Rick PartlowWholesale Slaughter

For the Too Long; Didn't Read crowd: Wholesale Slaughter is an excellent addition to the genre of military adventure science fiction, I'm happy I purchased the novel, and I look forward to reading more adventures from Mr. Partlow set in this universe.Rick Partlow's newest military sci-fi thriller, "Wholesale Slaughter," is a rip-raring yarn that is action-packed, and goes down cooler than liquid helium. Set in a universe where Earth is a distant millennia-old legend, with humanity's diaspora throughout the galaxy a thousand years in the past, the story looks in many ways like Jerry Pournelle's old Empire of Man series. The main planet of the protagonists is named Sparta, humanity is divided into multiple warring factions, with vicious pirates and bandits festering among the boundaries, and faster than light travel is by means of a serial-numbers-sanded-off Alderson Drive. Plus, there's Mecha fights! Rendered in loving detail, and indeed, the protagonist of Wholesale Slaughter is the young, hot-blooded pilot of one.Shortly after we're introduced to him, we learn of a radio transmission from the ancient forebears of the current political situation, which hints at a treasure trove of superior technology. Including perhaps a true anypoint to anypoint FTL drive. To find it, our protagonist, the child of Sparta's current leader, (a decent expy of either Prince Harry or William of England's experiences in the Global War on Terror) must adopt a disguise as the leader of a mercenary company named, "Wholesale Slaughter." Because his last name is Slaughter. It's that kind of book.The action is fast though, and concise without being terse. The lurid descriptions of the fighting perhaps evoke comparisons to another of Pournelle's novels, "The Mercenary," though unlike that book, it doesn't have much space for explaining why the violence is necessary. The characters are ultimately practical people, doing what they have to do, in a line of work that doesn't allow for much introspection. Which is fine; that just slows down the action anyway. That said, I liked the characterization in Wholesale Slaughter, and thought it was done with more depth than in Mr. Partlow's first novel of his Duty, Honor, Planet series.Wholesale Slaughter is not a book of big ideas, though there are frustrations well voiced by the characters that perhaps mirror the feelings of participants in that GWOT. It's a difficult job to write as economically and smoothly as Partlow does here. While there aren't the surrealistic flourishes of a Charlie Stross, the exotic physics of Alastair Reynolds, or the elaborate plotting or motivations in the late Iain Banks's work, Partlow's prose is quick, to the point, and very entertaining.This is a decent romp, and well worth your time. I'm looking forward to reading more about these characters.

These books are frighteningly short in many ways. At least this and the first book have felt short. It's like watching a three-act play, but it ends after act 2. There are narrative steps that feel missing as the storyline trucks on to the action scenes and the ending.In book 1, I found the ending mostly satisfying and fun. It was the first book in a new series and it felt like it was moving along in presenting the long overarching plot threads and challenges for the main character and his friends.Book 2 seemed to decide to throw out most of what I expected to be the middle of this story to cut off one of the plot threads short. The build up towards this resolution was abrupt and largely incomplete, with more than a few potential threads just left untouched. The villain became suddenly competent and then equally and disastrously incompetent as needed by the tale.And in the end I felt that the conclusion was very unsatisfying. I don't want to spoil it, so I can't say more about it here.Overall, it just felt rushed all the way through. I've pretty much decided to stop with this series here. People who like high action stories will probably ignore the flaws that annoyed me, but those looking for good character development and a dependable narrative will find those missing in the rush to the action.

Rick Partlow has written almost two dozen military science fiction novels and he’s become a master at it.  His latest, Wholesale Slaughter, is one of his best, a far-future epic set in a world where Earth is a distant memory and humans scrabble for power in the remains of a fallen empire.  The slightest technological advantage could overturn the status quo, so all of the Dominions are searching for one and the Spartans have a clue where to go, but it’s straight through enemy territory.  So they send an undercover mission with the king’s son disguised as a mercenary leading a unit called Wholesale Slaughter.  The idea is cool and the execution is flawless.  Pulse-pounding book with a lot of really compelling characters.  Very highly recommended.

I have been reading military Science Fiction for 50 years. I grew up with A.E Van Vogt, Robert Heinlein, and John Campbell among others. I figured out later that the draw was that these stories were allegories, and you could read between the lines to see what incident in history was drawn on as the basis for the story. Rick Partlow’s Wholesale Slaughter is part of this genre, with the plot more in line with modern taste and expectations. You won’t be disappointed. Military Science Fiction as well as much other fiction suffers from a lack of decent character development. I found the characters compelling and conflicted. A nice mix. There is a good mix of female and male protagonists without too many stereotypical characters. I do suspect that the selection of the name Acosta as the somewhat wimpy, potentially stupid co-pilot was just an accident.The story follows Logan Connor (should be Lucky Logan!) as he deals with his destiny as a future leader of Sparta, helps rescue damsels in distress, slags mecha with the actinic light of a plasma gun, and leading his intrepid crew of mercs in disguise as they rid the Periphery of one vile, red-haired bionic space scum and his pirate trash crew.

A distant future where humanity has spread into space and devolved into waring factions, with five major dominions and numerous small, independent communities, pirates and mercinaries. Over time, the origins have been lost as has much of the technology, what remains being mostly replicated without full understanding of how it works. Then Sparta, one of the more powerful kingdoms, retrieves a corrupted radio transmission which appears to come from the old World preceding the current political situation and with it the promise of forgotten technologies which might give their society an edge in their battling. But to get there means crossing hostile territory and time was in short supply - someone else might find and decipher the message. So a single ship, disguised as a mercenary, is launched into the journey under the command of the Sparta King's son, Logan, given the new identity of Jonathan Slaughter.This, the first book in the new series by author, Rick Partlow, establishes the mercenary ship's crew and the reason they have all come together, plus the first of their enterprises to establish their mercenary identity. Presumably, there will be more such adventures to come as well as further character development of the main protagonists, although this has already started well. in the audio verssion, Marc Victor narrates, and does an excellent job not only of increasing tension as he reads the text clearly and with good inflection and pace, but also gives appropriate and separate voice to each of the characters. A good performance which is a pleasure to hear.This is an enjoyable read, full of daring do, fine (and otherwise) sentiments, romance, battles and even mechs, set in a.future of lost greatness and with a slight impression of ancient quests. All in all, a good read. Not profound but good fun.

For the first book in a new series I was very impressed with this. The set up was smooth and not at all laborious and the military set scenes were fast, furious and well done. OK, the the relationship bits were just a little cheesy but they do build characters that are likeable and reasonably realistic. It's a military sci-fi and it delivers well in that genre. I'm definitely likely to read the next one to see where it goes.

A totally unique military Sci-Fi first in series,a brilliant storyline,relatable characters extremely well written action scenes,twists and turns to keep you turning pages this book has it all.Highly recommended a must read,Baz

Kick-ass story, Im enjoying it. Just got the second book and will get more.

If you like this then definitely try the Mike Shepherd series with Kris Longknife