The unique feature of the Lazarus War universe is the "simulant technology". Captain Harris - the "Lazarus" of the title - pilots copies of himself (simulants), but when his body dies he just uses another one! Needless to say, this means that he has some pretty tough missions... He fights against an alien species called the Krell, and is sent to explore the alien "Artefact" of the title. This is a device the Alliance - basically the human good guys - think that they might be able to use against the Krell. Things don't exactly go to plan!

The story moves along at a good pace - we're not talking pages of description about tech here - and it is well plotted. I was really drawn into Harris's personal struggle as well; this is sort of explored alongside the main story arc. There is also a nice selection of side characters and bit parts. It reminded me of James SA Corey's "The Expanse," which is a good thing.

A very fast paced military space opera with a unique plot and page-turning never-let's-up action. Definitely not aimed at the YA crowd like a lot of the current series out there today, this is a very serious and violent tale. Protagonists you really get to know and care about, at war with aliens that are really advanced yet horrific. A can't put it down space thriller great that it's going to be a series. There's no cliffhanger but where they're going next is clear.

If you combine Starship Troopers, the Lensman series and a science fiction version of the Black Company books, you'd come up with a book like this. And if you liked those stories (and I do/did) you'll have a lot of fun with Sawyer's book. I look forward to the next in the series as there are all sorts of loose ends that have to be tied up. Well worth the time I spent reading (and enjoying) it.

So what to say about this book... I would have to say it follows the generic follow a single soldier through his battles while flashbacking for the back story pattern that is seen quite commonly. The main special thing is that this soldier is mostly used to fighting through his avatar like technology.

That said while the book does feel rather formulaic I would say it is above average for the genera. The writing is quite good and decently paced.

That said it also doesn't seem to introduce anything truly new to the genera or anything that got me really excited. The world seems to have that potential hinted at so perhaps the future books in the series will rise to this level.

Overall I would say if you tend to like this kind of book of the type follow single soldier/group of soldiers as they fight and are screwed over the THE MAN/politics which causes them to be used poorly/mistreated getting into really sticky situations then you will like this one. If you don't enjoy that kind of book then you probably won't like this one.

I am quite surprised by the quality of this book given that it is claimed to be the debutant work of this author. There is a compelling, well worked out and somewhat original story (although comparisons with Avatar are unavoidable) the characters are well made and the writing is exceptionally good for a debutant.

Although there are some fierce space battles at the beginning of the book most of the story plays itself out on the ground. Also, I have to say that, the space battles mostly felt like world war one battleships slowly pounding at each other until one of them succumbed. Given my preferences for the “space stuff” in my books this was of course a wee bit disappointing.

Having said that, the ground action is well done and the story is indeed a fairly interesting and compelling one. It is not your usual “drop to the surface and start shooting” kind of story. For a good chunk of the book the story is more of a mystery and intrigue kind of story rather than a straightforward action story even though the marine action is plentiful. Strange artefacts, a mad professor, mercenaries with dubious loyalties, aliens a’ la Starship Troopers and a backdrop of two competing political human blocks. All of it adds some nice twists and flavours to the book and makes it elevate itself a bit from the usual military science fiction that we readers are served.

The main thread of the story is interleaved with flashbacks into Harris’ past. I can understand why the author did it that way but I have to say that I do not like flashbacks whether it is in a book, a TV show or a movie. They did serve their purpose of gradually building the universe and life of Captain Conrad Harris but I just whish the author would have found another way of doing it.

As a start of a series it is a good book. As a debutant work is it quite impressive. The next one in the series is already on my reading list.

What will super soldiers be like when they are created? Why would we need super soldiers? Jamie Sawyer gives us a glimpse of future reality with a kick of adrenaline in this future war novel. Great action with the character development that gives us a read well worth the price.

I love space adventures and this book didn't disappoint. Story told through the eyes of a messed up captain trying to lead his squad through the worst missions, aided by some pretty impressive simulant technology. Plenty of enemies to face off with and some thrilling fight sequences. The author keeps you guessing and I like the fact that there is a more personal story woven through, making the main character far more real. A must read for lovers of classic sci fi.