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Warlord #1
Warlord: A Green Beret Conquers Mars
Benjamin Colt is a Green Beret damaged by circumstance. While others have stumbled into honor, each time the prize of combat is dangled in front of him, it’s snatched from his grasp. There’s nothing for a professional warrior to do except keep getting up no matter how many times he’s knocked down, hoping that the next time will be the one that brings him his day of days.
But just as he’s poised to get his wish, the universe plays another practical joke on him… Aliens are real, and come bearing gifts that are secretly sending the world back to the Stone Age.
Using their technology to beat them at their own game, Colt and his team are catapulted onto a world not their own. The ancient and dying world of a dream. There he must fight perilous and personal battles against barbaric aliens and the twisted hearts of men, surrounded by the tragic remnants of a once great civilization—one slowly withering from the memory of the galaxy to return to the red dust from which it came.
A thrilling military adventure of air cars, ray guns, four-armed giants and eight-legged cavalry, miniguns and 40mm grenades. A captive princess needs a hero to save a world… and Ben Colt, who needs a princess to make him—a Warlord.
But just as he’s poised to get his wish, the universe plays another practical joke on him… Aliens are real, and come bearing gifts that are secretly sending the world back to the Stone Age.
Using their technology to beat them at their own game, Colt and his team are catapulted onto a world not their own. The ancient and dying world of a dream. There he must fight perilous and personal battles against barbaric aliens and the twisted hearts of men, surrounded by the tragic remnants of a once great civilization—one slowly withering from the memory of the galaxy to return to the red dust from which it came.
A thrilling military adventure of air cars, ray guns, four-armed giants and eight-legged cavalry, miniguns and 40mm grenades. A captive princess needs a hero to save a world… and Ben Colt, who needs a princess to make him—a Warlord.
- GenresScience Fiction
604 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 27, 2022
253 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 26, 2022
Wow just wow. Don't waist your time.
Ok so it had great potential. That is pretty much the only good thing I can say about it. The author seems to have a severe case of ADD. He can't keep a coherent thought long enough to even get through an entire conversation before he goes of on some wild tangent that barely seems to have anything to do with what was actually happening in the story. Oh and he makes the "badass special forces MC" look like a snot nose child that doesn't have full control of there thought processes. Just don't bother there isn't a coherent scene in this book that he didn't go down memory lane or on some random tangent to explain his military jargen for like 2 pages before he randomly jumps back to what is actually happening. This book had great premise but the author just couldn't seem to stay focused at all! Its maddening!
Ok so it had great potential. That is pretty much the only good thing I can say about it. The author seems to have a severe case of ADD. He can't keep a coherent thought long enough to even get through an entire conversation before he goes of on some wild tangent that barely seems to have anything to do with what was actually happening in the story. Oh and he makes the "badass special forces MC" look like a snot nose child that doesn't have full control of there thought processes. Just don't bother there isn't a coherent scene in this book that he didn't go down memory lane or on some random tangent to explain his military jargen for like 2 pages before he randomly jumps back to what is actually happening. This book had great premise but the author just couldn't seem to stay focused at all! Its maddening!
November 27, 2022
Can you say "plagiarism"??
Anyone that has read Edgar Rice Burroughs books about John Carter on Mars with Dejah Thoris will almost immediately see that this Warlord series is copied from one of the greatest authors ever.
It's a shame!!!!
Green men and women with 4 arms, atmosphere plants, huge animals, and not half way through the first book....white apes.......main character rescues beautiful princess.......these are exact copies of Burroughs books.
Anyone that has read Edgar Rice Burroughs books about John Carter on Mars with Dejah Thoris will almost immediately see that this Warlord series is copied from one of the greatest authors ever.
It's a shame!!!!
Green men and women with 4 arms, atmosphere plants, huge animals, and not half way through the first book....white apes.......main character rescues beautiful princess.......these are exact copies of Burroughs books.
November 16, 2022
This is my first novel by this author.
Deacon Benjamin Colt is a green beret in the Special Forces. Aliens show up on the Earth and promise great things while slowly destroying all of our technology. Leaders decide on a plan. We'll send a couple dozen C17 planes filled with special forces operators into the future. They can kill the aliens while restoring all of our lost tech.
Things do not go to plan.
I'll stop the recap there. Ben (don't call him Deacon) is a decent MC. The author served in the military, and that comes through in spades. He knows his stuff and inserts anecdotes and tangential information throughout the novel.
The problem with that is that it drags down the novel. I was ten percent in, and I was wondering where this was going. The story becomes secondary at a number of points, and that should never happen. While there is a good amount of conflict in the book, it's not focused enough to have an emotional impact. Ben's a nice guy, but he's also whiney and put upon more than a few times.
Well, buckle up and deal with it. You want to be a Warlord? Then do the work. While there are a lot of details here, they're about the author's experience and less about the plot of character development. I do think the author could turn this around as so many other ex-military authors have. I've read more than a few of them. What's needed here is more experience writing IMO.
I'm giving this a 4/5 because I could see the merits. The book is longer than it should be by about 30-50%, but I have a feeling Doc will get there. I'm looking forward to his next story.
Deacon Benjamin Colt is a green beret in the Special Forces. Aliens show up on the Earth and promise great things while slowly destroying all of our technology. Leaders decide on a plan. We'll send a couple dozen C17 planes filled with special forces operators into the future. They can kill the aliens while restoring all of our lost tech.
Things do not go to plan.
I'll stop the recap there. Ben (don't call him Deacon) is a decent MC. The author served in the military, and that comes through in spades. He knows his stuff and inserts anecdotes and tangential information throughout the novel.
The problem with that is that it drags down the novel. I was ten percent in, and I was wondering where this was going. The story becomes secondary at a number of points, and that should never happen. While there is a good amount of conflict in the book, it's not focused enough to have an emotional impact. Ben's a nice guy, but he's also whiney and put upon more than a few times.
Well, buckle up and deal with it. You want to be a Warlord? Then do the work. While there are a lot of details here, they're about the author's experience and less about the plot of character development. I do think the author could turn this around as so many other ex-military authors have. I've read more than a few of them. What's needed here is more experience writing IMO.
I'm giving this a 4/5 because I could see the merits. The book is longer than it should be by about 30-50%, but I have a feeling Doc will get there. I'm looking forward to his next story.
May 9, 2023
The first chapters of the book have frequent flashbacks that interrupt the flow of the action but stick with it. It pays off. The book is dense with military jargon, however, the author does a good job of explaining what it all means so that those who aren't already familiar with it aren't left scratching their heads.
This book definitely takes its cues from Edgar Rice Burroughs's Warlord of Mars series (which in my view is a great thing), yet it stands on its own. Good stuff! I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series.
This book definitely takes its cues from Edgar Rice Burroughs's Warlord of Mars series (which in my view is a great thing), yet it stands on its own. Good stuff! I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series.
March 25, 2024
Very Likeable Characters
I'm missing Princess Tales Darmon already. She's a worldly, refined and well educated Lady. She meets the plane crash survivor, Ben Colt and life gets interesting as Ben is welcomed into the Tarn city. The Princess and her loyal dosenie are prisoners of the City Leader; She came to make a deal but what followed was she and her dosenie's imprisonment and torture.
Its a wonderful fun high action romp across Mars. I'm really digging this book and I cannot wait to start the next in series!
Thank you Doc Spears for making me blush! (You have no idea how tough that is!) Also, for making me laugh, read parts aloud to my spouse and even made me worry. It was an interesting story.
I'm missing Princess Tales Darmon already. She's a worldly, refined and well educated Lady. She meets the plane crash survivor, Ben Colt and life gets interesting as Ben is welcomed into the Tarn city. The Princess and her loyal dosenie are prisoners of the City Leader; She came to make a deal but what followed was she and her dosenie's imprisonment and torture.
Its a wonderful fun high action romp across Mars. I'm really digging this book and I cannot wait to start the next in series!
Thank you Doc Spears for making me blush! (You have no idea how tough that is!) Also, for making me laugh, read parts aloud to my spouse and even made me worry. It was an interesting story.
December 12, 2022
Green Beret of Mars
Excellent story. I've had an interest in Special Forces since I was a teen, especially Green Berets (did not go that way in my own military career). This is an excellent story that captures the mindset I've seen others write about in SF.
I've read some Edgar Rice Burroughs, and I think any fan would be happy with this book.
I'm looking back more and more on the pulp-fiction age, when stories were entertaining and heroes were allowed to be heroic, and I feel this story fits right in.
Excellent story. I've had an interest in Special Forces since I was a teen, especially Green Berets (did not go that way in my own military career). This is an excellent story that captures the mindset I've seen others write about in SF.
I've read some Edgar Rice Burroughs, and I think any fan would be happy with this book.
I'm looking back more and more on the pulp-fiction age, when stories were entertaining and heroes were allowed to be heroic, and I feel this story fits right in.
December 22, 2022
Rousing tale
Reminiscent of the John Carter adventures. I was 50 years younger when I read all the Burroughs books. Reminds me of the style but truly has no connection with them. New story, new hero’s and villains. Written in much the same style as the Burroughs novel, hard to remember books read as a grade schooler.
Reminiscent of the John Carter adventures. I was 50 years younger when I read all the Burroughs books. Reminds me of the style but truly has no connection with them. New story, new hero’s and villains. Written in much the same style as the Burroughs novel, hard to remember books read as a grade schooler.
December 4, 2022
A Magnificent Adventure Story.
A small Special Forces team are flown through a wormhole and their plane crash lands in another Universe. Though it will be a familiar universe to many readers. It’s Barsoom, or a variant thereof. In this universe the tusked four-armed giant green aliens are called Tarns. Our hero is a SF sniper named Ben Colt. And yes, he does meet a Princess of Mars, only her name is Talis Dorman. She’s beautiful, Ben saves her life and falls in love with her. Much to the dismay (and amusement) of his SF buddies.
Because even the secondary characters in Warlord are distinct, believable and engaging. This is thrilling pulp adventure and Doc Spears can really write. He is awesomely knowledgeable about his military operators, their gear and tactics. But their weaponry doesn’t count for much for the first quarter of the story. Warlord centres on a labyrinthine plot which involves sadistic greens, corrupt humans and an oncoming global catastrophe kept secret by powerful political-elite experts. By the time the SF team understand what’s going on, everything has dropped in the pot. And it’s all hot. This story never lets up and it has a clever original plot.
And Spears takes the time and pages to build some wonderful characters. Princess Talis is a unique character. She’s not a Black-Widow martial-arts Mary-Sue (for which I was infinitely grateful). But though a novice she has latent powers that she has inherited through her lineage, from the far past when Mars had oceans. She is courageous with an integrity that Ben Colt at first, does not understand. She is a superb counterpart to his deadly warrior.
And this is a true adventure story. Spears goes light on the guns for the first half of Warlord. Early on, Ben Colt is beaten near to death by the Tarn ruler’s warriors. He escapes with the help of the Princess, also a prisoner, and her female Tarn aide. Friendless, virtually weaponless and with meagre supplies their only escape is to the horrific deadly Martian desert. How the three companions bond and work together to escape certain death is superb storytelling.
Spears imagination is sublime. He takes an appallingly evil menace once used by a classic SF writer in the sixties, and amps it up to eleven. There are several variations on classic Sf concepts but Spears keeps them fresh. He also has sharp original takes on some of the key elements of Barsoom, like the famous atmosphere converters.
All in all, a great well-written adventure, with characters one comes to love. Ben Colt learns that defeating a corrupt political class is far harder than defeating armies. It’s a big story without an ounce of padding. I read it in every free second I could find, I couldn’t put it down. For readers of pulp SF/Fantasy this is a life-affirming read.
A small Special Forces team are flown through a wormhole and their plane crash lands in another Universe. Though it will be a familiar universe to many readers. It’s Barsoom, or a variant thereof. In this universe the tusked four-armed giant green aliens are called Tarns. Our hero is a SF sniper named Ben Colt. And yes, he does meet a Princess of Mars, only her name is Talis Dorman. She’s beautiful, Ben saves her life and falls in love with her. Much to the dismay (and amusement) of his SF buddies.
Because even the secondary characters in Warlord are distinct, believable and engaging. This is thrilling pulp adventure and Doc Spears can really write. He is awesomely knowledgeable about his military operators, their gear and tactics. But their weaponry doesn’t count for much for the first quarter of the story. Warlord centres on a labyrinthine plot which involves sadistic greens, corrupt humans and an oncoming global catastrophe kept secret by powerful political-elite experts. By the time the SF team understand what’s going on, everything has dropped in the pot. And it’s all hot. This story never lets up and it has a clever original plot.
And Spears takes the time and pages to build some wonderful characters. Princess Talis is a unique character. She’s not a Black-Widow martial-arts Mary-Sue (for which I was infinitely grateful). But though a novice she has latent powers that she has inherited through her lineage, from the far past when Mars had oceans. She is courageous with an integrity that Ben Colt at first, does not understand. She is a superb counterpart to his deadly warrior.
And this is a true adventure story. Spears goes light on the guns for the first half of Warlord. Early on, Ben Colt is beaten near to death by the Tarn ruler’s warriors. He escapes with the help of the Princess, also a prisoner, and her female Tarn aide. Friendless, virtually weaponless and with meagre supplies their only escape is to the horrific deadly Martian desert. How the three companions bond and work together to escape certain death is superb storytelling.
Spears imagination is sublime. He takes an appallingly evil menace once used by a classic SF writer in the sixties, and amps it up to eleven. There are several variations on classic Sf concepts but Spears keeps them fresh. He also has sharp original takes on some of the key elements of Barsoom, like the famous atmosphere converters.
All in all, a great well-written adventure, with characters one comes to love. Ben Colt learns that defeating a corrupt political class is far harder than defeating armies. It’s a big story without an ounce of padding. I read it in every free second I could find, I couldn’t put it down. For readers of pulp SF/Fantasy this is a life-affirming read.
December 22, 2022
3.5 stars. I made it about 1/2 way through John Carter of Mars, so the author doesn't win points for appropriating (the most diplomatic term I can use) that world for this book.
The author purports to be a former SF operator, and I have no reason to doubt that. What I have a hard time with is Bryant, as a senior NCO in an ODA, being as transparently abusive to a sergeant (or anyone else) under his command. It's pretty blatant foreshadowing of "this guy's the villain", and while I suppose one is needed for the story, a small team that badly compromised even before shit hits the fan didn't ring true to me.
Whatever. What I did find was that this dragged, and I found myself after 400 pgs. or so hoping for it to be over soon. That isn't a sign of a series I'm going to continue, so I think this is a one-and-done for me.
The author purports to be a former SF operator, and I have no reason to doubt that. What I have a hard time with is Bryant, as a senior NCO in an ODA, being as transparently abusive to a sergeant (or anyone else) under his command. It's pretty blatant foreshadowing of "this guy's the villain", and while I suppose one is needed for the story, a small team that badly compromised even before shit hits the fan didn't ring true to me.
Whatever. What I did find was that this dragged, and I found myself after 400 pgs. or so hoping for it to be over soon. That isn't a sign of a series I'm going to continue, so I think this is a one-and-done for me.
November 16, 2022
John Carter for the 21st Century
A great read for fans of Science Fiction, Fantasy, Military Fiction, or plain old fun. Spears seamlessly transitions between beautiful prose and Army buddy shit-shootin' in a way that perfectly encapsulates this story.
As a former Stryker crewman, the only flaw in this book is that the vehicle is depicted unrealistically: it functions.
Read this, enjoy an exceptional book, but don't let the recruiter get ya!
A great read for fans of Science Fiction, Fantasy, Military Fiction, or plain old fun. Spears seamlessly transitions between beautiful prose and Army buddy shit-shootin' in a way that perfectly encapsulates this story.
As a former Stryker crewman, the only flaw in this book is that the vehicle is depicted unrealistically: it functions.
Read this, enjoy an exceptional book, but don't let the recruiter get ya!
January 18, 2023
Absolutely fantastic!
Reminds me a lot of John Carter of Mars. The plot is one I can relate to a lot, one of over coming self doubt, love, loss, betrayal, and accomplishment of the mission. I will be rolling right into book two. The catalyst that launches the ODA to Mars is the same as the “Forgotten Ruin” series and I highly recommend reading that series for the Ranger side of Task Force Elon Musk.
Reminds me a lot of John Carter of Mars. The plot is one I can relate to a lot, one of over coming self doubt, love, loss, betrayal, and accomplishment of the mission. I will be rolling right into book two. The catalyst that launches the ODA to Mars is the same as the “Forgotten Ruin” series and I highly recommend reading that series for the Ranger side of Task Force Elon Musk.
