Showing posts with label ChristopherDiNote. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ChristopherDiNote. Show all posts

Monday, 30 June 2025

Top Ten Fiction and Non-Fiction Books Second Quarter 2025

 Top Ten Fiction and Non-Fiction Books Second Quarter 2025


It has been a good year for reading so far. I am averaging just over a book a day. It my best second quarter’s ever and one of my top 5 of all time. 

In April of 2023 I wrote a piece called How I Read So Much? Because I get asked the question so often, read the piece linked above if you are looking for some ideas on ways to read more. But a lot of it goes back to my dyslexia, and once I learned to read there were all these worlds and all this knowledge out there. I have been addicted since then. I wrote about that in 2006 Confessions of a Bibliophile #5 - How I Became a Bibliophile, From Dyslexic to Addict. 

This quarter I read 118 books, my best second quarter since I started tracking, the comparison with the last 8 years:

     2025 - 118
     2024 - 78
     2023 – 109
     2022 – 110
     2021 – 104
     2020 – 85
     2019 – 102
     2018 – 102
     2017 – 112
     2016 – 36

But back to this quarter by the numbers:

Books Read: 118
First Time Reads: 105
Fiction: 39
Non-Fiction: 79
5/5 Stars: 72

As mentioned one of my best quarters since I have started keeping track. Here is my top ten fiction and non-fiction books of the second quarter of 2025.

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books:

 6. Great Spiritual Teachers Series - Ave Maria Press
 8. CTS Deeper Christianity Series - Catholic Truth Society 
Providence and Prayer - Francis Selman
Union with God Living the Christ Life - Father David Vincent Meconi

Bonus Books:
  
Top Ten Fiction Books:

 2. Armstrong Adventure Series  - Nick Donnelly (Unpublished manuscripts)
02 Snares of the Demons
03 Faith of the Armstrong
 7. Gordon Korman Books
          Swindle - Swindle Book 1
          The Contest - Everest Book 1 
          Shipwreck - Shipwreck Book 1 
          The Discovery - Dive Book 1 
          The Stowaway Solution - On The Run Book 4 
          Slap Shot Series:
          Monday Night Football Club Series:
          Nose Pickers from Outer Space Series:

Bonus Books:
Richard Paolinelli - Dreams of the Storyteller

My reading has been staying pretty consistent at about a book a day over the last several years. I attribute in part to Brandon Vogt’s course Read More Books Now, removing all games but 1 brain game from my devices. And I was commuting to work on a bus and read on the bus every day. Working from home reading took a little more discipline, and we are now back to a hybrid model with 5 days a month in the office, so things are changing again.  

Note: I do not include books that have been read in previous years and were reread this year in my top ten lists, they are sometimes in the bonus section.
 
 
But if you want more options check out my favourite books year by year list. 


Relates Posts: 
Top 10 Fiction Books 1st Quarter 2010
Top 10 Fiction Books 2nd Quarter 2010
Top 10 Reading Goals for 2010
Top 10 Fiction Books 3rd Quarter 2010
Top 10 Fiction Books 4th Quarter 2010
Top Ten Reading Goals For 2010 - Recap
Top 10 Fiction Books 2010
Top 10 Picture Books of 2010
Top 10 Non-Fiction Books of 2010
Top 10 Graphic Novels for 2010
Top Ten Reading Goals For 2011 
Top Ten Fiction Books 1st Quarter 2011
Top Ten Fiction Books 2nd Quarter 2011
Top Ten Reading Goals for 2011 Update 
Top Ten Fiction Books 3rd Quarter 2011 
Top Ten Fictions Books 4th Quarter 2011
Top Ten Fiction Books 2011
Top Ten Reading Goals 2011 - Recap
Top Ten Reading Goals 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books 1st Quarter 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books 2nd Quarter 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books 3rd Quarter 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books  4th Quarter 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books 2012
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2012
Top Ten Reading Goals 2012 - Recap
Top Ten Reading Goals 2013
Top 10 Fiction Books 1st Quarter 2013
Top 10 Fiction Books 2nd Quarter 2013
Top 10 Books Second Half 2013
Top Ten Fiction Books 2013
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2013 
Top Ten Books First Quarter 2014
Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2014
Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2014
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2014
Top Ten Fiction Books 2014
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2014
Top Ten Books First Quarter 2015
Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2015
Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2015
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2015
Top Ten Fiction Books 2015
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2015
Top Ten Books First Quarter 2016
Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2016
Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2016
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2016
Top Ten Non- Fiction Books 2016
Top Ten Fiction Books 2016
Top Ten Catholic Books
Top Ten Books First Quarter 2017
Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2017
Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2017
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2017
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2017
Top Ten Fiction Books 2017
Top Ten Books First Quarter 2018
Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2018
Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2018
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2018
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2018
Top Ten Fiction Books 2018
Top Ten Books First Quarter 2019
Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2019
Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2019
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2019
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2019
Top Ten Fiction Books 2019
Top Ten Books First Quarter 2020
Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2020
Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2020
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2020 
Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2025
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2025
...  

All Top Ten Lists on Book Reviews and More

Statistics Books Read By Year:
250 – 2025 January - June
363 - 2024  
455 - 2023 
438 - 2022
365 - 2021
317 - 2020 
392 - 2019
359 - 2018
380 - 2017 
272 - 2016 
177 - 2015 
130 - 2014 
 88 -  2013
176 - 2012 
163 - 2011
302 - 2010
142 - 2009
 98 - 2008
 83 - 2007
191 - 2006
151 - 2005
 60 - 2004
 52 - 2003
 97 - 2002
 50 - 2001
 41 - 2000
 71 - 1999
 73 - 1998
131 - 1997
101 - 1996



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Wednesday, 21 May 2025

Rock and Roll Mercenaries A Pulp Rock Anthology - Edited by N.R. LaPoint - A Mistcreek Publishing Anthology

Rock and Roll Mercenaries
A Pulp Rock Anthology
N.R. LaPoint (Editor)
ISBN 
eISBN 
ASIN B0F74SMGM1

Rock and Roll Mercenaries A Pulp Rock Anthology - Edited by N.R. LaPoint - A Mistcreek Publishing Anthology

I picked up this volume because I really enjoyed the other Anthology from Mistcreek Publishing that I had read. I have been reading about a book a day for a few years now. I had previously read stories by a few of the contributors, and looked forward to their tracks. One of the things I love about reading anthologies is to be introduced to new authors. The authors who contributed tracks to this volume are:

Drako and Pen Billson
Jack McLiam

The description of this anthology states:

“Fifteen rocking tales of adventure and mayhem that will set your bookshelf on fire!

Get ready for heroes on alien worlds, concerts gone terribly wrong, ghost towns brought back to life, eldritch abominations, and death machines!

Whether it is bands fighting evil, a tale inspired by a song, or an artist, roadie, vet, or dragon on a mad odyssey, Rock and Roll Mercenaries will keep you moving until the final beat.”

The 15 tracks in this collection are:

Man Against Machine - Nathan Dabney
An Unexpected Bonus or Backstage Tickets to Freakin’ Psycho Trauma! - TJ Marquis
On a Hot Summer Night - Christopher R. DiNote
Viper: Devil’s Due - Milton Lane
Dead Ringer for Love - Aaron Van Treeck
Spirit Rock - JD Cowan
An Airbrushed Odyssey - Jacob Calta
The Supersonic Voyage of the Rock Dinosaurs - Drako and Pen Billson
Heavy Metal - NR LaPoint
Worst Live Show Ever - Michael Gallagher
Scales on the Heart - John Pretorius
If You’re Gonna Play in Texas, You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band - Denton Salle
Bad Attitude - Jack McLiam
Red Tales: Serial Killer - Hawkings Austin
Sign of the Black Lotus - Erik Waag

I really enjoyed most of the stories in this volume. The only one that really I really did not connect with was The Supersonic Voyage of the Rock Dinosaurs by Drako and Pen Billson, it reminded me a lot of the Scooby Doo and Kiss movie my kids love so much. But I could just not picture dinosaurs playing the instruments as described. My top picks would be Spirit Rock by JD Cowan loved the ending of this one, Heavy Metal by NR LaPoint, Worst Live Show Ever by Michael Gallagher, On a Hot Summer Night by Christopher R. DiNote. I also really enjoyed Bad Attitude by Jack McLiam, I would love to see more stories set in this world. The dragon by John A Pretorius in Scales on the Heart reminds me a lot of Vern by Karina Fabian, and I would absolutely read more stories about him. 

But to be honest all of the stories were worth the read. This was an excellent themed anthology. Many great sorties and the rest are good. I can easily recommend this anthology. It is a bit Minority Report, Mad Max, and the best of music lovers just trying to do the best they can when they are between a rock, a monster, a demon and a hard place! A great collection of stories.

For all reviews of Anthologies click here.
For all reviews of books by NR LaPoint click here.
For All reviews of books by Christopher R. DiNolte click here.


Anthologies from Mistcreek Publishing:
Mistcreek Tales
…
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Sunday, 11 May 2025

Operator's Manual for Mk1 Rosary Beads: CMA-US-1-0-1 - Catholic Military Apostolate United States - Michael Schiavone, Christopher Dinote, Morgan Lloyd, and Nicholas Cammaroto

Operator's Manual for Mk1 Rosary Beads: CMA-US-1-0-1
Michael Schiavone
Morgan Lloyd
ISBN 9798316187959
 
Operator's Manual for Mk1 Rosary Beads: CMA-US-1-0-1 - Catholic Military Apostolate United States - Michael Schiavone, Christopher Dinote, Morgan Lloyd, and Nicholas Cammaroto

Wow what an excellent little volume. I love this book and hope it will be the first in a series. But more about that below in the review.
 
The description of this volume is:
 
“There is little doubt that the Holy Rosary is one of the most powerful weapons for use in spiritual warfare. As with every other weapon system in use by our military, a well-written tech manual is essential for helping service men and women properly utilize their weapon. Designed for Catholic military members, veterans, and enthusiasts, this guide delivers precise instructions for wielding the Holy Rosary in battle. Contains scripture and custom mystery reflections for all 20 mysteries—Joyful to Glorious. Each reflection ties themes of service, courage, and sacrifice to the modern warrior’s journey, blending discipline with devotion. Published by the Catholic Military Apostolate of the United States, this manual arms you for spiritual combat, in the field or at home.”
 
The section and chapters are:
 
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION
     Section I. General Information
                 II. Equipment Description
 
CHAPTER 2. OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
      Section I. Operation Under Usual Conditions
                 II. Conditions for Long-Term Use
 
APPENDIX A. MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY
     Section
          I. Joyful
          II. Luminous
          III. Sorrowful
          IV. Glorious
 
This volume begins with a warning, it states:
 
“Users of the Holy Rosary have been known to receive unusually high levels of grace and special protection from the Blessed Mother.
 
Other effects include: flourishing of virtue and good works, mercy from God, withdrawal of the hearts of men from the love the world and it vanities, and lifting of the desires of eternal things.”
 
And from there it just gets better. The volume starts with brief history, overview of the physical Rosary. The next section outlines the prayers and a table with the 20 mysteries, and a list of the typical mysteries for each day of the week. This if followed by the appendix which outlines the 20 mysteries. Each mystery contains the title, a fruit, a scripture and a meditation. A sample mystery is:
 
“Section III. SORROWFUL.
 
A-11. THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN.
 
a. Fruit: Conformity to God’s will.
 
b. Scripture: He advanced a little and fell to the ground and prayed that if it were possible the hour might pass by him; he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will.” –Mark 14:35-36
 
c. Meditation: On the eve of a battle with his full humanity, simultaneously descended to the darkest depths of fearing what was to come and ascended to the height of courage and trust in the Father’s divine will, Christ drew on the Father’s strength fully knowing what he would win with his sacrifice out of total love. In a profession where we prepare daily for warfare, both human and spiritual, let us imitate Jesus in his total dependence and trust in the Father.”
 
At the end of the volume we are informed that:
 
“Meditations in this book were written by the following members of the CMA-US National Board:
 
     Joyful – CPT Morgan Lloyd
     Luminous – LCDR Michael Schiavone
     Sorrowful – SSgt. Nicholas Cammaroto
     Glorious – Col. Chris DiNote
 
Without the hard work and creativity of these members, this book would not have been possible.”
 
I appreciate the work in creating this volume. It is a great resource for your spiritual life.
 
This is a wonderful little volume. My son who is 16 loves it. He loves especially that it is written and designed as a standard military manual. The reflections are well written and will be able to be used again and again. It is a booklet we will both use often. I used it the last few days with the audio version of the Rosary with Mark Wahlberg on Hallo and paused for each decade, it was awesome. But the book is excellent on its own as well.
 
We loved this manual and how it will be followed up with others in the same style. I can picture having it, a Stations of The Cross, a Divine Mercy Chaplet … in my prayer corner. I can only hope it is the first in a series. An excellent little Rosary Manual I can easily recommend.  
 
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2025 Catholic Reading Plan! 
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Monday, 10 February 2025

Pogue One - edited by Spearman Burke - Raconteur Press Anthologies Book 44

Pogue One
Edited by Spearman Burke
Illustrated by Cedar Sanderson
Raconteur Press Anthologies Book 44
ISBN 9798306378824
ASIN B0DSLW39X3

Pogue One - edited by Spearman Burke - Raconteur Press Anthologies Book 44

I enjoy reading anthologies for many reasons. First, short form fiction is a very different art form than the novel. The writing needs to be tighter. The intent more purposeful, and the skill and craft needed is very different, at least for good short stories. Second, I read a few anthologies a year to get introduced to new authors. In this case I was only familiar with one author prior to picking up the volume. I also love seeing short works by authors who series I have already read. I have picked up several of the anthologies from Raconteur Press, but have to date only read two of them. Once I found out that Christopher R. DiNote had a story in this volume. I immediately read it first and again as I read the book from beginning to end. 

I was intrigued by the collection title and purpose, I always love me a good space military story. And there are some great ones in this volume. The description of this book states:

“The purpose of this anthology is not to denigrate pogues. On the contrary, we felt their representation in fiction (military SF or otherwise) a bit lacking. What about the kid with the thirty-pound brain locked away in the vault, like in Gene Rowley's tale of a lance corporal in the Cyber Corps? The medical ninjas who're willing to move heaven and earth to save one more life feature prominently in K. Anders's story. Chris DiNote shows us there are worse things lurking within the depths of the military machine than mere pogues. In "The Troll," Jim Curtis reminds us that the hardest working folks in the military just may be the apes whose job is to keep aircraft in the sky. Wrapping up our ensemble of storytelling is Liska McCabe, who reminds us that no matter the MOS, we all endure check-out in the end.”

The contributors are:
K. Anders
S. J. Fazekas
Christopher DiNote
E.G. Rowley
J. Kenton Pierce
William Meinert
M. Plummer
Josh Hill
J.L. Curtis
Liska McCabe

The stories are:
1. A Dzar Wars Story 
2. To the Letter 
3. F$%'n Guard Guys! 
4. Unsung Heroes of Cyber Corps 
5. Big Mama 
6. Forge of Hephaestus 
7. Bits and Parts 
8. Chow Hall 
9. The Troll 
10. Moto-morphosis 

In the introduction we are informed:

“Pogue; we won't argue about the spelling. If you were in the military in the 20th Century, you spelled it "pogue." “Pogey bait” was a term used to describe the sweets and candy troops could buy off gut trucks and roach coaches or the PX. I noticed the spelling changed to "pog" sometime in the early 2000s, along with the AAFES pog game of the same spelling. So, for the record, if you spell it pog, you're a boot.

In my Marine Corps infantry days, we used pogue to derisively describe anyone whose military occupational specialty was anything other than grunt. Pogues were the ones who told their wives they were spending the week "in the field." Then, they set up big GP tents in the grass outside the headquarters building and worked there all week. Silly pogue, there is a difference between being in the field and in a field.

But the purpose of this anthology is not to denigrate pogues. On the contrary, we felt their representation in fiction (military SF or otherwise) a bit lacking. What about the kid with the thirty-pound brain locked away in the vault, like in Gene Rowley's tale of a lance corporal in the Cyber Corps? The medical ninjas who're willing to move heaven and earth to save one more life feature prominently in K. Anders's story. Chris DiNote shows us there are worse things lurking within the depths of the military machine than mere pogues. In "The Troll," Jim Curtis reminds us that the hardest working folks in the military just may be the apes whose job is to keep aircraft in the sky. Wrapping up our ensemble of storytelling is Liska McCabe, who reminds us that no matter the MOS, we all endure check-out in the end.

It is my sincere hope you enjoy this collection of stories featuring our non-infantry brethren and sistren. Consider it a hat tip from an old grunt who longed to see the log train convoy visit his dusty outpost in Iraq.”

I have loved reading Military Science Fiction since the mid 1980’s when in high school, from my first reading of Starship Troopers by Heinlein to my eagerly awaiting each new volume in Pier’s Anthony’s Bio of a Space Tyrant’s series. So reading a collection like this was like going back to the early days of overcoming my dual form of dyslexia and reading anything I could get my hands on. There are several authors I encountered in this collection I plan on tracking down more and reading. And I should get around to reading the nearly dozen Raconteur Press Anthologies I have already picked up. My first reaction was, Wow want an epic anthology. My Second was lost time on not reading others in the collection. 

Often when you read an anthology there are a few stand out stories, a few that are just meh and the others are good stories. That was not the case with this collection. I loved every story in the volume. If I had to pick a story to say was my favourite it would be ‘Bits and Parts’ by M. Plummer, followed by ‘F$%'n Guard Guys!’ by Christopher DiNote and third would be; ‘The Troll’ by J.L. Curtis. But I loved the humour in ‘To the Letter’ by S. J. Fazekas and ‘Moto-morphosis’ by Liska McCabe. Another standout story is ‘Chow Hall’ by Josh Hill, it is  one I keep thinking about after finishing the book. 

There are also several excellent full page illustrations between each story and a few extras, they by the amazing Cedar Sanderson, the only thing that would have made it better is if she had contributed a story as well. 

The stories are in a wide range of interpretations on the theme of military science fiction adventures. I enjoyed each story, and can easily recommend the anthology. It was an excellent collection to read. And I am looking to track down other works from a couple of the contributors. This is a collection that is guaranteed to entertain.

Raconteur Press Anthologies Series:
Knights of Malta
Saints of Malta
Space Cowboys
Space Cowboys 2: Electric Rodeo
Space Marines
Falcons of Malta
Pinup Noir
Space Marines 2
Moggies In Space
Your Honor, I Can Explain
Space Cowboys 3: Return of the Bookaroo
Or All Will Burn
Moggies Back in Space
PinUp Noir 2
You See, What Happened Was...
Space Cowboys 404: Cow Not Found
He Was Dead When I Got There
Or All Will Burn: Fierce Love
Full Steam Ahead!
Giant! Freakin'! Robots!
Space Marines III
Moggies in Space: A Galaxy Fur. Fur Away
What! You Again?: The Spurgle Chronicles
Wyrd West
Space Cowboys 5: Cattle Drive
Goblin Market
Hooves, Tracks and Sabers!: Tales of Alternate History
Alien Family Values
Moggie Noir
Or All Will Burn: At All Costs
Coffee Adventures: Quests for the Perfect Cuppa Joe
The Super Generation
Steam Rising: Tales of Steampunk and Wondrous Inventions
The Big Ones
Moggie Noir: Alley Cat Alibi
Road Trippin'
Cursed Canyon: Wyrd West
Giant Stompin' Robots
Coffee Capers: 10 Tales of Coffee and Adventure
Fission Chips: Space Cowboys 6
Goblin Bazaar
From the Brim to the Dregs
Giant Squeeing Robots
Sultry Murder Jazz: Pinup Noir
Plasma Pulp
Wyrd Warfare
Band of Monsters Wyrd Warfare
Magic Malfunction
Dames, Derringers and Detectives: Moggie Noir
Rawhide Revenants: Wyrd West
Goblin Souk
Vice Noir
Artifact Origins
Blades and Black Magic
Moggies of Mars
Planks and Plunder
Glitched Grimm: Twisted Fairy Tales with Terror
Creature Feature
Mercs and Mayhem
Bourbon and Lead
Corsairs and Cutlasses
Daggers and Dark Powers
High Class Muscle
Uncanny Valet
Insert Coin
Plasma Pulp: Lost Worlds
Mad Science: Bits and Pieces
…

Raconteur Press Postcard Stories:
Postcards From Mars
Steam-Powered Postcards
Fanta-Fly Postcards
Postcards from Foolz
Single Servings of Liberty 
Imagine THAT! 
Last Call
…

Other Raconteur Press Anthologies:
Best of 2024
…

Raconteur Press Anthologies 1-23

Raconteur Press Postcards Series 1-7


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Monday, 11 September 2023

Fire for Effect - Bayonet Books Anthology Book 7

Fire for Effect
Bayonet Books Anthology Book 7
Bayonet Books
ISBN 9781960016027
ASIN B0BTK6J9FH

Fire for Effect

This is the Third of Nine of the currently available Bayonet Books Anthologies I have read. Previously I read Storming Area 51 35 New Stories, and after reading that first one I picked up the remaining of the 9 currently available that I did not have yet. I love reading anthologies for a few reasons. In part to discover new authors, as I am always looking to add books to my ‘to be read pile’, secondarily I pick up anthologies because of contributors who are authors I already follow, and for this one I had picked up the first based on Declan Finn’s contribution, and finally, in part because short form fiction is a very different art form than longer prose. It requires tighter writing, quicker character development, and a very different skill set. 

Book seven in this series as a whopping 800 pages, this one comes in at 578, the other I read, The Monster Within, came in at 284. So there is a wide variety in the lengths of the anthologies in this series. I did not know anything about this anthology when I picked it up, other than that Declan Finn had contributed a story. And I loved the other two from Bayonet Books. I had read all of his novels over the last year and am now working through all the anthologies he contributed to. This is the third such anthology. I have also picked up 2 of the more recent Bayonet Books Anthologies, this one, #7 The Monster Within and #2 Storming Area 51 35 New Stories, because Finn had contributed, but I have now pick up all in this series and give them a read. The description of this volume states:

“Let the explosions begin!

Humans have spread to the stars, taking their warlike nature with them. This anthology contains eighteen incredible tales. Heroic warriors wage intergalactic war against their unrelenting foe. Watch these men and women display wanton courage under fire, despite the odds!

Do your part to conquer the galaxy! Buy a copy today.”

The stories in the collection are:

Candy Shop - Jonathan Yanez
A Prelude to Valor - Josh Hayes
Bushido Jackson and the Jaiju Menace - C.J. Carella
Fortunate Son - Shane Gries
The Janus Anomaly - Joe Vasicek
Ash Roland - Scott Moon
The Hero of Azoth Zol - Tim C. Taylor
Silent Griffin - Robert Tillsley
Friggin’ Guard Guys! - Christopher DiNote
God Save the Queen - J. R. Handley
The Dragonslayers - Christopher Ruocchio
The Great Wide Open - Rick Partlow
Complacency’s Grave - Logan Scott
The Venusian Reptiles - Nathan Pedde
World of Embers - Nicholas Garber
Beginning of Chaos - JR Castle
The Battle Purple N- avin Weeraratne
Gates of Fire - Declan Finn

The contributors are:

Logan Scott
Navin Weeraratne
Nicholas Garber
Shane Gries

I have long been a fan of Military Science Fiction, going back to reading Pier’s Anthony’s Bio of a Space Tyrant as they were coming out in High School, and reading Heinlien’s Starship Troopers, and also reading the Orphanage series by Robert Buettner in University as a mature student. I really enjoyed this collection. Often when you read an anthology there are a few amazing stories several good stories and often a dud or two. That was not the case this time. They are all great stories. I loved many of them. I went to make a list of stand out stories and stopped when I hit 5 of them. They were The Venusian Reptiles, Candy Shop, The Janous Anomaly, Silent Griffin, The Great Wide Open and of course Finn's Gates of Fire. Seventeen great stories, but only four are new works for this collection. The rest appeared across 5 different anthologies. But in this collection they work together very well.  

The stories in this collection are hard, gritty and filled with action, stories of battles, and battle suits, friendships and aliens. These stories are certain to entertain. For fans of true military science fiction works, these stories will be of interest. I can recommend this collection for tweens, teens young adults and adult audiences. 

For all reviews of anthologies click here.

Bayonet Books Anthologies:
Contact This! A First Contact Anthology 
From the Ashes
On Deadly Ground – A Heroic Last Stand
Deadly Enhancements
Slay Bells Ring – Operation Klaus
Zombies! Planet Zero
…

Contact This! A First Contact Anthology

Storming Area 51

From the Ashes

On Deadly Ground – A Heroic Last Stand

Deadly Enhancements

Slay Bells Ring – Operation Klaus

Fire for Effect

The Monster Within

Zombies! Planet Zero
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