diff --git a/_books/dog_soldier.md b/_books/dog_soldier.md new file mode 100644 index 00000000..7726c24d --- /dev/null +++ b/_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 +--- + +Dog Soldier 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, Dog Soldier 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. diff --git a/_books/serpent_valley.md b/_books/serpent_valley.md index 2954f563..50205b61 100644 --- a/_books/serpent_valley.md +++ b/_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" %}. diff --git a/books/covers/dog_soldier.jpg b/books/covers/dog_soldier.jpg new file mode 100644 index 00000000..7d7db1cf Binary files /dev/null and b/books/covers/dog_soldier.jpg differ