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Set in a chillingly realistic far-future world, and featuring a gritty antihero even more frightening than the evil empire he serves as soldier and assassin, Death's Head is sure to be one of the most talked-about novels of the year. David Gunn is loaded--and he shoots to kill. At the top of the galactic pecking order is the United Free, a civilization of awe-inspiring technological prowess so far in advance of other space-faring powers as to seem untouchable gods. Most of the known universe show more has fallen under their inscrutable sway. The rest is squabbled over by two empires: one ruled with an iron fist by OctoV, a tyrant who appears to his followers as a teenage boy but is in reality something very different, the other administered by the Uplifted, bizarre machinelike intelligences, and their no-longer-quite-human servants, cyborgs known as the Enlightened. Sven Tveskoeg, an ex-sergeant demoted for insubordination and sentenced to death, is a vicious killer with a stubborn streak of loyalty. Sven possesses a fierce if untutored intelligence and a genetic makeup that is 98.2 percent human and 1.8 percent . . . something else. Perhaps that "something else" explains how quickly he heals from even the worst injuries or how he can communicate telepathically with the ferox, fearsome alien savages whose natural fighting abilities regularly outperform the advanced technology of their human enemies. Perhaps it is these unique abilities that bring Sven to the attention of OctoV. Drafted into the Death's Head, the elite enforcers of OctoV's imperial will, Sven is given a new lease on life. Armed with a SIG diabolo-an intelligent gun-and an illegal symbiont called a kyp, Sven is sent to a faraway planet, the latest battleground between the Uplifted and OctoV. There he finds himself in the midst of a military disaster, one that will take all his courage--and all his firepower--to survive. But an even deadlier struggle is taking place, a struggle that will draw the attention of the United Free. Sven knows he is a pawn, and pawns have a bad habit of being sacrificed. But Sven is nobody's sacrifice. And even a pawn can checkmate a king. Praise for Death's Head "The finest military science-fiction debut in years."--Kirkus Reviews "Hardboiled, laser-blasting science fiction as it's meant to be."--Charlie Huston, author of Caught Stealing and Already Dead show lessTags
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crazybatcow Both are military sci-fi with mature themes and a protagonist you might not like but who kicks butt anyway.
crazybatcow Death's Head is quite a bit more "noir" but they're both military sci-fi with competent butt-kicking and mature themes.
Member Reviews
Death’s Head Series
David Gunn
1. Death’s Head (4 ½ stars out of 5)
2. Death’s Head: Maximum Offense (4 stars out of 5)
3. Death’s Head: Day of the Damned (4 stars out of 5)
When it’s time to put down those dusty classics, the recommended high-brow literature and your lengthy summer reading list I suggest you pick up any one of David Gunn’s Death’s Head books. They are the Science Fiction equivalent of the action adventure blockbuster movies you’ve come to know and love. The stories move faster than the speed of light and are quite literally jammed with swearing, shooting and screwing (not necessarily in that order.) Between the three S’s however, you’ll find great storytelling, sharp dialogue and quite a few unique show more literary inventions. Wait! That just doesn’t give justice to Gunn’s work. There is backstabbing, compassion, evisceration and even a bit of technological tom-foolery. Yes, I said it – tom-foolery. How else do you explain the computer chip resurrection some characters achieve? But take my word for it this is not a cheap sub-plot to play god. There is logic and purpose behind the concept. You’ll feel it before you truly understand it.
The Death’s Head books are military Science Fiction the way it was intended to be written and the way it must be read. The characters are the meanest, nastiest, toughest survival-types you’ll ever meet and they find themselves in impossible situations under unbelievable odds. Yet, they still manage to stay sane and complete the missions (well, most of them anyway.) Two of my favorite creations are the talking gun (and a smart-ass to boot) and a cognizant, sentient planet. You really have to read them to understand the complexities involved. But believe me when I tell you that it’s absolutely worth it. I’ve been reading the series since the publication of the very first book and I wait impatiently for each next installment to hit the bookstores. (I haven’t done that since Harry Potter!) This is great solid, throw-back military Science Fiction and I assure you that you won’t be wasting your money if you purchase every book in the series.
