Forgotten Ruin: An Epic Military Fantasy Thriller

Having read a lot of the military science fiction Anspach and Cole have put out, I wasn't sure I'd "dig" epic fantasy flung into their crazy smoothie blender... but I enjoyed this book WAY too much! As a CS Lewis and Tolkien-lover, I appreciated the obvious insight and research these authors put into "Forgotten Ruin" while maintaining their unique styles of writing. There are fantastic beasts in worlds untold, and why couldn't US Army Rangers be just as fantastic as a wizard, elf, orc, or were-tiger? This is not a lust-filled garbage dump of political intrigue, incestuous, murderous deceit like a certain popular fantasy series big pub loves to pump out to the masses. For that, I'm giving this book an extra star! This story stays true to the Ranger Creed and allows us to be part of the forces in a fast-paced, epic adventure in a world that may... or may not... be our own near future. The mystical, mythical creatures add volumes to this story when paired with modern humans in such a creative way. There's humor, darkness, joy, relief, and real emotion in this story as well as some of the best little Easter eggs like references that a lot of readers will get a kick out of. If Tolkien had sat down for tea with Anspach and Cole (with coffee and donuts as bonus items), they would have all had an enjoyable meeting of minds and tales... and the result would have been this book. Glad I took a chance on the smoothie, for sure. Be meaner than anything you fear. Great lesson learned.

At the end of this first of (hopefully) many installments of Cole and Anspach’s incursion into the genre of epic fantasy, The authors thank Rangers for their input in the research, and it shows. I’d learned more than I had expected to about the training, equipage and mental makeup of the Rangers, and I agree they would be particularly suited to being dropped into a world of magic and monsters. Our protagonists quickly determine the efficacy and limitations of contemporary firepower, how to incorporate the eldritch arsenals available, what the objectives are, proceed to pursue them.The worldbuilding also excels, with new twists on fantasy and D&D tropes – the magic is more pyrokinetic D&D than Tolkien. There’s a great big world to explore, and new uncanny magical applications to try out.The main character’s borderline stream-of-consciousness narration is excellent for presenting the story, recreating the feel of a war journal and combining deadly serious, gallows humor, smartmouth comments and sheer wonder. Whether he will continue as the chronicler of adventures in the Forgotten Ruin or future books will follow other characters in the third person, I look forward to reading more.Whether battling insurgents or Orcs, Rangers will Ranger!

This book is an exceptional tome by two very talented writers. It is the perfect blend of military science fiction, fantasy, and action. The best way I can describe it is a base of Tolkein, a sprig of Dragonlance, a strong essence of DnD, finished with a perfect topping of Clancy or Kratman. If you have every wondered what a company-sized element of the finest light infantry in world (75th Ranger Regiment) with modern weapons could do if they were magically (or technologically, as it were) transported to a Lord of the Rings/Dungeons and Dragons world, then brother, this book is for you. The authors are the ultimate Dungeon Masters in this epic crawl through a our broken future world. If you aren't military, then don't worry, you will garner an excellent insight into the actions and thought-process of soldiers in combat. If you are military, then sit back and smile as you recognize all the things you love and hate about your time in the suck. Get this book, read it, and most of all enjoy it. Fix Bayonets! RLTW!

As a fan of Tolkien, Forgotten Realms and military Sci-Fi this book provides a creative story that suffices them all. As a fan of their Sci-Fi work I picked this up to discover a fast pace, epic story of overwhelming odds, true heroism, and I geeked out on the fantasy portions of the story. The character development is excellent. The pacing is quick. The storyline and inclusion of typical fantasy characters is excellent.The first-person narration of the story is great. I really like the narrators (PFC Talker) commentary on his own narration of the events at times. Thanks to for the continual ‘80s shout-outs Nick.

Not going to lie... I was initially skeptical.Tolkien with NVGs?Lewis with Machine Guns?Orcs and wizards and elves with Carl Gs and military tactics?Who knew they could all work so well together, better than PB&J or jack and coke!All the nostalgia of all the fantasy I read as kid is woven together into the gritty, bloody, and raw world of heart-pounding military thrillers I've grown up to love. The action is heavy, but don't get me wrong, its not without its emotional moments. The characters, while ripped out of the reality of personalities in the storied Ranger Regiment, have complexities that bleed across the page, urging the reader to look past the tough exteriors and examine the hearts of man. We can do that in any genre but especially when Anspach and Cole are writing together!

Astounding book. I am by nature a hard sci-fi fan. But once upon a time I loved hobbits and wizards. This book more than met both needs. Lord of the Rings and army rangers. I was just astounded and entranced by this book. Just loved it

And past and Cole out did themselves and for them that is a hard thing to do. They took Dungeon and Dragons messed it with Lord of the Rings then threw in a nerd of Army Rangers to keep things busy and LET's everything in Galaxies Edge style. My God it's exhausting and fun.

Why use 10 words, when a thousand will doThis book could have been written in half as many words and still got the story across to satisfy the most detail oriented readerThe problem is the story is good, really good, it is just so ponderous. The characters are great, the story well thought out, the concept just different enough to be engaging.It is a pity, because I want to know how it turns out, I just cannot bring myself to put in the excessive time and effort to find out

I would note that at times the style this is written in is a little difficult, it’s like a journal but one written by someone who has a loose hold on time and dates and interjects their own entries. That said, the content more than made up for this and what started off as strange just got more and more interesting as the book progressed, I didn’t quite finish it in one reading but that’s because I looked at the clock, realised it was 03:00 and that I needed to get some sleep before picking it up again in the morning. I’m eagerly awaiting the next, the 1st of April can’t come soon enough!

How i enjoyed that,not your regular story line,different exciting well worth the money. If you like sci-fi you will love it, if you like war genre you also will. Have an excellent read i say thank you to the authors for giving me two days of enjoyment. Had to sleep sometime.

Tolkien updated!!! Not as good as J. R. R. but with so many connections. For fans of military Sci fi and fantasy a creditable offering. Most enjoyable.

Really enjoyed - a well written book with an interesting flip on the usual. Written by ex military people with none of the usual pretend military garbage that you can find. This one genuinely reflects how rangers etc work! Thanks!