What do you think?
Rate this book
Last Marines #2
Darkness Rising
United we stand, divided we fall.
Having escaped execution by the SOG, Gunnery Sergeant Mathison and his Marines are hunted by an elite Governance task force and the entity that escaped from SOG Special Research Base 402-Alpha. If they don’t warn the Republic in time, humanity is doomed.
But the Marines need more information about the entity hunting them, information the SOG doesn’t want them to have, and it’s a race against time as their hunters close in. The hunters can afford many mistakes, but the Marines can’t make a single one.
As the hunters close in on their prey, worlds will burn and ancients will awaken to crawl out of the shadows. The ancients, the Vanhat, are returning, and mankind must unite or perish. Unfortunately, the SOG doesn’t want to unite.
Having escaped execution by the SOG, Gunnery Sergeant Mathison and his Marines are hunted by an elite Governance task force and the entity that escaped from SOG Special Research Base 402-Alpha. If they don’t warn the Republic in time, humanity is doomed.
But the Marines need more information about the entity hunting them, information the SOG doesn’t want them to have, and it’s a race against time as their hunters close in. The hunters can afford many mistakes, but the Marines can’t make a single one.
As the hunters close in on their prey, worlds will burn and ancients will awaken to crawl out of the shadows. The ancients, the Vanhat, are returning, and mankind must unite or perish. Unfortunately, the SOG doesn’t want to unite.
481 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 26, 2022
310 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
William S. Frisbee Jr.
34 books59 followersReader, writer, martial artist, US Marine, Veteran, Squad Leader, Team Leader, Saw Gunner, Rifleman, Computer Consultant, Security Officer, Dungeon Master, world traveler, Computer Gamer, dreamer, realist, American and best of all Dad!
Growing up in Europe during the height of the cold war and then serving in a Marine SOC (Special Operations Capable) Battalion during the collapse of Communism provided a lot of life experience and a unique perspective on life and the world. The first novel he read was Jules Vern's 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea' when he was ten and has been reading ever since.
Before the Marines he was a pocket protector wearing nerd, after the Marines he held jobs as a Security officer/Patrol Sergeant, Lieutenant and other odd specialized jobs like body guard or surveillance, and ended up brushing off the pocket protector to become a Computer Consultant.
These days he dreams of quitting his day job as a computer consultant to work full time as a writer and dad.
Learn more at http://www.WilliamSFrisbee.com Thank you!
Growing up in Europe during the height of the cold war and then serving in a Marine SOC (Special Operations Capable) Battalion during the collapse of Communism provided a lot of life experience and a unique perspective on life and the world. The first novel he read was Jules Vern's 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea' when he was ten and has been reading ever since.
Before the Marines he was a pocket protector wearing nerd, after the Marines he held jobs as a Security officer/Patrol Sergeant, Lieutenant and other odd specialized jobs like body guard or surveillance, and ended up brushing off the pocket protector to become a Computer Consultant.
These days he dreams of quitting his day job as a computer consultant to work full time as a writer and dad.
Learn more at http://www.WilliamSFrisbee.com Thank you!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
Read
June 3, 2024Military sci-fi space opera.🚀💫
The further adventures of Sergeant Matheson🐺🗡🔫💪 A human marine Who was found in a cryo tube, Drifting in space For 200 years.
I got this e-book from Amazon📚 with kindle unlimited.
This is book 2 in a very long series So don't know if I am going to continue it.
The further adventures of Sergeant Matheson🐺🗡🔫💪 A human marine Who was found in a cryo tube, Drifting in space For 200 years.
I got this e-book from Amazon📚 with kindle unlimited.
This is book 2 in a very long series So don't know if I am going to continue it.
September 15, 2023
This book was spoiled, at least for me, by the heavy-handed American rhetoric against socialism. It's fine to portray a dystopic society as cartoonishly evil. Many authors have done that without becoming evangelical. But please don't have the characters going on long rants against a strawman enemy with simplistic, ignorant, and blinkered arguments.
It's human nature to use any available means to seek and accrue power into the hands of an elite. Whether it's technology, capital, ideology, or resources... anything can be used to subvert democracy. It's that tendency toward concentration of power that we should fight against... the autocratic/fascist domination of a society. Americans should be looking at their own elites. Billionaires whose ego-centric power is ever-growing, even as they are held up to the poor as exemplars of the American way.
Sorry for the socioeconomic lecture, I'm simply frustrated that a decent story was tainted by the unnecessary intrusion of deluded "reds under the bed" philosophy.
It's human nature to use any available means to seek and accrue power into the hands of an elite. Whether it's technology, capital, ideology, or resources... anything can be used to subvert democracy. It's that tendency toward concentration of power that we should fight against... the autocratic/fascist domination of a society. Americans should be looking at their own elites. Billionaires whose ego-centric power is ever-growing, even as they are held up to the poor as exemplars of the American way.
Sorry for the socioeconomic lecture, I'm simply frustrated that a decent story was tainted by the unnecessary intrusion of deluded "reds under the bed" philosophy.
September 22, 2022
Enjoyable
I'm thoroughly enjoying this series, initially I didn't 'feel' it but book one gripped me. The humour, sarcasm and action are amazing. The "mythology" of the Republic may not be to everyone's taste - melding modern/future to Norse beliefs is interesting.
This one starts off directly from the first book, running head long into he dilemma that is plaguing the galaxy. Still questions remain unanswered and nobody is convinced (except one guy) of what they're truly facing.
I find the author's take on the inherent dangers and failings of socialism to be spot on and show what a society can become if it was adopted - it is NOT a good thing.
I'm thoroughly enjoying this series, initially I didn't 'feel' it but book one gripped me. The humour, sarcasm and action are amazing. The "mythology" of the Republic may not be to everyone's taste - melding modern/future to Norse beliefs is interesting.
This one starts off directly from the first book, running head long into he dilemma that is plaguing the galaxy. Still questions remain unanswered and nobody is convinced (except one guy) of what they're truly facing.
I find the author's take on the inherent dangers and failings of socialism to be spot on and show what a society can become if it was adopted - it is NOT a good thing.
December 8, 2022
Keep it up!
getting better. horror, spAce marines, space vikings, monsters, villianous commies === whats not to like.
zWelcome to our Universe 400 years grom now. No WOKE with these blokes.
getting better. horror, spAce marines, space vikings, monsters, villianous commies === whats not to like.
zWelcome to our Universe 400 years grom now. No WOKE with these blokes.
May 7, 2023
So our US Marines, led by GySgt Wolf Mathison, are getting somewhat accustomed to their new situation. It's still a little hard to get their heads around what has happened to them, but they now have to worry about something far worse than being stranded in a future many hundreds of years from when they were born. They need to find out what was on that SOG (Social Organizational Governance) research station, the same one they woke up on when they were revived from their long, long cryostasis sleep.
They now know, with out a doubt, that things have changed from the world they knew. Earth is now under the governance of the SOG, a socialist government that is as terrible as most of them have ever been. There is no United States; it was obliterated in nuclear war along with millions of other people on Earth when the other countries became afraid of the Artificial Intelligences (AIs) arising to self-awareness in the US. Now the Vapaus Republic is all that is left of a freedom loving society. Fortunately, this is the group that rescued the US Marines and now they are working together.
They know that something was able to take the Pankhurst into Shorr space and that something wasn't anything that sounded human! The unit the Marines are now with is lead by a Lojtnant Sadi. She has three other special forces operatives with her team and in now incorporating the four Marines. The Marines are aided by their "scoobies" or AIs that were the very first implants way back when the Marines were operating in their own time. Their next mission is to go back to the space station and try to figure out what they are facing. It's not going to be an easy mission and not everyone will come back, but they have to find out what they are up against.
That mission gets partially accomplished. They find that the entity they are facing is far more intelligent than they thought. The do have a lead which points to a scientist that was involved in some of the research going on the space station. Unfortunately, that guy is located on a very secure SOG planet probably under military control. They still need to get him at all cost.
In the meantime, we're introduced to another military unit. This is a SOG Guards unit that has been given the mission to guard/protect another secret research base located on a frozen planet. The Battalion Commander is a formerly disgraced officer once part of the Orbital Drop Troopers, but she has risen well in the Guards and now commands this battalion of all women. She doesn't exactly feel that her new mission is a punishment, but there seems to be more to it than it appears. In order to get to her new base, the starship she and her troops have to travel in are going to transition through Shorr space numerous times. There has been rumors of more and more spacers going insane the longer they are exposed to Shorr space. The Battalion Commander hopes that her troops aren't effected because they will be immediately executed if found "tainted" by the Shorr space effect.
So, there is a lot of stuff going on in this story. Most of it is pretty exciting and involves numerous combat scenarios. GySgt Mathison isn't a young man any more so he's definitely wondering how long he can continue to do what he's doing. Ina ddition that that, he has to wonder why he's doing what he's doing since there is no Marine Corps as well as no United States. So how does he keep his Marines together or do they even want to continue what they are doing. Lots of questions that get some answers. More will arise and it will be interesting to see where this goes.
I'm already on the next book, "Gates of Hell". I'll be reading this series until the very end.
They now know, with out a doubt, that things have changed from the world they knew. Earth is now under the governance of the SOG, a socialist government that is as terrible as most of them have ever been. There is no United States; it was obliterated in nuclear war along with millions of other people on Earth when the other countries became afraid of the Artificial Intelligences (AIs) arising to self-awareness in the US. Now the Vapaus Republic is all that is left of a freedom loving society. Fortunately, this is the group that rescued the US Marines and now they are working together.
They know that something was able to take the Pankhurst into Shorr space and that something wasn't anything that sounded human! The unit the Marines are now with is lead by a Lojtnant Sadi. She has three other special forces operatives with her team and in now incorporating the four Marines. The Marines are aided by their "scoobies" or AIs that were the very first implants way back when the Marines were operating in their own time. Their next mission is to go back to the space station and try to figure out what they are facing. It's not going to be an easy mission and not everyone will come back, but they have to find out what they are up against.
That mission gets partially accomplished. They find that the entity they are facing is far more intelligent than they thought. The do have a lead which points to a scientist that was involved in some of the research going on the space station. Unfortunately, that guy is located on a very secure SOG planet probably under military control. They still need to get him at all cost.
In the meantime, we're introduced to another military unit. This is a SOG Guards unit that has been given the mission to guard/protect another secret research base located on a frozen planet. The Battalion Commander is a formerly disgraced officer once part of the Orbital Drop Troopers, but she has risen well in the Guards and now commands this battalion of all women. She doesn't exactly feel that her new mission is a punishment, but there seems to be more to it than it appears. In order to get to her new base, the starship she and her troops have to travel in are going to transition through Shorr space numerous times. There has been rumors of more and more spacers going insane the longer they are exposed to Shorr space. The Battalion Commander hopes that her troops aren't effected because they will be immediately executed if found "tainted" by the Shorr space effect.
So, there is a lot of stuff going on in this story. Most of it is pretty exciting and involves numerous combat scenarios. GySgt Mathison isn't a young man any more so he's definitely wondering how long he can continue to do what he's doing. Ina ddition that that, he has to wonder why he's doing what he's doing since there is no Marine Corps as well as no United States. So how does he keep his Marines together or do they even want to continue what they are doing. Lots of questions that get some answers. More will arise and it will be interesting to see where this goes.
I'm already on the next book, "Gates of Hell". I'll be reading this series until the very end.
March 13, 2023
Stay tuned for more challenges and battles
There are some great moments in this book that highlight the effectiveness of a highly trained team. There is more of the same banter between the guys, and the two crews work together on additional missions.
A few frustrations: There’s way too much politicizing against socialism (the message is very heavy handed and repetitive); outside forces show up without enough foreshadowing (it seems too easy of an out for the author); and some of the settings needed more 3-D imagery (the last scene with Hui was confusing as to what was inside or outside); and secondary characters need to have more emotional connections with the main characters so they aren’t just action figures. Are they homesick? What do they miss most? Also, the Asian and foreign names are not easy to pronounce or remember.
Overall, the story is building in tension, and the stakes are higher. Like a good video game and hero journey, there are some new toots and whistles acquired along the way. Winters needs more character development in this story, but the guys are becoming more individualized.
The writing has a few scattered typos, but overall it is excellent.
There are some great moments in this book that highlight the effectiveness of a highly trained team. There is more of the same banter between the guys, and the two crews work together on additional missions.
A few frustrations: There’s way too much politicizing against socialism (the message is very heavy handed and repetitive); outside forces show up without enough foreshadowing (it seems too easy of an out for the author); and some of the settings needed more 3-D imagery (the last scene with Hui was confusing as to what was inside or outside); and secondary characters need to have more emotional connections with the main characters so they aren’t just action figures. Are they homesick? What do they miss most? Also, the Asian and foreign names are not easy to pronounce or remember.
Overall, the story is building in tension, and the stakes are higher. Like a good video game and hero journey, there are some new toots and whistles acquired along the way. Winters needs more character development in this story, but the guys are becoming more individualized.
The writing has a few scattered typos, but overall it is excellent.
March 7, 2023
Frisbee is clearly anti-socialism. is that what this whole series is about--a statement against socialists? Not that I'm pro-socialism. The problem isn't the system. All socio-political systems are broken, probably from the get-go. The problem is, people are broken. Broken people make broken systems. Every legislative system devised has never gotten over the hump of "the human condition."
Anyway, there's lots of military action here, for those who like that. I don't mind it. It's just that reading enough of it is compelling me to take a break from it for a while. Plus the fact there are so many books in this series is not an attractive option for ongoing reading.
Anyway, there's lots of military action here, for those who like that. I don't mind it. It's just that reading enough of it is compelling me to take a break from it for a while. Plus the fact there are so many books in this series is not an attractive option for ongoing reading.
March 20, 2023
After finishing book two I am just as entertained as I was after book one.
We only have true backstory and development of two characters with Levin, Stathis and the the other Aesir really just there so there is a team and people for Skadi and Mathison to care about.
Yes, this book was very pointed about the pitfalls of socialism and does seem to glorify cultural identity as a "cure" for socialism. I take it as an opinion and also as a way this fictional world evolved...not a show stopper.
On to book three
We only have true backstory and development of two characters with Levin, Stathis and the the other Aesir really just there so there is a team and people for Skadi and Mathison to care about.
Yes, this book was very pointed about the pitfalls of socialism and does seem to glorify cultural identity as a "cure" for socialism. I take it as an opinion and also as a way this fictional world evolved...not a show stopper.
On to book three
March 29, 2024
Even better than the first
This book was awesome. The author keeps the action going and doesn't let up. The creatures from the other dimension are getting worse and the infection is spreading faster than anyone realizes. Mathison continues to be a great main character, but Stathis steals the show, especially when he comes in towards the end of the novel to save the day. He continues to be the funniest character and my favorite. I can't wait to see what's in store for the team, and eager to learn more about the SOG team member Hui.
This book was awesome. The author keeps the action going and doesn't let up. The creatures from the other dimension are getting worse and the infection is spreading faster than anyone realizes. Mathison continues to be a great main character, but Stathis steals the show, especially when he comes in towards the end of the novel to save the day. He continues to be the funniest character and my favorite. I can't wait to see what's in store for the team, and eager to learn more about the SOG team member Hui.
August 22, 2023
closer to 4 Star but still good
I tend to grade up and than down because I appreciate the effort of the book. It’s also fun reading through a doom novel that hates socialism lol. Giving total power to the government is the same thing as having a king who says they have your best interest at heart. Humans are rarely that righteous. Looking forward to more doom action! And a bass ass funny without aching knees and back!
I tend to grade up and than down because I appreciate the effort of the book. It’s also fun reading through a doom novel that hates socialism lol. Giving total power to the government is the same thing as having a king who says they have your best interest at heart. Humans are rarely that righteous. Looking forward to more doom action! And a bass ass funny without aching knees and back!
November 23, 2023
Read simple as that
Read simple as that, a very enjoyable read that you are reading away then it's OH! Is that it but what about ? All you want then is the next book as quick as you can then it's the review popping up and you think aaahhh ok no I will download the next book then do the review at least I don't have to wait for the download then. Read and enjoy and no I did not forget the story just don't want to spoil your read telling you anything. Enjoy
Read simple as that, a very enjoyable read that you are reading away then it's OH! Is that it but what about ? All you want then is the next book as quick as you can then it's the review popping up and you think aaahhh ok no I will download the next book then do the review at least I don't have to wait for the download then. Read and enjoy and no I did not forget the story just don't want to spoil your read telling you anything. Enjoy
September 17, 2022
meh
First was decent and had me going. Throwing 20th century politics into it totally ruined it for me though to be honest. Overall strikes me as a toned down warhammer rip mostly with some of the other usual scifi tropes thrown in. Banter between characters was the most entertaining part.
First was decent and had me going. Throwing 20th century politics into it totally ruined it for me though to be honest. Overall strikes me as a toned down warhammer rip mostly with some of the other usual scifi tropes thrown in. Banter between characters was the most entertaining part.
September 22, 2022
We have the US Marines
So far so good!!! I am enjoying reading in this story line very much. It gets a bit boring when the political system is talked about. More action could be in place. But we need the good guys, the bad guys and the evil guys.
In saying this, the good the bad and the evil, what are the Marines and their advanced AI's? Special people.
So far so good!!! I am enjoying reading in this story line very much. It gets a bit boring when the political system is talked about. More action could be in place. But we need the good guys, the bad guys and the evil guys.
In saying this, the good the bad and the evil, what are the Marines and their advanced AI's? Special people.
April 7, 2023
A Fight Worthy of Marines, Vikings are an added bonus.
I’m a retired Marine. So, I get it. I am biased. And, if you are not a veteran at least some of the dialog will be humorous and not tinged with a bit of sadness. That’s ok. It’s better that way.
As the Private said, “Let me sing you the song of my people”.
#Rah
#SemperFidelis
I’m a retired Marine. So, I get it. I am biased. And, if you are not a veteran at least some of the dialog will be humorous and not tinged with a bit of sadness. That’s ok. It’s better that way.
As the Private said, “Let me sing you the song of my people”.
#Rah
#SemperFidelis
September 18, 2022
great series
Like the first book the second was better. This a fast paced space marine adventure with aliens and demons. Told from different views points of the characters, 300 year old marines, modern space Vikings and socialist thinking bad guys. It’s a fun book to read
Like the first book the second was better. This a fast paced space marine adventure with aliens and demons. Told from different views points of the characters, 300 year old marines, modern space Vikings and socialist thinking bad guys. It’s a fun book to read
November 13, 2022
Continues seamlessly from book 1 of The Last Marines
The author continues the story flawlessly from the first book no recaps just more detail, action and character development. This book is exciting violent a must read addition to the series!
The author continues the story flawlessly from the first book no recaps just more detail, action and character development. This book is exciting violent a must read addition to the series!
January 23, 2023
Duck Dodgers
Series is evolving and improving. Slowly digging into the characters. Broader story is starting to show itself. All in all, well done and looking forward to the next book.
Series is evolving and improving. Slowly digging into the characters. Broader story is starting to show itself. All in all, well done and looking forward to the next book.
May 7, 2023
Outstanding book... Dedicated Marines.. Viking Warriors and evil
Could barley put this book down. Every page was exciting and full of suspense. The safety of the universe depends on the last 4 U. S. Marines.
Could barley put this book down. Every page was exciting and full of suspense. The safety of the universe depends on the last 4 U. S. Marines.
May 11, 2023
Last Marine fire team
Another excellently crafted action filled tale. The last Marines must adapt and overcome a historical enemy and an ancient galactic menace. Enjoyed this immensely!
Another excellently crafted action filled tale. The last Marines must adapt and overcome a historical enemy and an ancient galactic menace. Enjoyed this immensely!
June 17, 2023
#2 is #1
Book 2 in The Last Marines was just as good as book one. The gunny and his marines and Skati and her Aries continue to defy the odds and get the job done. Highly recommend this book.
Book 2 in The Last Marines was just as good as book one. The gunny and his marines and Skati and her Aries continue to defy the odds and get the job done. Highly recommend this book.
September 20, 2023
Amazing book.....again!
Before starting this series, I had read other books from this author and was pleasantly surprised. Then, I started this series and concluded that this author is now on my list of authors to look for. What an amazing series.
Before starting this series, I had read other books from this author and was pleasantly surprised. Then, I started this series and concluded that this author is now on my list of authors to look for. What an amazing series.
May 6, 2024
The second book in the last marine series was just as good as the first one, so far so good I'm just starting the third in the series. I would highly recommend this series if you like action with good characters you can relate to.
Ian
Ian
May 8, 2024
Not as entertaining as I expected !
More difficult to follow than I expected. Names are sufficiently
different from what I am used to and makes it difficult to grasp
the or picture the chatacter.
More difficult to follow than I expected. Names are sufficiently
different from what I am used to and makes it difficult to grasp
the or picture the chatacter.
December 7, 2022
Read on
Keeps getting better. Read on. I certainly plan to. Will the marines survive? Only time will tell. Semper Fi. Oohrahh.
Keeps getting better. Read on. I certainly plan to. Will the marines survive? Only time will tell. Semper Fi. Oohrahh.
January 3, 2023
great read getting better
IT. AN evolving STORY OF Great intense story line of the marines and the demons , can’t wait to find out what happens next
IT. AN evolving STORY OF Great intense story line of the marines and the demons , can’t wait to find out what happens next
February 12, 2023
Ok, but feels familar
The writing is ok. The story is ok. Seems to be some similarities to some other space marine lore, think it's just Tau coincidental.
The writing is ok. The story is ok. Seems to be some similarities to some other space marine lore, think it's just Tau coincidental.
March 7, 2023
Excellent
Faster paced then the first book and an excellent sector the arc.great horror military science fiction. Highly recommended, I read this on Kindle unlimited
Faster paced then the first book and an excellent sector the arc.great horror military science fiction. Highly recommended, I read this on Kindle unlimited
March 9, 2023
Series is evolving and improving. Slowly digging into the characters. Broader story is starting to show itself. All in all, well done and looking forward to the next book.
April 4, 2023
I keep coming back
Thoroughly enjoyable and very well written. I aspire to this level of writing in my own work. I can't wait to find out what happens next!
Thoroughly enjoyable and very well written. I aspire to this level of writing in my own work. I can't wait to find out what happens next!
May 17, 2023
Great action
Was not sure what was happening first book but really enjoying. Engaging characters and a good plot. Looking forward to the next.
Was not sure what was happening first book but really enjoying. Engaging characters and a good plot. Looking forward to the next.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews