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The Spoils of War by [Holliday, Christopher]

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The Spoils of War Kindle Edition

by Christopher Holliday (Author)

15 customer reviews

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In a turbulent near-future, a soldier finds himself fighting battles in a war he can't remember enlisting for, and where everything, including the enemy, may not be exactly what it seems.

This award winning short story originally appeared in the Age of Wonders anthology.

"The Spoils of War," by Christopher Holliday, is a hard-hitting tale of the future of war, where some things haven't changed since Caesar, and yet nothing is the same at all. -- David Brin, Hugo Award winning author. ( Forward from Age of Wonders).

"High impact character-driven military science fiction reminiscent of John Steakley's Armor" -- Marketlist SF Reviews

Length: 11 pages	Word Wise: Enabled	Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled
Page Flip: Enabled

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Product details

File Size: 2037 KB
Print Length: 11 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publication Date: October 6, 2015
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B016AX0TR4
Text-to-Speech: Enabled

X-Ray:

Not Enabled

Word Wise: Enabled
Lending: Enabled
Screen Reader: Supported

Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled

Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #101,389 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
- #11 in Kindle Store > Kindle Short Reads > 15 minutes (1-11 pages) > Science Fiction & Fantasy
- #55 in Kindle Store > Kindle Short Reads > 15 minutes (1-11 pages) > Literature & Fiction
- #742 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Science Fiction > Genetic Engineering

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars

5 star		66%
4 star		27%
3 star		7%
2 star		0%
1 star		0%

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Top customer reviews

An all around solid 5-star short

ByAmazon Revieweron February 15, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

When a product on Amazon has nothing less than 4 stars, it is automatically suspicious. I almost want to give this a 3 star, not because it is an average product, but to give it "legitimacy." But I'm going to trust that an author of this caliber eventually gets the attention he deserves, and with it comes the attention of trolls. :-P

This is an all around great short story. The prose is crisp and descriptive without ever being overblown and boring, the observations about combat read as though the author has "been there." The characterizations are spot on. There really isn't anything not to love about it. I'm going to go and buy his next one.

I look forward to the novels he says he is writing in the description.

0Comment 4 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Excellent, leaves you wanting more!

Bysarah mon November 10, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

After reading Holliday's novelette, Doppleganger, I wanted to read more from this author and found The Spoils of War. While there are some common themes between the two, this short story felt darker to me. Again, I enjoyed the fast pace and the fact that there were just enough careful details to help the reader imagine the setting and characters. However, a lot was left to the imagination, which makes the story more accessible to readers because you can fill in what you know from your own experiences with loss, war, and despair. There were surprises in the text, yet there's a sad familiarity that I am sure my ex-military friends could understand even more than myself. I tend to think of apocalyptic or dystopian stories as hyperbolic looks at the "what ifs" and "worst-case scenarios" our how our current economy and never-ending wars could play out. Like other reviewers, I would love to read a longer novel or book about these characters or characters within this same universe.

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

The furure of profit margins

ByRon Bakeron May 7, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

There is a powerful social commentary delivered in this original science fiction short that posits the true purpose of war. The best science fiction makes a comment on current societal dynamics in clever parallels. The reader becomes aware of this parallel later in the book and it is a delightful reveal. Crisp writing and subtle futurism ensconces an authentic feeling military tale.

Bonus points for making me look up the word "epicanthic". Recommended.

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Nice Cover... Even Better Story

ByPatriciaon November 5, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I started this short story on the suggestion of a friend. This really isn't a genre that I like, I don't get psyched for sci-fi but I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this story had much more to it than that. I thought I knew what I was getting, but I was way off.

It moves quickly, even for a short story, from one scene to the next and the characters are filled in nicely giving you an idea about who they are, why they're doing what they're doing, and a bit of inner monologue. The scenes are described in detail but not in a wordy way, and there are plenty of places where you'll find yourself asking questions as the plot carries you along.

I think what I liked most is that the characters don't tell you everything. Like real people, there are things they keep to themselves, and things even they don't know until their lives unfold. Too many authors try to tell you everything right up front instead of allowing the story to unfold organically, again, like life.

Even my 15 year old wished it was a longer work when we read it as part of our literature lesson last month. He wanted to know more of the story... with the twists and surprises it delivers we all did.

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Byranchmamaon March 22, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Interesting premise, but very short! Would like to see this expanded into a full length book.

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Great Read! I recommend it.

ByCameron Frankon March 21, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This is a great little short story. 1000% worth a buck to read. Leaves me wanting more. Maybe a novelization set in this universe? Who knows, the sky is the limit. But this was excellent. Great work.

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Byjenyffercomon October 15, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I really enjoyed this read! I found my self flipping the pages at the sudden discovery (which i wont give away), and found myself short of pages! Wish author would make a equal to this....and make it longer.

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

ByAmazon Customeron October 18, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

A very short, searing read.

The theme reflect some of the concepts from renowned science fiction, often described as remarkable comments about what our society has become.

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Most recent customer reviews

Three Stars (262 Kindle Locations)

Alright short story, but nothing extraordinary. It's two of the biggest science-fiction tropes mashed together: (spoilers ahead) government waging war for money (implied) and...Read more

Published 9 months ago by The Chronicler

The only problem I had with this book is that it's not long enough.

Published 1 year ago by Phillip

Good story, kept me awake during my plane ride.

Published 1 year ago by Amazon Customer

Very intriguing.

Very well written. Descriptive, felt like I was right there in the action. I love short stories, this did not disappoint, gives just enough background for the meaning behind it...Read more

Published 1 year ago by Amazon Customer

I'm speechless.. phenomenal read! My only question is how long are we going to have to wait for more?

Published 1 year ago by Wallace1978

Wow !! I could not even stop reading this story. The author really keeps the reader engaged the whole time.Read more

Published 1 year ago by Jane88

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