Into the Looking Glass

Looking Glass Series, Book 1

By: John Ringo

Narrated by: L. J. Ganser

Length: 10 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

Formerly of the 82nd Airborne Division, New York Times best-selling author John Ringo brings unmatched authenticity to his military science fiction.

When asubatomic physics experiment causes a massive explosion, interdimensional gateways open in Florida - and aliens pour out. Some intend to bring Earth to its knees. Others seem willing to help, but will annihilate the planet if Navy SEAL Command Master Chief Robert Miller can't stop the menace from spreading.

©2005 John Ringo (P)2009 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"This thoroughly enjoyable ride should appeal to techno-thriller fans as well as to military SF buffs." ( Publishers Weekly)

A Very Fun Read

If you're looking for fun and fast-paced military sci-fi, this is a great book. I found myself chuckling out-loud several times. One example is the team-up of a self-proclaimed "red neck physicist" and career Navy SEAL, who are the heros of the story.

Dissapointing for a John Ringo book

What did you like best about Into the Looking Glass? What did you like least?

There was very little that I liked. Story line was hard to follow, and when I finally figured out who the main character was, I didn't really like him. There was not enough action to offset the preparations and explanations between battles. Just moved to slowly for what I expected from a John Ringo story.

What could John Ringo have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

This was not a narrator that I cared for. I bought an audible obviously so I could listen as I drove. One of the reasons I finished this book quickly was I did not enjoy the narrator or the story and wanted to get it done quickly.

What didn’t you like about L. J. Ganser’s performance?

It was very one dimensional. Most of the vocalizations were very similar and hard to distinguish from one character to another.

Do you think Into the Looking Glass needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

It does and I won't.

Any additional comments?

I loved John Ringo's "Legacy of the Aldenata" and the narrator did a great job! I had read many of these books and the narrator actually enhanced my experience. Maybe Mr. Vietor could have helped this one too.

too much political propoganda

too much political propoganda. obvious conservative bias Way too much talk about the main characters's physical attitudes.The book read like an 10th graders sci-fi fantasy.

I'm not going to make it

John Ringo is a star novelist. But I'm sorry to say this is a miss. Seven hours into the story but I lost interest somewhere around five.

The story lacks depth needed to keep the reader interested in the progression of the plot. Without a sense of scale or time there's nothing to keep the reader tied in. The main character is unique but uninteresting making him unrelatable and boring. The supporting roles are hollow as well making every one of them unimportant.

Perhaps part of my feeling is based on the reading. Some characters come across as unbelievable. When a Baby Seal is so raw as to have no dialogue beyond yes sir, no sir all I can think of is "This recruit request..." and not a well trained experienced fighter.

Typical John Ringo

A fun listen and I enjoyed it but the humans make smarter decisions then realistic and the aliens are way to stupid. In reality the story would end abruptly and we all would have been deboned and eaten.

Not what I was looking for.

much more "military fiction"type than I was expecting. Because off that I did kind of struggle to finish.
Why four stars you ask? t gave it the average rating everyone else did to be fair to the author. If you're more of a military sci-fi fan, with extra military,, you'll probably get hooked. Even not being drawn in, I am curious about what might happen next.

A sci-fi premise, but Fantasy like

An interesting premise and lots of action, but too much like a comic book.

The story starts with an interesting plot, but the star is the only person who can figure out what is happening and how to stop it. And things keep getting worse and worse. I don’t plan to get the next book in the series.

Great story

A fun and imaginative aliens vs earth story that I couldn’t put down! John Ringo is my favorite author.

Clever invasion story , with a super hero human

The general storyline of this book is excellent. Ringo creates a clever and interesting alien invasion scenario.

There are lots of weapons used and analyzed, from pistols to nukes. The National Guard has big role, which I liked, because my son is a Guardsman.

The entire fate of the earth depends on one physicist figuring out a way to close the wormholes through which the aliens are pouring out. Fortunately, in the normal Ringo way, this particular physicist has super powers, so earth has a fighting chance.

It's good hard science military fiction.

Wonderful classic science fiction style!

Great story, great narration, even my teen loved it and wanted to hear more. This whole series is one of the bestJohn Ringo has done.