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Gust Front (Posleen War Series #2)





Fans of Hollywood-style blood-and-guts sci-fi as exemplified in the film Independence Day will enjoy this sequel to A Hymn Before Battle (2000). Ringo's army background gives his series all the flavor and excitement of the liveliest military SF, illustrating both the tactical and strategic levels of a near-future war that started on distant worlds and has now come to Earth. In A Hymn Before Battle, resourceful Captain Michael O'Neal almost single-handedly defeated the vicious centaurlike Posleen in battle, but with Earth hanging in the balance in this book, it will take more than one man to turn the tide. Ringo begins with long and detailed human preparations for the expected invasion, introducing an immense cast of civilians, veterans, grunts and high-level officers. But when the Posleen forces arrive earlier than expected, improvised plans must be launched without delay. The humans fight for the most part with modern-day weaponry, assisted by advanced artillery from the Galactic Federation allies who got them into the fight in the first place. The resulting carnage will please those who relish high body counts. Ringo's characters often walk a fine line between heroic and stereotypical, while his extended expository passages slow the story. Still, this novel should cement Ringo's reputation as one of the best new practitioners of military SF.


Buy Gust Front (Posleen War Series #2)


John Ringo's second book in his saga of an Earth threatened by alien invasion is a distinct improvement over his first effort "A Hymn Before Battle". He still needs some more seasoning as an author, but most of the major flaws of his first book have been eliminated and/or reduced to the point that they don't interefere with the enjoyment of a rock-em-sock-em adventure.

Our story: In the near future, mankind is approached by the Galactic Federation, which is composed of a number of alien races, none with the psychological makeup to be warriors. Soldiers are needed because an alien horde has been ravening, unchecked through the galaxy. It won't be long before they arrive at Earth.

To save dear ole Earth, half-trained expeditionary forces were sent out to learn more of the alien menance, try to delay the horde, and find ways to fight the bad guys. "A Hymn Before Battle" featured recalled former Airborne enlisted man Michael O'Neal, who ended that book as a true hero, who helped gain humanity's first victory over the bad guys.

Now a captain, commanding a company outfitted with the new battle armor which he helped design, O'Neal faces bureacratic fights, but the big show is coming. For the aliens are due to arrive by the millions on Earth. And mankind is not yet prepared, with too few modern weapons, officers and generals who are still fighting the last war, and the secret dealings of some of the "good" aliens.

The bulk of this novel deals with the alien invasion itself, and Ringo indeed has a talent for writing action scenes. This book benefits by the additional length to expand the back story, characters are much more realistic and human, and although we don't see much more of the "good" alien plotting, a new, yet (presumably) related level of intrigue is introduced.

Still, there are flaws, as certain changes in American society have not been fully explored. Some of the problems to this book are merely the result of the poor foundation laid in the first book of this series, "A Hymn Before Battle." Mr. Ringo still needs to work on his characters, (the 8 year old Rambo was just a tad much) although he has made vast strides.

This book packs an undeniable emotional punch, and I had a difficult time deciding whether to give this book 3 or 4 stars. (If there was a half star rating, it would have received 3 1/2.) I gave it 3 stars, partly because 2 stars was an overgenerous rating for the first book, but mainly because there are still just a few too many rough edges to merit 4 stars.

However, sci-fi action fans will not be disappointed. I look forward to the next volume of this saga, and compliment Mr. Ringo for his improved writing skills.









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