Customer Reviews

Brothers in Arms

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Judging from the reviews, the authors are either pseudonyms of the writer, Ben Weaver, or his mortal enemies. I read science fiction for enjoyment (of course, I thought that the author of Lady Chatterly's Lover was a pretty good writer considering he wrote dirty novels, I was 15 then) and I enjoyed this book. Let's face it, great novels need criticism, but most don't need to be de-constructed. So lighten up. Of course there are criticisms to be made, but so what. The bottom line of any SF book is whether you would want to read it again or its sequel. I want to read the sequel. If all I get is warmed over first novel, then forget it. Brothers in Arms was a set-up for what could be an interesting ride, especially if the hero continues to be somewhat aimless and troubled. I understand the next book is still in the contract stages. The author is more than willing to discuss his books with you at TheSeventeen@aol.com. Try that with Tom Clancy.

Mike Keyes

Weaver does a bang-up job in introducing our hero and his allies. Technologies depicted in this novel pass muster when compared to similar novels I have read. I am drawn to the fact that StAndrew has a distaste for war, but Weaver threads some real life heroism into this character that makes the reader think about ideas such as "duty, honor and country" much as the protagonist does every time he is called upon to perform for his government. Weaver's writing style is easy and proved to be a fast read for me. It held my interest and threw me some curves. I would recommend this book for an avid sci-fi reader. If you don't enjoy this genre and are looking for something to occupy yourself..., this could be one of the books stacked on the back of the commode.

Brothers in Arms falls into the category of Military Sci-Fi. In the tradition of these novels it is short, punchy, heavy on technology and light on plot or characterisation. It draws heavily on books such as Haldeman's "Forever War" and Steakleys "Armour". For me I think it lacks the punch that Forever War displays, but is better written than either of the above books. The standard genre elements such as the basic military setting, the hard cadet training and the soldier being thrown into war at the deep end are all fleshed out by other elements. There is the Alliance/Colony power struggle which erupts into Civil War, so that the cadets are pitted against each other rather than some faceless enemy. There is a racist undertone of being a colonist, and the worse stigma of being a genetic freak. There is the poorly understood technology of a disappeared race, and what exactly it does to you. Because Weaver has actually done his research and constructed a plausible galaxy for us, there are enticing visions of worlds and ideas that lie outside the story. Weaver is obviously keeping back a larger picture and letting us see only a glimpse of this world. This may be a prelude to a series of books, or it may merely be good technical writing skill. I have not given Brothers in Arms a great rating because I think the book fails in a number of its key objectives. Weaver wanted to show us the transmogrification of his central character from uncertain idealistic boy to a pragmatic and confident officer. In this he fails. The character at the end seems to me no different from the one at the beginning. I felt the characterisation of Halitov (the sidekick) was better managed and the layers beneath him were explored better. Also, there are issues in the book that needed better development, such as the political ramifications of the split between colonies and alliance etc. I suppose it is a feature of Mil/Sci/Fi that you get only the grunts view of the world. I like to see things on a broader canvas and for that reason I find the genre unsatisfying. I think Weaver had the makings of a great speculative fiction novel here but that he harnessed it to the wrong genre, a bit like hitching a racehorse to a cart. If you have got to the bottom of this review you will probably feel much the same as me about the book. Those who lost interest in my review in the first paragraph will probably get a kick out of it. Plenty of bang bang flash and guts falling out.

At first glance this novel looks like a Babylon 5 series book. It has a picture of what looks like a station crew member in a very similar uniform. For those of you who love space battles; this one's for you! It's about a fellow who is pushed into a war before he is ready. Untried and untested he fights a war that truly is hell. This one was written without the mindset of most series books. The protagonist and hero of the story: Scott St. Andrew,is portrayed as a true and realistic personality. Not some heroic soldier out for glory.This one will probably be a series; however it's not set to sell millions of action figures like another franchise.

