Merge branch 'book-dog_soldier' into main

_books/dog_soldier.md

@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+---
+date: 2024-04-04
+title: Dog Soldier
+author: Scott Warren
+series: War Horses
+book_number: 4
+rating: 4
+image: /books/covers/dog_soldier.jpg
+---
+
+<span class="book-title">Dog Soldier</span> is the fourth book in the War
+Horses series. In it, Warren concludes the Cinto DaSelva campaign and further
+develops the setting's backstory.
+
+Although roughly the same length as the previous books in the series, <span
+class="book-title">Dog Soldier</span> feels much shorter or, at least, quicker
+to get through. The book is divided into three main sections:
+
+- The first part takes place on Cinto DaSelva, where the rebellion and
+  Chevaliers make an ill-advised attack at the command of the union-leader
+  Helene DeChile. The advance stretches their supply lines and ends
+  disastrously, as the mercenaries had warned.
+
+- The second part takes place on a Paladin Devils ship, where the Chevaliers
+  plot with their employer to remove the power-hungry and crazed Helene from
+  command.
+
+- The third part takes place back on Cinto DaSelva, as the Chevaliers put the
+  assassination plot into motion. They assault the capital using wormholes to
+  bypass the front line and end up in a knock-down-drag-out fight with the
+  increasingly paranoid Helene and the last of her loyalists.
+
+The transition between these three parts is not as clean as in the previous
+book, {% include book_link.html title="Serpent Valley" %}, but still better
+than {% include book_link.html title="Ymir" %}.
+
+The mech battles are well written, with some unique twists, and feel like they
+have high stakes. The author has done a good job of scaling up the mimic
+threat, making it pivotal to both taking the capital and covering up Helene's
+assassination.
+
+The book sets up several possible future stories: Vandel's courtship of Duri
+continues; Duri's company has started to prototype true power-armor; the
+Romans are introduced as a super-advanced but disappeared faction; and the
+Paladin Devils from {% include book_link.html title="Chevalier" %} are
+fleshed-out, with old grudges renewed.
+
+With the Cinto DaSelva plot-line wrapped up, I'm excited to see where the next
+book, {% include book_link.html title="Grand Melee" %}, will take us.

_books/serpent_valley.md

@@ -14,10 +14,10 @@ holding back its predecessors. Easily my favorite of the series so far!
 
 The story is split into two parts:
 
-- The first, Vandal and the techs travel on a freighter carrying antique mechs
-  that they must get ready for battle before they land. They soon realize
-  there's a saboteur aboard and they try uncovering the spy. The pacing is
-  slower, with lots of time for character development.
+- The first, where Vandal and the techs travel on a freighter carrying antique
+  mechs that they must get ready for battle before they land. They soon
+  realize there's a saboteur aboard and they try uncovering the spy. The
+  pacing is slower, with lots of time for character development.
 
 - The second, after landing, is nonstop action. Vandal leads a ragtag rebel
   team battling the planetary government using the mechs he and his team fixed
@@ -33,4 +33,4 @@ The plotting is tight, the pacing perfect. Unlike {% include book_link.html
 title="Ymir" %}, transitions between plot lines flow seamlessly. The balanced
 mix of mystery, intrigue, and action show that the author has really figured
 out his characters, worldbuilding, and style. I can't wait for the next book:
-{% include book_link.html title="Dog Solider" %}.
+{% include book_link.html title="Dog Soldier" %}.