science fiction

A Hymn Before Battle - John Ringo Book Review

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"A Hymn Before Battle"
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Review Summaries
" Humanity isn't alone in the Galaxy anymore, Aliens have arrived and have a "Good News - Bad News" greeting. "The Earth in the path of the rapacious Posleen, the peaceful and friendly races of the Galactic Federation offer their resources to help the backward Terrans—for a price." It turns out the Posleen, a Centaur like species is your worst nightmare ... imagine a hungry Australian Saltwater Croc crossed with a fine thoroughbred racehorse ... armed with weaponry more advanced then an M1 Abrams tank and fusion power and all has is dinner on its mind. When Posleen asks "How to serve mankind" they aren't being altruistic ... but rather Epicurean. Humanity's friendly Galactic alien "Paul Revere" warn of the Earth of the impending invasion, but they aren't altruistic either. They are willing to help Humanity ... for a Price. Now humans are out on three worlds, Earth, and two that the Posleen have already landed upon ... committed to their mission is to defend the alien residents and repel the invaders. As Earth's armies rush into battle and special operations units scout alien worlds, all against the background of Galactic Corporate back stabbing and double dealing. "
Buz Ozburn, Resident John Ringo Scholar

"Starts out as a first contact with friendly aleins. Michael left the military years ago, but finds himself in the thick of things based on friendship with a General Officer and a mutual interest in science fiction. Turns out the fiendly aleins aren't very good fighters, and the bad aleins are taking over, and Earth is right in the way of the invasion fleet. "
, Resident John Ringo Scholar


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Overall Review
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Plot
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story
Explore/1st contact/ enviro story Yes
Plotlets: - generally friendly contact with alien(s)
If an invasion, from Earth/human POV: - fighting overt invasion (attacking aliens)
War or Invasion Yes
Major kinds of combat: - hand to hand - guns - lasers - spaceship battles - air battles
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status: - infantry soldier
Age: - 20's-30's
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events? Yes
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings - hard edged
Sense of humor - Strong but gentle sense of humor - Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - very athletic

Main Adversary
Identity: - an entire race
Profession/status: - infantry soldier
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a little/some - a substantial amount

Setting
Terrain - Jungle - Forests
Earth setting: - near future (later in 21st century)
Spaceship setting: - alien spaceship
A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body: - inhabited by friendly aliens - unfriendly aliens - neutral aliens - very controlled society
Takes place on Earth? Yes
Planet outside solar system? Yes
Takes place in spaceship? Yes

Style
Person? - rotating 1st
Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths - explicit references to deaths
scientific jargon? (SF only) - a moderate amount of scientific explanation - a significant amount of technical jargon
Sex in book? Yes
Is this an e-book? Yes
How much dialogue? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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