Customer Reviews

Battlespace (The Legacy Trilogy, Book 2)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

When I first finished Battlespace, I was disappointed. It didn't engross me the same way that the previous book or the Heritage Trilogy had. It almost seemed as if the Douglas was trying to cram too many ideas into the book and some of the seemed to be re-hashed themes from other books. For example, the description of the Marines' time on Earth could almost have come straight out of Haldeman's Forever War. I felt like the book hurried from one scene to another as the story was rushed along to set the stage for the final installment in the Trilogy.

All in all, I found the book an entertaining read, but a bit of a disappointment. However, I am eagerly anticipating the next installment to see if/how the Marines deal with the Hunters of the Dawn.

I almost guiltily enjoyed the first book in this series, Star Corps. It was fun, full of action and gave a good first impression. I had not read Douglas' Heritage Trilogy, but after reading the first book in this new trilogy, I became much more interested in him as an author. Unfortunately, Battlespace did not live up to my expectations and was a far inferior book to its predecessor. I am willing to forgive the ridiculous politics of these books as long as the action sequences make up for it. In the first book, the action totally outweighed the politics and the book was fun. This one, however, is mostly politics and very little action. As such, it kind of plods along, getting more unbelievable by the page and then just sort of wimps out at the end. There's very little for this intrepid band of star marines to do in this book and Douglas writes this one as a set up for the next. I do hope the conclusion is better.

If you want to read a great book that combines action with the cultural clashes that result due to relativity, then read "Forever War". In fact, you probably already have. Douglas makes a lame attempt to copy Haldeman's masterpiece here, but it just doesn't work. Stick to the battle scenes and the fun stuff. After all, that's why we're reading this book to begin with!!

You can not easily judge any of the books of the 2 trilogies by themselves, they have to be seen in context, since they really are meant to be part of the bigger story spanning (for now) 6 books. I am rating all 6 books that happen in this universe with 5 stars for addictive and fun writing style and the technology that makes part of everything but is not the lone focus. I actually started reading the legacy trology and then went back and read the heritage trilogy afterwards, does not take any of the fun out. Really enjoyed it. Fun, fun, fun!

Anyone who has read the previous book in the series or the Heritage series will enjoy this book.

We get more information on the An and the Hunters of the Dawn. I would love read more about the events that were happening on earth during the voyage to Sirius. There was a tantalizing half chapter on this.

Mr. Douglas/Kieth did an excellant job describing the returning Marines and the Alienation they feel towards the society they are protecting and the reaction of the society to them.

Spoilers ahead!!!!

The only complaint that I have about the book was after meeting the Xul, was the description of them and the descripton of the other side of the wheel. It reminded me VERY strongly of the plot device in several of Mr. Douglas/Kieth's Bolo novels. Of the Cyborg/Machine Intelligence from the Galactic Core who are conquering the Galaxy.

Other than that nit, I enjoyed the book and would recommend that anyone looking for a great series, then read the Heritage Series and then pick up the Legacy Series. You will not be disappointed.

"Battlespace" continues the far-flung adventures of the Marines, this time investigating the disappearance of a previous expedition. The strength of Douglas is in creating interesting, albeit rather predictable, characters. However, Garroway (the protagonist) holds few, if any, suprises, and while being somewhat likable, is rather two-dimensional. I was disappointed that the author doesn't develop relationships to any great degree, with most characters being little more than ships passing in the night.

Both "Star Corps" and "Battlespace" revolve to a greater or lesser extent around the mythical "Hunters of the Dawn" - a race that thrives by dispatching up-and-coming species. It is against this backdrop that "Battlespace" takes place - and it is because of this backdrop that the ease with which the marines dispatch the Xul ends this book in a most unfulfilling way. Overall, readable in a couple of evenings, but not memorable.

All right, I've already written lengthy reviews for Book 1 and Book 3 in this Trilogy [I purchased all of them from Borders Bookstore some time ago, long before they shut down]. And out of the three books, this was the one that I enjoyed the least. Yes, it was very well written and the author honors his character's legacy by continuing to follow the lineage of the Garroways, a military family.

The concepts of relativistic time-passage in space due to traveling at extremely high velocities across the disparate Star Systems is explored in a unique way. And when Marine Officer Garroway and his crew return from an interstellar mission, [which took place previously in Book 1], they suddenly become "young-looking-old-people": the Earth has aged for over 20 years, so their civilian peers are much older and there are a host of new technologies, new governments, new trends and the like. The returning US Marines feel like foreigners in their own land, amidst a culture that has literally left them behind. Fights ensue between them and civilians when they are off duty, while they struggle to fit into the thriving modern society. Thus, when the option for another mission to Battlespace arrives on the scene, the Marines are quite content to head out into the depths of stars, feeling like they have nothing to loose, and nothing left behind that they really cherish that much.

Fans of Hard Core Military sci fi will enjoy this book, which could almost be categorized as a sci fi thriller per the suspense initiated by the author, as he shrouds the unknown alien enemy until the last quarter of the book - although I felt that the pacing was a bit sluggish, and I desired a bit more character development. Anyway, it is still a story worth adding to your collection, especially if you enjoy rather patriotic tales with a lot of technical descriptions for the speculative quantum theories and advanced gadgets utilized by the Space Marines.

I have read most of Ian Douglas and this is much the same. Not spectacular, but a good read if you like space military books.

one of the best trilogy I have ever read. the book is well written and will explain what the writer is trying to get across to the reader. Book received in like new condition, on time. Thanks for the prompt service.

When I started to read Book 2 I knew I should have started with Book 1, although one can get a firm sense of what transpired previously. Suffice it to say, I bought the trilogy (after the fact) and thoroughly enjoyed the story. If you enjoy Weber's Honor series, you will likely enjoy Douglas.

Another great SCI-FI book from Ian Douglas. You should read the books in order. If you like action this book is for you. Worth your money.