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Galaxy's Edge #8
Turning Point
Fight to Win. With the galaxy in turmoil, the Legion initiates Article Nineteen, a hard reset designed to halt the corruption and ineptitude that continues to spill forth from the Galactic Core. But when the House of Reason aligns itself with the bloodthirsty zhee extremists, the Legion has no choice but to commit to a savage campaign of Total War. Meanwhile, Captain Chhun and Victory Squad follow intelligence that could land a powerful blow against Goth Sullus and his fledgling empire, and Exo and Wraith, in an tenuous alliance, move toward a slumbering fleet that could permanently alter the delicate balance of power among Legion, Republic, and Empire... or could just as easily eradicate the galaxy altogether.
374 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 23, 2018
516 people are currently reading
392 people want to read
About the author
Jason Anspach
172 books821 followersJASON ANSPACH is the author of Galaxy's Edge, Wayward Galaxy, Forgotten Ruin. and more.
He lives in Puyallup, WA with his wife and their seven (not a typo) children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
March 27, 2018
Review
Can't believe I have read the full seven book series and still want more!You guys are epic.Keep up the good work.
Can't believe I have read the full seven book series and still want more!You guys are epic.Keep up the good work.
October 29, 2018
Summary:
First, let me say that none of what I’ll say in this section couldn’t be found on the back copy of the novel. Heck, I cribbed this summary from the back, and then I added my own twist! And not even much of one, since most of the books I read have kick butt descriptions (aka blurbs). If the blurb doesn’t catch my eye, then I tend to skip the book unless a friend recommends it. Generally speaking, my goal is to provide a spoiler-free review, so here goes nothing!
Fight to Win. That’s the choice given to the Legion struggling to survive in a galaxy tearing itself apart. With their backs against the wall, the Legion initiates Article Nineteen to give the citizens of the Republic a hard reset. The archaic governing article of the Legion was designed to halt the corruption and ineptitude that always threatened to spill forth from the Galactic Core. But when the House of Reason aligns itself with the bloodthirsty zhee extremists, the Legion has no choice but to commit to a savage campaign of Total War.
Meanwhile, Captain Chhun and Victory Squad follow intelligence that could land a powerful blow against Goth Sullus and his fledgling empire. In another part of the universe Exo and Wraith, in a tenuous alliance, move unstoppably towards a slumbering fleet that could permanently alter the delicate balance of power among Legion, Republic, and Empire… or could just as easily eradicate the galaxy altogether.
If you like epic space opera, with a side of military science fiction, you should read this series. Plenty of explosions, with authentically gritty combat. If this sounds like your flavor of badassery, then you’ve come to the right place! This novel is a brilliant continuation of the Galaxy’s Edge Universe, where they fix everything George Lucas broke in this Star-Wars-Not-Star-Wars adventure. I wish I could give you an easy comparison, if you enjoyed Book X, buy this book but I really feel like Nick and Jason broke new ground here. They’ve revived that sense of newness and fun that we loved as children, that brought most of us to the science fiction genre! There are new series popping up that follow this vibe, I’ve heard of them… but until I read them, I can’t recommend them. So, until then I will stick with the belief that there are other military sci-fi books out there, but none quite like this!
Characters:
In this novel, we again followed a small group of characters, which I find is how I like this universe. We again meet Chhun and Wraith, a few miscellaneous Shock Troopers and Exo. There was even a brief cameo from everyone’s favorite NetherOps agent, though I can’t say more without spoilers. All of the characters were a lot of fun to spend time with again and made me want the book to never end (hint, hint)!
Captain Cohen Chhun: He’s a grizzled veteran officer of the numerous campaigns, but he felt real and not one of those stereotypical military killers. He was badass, a consummate professional and genuinely good officer for his troops. He’s the kind of guy you’d want on your side in a firefight, and he seems to be more relaxed and less of an ass than he was in the first novel. Unlike before, there wasn’t a whole lot of character growth from Chhun, he’s already morphed into his role as the Victory Team Leader. This lack of growth made his character even more enjoyable, which I didn’t think was possible. He’s fully come into his own, and we get to marvel in that in all its KTF glory. He was my favorite character in this novel, I enjoyed following him again! Overall, I really liked him and felt like there was so much more to come from him!
Wraith/Captain Aenson Keel/Captain Ford: He’s an enigmatic character, former/current Legion officer and all around killing machine. The multiple personas that he portrays on his covert quest to blend in with the local rabble he was tasked with watching felt mildly schizophrenic but in a good way. I felt like his character became deeper and even more complex in this novel. He’s still a beast, physically, but now we see an even more complex side of him that’s compassionate for the downtrodden while remaining ruthless with his enemies. He’s coming to terms with having feelings for Leenah and his erstwhile missing crew, re-devoting himself to the quest for her salvation. He’s not soft, mind you, just judicious on whom he decides to include in his family of choice. Overall, I felt disappointed in his choices in this novel, but his character came alive on the page. It was also nice to see him back in a combat role, getting in some series KTF-ing.
Exo: He’s the elusive former Victory Company legionnaire and a character I enjoy reading about. He’s an all-around killing machine, who takes care of people the Republic can’t admit they screwed over and booted out of the Legion. He was screwed over by his corrupt nation and joined the Black Fleet in a desperate bid to save the leejes he left behind. He was an extremely believable and sympathetic character, and I hated how the galaxy conspired against him. I felt like he was well rounded, and felt like he was the Every Man Legionnaire, reminiscent of the troops I met in the Army.
