'Steel World' by B.V. Larson follows the story of James McGill, a college student who becomes a mercenary in a universe where humans must fight as mercenaries for alien rulers. The book is praised for its entertaining writing style, blending humor, fast-paced dialogues, and a realistic portrayal of the protagonist. Readers get immersed in a world filled with alien conflicts, powered armor battles, and a unique setting on the planet Cancri 9, known as the steel world.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings for Steel World include depictions of violence, the concept of death and resurrection, and some instances of dark humor.
From The Publisher:
In the twentieth century Earth sent probes, transmissions and welcoming messages to the stars. Unfortunately, someone noticed.
The Galactics arrived with their battle fleet in 2052. Rather than being exterminated under a barrage of hell-burners, Earth joined their vast Empire. Swearing allegiance to our distant alien overlords wasn't the only requirement for survival. We also had to have something of value to trade, something that neighboring planets would pay their hard-earned credits to buy. As most of the local worlds were too civilized to have a proper army, the only valuable service Earth could provide came in the form of soldiers…someone had to do their dirty work for them, their fighting and dying.
I, James McGill, was born in 2099 on the fringe of the galaxy. When Hegemony Financial denied my loan applications, I was kicked out of the university and I turned to the stars. My first campaign involved the invasion of a mineral-rich planet called Cancri-9, better known as Steel World. The attack didn't go well, and now Earth has entered a grim struggle for survival.
Humanity's mercenary legions go to war in STEEL WORLD, bestselling author B. V. Larson's latest science fiction novel.
Ratings (10)
Incredible (5) | |
Loved It (3) | |
Liked It (2) |
Reader Stats (19):
Read It (9) | |
Currently Reading (1) | |
Want To Read (8) | |
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1 comment(s)
“Steel World” is the first book in the Undying Mercenaries series by B. V. Larson, a prolific author of science fiction and fantasy novels. The book introduces us to James McGill, a young man who joins a mercenary company called Legion Varus, which is contracted by Earth to fight in a galactic war against alien races. The twist is that the mercenaries can be resurrected after death using a cloning technology, making them virtually immortal. However, this also means that they have to follow strict rules and regulations, or face harsh punishments from their superiors.
The book is a fast-paced and action-packed military sci-fi adventure, with plenty of battles, explosions, and close calls. The author does a good job of creating a vivid and immersive world, with different planets, aliens, and technologies. The narration by Mark Boyett is excellent, as he gives each character a distinct voice and personality, and conveys the emotions and tension of the scenes. He also handles the various accents and languages well, making the dialogue easy to follow and engaging.
The main strength of the book is the protagonist, James McGill, who is a witty, sarcastic, and rebellious character. He is not a typical hero, as he often acts selfishly, impulsively, and recklessly, but he also has a sense of humor, loyalty, and courage. He is constantly getting into trouble, but also finding clever ways to get out of it. He is a fun and entertaining character to follow, as he narrates his experiences and thoughts in a humorous and candid way.
The main weakness of the book is the lack of depth and originality in some aspects. The plot is fairly predictable and formulaic, as it follows a typical structure of training, missions, conflicts, and resolutions. The characters are mostly stereotypes, such as the strict commander, the loyal friend, the beautiful love interest, and the evil enemy. The aliens are not very well-developed, as they are mostly used as cannon fodder or plot devices. The book also contains some clichés and tropes, such as the chosen one, the secret conspiracy, and the deus ex machina.
Overall, “Steel World” is a fun and enjoyable audiobook, that will appeal to fans of military sci-fi and action. It is not a masterpiece of literature, but it is a well-written and well-narrated story, that will keep you entertained and hooked. It is the first book in a long and ongoing series, that promises more adventures and challenges for James McGill and his fellow mercenaries. If you are looking for a thrilling and humorous sci-fi ride, then Steel World is the audiobook for you.
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About the Author:
USA Today Bestselling author B. V. Larson has written more than fifty books with over three million copies sold. He writes in several genres, but most of his work is Science Fiction.
Many of his titles have been professionally produced as audiobooks and print as well as ebook form. Thirty-one of them have been translated into other languages and distributed by major publishers in foreign countries. He writes college textbooks in addition to fiction, and his three-book series on computer science is currently in its sixth edition.
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