Marines: Crimson Worlds

De: Jay Allan

Narrado por: Jeff Bower

Erik Cain joined the marines to get off death row. The deal was simple; enlist to fight in space and he would be pardoned for all his crimes.

In the 23rd Century, assault troops go to war wearing AI-assisted, nuclear-powered armor, but it is still men and blood that win battles. From one brutal campaign to the next, Erik and his comrades fight an increasingly desperate war over the resource rich colony worlds that have become vital to the economies of Earth's exhausted and despotic Superpowers.

As Erik rises through the ranks he finally finds a home, first with the marines who fight at his side and later among the colonists - men and women who have dared to leave everything behind to build a new society on the frontier, one where the freedoms and rights lost long ago on Earth are preserved.

Amidst the blood and death and sacrifice, Erik begins to wonder. Is he fighting the right war? Who is the real enemy?

Now Included: A sneak peak at Crimson Worlds II: The Cost of Victory. Read the first three chapters, immediately following the end of Marines in this Kindle edition.

Crimson Worlds II: The Cost of Victory - Available Now!

Crimson Worlds III: A Little Rebellion - December 2012

©2012 Jay Allan Books (P)2012 Jay Allan Books

Refreshing

If you could sum up Marines: Crimson Worlds in three words, what would they be?

Peculiar, Entertaining, Promising

What was one of the most memorable moments of Marines: Crimson Worlds?

What I like about this book and in turn what has endeared me to this series is the cast, the universe, and the potential. Allan has created a fascinating universe for his characters a world that I would love to explore.

Did Jeff Bower do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Bower is not my favorite narrator, his performance was so jarring that the first time I started to listen to this book I put it down in disgust within a few minutes thinking that I had purchased a poorly written, poorly pronounced piece. I came back to the series last week and ended up falling in love. That being said, you may find Bower a little different or annoying at first be sure to listen to the sample before you buy!

Any additional comments?

Viewed by itself this book is perhaps mediocre. Yet, I am truly a sucker for space opera and after reading this book and its sequel I have to say I absolutely love this series. Before you buy let me break down why I love this book and why this series is worth spending your time on, and then let me tell you what to watch out for!

What I love:

The fiction that this story occupies is deep, far deeper than we are immediately exposed to. I got the distinct impression that the author has a grand vision of what the universe looks like in his world (More on this later)

I see amazing potential in this series that it has not yet reached and I am basing alot of my enjoyment on that. I hope that the author follows through on the hints he is leaving and does this series justice.

If you like these books you might like this one too:

Old Man's War
Legacy of the Aldenata
Troy Rising
Prince Roger
Armor
Star Force

One major difference: Marines: Crimson Worlds is Human vs Human



Things I don't like:

It isn't the best writing. I love it and I'm a sucker for it but this is scifi pulp its fun and enjoyable and I think that this series has the potential to transcend that classification but with only book one and two out this series is currently only delivering the title: Marines + Crimson Worlds (Blood).

If you are looking for a deep read or an epic space opera I think you might be more satisfied with a different title however, if you are like me and you want some unique action with solid characters in promising new world give it a shot.

My verdict:

If you are new to scifi or space marines there might be better options to start off with. If you are a grizzled veteran like me, dig in I think you will love it. You need to love this genre to love this book.

not for me

I've listened about half of it. I don't think I'll finish. story hasn't made me eager to get back to it after taking a break. the narration is unenthusiastic and the voices used for some of the characters just aren't realistic for who is being portrayed.

Didn't love the reading

The reading was very flat. Sometimes hard to tell if I like the story or not. the reading was so monotone and when he did another character it was just not good.

Jeff Bower... Never again...

Where does Marines: Crimson Worlds rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It is alright.. Nothing special. A good scifi and space

How did the narrator detract from the book?

His voice pitches up and down without meaning to. It sucks and makes the narration sound cheesy and awful.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It almost made me puke. This guy's voice sucks.

Any additional comments?

I won't listen to a Jeff Bowers narration again

So far it's a good series.

Would you consider the audio edition of Marines: Crimson Worlds to be better than the print version?

I consider audio books to be better than the print versions due to the fact you can "read" them while doing other things and usually, but not always, the individuals who narrate them do an excellent job adding to the overall story and plot.

What other book might you compare Marines: Crimson Worlds to and why?

In my opinion this book series is starting to play a similar tune to the Star Force books with Kyle Riggs playing the same role and Eric Kain.

Any additional comments?

Overall it's a good series with moments where the conversations between characters become a little awkward in the way they communicate between each other. The dialogue doesn't always flow easily between characters but so far the plot is good. Since I previously enjoyed listening to Star Force I thought I would give this series a try and i'm definitely going to continue and I would recommend this book to those who enjoys epic space battles and when the underdog comes in to save the day.