Andien Broxin: She was a Nether Ops Agent and an interesting character, but I never felt like she was fully developed. She was an enigma, an unfathomable spook hiding in the shadows. I don’t really feel any connection to her, but I understand her role in the larger plot arc, so I sort of went along for the ride. Unfortunately, we only got to see a little of her in this novel and aren’t likely to see her in the next one.
Overall, it seems like the return to the main team we started within Legionnaire. I give these characters 5 out of 5 Grenades and can’t wait to see where the author takes the survivors of this massive three-sided intergalactic war with Goth Sullus and the machines!
Plot:
The premise for this series was to take the kind of Star Wars stories we used to love, strip out all of the political messaging, and just tell fun tales. Escapism and enjoyment, under the banner of intergalactic science fiction. This book, like the rest of the novels in this series, fit squarely within the scope of the military fiction that I love to read. I loved that this was an action-packed novel with a defined plot. The story is set as the galaxy is in turmoil, reeling from the events surrounding the Battle of the Tarragon Moon. Despite their best efforts at securing peace for their ungrateful galaxy, political corruption stymie’s them at every turn. Enough is enough, and the Legion Commander initiates Article 19, the reset button for the Republic. We get to see a war fought by the Legion war dogs after they were unchained and set free to do what they do; KTF. We see the world from the eyes of the survivors of Kublar, the tragedy that ignited the powder keg of the Republic. The plot was darkly fun, chalk full of tension and excitement as we waited on bated breath to find out if the Legion was up to the task of excising the pestilence that had infiltrated the House of Reason. It was never boring, and the characters and universe behaved in a way that made sense for the worlds the authors created. It was a good set-up and well-executed premise that held my interest from the first sentence. They built on what came before this novel, allowing the plot to grow and expanded. I can only image bigger things coming from the Galaxy’s Edge universe. I think that this is partly because I’ve become conditioned to these large expansive worlds because of the copious amounts of space opera that I read. Maybe your mileage will vary, but it’s definitely worth checking this book out. I can’t wait to start book eight, as I try to figure out the fate of the galaxy. And yeah, book nine is on pre-order so I will ride this train all the way to its final destination. As you can tell by the gushing, I really got into this book. I couldn’t put it down, the plot was that compelling. I really loved the premise, and more importantly, I enjoyed how the execution. The pacing was excellent, and there was never a slow moment. There was never a point where the plot was confusing, or that I couldn’t figure out what was going on. I couldn’t ask for anything more; a unique premise, perfect execution, and incredible pacing! I again give Nick Cole and Jason Anspach 5 out of 5 Grenades!
World Building:
This is the seventh book in the Galaxy’s Edge Series, and I absolutely loved it. Each novel keeps getting better, and I’m more hooked than ever. Can I say that enough? Okay, back to the nitty-gritty of the review. This novel had a very fleshed out world that was consistent, made sense and sucked you in. Some of the details that seemed inconsequential in previous novels suddenly show themselves to be important and depth to the world at the edge of the galaxy. It definitely made me want to become part of the larger world. I liked reading about the technology used by the Black Fleet, Goth Sullus’s empire. We get to see how the weaponry and technology have evolved over the scope of this series. As the tech improved, the tactics adapted and overcame, something many authors forget to factor in. We also got to see more guerrilla combat from the scenes where Exo and Wraith/Keel stop a double-cross from the MCR. It was nice, reminding me of the hundreds of thousands of times I fought those street battles between the Stormtroopers and the Rebel Scum. For all the high tech of this universe, urban combat is still vicious and brutal for the troops involved. Aside from the combat, we get to explore more about the vividness of the world as Wraith and his temporary Shock Troop allies galivant around the galaxy. It leaves you, the reader, wanting to travel the galaxy in your own version of the Indelible VI! If it were me, I’d want Ravi there, but I like to hedge my bets! Who wouldn’t want to fly around in the Indelible VI? I was hooked, and now I want to know it all! I definitely see room for CosPlay and fandom for this world and can’t wait for my own Legionnaire armor! I could picture every setting described, easily envisioning myself living there. They described the world with plenty of details, and there wasn’t a scene where I couldn’t imagine what Anspach and Cole described. They’ve upped their game though, adding more sensory input to the mix; sights, sounds, smells, and feelings. They didn’t reinvent the wheel and built on the existing tropes of science fiction. They just made it sexier! Overall, the world building was well done, and I was sold on the way it happened. It felt believable, and the characters fit within the universe Nick Cole, and Jason Anspach created. Like most of the stories I read, this one didn’t take itself too seriously, which allowed you to focus on the fun which is why I read in the first place. I give the world building 5 out of 5 Grenades.
Description:
I have to give it to the authors, this novel was chalk full of visualization, and you could definitely imagine yourself in this world. They described things across the sensory spectrum; sights, sounds, smells and even how the world felt. This is how it’s done, and I hope to get that good someday. While I could visualize all of the characters, I would still love it if the authors shared artists renderings for them. They didn’t describe every blade of grass. Instead, they gave you the building blocks you needed to see it for yourself. One huge plus for me was Nick Cole and Jason Anspach’s descriptive use of language, a skill they’ve carried through the first six books as well. They balanced the explanation of this new world with the need to move a story along. This book didn’t have a single place where I couldn’t picture the scenery and the equipment, which added to the world that felt tangible and I enjoyed it. The author’s description of their universe was evocative, and enough to please rookies and uber fans alike! This is similar to what I said in the previous books, but their descriptive game has been superb throughout the series, and I can’t think of a place I’d like to improve it.
In summary, I didn’t find any issues with the descriptions and was impressed by the literary skills of the authors. The action was gripping, and the story was fun. If you want the action, the adventure, and the PEW PEW, then this is the book for you! Nick Cole and Jason Anspach brought it, they were definitely their A game. I give them 5 out of 5 grenades in this category.
