Marko Kloos

I am authentically impressed by this series. It's easily some of the very best milSF I've ever read. Why? Because the writing is super clear and manages to be both light and dark at the very same time. I love how humanity is portrayed as being people, with both sexes getting over the baggage we never seem to get over in RL, everyone focused on living amidst horror and devastation and death always being on the doorstep.

I appreciate this a lot. It gives us all hope. It gives a very solid show more reason why we ought to survive. That, and competence reigns even if the baddie aliens are bigger than life and they're completely inscrutable and hulking and have always refused to communicate with us.

Sure, it's a plot device focused on survival and forcing the rest of us to get over our crap, but again, I like that, too.

As for this book, I think it's even better than the battle for Mars. There's something really delicious about the new battlecruiser and rescuing a colony and going all out with the battle sequences is always a winner.

I'm surprised I'm actually saying this... but Go Humanity, Go! :)

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC, it's great fun! :) show less

Surprisingly awesome, clearly-written, endlessly fascinating mil-sf, where it's not enough when just one or two things go wrong and things seem completely out of control, but where the entire population of humanity has to suffer right along with you.

Was anyone so bright-eyed and innocent before signing up? Alas, I'm reminded of the shiny adaptation of Starship Troopers when I started getting into this book, and then it seemed to take a turn for the right-wing worst when the fighting against show more the welfare state began, but no, things didn't stay that simple.

Some things are bound to go right, but conflict is truly the name of this game, and it's no fun just fighting against ourselves.

Let's get us some ALIENS!!!!

Okay. So I think I've just gone off the deep end and have just admitted to Really Liking a Mil-SF title. Not just enjoying, but actively Liking. :) I'm gonna hop on the sequels rather sooner than later, even. :)

Now where's my soundtrack? show less

I honestly couldn't put this book down. Marko expertly pulls together all of the threads of his previous novels into a non-stop action filled adventure that doesn't disappoint. Overall the scenes on the Indy are the best, with a level of tension reminiscent of The Hunt for Red October. He's really come into his own with Lines of Departure and this book, Angles of Attack, and presents the plot in a cinematic style that works wonderfully for the gigantic space opera he unfolds.
I really enjoyed show more the character development that his hero Andrew Grayson undergoes as he's matured from a fresh recruit into a grizzled veteran that understands and accepts the consequences of the life he chooses. The rich tapestry of supporting characters is fantastic as well and help to showcase various aspects of the war.
There are a few minor issues with the novel however... especially concerning a certain method for attacking Lanky ships that was developed in the second book. I often thought, why aren't they using this method to wipe the Lankies out at every opportunity? Marko does hedge against this by saying that the Lankies are hard to track but it seemed like that was tacked on to help him tell the story he wanted to tell, instead of one that would have naturally developed from the conclusion of the second book.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves science fiction. Marko is a great writer, with a fun style, and I look forward to his future work! show less

The finale (for now?) of Frontlines, is full of high action battles but ultimately is about the human costs and ultimate futility of war. Kloos does such a great job of making totally classic feeling mil-sf but without any rah-rah BS.