The Alternative
Southeast, Wisconsin show less
David Gunn
1. Death’s Head (4 ½ stars out of 5)
2. Death’s Head: Maximum Offense (4 stars out of 5)
3. Death’s Head: Day of the Damned (4 stars out of 5)
When it’s time to put down those dusty classics, the recommended high-brow literature and your lengthy summer reading list I suggest you pick up any one of David Gunn’s Death’s Head books. They are the Science Fiction equivalent of the action adventure blockbuster movies you’ve come to know and love. The stories move faster than the speed of light and are quite literally jammed with swearing, shooting and screwing (not necessarily in that order.) Between the three S’s however, you’ll find great storytelling, sharp dialogue and quite a few unique show more literary inventions. Wait! That just doesn’t give justice to Gunn’s work. There is backstabbing, compassion, evisceration and even a bit of technological tom-foolery. Yes, I said it – tom-foolery. How else do you explain the computer chip resurrection some characters achieve? But take my word for it this is not a cheap sub-plot to play god. There is logic and purpose behind the concept. You’ll feel it before you truly understand it.
The Death’s Head books are military Science Fiction the way it was intended to be written and the way it must be read. The characters are the meanest, nastiest, toughest survival-types you’ll ever meet and they find themselves in impossible situations under unbelievable odds. Yet, they still manage to stay sane and complete the missions (well, most of them anyway.) Two of my favorite creations are the talking gun (and a smart-ass to boot) and a cognizant, sentient planet. You really have to read them to understand the complexities involved. But believe me when I tell you that it’s absolutely worth it. I’ve been reading the series since the publication of the very first book and I wait impatiently for each next installment to hit the bookstores. (I haven’t done that since Harry Potter!) This is great solid, throw-back military Science Fiction and I assure you that you won’t be wasting your money if you purchase every book in the series.
The Alternative
Southeast, Wisconsin show less
David Gunn's debut novel Death's Head was a very well written book. We are introduced to a gritty, war torn far future via the first person narration of Sven Tveskoeg. He is a very well drawn and believable character. The author bio hints that Mr. Gunn has quite a bit of experience in military service and it shows in all the little throwaway factoids and bits of wry observation Sven throws in to his narration.
The story begins with Sven already in trouble when the fort he is stationed at comes under attack. From there we are whirled though episodes detailing how Sven lives with an enemy species, survives in an ice prison, is enlisted into the service of a futuristic S.S. service and is sent out on many impossible missions. The pace booms show more along with the speed of a locomotive.
For me, one criticism of the book is that it moves too fast. Sven goes through so much in the first hundred pages or so that it starts to feel episodic. Each 'episode' does add some tidbit to the tale being told, but it gets hard to feel too invested in the book because of that. It just never really felt like the book was 'going anywhere' if you see what I mean. Though I really enjoyed the writing, towards the end I just felt like I was pushing myself to finish the thing.
Sven is a pretty interesting character, but he comes very close to being a Mary Sue to me. He's a genius in battle, is regularly insubordinate (or downright violent) to his superior officers, he has the Wolverine-like ability to self heal and becomes telepathic and telekinetic. Mr. Gunn needs to give Sven some serious feet of clay somewhere and soon.
Also, I have to go against the tide and say that the talking gun was really a bit much. Yeah, I did like its 'character', but why would anybody want a moody and opinionated gun?
I guess I shouldn't end this review on a negative: I do have to give David Gunn some credit for excellently handled action scenes. His description is clear and fast paced with just the right amount of detail.
As a warning to sensitive readers, the novel is trying to realistically depict war as hell. The violence in the book is explicit (mentioning which body parts were vaporized, loving depictions of severed fingers, etc). Several wartime atrocities (perpetrated by soldiers on both sides) are depicted. There are two instances that I remember that imply a rape is happening (none of the main or even secondary characters are involved). These scenes were suitably horrifying and made the book more realistic. Considering the book is trying to be a grim and gritty war story, I viewed these qualities as a positive for the book. I suppose it could be offensive to some.
I will pick up the next two books so long as it turns out to be a trilogy. If it is not, I can't guarantee my interest beyond that. show less
The story begins with Sven already in trouble when the fort he is stationed at comes under attack. From there we are whirled though episodes detailing how Sven lives with an enemy species, survives in an ice prison, is enlisted into the service of a futuristic S.S. service and is sent out on many impossible missions. The pace booms show more along with the speed of a locomotive.
For me, one criticism of the book is that it moves too fast. Sven goes through so much in the first hundred pages or so that it starts to feel episodic. Each 'episode' does add some tidbit to the tale being told, but it gets hard to feel too invested in the book because of that. It just never really felt like the book was 'going anywhere' if you see what I mean. Though I really enjoyed the writing, towards the end I just felt like I was pushing myself to finish the thing.
Sven is a pretty interesting character, but he comes very close to being a Mary Sue to me. He's a genius in battle, is regularly insubordinate (or downright violent) to his superior officers, he has the Wolverine-like ability to self heal and becomes telepathic and telekinetic. Mr. Gunn needs to give Sven some serious feet of clay somewhere and soon.
Also, I have to go against the tide and say that the talking gun was really a bit much. Yeah, I did like its 'character', but why would anybody want a moody and opinionated gun?
I guess I shouldn't end this review on a negative: I do have to give David Gunn some credit for excellently handled action scenes. His description is clear and fast paced with just the right amount of detail.
As a warning to sensitive readers, the novel is trying to realistically depict war as hell. The violence in the book is explicit (mentioning which body parts were vaporized, loving depictions of severed fingers, etc). Several wartime atrocities (perpetrated by soldiers on both sides) are depicted. There are two instances that I remember that imply a rape is happening (none of the main or even secondary characters are involved). These scenes were suitably horrifying and made the book more realistic. Considering the book is trying to be a grim and gritty war story, I viewed these qualities as a positive for the book. I suppose it could be offensive to some.
I will pick up the next two books so long as it turns out to be a trilogy. If it is not, I can't guarantee my interest beyond that. show less
This was a very interesting book. Lots of people look at it as "barbarian" story set in far future. But it is not the case, at least IMHO.
Main character - Sven - is a troublesome person. Involved in life or death situations from his teens he enlists into Legion, elite formation fighting under command of OctoV, immortal Emperor. Serving constantly on the frontline he is more of an instinctive fighter but he is far from the berserker, he knows very well what he is doing. He does think and he is not stupid - he just does not have any academic training. And when you think about it, considering rather careless approach to his soldiers' lives by mighty OctoV (troops are for all means and purposes treated as cannon fodder), serving soldiers show more can only do so much in order to survive, concentrate on survival skills.
All of this changes when OctoV's special service force (Death's Head from the title) shows interest in Sven. Changes he goes through will open up new potentials in Sven, physical and mental/machine-interfacing ones, and this will attract attention from the other power players in the galaxy.
While OctoV's Empire is built on what you might call standard humans, rest of universe is made of "evolved" humans - overtly enhanced cyborgs (aka Enlightened) and more subtly advanced Culture like humans (Uplifted). Uplifted play the role of ubermensch (as I said think of them as Culture like organization) monitoring (and scheming with/against) other powers while Enlightened are the main military opposition to OctoV.
I liked one of the reviews about the "Sven's stupidity as barbarian". First, Sven is soldier who does not expect anything from his superiors but is trained to follow their commands no matter what. So when he unknowingly enhances himself of course he needs time and guidance to figure out what is happening. And regarding the smart gun .... this is not Culture/Polity combat drone with almost infinite potential for self improvement and upgrade. This is weapon that assists with aiming and ammunition/fire modes but it is not capable of self-improvement and requires a human to operate it. Sven is aware that, although it has its obvious advantages, smart gun is not better than any other powered infantry gun or missile in the all out warfare that dominates Sven's universe. I think Kovacs and Sven would recognize oneself in another - only difference being that Kovacs did not spend years as a grunt/cannon fodder but was directly recruited into Envoys. Regarding everything else they are pretty much the same.
