Legionnaire (Galaxy's Edge Book 1)

Outstanding!! This series was a work of narrative art in the best kick ass way imaginable. A lot of great character development across all three books. Expect to get twisted around at some points in the series but the authors know exactly where it's going all the way along. The payoffs are well worth it. Can't wait for book four but book one is a fantastic start to this series.

The story where the legionnaire is in the bar talking to the veteran of long ago. It was so well written and laid out I could taste the alcohol lol. Now I am the old legionnaire....it sucks getting old just saying.

It is a wonderful book. The story is well written and the characters well developed. It is fast paced. Once I started I could not put it down. It is the first in what I hope is a long series. It is worth the time and money as a must read.

This a book about war. It really does not matter where it is set it is about war from the view of a legionnaire. A small company is cut off on a hostile planet and must survive the political appointee who is in charge and oh a planet full of hostiles as as their from friends from other planets. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to the next book.

The overall book is well edited and flows nicely. At first, the characters seem flat and the setting difficult to picture, but as the tale spins into action it becomes a cohesive story of the horrors and honor in combat. Oorah.

They really have down the quick craziness at the beginning of an ambush. They have down pat the battle scenes and the gut instinct of a soldier. The political appointees remind me of the Vietnam War. Well written with plenty of action and twists!

Fast paced and entertaining military Sci-Fi. The story of elite soldiers struggling to survive and defeat the alien insurgency was brilliantly executed.The epilogue by Nick Cole was a sweet little treat and left me wanting to know more about these soldiers and the world they inhabit.I received a copy of this book from the authors to voluntarily review.

I've been holding off on a review of the Galaxy's Edge series, waiting for each new book in the series to see if there was some fatal misstep where I could give a review that wasn't simply glowing accolades.

The series is incorrectly billed as StarWarsNotStarWars. It's not. At all.

It's better.

Star Wars was a Fresno kid's longing for adventure and excitement outside of his small farmtown existence. The story good ol' George concocted very much reflected that. Galaxy's Edge isn't that type of story.

Yes, Galaxy's Edge is an adventure story, in the vein of classics like Edgar Rice Burroughs and Robert E. Howard, sprinkled with the modern wit you're more likely to see in a James Gunn flick. But there's something I've become accustomed to in Nick Cole's writing--a whole heaping of heart.

(And it seems like Jason Anspach, whose work I wasn't familiar with prior, irons out many of the problematic Cole-isms evident in previous works. I find the humor sharper, the dialogue crisper, and I wholly am giving Anspach credit for this. The sum of these two writers definitely exceeds the whole).

The setting and characters of Galaxy's Edge aren't paying lip-service to the genre, rather they provide introspection on warfare, comradarey, and obnoxious bureaucracy, while at no point sacrificing action, making for a rollicking fast-paced ride.

Galaxy's Edge is the perfect mixture of entertainment and heart.

Pretty good military sci-fi, although the "we're so good we have it so hard, all the other services are incompetent" trope gets old. Still, I enjoyed the story. The epilogue dragged on, but I think it set up the next story. I'll check out the rest of the series to see if it holds up.

A fantastic new sci-fi universe. Non-stop action from start to finish, and I didn't want to put it down. Strong character development, and fantastic story pacing. If you like military sci-fi (or action in general), you'll love this one.

Good military sci fi though the sci fi element is soft. More about military culture, so for me a little too much inside baseball, and not much else. Fast paced so one may read it in a few hours. Abrupt ending and not very satisfying given how well the characters are portrayed and written. This is akin to Heinlein's Starship Troopers without the heavier societal questions looming overhead. Its a scaled down, focused peek into the trials of being a soldier. Nothing unique but nothing badly written either.

This is military fiction set in a Star Wars knockoff fix-fic.
But it’s pretty good military fiction set in a knockoff Star Wars fix-fic.
It’s as if Star Wars, Robert Heinland’s _Starship Troopers_ & an Afghanistan USMC veteran had group therapy session.
I understand that there’s a tone shift between book 1 & the rest of the series. This actually makes me a little apprehensive, since I enjoyed this book.

I loved the theme of a situation going steadily downhill. A good read and I enjoyed the characters and writing style. If you like military sci-fi this one is above average.

My only complaint is the last battle felt a little short after the buildup.

If you are into military sci-fi this has got all the stuff that you'd see in the regular army. Really dedicated men and an officer who doesn't know his head from a hole in the ground. Never seen action but Knows the legionnaires should listen to him. Very gritty.

I recently finished binge reading the complete series as well as Imperator. This is great science fiction! I grew up reading the great author’s works in my father’s Analog and Galaxy paperbacks as a child. These two authors are right up there! Thanks for a great reading experience.

Well written and concise, you’ll greatly enjoy your time with Victory Company. Sometimes the book references its universe too much, but it helps it really feel like you’re in it at the same time, even if you don’t always understand.

I really enjoyed this book. I liked the characters, the plot, and the pacing. I haven't read a good shoot 'em up book in a while and this one hit the spot. I was sorry I came to the end of this book. Will just have to go to book two and see where it takes me.

I enjoyed reading this excellent entry into military science-fiction genre. The author(s) brought me into the story right away and the action never let up. There are some subtle hints and groundwork laid at what to expect in future stories in this universe, which for me adds to the enjoyment and anticipation of waiting for the next releases. Good read!

Well Written. The thematic elements are valid no matter the setting or timeframe. Brings back some good and bad emotions I didn't know were still so intense after being out for so long. I thought the epilogue was especially poignant...been on both sides of that. "KTF".

Best sci fi saga on the store. Everything star wars should have been, I read all 4 books out right now and I can tell you they only get better after the first one. After finishing BV Larson's books I was looking for a new sci-fi saga to keep me interested and this just blows anything I ve read before out of the water.

I found it funny that the author must lean right and it shows, along the saga he makes fun of SJW, jihadist, beta males etc. In ways it doesn't feel forced at all. (LMAO at space donkeys)

Give this series a go, specially if you have Kindle unlimited since all books are included so far

Since the age of 5 I have been a reader ( Im 54 now) and this book just cracked into my top 10 of all time....this story now joins the ranks of Lord of light, armor, starship troopers ( the original book..not that abomination of a movie) and a few other thought provoking storys..nice work...and thank you.

This story relates the perspective of an elite spec ops soldier in the future to the reader with a simple view of his world. Full of the harshness that is war with political red tape and intrigues that get the grunts into trouble.

An excellent mix of sci-fi, military thriller, and adventure. It's like Heinlein's Starship Troopers took place in the Star Wars universe. It's gritty and violent but also a lot of fun. I cannot wait for future installments!

Touched an old Marine. I enjoyed the action. The characters who did what they did because they are part of something that truly is only a view a grunt would understand. A salute to the to the guy next to you. Great action and it don't make no sense.

This book was great. I started reading it about 26 hours ago and burned through it with all available free time. It was gritty without being needlessly graphic, heroic without glorifying senseless action and quite a good mix of pulpy space opera sci-fi... fantastic. I can't wait to start book 2.

Great military Sci-fi.

If you want peace, prepare for war. If you love great military sci-fi, this book is for you. First novel by the joint team of Jason Anspach and Nick Cole. Fast paced with a well-developed story line. I can’t wait for book two.

I had never heard of this series, but was looking for something to read. The description peaked my interest enough that I figured I'd give it a chance. I couldn't put it down and finished it all in one sitting. I would definitely recommend this book to any sci-fi fan looking for a good quick read.

De la véritable SciFi millitaire qui se lit comme un "Black Hawk Down" spatial : de l'action, des soldats et un seul but, la mission.
D'habitude, je ne suis pas fan de ce genre de chose, mais l'ecriture et l'univers - pour ce qu'on en lit - pousse à en vouloir plus.

En route pour le Tome 2 !

I can still taste the sand in my mouth ... a very gritty, true to life story of the fortunes (or misfortunes) of war that makes for fast paced reading, with some great characters you can get behind and follow. I look forward to the next instalments from Jason and Nick !

A great opening book in what promises to be one of the best new sci-fi novel series of 2017 and beyond. If this isn't up for a Nebula, Hugo AND a Dragon Award in 2018 then there is something wrong with the universe.

I had never heard of this series, but was looking for something to read. The description peaked my interest enough that I figured I'd give it a chance. I couldn't put it down and finished it all in one sitting. I would definitely recommend this book to any sci-fi fan looking for a good quick read.

De la véritable SciFi millitaire qui se lit comme un "Black Hawk Down" spatial : de l'action, des soldats et un seul but, la mission.
D'habitude, je ne suis pas fan de ce genre de chose, mais l'ecriture et l'univers - pour ce qu'on en lit - pousse à en vouloir plus.

En route pour le Tome 2 !

I can still taste the sand in my mouth ... a very gritty, true to life story of the fortunes (or misfortunes) of war that makes for fast paced reading, with some great characters you can get behind and follow. I look forward to the next instalments from Jason and Nick !

I liked the book. I've been reading some military science fiction which has been more 'magic' oriented. This title was more realistic, as far as science fiction can be, with the weapons and armor having some limitations.

This was a pretty good warrior's tale from the perspective of warrior's. The ending was disappointing though. The pessimistic view of the military system, the loss of battlefield promotions, the promotion of cowards, the idea of politicians influencing jobs, promotions, covering up of crimes and cowardice is blown out of proportion. It may have happened long ago, but that hasn't Bern part of military life, at least in USA, in a long long time. So that sort of irritated me as it is pervasive through the story. There is honor in the military and there is justice. I know of what I speak from my own experiences having served 31 years myself. The whole ending chapter was rather wasted. Just to name and give one grunt a story about his dead CO. The last chapter would have been better utilized towing up the loose ends, with recognition of the heroes, punishment of cowards, answering questions as to was the comm specialist really? The story could have been tied up much better with a more positive outcome. The ending really sort of killed the whole book for me.

There is no foundation for the universe that the author is trying to tell a story about. After 3 books I'm still not sure who is attacking, why they are attacking, or why the protagonist is defending, or what he is defending.

The best thing about this audiobook is RC Bray. Otherwise, it's just a bunch of rambling testosterone-laden stories about barely-developed characters that are thrown away on the way to the next set of new names, acronyms and faux technology. Wow, pretty disappointed.

"Legionnaire [yes, another SciFi book centered on a legionnaire theme] (Galaxy's Edge Book 1)," is a solid "C, C+," future military read.

There is nothing new here, just a mix of common and well known themes, sprinkled with awkward contemporary cliches and nomenclature, in a limited vision. The authors are best when simply sticking to a timeless, universal truth: troops fight for their brothers and sisters, who have their each others' back. When the authors write of villains, enemies, it becomes cartoonish and juvenile. The use of "sound effects" during battle scene narratives, is empirical evidence of the authors' proclivity to frame their writing as a storyboard for a graphic novel, comic book, or video game. This reviewer ponders how many action figures were used in the writing of this book?

The "Legionnaire," is narrowly recommended and was fully read via Kindle Unlimited.

Writer ran out of steam at the end of book. Must have needed x amount of pages to publish and was short so he added a epilogue story that had very little connection to the rest of the book. Book was Ok

67% 5-star ratings seems really suspicious given how bland and predictable this book is. Shallow attempt at dystopian world building, predictable timing with rescues and victories and throwaway characters that don't add anything aside from a dead body in the end. The book finishes with a rambling, incoherent story that I assume ties it all together later on.

Signing up for the store books was a good move since I can put the second book down without feeling guilty. It's much worse than the first. Space ships chasing--oh the bad guys almost got them, but they flew this way and that and escaped. People die all around them but oh well, here's a cheap space pirate plot and blah blah snooze.

From the outset I had issues with this novel. My main issue concerns leadership. At least now in our time/reality only the best officers were given after a rigorous testing and selection process the honor of leading Legionnaire troops. However in this future reality this is not the case. In this future, with the right connections and funds, one may buy their way into the officer ranks of the Legion. From the outset you can sense our protagonist concern for his men, mission, and Legion. It doesn't sit well with him and fellow Legionnaires that one of their officers is only there to enhance his possible political future standing. It reminds me of talk about the South Vietnam military in the 60 s and 70s concerning their officer corps. In the end you fight for your fellow troopers, damn anything else, flag, country, or in this instance stellar union. Nuff said!!!!