For Scott St Andrew the only way off his home world is to join the military where he can get an education, see the universe and possibly end up as a commissioned officer. What he doesn't count on is war breaking out between earth and the colonies while he is still in his first year of training. This forces his superiors to rush the students through a "conditioning" process which turns them into super-soldiers.

Unfortunately for Scott the process was bungled while he was going through it and much of this book explores the consequences of mistakes and explores themes of justice and loyalty. This is an easy to read book and Scott is a likeable character. Even, if like me, you aren't normally into military books this is still a good quick read that easily carries you through to the end of story. I'm looking forward to reading book 2 in this series REBELS IN ARMS.

Scott St. Andrew is a cadet in the elite South Point Military Academy where he is training to become an officer in the Seven Systems Guard Corps. Scott and his brother Jarrett entered the academy to escape the mines on their home colony of Gatewood-Callista, but Scott is a gennyboy (someone with a genetic defect) and is considered unworthy to be there by many of the other cadets.

When war breaks out between the Earth Alliances and the colonies, choices have to be made, but Scott believes whole heartedly in the Code and does not want to break it even to support the colony that is his homeworld. Circumstances overtake him however, and he is forced to undergo the Racinian conditioning three years ahead of schedule so that he can fight in the war.

When Exeter is invaded and the academy taken, Scott and a number of other cadets make a break for it. In the process, many of them are killed but Scott, Paul, Halitov and others steal a ship and escape. Upon landing at a base on a far colony, Scott is summarily promoted to 2nd lieutenant and thrown into the deep. He is given troops and a mission to perform, which he does despite a mutiny. Then he is promoted again! Scott is bewildered. One year on from joining the academy, he is a captain and leading men into battle despite his fears and insecurities.

This is an action packed and fast paced book. A little too fast in my opinion. From cadet to captain in less than a year? The book felt very rushed... good, but rushed. This one has more action within its pages than perhaps three normal books and the promotion thing stretches believability too far.

If you can ignore the tempo of promotions, which you can if you like mil sci-fi as much as I do, you will fing this one well worth buying. :¬)

Mark E. Ccooper
Warrior Within (ISBN0954512200)

Nothing too bad but not anything that I would ever buy in hardback. The main character just isn't someone I really sympathize with; on the other hand some of the situations and supporting characters were interesting. I just kept feeling like there was potential for this to turn into a really good book but that potential always seemed like it was a chapter and a plot twist away. In the end I still had the same feeling - perhaps the next book will turn this into something really good. Of course, I guess that's the way a series writer might want me to feel so that I buy the next book and the next book and . . . ;)

The buddy teaming of the main character and his nemesis from school has a lot of potential. I'll buy the next book to see if there is actual development into something really good but I'll reserve judgement on purchases after that.

While military sci-fi holds an interest in me, one of the main complaints I have is that none of the major characters have realistic motivations with which I can identify. Instead of the typical gung ho, pedal-to-the-metal hero, Scott St. Andrew is a young man with realistic doubts and fears. Although author Ben Weaver sets up an gripping struggle that forces a division of loyalties in colonies set in the 24th century, by far the most interesting battles are waged inside the mind of St. Andrew. Through an exciting chain of events, this young recruit goes through a metamorphosis to become a super-soldier who maintains the same character flaws which make him memorable. I can't tell any more without spoiling it, so I'll just leave it with this: READ IT! (you'll enjoy it!)

For me, this was a non-stop read. This book was fast paced and really got me into the story. Written in first person, I think it has a lot of potential for character empathy and being a SF fan myself, everything else was bonus. I can't wait to find out how the plot and characters develop in the sequel.

Mr. Weaver's story reminds me of David Feintuch and his "Hope" saga. Where Feintuch extrapolated the British Navy, Weaver goes after the US Marines. The backstory is clearly thought-out, but you only get it in dribs and drabs.

There's lots of fast action, and I agree with another review that it is reminiscent of THE MATRIX. My biggest complaint is that the story ends abruptly and you're left with pages of "appendices" that really should have been front-matter for the book (except the author interview).

I hope a second book is written, because I want this story to be finished! --JT