a bundle of books but I'm reviewing them separately.
No romance, except for a couple of kisses, and the F-bomb is used in all 4 books 393 times.
As for the narration: James Patrick Cronin does a wonderful job narrating these stories.
BOOK 4
Well, I think this is far as I'm going with series. Mostly because I read what the next book is about and I really can't stand when our hero starts drinking to cope. That's too much for me.
They finally battled their way to kill the Emperor and end the war with the Tahni. So, now it's just a question of what will be their next enemy.
No romance and the F bomb was used 393 times in ALL 4 books.
As for the narration: James Patrick Cronin did a great job on all 4 of the stories.
A good beginning of this series. It's about Cam Alverez who was raised in Trans Angeles, after a nuclear war. His home was underground his whole life so when he had to enlist or put to sleep for 50 years, he chose enlisting. Only to find out how good he was at killing the Tahni, the aliens, like so many other aliens, who thought the galaxy belonged to then and was killing millions to prove it.
This is the first book of 4 in a bundle I bought to listen to but I'll be reviewing them separately, rather than 4 books in the same review.
So, no romance, it's only mentioned and the F-bomb was used 393 times in the 4 books.
As for the narration: James Patrick Cronin does a great job.
BOOK 2
Jeez! One thing I hate about these books on war and battles is that you get to know and like all these characters and then they die and you tell yourself you don't want to read anymore. BUT, you go on to the next book anyway.
In this one Cam came up with an idea that would stop so many from dying but even with his good idea there was still so many dead, marines Cam didn't know and one he particularly liked, as well as me. I was very pissed off when she died. But, at least they were able to take the Tahni's planet that supplied their other planets with food.
I'll remind all of you that I'm doing these 4 books separately because I bought them as a bundle of 4 books in the Drop Trooper series.
Again, no sex and the F-bomb was used 393 times in the 4 books.
As for the narration: James Patrick Cronin continues to do a fantastic job.
BOOK 3
In this story Cam and the other Drop Troopers have taken Silvanus back from the Tahni. Cam has become a Second Lieutenant and his love has gone to OCS to become one too. Now, the military is heading to rid the galaxy of the Emperor and the remaining Tahni.
Again, I bought this as a a bundle of books but I'm reviewing them separately.
No romance, except for a couple of kisses, and the F-bomb is used in all 4 books 393 times.
As for the narration: James Patrick Cronin does a wonderful job narrating these stories.
BOOK 4
Well, I think this is far as I'm going with series. Mostly because I read what the next book is about and I really can't stand when our hero starts drinking to cope. That's too much for me.
They finally battled their way to kill the Emperor and end the war with the Tahni. So, now it's just a question of what will be their next enemy.
No romance and the F bomb was used 393 times in ALL 4 books.
As for the narration: James Patrick Cronin did a great job on all 4 of the stories.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews