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War's Edge: The Meat Grinder
Another richly imaginative and engrossing story from the inimitable Ryan Aslesen. It's everything a good military scifi novel ought to be -- action packed, absorbing and at times harrowing. The characters we have grown to love continue to grow and evolve and for some it is a bittersweet farewell. A must read for science fiction fans. -Nate Timberlake, Captain USAF A galaxy in flames. Devastated early in the war, the United Systems Alliance has retaken several key systems lost to the Galactic Union. But getting even isn’t good enough for General Hella. Determined to end the costly war and destroy the Union, Hella launches a daring offensive against the planet Kuut, a key military base deep in Union space. At the tip of the spear, Lieutenant Mark Rizer and the Marines of Orcus Company find themselves in the mud and blood of a planetary ground invasion. Despite the usual chaos and snafus, the Marines seem to be winning — until they receive the order to evacuate. Drawn into a trap, Hella must risk his invasion force and his career to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. He redeploys the Marines and sailors of Sixth Fleet on a suicidal mission, one that will test Rizer’s mettle and leadership to the extreme. Fighting a desperate battle in close quarters at zero-g against a cunning and ruthless enemy, Rizer and his Marines quickly realize they’ve been thrown into a meat grinder. Fortune may favor the brave, but this is going to hurt. This book contains graphic violence, profanity, and sexual content. It is intended for a mature audience. Reader discretion is advised.
327 pages, Paperback
Published September 23, 2022
118 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Ryan W. Aslesen
36 books71 followersRyan Aslesen is a bestselling author based out of Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a former Marine officer, veteran of the War on Terror, and a graduate of Presentation College and American Military University. His military and work experience have made him one of the premier writers of military science fiction and fantasy. His bestselling Crucible and War's Edge series are highly regarded for their authenticity, explosive action, and military realism. When not writing or out protecting the world, you will find him spending quality time with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 22, 2023
3.5 Sci-fi action overload. Violent shoot outs, military tactics, and elaborate space dog fights. Very exciting when it’s on, but also a bit of a slog when it isn’t. The series excels with complex military detail and drawn out battle choreography but occasionally struggles to flesh out the characters enough to put it over the edge. Not quite as good as book two but better than book one with an ending that promises more explosive space action on the way. Excellent for what it is but there’s still potential for improvement.
November 27, 2022
"This Meat? Well Done!"
Up next from Darth's Colossal Stack of Stuff is "The Meat Grinder," the ferocious third novel from War's Edge - your source for excelsior military sci-fi. If you haven't experienced the other two books that precede "Meat Grinder," they're definitely prerequisites to reading "MG." Also well worth your time are the Berserker standalone books, fine tomes all.
When a rare opportunity presents itself to deal a decisive blow against the Galactic Union, it's up to Mark Rizer and the Marines of Orcus Company to get in and git 'er done. But does the brash General Hella realize he may be walking his venerable men into a trap? Find out in the latest explosive entry of War's Edge!
"The Meat Grinder" starts with...a bang. If I've aroused your curiosity, check out the book to get the thrust of what I'm saying, you hear? Now where was I? Oh yeah; this book is freakin' awesome, and you need to read it right this very second! All of Aslesen's signature trademarks are present and accounted for. Exciting sci-fi action? Here! Expeditious plotting? Present! Believability? Yessir! Compelling worldbuilding? Check! Superb characters? Wilco! Badassery? Better believe it! Add to it all an earth-shattering revelation that stands the series on its head, and you have not only another great book, but Aslesen's best yet. But seriously, that ending? Good stuff.
Somehow, War's Edge manages to fit fresh and exciting battle scenarios into every new book. The ship boarding sequence from "MG" was superb, and one of the series' most manic battles to date. Aslesen's gift for describing combat is second to none. You feel like you're right in the thick of it with Rizer and Orcus Company. This author doesn't tell, he shows.
Once again, "MG" exemplifies the great characterization we've come to expect out of the series. From the lowly boots crawling through the mud to the high brass navigating the halls of power, each and every one of the characters is multi-dimensional and worthy of interest. I particularly enjoyed the repartee between Hella and Erskin. You can sympathize with them both, and the author does a good job of crafting compelling reasons why they both may be correct in their thinking. Most of the characters have some kind of flaw, and so you don't always know who to root for. I would argue this is a masterful touch. It casts the story in shades of gray that keeps the morality of the war murky--much like in real life.
I'm glad to see in "MG" some real evolution in where the larger story can go moving forward. While a bunch of battle scenes are fun, there is developing maturity in the meta-plot that will surely make things interesting in the future. Bravo to Ryan for keeping things fresh.
Well folks, if I didn't convince you to read "The Meat Grinder," go check your pulse. With the most exciting, gritty and bold take on the military sf genre, War's Edge and "MG" once again prove Ryan Aslesen to be the golden goose of the genre and its assured master.
Up next from Darth's Colossal Stack of Stuff is "The Meat Grinder," the ferocious third novel from War's Edge - your source for excelsior military sci-fi. If you haven't experienced the other two books that precede "Meat Grinder," they're definitely prerequisites to reading "MG." Also well worth your time are the Berserker standalone books, fine tomes all.
When a rare opportunity presents itself to deal a decisive blow against the Galactic Union, it's up to Mark Rizer and the Marines of Orcus Company to get in and git 'er done. But does the brash General Hella realize he may be walking his venerable men into a trap? Find out in the latest explosive entry of War's Edge!
"The Meat Grinder" starts with...a bang. If I've aroused your curiosity, check out the book to get the thrust of what I'm saying, you hear? Now where was I? Oh yeah; this book is freakin' awesome, and you need to read it right this very second! All of Aslesen's signature trademarks are present and accounted for. Exciting sci-fi action? Here! Expeditious plotting? Present! Believability? Yessir! Compelling worldbuilding? Check! Superb characters? Wilco! Badassery? Better believe it! Add to it all an earth-shattering revelation that stands the series on its head, and you have not only another great book, but Aslesen's best yet. But seriously, that ending? Good stuff.
Somehow, War's Edge manages to fit fresh and exciting battle scenarios into every new book. The ship boarding sequence from "MG" was superb, and one of the series' most manic battles to date. Aslesen's gift for describing combat is second to none. You feel like you're right in the thick of it with Rizer and Orcus Company. This author doesn't tell, he shows.
Once again, "MG" exemplifies the great characterization we've come to expect out of the series. From the lowly boots crawling through the mud to the high brass navigating the halls of power, each and every one of the characters is multi-dimensional and worthy of interest. I particularly enjoyed the repartee between Hella and Erskin. You can sympathize with them both, and the author does a good job of crafting compelling reasons why they both may be correct in their thinking. Most of the characters have some kind of flaw, and so you don't always know who to root for. I would argue this is a masterful touch. It casts the story in shades of gray that keeps the morality of the war murky--much like in real life.
I'm glad to see in "MG" some real evolution in where the larger story can go moving forward. While a bunch of battle scenes are fun, there is developing maturity in the meta-plot that will surely make things interesting in the future. Bravo to Ryan for keeping things fresh.
Well folks, if I didn't convince you to read "The Meat Grinder," go check your pulse. With the most exciting, gritty and bold take on the military sf genre, War's Edge and "MG" once again prove Ryan Aslesen to be the golden goose of the genre and its assured master.
January 11, 2023
Visceral
As brilliant as this series (and spin-offs) are, they are a difficult read. The utter chaos, destruction, and sacrifice of the military personnel on both sides it at levels I can't really say I've read before.
This story follows in the same manner, with a lot of tragedy and death. Wins, losses, sacrifices. And also plenty of revelations that are quite shocking.
As brilliant as this series (and spin-offs) are, they are a difficult read. The utter chaos, destruction, and sacrifice of the military personnel on both sides it at levels I can't really say I've read before.
This story follows in the same manner, with a lot of tragedy and death. Wins, losses, sacrifices. And also plenty of revelations that are quite shocking.
February 27, 2023
Ready to here what’s next
Have enjoyed this series tremendously. Looking forward to see how Reiser does on the next stage of his career. Rarely find series like this that are worth reading. Normally they are poorly, edited and lack script arc.
Just throwing it out there. I’m happy to be a beta reader
Have enjoyed this series tremendously. Looking forward to see how Reiser does on the next stage of his career. Rarely find series like this that are worth reading. Normally they are poorly, edited and lack script arc.
Just throwing it out there. I’m happy to be a beta reader
March 13, 2024
This book (and series) is not grand sci-fi. There's some level of political intrigue, but it's very much the story of soldiers, their commanders, and war when the politicians give the greenlight.
And it's very good at telling that story. I enjoyed this every bit as much as I enjoyed the old Halo books, the Republic Commando books, and they are great in the niche they occupy.
And it's very good at telling that story. I enjoyed this every bit as much as I enjoyed the old Halo books, the Republic Commando books, and they are great in the niche they occupy.
December 31, 2022
Get ready to get bloody
As always Aslesen puts the reader right in the thick of the story. Get ready to grimace, laugh and I may have shed a tear or two. As you travel through the Meat Grinder! Would love to know who the inspiration for General Hella was!!!
As always Aslesen puts the reader right in the thick of the story. Get ready to grimace, laugh and I may have shed a tear or two. As you travel through the Meat Grinder! Would love to know who the inspiration for General Hella was!!!
April 5, 2023
Amazing series
If you made it this far, I'm not telling you something you don't know. This was the fantastic conclusion to a stellar series and I hope. Hope that it is not the final installment. Time will tell
If you made it this far, I'm not telling you something you don't know. This was the fantastic conclusion to a stellar series and I hope. Hope that it is not the final installment. Time will tell
January 28, 2024
Intense ending! With unexpected twist
Action was intense! Made you sad for the characters who sacrificed their lives for the alliance. Interested in seeing the characters from this series are included in another series.
Action was intense! Made you sad for the characters who sacrificed their lives for the alliance. Interested in seeing the characters from this series are included in another series.
November 3, 2022
Not a boring moment.
This series is set at a fantastic pace. With great characters and brutal warfare, War's Edge never fails to keep you along for the ride.
This series is set at a fantastic pace. With great characters and brutal warfare, War's Edge never fails to keep you along for the ride.
May 30, 2023
Superior quality story
This is a great piece of military Sci-fi writing with a whopper of an end. I couldn't stop reading this book. Hope more are coming.
This is a great piece of military Sci-fi writing with a whopper of an end. I couldn't stop reading this book. Hope more are coming.
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September 7, 2023Good Read
Nice story line and fleshed out characters . I would recommend it if you are into military sci fi. That is believable
Nice story line and fleshed out characters . I would recommend it if you are into military sci fi. That is believable
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews