What do you think?
Rate this book
No Man's World #1
Black Hand Gang
Bloody Bug-Eyed Bosche!
On November 1st, 1916, nine-hundred men of the 13th Battalion of The Pennine Fusiliers vanished without trace from the battlefield, only to find themselves stranded on an alien planet. There they must learn to survive in a frightening and hostile environment, forced to rely on dwindling supplies of ammo and rations as the natives of this strange new world begin to take an interest.
However, the aliens amongst them are only the first of their worries, as a sinister and arcane threat begins to take hold from within their own ranks!
On November 1st, 1916, nine-hundred men of the 13th Battalion of The Pennine Fusiliers vanished without trace from the battlefield, only to find themselves stranded on an alien planet. There they must learn to survive in a frightening and hostile environment, forced to rely on dwindling supplies of ammo and rations as the natives of this strange new world begin to take an interest.
However, the aliens amongst them are only the first of their worries, as a sinister and arcane threat begins to take hold from within their own ranks!
336 pages, Paperback
First published October 7, 2010
10 people are currently reading
205 people want to read
About the author
Pat Kelleher
27 books14 followersPat Kelleher is a freelance writer. He has written for magazines, animation and radio. He served his time writing for a wide variety of TV licensed characters, translating them into audio books, novels and comics. Yes, he¹s written for that. And that. And even, you know, them. He has several non-fiction books to his credit and his educational strips and stories for the RSPB currently form the mainstays of their Youth publications. Somehow he has steadfastly managed to avoid all those careers and part-time jobs that look so good on a dust jacket.
(From publisher's website http://www.abaddonbooks.com)
(From publisher's website http://www.abaddonbooks.com)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 13, 2017
A fresh and deftly executed take on the 'soldiers transported from a historical setting to another world' military fantasy sub-genre (see also William R. Forstchen's ‘Lost Regiment books’ and Taylor Anderson's ‘Destroyermen’ novels). In this case a battalion of British infantrymen find themselves magically relocated from the Somme battlefield of 1916 to an even more dangerous environment where everything apparently wants to kill and eat them, not necessarily in that order. Pat Kelleher has clearly done his research, the weapons and tactics are all spot on and the dialogue and attitudes accurately reflect a time when Britain still had an empire. Recommended for those who like their military history blended with fantasy.
January 23, 2015
https://koeur.wordpress.com/2015/01/2...
Publisher: Pat Kelleher
Publishing Date: March 2015
ISBN: 9781781083130
Genre: SciFi/Fantasy
Rating: 3.2/5
Publisher Description: On November 1st 1916, 900 men of the 13th Battalion of the Pennine Fusiliers vanish without trace from the battlefield only to find themselves on an alien planet. There they must learn to survive in a frightening and hostile environment, forced to rely on dwindling supplies of ammo and rations as the natives of this strange new world begin to take an interest. However, the aliens amongst them are only the first of their worries, as a sinister and arcane threat begins to take hold from within their own ranks!
Review: A rather mixed bag of reviews with not a lot of pen to paper types. Just stars with no comments. Those that liked it said the author did a good job of researching the Pennine fusiliers, who were a regiment that was formed in Northern England, Lancashire, at the foot of the Pennine Mountains. Only there is no such thing according to David Icke and others who did similar research into the veracity of the story line. The author makes no claims, really, that the Pennine Fusiliers were real. He just does a good job of grabbing your imagination and twisting it into believability. This installment is all three books combined into one, so hold onto your garters because its a long ride. Very dialogue heavy, to the point that the movement in the scenes was lost and scattered only to be re-visited again and again. Not a grinding slog fest of spew, as the writing is really good. Just patience warring with instant gratification.
The world building was pretty good yet fell a bit short on the alien descriptors. The floating bladder beasts were not described in detail and like a lot of the alien species, was left up to your imagination. I think in some instances the intensity was lacking because of the lack of descriptors. As a whole it worked for me, then was lost to me. Soldiers transported to an alien planet doing battle in a hostile environment, check. Jeffries as Mr. Old Black Magic….un-check. Too much going on with regard to the story line. I think the black magic was inappropriate to the SciFi genre and lacked a higher degree of believability.
The good bits were the creative aspects of the world building, the resident alien life forms and the novels premise, sans the black magic. While the writing was excellent it got lost in trenchant dialogue that slowed the pace and movement. The characterization was great due to the copious dialogue yet the movement suffered as a result.
Publisher: Pat Kelleher
Publishing Date: March 2015
ISBN: 9781781083130
Genre: SciFi/Fantasy
Rating: 3.2/5
Publisher Description: On November 1st 1916, 900 men of the 13th Battalion of the Pennine Fusiliers vanish without trace from the battlefield only to find themselves on an alien planet. There they must learn to survive in a frightening and hostile environment, forced to rely on dwindling supplies of ammo and rations as the natives of this strange new world begin to take an interest. However, the aliens amongst them are only the first of their worries, as a sinister and arcane threat begins to take hold from within their own ranks!
Review: A rather mixed bag of reviews with not a lot of pen to paper types. Just stars with no comments. Those that liked it said the author did a good job of researching the Pennine fusiliers, who were a regiment that was formed in Northern England, Lancashire, at the foot of the Pennine Mountains. Only there is no such thing according to David Icke and others who did similar research into the veracity of the story line. The author makes no claims, really, that the Pennine Fusiliers were real. He just does a good job of grabbing your imagination and twisting it into believability. This installment is all three books combined into one, so hold onto your garters because its a long ride. Very dialogue heavy, to the point that the movement in the scenes was lost and scattered only to be re-visited again and again. Not a grinding slog fest of spew, as the writing is really good. Just patience warring with instant gratification.
The world building was pretty good yet fell a bit short on the alien descriptors. The floating bladder beasts were not described in detail and like a lot of the alien species, was left up to your imagination. I think in some instances the intensity was lacking because of the lack of descriptors. As a whole it worked for me, then was lost to me. Soldiers transported to an alien planet doing battle in a hostile environment, check. Jeffries as Mr. Old Black Magic….un-check. Too much going on with regard to the story line. I think the black magic was inappropriate to the SciFi genre and lacked a higher degree of believability.
The good bits were the creative aspects of the world building, the resident alien life forms and the novels premise, sans the black magic. While the writing was excellent it got lost in trenchant dialogue that slowed the pace and movement. The characterization was great due to the copious dialogue yet the movement suffered as a result.
July 9, 2010
I greatly enjoyed this book. It tells the story of the 13th Pennine Fusiliers who vanish without trace from the battlefield during the World War I, in France. They find themselves on an alien planet and try to survive there.
I loved the book's style that I can qualify as retro. At times, it reminded me of Starship Troopers. I thought that the WWI era really suited the book. Some of the main characters are memorable.
I'm looking forward to the future installments.
I loved the book's style that I can qualify as retro. At times, it reminded me of Starship Troopers. I thought that the WWI era really suited the book. Some of the main characters are memorable.
I'm looking forward to the future installments.
March 22, 2019
I found this book quite difficult to get into for the first part of the book - few of the characters engaged my interest, and the plot moved very slowly. It certainly picked up toward the end, and I found the last third to be an excellent story.
The author has done a good job of research to set the background for the story - before the event happens anyway - but doesn't get into the extreme detail of military hardware that can be a feature of a lot of military science fiction. Not that this really counts as military sci-fi, not in the sense that most people mean.
Overall, a slow start, but it showed enough promise in the final third for me to continue with the trilogy.
The author has done a good job of research to set the background for the story - before the event happens anyway - but doesn't get into the extreme detail of military hardware that can be a feature of a lot of military science fiction. Not that this really counts as military sci-fi, not in the sense that most people mean.
Overall, a slow start, but it showed enough promise in the final third for me to continue with the trilogy.
November 12, 2012
I picked this book up in my local library, I read the first 50 pages and I was hooked. It starts off as a story about life in the trenches for the Pennine Fusiliers but it develops into something different when they get lost and find themselves in a strange alien world. First it's the Bosche' who are the enemy but then it's bi-planes and tanks against alien beetle's with a bit of black magic thrown in.
A brilliant book and this is the first in a series of books. I look forward to reading the others.
A brilliant book and this is the first in a series of books. I look forward to reading the others.
April 7, 2015
Well researched and strongly written SF adventure, which freshens up the genere by mixing it with a British WWI perspective. The alien horrors are imaginative too. My only criticism is that despite the author's attempts to give the named soldiers individuality, once the action starts they quickly merge into a generic collection of cockney privates called 'Nobby'. But this is a good example of pulp adventure.
July 30, 2017
In the midst of the battle of the Somme in 1916, a battalion of British troops are instantly transported to an alien world. Almost immediately under attack from a hostile environment and dangerous creatures, things are only going to get worse.
It describes itself on the rear as a “pulp science fiction adventure”, but I think it undersells itself. To me pulp fiction is sort of low brow and churned out with minimal effort. This is far more than that, yes it is science fiction and has been done before – Jerry Pournelle’s Janissaries took modern soldiers to an alien world, William Forstchen did it with US Civil War troops, but when done well these types of books can be great fun.
Research here has been done properly and characterisation rings true and a number of characters are well done here. The plot takes time as our troops establish themselves and then explore the unknown lethal world they have been plonked into.
Nice to see that the British Tommy can hold his own against alien blighters….I enjoyed this.
It describes itself on the rear as a “pulp science fiction adventure”, but I think it undersells itself. To me pulp fiction is sort of low brow and churned out with minimal effort. This is far more than that, yes it is science fiction and has been done before – Jerry Pournelle’s Janissaries took modern soldiers to an alien world, William Forstchen did it with US Civil War troops, but when done well these types of books can be great fun.
Research here has been done properly and characterisation rings true and a number of characters are well done here. The plot takes time as our troops establish themselves and then explore the unknown lethal world they have been plonked into.
Nice to see that the British Tommy can hold his own against alien blighters….I enjoyed this.
February 24, 2018
0riginal
I was really taken by this book. I felt it was a gripping tale. The characters are very well developed, some likable some not. I think it is a really good series, bring on the next.
I was really taken by this book. I felt it was a gripping tale. The characters are very well developed, some likable some not. I think it is a really good series, bring on the next.
March 25, 2020
Took me a little to get used to the slang that was used in the novel. I really liked it. The characters we interesting and the world they are put in seems even more so. The novel can really go anywhere from here and I look forward to reading the next installment.
January 10, 2014
This is an interesting book and the author seems to have done some extensive research into WW1 and the Pennine Regiment. I enjoyed the beginning of the story very much and Kelleher paints a very vivid picture of life in the trenches and the camaraderie that abounds. It is also broken up nicely by interludes of letters from the sweetheart of the main character, Atkins. The premise of the regiments 'shift' to an alien world has shown an intriguing use of one of the many conspiracy theories of the time and has plenty of legs for future books.
I did struggle when I was about halfway through the book and it took me a little longer than normal to finish. I can't quite put my finger on why this was though as the story continued with its path of action and pace. After some further thought I can only put it down to not really enjoying the storyline of the antagonist, Jeffries. His character was interesting and wicked enough, however his overriding motives seemed a little stretched beyond belief, which in itself was not unbelievable but just didn't ring true enough with me. The other part I struggled with was the alien race they encountered, the creatures they nicknamed the Chatts (after the lice that infested their clothing in the field). I found the parts of the story that explored them were a touch boring and slow.
The end of the book picks the pace up again and the action of a rescue mission grabbed my attention back. The edition of a tank crew and RA spotter plane that ended up on the alien world with the regiment was a nice little touch as well and Kelleher has used them well in the story. In fact his detailed description of the tank and the trooper’s thoughts on first seeing it was brilliantly executed. Also the way he writes about their integration within the new world is very well done and quite colourful, in all of its horrific detail.
All in all, I liked the book and will certainly pick up the second at some point in the future. The inclusion of the alien race of Urmen and the relationship with their Chatt master's did save the day though, sparking sufficient interest and piquing my curiosity enough to want to continue the Pennine’s tale.
