Flashfire

October 24, 2005
Fans of military SF who appreciate down-and-dirty ground action will enjoy Sherman and Cragg's hyperrealistic look at the infantry combat of the future. The marines of the 34th Marine Fleet Initial Strike Team (FIST) face a more conventional, and perhaps more deadly, opponent than they did in their last outing, A World of Hurt
(2004). Secessionist forces on the planet Ravenette—forces as well trained and equipped as themselves—resent the Confederation's preparations against the alien Skank threat. Since the existence of the secessionist threat is classified, the marines' efforts to deal with it are mistaken as an attempt to subvert local autonomy. The authors, both combat vets, draw on the U.S. Civil War's Peninsula campaign as a model, while emphasizing the small-unit leadership as much as the grand strategies. The tension builds as the marines realize that the fight will leave them weakened against the real enemy lurking over the horizon. This book not only entertains but makes the reader reconsider the costs of government secrecy.

December 15, 2005
Sherman and Cragg's justifiably popular Starfist series continues with a vivid depiction of ground combat worthy of ranking with Heinlein's classic " Starship Troopers" (1953). The planet Ravenette has seceded from the Confederation, and this threatens to reveal the secret of the alien Skinks. The 34th FIST (Fleet Initial Strike Team), which already knows about the Skinks, gets the job of suppressing the rebels and finds, somewhat to its dismay, that they are a well-armed and -trained infantry. Charlie Bass has his first experience of leading in combat as an officer, and the marines of the 34th face what can only be described as a slogging match. The development of respect between the opponents recalls the American Civil War, as does the development of disrespect on both sides for their governments. At this high level of accomplishment, Sherman and Cragg can keep the Starfist series going as long as they please with no fear of ever displeasing military-sf fans.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)