Overall:
I really loved this book, it was a lot of fun to read. It brought back the epic sci-fi battles that I acted out as a kid, laying in the grass playing with my action figures. This novel harkened back to what I loved about the first book Legionnaire. The vibe of this story was amazing, and I loved every nail-biting second of this novel! There were no deep messages, or political themes, just good clean fun. Like the previous novels, this story was compelling and made me want to know more. Unlike in the previous novel, Prisoners of Darkness, it was hard to find fault with what the Black Fleet was trying to do. It was clear who we were supposed to root for, the Legion. The political entities were garbage, but the Legion was the beacon of hope in a galaxy shrouded in darkness. Unlike the last book, Goth Sullus was only the “big bad guy” in the loosest sense because he wasn’t the focus here. We did see some of the rot of the points tarnishing the Legion, but we had the satisfaction of watching them rectify things. The only real “good guys” were all in the Legion, but not the points in their shiny armor. The best part was watching the legionnaires climb back into their Mark IIs!
Like the previous novels in this universe, the first thing that caught my eye was the fantastic cover. Seriously, they’re all amazingly compelling. If you want to learn more about them, the Galaxy’s Edge mailing list will show you how the covers evolved to their final version. You’ll also get a free short story, Tin Man! The Galaxy’s Edge covers reminded me of the iconic science fiction covers I loved as a kid, or the movie posters from the action adventures I watched when I was supposed to be studying. When I finally have a dedicated office or man cave, I’m decorating it with these covers! And whenever they sell swag, that too!
Now onto the book itself! The military culture shown was spot on, just what I’d expect from an Army veteran. Nobody felt like cookie cutter clichés or parodies of the warrior, and the ethos was spot on. I liked how they handled Wraith’s troubled recall back into the fold, and the man’s decision to run for the galactic hills. The deadly literary duo of Anspach and Cole understand the culture of the grunt and don’t shy away from the consequences of war! The soldiers don’t come away unscathed, and we see that in Wraith’s behavior. His time on the edge of Republic space have scarred him, the things he did for his fellow leejes and too his fellow leejes haunt him. I even liked running into some old friends from the Kublar Era Victory Company, it felt like a family reunion. I am still not sure how I feel about Exo’s defection to the Black Fleet, but that is part of the fun! Nick and Jason made it clear that their world was flushed out and didn’t fall into some of the traps most military sci-fi did. The troops run out of ammo, dumb luck happens, and good soldiers still die. Lots of them, sadly. Fighting the zhee wasn’t easy, not when the corrupt politicians outfitted them with the same equipment that the Legion wears. Rivers of blood ran throughout this novel, luckily this time it was the zhee murderers finally receiving the justice they so richly deserve. The action was intense, and the characters responded as you’d expect in those circumstances. Moving right along, the ground combat described was primal, and immersive. It was everything you want from the genre. The battle scenes were believable, gripping and I never felt like the author missed a chance to get creative with the tactics. It was textbook KTF, the mantra of the Legionnaire! Kill them first! Such a detailed portrayal of the tactics is rare.
Other than a few typos, I didn’t really find any grammatical or technical issues with this book. My only real complaint was where they chose to end the story, it was more of a cliffhanger than I prefer. Since I didn’t have to wait a month like people that read it on release day, I shouldn’t really complain too much. As soon as I write this review, I get to jump in the book 8 and then the wait for the final story in the series won’t belong. I’ve also got two series that exist on the periphery to occupy my time once I catch up to the authors. Seriously though, if this is my biggest complaint can’t really be that bad. If you’re just starting the series, they’ll have finished this adventure story before you catch up with them.
Seriously, I realize I’ve gone full fanboy, but the authors have definitely raised the bar for military science fiction authors everywhere. Even with the occasional misspelled words and other inconsequential flaws of this novel, it was still leaps and bounds above most of what’s out there! I was hooked from the first page because they wove the action in such a compelling way that you wanted to jump into the page and join the party. Some of that was because I’m already invested in this world, but if you’ve been following me, you already know that. Basically, they had me hooked from the beginning and kept it going throughout the whole novel. This is a book I would happily recommend, and an author I will definitely read again. Buy the novel! But hey, it’s easy to spend someone else’s money! I give this novel a 5 out of 5 grenades!
If this book sounds like it’s right up your alley, check it out, you won’t regret it! Well, unless it inspired you to serve the Legion. And you enlist, get kitted up, only to realize that your armor is made of wax paper. Then you’re put on the front lines, getting to be on the tip of the spear. In your first firefight, you’ll realize that the pretty uniforms won’t save you. And then the other shoe drops, you figure out that the weapons aren’t calibrated, and you can’t hit the broad side of a barn. But, alas, every rebel scum is a crack shot. Well yeah, I guess this could be bad for you. Or maybe you’ll be okay? I mean, you could be the first trooper to make it out alive? On second thought, be warned, fanboy/fangirl syndrome just MIGHT kill you. Be wary, you were warned and if you have to go out like that at least enjoy the view from the end times!
First, let me say that none of what I’ll say in this section couldn’t be found on the back copy of the novel. Heck, I cribbed this summary from the back, and then I added my own twist! And not even much of one, since most of the books I read have kick butt descriptions (aka blurbs). If the blurb doesn’t catch my eye, then I tend to skip the book unless a friend recommends it. Generally speaking, my goal is to provide a spoiler-free review, so here goes nothing!
