57 of 61 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Heck of a page turner!, February 20, 2011
This review is from: Swarm (Star Force Series) (Kindle Edition)
I have been reading science fiction for half a century. I read Robert Heinlein and Isaac Asimov in first edition. In all the years that have passed I have never before read a book that I would realistically compare with Heinlein. Now I have. When you pick up this book, physically or digitally, be prepared to be unwilling to put it down until you finish it!
Swarm is just sufficiently full of true science and seasoned just enough with fiction to pass muster as something Heinlein would have written. Joe average is quite literally yanked out of his calm, pleasant life and forced into a life or death situation not only for himself but for all of humanity. In classic science fiction commonly the protagonist was an egg-head who was fully up to date on the newest radio technology, in this case a computer science professor has to shoulder the responsibility of saving the world.
Heinlein was convinced that a well-educated American engineer or scientist could take on the most advanced tyrants in the universe. More, he was convinced that given a hint of whatever was behind the technology of that tyrant, American academics and engineers could reproduce and even better it. His optimistic view was overshadowed by the post-apocalyptic mood that seemed to grip scifi writers in the waning years of the 20th century. B.V. Larson has recaptured that indomitable spirit exemplified by Heinlein that sees the best of American scientific culture and the self sacrificing nature and courage of professional soldiers as a force that makes humanity far too much to chew for any alien invader.
The highest complement I can give is due this book. I squirmed with the lead character as he faced the death of his family and again and again the horror of total war. In the end though Larson make me feel good to be an American and a human being. I ache to read the next in what I sincerely hope is a long series.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
47 of 52 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another nice read from Larson, January 12, 2011
This review is from: Swarm (Star Force Series) (Kindle Edition)
Having read a number of books now from this author, I felt safe in just grabbing this one without reading the synopsis or the reviews. My faith was justified as this turned out to be a great book. A real page turner. I sat down and read it in an afternoon and was left wanting more. Larson states that he may turn it into a series if it does well enough. I hope it does!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Worth reading, January 8, 2011
This review is from: Swarm (Star Force Series) (Kindle Edition)
Great escape reading. I love a book that has you cheering for the individual. Well written, with good character development. There is enough time spent on the main character in the begining to invest you in rooting for his survival.
As there is little swearing or graphic sex, this book would also be appropriate for teens.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192250339_.gif){kind=small}
