Unbreakable runs the gamut from close-quarters combat, to titanic space battles, to interstellar foreign policy as Promise and her marines are pinned down far from home, defending the planet Montana. What sets it apart is hinted at in the title: Paen and her soldiers are subjected to a rigorous and unrelenting campaign that tests their skills and resolve. Bauers demonstrates the real impact that war has on soldiers as their numbers dwindle over the course of the a never-ending battle.” —Andrew Liptak, B&N blog
“Unbreakable is a wonderful debut, with engaging characters (the dialog between Promise and her dead mother is a hoot), thrilling military action on land and in space, and a credible universe with good and not so good folk on both sides of humanity at war. I very much look forward to more of Promise Paen and her Marines.” —BookLoons.com
“Unbreakable is an exuberant read in the mold of David Weber's Honor Harrington series, with strong female characters and a welcome absence of overt romance. Promise is a believable, comfortable character who feels the death of every one of 'her marines' while leading the survivors in an against-the-odds battle with a significantly better-provisioned army. The military details seem authentic, but don't threaten to overwhelm or sidetrack this well-told story. W.C. Bauers's impressive debut will appeal to fans of hard and military science-fiction alike.” —Rob LeFebvre, Shelf Awareness
“Bauers' debut is an impressive achievement, set in an enormous, complex universe that combines large-scale action with the emotional journey of one truly unique heroine.” —RT Book Reviews
“This is a solid, well-crafted military SF.” —Booklist
“Military science fiction with a kick-butt female lead ...” —Kirkus Reviews
“The action scenes are plentiful; however, while Bauer sketches in the outline of the politics shaping Montana's history, a strong picture of why the various forces are fighting for control of the planet is never really conveyed.” —Library Journal
“Fascinating characters, sprawling space politics and rivalries, cracking battles and awesome tech ....” —Smash Dragons
“[Promise Paen] is a wonderful character for readers with a taste for the emotionality of honour, respect and duty.” —The Nameless Zine
Since Robert Heinlein published Starship Troopers in December 1959, military science fiction has become a major subgenre, exploring warfare in the far-flung futures and distant galaxies of our imaginations. A whole legion of authors have followed in his bootsteps, chief among them well-known writers like David Drake, Joe Haldeman, Jerry Pournelle, and David Weber. But the real world […]
For over a decade, Jim Killen has served as the sci-fi and fantasy book buyer for Barnes & Noble. Every month on the B&N Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog and Tor.com, Jim shares his curated list of the can’t miss upcoming genre releases.
It’s the middle of January. Chances are good that it’s very cold outside. Hole up somewhere warm with one of this week’s most exciting new releases. From a terrifyingly plausible alternate history of World War II, to a fascinating thought experiment that mixes philosophy with robots from the far future, to a potent mix of […]