Fight to Win. That’s the choice given to the Legion struggling to survive in a galaxy tearing itself apart. With their backs against the wall, the Legion initiates Article Nineteen to give the citizens of the Republic a hard reset. The archaic governing article of the Legion was designed to halt the corruption and ineptitude that always threatened to spill forth from the Galactic Core. But when the House of Reason aligns itself with the bloodthirsty zhee extremists, the Legion has no choice but to commit to a savage campaign of Total War.
Meanwhile, Captain Chhun and Victory Squad follow intelligence that could land a powerful blow against Goth Sullus and his fledgling empire. In another part of the universe Exo and Wraith, in a tenuous alliance, move unstoppably towards a slumbering fleet that could permanently alter the delicate balance of power among Legion, Republic, and Empire… or could just as easily eradicate the galaxy altogether.
If you like epic space opera, with a side of military science fiction, you should read this series. Plenty of explosions, with authentically gritty combat. If this sounds like your flavor of badassery, then you’ve come to the right place! This novel is a brilliant continuation of the Galaxy’s Edge Universe, where they fix everything George Lucas broke in this Star-Wars-Not-Star-Wars adventure. I wish I could give you an easy comparison, if you enjoyed Book X, buy this book but I really feel like Nick and Jason broke new ground here. They’ve revived that sense of newness and fun that we loved as children, that brought most of us to the science fiction genre! There are new series popping up that follow this vibe, I’ve heard of them… but until I read them, I can’t recommend them. So, until then I will stick with the belief that there are other military sci-fi books out there, but none quite like this!
Characters:
In this novel, we again followed a small group of characters, which I find is how I like this universe. We again meet Chhun and Wraith, a few miscellaneous Shock Troopers and Exo. There was even a brief cameo from everyone’s favorite NetherOps agent, though I can’t say more without spoilers. All of the characters were a lot of fun to spend time with again and made me want the book to never end (hint, hint)!
Captain Cohen Chhun: He’s a grizzled veteran officer of the numerous campaigns, but he felt real and not one of those stereotypical military killers. He was badass, a consummate professional and genuinely good officer for his troops. He’s the kind of guy you’d want on your side in a firefight, and he seems to be more relaxed and less of an ass than he was in the first novel. Unlike before, there wasn’t a whole lot of character growth from Chhun, he’s already morphed into his role as the Victory Team Leader. This lack of growth made his character even more enjoyable, which I didn’t think was possible. He’s fully come into his own, and we get to marvel in that in all its KTF glory. He was my favorite character in this novel, I enjoyed following him again! Overall, I really liked him and felt like there was so much more to come from him!
Wraith/Captain Aenson Keel/Captain Ford: He’s an enigmatic character, former/current Legion officer and all around killing machine. The multiple personas that he portrays on his covert quest to blend in with the local rabble he was tasked with watching felt mildly schizophrenic but in a good way. I felt like his character became deeper and even more complex in this novel. He’s still a beast, physically, but now we see an even more complex side of him that’s compassionate for the downtrodden while remaining ruthless with his enemies. He’s coming to terms with having feelings for Leenah and his erstwhile missing crew, re-devoting himself to the quest for her salvation. He’s not soft, mind you, just judicious on whom he decides to include in his family of choice. Overall, I felt disappointed in his choices in this novel, but his character came alive on the page. It was also nice to see him back in a combat role, getting in some series KTF-ing.
Exo: He’s the elusive former Victory Company legionnaire and a character I enjoy reading about. He’s an all-around killing machine, who takes care of people the Republic can’t admit they screwed over and booted out of the Legion. He was screwed over by his corrupt nation and joined the Black Fleet in a desperate bid to save the leejes he left behind. He was an extremely believable and sympathetic character, and I hated how the galaxy conspired against him. I felt like he was well rounded, and felt like he was the Every Man Legionnaire, reminiscent of the troops I met in the Army.
Andien Broxin: She was a Nether Ops Agent and an interesting character, but I never felt like she was fully developed. She was an enigma, an unfathomable spook hiding in the shadows. I don’t really feel any connection to her, but I understand her role in the larger plot arc, so I sort of went along for the ride. Unfortunately, we only got to see a little of her in this novel and aren’t likely to see her in the next one.
Overall, it seems like the return to the main team we started within Legionnaire. I give these characters 5 out of 5 Grenades and can’t wait to see where the author takes the survivors of this massive three-sided intergalactic war with Goth Sullus and the machines!
Plot:
The premise for this series was to take the kind of Star Wars stories we used to love, strip out all of the political messaging, and just tell fun tales. Escapism and enjoyment, under the banner of intergalactic science fiction. This book, like the rest of the novels in this series, fit squarely within the scope of the military fiction that I love to read. I loved that this was an action-packed novel with a defined plot. The story is set as the galaxy is in turmoil, reeling from the events surrounding the Battle of the Tarragon Moon. Despite their best efforts at securing peace for their ungrateful galaxy, political corruption stymie’s them at every turn. Enough is enough, and the Legion Commander initiates Article 19, the reset button for the Republic. We get to see a war fought by the Legion war dogs after they were unchained and set free to do what they do; KTF. We see the world from the eyes of the survivors of Kublar, the tragedy that ignited the powder keg of the Republic. The plot was darkly fun, chalk full of tension and excitement as we waited on bated breath to find out if the Legion was up to the task of excising the pestilence that had infiltrated the House of Reason. It was never boring, and the characters and universe behaved in a way that made sense for the worlds the authors created. It was a good set-up and well-executed premise that held my interest from the first sentence. They built on what came before this novel, allowing the plot to grow and expanded. I can only image bigger things coming from the Galaxy’s Edge universe. I think that this is partly because I’ve become conditioned to these large expansive worlds because of the copious amounts of space opera that I read. Maybe your mileage will vary, but it’s definitely worth checking this book out. I can’t wait to start book eight, as I try to figure out the fate of the galaxy. And yeah, book nine is on pre-order so I will ride this train all the way to its final destination. As you can tell by the gushing, I really got into this book. I couldn’t put it down, the plot was that compelling. I really loved the premise, and more importantly, I enjoyed how the execution. The pacing was excellent, and there was never a slow moment. There was never a point where the plot was confusing, or that I couldn’t figure out what was going on. I couldn’t ask for anything more; a unique premise, perfect execution, and incredible pacing! I again give Nick Cole and Jason Anspach 5 out of 5 Grenades!
World Building:
This is the seventh book in the Galaxy’s Edge Series, and I absolutely loved it. Each novel keeps getting better, and I’m more hooked than ever. Can I say that enough? Okay, back to the nitty-gritty of the review. This novel had a very fleshed out world that was consistent, made sense and sucked you in. Some of the details that seemed inconsequential in previous novels suddenly show themselves to be important and depth to the world at the edge of the galaxy. It definitely made me want to become part of the larger world. I liked reading about the technology used by the Black Fleet, Goth Sullus’s empire. We get to see how the weaponry and technology have evolved over the scope of this series. As the tech improved, the tactics adapted and overcame, something many authors forget to factor in. We also got to see more guerrilla combat from the scenes where Exo and Wraith/Keel stop a double-cross from the MCR. It was nice, reminding me of the hundreds of thousands of times I fought those street battles between the Stormtroopers and the Rebel Scum. For all the high tech of this universe, urban combat is still vicious and brutal for the troops involved. Aside from the combat, we get to explore more about the vividness of the world as Wraith and his temporary Shock Troop allies galivant around the galaxy. It leaves you, the reader, wanting to travel the galaxy in your own version of the Indelible VI! If it were me, I’d want Ravi there, but I like to hedge my bets! Who wouldn’t want to fly around in the Indelible VI? I was hooked, and now I want to know it all! I definitely see room for CosPlay and fandom for this world and can’t wait for my own Legionnaire armor! I could picture every setting described, easily envisioning myself living there. They described the world with plenty of details, and there wasn’t a scene where I couldn’t imagine what Anspach and Cole described. They’ve upped their game though, adding more sensory input to the mix; sights, sounds, smells, and feelings. They didn’t reinvent the wheel and built on the existing tropes of science fiction. They just made it sexier! Overall, the world building was well done, and I was sold on the way it happened. It felt believable, and the characters fit within the universe Nick Cole, and Jason Anspach created. Like most of the stories I read, this one didn’t take itself too seriously, which allowed you to focus on the fun which is why I read in the first place. I give the world building 5 out of 5 Grenades.
Description:
I have to give it to the authors, this novel was chalk full of visualization, and you could definitely imagine yourself in this world. They described things across the sensory spectrum; sights, sounds, smells and even how the world felt. This is how it’s done, and I hope to get that good someday. While I could visualize all of the characters, I would still love it if the authors shared artists renderings for them. They didn’t describe every blade of grass. Instead, they gave you the building blocks you needed to see it for yourself. One huge plus for me was Nick Cole and Jason Anspach’s descriptive use of language, a skill they’ve carried through the first six books as well. They balanced the explanation of this new world with the need to move a story along. This book didn’t have a single place where I couldn’t picture the scenery and the equipment, which added to the world that felt tangible and I enjoyed it. The author’s description of their universe was evocative, and enough to please rookies and uber fans alike! This is similar to what I said in the previous books, but their descriptive game has been superb throughout the series, and I can’t think of a place I’d like to improve it.
In summary, I didn’t find any issues with the descriptions and was impressed by the literary skills of the authors. The action was gripping, and the story was fun. If you want the action, the adventure, and the PEW PEW, then this is the book for you! Nick Cole and Jason Anspach brought it, they were definitely their A game. I give them 5 out of 5 grenades in this category.
Overall:
I really loved this book, it was a lot of fun to read. It brought back the epic sci-fi battles that I acted out as a kid, laying in the grass playing with my action figures. This novel harkened back to what I loved about the first book Legionnaire. The vibe of this story was amazing, and I loved every nail-biting second of this novel! There were no deep messages, or political themes, just good clean fun. Like the previous novels, this story was compelling and made me want to know more. Unlike in the previous novel, Prisoners of Darkness, it was hard to find fault with what the Black Fleet was trying to do. It was clear who we were supposed to root for, the Legion. The political entities were garbage, but the Legion was the beacon of hope in a galaxy shrouded in darkness. Unlike the last book, Goth Sullus was only the “big bad guy” in the loosest sense because he wasn’t the focus here. We did see some of the rot of the points tarnishing the Legion, but we had the satisfaction of watching them rectify things. The only real “good guys” were all in the Legion, but not the points in their shiny armor. The best part was watching the legionnaires climb back into their Mark IIs!
Like the previous novels in this universe, the first thing that caught my eye was the fantastic cover. Seriously, they’re all amazingly compelling. If you want to learn more about them, the Galaxy’s Edge mailing list will show you how the covers evolved to their final version. You’ll also get a free short story, Tin Man! The Galaxy’s Edge covers reminded me of the iconic science fiction covers I loved as a kid, or the movie posters from the action adventures I watched when I was supposed to be studying. When I finally have a dedicated office or man cave, I’m decorating it with these covers! And whenever they sell swag, that too!