I did struggle when I was about halfway through the book and it took me a little longer than normal to finish. I can't quite put my finger on why this was though as the story continued with its path of action and pace. After some further thought I can only put it down to not really enjoying the storyline of the antagonist, Jeffries. His character was interesting and wicked enough, however his overriding motives seemed a little stretched beyond belief, which in itself was not unbelievable but just didn't ring true enough with me. The other part I struggled with was the alien race they encountered, the creatures they nicknamed the Chatts (after the lice that infested their clothing in the field). I found the parts of the story that explored them were a touch boring and slow.
The end of the book picks the pace up again and the action of a rescue mission grabbed my attention back. The edition of a tank crew and RA spotter plane that ended up on the alien world with the regiment was a nice little touch as well and Kelleher has used them well in the story. In fact his detailed description of the tank and the trooper’s thoughts on first seeing it was brilliantly executed. Also the way he writes about their integration within the new world is very well done and quite colourful, in all of its horrific detail.
All in all, I liked the book and will certainly pick up the second at some point in the future. The inclusion of the alien race of Urmen and the relationship with their Chatt master's did save the day though, sparking sufficient interest and piquing my curiosity enough to want to continue the Pennine’s tale.
November 24, 2015
A battalion of Great War Tommies, along with a chunk of the Somme, a tank and an aeroplane, find themselves abruptly transported to an alien world. The wildlife’s bad enough, but our brave, well-researched lads soon become embroiled in a war with sentient insects (these ride enormous caterpillars, worship a spider and keep scent libraries. Mmm, pulpy). Throw in a guilt-stricken hero, the missing Roanoke Colony, a murderous diabolist, noble savages and man-eating trees and you’ve got a book that could oh-so-easily be translated into an awesome film starring Doug McClure. If that’s not a workable definition of good pulp, we give up.
It’s hard to write pulp, despite its oft-mocked conventions, and you can see that right across those modern presses who’ve taken up its cause. We reckon the difference between success and failure is down to the employment of pulp archetypes rather than cliché, and a resistance on the part of the author to try and subvert them. Kelleher manages both, giving his hero Tommy Atkins (yes, really) enough angst to make him accessible to modern readers without undermining him. So the beginning labours under a creeping barrage of historical info-dumping, the natives speak modern English, the mores of the times aren’t always convincingly evoked and those dreaded adjectives tint the writing purple (it is possible to embrace the good in pulp, without emulating the bad). But, minor gripes all. This is rip-roaring fun from beginning to end.
It’s hard to write pulp, despite its oft-mocked conventions, and you can see that right across those modern presses who’ve taken up its cause. We reckon the difference between success and failure is down to the employment of pulp archetypes rather than cliché, and a resistance on the part of the author to try and subvert them. Kelleher manages both, giving his hero Tommy Atkins (yes, really) enough angst to make him accessible to modern readers without undermining him. So the beginning labours under a creeping barrage of historical info-dumping, the natives speak modern English, the mores of the times aren’t always convincingly evoked and those dreaded adjectives tint the writing purple (it is possible to embrace the good in pulp, without emulating the bad). But, minor gripes all. This is rip-roaring fun from beginning to end.
April 21, 2015
It's WWI, and a murderous Crowleyite magician has concealed himself within the BEF, plotting to use the vast carnage of the Somme as the sacrificial basis of a great Working––and botches the job, landing himself and those around him in a strange alien world, menaced by weird dangers and mysterious entities.
Now there's a fine premise for good pulpy fun. Kelleher makes an honest job of it, crafting his narrative and characters with care, and with admirable fidelity to the period (amidst the catastrophic climactic tumult one character has time to be discomfited by the sight of a lady's stockings).
My only real reservation about it is that I sense a certain failure of imagination. The premise is so wide-open, and promises so much in the way of atmosphere and thrills, that one is a little disappointed that Kelleher so quickly dispels the mood of mystery and the unknown in favor of relatively straightforward action. But I am sufficiently happy with the result that I look forward to seeing what he does with his story in subsequent installments.
Now there's a fine premise for good pulpy fun. Kelleher makes an honest job of it, crafting his narrative and characters with care, and with admirable fidelity to the period (amidst the catastrophic climactic tumult one character has time to be discomfited by the sight of a lady's stockings).
My only real reservation about it is that I sense a certain failure of imagination. The premise is so wide-open, and promises so much in the way of atmosphere and thrills, that one is a little disappointed that Kelleher so quickly dispels the mood of mystery and the unknown in favor of relatively straightforward action. But I am sufficiently happy with the result that I look forward to seeing what he does with his story in subsequent installments.
March 2, 2013
A World War I adventure crossed with the alien worlds one would find in an Edgar Rice Burroughs novel of Barsoom, with just a dash of H.P. Lovecraft.
This was a nice mash-up of genres. "November 1, 1919, 900 men disappeared from the battlefield only to find themselves stranded on an alien planet." That's the basic premise, and you can figure out what happened.
I did like that it wasn't just the men that were taken, it was the land they were on; so try to imagine these men and their trenches, and reserves, going with them...as do a plane and a tank.
The villain of the piece was very original, though by the end he's of the twirling moustache variety. There's no real end to the book, just as pause, as their are further books in the series.
Not an "A" grade by any means, but a very fun "B+".
This was a nice mash-up of genres. "November 1, 1919, 900 men disappeared from the battlefield only to find themselves stranded on an alien planet." That's the basic premise, and you can figure out what happened.
I did like that it wasn't just the men that were taken, it was the land they were on; so try to imagine these men and their trenches, and reserves, going with them...as do a plane and a tank.
The villain of the piece was very original, though by the end he's of the twirling moustache variety. There's no real end to the book, just as pause, as their are further books in the series.
Not an "A" grade by any means, but a very fun "B+".
August 6, 2014
A unique look at war in a place completely unfamiliar to anyone. I liked the idea of using WW1 soldiers rather than a more contemporary set of characters. The writing was bold but not outrageous enough to really earn the pulp feel I think it was striving for. The characters were interesting enough to keep me reading, but didn't easily hold my attention. There is still promise for this series however.
February 10, 2014
This was a wonderful read, capturing well the atmosphere of the trenches as well as cleverly showing an alien world. I loved the dramatic end of the first chapter, the sudden, unexpected, heartstopping battle in the shell-hole in the second, and the wonderful tension of the seventeenth and eighteenth. superb storytelling.
July 4, 2014
A kinda goofy premise, but god help me if I didn't enjoy it. Very similar concept to Stargate. Absolute pulp fiction, but well written and engaging (unlike Death's Apprentice). Kelleher doesn't overdue the exposition and the dialogue, while a bit staged, is natural enough not to distract the reader.
July 26, 2015
A fun, fast paced romp in an alien death world. We travel to this arena with the Pennine Fusiliers. One of WWI's greatest mysteries surrounds this regiment as they disappeared during battle leaving only a massive crater in their wake. With solid military history backing this tale we find out where they went.
January 7, 2011
Didn't really seem like the type of Science-Fiction I had predicted in my head, that being said I still rather enjoyed it. There were parts that had me laughing and parts that had me cringing so it was definitely doing something right. Will be adding the sequels to my "To-Read" list.
January 3, 2017
I enjoy alternate histories, World War 1 fiction, and Lovecraft so this was right in my wheelhouse. The writing is a stark pastiche of WW1 fiction and early science fiction - to some this might seem a bit dry, but to the fan, it was an enjoyable read.
February 18, 2013
A little too much Black Magic for me.
April 16, 2013
Not bad. Fairly easy writing, although I wasn't impressed by Lt Jeffries. The Cthulhu-esque content was also interesting.
May 20, 2013
I thought it was a really good premise. P. Kelleher does a fantastic job describing the alien world.
September 21, 2013
A very nice and entertaining start of a series. Really looking forward to get my hands on the rest of this serie. A whole new twist on the Croatoan concept. pretty cool!
December 16, 2013
What is the only thing better than a story set in WWI? One with a supernatural angle! I would prefer zombies, but aliens work too.
February 14, 2014
Interesting idea, but the author was a little too much in love with his research. I found it a compelling slog.
April 23, 2015
Loving this so far. Kind of like Tommies in John Carter.
September 11, 2010
A pretty good book!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews