Death World

By: B. V. Larson

Narrated by: Mark Boyett

Length: 13 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's Summary

Unknown aliens attack Earth. Their planet is uncharted, mysteriously having avoided detection for centuries. It's a world packed with the most vicious aliens humanity has yet to encounter. James McGill has discovered: Death World.

In the fifth book of the Undying Mercenaries series, the war comes home, and aliens strike a devastating blow. Bent on revenge, Legion Varus chases the raiders to the stars and discovers a growing alien menace. A cancerous species has invaded our region of the galaxy and must be dealt with. McGill learns why the Cephalopod Kingdom has yet to attack Earth and what's happening behind the scenes in the Core Worlds. Throughout, he upholds his unique sense of right, wrong, and honor. Death World is a military science fiction novel by best-selling author B. V. Larson.

©2015 B. V. Larson (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Plant World

After a devastating attack on Earth newly appointed Veteran James McGill and Legion Varus chase after the culprits responsible. It leads them to an uncharted planet located in Earth’s part of the galaxy that is infested with a previously unknown hostile alien species that even the Cephalopods are afraid of; but this new species is nothing that some weed killer couldn’t put down, as they are plants. This book is called “Death World,” and the reason for the name is explained in the content of the story but for those following “The Undying Mercenaries,” we know that death is a common occurrence for James McGill and Legion Varus and even a “Perm” death seems most unlikely following the plot. Title aside what makes this story, and all of “The Undying Mercenaries” books, interesting are the behind the scenes scheming and James McGill steadfast determination to do the right thing which usually disrupts those schemes and saves the day. There are several twists and turns along the story line and a really liked the last chapter setting up the next book in the series.
The narrator, Mark Boyett, did another fantastic job.

18 of 18 people found this review helpful

The series keeps improving

The first two books of this series were semi-painful because of McGill's righteous attitude. Now the story has progressed and operates more in a gray area, it is a sign of great character development that I wasn't expecting.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Best of the series so far.

It has been an extreme pleasure to listen to James McGill grow up with the Undying Mercenaries. This series has captured my imagination unlike any before it in the sci-fi realm. Maybe it's because the author writes like I would write and he anticipates plot twists like I would as well. In Death World the whole gang is back and better than ever. We even get to know McGill's parents a little bit. This is probably the most complete novel of the series in my opinion. After Tech World I was almost ready to declare this series had run its course. I thought maybe the author should wrap this up because in Tech World I felt like the aliens were secondary to the story with Claver. But now with death world Claver is front and center of the story wouldn't be the same without him. I love how the story ended as well. Finally James got some recognition. And they were plenty of teases about the new adventures coming in the next book Throne World. I can't wait.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Holy cow!

B V Larson has upped the anni with this one. bringing this series in line with his best work of the swarm series. Early in this series I thought it was just some filler material in his career but now I'm loving it. I'm just going to say that the combination of this writer and narator is as good as it gets. can't wait for more.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

The series peaks in Death World

I took a break from this series after book 3. It was exciting and very but just a little over the top. Death World really nailed all aspects... Very strong as a character driven story - especially McGill as the focus - but so too are all the key characters who are fully fleshed out. Their actions comprehensible even if strange or unintuitive. The story stretches the imagination without stretching the credibility of the characters.

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

For a fun vivid yarn you actually care about.

This is a terrific fun combo for adventure. Roman military features, good tech, A dystopian universe of multi species politics. And a group of corrupt power grasping misanthropes and one clever but not calculating Southern rogue.

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

Another Home Run

I can't help but admire the well developed character in this series of books by the author B.V. Larson. This installment was as attention getting and thrilling as every one before it. I may be a sucker for the underdogs in these battles, but I'm human and live the idea that we can and do win in the end. Great book and series not to mention a great performance by Mr Boyett.

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

Same ol' McGill, killing aliens and cheating death

You gotta love him, our boy James. He still has his wits and his humor. But now with a kid and a baby-mama, his thoughts do turn introspective and a little deep. His parents get a chance to be shown in greater depth, and we can see a bit of where McGill comes from.

Another great book in the series. You might think that with all the dying and reviving, life and death would not mean much and you would get tired of the concept. But it doesn't; there are believable attitudes towards it all. There are tons of twists and complications, and officers scrapping to get or remain on top, while the mostly honorable grunts below do the heavy work and the dying. There's humor and pathos and contemplation.

This time the aliens are hive-minded plants, and they are very, very clever. Larson's science is well thought-out; his personalities are realistic and well-rounded. This is great stuff on many levels. Mark Boyett's narration is wonderful. I love the voices he gives the characters.

If you love space and aliens and soldiers, and outwitting aliens, slippery, conniving bad guys who sometimes do good, and working your way around rules and orders, then you must meet Larson. If you have started this series, then keep on going. I can't wait for the next one.

