I picked this up because Dr. Forstchen co-wrote it. I am a huge fan of his "LOST REGIMENT" series and was starving for some of his wonderful military "What if?" type of fiction. His presence can be immediately felt as this novel introduces his trademark culture clash style. What if enemies from totaly different backgrounds and ways of life were forced to band together in the face of an even greater threat? Dire enemies who are both human have to put aside their hatred for one another to survive the evil onslaught of a malignant non-human race of killer beings who wish to eradicate them both and have homefield advantage. Feist and Forstchen do a great job of allowing the reader to observe the ever escalating conflict through the eyes of all three combatant leaders as the running battle rages on and keeps us on the edge wondering if the humans can reach sanctuary before their luck or their tenuous alliance finally breaks. Along the way we get insight into the thinking and and cultural motivations of all three sides. The tension is nonstop and the ending is a worthy payoff for the reader. When it's over you'll wish for more and you will read this in the shortest possible time. It's a true "just one more chapter" type of read and I highly recommend it to military action fans.
Interesting storyline. Characters approach reality, but fall short. Ever read a mystery novel in which the author writes interesting main characters who they try to make very hard, nonchalant and smart all at the same time, all of the time?
You will occasionally be reminded of the writing process. But then, if this genre is your bag, the characters may eventually grow on you. And the story will move you to turn the pages. And you might want to get the other books in this series and the corollary series' by Feist.
I have the full set of Feist's 3 Riftwar books now.