Writer(s) either properly researched or served demonstrating some military acumen. So the story,book got points,from me, that I wasn't reading something written by RPGers or mil movie experts.

However, in the first fight, ambush they assaulted the ambush and had a major obstacle in their path. An old MBT. OKAY but as they got close to the tank, the MC got bumped by the 'heavies' behind him -- missile launcher that was both anti air and anti armor. Huh? Didn't use because ? I'm sorry, but we're in the pathetic 20-21 st century and we have the Javelin and we also have man portable, 18 pound Gustav with ranges of 1000 meters +. So .... ?? Take MBT out first before running 100's of meters in the open just everyone sprinting madly vs using fire n move/maneuver.

There was quite a bit of inconsistency throughout but my major beefs are clarification -- wpns, etc -- and 1st person. My best example for first person is a book called Bloodsounders(?) where merc company hires scribe, who knows nothing about war, to write about their exploits. Worked perfectly! The Sgt, MC who is first person exposes(?), highlights lack of mil depth, inconsistencies, finer points of writing.

Started fast n furious using a lot slang that was a bit hard to follow. Better at end but some of slang was Vietnam 101? That I could follow but ....

A series of endless set-piece battles narrated entirely in cliche with all the self-awareness of an empty suit of (super futuristic) armor. Sci-fi fans will find nothing new here, and readers of war fiction can probably do better without having to look to far.

Fairly well written however there are too many weak points. A battle helmet that can't be replaced or repaired, an unwitnessed field promotion, etc etc? If you can't plot better than that do something else.

As a military tale, Legionnaire is old school. The sci-fi equivalent of a 1950s war film, the pacing and action relentless. The characters, standard archetypes differentiated by class, separated into two primary groups. Those the main character and his men consider to be real soldiers, the Legionnaires, and those who are not, which is everyone else. Trial by combat will judge who is worthy of the respect of the man character, a Legionnaire through and through.

There are hints early on that authors Jason Anspach and Nick Cole understand their story is populated by bigots, including their lead character. Foreshadowing a character arc in which he will confront his own very human prejudices. Anspach and Cole have no interest in that journey, as the introduction of the lone female character given anything to do, and an overly long epilogue, will definitively confirm.

This is a somber view of hyper masculinity as an admirable trait. A screed about the idiots in government prioritizing quick economic gain over the lives of good men. Good men sent to far away lands to die by the hands of an uncivilized, duplicitous other.

What's most disturbing is that Anspach and Cole are too damn good at pulling readers into the fray. We just don't want the Legionnaries to get the hell off of Kublar, we want them to kill as many Koobs as possible. Remove the sci-fi trappings, Kublar is Iraq. Afghanistan. Any place that is predominantly populated by brown and black peoples, and is in perpetual turmoil when viewed through a militarized and Western lens.

I wish I could give this more of a recommendation.

The battles in military sci-fi is often the descriptive slog one has to power through, if not outright skim, to get to the book's end. Hopefully, picking up on the information that is relevant to the plot and has impact on the characters along the way. Spatial relationships are near impossible to discern. The battles are repetitive, padding out the page count. Regardless of outcome, previous battles don't shape the ones that follow.

Anspach and Cole know how to build tension, sustain it, and not undercut it. Their action is clear. You know where characters are, what they are doing, and how their decisions influence the direction of the battle. And Each battle is distinct from the last. As the locations change--as the characters learn new information--so do the tactics.

The characters aren't fleshed out. Yet, you know who is who. Every death stings.

It is doubtful I could move on to the next book without feeling complicit in supporting an unquestioning view of the military. As a mundane, thankless job real men aren't afraid to do, cowards avoid, and the powerful elite exploit for their own ends. And that militarized violence can be justified when the other is different in custom and language, strange in appearance, and a killable, disposable enemy, based on nothing more than the word of a faceless authority.

This is the first in an ongoing series that follows the Legionnaires, an elite fighting force that are used to support the Republic in their fight against a multitude of different enemies.
In this particular instance, a unit of Legionnaires is on the planet Kublar, escorting one faction to meet another so that they can discuss a peace treaty, hopefully allowing the Republic access to the planet in a fair and reasonable manner. The Natives of Kublar, colloquially known as ‘Koobs’, are seen as a frog like species, with a large diaphragm under their throats that they use to speak with and make other sounds. Although they have some level of technology, the planet is a mixed culture of partially rich and wealthy with the best of everything, down to the mostly poor and impoverished, living in shanti towns and having to scavenge for a living. Of course, they all have one thing in common, a dislike for humans.
The story is told from the point of view of Sergeant Cohen Chhun, a Sergeant in Victory Company.
The Legionnaires are given a specialised helmet, their armour apparently isn't that special, and apart from the sniper who can pick a tic off a flea buried on the back of a shaggy dog at 3000metres, their weapons are nothing special given it is so far in the future. (Although at least it is better than 40K where they still use bullets and haven’t developed range finders…) The Helmet though, is every Clone and Storm troopers dream, although our story teller loses his pretty early, and it quickly becomes apparent that this book is not about the tech, this is about the characters and the war they are in.
This did remind me a lot of the Clone Troopers TV series, in which you had Republic Clone Troopers in the Clone wars that could actually shoot things with basic guns and armour, but a decent bucket on their heads for information, you know, before they turned into brain dead Stormtroopers who couldn’t hit the side of a barn with a rocket launcher from 3 feet away – no wonder they lost to Ewoks….
But the Legionnaires are much like the Clones if you have seen, or read any of the Star Wars material. Superior fighting men, but amazingly enough, they have emotions, souls, and at times, they wonder why they are doing what it is they are doing?
The characters in this book are brilliant. As stated, the story is told from Sergeant Chhun’s point of view, a veteran who tells us true emotions, not heroic dribble about how he can survive everything and has no fear. Chhun covers all of the emotional spectrum as he battles along, from anger, fear, horror, happiness, sadness, gut wrenching sorrow, to just plain exhaustion, where you reach a point that you are so numb you don’t feel anymore. The Authors have done a brilliant job of detailing what it is like to be in the thick of things, to be under fire, the stress of the situation, and the reflexes and muscle memory you grow as a soldier to survive.
The story starts with the group leading our diplomats along nicely, until they are ambushed, and then it turns into total mayhem and chaos, and this is where the book just accelerates, and doesn’t slow down. It becomes a cross between a Clone Wars episode and Black Hawk Down (without the helicopter), as the Legionnaires are suddenly facing 1000s of Koob’s intent on killing them and their charges at all costs, regardless of the lives lost.
Even though the Legionnaires have superior weaponry, they are vastly outnumbered, for every 10 they kill, there are 20 or 30 to replace them. And thus the ‘Black Hawk Down’ running gun battle starts through the cities of Kublar.
This is a brutal, full-on Military action story, you are with the Sergeant (who gets a field promotion after the ambush to Lieutenant) all the way, and you live the fight with him, feel his anxiety, fear and stress, as he is pounded from pillar to post trying to keep his men and the diplomats alive and reach the objective. Command has been eliminated, and he is left with a field promoted Captain who has the experience to do the job, and a bureaucrat who is at the same level, who looks after the support teams, and is trying to get the all killed with his stupidity.
As a first book, this is the introduction you want to the Galaxy’s Edge, great story, exceptional characters, not bogged down in the tech, doesn’t get lost in the action or the characters either, with a good balance between all of it to leave you flipping pages so fast if you are holding a paperback, it will act as a fan for you.
If you love Military Sci-Fi, or just good Military Action stories, get into this – it is brilliant.

The House of Reason had sent us out to do a diplomatic mission with a planet on the far side of the galaxy. I don't know why the Republic wanted it, but it almost killed all of us.

Read and find out the rest of the adventure.

Really fun story and enjoyable characters! Worth the read though it ended too quickly and the ending was drawn out in like a 20 page conversation that didn't even include the main character so it was idk. It was a good ending and I enjoyed the conversation albeit a very long one but a good one.

If you want an exhilarating, captivating story about believable characters in a combat situation, a story rich both in white-knuckle firefights and moments of deep poignancy, this is the book for you!

