Contact Front

Drop Trooper, Book 1

By: Rick Partlow

Narrated by: James Patrick Cronin

Length: 8 hrs

Publisher's Summary

Go to war or go to jail. 

For small-time street hustler Cam Alvarez, the choice is simple. He has no family, no friends, no place in the world...nothing to lose. When his latest con results in the death of a cartel hitman, Cam opts to join the Marines and leave Earth to fight a vicious alien enemy.

Drafted into the Marine Drop-Troopers, Cam discovers there’s one thing he’s even better at than running street-con games, and that’s killing the enemy. Wrapped in an armored battlesuit, Cam finds purpose amidst the horror and destruction of the war, and the opportunity for a new sort of friends and family...if he can break the habits of a life spent alone, trusting no one.

And, if he can survive....

Rick Partlow returns with another kickass military sci-fi epic. It's perfect for fans of Jay Allan, Jasper T. Scott, and Scott Bartlett.

©2020 Aethon Books (P)2020 Aethon Audio

Amazing new YA Military Series!!!

If you're like me love YA military sci-fi audiobooks where you follow the MC first as a civilian and then as a recruit at the training camp. and then becoming a marine/drop trooper. This is just the series for you.

I have listened to many YA military sci-fi but either there is to many POVs to follow or the MC is nothing special and is just one out of thousands of soldiers. this book/series only follows the MC and he's not just another soldier, but quickly becomes one of the best Drop troopers in the Commonwealth

the only negative thing i have to say about this book is the time jumps. Those from his childhood are just annoying (in my opinion) but. they do help to get to know the MC better. But the other time jumps when them MC was in training, there were a few times right after a time jump that i didn't know if the MC were still in training or in real combat. and that was just confusing. The last negative thing was that the books is only 8 hours long and when i had about 2 hours remaining i was like noooooo there can't just be 2 hours left i neeeeeed mooooore. And now i'm just sitting here impatient Waiting for book 2 to hit Audible.

If you like book series like Undying Mercenaries by B. V. Larson or Frontlines by Marko Kloos
you are going to love this series

Good Middle of the road listen.

Jut like the title says. This is a good middle of the road story, not the greatest story every told, but far far from the worst.

Worth a listen

So I gave this a try and it was interestingly enough something I didn't mind listening to. I found it was a good if some what out of this world story where this guy became a hero. I have to say with a better narrator and a bit more details in the story it would have been a better story. The problem I have with the book is an awarding of credit issue.

The MC managed to do something that hadn't been done before in his first battle killing 6 enemy armor by himself gets no real credit or awards, okay. He just gets blamed for someone death even though it's clear he is point and can't look back, but okay.

The second battle, he and everyone else is almost killed and the entire mission went to hell in a hand basket. The MC doesn't give up, nope, he modifies the mission, plan and carry out a new mission way above his pay grade doing company grade planning and execution with civilians only, plus going above and beyond along with placing his life on the line to see the mission successfully completed and all he might be put in for is a bronze star, not even with a V device.
That's just madness to anyone in the military. What he did was Medal of Honor stuff. I can pull up WW II, Iraq and Afghanistan citations for MOH that reads like that, so I don't see how a former Infantry Officer couldn't see that as well. Plus if the war is that bad he would have been given or considered for a field promotion to an officer since that's very common in active world killing wars like in WW II, which this is indicative of in its structure. That would have been preferable to some new LT who has no clue I'm sure.

honestly a very good first book.

honestly I really enjoyed the book it is a fantastic entry to a series and nearly got a five star in story from me if not for feeling bit rushed here and there and wishing there was more character interaction.

what I mean is other then the main characters most are just brief notes minus maybe 3 or possible 4.
that isnt to say they where not done well they are! hack I'd normally be happy with 3 or 4 good side characters but they where not developed enough or interacted with enough.

Oooooo New Partlow!

Contact Front doesn’t disappoint. Strong story. Great characters. Perfect setup for a future series. Can’t wait to see where it goes and takes me.

Natural born Killer

Sentenced to 2 years of military service or a lifetime of cryosleep what choice do you really have? After a lifetime of looking after yourself you are suddenly forced to look out for your unit, even when they hate you, to follow orders even when you don't understand them. This was a fun series in the tradition of Armor and Starship Troopers and if you enjoyed those you will be on firm footing here.

I love aliens and future tech

This was a great novel and right up my alley. It starts if introducing the MC in his element..and showcases his crafty nature as well as origin of his personal and perspective...Sometimes the flash backs break the flow but it mostly develops the character more deeply...all in all a good book...let's see how the sequel picks up from here and gets even more interesting...

Good start

As Milscifi stories go, this one had all those classic elements we fans look for. The section, the heroes, the esprit de corps, and the action. solid flawed characters that get the job done. Huah!

Gripping story

This book was very enjoyable to listen to. The character progression was subtle but gripping over the course of the story. The characters really did it for me although the story was interesting. The narration was excellent.

Great addition to the syfy collection

it lacks some depth, like it skims on some scenes that can be played out longer that leaves you feeling it was rushed to be finished but over all it's a good solid syfy.

More explosions Needed

When I think of Military Sci-fi, there are a few books I always go to. Old Man's War, Starship Troopers, and Forever War. Does this have any of the qualities that made those books stand outs? No.

What it does have however is a likeable protagonist, and an excellent amount of character building from beginning to end. The over arcing plot is basic, mostly focussing on the hero's beginning as a Rookie, and ending up a Sergeant. Its serviceable, but lacks any sort of grand battle that I was hoping would materialize. Are there firefights? Sure, but there's never much of a feeling of squad comradely - I'm not sure I can even remember their names. Many of the supporting cast don't seem to stick around long enough to draw any real connection to.

Contact Front is average, but has spikes of interest. I would still recommend it however, Marines running around in Power Armour? A well fleshed out hero? Take Contract Front as the opening act on what could be a great series

Narrated by James Patrick Cronin. Cronin comes across as a little young to be voicing a gruff space marine at first, but thematically his casting is well done. His narration fits the books perfectly.

I'd quite happily try further books in the series, hopefully, It will deliver on its potential.

honestly loved the narration great story

he story felt right, the characters aren't perfect and arse holes aren't completely and utterly evil. A lot of people die. Some characters do evil but through pettiness, fear, being life worn and heck lazyness. But there's usually a bit of complexity beneath it. Basically they're fallaible and I like it.

and hey even the main characters brought but a bit when he's been a bit of a shit.

The flash backs work well and help role out the main characters back ground and explain his issues over time, basically flashback PTSD, it works well.

Interesting world quickly built, that counties to role out well and reasonably simple story told well. Honestly, I really enjoyed this one.

onto the next!

Great Mil Sci-fi novel

Contact front is a great Mil sci-fi novel which Rick Partlow builds a new interesting story universe, and introduces us to it only the main characters back story in such a way that you care what happens to this character, and all the characters story throughout the plot of the novel, building with intensity and excitement throughout. James Patrick Cronin bings the characters to life well with his narration, and injects the right amount of emotion and excitement into the story arc that I am sure the author will appreciate.

Overall a great first novel and I am totally looking forward to the next chapter in this series.

immersive and compelling

Read this book in three sittings. Got the plot in the first. Got the swing in the second. And got to the point in the third. Good writer and Great Reader.

A great book

This book reminds me of starship troopers but with a lot more grit. Can't wait for the next one