January 8, 2023
Pure escapism, which I'm so glad I encountered
The author's words will ring familiar and true for those who served, especially the ground-pounders. Even if you were never in the military this book is a rip-roaringly fun ride.
The protagonists inner dialogue is very relatable. I look forward to the next book in the series.
The author's words will ring familiar and true for those who served, especially the ground-pounders. Even if you were never in the military this book is a rip-roaringly fun ride.
The protagonists inner dialogue is very relatable. I look forward to the next book in the series.
November 17, 2022
Outstanding
While I love the Mars book, Spears brings a realistic look at Bragg that sells the story. The Mug and a M-17 may belong to different times, but it does convey the Bragg experience as the center of the universe. Overall, very well done.
While I love the Mars book, Spears brings a realistic look at Bragg that sells the story. The Mug and a M-17 may belong to different times, but it does convey the Bragg experience as the center of the universe. Overall, very well done.
November 20, 2022
Another cracking read
If you enjoy your military fantasy written with deep characterisation and explosive action scenes, then this is the series for you. Another top book by one of my newest favourite authors.
If you enjoy your military fantasy written with deep characterisation and explosive action scenes, then this is the series for you. Another top book by one of my newest favourite authors.
November 27, 2022
A good read
I read the original warlord of mars series and I enjoyed this telling of the story and hope to see more. I like that a lot of the things and people are the same. But a new story without the dream goes forward.
I read the original warlord of mars series and I enjoyed this telling of the story and hope to see more. I like that a lot of the things and people are the same. But a new story without the dream goes forward.
December 3, 2022
Thoughts
This was a decent read.Sometimes a little long on conversation but very good at explaining Mars. Can't wait to see who the yellow are aligned with. Perhaps somebody else came through and landed on the other side of Mars
This was a decent read.Sometimes a little long on conversation but very good at explaining Mars. Can't wait to see who the yellow are aligned with. Perhaps somebody else came through and landed on the other side of Mars
December 4, 2022
Soldier to Planetary Warlord
Betrayed and almost dead Ben escapes with the Princess and with a small band of warriors proceeds to overcome his enemies and make his Princess the Queen of Mars.
Betrayed and almost dead Ben escapes with the Princess and with a small band of warriors proceeds to overcome his enemies and make his Princess the Queen of Mars.
December 9, 2022
I found this very entertaining. Very John Carterish but with a very modern twist. It did make me go look up some of the abbreviations or acronyms but that was to be expected. All in all, a well written book with deep characters. Looking forward to the next in this series.
January 2, 2023
excellent book
I liked it. It was good. Read this book.
If you listen to audio, the narrator for this was terrific.
I recommend this to anyone who liked John Carter of Mars, or any of the myriad of pulp action fantasy novels from the past.
Highly recommended!
I liked it. It was good. Read this book.
If you listen to audio, the narrator for this was terrific.
I recommend this to anyone who liked John Carter of Mars, or any of the myriad of pulp action fantasy novels from the past.
Highly recommended!
April 17, 2023
Tribute to Edgar rice Burroughs
I enjoyed it like most Green Beans I worked with as a TACP/JTAC USAF the author had imagination. I read the John Carter of Mars when I was younger. You did the story line justice.
I enjoyed it like most Green Beans I worked with as a TACP/JTAC USAF the author had imagination. I read the John Carter of Mars when I was younger. You did the story line justice.
November 22, 2022
Hot damn!
Dark spears is the real deal. I look forward to the next book in the series and many more to come.
Dark spears is the real deal. I look forward to the next book in the series and many more to come.
December 30, 2022
A retelling of Edgar Rice Burroughs A Princess of Mars.
January 24, 2023
Full remarks pending at UpstreamReviews.com
February 5, 2023
Great Sci-fi like E.R. Burroughs
Great war and action packed reading after the first 20 or pages dealing with the hero's inner psyche. Will read the next book for sure.
Great war and action packed reading after the first 20 or pages dealing with the hero's inner psyche. Will read the next book for sure.
May 28, 2024
A modern retelling of Edgar Rice Burroughs's, A Princess of Mars. With elements from Jason Anspach's, Forgotten Ruin. I enjoyed it!
November 8, 2025
The native princess needing rescuing trope stuff aside, it was entertaining enough.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews