Task Force Mars

Starstrike #1

by Kevin Dockery, Douglas Niles

An elite squadron of space commandos battles against the deadliest dangers the galaxy has to offer, in this second novel of an action-packed, military science fiction series.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Military Fiction, Space

Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Richard Van Dijk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite violent, but not bad. The humans are the good guys here, but they sure seem to get away with a lot. There is also a gap in the book, not explaining how the sole human starship managed to get an FTL communications device, when no-one even knew one was possible untill in the last 3rd of the book.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in a two book series by Kevin Dockery and Douglas Niles. This is an excellent example of Military Science Fiction. This was somewhat of a surprise because Douglas Niles is best known as a fantasy author, many of which are set in the Dragon Lance universe. I have read these books and they are great reads. Kevin Dockery has written exclusively fiction books mostly about Navy SEALs. Together they have written an excellent science fiction book. In this one U.S. Navy SEAS (Sea, Air, Land and Space) are just finishing up their space training when they are called upon to go to Mars and investigate an attack on an outpost there. Upon arrival they are met by a group of scientists and a beautiful alien woman from the Shamani race who had contacted Earth two years before and shared much of their technology with the human race. They go to next outpost where the attack took placeand are immediately attacked themselves. They defeat the still unknown attackers but are betrayed by an inflitrater among the scientists when they return to the first outpost and are kidnapped and taken to another star system by the aliens. Never count out the SEALS however. Upon arrival they escape to the planets surface and fight their way to freedom freeing another group of prisoners in the process. This book is action packed and it was hard for me to put it down. I recommend this book highly and I am immediately going to read the sequel, Operation Orion (Starstrike, #2)

[William Bentrim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starstrike, Task Force Mars by Kevin Dockery and Douglas Niles

Starstrike is a military shoot-em-up. Regardless of the time frame and setting, it still is a somewhat simplistic and far fetched saga of a group of SEALS. The new SEALS as opposed to the original Navy Seals are space faring commandos. On their first off world training mission they encounter hostile aliens and requite themselves in the tradition of the real Navy Seals. In other words, they kick some alien butt.

Although none of the characters are memorable as individuals as a group they prove themselves ferocious warriors. The arrogant aliens grossly outnumber, out gun the SEALS. The alien technology is superiour. In spite of this the SEALS show the Aliens that we may be backward technologically but our spirit and ferocity are not to be underestimated. The story is a very entertaining, small unit combat novel.

I recommend the book.

[Phillip Carroll · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of the Navy being the service that would expand out into space due to its experience with submarines isn't anything new to science fiction. So taking Navy special operators and drawing on their diving experience as being beneficial in adapting to operating in space continues this plausible theme. I wish there had been a bit more of moving the force into the future with additional details.

The authors seem to repeat a few things through the book that almost feel like they were padding their word count. At the same time I felt there were details missing that could have greatly enhanced the book.

This is the first book in a series and unless I find a copy of book two I doubt I'll be continuing the adventure.

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

There certainly is plenty of action, much gun battles and explosions. Being Navy Seals of space who are pitted into an interstellar adventure you get the militarized professionalism which could be expected, but who are equipped with space gear. There isn't much development of individual characters but the SEALS act as a team and they each get some chance to play. The story for me feels much like a playing field set for the SEALS to blow stuff up. They never quite seem challenged enough.

[Papal Bull · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book for anyone that enjoys futuristic ground warfare.