AUGUST 2018 - AudioFile
A riveting listen from start to finish! A retired war hero is summoned to another planet to investigate the disappearance of a VIP’s son. But he’s not being told the whole story. This new sci-fi offers the perfect blend of science fiction, mystery, military strategy, humor, and momentum. R.C. Bray is the perfect narrator for Carl Butler, as his gruff voice fits the shrewd, matter-of-fact Colonel to perfection. He BECOMES the character, making it seem as though Butler is recounting the story himself. Bray’s impeccable timing and cadence will keep listeners hanging onto his every word. While he builds intensity as the mystery unfolds, his sharp delivery may even startle listeners into a few laughs. It’s a good thing audiobooks are great for multitasking because with PLANETSIDE listeners won’t want to put down their earbuds! N.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2019 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
Publishers Weekly
06/04/2018
A combat veteran is plunged into danger on a remote planet in this blend of military invasion and scientific ambition. With just a year before retirement, the last thing Col. Carl Butler wants is to be sent on a politically touchy investigation on a distant, battle-torn world. His friend General Serata orders Butler to Cappa, where Lieutenant Mallot, son of a High Councilor, has disappeared. Cappa is a vital source of the silver needed for high-tech devices, but some of the native Cappans object to human mining activity. Once Butler arrives, Cappan insurgents are the least of his worries: someone’s trying to block his investigation. His efforts to find Mallot and bring the culprits to justice put Butler in the crosshairs of an unexpectedly deadly enemy on a mission that could be his last. The worldbuilding is weak, but Mammay capably writes Butler’s gritty, old-school soldier’s voice, and the story delivers enough intrigue and action for fans of military SF. Agent: Lisa Rogers, JABberwocky Literary. (July)
From the Publisher
This was a brisk, entertaining novel. [...] I was reminded a bit of some of John Scalzi’s Old Man’s War novels.” — SFFWorld
“A tough, authentic-feeling story that starts out fast and accelerates from there.” — Jack Campbell, author of Ascendant
“Not just for military SF fans—although military SF fans will love it—Planetside is an amazing debut novel, and I’m looking forward to what Mammay writes next.” — Tanya Huff, author of the Confederation and Peacekeeper series
“PLANETSIDE is a smart and fast-paced blend of mystery and boots-in-the-dirt military SF that reads like a high-speed collision between Courage Under Fire and Heart of Darkness.” — Marko Kloos, bestselling author of the Frontline series
“The book was an enjoyable read and would likely sit well with any fan of military SF looking for an action-thriller to browse while lying in the sun at the beach.” — Chris Kluwe for Lightspeed Magazine
“If Cold Welcome and Old Man’s War had a love child you might get something like PLANETSIDE. And it would be, and is, pretty damn awesome. I would say it’s awesome for a debut novel, but that isn’t nearly praise enough. It’s just plain awesome.” — Reading Reality
“In Planetside Mammay mixes a brevity of prose with feeling of authenticity that would be remarkable in many experienced authors, let alone in a debut novel. Definitely the best military sci-fi debut I’ve come across in a while.” — Gavin Smith, author of Bastard Legion and Age of Scorpio
“A fast-paced tale of military investigation that reads like a blend of Jerry Pournelle and NCIS. Michael Mammay brings an exciting and authentic voice of experience to military science fiction.” — Peter McLean, author of Priest of Bones
“Mammay capably writes Butler’s gritty, old-school soldier’s voice, and the story delivers enough intrigue and action for fans of military SF.” — Publishers Weekly
“Planetside, the debut novel by Michael Mammay, is an easy book to love. [...] a page-turner and an extremely satisfying read.” — Washington Independent Review of Books
“If you like military SF you’ll love this or if you like SF mysteries or probably just SF in general. It’s a highly impressive first novel that left a real impact.” — SFCrowsnest
Tanya Huff
Not just for military SF fans—although military SF fans will love it—Planetside is an amazing debut novel, and I’m looking forward to what Mammay writes next.
Peter McLean
A fast-paced tale of military investigation that reads like a blend of Jerry Pournelle and NCIS. Michael Mammay brings an exciting and authentic voice of experience to military science fiction.”
Gavin Smith
In Planetside Mammay mixes a brevity of prose with feeling of authenticity that would be remarkable in many experienced authors, let alone in a debut novel. Definitely the best military sci-fi debut I’ve come across in a while.
Reading Reality
If Cold Welcome and Old Man’s War had a love child you might get something like PLANETSIDE. And it would be, and is, pretty damn awesome. I would say it’s awesome for a debut novel, but that isn’t nearly praise enough. It’s just plain awesome.
SFFWorld
This was a brisk, entertaining novel. [...] I was reminded a bit of some of John Scalzi’s Old Man’s War novels.
Washington Independent Review of Books
“Planetside, the debut novel by Michael Mammay, is an easy book to love. [...] a page-turner and an extremely satisfying read.
Chris Kluwe for Lightspeed Magazine
The book was an enjoyable read and would likely sit well with any fan of military SF looking for an action-thriller to browse while lying in the sun at the beach.
Jack Campbell
A tough, authentic-feeling story that starts out fast and accelerates from there.”
Marko Kloos
PLANETSIDE is a smart and fast-paced blend of mystery and boots-in-the-dirt military SF that reads like a high-speed collision between Courage Under Fire and Heart of Darkness.
SFCrowsnest
If you like military SF you’ll love this or if you like SF mysteries or probably just SF in general. It’s a highly impressive first novel that left a real impact.
AUGUST 2018 - AudioFile
A riveting listen from start to finish! A retired war hero is summoned to another planet to investigate the disappearance of a VIP’s son. But he’s not being told the whole story. This new sci-fi offers the perfect blend of science fiction, mystery, military strategy, humor, and momentum. R.C. Bray is the perfect narrator for Carl Butler, as his gruff voice fits the shrewd, matter-of-fact Colonel to perfection. He BECOMES the character, making it seem as though Butler is recounting the story himself. Bray’s impeccable timing and cadence will keep listeners hanging onto his every word. While he builds intensity as the mystery unfolds, his sharp delivery may even startle listeners into a few laughs. It’s a good thing audiobooks are great for multitasking because with PLANETSIDE listeners won’t want to put down their earbuds! N.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2019 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
