Customer Reviews

A World of Hurt (Starfist, Book 10)

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

 

 

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

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.

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.

Although this can be a less than memorable entry in the series, the plot involving the We're Here navy was somewhat amusing. Unsubtle would be an understatement when talking about this part of the story, but it can still put a smile on your face.

A WORLD OF HURT (2004) is the tenth book in the STARFIST series of Military SciFi stories, covering the exploits of a company of Space Marines, who are sent to various planets to put down local rebellions, alien invasions, etc.

This book avoids a lot of the absurdities of the first books, but it also is missing much of the nonstop action... additionally, the off-duty life of the Marines get overly re-hashed in this book.

There are some new twists inserted, involving the Skinks... and the silly "We're Here!" military is worth a few laughs - but, other than that, there is little new in this story, that we haven't already seen in the previous books in the series.

Wow. This series has culminated (so far) in the best plot line yet. Not only do the authors give the reader a genuine feel for war, but they also give the reader a professional analysis of current strategies in current wars we could name. Since both are Military vets, their opinions count for much more than pogues whose ideas of strategy originated the term "cluster-fu*k", which is what is going on right now (in real life). A damning accessment, and an accurate one, not to mention an action packed, edge of the seat adventure with our favorate characters, and new ones that deserve what they get. I have every book in this series, and will buy any new ones as soon as they are published, they are really that good! Meanwhile, anyone who is currently overseas must read this whole series! Then Vote!

On a whole I really liked the Starfist series but I guess every series has its clunkers, this is one. There are times when reading the series I find that one of the characters figure out part of the plot and they just ignore it in the context of the story. Example is the Skinks don't show up on well Infrared scans. Well, that info just sits around and none of the marines seem to tell any of the other marines that very important info. Leaving them to discover it on there own. Also along that line with the presumed technology why not use ultra violet or some other light wave sensors? This plot point ignorance come to a peak in this tenth installment of the Starfist series. Near the beginning of this story about a quarter the way in they tell you what they suspect might be the cause of the "Skink" like attacks. But the authors have the charters never revisit or do anything about it until much later in the book, even when it is extremely obvious to the read what the cause is. It seems the authors just want us to have blinders on to the plot point they revealed early on in the story and act like the obvious reason should be ignored.
Bottom-line this book was a bore and the only reason to read it is that it continues on the series story line. A very poor effort, poor plot, poor editing. One that you can skip.

Sherman and Cragg once again pull out all the stops in the tenth entry to the stupendous Starfist series. Incidentally the books they write separately from each other are worth checking out too. In this book, the authors combine accounts of real-life combat with a fanciful kind of science in which, to take one example, a troop of Marines gets shot at by a strange species of fighting flora. Needless to say the Marines give the plants as good as they got, decimating plant life for 100 yards around. The esprit de corps of the Starfist world is what makes you love these rough and tumble characters.

I can easily picture a whole series of motion pictures outlining their adventures. However film is not necessary for enjoyment of an alien universe. It's creepy the way the Corporal in Charge, spotting a tree with vines, has to check out the vine ends in case they are not just dangling, but quivering, ready to do battle. (The vines have the power to spray acid and disgigure and maim all attackers.) You'll love Admiral Orange, the most irascible navy man since James Cagney intimidated MISTER ROBERTS. All in all, a exciting, rousing adventure for the men and women fighters of the 25th century.

It seems like the skinks are back and the men of the 34th will have to face them again so they ship out ready to rock and roll. Things are not, however, as they seem. If I said any more, I'd be giving away vitals so I won't. There is, however, an additional enemy.

We are introduced to Admiral of the Starry Heavens Orange, the supreme naval commander of the We're Here! Navy. We're Here! is a bush league planet settled early on by a bunch of hippies. His supporting characters include Admirals Toke, Head and Crashpad. Captain Happiness is also along for the ride. Admiral Orange gets it into his head that he needs to go to war with another planet and, not incidentally, the Confederation Marines. It's a comic opera that is hilarious in its ludicrous nature.

It's a relaxation break in the series.

This book started well with Gunny Bass returning to the 34th FIST but it trails off from there. There was very little combat and when there was, it was very sporadic.

The dialogue and the innards of the Marine relationships was outstanding as always, but I felt that the perspectives were too diluted. The point of view seemed to come from every single fire team leader, squad leader, platoon leader. It made the whole story, well boring.

I would have given it 3 stars but I've also compared it with the other books in the series and that is why I've dropped it down to 2 stars.

I will continue to read this book because I feel a major conflict brewing between the 34th FIST and the SKINKS.