This was written by Glenda Woodrum. You may see this review and others like it at her site: http://www.glendawoodrum.com
The Radiation Angels: Chimerium Gambit
by James Daniel Ross
Review Rating: 4.5 stars
Genre: Military Science fiction
Content Rating: R for graphic violence and language
Mundania Press LLC
6470A Glenway Avenue, #109
Cincinnati, OH 45211-5222
http://www.mundania.com
Trade Paperback: no pricing available as of this writing
eBook: no pricing available as of this writing
Okay, those of you that have been reading my reviews know that I don't usually rave about any of the books I've read. Well here's an exception. Radiation Angels: Chimerium Gambit grabbed my attention and held it with both power gauntleted hands. From the opening sentence right to the powerful end, I was wowed by this book.
It opens with a group of soldiers for hire and their impending assault on the fortress of the planetary president. From there it turns into a wild running battle complete with enough gunfights to keep even the most jaded military SF reader turning the pages.
Rich with vivid description of the battles, the book is an intense read that caught and held me hostage until I reached the end.
The inclusion of an extensive glossary of terms used in the book makes Radiation Angels: Chimerium Gambit accessible to someone new to the military SF genre without unduly slowing down the action for those familiar with such terms.
The one flaw I found in the early stages of this book-- and keep in mind I'm reading from an ARC-- was the fact that the cast of characters initially lacked enough detail to fix most of them in the reader's mind. There are a lot of names and some ranks used, but no real feel for the majority of the characters at the book's onset. It gives everyone introduced a sort of cannon fodder feel, and it leaves you saying, "Okay, so how does this one die now that he or she has a name?" The book could benefit from more detailed characterization, and a little more introduction on some of them before they face the inevitable end of their existence. All in all Radiation Angels: Chimerium Gambit was a damned fine read and left me hoping for a sequel. From the way this book ended I'm quite hopeful!
If you are a fan of the military SF genre, this is a not to be missed book. (Unlike another military SF book reviewed here on this site, this one is well worth the cover price.)
Oh, and the real kicker? Radiation Angels: Chimerium Gambit is told in first person point of view, which I normally don't care for, so Mr. Ross has scored with a real winner and made a fan despite my well known dislike of first person stories.
(Addendum: projected cover price will be $11.00 US –JDR)
