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Summary: Ringo rings in a fabulous first novel
Review: I have to say it is the best first novel I've read in many years. It reminds me very much, in terms of quality, of David Brin's early work, and Roger Zelazny, and Robert Heinlein and people like that. The writing style is a bit uneven, as you should expect for a first novel, and you can see where Ringo got better as he went along, but by the end, it got very very good indeed. Ringo has succeeded in setting a really high bar for yourself for the next one! This is definitely a getter and a keeper and a re-reader!
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Summary: This is a very good book
Review: This is one of the best science fiction novels I have read in recent memory. It is good old-fashioned fun. The military focus of the book rings true, the characters are genuinely likable (or despicable, as appropriate) and the action is top notch and suspenseful. The author sets the book in the near-term future, which also helps draw the reader into the story. The only criticism I have is that the sequel won't be out until April.
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Summary: AHBB is about as good as SF gets!
Review: I first read this book when it came out electronically on Baen's webscription services. Then, after reading the first chapter, I immediatly ordered the book. My only complaint about _A_Hymn_Before_Battle_ is that it ended too soon. I know its part of a series... but couldn't we know just a little more? Please .... <beg...whimper...snivel> Buy the book. If you like good hardcore Science Fiction with military twist ... this book is going to be one of the classics in your collection! Buz Ozburn
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Summary: A nice twist
Review: I particularly like the basic premise: aliens under attack come to Earth because we are so good at killing. What is so interesting is how the guys who show up hat-in-hand try to lord it over the "killers." Imagine a bunch of Japanese nobels who are not only emotionally but physically unable to fight back hiring some German early-iron-age horsemen to defend them from Chinese human-wave attacks. The theory guys will love this part of the book. On the other hand, the "let's get to the battle" types will love Ringo's battle suit. It is a logical progression from RAH's combat suit, but well beyond it technologically. Imagine comparing a flintlock with a railgun! Finally, it is a GOOD READ.
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Summary: Military science fiction at its best.
Review: This is a book that proves that you can both develop a character and still have lots of things going boom. The things he does with power suits are incredible. I can hardly wait for his next work. Buy this book you will not be dissapointed.
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Summary: A Page Turner!!
Review: Often it is difficult for me to read a book by an unknown author since so many times in the past I have come away disappointed. But for all the disappointment, I keep trying because every now and then a true gem emerges from the muck. A Hymn Before Battle is just such a gem. A book that has the rare ability to pull the reader into it and keep them there, a page turner in the true sense of the word. My only problem with this book was that it ended when I wished it could go on and on. If you like you military science fiction, try A Hymn Before Battle. You won't be disappointed.
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Summary: Can't put it down!!!
Review: If you like a fast-paced crammed with a real soldier's opinions, you've got to get this book. I almost hate it when I start a book like this and can't finish reading it in one sitting. The hero of the story (and I really mean HERO - Michael O'Neal) is a genuinely likable guy who get's caught up in the Earth's first contact with aliens. The Posleen really bad guys trying to take over the galaxy (universe?), and Earth just happens to be in the way. Watch out as Earth's military forces start to respond. Loved it!!
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Summary: I have not read any better Military SF than this.
Review: This novel starts out similarly to Alan Dean Foster's series, "A Call to Arms." Only earthmen are barbaric enough to fight a vicious interstellar menace gobbling up the peaceful federation. The characters are alive and interesting, as well done as a David Weber novel. The military action writing is as realistic as David Drake's. The technology is first-rate. Ringo has a higher opinion of senior officers than I do but that didn't ruin the novel for me. Anyone who enjoyed novels by David Sherman & Dan Cragg, Rick Shelley or John Hemry, would enjoy this novel. It's worth buying the hardback.
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Summary: Impressive, a compulsive read.
Review: A work of good military fiction kindles, for a while, a certain primeaval flame of the spirit - in creating the urgencies and dangers of combat and the tension of the waiting for action, this is such a book. The impending danger to earth, the uncertain quality of her new alien allies and the juggernaut power of the common enemy are well characterised from the start. The author is obviously a more than competant strategist, and handles well the tactical problems of the introduction of new technology to combat infantry. His descriptions of the furball situation of high tech urban combat are extremely vivid. My favourite part of the book, however, was the description of the jungle guerilla patrol's fate. There are several threads to the storyline interwoven with real skill. Buy this book, then start the countdown for the sequel's release date.
Rating:
Summary: FIRE ONE!!!
Review: John Ringo's first novel is a smash. Having grown up all over the world and served in the Airborne division, John has had a unique look at life and at combat, much like David Drake. This is a story of combat and intrigue. READ IT!! You won't be disappointed. Fast moving, well-detailed. John is now on my 'buy' list for military fiction. Kudos to Jim Baen for picking up this talented first time author.
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