The Republic Legions are an elite fighting force, the well-equipped and seemingly invulnerable iron fist of a galaxy-spanning government. The book follows events from the perspective of one of their NCOs on a straightforward hearts-and-minds mission among supposed allies. But in war, nothing is ever straightforward, and the leejes soon find themselves desperately fighting for their lives against overwhelming odds …

Even if (like me) you've never been under fire or in military service, the book will draw you in and inspire you with an appreciation of what it means to be caught up in armed conflict. Forget for a moment that the legionnaires use blaster rifles and combat sleds; the dangers they face, the comradeship they depend upon, the self-discipline they need, the sacrifices they make—these all ring so true. The leejes themselves come across not as cardboard cutout action figures but as real people. But the sci-fi elements are also strong—the tech, the weapons, even the slang all has a believable and yet alien feel to it.

To sum up: This is a great book, especially if you like military sci-fi. And there had better be sequels, or I'll be reaching for my N-18…

A futuristic force of Legionnaires set out on a diplomatic mission on a low-tech planet and find themselves ambushed, outnumbered, and with no additional military support. The story is fast paced, with heart-breaking setbacks, courage, and betrayal – a heady mix. The action scenes feel real, and the narrative is compelling.

My main gripe is that there is a lack of background on the political / military issues. (OK, at least that avoided the space taken up in David Weber’s Honor Harrington series as characters discuss politics and politicians in between the best space battles I have ever read.)
And the characters come across as two-dimensional, as we never find out anything about their own lives prior to this mission. In fairness, the authors parcel out details of character and expertise as the story moves along, and it does not take long before the name of a main player invokes a sense of character that distinguishes him from the other participants.

Enough 4 and 5 star reviews have been written to include the brief ovèview and what the reader liked most and, very few, liked least, so I will simply add this series is the standard for battle action writing. I'm old retired USN corpsman and realistic is this author's forte. Well done JA, you have another reader in the fold.

If you are into military sci-fi this has got all the stuff that you'd see in the regular army. Really dedicated men and an officer who doesn't know his head from a hole in the ground. Never seen action but Knows the legionnaires should listen to him. Very gritty.

The best thing about this audiobook is RC Bray. Otherwise, it's just a bunch of rambling testosterone-laden stories about barely-developed characters that are thrown away on the way to the next set of new names, acronyms and faux technology. Wow, pretty disappointed.

"Legionnaire [yes, another SciFi book centered on a legionnaire theme] (Galaxy's Edge Book 1)," is a solid "C, C+," future military read.

There is nothing new here, just a mix of common and well known themes, sprinkled with awkward contemporary cliches and nomenclature, in a limited vision. The authors are best when simply sticking to a timeless, universal truth: troops fight for their brothers and sisters, who have their each others' back. When the authors write of villains, enemies, it becomes cartoonish and juvenile. The use of "sound effects" during battle scene narratives, is empirical evidence of the authors' proclivity to frame their writing as a storyboard for a graphic novel, comic book, or video game. This reviewer ponders how many action figures were used in the writing of this book?

The "Legionnaire," is narrowly recommended and was fully read via Kindle Unlimited.

Writer ran out of steam at the end of book. Must have needed x amount of pages to publish and was short so he added a epilogue story that had very little connection to the rest of the book. Book was Ok

67% 5-star ratings seems really suspicious given how bland and predictable this book is. Shallow attempt at dystopian world building, predictable timing with rescues and victories and throwaway characters that don't add anything aside from a dead body in the end. The book finishes with a rambling, incoherent story that I assume ties it all together later on.

Signing up for the store books was a good move since I can put the second book down without feeling guilty. It's much worse than the first. Space ships chasing--oh the bad guys almost got them, but they flew this way and that and escaped. People die all around them but oh well, here's a cheap space pirate plot and blah blah snooze.

From the outset I had issues with this novel. My main issue concerns leadership. At least now in our time/reality only the best officers were given after a rigorous testing and selection process the honor of leading Legionnaire troops. However in this future reality this is not the case. In this future, with the right connections and funds, one may buy their way into the officer ranks of the Legion. From the outset you can sense our protagonist concern for his men, mission, and Legion. It doesn't sit well with him and fellow Legionnaires that one of their officers is only there to enhance his possible political future standing. It reminds me of talk about the South Vietnam military in the 60 s and 70s concerning their officer corps. In the end you fight for your fellow troopers, damn anything else, flag, country, or in this instance stellar union. Nuff said!!!!