On the other hand, Sven is maybe more like Sten (very similar character, has its own very good novel series) than Kovacs. In any case it is always a story of the lone wolf who is able to motivate people around him and lead them in dire times.
Story is told through POV of Sven, but in a way that we never have complete picture of events. There is always something missing, something Sven is not telling us. Sven's world is full of technical wonders but author does not go into much details on this front - we can see super computers, drones, bio-mechanical enhancements but they do not dominate the story which I think is good approach. I think that author will develop this part of story in follow up books.
Story is full of no-nonsense (for SF of course) combat and is interspersed with scenes of what I think is considered standard part of soldiers life (if you consider movies and fiction to be any indicator) - lots of drinking and lots of sex.
Interesting story, interesting characters and we also get quite a few plot twists related to the Sven's world and universe.
For action/thriller lovers, in vein of Wild Bunch and Dirty Dozen (guilty :)), look no further.
Highly recommended. show less
Main character - Sven - is a troublesome person. Involved in life or death situations from his teens he enlists into Legion, elite formation fighting under command of OctoV, immortal Emperor. Serving constantly on the frontline he is more of an instinctive fighter but he is far from the berserker, he knows very well what he is doing. He does think and he is not stupid - he just does not have any academic training. And when you think about it, considering rather careless approach to his soldiers' lives by mighty OctoV (troops are for all means and purposes treated as cannon fodder), serving soldiers show more can only do so much in order to survive, concentrate on survival skills.
All of this changes when OctoV's special service force (Death's Head from the title) shows interest in Sven. Changes he goes through will open up new potentials in Sven, physical and mental/machine-interfacing ones, and this will attract attention from the other power players in the galaxy.
While OctoV's Empire is built on what you might call standard humans, rest of universe is made of "evolved" humans - overtly enhanced cyborgs (aka Enlightened) and more subtly advanced Culture like humans (Uplifted). Uplifted play the role of ubermensch (as I said think of them as Culture like organization) monitoring (and scheming with/against) other powers while Enlightened are the main military opposition to OctoV.
I liked one of the reviews about the "Sven's stupidity as barbarian". First, Sven is soldier who does not expect anything from his superiors but is trained to follow their commands no matter what. So when he unknowingly enhances himself of course he needs time and guidance to figure out what is happening. And regarding the smart gun .... this is not Culture/Polity combat drone with almost infinite potential for self improvement and upgrade. This is weapon that assists with aiming and ammunition/fire modes but it is not capable of self-improvement and requires a human to operate it. Sven is aware that, although it has its obvious advantages, smart gun is not better than any other powered infantry gun or missile in the all out warfare that dominates Sven's universe. I think Kovacs and Sven would recognize oneself in another - only difference being that Kovacs did not spend years as a grunt/cannon fodder but was directly recruited into Envoys. Regarding everything else they are pretty much the same.
On the other hand, Sven is maybe more like Sten (very similar character, has its own very good novel series) than Kovacs. In any case it is always a story of the lone wolf who is able to motivate people around him and lead them in dire times.
Story is told through POV of Sven, but in a way that we never have complete picture of events. There is always something missing, something Sven is not telling us. Sven's world is full of technical wonders but author does not go into much details on this front - we can see super computers, drones, bio-mechanical enhancements but they do not dominate the story which I think is good approach. I think that author will develop this part of story in follow up books.
Story is full of no-nonsense (for SF of course) combat and is interspersed with scenes of what I think is considered standard part of soldiers life (if you consider movies and fiction to be any indicator) - lots of drinking and lots of sex.
Interesting story, interesting characters and we also get quite a few plot twists related to the Sven's world and universe.
For action/thriller lovers, in vein of Wild Bunch and Dirty Dozen (guilty :)), look no further.
Highly recommended. show less
One sentence summary? Jack Reacher, in space, with a big gun and a bad attitude.
I glanced at the first few pages of this book to see if it was interesting enough for me to take it on a road trip this week, or if I would just leave it until I got back.
Several hours later I put the book down, went online and ordered the next two books in the series before picking it back up and finishing it.
It is violent and dark and the main character is one that you'll wonder why you like him so much. It's kinda like Jack Reacher in a science fiction setting - but a bit more violent and a bit more dark. Yeah, I know...
Sven gets it done. That's his job so he does it. What is he? Well, he is kinda like a not-quite-evil-but-very-noire Superman. Oh, and show more he's got a gun that is nearly as bad as he is.
It's violent but not particulary gory and there's foul language but it always fits the circumstances and there's sex/rape/prostitution but it's not graphic. I'm not sure if there's anything that could have made this book better... honestly. show less
I glanced at the first few pages of this book to see if it was interesting enough for me to take it on a road trip this week, or if I would just leave it until I got back.
Several hours later I put the book down, went online and ordered the next two books in the series before picking it back up and finishing it.
It is violent and dark and the main character is one that you'll wonder why you like him so much. It's kinda like Jack Reacher in a science fiction setting - but a bit more violent and a bit more dark. Yeah, I know...
Sven gets it done. That's his job so he does it. What is he? Well, he is kinda like a not-quite-evil-but-very-noire Superman. Oh, and show more he's got a gun that is nearly as bad as he is.
It's violent but not particulary gory and there's foul language but it always fits the circumstances and there's sex/rape/prostitution but it's not graphic. I'm not sure if there's anything that could have made this book better... honestly. show less
I was really looking to read some military sci-fi and this really fits the bill. It reads like a comic book which suits me fine but beware - if you are expecting anything deeper than that - maybe look elsewhere.
The main character(Sven)is basically the hardest man in the universe an really gets thrown around the plot - often for no obviously discernable reason - being incredibly hard and violent.
It's the motivation and direction of the plot and of him that jars a little bit. Sven is painted as a really strong, forceful, independant character but just seem to be moved randomly through the story without really questioining it much. Perhaps this is a valid observation on his military mindset?
There is also quite a lot of world building that show more isn't really exaplained in any great detail (another victim of the genre I suppose) but enough is revealed through out the story to make is understandable and really all you need to to know is good guys/bad guys/really bad guys.
Sven is likebale in an unlikeable kind of way and the mad running around shooting things distracts from any issues with plot ot characterisation. His sarcastic talkig gun is the star of the show in my opinio and I have it retuns in future instalments of which - according to GR - there are to be several.
Enjoyable Action Packed Violent. I'll definately be picked up the others.
However - he has a sarcastic talking gun so all is forgiven show less
The main character(Sven)is basically the hardest man in the universe an really gets thrown around the plot - often for no obviously discernable reason - being incredibly hard and violent.
It's the motivation and direction of the plot and of him that jars a little bit. Sven is painted as a really strong, forceful, independant character but just seem to be moved randomly through the story without really questioining it much. Perhaps this is a valid observation on his military mindset?
There is also quite a lot of world building that show more isn't really exaplained in any great detail (another victim of the genre I suppose) but enough is revealed through out the story to make is understandable and really all you need to to know is good guys/bad guys/really bad guys.
Sven is likebale in an unlikeable kind of way and the mad running around shooting things distracts from any issues with plot ot characterisation. His sarcastic talkig gun is the star of the show in my opinio and I have it retuns in future instalments of which - according to GR - there are to be several.
Enjoyable Action Packed Violent. I'll definately be picked up the others.
However - he has a sarcastic talking gun so all is forgiven show less
I read book two first and liked it so much, I got this one and read it in just a few hours. Already ordered the last in the series, knowing I'll like that as well. Intriguing players, tons of action and a very interesting world(s) creation. Too bad there are just three in the series.
Sven is a unique character that is full of violence and destruction. He starts out as a legionnaire and soon becomes entangled in politics and distant wars. Sven is saved from the legionnaire and placed in the Death's Head squad. He then is tasked with proving himself and is sent to a war zone. His skill is quickly on display and despite the politics, he is determined to survive.
This series isn't for everyone. It has extreme violence and language but it also has interesting characters and humor. This is a good adventure story and was really enjoyable.
This series isn't for everyone. It has extreme violence and language but it also has interesting characters and humor. This is a good adventure story and was really enjoyable.
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