I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A small-time hustler must enlist in a war with a deadly alien enemy in author Rick Partlow’s “Contact Front”, the first book in the Drop Trooper series.
The Synopsis
Go to war or go to jail.
For small-time street hustler Cam Alvarez, the choice is simple. He has no family, no friends, no place in the world…nothing to lose. When his latest con results in the death of a cartel hitman, Cam opts to join the Marines and leave Earth to fight a vicious alien enemy.
Drafted into the Marine Drop-Troopers, Cam discovers there’s one thing he’s even better at than running street-con games, and that’s killing the enemy. Wrapped in an armored battlesuit, Cam finds purpose amidst the horror and destruction of the war, and the opportunity for a new sort of friends and family…if he can break the habits of a life spent alone, trusting no one.
And, if he can survive…
Rick Partlow returns with another kickass Military Sci-Fi epic. It’s perfect for fans of Jay Allan, Jasper T. Scott, and Scott Bartlett.
The Review
Immediately, what stood out to me as a reader was the story’s detail and engaging nature. The mood and tone of the story begin with an edge, introducing a protagonist who resists authority and struggles to trust anyone. The action and violence, both in the protagonist’s early life and in his military life, set the atmosphere ablaze with gritty world-building and a riveting narrative that makes it impossible to put down.
The story really thrived with a healthy balance of character-driven arcs and strong themes. The writing captures military life and life in a war zone so vividly that the imagery in the author’s writing provides a clear picture of the intensity and violence that often accompany it, while also showcasing military life within a squadron and the necessity of relying on one’s comrades in arms. The evolution of Cam as a protagonist was unique, as it shed light on those who suffer in life, being targeted by the system for military service far too often, while also highlighting how military life can sometimes save a person who has suffered loss and hardship. The reliance on character dynamics over technical space exploration was a refreshing take on the military space genre as well.
The Verdict
Harrowing, action-packed, and entertaining, author Rick Partlow’s “Contact Front: Drop Trooper Book One” is a must-read sci-fi action thriller. The engaging character developments and memorable action sequences, when paired with a stellar level of world-building and mythos, make this a compelling sci-fi novel to get lost in and a grand entry in this series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Rick Partlow is that rarest of species, a native Floridian. Born in Tampa, he attended Florida Southern College and graduated with a degree in History and a commission in the US Army as an Infantry officer.
His lifelong love of science fiction began with Have Space Suit—Will Travel and the other Heinlein juveniles and traveled through Clifford Simak, Asimov, Clarke and on to William Gibson, Walter Jon Williams and Peter F Hamilton. And somewhere, submerged in the worlds of others, Rick began to create his own worlds.
He has written over 60 books in a dozen different series, and his short stories have been included in twelve different anthologies.
He is currently writing the best-selling Drop Trooper series for Aethon Books, a mil-SF alien invasion series, as well as the Taken to the Stars series for Variant Publishing.
He lives in northern Wyoming with his wife and a goofy blackmouth cur. Besides writing and reading science fiction and fantasy, he enjoys outdoor photography, hiking and camping.
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/contact-front-rick-partlow/1146889385?ean=9781638493020
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