Now onto the book itself! The military culture shown was spot on, just what I’d expect from an Army veteran. Nobody felt like cookie cutter clichés or parodies of the warrior, and the ethos was spot on. I liked how they handled Wraith’s troubled recall back into the fold, and the man’s decision to run for the galactic hills. The deadly literary duo of Anspach and Cole understand the culture of the grunt and don’t shy away from the consequences of war! The soldiers don’t come away unscathed, and we see that in Wraith’s behavior. His time on the edge of Republic space have scarred him, the things he did for his fellow leejes and too his fellow leejes haunt him. I even liked running into some old friends from the Kublar Era Victory Company, it felt like a family reunion. I am still not sure how I feel about Exo’s defection to the Black Fleet, but that is part of the fun! Nick and Jason made it clear that their world was flushed out and didn’t fall into some of the traps most military sci-fi did. The troops run out of ammo, dumb luck happens, and good soldiers still die. Lots of them, sadly. Fighting the zhee wasn’t easy, not when the corrupt politicians outfitted them with the same equipment that the Legion wears. Rivers of blood ran throughout this novel, luckily this time it was the zhee murderers finally receiving the justice they so richly deserve. The action was intense, and the characters responded as you’d expect in those circumstances. Moving right along, the ground combat described was primal, and immersive. It was everything you want from the genre. The battle scenes were believable, gripping and I never felt like the author missed a chance to get creative with the tactics. It was textbook KTF, the mantra of the Legionnaire! Kill them first! Such a detailed portrayal of the tactics is rare.
Other than a few typos, I didn’t really find any grammatical or technical issues with this book. My only real complaint was where they chose to end the story, it was more of a cliffhanger than I prefer. Since I didn’t have to wait a month like people that read it on release day, I shouldn’t really complain too much. As soon as I write this review, I get to jump in the book 8 and then the wait for the final story in the series won’t belong. I’ve also got two series that exist on the periphery to occupy my time once I catch up to the authors. Seriously though, if this is my biggest complaint can’t really be that bad. If you’re just starting the series, they’ll have finished this adventure story before you catch up with them.
Seriously, I realize I’ve gone full fanboy, but the authors have definitely raised the bar for military science fiction authors everywhere. Even with the occasional misspelled words and other inconsequential flaws of this novel, it was still leaps and bounds above most of what’s out there! I was hooked from the first page because they wove the action in such a compelling way that you wanted to jump into the page and join the party. Some of that was because I’m already invested in this world, but if you’ve been following me, you already know that. Basically, they had me hooked from the beginning and kept it going throughout the whole novel. This is a book I would happily recommend, and an author I will definitely read again. Buy the novel! But hey, it’s easy to spend someone else’s money! I give this novel a 5 out of 5 grenades!
If this book sounds like it’s right up your alley, check it out, you won’t regret it! Well, unless it inspired you to serve the Legion. And you enlist, get kitted up, only to realize that your armor is made of wax paper. Then you’re put on the front lines, getting to be on the tip of the spear. In your first firefight, you’ll realize that the pretty uniforms won’t save you. And then the other shoe drops, you figure out that the weapons aren’t calibrated, and you can’t hit the broad side of a barn. But, alas, every rebel scum is a crack shot. Well yeah, I guess this could be bad for you. Or maybe you’ll be okay? I mean, you could be the first trooper to make it out alive? On second thought, be warned, fanboy/fangirl syndrome just MIGHT kill you. Be wary, you were warned and if you have to go out like that at least enjoy the view from the end times!
March 16, 2018
Excellent
I don’t know what I want out of these books but they’re giving it to me. I can’t wait for the next step and for Keels next move.
I don’t know what I want out of these books but they’re giving it to me. I can’t wait for the next step and for Keels next move.
March 25, 2018
Great continuation
Thoroughly enjoy this series! Well done, fast moving. Strong combat sequences and likable characters. I look forward to the next one in the series.
Thoroughly enjoy this series! Well done, fast moving. Strong combat sequences and likable characters. I look forward to the next one in the series.
February 16, 2019
This series gets better and better with every book. Sci-fi and military fiction readers should not miss.
June 11, 2018
Things are going to get worse before they get better...if they get better.
We kick off with Keel, the roguish smuggler and bounty hunter, one part Han Solo and one part Boba Fett, forming an unlikely alliance with the shock troopers of the self-proclaimed emperor and galactic conqueror Goth Sullus, to continue Keel's desperate quest to track down an insane AI-controlled, fully automated battle fleet and rescue his captured companions before they become the Cyber's next victims.
While it was great to get an update on Keel's progress, the bulk of the book deals with the Legion now aware of some - but by now means all - of the crimes of the House of Reason, including the terminally stupid move of arming the fanatic zhee in the hopes of using their mercenary force to remain in power.
The Republic is facing more dire threats than anything since the Savage Wars of antiquity, there is no other option but to invoke Article 19, a constitutional provision allowing the Legion to take control of the government for a six-month period in times of emergency.
Their first target: the zhee, who have of course immediately begun using their new weapons to expand their power and raid and brutalize the Republic these hired barbarians were supposed to defend. A course of action anyone but a politician could have predicted.
At long last, the Legion has given itself a free hand to deal with the zhee in the manner that those fanatics most readily understand. But with the dumpster fire of the galaxy so far gone, is even that enough?
Only time - and future books - will tell.
We kick off with Keel, the roguish smuggler and bounty hunter, one part Han Solo and one part Boba Fett, forming an unlikely alliance with the shock troopers of the self-proclaimed emperor and galactic conqueror Goth Sullus, to continue Keel's desperate quest to track down an insane AI-controlled, fully automated battle fleet and rescue his captured companions before they become the Cyber's next victims.
While it was great to get an update on Keel's progress, the bulk of the book deals with the Legion now aware of some - but by now means all - of the crimes of the House of Reason, including the terminally stupid move of arming the fanatic zhee in the hopes of using their mercenary force to remain in power.
The Republic is facing more dire threats than anything since the Savage Wars of antiquity, there is no other option but to invoke Article 19, a constitutional provision allowing the Legion to take control of the government for a six-month period in times of emergency.
Their first target: the zhee, who have of course immediately begun using their new weapons to expand their power and raid and brutalize the Republic these hired barbarians were supposed to defend. A course of action anyone but a politician could have predicted.
At long last, the Legion has given itself a free hand to deal with the zhee in the manner that those fanatics most readily understand. But with the dumpster fire of the galaxy so far gone, is even that enough?
Only time - and future books - will tell.
March 22, 2018
Turning Point is an ugly book. It is ugly, because war is ugly. And this is warre, war to the knife. Firebombs, orbital strikes, death and destruction.
In theory, when statesmanship and diplomacy and the just use of force have been applied prudently, none of this is necessary. Unfortunately, this is usually not the case. And then, when good men find their back against the wall, they will do things that are more horrible than even they could have imagined they would do, if you had asked them before the deed was done.
This is also a book about divided loyalties. In the self-image of the Legion, they are loyal servants of the Republic. In practice, the oligarchs of the Republic use them and hate them, and the Legion returns that hate in spades. The Legion is already divided against itself, and against its masters, but truly, the split runs deeper than that.
The line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every leeje, with the result that brother will turn upon brother, and the galaxy will burn. There are hints that something far worse than venial and self-serving politicians, even worse than Goth Sullus, tyrant holdfast, is lurking in the darkness. Yet, I still have hope, hope that the worst can yet be avoided, even if we don't quite know what that could be.
In theory, when statesmanship and diplomacy and the just use of force have been applied prudently, none of this is necessary. Unfortunately, this is usually not the case. And then, when good men find their back against the wall, they will do things that are more horrible than even they could have imagined they would do, if you had asked them before the deed was done.
This is also a book about divided loyalties. In the self-image of the Legion, they are loyal servants of the Republic. In practice, the oligarchs of the Republic use them and hate them, and the Legion returns that hate in spades. The Legion is already divided against itself, and against its masters, but truly, the split runs deeper than that.
The line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every leeje, with the result that brother will turn upon brother, and the galaxy will burn. There are hints that something far worse than venial and self-serving politicians, even worse than Goth Sullus, tyrant holdfast, is lurking in the darkness. Yet, I still have hope, hope that the worst can yet be avoided, even if we don't quite know what that could be.
December 22, 2018
This series just keeps on getting better and better! This book is a homage to "Blackhawk Down" and "13 Hours", just like other books have been homages to Afghanistan and Iraq, and Vietnam.
Most of the action takes place on Ankalor, a planet mainly inhabited by Zhee (or Donks) as Leejes call them. What was a Republic base, has been handed over to the religously fanatical zhee, and the Legion has decided that the House of Reason, and the Republic must be stopped.
To do so, they take back the planet, at a high cost, but ultimately they succeed.
There's a minor plot taking place in the background, where Keel is trying to still save his crew, now with the help of Black Fleet Leejes Exo and Bombasa.
I can't wait to read the next book.
Most of the action takes place on Ankalor, a planet mainly inhabited by Zhee (or Donks) as Leejes call them. What was a Republic base, has been handed over to the religously fanatical zhee, and the Legion has decided that the House of Reason, and the Republic must be stopped.
To do so, they take back the planet, at a high cost, but ultimately they succeed.
There's a minor plot taking place in the background, where Keel is trying to still save his crew, now with the help of Black Fleet Leejes Exo and Bombasa.
I can't wait to read the next book.
February 25, 2018
Brutal
Turning Point marks a return to the straight-up mil-SF of book 1 of this series, with very little of the space opera elements seen in much of the rest of the series. The Legion takes on the House of Reason and its zhee proxies in the most brutal fights of the Galaxy's Edge series. Characters die, yes, but characters with multi-book presences die with no fanfare - boom, gone - in the middle of a paragraph; you have to go back and read it again to make sure you saw what you thought you saw.
The battle is absolutely brutal with results that will reverberate throughout the rest of the series. It is, exactly as the title says, a turning point.
Turning Point marks a return to the straight-up mil-SF of book 1 of this series, with very little of the space opera elements seen in much of the rest of the series. The Legion takes on the House of Reason and its zhee proxies in the most brutal fights of the Galaxy's Edge series. Characters die, yes, but characters with multi-book presences die with no fanfare - boom, gone - in the middle of a paragraph; you have to go back and read it again to make sure you saw what you thought you saw.
The battle is absolutely brutal with results that will reverberate throughout the rest of the series. It is, exactly as the title says, a turning point.
July 14, 2018
The Legionnaires and the Zhee
The Legionnaires have been screwed over by the House of Reason one to many times and now the Legionnaires are bringing the House of Reason and the Senate down with Article 19. But first they have to take out the Zhee who have been outfitted by the House of Reason.
Read and enjoy.
The Legionnaires have been screwed over by the House of Reason one to many times and now the Legionnaires are bringing the House of Reason and the Senate down with Article 19. But first they have to take out the Zhee who have been outfitted by the House of Reason.
Read and enjoy.
February 21, 2018
This. Is. War.
This is the turning point, a no holds barred, close up look at the reality of war. It is violent, graphic, deadly. If you think the previous books were gripping this one blows them out of the water in terms of pure adrenaline pumping action.
Stunning, absolutely stunning.
This is the turning point, a no holds barred, close up look at the reality of war. It is violent, graphic, deadly. If you think the previous books were gripping this one blows them out of the water in terms of pure adrenaline pumping action.
