Customer Reviews

Starfist: Firestorm

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Firestorm (2007) is the twelfth SF novel in the StarFIST series, following Flashfire. In the previous volume, the Coalition of Worlds had seceded from the Confederacy. Coalition troops drove the Confederate troops into Bataan, a hastily fortified storage area near Fort Seymour.

General Billie was sent to Ravenette to defeat the Coalition troops. But he has not yet started a counteroffensive. Aside from raids by the marines and defense of the peninsula, the Confederation troops are only marking time.

In this novel, Jason Billie is a General in the Confederation Army. He has been a staff officer during his entire career. Now he was promoted and placed in charge of the defense of Ravenette. He doesn't listen to advice and doesn't like Marines.

Alistair Cazombi is a Lieutenant General in the Confederation Army. He had been commander of Fort Seymour. Now he is Deputy Commander of the Confederation forces on Ravenette.

Balca Sorca is a Major General in the Confederation Army. He is now Chief of Staff for General Billie.

Kyr Godalgonz is a Lieutenant General in the Confederation Marine Corps. He has been recently promoted and is now being shipped to Ravenette in provisional command of two Army divisions and two Marine FISTs.

Theodosius Sturgeon is a Brigadier in the Confederation Marine Corps. Ted is commander of the 34th Fleet Initial Strike Team.

Lewis Conorado is a Captain in the Confederation Marine Corps. He commands L company within the 34th FIST infantry battalion.

In this story, General Billie decides to breakout of Bataan. He chooses the 34th FIST to attack the center of the Coalition position. Captain Conorado announces the mission and tells his marines to get ready. Naturally, most know that their mission is sure to result in widespread casualties.

As they assemble for the assault, the operation is delayed and then canceled. General Godalgonz has arrived earlier than expected and his Corps is orbiting Ravenette. When the General reports to the Supreme Commander, General Billie mentions that they are early.

Soon after his arrival, Godalgonz meets the deputy commander and gains some insight into General Billie. It isn't so much what Cazombi says than what he doesn't say. Then Godalgonz speaks with Brigadier Sturgeon, who doesn't mince words.

Godalgonz learns about General Billie's incompetence, procrastination and dislike of marines. So he decides to show Billie what marines can do. He gains permission for another raid on Gilberty's Corners.

General Godalgonz leads the mission himself. It is rare that a man of his rank can go on such an operation. Unfortunately, he is killed in action.

After the news reaches Billie, the general calls Sorca into his office and lets him read the message. Billie is highly amused at the news, laughing so hard that he almost falls out of his chair. Sorca is so disturbed at this behavior that he tells Brigadier Sturgeon and warns him that Billie has plans for the remaining marines.

This tale takes the 34th FIST into heavy fighting. They and the 27th Division are faced with a Coalition reinforced division and other troops. Then General Billie closes his trap.

Obviously General Billie is not fully sane. He acts like a psychopath, with little regard for others. His forces soon begin to realize their situation.

This volume concludes the Ravenette duology. The next novel -- Wings of Hell -- confronts the 34th FIST with more skinks. Read and enjoy!

Recommended for Sherman & Cragg fans and for anyone who enjoys tales of armed combat, military intrigue, and personal courage. If anyone has not previously read this series, the initial volume is First to Fight.

-Arthur W. Jordin

An excellent addition to the STARFIST series - my only regret is that the authors do an excellent job of writing which means it takes so long before each new story is available!
I recommend that the series be read from the first volume forward - it isn't necessary as the books are able to stand alone, but the details carry forward from one novel to the next.

Simplistic but thorough as to the Corps and its growth technologically. But, the Marines themselves never seem to change. They are the spearhead, a force that will never stop until the job is complete or until some dunbass politician sticks his/her nose in for political attention.David Sherman's Marines are individuals with their own assets and shortcomings but no matter what, they are "Semper-Fidelis".

This book was about average for the Starfist Series. It's excellent space opera and a good read.Starfist: Firestorm

I haven't missed a single Starfist book yet and have not been disappointed either. Always a lot of excting and fast paced action.

You can't go wrong getting any of the books in this series.

I really enjoyed this latest addition to the Starfist universe. I think it contained some of the best action sequences, yet. It was also rewarding to see the Ravenette campaign wrapped up- and all of the hanging threads- since it spanned previous books, including a Starfist: Force Recon book. Incidentally, I thought Force Recon book #2 Pointblank, added a very nice secondary viewpoint of the conflict.

I'm really looking forward to my favorite Marines next adventure, which was alluded to in the final pages of Firestorm.

The comes under the heading of a cracking good military adventure. The author's did a damn fine job with the characters and the battle the marines have to fight. This leads into and ongoing battle with aliens that have showed up in other books of the series and this leading to a major war.[note; the Starfist recon books also leave wanting more. I have it from one of the authors that STARFIST;Recon number 3 is going to be out soon and sometime next number 13 of STARFIST will out.

This installment of the Starfist series really pulled all parts (political, military, civilian) of the story together for me. I really enjoyed this book. I hope that the publishers ask the author's for more in this series because I really want to know more about the characters.

Great entertainment!

This is a page-turning episode in the Starfist series. Large-scale warfare in the theme of the day, and the authors deliver in style. This is NOT just a got-to-buy-the-book-to-keep-up-with-the-series purchase. Well worth the time.

This is, I believe, the 12th book in this series and it might be my favorite. Most of the books in this series have focused on enemy alien life, or Skinks, as they have become affectionately named. This book concludes a "mini-series" within the larger series itself and while there were some sagging spots in the other books leading up to this one, Firestorm really never suffers from a dull moment.

First, it was refreshing to have Gun-, er, Ensign Bass and his troops in a human conflict. As Sherman and Cragg had done in a prior book in the series, they have brought to life very authentic and familiar human characters with very human conflicts. The rebel Coalition in this book feels very real and the authors do a good job of making their cause feel valid. Of course, the Coalition is filled with characters with both good and bad intent but as you read, you realize that the Confederation has its own bad intentioned citizens.

The next thing I loved about this book was all of the action. If you are reading this review, I am assuming you have read some of the other books in the series. By now you might feel, as I do, that the action in the series has gotten dangerously thin. With all due respect to the authors, while I want plot and depth in my books, the reason I am reading a book series called Starfist (worst name ever) is for some low impact, fun, and easy reading. I was beginning to believe that the authors, to some degree, had begun to get away from their "bread and butter." However, Firestorm brings the action non-stop. I would guess that 75% of this book is combat and combat is where Sherman and Cragg are at their best.

To conclude, I guess I would suggest not starting here if you are thinking of just getting this book cold. Go back to book one and get to know the cast of characters. The authors have done a great job of creating a long series that still appears to have plenty of runway. With 14 Starfist books completed to date, you give yourself plenty of long term entertainment that way. As you read through the series, you will love some books more than others. This book will likely land near the top of your list.