[rating=4]

Arrrgh! When a book is over 10 years old, there’s no reason for only the first book to be available as an e-book (kindle e-book in this case) Now I have to wait for the paper copy of the sequel to arrive. I guess that’s a huge benefit for published authors; having a reader finish a book, then immediately getting the sequel. I’m a fairly quick reader, and if there’s nothing stopping me (like needing to wait for a physical book, say) I can chew through a novel or two in a day without too much trouble. Or more. Depends on the thickness 😉 But no. I have to wait. Grrr. Until the 28th. Double Grr.

Getting past that little diversion,and still waiting for the paper copy of the sequel grr, I enjoyed Semper Mars. If you’re not from the US, Russia or the UK, you might be a little insulted by it. The only sovereign nations left, with an increasingly jingoistic UN pushing for control of everything.  Throw in Mars, ancient alien ruins and a US marine contingent on its way there, shake well and serve.

For all that it’s military Sci-Fi, it doesn’t linger over-long on the action scenes, which is good in a book. Like all good fiction, it’s about the people. The setting is just a backdrop to put stress on them.The characters are developed enough when they’re mentioned by name, and appropriately faceless when they’re background.

It’s the first book in a trilogy, of trilogies. And I’m still waiting for the second book to arrive. As you might have guessed, it left me wanting to know what happens next.   That’s not to say that it didn’t tie up the main plot of the novel, but there’s more than enough left going on to carry it forwards.

Oh, and if you’re wondering why my ratings tend to be high? I don’t bother rating books I don’t like. And I’ve had a fair run of luck with picking books I’d enjoy. There have been some I’d rate at one; I don’t want to advertise them. The only time I’ve reviewed one is when I had to (I got it through library thing)