Go to War with This New Cohort of Military Sci-Fi Novels

Killing Titan, by Greg Bear
Greg Bear has been a notable name in SF for ages, and in his last book, War Dogs, he delved into MilSF with the story of a group of space marines deployed to the surface of Mars to fight a battle on behalf of a group of apparently benevolent aliens. Master Sergeant Michael Venn almost didn’t survive—but he did, though the experience changed him. In the sequel, he and his unit are headed off to Titan, where they’ll discover some new truths about the origins of life in our Solar System, and a bit more about the Gurus, the alien race that’s supposedly on humanity’s side. War Dogs was a nice blend of a realistic Martian setting, exciting military work, compelling plotting. We’re excited to see where Bear takes this trilogy.

Going Dark, by Linda Nagata
With The Red: First Light, Linda Nagata became the first author to have a self-published novel nominated for a Nebula award. The book was subsequently picked up for republication by Saga Press, which is also releasing the sequels; following August’s The Trials, Going Dark is set to wrap up the trilogy in November. Lt. James Shelley has become a black ops sniper working for a rogue A.I. called the Red. Thought dead by his loved ones, he pursues a path that’ll take him deeper into a nebulous web of contractor workings and geopolitics, leading him all the way into space, and onto a dangerous path. This series has absolutely rocked the genre thus far; the trilogy is chock full of action and technology that’s five minutes down the road. We can’t wait to see how it wraps up.
(Full disclosure: Nagata published a short story, set in the world of The Red, in an anthology I edited, War Stories: New Military Science Fiction.)

Cauldron of Ghosts, by David Weber
The long-fought war between the Republic of Haven and Star Empire of Manticore is over, and two former enemies have joined forces to take on the Mesan Alignment, a group set on remaking the human race in the image of its own fascist ideals. Two spies, Anton Zilwicki and Victor Cachat, infiltrate Mesa to uncover its plans total domination. David Weber has few equals in MilSF, and his latest is an essential expansions of his Honor Harrington universe. This is a must for Weber’s legion of fans.

An Ancient Peace: Peacekeeper #1, by Tanya Huff
The publisher’s blurb for this one is tantalizingly brief: the first book in a near series from Huff, and a spinoff of her Confederation series. We’ve head excellent things about that series–starting with Valor’s Choice, it follows Torin Kerr and her team of space marines as they’re sent out on missions ranging from bringing a new species into the Confederation, to investigating the origins of an unknown spacecraft. We’re already excited for this one!

Halo: Last Light, by Troy Denning
Though they are first and foremost franchise novels, the book series set in the Halo video game universe also slot nicely into military SF. The first-person shooter helped catapult the XBox into success, and it’s been enormously popular ever since Master Chief set foot on that first Halo ring. Troy Denning’s novel is a new story set set shortly after the end of the Covenant War. Natives on Gao are turning up dead, and tensions are rising. A research battalion led by Spartan II Fred-104 hits the ground, Detective Veta Lopis is on the hunt for the serial killer, and a major discovery might push the planet into war. 343 Industries has built a compelling expanded universe for the Halo games, and if you’ve been jonseing for a new story in the universe while waiting for Halo 5, this one should be your next read.

The Terrans: First Salik War, by Jean Johnson
Jacaranda MacKenzie is a gifted psychic and member of the United Planets Council. When humanity encounters a new alien race, she joins the Space Force, only to discover that the Saliks seem to be quite experienced fighting humans. Johnson established herself as a writer to watch with her Theirs Not to Reason Why series, and this new cycle is set 200 years earlier. Prequels can be difficult to pull off, but we’ve got faith that if there’s anyone who can do it, Johnson can.

Kris Longknife: Unrelenting, by Mike Shepherd
In the latest adventure from Mike Shepherd’s Kris Longknife series, Admiral Kris Longknife encounters a new alien enemy in the system of Alwa. They’re fanatical and dangerous in warfare, sacrificing themselves against her ships when she engages. Complicating the situation is a saboteur that has unleashed an epidemic that’s quickly spreading throughout Longknife’s fleet—infecting Longknife herself. Shepherd’s books are reliably action-packed thrill rides, and difficult to put down. This one is no exception.
What great MilSF have you read lately?