Customer Reviews

Starfist: Hangfire

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's the 25th Century and the Confederation spans over 70 worlds. For those who enjoy such things, there is struggle, danger and adventure on the frontiers, but for the majority of the Confederation's citizens, there is peace and prosperity. But all is not well - there are Barbarians massing in the spaces beyond the frontier...and there are criminals hiding in the cracks of Civilization. The Mob has moved in on a colony world, subverted the government, and runs it to their liking. Havanagas is entire planet given over to enormous Disney-esque theme parks and resorts. Normally, the Confederation would not interfere in the actions of member planets, but rumors of criminal actions have brought Department of Justice Investigators. But Investigators are disappearing without a trace, indicating a high-level penetration of the Confederation Government. So the Minister of Justice mounts an ultrasecret, no-written-records operation, using a Marine Fire team with covert ops experience. They soon find out where the agents have been disappearing - many of the "historical re-enactments" involve torture or death. The tourists assume that "witches" burned in the Medievel village, or the "Christians" eaten by the lions in the Roman ampitheater are realistic animatronic special effects - and they usually are...but sometimes the Families use them to dispose of enemies. In the meantime, out on the fringes of the Confederation, aliens are raiding the colony worlds. The colonists attempt to fight back, but they are overwhelmed. And so, the Marines of the 34th FIST are heading out to settle their third brush with sentient, hostile aliens. I rarely give a "5" to any book, but I'd certainly give this a 4.5. Good, solid, believable characters, and a reasonable plot - no problem to "suspend disbelief" for the SF elements. Not Great Literature, by any means, but a good book to throw in your beach bag or travel bag. Don't try to read it unless you have time to read at least a couple of chapters at a time - it's one where you don't want to have to stop reading in the middle of an chapter.

This is one of my favorite series and I always eagerly await the next book. The authors do an excellent job of capturing the camraderie and esprit de corps that vets such as myself fondly remember. Additionally, the science of the series is logical and well thought out. The combat descriptions are intense and vivid. I also love the subtle humor: a 25th century religious leader named Bishop Ralphy Bruce Preachintent who wears a pompador wig and a sharkskin suit! If you are looking for a fun and intense book that makes you cheer for the good guys and rejoice when the bad guys get their just reward, this is it. Plus, you might gain an appreciation for those who choose to put on a military uniform. Keep 'em coming Messrs. Sherman & Cragg!

Hangfire is the 6th book in the StarFist series and I often wonder how I got here... as the Title of the series would not normally attract my attention.

Once again the authors present the Marine Protaganists of the 34th FIST as believable military figures and keep our pulse pounding page after page...

The science is believable and the military is as realistic as it can possibly be. This book,however stands out in the series as the precursor to something begger to come...

I think we are on the threshold of what will carry this series for years... Galatic War.

Kudos Gentlemen... I anxiously await book #7

Wow! Most series frankly begin to play out after several books, but authors Cragg and Sherman seem to not only keep each other fresh, but to prod each other on to ever greater accomplishments. This novel can be read simply as an engaging, what-comes-next, wonderfully-thrilling sci-fi adventure--but it also offers a great deal of depth and demonstrates a wide range of knowledge about mankind's foibles and human possibilities. Likely, their status as military veterans has given Cragg and Sherman insights denied to those writers who never served, but, whatever the reason, I'm just knocked out by the freshness and quality of this novel--well into a series I hope will long endure. Great to see familiar characters continue to develop, and to meet new ones. Horrific, convincing fighting, with some timely moral warnings stirred in. And any book that manages to combine gladiatorial combat in the distance future and a mention of John Singleton Mosby, the "Gray Ghost" of the American Civil War can't help but intrigue. Not only worth reading, but worth keeping on the bookshelf to read again in the future!!!

Even "cushy" assignments have a way of turning out harshly for the men of the 34th FIST. They can't seem to catch a break from the higher brass, their Justice Department, their politicians or even a resort world.

HANGFIRE actually consists of several plotlines, most of which will presumably be hashed out in later books.

The first plot concerns the way the normal duty rotations of the 34th out of the unit (a hardship post) seem to have come to a complete halt. The CO takes it upon himself to investigate this matter for the good of the morale of his men and no one will like the answers. The main thrust of this one is of a senior CO looking after his men. He learns the reasons but it will be left to later books to see how he handles the situation and how his men react.

The second plot concerns the alien "Skinks" first encountered in the 4th volume, BLOOD CONTACT. We see the skins gearing up for some major nastiness against humanity but this is almost entirely independent of the real story being told in this book. Again, it seems to be a matter of setting things up for stories to come. What is incredible is the amount of space dedicated to setting it up since it does nothing to advance the main plot of this book.

The third but main plotline concerns an independent assignment given to 3 marines seconded to the justice department. They are to infiltrate an exotic and expensive resort world run by the mob in order to gather evidence for the feds. Since the Justice department is calling the shots, we are guaranteed that things will be set up so as to put the 3 marines into as much hot water as possible with too little regard for the lives of the marines in question. In that respect, its pretty realistic. The marines manage, as marines do, to come through it all with physical and emotional wounds but with the mission accomplished.

All in all, this is not a bad installment. It seems a bit disjointed at times but I suspect that is less problematical for me since I am reading the series in close succession.

This is the sixth book of the series and it still brings something new to the 34th FIST. The storyline is much different that previous books but it still keeps you on the edge of your seat.

On the opposite, there is always previous information coming from the previous books that is good to know while reading. It puts everything in perspective. Flashback from Elnear, Wandejhar, Society 436 and Diamunde reminds you of the previous missions for the marines.

What's next?? I need to wait for number 7: Kingdom;s Swords...

As always, this is a rollicking romp to the end. I typically will read these books in about 4 hours time, as I can barely put them down for any reason. Well thought out plot line, leading in to dramatic futures for our marines. If a person were to buy this book, without reading the preceding ones, it would be a tough read, for me it is buttery smooth. Unfortunately I believe this will be the end of this series, I do not believe there are any more comming, I read somewhere that the publisher has decided against moving forward. This is a shame and I for one will miss all of this fabulous, gritty, loveable fighting. Long live the 34th FIST.

Hangfire is the best so far in the series. Good action, good story, and it has a good lead in for the next book. Gives a lot more development on characters who weren't mentioned much or haven't been used much in the last few books. A very good read

It's the 25th Century and the Confederation spans over 70 worlds. For those who enjoy such things, there is struggle, danger and adventure on the frontiers, but for the majority of the Confederation's citizens, there is peace and prosperity. But all is not well - there are Barbarians massing in the spaces beyond the frontier...and there are criminals hiding in the cracks of Civilization. The Mob has moved in on a colony world, subverted the government, and runs it to their liking. Havanagas is entire planet given over to enormous Disney-esque theme parks and resorts. Normally, the Confederation would not interfere in the actions of member planets, but rumors of criminal actions have brought Department of Justice Investigators. But Investigators are disappearing without a trace, indicating a high-level penetration of the Confederation Government. So the Minister of Justice mounts an ultrasecret, no-written-records operation, using a Marine Fire team with covert ops experience. They soon find out where the agents have been disappearing - many of the "historical re-enactments" involve torture or death. The tourists assume that "witches" burned in the Medievel village, or the "Christians" eaten by the lions in the Roman ampitheater are realistic animatronic special effects - and they usually are...but sometimes the Families use them to dispose of enemies. In the meantime, out on the fringes of the Confederation, aliens are raiding the colony worlds. The colonists attempt to fight back, but they are overwhelmed. And so, the Marines of the 34th FIST are heading out to settle their third brush with sentient, hostile aliens. I rarely give a "5" to any book, but I'd certainly give this a 4.5. Good, solid, believable characters, and a reasonable plot - no problem to "suspend disbelief" for the SF elements. Not Great Literature, by any means, but a good book to throw in your beach bag or travel bag. Don't try to read it unless you have time to read at least a couple of chapters at a time - it's one where you don't want to have to stop reading in the middle of an chapter.

Hangfire can be said to be the best in the series after Blood Contact, might even consider it to rank equal to it. Even though both Sherman and Cragg are still inconsistent with the platoon makeup, the plot and story still flows very well. I also like the lead-in, and preparation they have done on several chapters for the major intergalactic war that they had hinted at in Blood Contact. Fact is, I'm kind of upset that I have to wait that long for the the war that I hope will take more than one book to finish. Then again, if I have to wait too long between books, I might have to bite someone to calm myself... heheh 8) I will highly recommend anyone who even has the slightest interest in Sci-Fi Military books to read this excellent book, but who isn't a nitpicker with minor inconsistencies.