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Summary: "From the Halls of Montezuma to the sands of Cydonia.."
Review: Okay, I have to admit, I'm a bit biased... My father was a Marine chopper pilot and supply officer in Vietnam and I'm a dyed in the wool science fiction fan and space enthusiast who is absolutely fascinated by the potential implications of the Cydonia enigmas on Mars. So there was no way I could pass up this book! I stayed up until 2:00 am on a work night to finish it in one sitting and I will definitely buy the next two books in the series. The author's Marine characters are appropriately colorful, and his extrapolations of future military /aerospace hardware very believable. His speculations regarding what a manned mission to Mars might find at Cydonia are right in line with those of Hoagland, et.al. I'm not going to spoil the plot but I will say that if you are into techno thrillers and/or military SF, and have been following the controversy surrounding the "Face" on Mars, well, this one is a sure bet!
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Summary: Cynic Suprised
Review: On a lark I purchased the book. I am a military historian, my youngest brother is a marine and the movie Aliens being a favorite, I had hopes that this book might be a fun read. At least it would be worth a trade in at a local paperback store. I usually HATE Sci-Fi and can count two books in my library that are Sci-Fi: Statrship Troopers and now Semper Mars. Mr. Woods knows his history, know his Corps, and makes a plausible if somewhat bleak future. I simply could not put this book down. Which is usually only the case with a history book. Pick it up you will not be disappointed!!!
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Summary: A good Sci Fi, and very motivational for Marines.
Review: Once you start this one, its really had to put down. I very much enjoyed the storyline and was also pleasently suprised by the Marine jargon and insider slang, and the history of the Corps that Douglas uses. I have read the next book in the trilogy also, and am ready and waiting for book three. Keep it up Mr. Douglas. -Semper Fi.
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Summary: "Semper Fi for Semper Mars!"
Review: Ooh-rah for Ian Douglas! One great book. The characters are first rate, from scientist David Alexander, dedicated to discovering the truth about Mars' alien artifacts regardless who it ticks off, to Major Garroway, who begins just counting the days until retirement, and suddenly finds himself in the middle of one of the most important battles in mankind's history. I love Douglas' details about living on Mars. An excellent job showing the tradition and pride of the USMC. Lots of cool hi-tech gadgets (I LOVE the camo armor) and some great action. The siege in Mexico City rocked!
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Summary: Could not put it down, but it gets a little far-fetched.
Review: Overall, I liked this book very much. The plot was action-packed and kept me wanting to read more. The military scenes were usually very realistic. The characters were well-developed and you wanted to get to know them. My only complaint is the very basis of the book, the Face on Mars, is somewhat far-fetched, barely explained and strange. I understand that there are more books coming explaining the Face of Mars, but I found this blatent twist of reality annoying in a book that otherwise went so far to be realistic and accurate.
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Summary: Great fun like all his other books!
Review: Pay no attention to the sour grapes from the Japanese and Belguim reviews. The Eurpoeans and Japanese didn't shine in this book. If you look inside at the publishing information, you will note that the book is by William H. Keith Jr. of the 5th Foreigh Legion and Warstrider series. Why he chose to publish under another name is a mystery to me because I gobbled up all his other books. This book has lots of action and credible technological settings, great characters (including the Japanese), and is a great read. I look forward to the next installment.
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Summary: exciting if not deep
Review: Read the book upon recommendation of bookseller. Would not otherwise have touched the novel. Although it is very politically charged, it is a very exciting read. The combat is mediocre, but well paced to keep the story moving. The characters are interesitng, if a tad shallow. The backdrop however, seems well developed. If you like taking today's problems and putting them in a near future setting, this book is for you.
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Summary: Great Military Sci-fi
Review: Semper Mars is the first of three books in the Heritage Series, a well written trilogy that combines some excellent military fiction with an engrossing science fiction plot that borrows heavily from the speculative archeology in Graham Hancock's "Fingerprints of the Gods". The characters are interesting and multi dimension, the plot is imaginative and the dialog is gritty and realistic. Once you get started, these books are hard to put down. The first book starts out in the year 2040, where scientists excavating ruins on Mars have found something they would have never expected - human remains. In order to protect US interests from the chaos threatening to split humanity, a thirty man team of marines is dispatched to Mars. Unfortunately, a few other nations have similar ideas and the international coterie of scientists get caught in between.
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Summary: If you¿re a Marine and a SF fan, this is the best.
Review: Speaking as a Vietnam Marine, and a long-time SF fan, I thought the book was terrific. Those who thought the characters were larger than life have missed Chesty, Iron Man Lee, Harry the Horse, Manila John, Old Gimlet Eye, Dan Daly and a thousand other USMC giants. Semper Fi!
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Summary: Splendid story - poor political insight
Review: Technically this book is one of the best in its genre. The author knows how to get a grip on his readers. The fast action, unexpected turns, credible characters make this novel an example of good writing.
But in opposition to this the political setting as the background to this story is improbable and inconceivable as it is based on national stereotypes and unnecessary jingoism. Never during the whole novel does the author explain why one side really fights the other. It is not a fight good vs. bad. It's a fight of nations the author seems to like and nations he does not care for. Never during the whole novel do we get to know why the "UNers" act as they do - their motives virtually remain in the dark. Consequences like religious unrest and radical sects in Western Europe are not realistic arguments, and someone who knows a bit more of the world than the author, may conclude that America could be more endangered in this respect than Europe. Does Douglas really believe a scenario like this could really be possible in nations of the Western hemisphere?
The political situation at this very moment strongly suggests the contrary. The people who work against truth and human progress are to be found elsewhere. This book is a good example of the fact that novels and stories have to be founded on excellent research, political insight and psychologically realistic scenarios if they want to be really good. Maybe Douglas should have had a closer look at "Star Trek" to find out how to create a serious background for Science Fiction Stories, and better even, he should have read Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars trilogy. Oh, but this is only fiction, some will say. True enough! But if fiction wants to be relevant, wants to mirror the world as it is, it has to weigh certain possibilities, above all when the setting the author chooses is seemingly a realistic one.
But, dear reader, go ahead and read the book - it is full of suspense. But do not let yourself get manipulated by cheap clichés.
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