Stunning, absolutely stunning.
Read
February 28, 2018Whosoever, awesome!
Intense military action involving both Wraith and the true Legonnaires. Great military engagement. Very gritty and about as real as it can be depicted in a fictional setting. One of my faves of this series that just gets better!
Intense military action involving both Wraith and the true Legonnaires. Great military engagement. Very gritty and about as real as it can be depicted in a fictional setting. One of my faves of this series that just gets better!
February 27, 2018
The best yet
By far the best book yet, could not put this down. The pace is breath taking, loved the Legion does black hawk down. This is one of the best series I have ever read, can't wait for the next, and as always KTF
By far the best book yet, could not put this down. The pace is breath taking, loved the Legion does black hawk down. This is one of the best series I have ever read, can't wait for the next, and as always KTF
March 3, 2018
Great story continues
This book is a great action piece from the first page to the last. It continues the story of what happens when rot in a government continue for a long period of time. I can not wait for the next book
This book is a great action piece from the first page to the last. It continues the story of what happens when rot in a government continue for a long period of time. I can not wait for the next book
April 6, 2018
Into the breach!!
Kill team victory and the other legionnaires are in it up to their necks!! They are in to battle of their life. Good men die to save others. Read to find out how it goes!!
Kill team victory and the other legionnaires are in it up to their necks!! They are in to battle of their life. Good men die to save others. Read to find out how it goes!!
May 20, 2018
Amazing
This series continues to up the stakes with each book, and this one is no different. Memorable characters, huge turning points, and at least one satisfying conclusion at the ending of a book brimming with tension.
This series continues to up the stakes with each book, and this one is no different. Memorable characters, huge turning points, and at least one satisfying conclusion at the ending of a book brimming with tension.
March 2, 2018
Another great book of the series. really looking forward to the next one.
May 1, 2018
I love these books
And that’s all you really need to know. Great storylines, vivid descriptions, amazing characters ....so good! Looking forward to the next!
And that’s all you really need to know. Great storylines, vivid descriptions, amazing characters ....so good! Looking forward to the next!
May 2, 2021
Honestly I liked this book more then I thought I would. It didn't have enough of our main heroes Chhun and Keel, but it did have a lot of action. The new characters slowly grew on me, and one NCO was amazing. Plenty of heroics in this book and a few heartfelt moments honestly.
One problem I am having with this series is how some aliens are only shown in a negative manner. I get it, this is a war series so you are only going to see the bad guys, but still. Honestly, most sci fi books have this problem painting cultures with one brush. Just would like to see a bit more depth to the aliens.
One problem I am having with this series is how some aliens are only shown in a negative manner. I get it, this is a war series so you are only going to see the bad guys, but still. Honestly, most sci fi books have this problem painting cultures with one brush. Just would like to see a bit more depth to the aliens.
February 23, 2019
The Legion is on the move to save the Republic. Intense action is an understatement.
February 25, 2019
Beautiful, just beautiful.
April 15, 2020
So. Much. Action. The pacing of the second half of Turning Point does not let up, in all the best of ways.
One of the things I have come to love about this series is the authors can let us see characters who may only have a few pages, but for those few pages, those characters live and are the most vital people in this universe. And when bad things happen to those people, I feel so many feels (to fall back on a terrible YA expression of emotion). I don't know how I should feel about my desire to genocide a fictional race of donkey people, but I am absolutely on that train.
One of the things I have come to love about this series is the authors can let us see characters who may only have a few pages, but for those few pages, those characters live and are the most vital people in this universe. And when bad things happen to those people, I feel so many feels (to fall back on a terrible YA expression of emotion). I don't know how I should feel about my desire to genocide a fictional race of donkey people, but I am absolutely on that train.
September 3, 2018
Turning Point by Jason Anspach is one of the best science fiction books that I have read in a long time. In this book the story continues with is switching between the characters so we can get a bigger view of the entire galaxy and the events unfolding within it. There is a great terror that is awakening the galaxy and now it is up our heroes to try to stop it. I would tell any one that enjoys Sci-fi to read this series.
May 24, 2020
Readable but too much racist drivel
This could have been written without all the racist trash that filled every page.
It is even worse since it is not difficult to figure out what religion and culture the "zhee" represents in this book.
The world is already standing at the edge and a little push will send it down the abyss.
You certainly can write a great story that honors the Legion without this dehumanization.
This could have been written without all the racist trash that filled every page.
It is even worse since it is not difficult to figure out what religion and culture the "zhee" represents in this book.
The world is already standing at the edge and a little push will send it down the abyss.
You certainly can write a great story that honors the Legion without this dehumanization.
March 3, 2019
Well written, but problematic
This is just as well written as every other book in the series. It draws fairly obvious ties to current situations. It's also very islamophobic and sexist. Unfortunately, that's also a pretty accurate read on the current situation. It made it difficult to read.
This is just as well written as every other book in the series. It draws fairly obvious ties to current situations. It's also very islamophobic and sexist. Unfortunately, that's also a pretty accurate read on the current situation. It made it difficult to read.
Read
March 25, 2018Don't stop!
Very well done. I never want this series to end. You have my thanks and my admiration. Can't wait for whats next.
Very well done. I never want this series to end. You have my thanks and my admiration. Can't wait for whats next.
October 22, 2018
YES!! This is what every reader in the series has been waiting for. Time to take out the trash. KTF.
November 9, 2018
Excellent scifi epic, as always these authors continued a stellar series.
April 6, 2021
Another wonderful episode in the Galaxy Quest saga.
March 18, 2019
In addition to not much happening, ending abruptly, and generally not being very good, it really made me think the author is a racist.
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