Writer(s) either properly researched or served demonstrating some military acumen. So the story,book got points,from me, that I wasn't reading something written by RPGers or mil movie experts.

However, in the first fight, ambush they assaulted the ambush and had a major obstacle in their path. An old MBT. OKAY but as they got close to the tank, the MC got bumped by the 'heavies' behind him -- missile launcher that was both anti air and anti armor. Huh? Didn't use because ? I'm sorry, but we're in the pathetic 20-21 st century and we have the Javelin and we also have man portable, 18 pound Gustav with ranges of 1000 meters +. So .... ?? Take MBT out first before running 100's of meters in the open just everyone sprinting madly vs using fire n move/maneuver.

There was quite a bit of inconsistency throughout but my major beefs are clarification -- wpns, etc -- and 1st person. My best example for first person is a book called Bloodsounders(?) where merc company hires scribe, who knows nothing about war, to write about their exploits. Worked perfectly! The Sgt, MC who is first person exposes(?), highlights lack of mil depth, inconsistencies, finer points of writing.

Started fast n furious using a lot slang that was a bit hard to follow. Better at end but some of slang was Vietnam 101? That I could follow but ....

A series of endless set-piece battles narrated entirely in cliche with all the self-awareness of an empty suit of (super futuristic) armor. Sci-fi fans will find nothing new here, and readers of war fiction can probably do better without having to look to far.

Fairly well written however there are too many weak points. A battle helmet that can't be replaced or repaired, an unwitnessed field promotion, etc etc? If you can't plot better than that do something else.

As a military tale, Legionnaire is old school. The sci-fi equivalent of a 1950s war film, the pacing and action relentless. The characters, standard archetypes differentiated by class, separated into two primary groups. Those the main character and his men consider to be real soldiers, the Legionnaires, and those who are not, which is everyone else. Trial by combat will judge who is worthy of the respect of the man character, a Legionnaire through and through.

There are hints early on that authors Jason Anspach and Nick Cole understand their story is populated by bigots, including their lead character. Foreshadowing a character arc in which he will confront his own very human prejudices. Anspach and Cole have no interest in that journey, as the introduction of the lone female character given anything to do, and an overly long epilogue, will definitively confirm.

This is a somber view of hyper masculinity as an admirable trait. A screed about the idiots in government prioritizing quick economic gain over the lives of good men. Good men sent to far away lands to die by the hands of an uncivilized, duplicitous other.

What's most disturbing is that Anspach and Cole are too damn good at pulling readers into the fray. We just don't want the Legionnaries to get the hell off of Kublar, we want them to kill as many Koobs as possible. Remove the sci-fi trappings, Kublar is Iraq. Afghanistan. Any place that is predominantly populated by brown and black peoples, and is in perpetual turmoil when viewed through a militarized and Western lens.

I wish I could give this more of a recommendation.

The battles in military sci-fi is often the descriptive slog one has to power through, if not outright skim, to get to the book's end. Hopefully, picking up on the information that is relevant to the plot and has impact on the characters along the way. Spatial relationships are near impossible to discern. The battles are repetitive, padding out the page count. Regardless of outcome, previous battles don't shape the ones that follow.

Anspach and Cole know how to build tension, sustain it, and not undercut it. Their action is clear. You know where characters are, what they are doing, and how their decisions influence the direction of the battle. And Each battle is distinct from the last. As the locations change--as the characters learn new information--so do the tactics.

The characters aren't fleshed out. Yet, you know who is who. Every death stings.

It is doubtful I could move on to the next book without feeling complicit in supporting an unquestioning view of the military. As a mundane, thankless job real men aren't afraid to do, cowards avoid, and the powerful elite exploit for their own ends. And that militarized violence can be justified when the other is different in custom and language, strange in appearance, and a killable, disposable enemy, based on nothing more than the word of a faceless authority.