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Ragnarok
Captain Alexandra “Alex” McLaughlin is not a woman to be underestimated. Under her petite exterior is a spine of solid steel and a disposition to laugh in the face of impending death. A former member of the Terran Navy’s elite force, the Dead Jokers, electronic-warfare pilots with a mortality rate to match that of old Japan’s Kamikazes, Alex is a born survivor. But sometimes survival can be a curse.
Humanity is locked in a war of survival with the Xan-Sskarn, an alien race that refuses to acknowledge the rights of “weaker” creatures to live. It is a war that will not end with a peace treaty, but only the complete subjugation of one species to the other. And right now, the alien side is winning.
However, the enemy on the outside is not the only one to be faced. As the battles take on an eerily familiar pattern of no-win scenarios, Alex realized the horrifying truth; humanity has a traitor, and it’s somebody close. As each battle brings more death, Alex’s ghosts grow and so does her desire for vengeance. There is only one way for this to end, and Alex is just the human to take it there—to Ragnarok.
Humanity is locked in a war of survival with the Xan-Sskarn, an alien race that refuses to acknowledge the rights of “weaker” creatures to live. It is a war that will not end with a peace treaty, but only the complete subjugation of one species to the other. And right now, the alien side is winning.
However, the enemy on the outside is not the only one to be faced. As the battles take on an eerily familiar pattern of no-win scenarios, Alex realized the horrifying truth; humanity has a traitor, and it’s somebody close. As each battle brings more death, Alex’s ghosts grow and so does her desire for vengeance. There is only one way for this to end, and Alex is just the human to take it there—to Ragnarok.
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 13, 2016
The secret to writing great SF is that the author can assume technology that we not only don't have yet, but don't even know if it is possible; then the author needs to have believable characters deal with things believability.
This came crashing down on me when (minor spoiler) a character "was killed when a support strut broke free from the overhead, swinging down and caving in the side of his head", and in the next scene, a character "awoke...a heavy weight across her back pressed her down..."
It's a very old SF trope to have artificial gravity in starships. But I can conceive of NO Navy that wouldn't turn it down before a firefight to prevent a situation like that. People being crushed by falling objects in a starship is just silly. (Granted, Star Trek has that kind of crap--but Star Trek redeems itself in other ways.)
This came crashing down on me when (minor spoiler) a character "was killed when a support strut broke free from the overhead, swinging down and caving in the side of his head", and in the next scene, a character "awoke...a heavy weight across her back pressed her down..."
It's a very old SF trope to have artificial gravity in starships. But I can conceive of NO Navy that wouldn't turn it down before a firefight to prevent a situation like that. People being crushed by falling objects in a starship is just silly. (Granted, Star Trek has that kind of crap--but Star Trek redeems itself in other ways.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2010
Utter drivel; high expectations only to see a book by an author who tried to copy John Ringo and David Weber only to fail badly
November 8, 2011
The author wants to be like David Weber but he does not yet have the skills to actually make it work. The science mechanics behind the story is good and those elements are interesting. But the characters don't feel real to me, when Alex's XO on the Fenris is severely injured I didn't feel any anguish myself for this person. So the characterization could have been better.
I only have one real complaint about the story itself and that is too many human ships were lost. I know you want to generate some drama but 'Battelstar Galactica' has been done already. Do something a little more realistic, one ship alone is not going to be able to win a war, super weapons or no. I think that given some experience and growth Patrick Vanner can be a better writer. I look forward to your next books and hope for the best.
I only have one real complaint about the story itself and that is too many human ships were lost. I know you want to generate some drama but 'Battelstar Galactica' has been done already. Do something a little more realistic, one ship alone is not going to be able to win a war, super weapons or no. I think that given some experience and growth Patrick Vanner can be a better writer. I look forward to your next books and hope for the best.
September 23, 2011
Having walked into the store looking to buy an author I had never read I was pleasantly surprised by this book. This is a book that has kept me page turning well past bedtime. While I did find a couple places that the author became a bit "wordy" it did not take away from the book enough to ruin it. I am looking forward to the second book already.
December 16, 2017
I'm conflicted by this book. It's got enough action that is really well written that I actually was feeling like I was involved in the fight myself, and it's got an interesting enough story that I want to know more. The problem is, it finishes abruptly and as of the time of writing this review, there doesn't seem to be a sequel planned.
So, it's worthy of an anime analogy. It 's the first 12 episodes of what should be a 24 or more episode series, and then the writer just stops writing, and that's it.. No finale, no explanation, no satisfying conclusion, it just ends.
And that's the ONLY reason this isn't a 5 star review. because if there was a follow-up novel, or even if THIS novel had had a better ending, I'd have given it a far better rating.
So, it's worthy of an anime analogy. It 's the first 12 episodes of what should be a 24 or more episode series, and then the writer just stops writing, and that's it.. No finale, no explanation, no satisfying conclusion, it just ends.
And that's the ONLY reason this isn't a 5 star review. because if there was a follow-up novel, or even if THIS novel had had a better ending, I'd have given it a far better rating.
August 22, 2018
Tons of fun. Well structured and fast paced, this is an all-out space battle between humans and aliens. There are a couple of flaws: some villainous people are a bit cartoony, but that doesn’t spoil the romp.
Note: this is clearly part of a series, but the other books have not yet been written.
Recommended if you like MilSF
Note: this is clearly part of a series, but the other books have not yet been written.
Recommended if you like MilSF
March 23, 2021
Book itself was great, that said, I'm STILL waiting for the next book in the series! Any word yet?
December 3, 2014
While this book seems to have a variety of mixed reviews, I have to say that I really enjoyed it and am hoping that the author continues with the series. I haven't come across any mention of a sequel so I'm hoping that this isn't the end. I thought the best part of this book was the character development. I liked the majority of the characters and there were enough of them to get a good sense of the team behind the protagonist. I loved the Norse God references and also the fact that the protagonist is a feisty red head. I automatically think back to the history books and the tough Viking warriors.
There were a couple of things that didn't fit for me. The smoking of cigarettes on the ship just felt wrong somehow. Maybe just too present day for a futuristic story. There were some things that felt a little bit too rushed or sudden. The Admiral of the space station and his attitude towards the protagonist came on all of a sudden and I thought a few more references earlier in the story would have been beneficial. The same goes for the traitor. We find out suddenly, part way through the book who the traitor is but there is nothing leading up to that point and also, no sane reason for this person becoming a traitor. Having said that though, I look forward to finding out more should there be any subsequent books.
There were a couple of things that didn't fit for me. The smoking of cigarettes on the ship just felt wrong somehow. Maybe just too present day for a futuristic story. There were some things that felt a little bit too rushed or sudden. The Admiral of the space station and his attitude towards the protagonist came on all of a sudden and I thought a few more references earlier in the story would have been beneficial. The same goes for the traitor. We find out suddenly, part way through the book who the traitor is but there is nothing leading up to that point and also, no sane reason for this person becoming a traitor. Having said that though, I look forward to finding out more should there be any subsequent books.
December 3, 2010
I'm sorry, having read most of the books put out by both David Weber and John Ringo, I am not impressed by this book. There were occasionally interesting moments, but they are not worth the derivative drudgery and slogging. Maybe there are people out there who like sloppy clones of better books, but I am not one of them. If you are one such person, you will enjoy this book thoroughly. For anyone else interested in military SF, for the love of God, go to http://baencd.thefifthimperium.com and pick up the free ebooks of Weber and Ringo. While you're at it, try some of David Drake's work, as well. His RCN stuff is very good. Anything but this book.
November 23, 2011
This is the author's first book and it shows however I think there's also some promise and I will be reading the next book in the series when it's released. There's plenty of action that's well done and if starship battles are your thing then the pages will fly by but characterisation could be better. A few characters are completely one-dimensional and the author hasn't mastered the art of making you really care about characters in a book.
One for readers who like space battles and don't expect too much in the way of characterisation or plot.
One for readers who like space battles and don't expect too much in the way of characterisation or plot.
November 26, 2011
I think the author has some talent, but too much time is spent on things that are eventually irrelevant. For a space opera based over a millennia from now the technology is lacking. Granted, I've read quite a few that were so tech intense that it's now a necessity for me, but the story can't make up for it. The oppressive aliens from afar who are attempting to take over humanity are run of the mill at best. I unfortunately got bored and have not been motivated to finish this book.
January 17, 2012
Enjoyable space opera - Female commander and a Norse theme for ship names. Humanity doesn't win every battle in this one - just does a lot of surviving. I am waiting somewhat impatiently for his next book
March 17, 2016
I am a redhead myself, and picked it up to try and couldn't put it down, I loved it, although that one fight scene drags on a mite bit too long for my tastes,(maybe).I absolutely loved it! I don't see enough redheads as protagonists!
April 12, 2011
Maybe 2.5 stars, but I don't think I will be looking for the sequel that was abviously set up at the end of the story. It was trying really hard to be "Battlestar Galactica" meets "Honor Harrington."
October 5, 2011
I really like the main character Alex. She will not take crap from anyone, including the aliens. I am looking forward to the next book.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews