Starfist: Firestorm [Kindle Edition]

David Sherman (Author), Dan Cragg (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In the exciting 12th military SF novel to feature the Confederation Marine 34th Fleet Initial Strike Team (FIST) from Sherman and Cragg (after 2006's Starfist: Flashfire), former gunnery sergeant and now ensign Charlie Bass and his platoon of Devil Dogs are pulled out of the quarantine to which their knowledge of the alien Skink menace condemned them, to participate in a campaign against a coalition of worlds that wishes to secede from the Confederation. Bass and his platoon have the misfortune to end up in a situation similar to the U.S. Civil War's Peninsula Campaign, under a Marine-hating army general who makes McClellan look like Rommel. The authors continue to excel both at showing the cruel randomness of war and at affectionately portraying the military subculture and ethos. Readers looking for accounts of futuristic combat that depict realistically the psychology of men in battle need look no further.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

On the planet Ravenite, Confederation Marines face rebels reminiscent of nineteenth-century Confederates and a commander who hates marines to the point of treason. Fortunately, an army general becomes an ally willing to defy their own hateful general. The marines have better training and intelligence than those of their opponents, and they will need it because the alien Skinks are going to be back in the next Starfist volume, in which series devotees can expect more, too, of Charlie Bass. More of the usual good stuff for military sf buffs from two master depicters of grunts at war, which Sherman and Cragg themselves once were. Roland Green
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 332 KB
• Print Length: 370 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 034546057X
• Publisher: Del Rey (June 26, 2007)
• Sold by: Random House Digital, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B000SHDDSQ
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #119,145 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Breaking Out of Bataan, November 29, 2009

By 

Arthur W. Jordin (Smyrna, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Starfist: Firestorm (Hardcover)

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

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Starfist series - Firestorm, August 7, 2007

By 

Edward Carter "sci fi fan" (Fayetteville, Pa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Starfist: Firestorm (Hardcover)

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gene The Marine, May 10, 2009

By 

Eugene C. Walworth "Gene The Marine" (Las Vegas, Nevada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Starfist: Firestorm (Hardcover)

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".