A World of Hurt (Starfist, Book 10) [Paperback]

David Sherman (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Del Rey (2004)
• ASIN: B000OVNNO0
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars strong military outer space science fiction, October 31, 2004

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A World of Hurt (Starfist, Book 10) (Hardcover)

When mankind went into space, it thought that it was the only sentient race, but soon found worlds with intelligent species just none as technologically advanced. The 34th Fist of the Confederation encountered intelligent and hostile space faring Skinks on two orbs and defeated them in battles, the war continues. The human populace remains unaware that the 34th Fist is under quarantine on Thorsfinni's World until humanity learns about the Skinks and other species.

Just after gunnery sergeant Charles Bass is promoted, his unit the 34th Fist goes to Maugham's Station because of the recent deaths by acid of colonists there; Skinks use acid guns as part of their weaponry. While exploring the valleys of death, the marines come under attack by acid, but no reports of Skinks have surfaced. While they seek the truth, an armada from the planet We're Here is traveling to the beleaguered station because they believe that an illegal mining operation has occurred on The Rock and the planet believes it is part of their empire. They think Maugham's Station is behind that operation and a trigger happy admiral is willing to go to war to stop them from mining that uninhabited, mineral rich planet.

Fans of military outer space science fiction will find action-packed STARFIST: A WORLD OF HURT fascinating. Surprisingly the hero is not featured doing solo deeds as the encounter scenes involve groups not individuals. Maugham's Station is described in vivid detail so that readers can picture the planet almost as much as filmgoers can mentally see the cantina scene of Star wars. Though in some ways all over the galaxy, David Sherman and Dan Cragg provide a terrific tale that makes military enterprises seem plausible in the deep reaches of space (see STAR WARS: JEDI TRIAL A CLONE WARS NOVEL - also released this month)

Harriet Klausner

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars It could have been a contender!, June 5, 2005

By 

P. Cashio (Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A World of Hurt (Starfist, Book 10) (Hardcover)

Overall this series is quite good. As a former Marine, I've found that the authors do a bang-up job of recalling long-forgotten memories of service and sacrifice. They've managed to combine snappy action and plotting with well-realized characters. Characters (such as Charlie Bass) who's fate we deeply care about.

That being said, "A World of Hurt," the tenth and latest in the "Starfist" series is a distinct disappointment. After the last two books in the series, "Kingdom's Fury" and "Lazarus Rising," we had the chance to really get to know several of the main characters: Charlie Bass, Lew Conorado, Brigadier Sturgeon, Cpl. Doyle, etc. They really came alive and of course there was the entire subplot with the supposed death and disappearance of Bass on Kingdom.

This was a major story arc, with the Marines grieving terribly at his "loss." However, his return from the dead is barely mentioned or explored in this novel. His promotion to officer status was similarly glossed over. It would have been quite interesting to have seen the reaction of the Marines to his return, rather than the matter of fact acceptance of his miraculous, "Lazarus" like revival. Or failing that, I would have enjoyed seeing the internal conflicts that Bass experienced as he assumed his new role of officer rather than enlisted man. They were hinted at in some of the throwaway lines in the book but nothing more. The Bass storyline is but one example of many that could have been fleshed out in this book.

Overall, it seems that the authors simply phoned this one in. Especially telling is the excruciating detail with which everyday activities are described. For Heaven's sake! If readers have been with the Marines of the 34th FIST to this point then they don't need to read the line "fast ride on a rough road" one more time. Ugh.

Here's hoping that the next installment serves to advance the overall story rather than serving as a placeholder.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Book, January 12, 2005

By 

John L. Mahan "Jack Mahan" (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A World of Hurt (Starfist, Book 10) (Hardcover)

This is a good solid book in the series. As with all of the Starfist series I read it in one day. I don't think this is one of the best though, after Kingdon's Fury and Lazarus Rising it had a tough act to follow. For fans of the series, a must read, but not as good as the others. Thanks to Dan and David for a good book in the series.

I am looking forward to the new series that is starting this summer.