This novels are consistently good. This one continues that tradition. It takes place after the battle of Mars. The war has entered a new phase. The Earth has new weapons, the Lankys don't seem totally invisible. Haley and Andrew have a brief shore leave before being recalled to another mission. During the leave Andrew begins think about leaving the fleet. He and Haley ultimately leave the question unresolved.

While I enjoyed the story, I wish KLoos would write a story from the Lankys perspective.Its also noteworthy that a species capable of traveling through space would not develop and deploy hand weapons. The Lankys primary tactic seems to be the run and stomp the enemy method of attack. This seems odd for a group capable of traveling stars. ( )

This is really good military sci-fi. It had a lot of filler--training, recollections, etc. but it also had exciting scenes that were easy to understand and contributed to the story. There were also scenes depicting the personal decisions that soldiers/sailors must make as well as some impacts of traumatic military service, like PTSD. Upon reflection, I suspect the next book will take the battle to the enemy Lankies. ( )

The finale (for now?) of Frontlines, is full of high action battles but ultimately is about the human costs and ultimate futility of war. Kloos does such a great job of making totally classic feeling mil-sf but without any rah-rah BS. ( )

I am authentically impressed by this series. It's easily some of the very best milSF I've ever read. Why? Because the writing is super clear and manages to be both light and dark at the very same time. I love how humanity is portrayed as being people, with both sexes getting over the baggage we never seem to get over in RL, everyone focused on living amidst horror and devastation and death always being on the doorstep.

I appreciate this a lot. It gives us all hope. It gives a very solid reason why we ought to survive. That, and competence reigns even if the baddie aliens are bigger than life and they're completely inscrutable and hulking and have always refused to communicate with us.

Sure, it's a plot device focused on survival and forcing the rest of us to get over our crap, but again, I like that, too.

As for this book, I think it's even better than the battle for Mars. There's something really delicious about the new battlecruiser and rescuing a colony and going all out with the battle sequences is always a winner.

I'm surprised I'm actually saying this... but Go Humanity, Go! :)

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC, it's great fun! :)
( )

It was pretty good, but as the series goes on the action seems to ebb more and give way to day-to-day life instead. ( )