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

Doesn't do much

I don't feel like the story went anywhere with this. We learn a bit more, there are more instances of being clever without meaning to but overall not all that great.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Poor Impulse Control

McGill, Turov, Claver, Natasha, Carlos, Graves, Keevee, Della—reckless, narcissistic, conniving, sneaky, irritating, steadfast, petulant, and feral by turns—they are all back in Death World. Larson has created a cast of great characters, all closely intertwined with our hero James Mcgill, and this allows him to put those people in interesting situations. This is the strong suit of the series, his people are great and the conflicts in which he inserts them become interesting because they themselves are interesting. McGill’s misadventures are driven by his lack of personal restraint and personal sense of honor. McGill is a wonderful character with a fascinating approach to life, navigating through every circumstance as a loose cannon, willing to live with the consequences of his decisions, and repeatedly being vindicated for his insubordinate acts. In one hilarious scene, one of his superiors asks him for advice in how to get away with disobeying a direct order. This is great entertainment. Don’t miss it. I certainly won’t miss the next installment of the misadventures of James McGill.

Mark Boyett is amazing here and his portrayal of female voices with his deep male vocal cords is always convincing.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Damm it, McGill!

McGill is back!
pulling out all the trick up his sleeves this time to fend off multiple enemies!
more twist and double crossing then you can shake a stick at!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

No Ewoks In This Forest!

Now I've finished the fifth and currently last available part of B V Larson's Undying Mercenaries series I am hungry for more. I was lucky to have stumbled upon this series when it stood at five books and so could gorge myself on them all one right after the other. In order to satisfy my appetite for B V Larson work and looking for a big series to tide me over until part six of this series becomes available I've switched to the Star Force series and am reading the first book in that established saga. Prior to finding the Undying Mercenaries series I had not read anything by Larson but have now come to regard him as one of my favourite science fiction writers. based on the release schedules on his website I'm hoping that this prolific author will soon be delivering what I suspect might be called Throne World upon all those like me eagerly awaiting the next chapter in this excellent series.

So, Death World sees our established group of characters once more in all kinds of trouble with a new alien threat and one that promises to have the potential to be more aggressive than even the Cephalopod Kingdom. Larson once more comes up with a novel and imaginative collection of nasties to do battle with as legion Varus gets into difficulties with the new threat.

Unlike the previous three books, Death World takes a little longer to get going while family matters are dealt with. However, once the main plot kicks in the action is fast paced and holds the readers interest with Larson's usual aplomb. I enjoy the way Larson depicts an alien world with plenty of thought and detail that truly makes the planet an exotic and dangerous environment that fires one's imagination.

James McGill as ever finds himself in the thick of things and bending the rules as he goes along. The fighting is hard and brutal and methods to achieve goals within the legion are often harsh too. Fortifying the military aspect of this story as with others in the series is the background political machinations of some key officers and other nefarious characters that all add to a immersive mix with some clever character developments as loyalties and ambition collide with the need to do the right thing.

I hope that Larson creates a series of stories in the Undying Mercenaries novels that becomes as extensive as Larson's Star Force books. There is plenty of potential in the series to make for real space opera. I cannot say that I have read a series that has been so entertaining, enthralling and consistently good.

As usual with my take on reviews, I need to point out a couple of errors in the story. Near the start of the book Dust World is referred to as Gamma Pavonis which is incorrect. Gamma Pavonis was Machine World. later, Centurion Graves is once referred to as Captain Graves. Again, very minor things but just something I had to mention and in no way is a detractor from the excellence of the story.

Mark Boyett's narration is superb and has been consistently so throughout the series. he is able to clearly and distinctly render different characters which greatly enhance the story-telling.

Death World is another great read from Larson which has left me wanting more and fast!!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Book 5 of a great series

All you can ask from a book
Keeps you coming back for more
Great characters and story line, SiFi listeners will love all the ideas put here.
Enjoy looking forward to the next book :)

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

good as expected

I keep thinking I'm going to get bored with the same or similar thing but not yet. these books still keep me coming back with new twists all the time

A good listen

This is my fifth book in this series and I am now waiting for the next in the series. Very enjoyable and always with a twist that you do not expect. Really enjoyable!

Superb

Fantastic book. Made me laugh. Made me want to keep listening chapter after chapter. The sarcasm was tremendous at times. Now to start the next book in the series 😊

As good as......

This book was well read and the story line had some good twists, with a few surprising turns.
Looking forward to the next book.

science fiction at it's best

can't wait to listen to book 6 I am sure it will be as good as the other 5 and finish the story off nicely

Brilliant Death World

Book 5 and the story just gets better and better I love the imagination of these novels and I love the twists in the story lines. One of the best sci-Fi series I've ever listened to, watched or read 😎

Another Triumph

Another great installment in the undying mercenaries series, with twists, turns and unexpected twists.
Screw Flanders
Screw Flanders
Screw Flanders