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Men of Bretton (1)
New military science fiction from Dragon Award-winning author Richard Fox.
The soldiers of the 11th Bretton Infantry knew they were being dropped into a combat zone on Dharien. But they didn’t know just how bad things really were, with the entire planet about to fall to the rebel Flags. The orders from the Highest are make their way to Tabuk and keep the city under the banner of the Hegemony.
For Mason Tellec, it’s one more combat mission—with a difference. Noah, his younger brother, is along for the ride this time, and Mason has promised his mother and father he’ll keep an eye out. Noah’s green, but he’s got the makings of a good soldier.
But the jungle of Dharien holds many dangers—something Felix Ibensen knows all too well. He’s alone, lost, and trying to find his way back to Hegemony-controlled territory, the only survivor of a Flag ambush.
Mason, Noah, and Felix are on a collision course, with each other and with their destinies—for the actions of the Men of Bretton may have implications that reach to the highest echelons of the Hegemony.
At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management).
Richard Fox is the winner of the 2017 Dragon Award for Best Military Science Fiction or Fantasy novel. He’s best known for The Ember War Saga, a military science fiction and space opera series.
His writing draws extensively from his experiences in the United States Army, where he served two combat tours in Iraq and was awarded the Bronze Star, Combat Action Badge and Presidential Unit Citation.
He lives in fabulous Las Vegas with his incredible wife and three boys, amazing children bent on anarchy.
His website
The soldiers of the 11th Bretton Infantry knew they were being dropped into a combat zone on Dharien. But they didn’t know just how bad things really were, with the entire planet about to fall to the rebel Flags. The orders from the Highest are make their way to Tabuk and keep the city under the banner of the Hegemony.
For Mason Tellec, it’s one more combat mission—with a difference. Noah, his younger brother, is along for the ride this time, and Mason has promised his mother and father he’ll keep an eye out. Noah’s green, but he’s got the makings of a good soldier.
But the jungle of Dharien holds many dangers—something Felix Ibensen knows all too well. He’s alone, lost, and trying to find his way back to Hegemony-controlled territory, the only survivor of a Flag ambush.
Mason, Noah, and Felix are on a collision course, with each other and with their destinies—for the actions of the Men of Bretton may have implications that reach to the highest echelons of the Hegemony.
At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management).
Richard Fox is the winner of the 2017 Dragon Award for Best Military Science Fiction or Fantasy novel. He’s best known for The Ember War Saga, a military science fiction and space opera series.
His writing draws extensively from his experiences in the United States Army, where he served two combat tours in Iraq and was awarded the Bronze Star, Combat Action Badge and Presidential Unit Citation.
He lives in fabulous Las Vegas with his incredible wife and three boys, amazing children bent on anarchy.
His website
- GenresScience Fiction
256 pages, Hardcover
Published November 5, 2024
About the author
Richard Fox
160 books624 followersRichard Fox is a Nebula Award nominated author, and winner of the 2017 Dragon Award for Best Military Science Fiction or Fantasy novel, author of The Ember War Saga, a military science fiction and space opera series, and other novels in the military history, thriller and space opera genres.
He lives in fabulous Las Vegas with his incredible wife and three boys, amazing children bent on anarchy.
He graduated from the United States Military Academy (West Point) much to his surprise and spent ten years on active duty in the United States Army. He deployed on two combat tours to Iraq and received the Combat Action Badge, Bronze Star and Presidential Unit Citation.
The Ember War Saga:
1. The Ember War
2. The Ruins of Anthalas
3. Blood of Heroes
4. Earth Defiant
5. The Gardens of Nibiru
6. Battle of the Void
7. The Siege of Earth
8. The Crucible
9. The Xaros Reckoning
Terran Armored Corps
1. Iron Dragoons
2. The Ibarra Sanction
3. The True Measure
4. A House Divided
5. The Last Aeon
6. Ferrum Corde
Terran Strike Marines
1. The Dotari Salvation
2. Rage of Winter
3. Valdar's Hammer
4. The Beast of Eridu
5. Gott Mit Uns
The Exiled Fleet:
1. Albion Lost
2. The Long March
3. Finest Hour
4. Point of Honor
The Terra Nova Chronicles
1. Terra Nova
2. Bloodlines
3. Wings of Redemption
4. Hale's War
Subscribe to Richard's spam free email list and get free short stories set during the Ember War Saga (and more as they become available) at: http://eepurl.com/bLj1gf
Like him on Facebook (best place to reach him): https://www.facebook.com/Richard-Fox-...
Website: www.richardfoxauthor.com
He lives in fabulous Las Vegas with his incredible wife and three boys, amazing children bent on anarchy.
He graduated from the United States Military Academy (West Point) much to his surprise and spent ten years on active duty in the United States Army. He deployed on two combat tours to Iraq and received the Combat Action Badge, Bronze Star and Presidential Unit Citation.
The Ember War Saga:
1. The Ember War
2. The Ruins of Anthalas
3. Blood of Heroes
4. Earth Defiant
5. The Gardens of Nibiru
6. Battle of the Void
7. The Siege of Earth
8. The Crucible
9. The Xaros Reckoning
Terran Armored Corps
1. Iron Dragoons
2. The Ibarra Sanction
3. The True Measure
4. A House Divided
5. The Last Aeon
6. Ferrum Corde
Terran Strike Marines
1. The Dotari Salvation
2. Rage of Winter
3. Valdar's Hammer
4. The Beast of Eridu
5. Gott Mit Uns
The Exiled Fleet:
1. Albion Lost
2. The Long March
3. Finest Hour
4. Point of Honor
The Terra Nova Chronicles
1. Terra Nova
2. Bloodlines
3. Wings of Redemption
4. Hale's War
Subscribe to Richard's spam free email list and get free short stories set during the Ember War Saga (and more as they become available) at: http://eepurl.com/bLj1gf
Like him on Facebook (best place to reach him): https://www.facebook.com/Richard-Fox-...
Website: www.richardfoxauthor.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 9, 2024
I'm still new to Military Science Fiction books. I've enjoyed reading the Navy-inspired books by David Weber from his Honor Harrington universe, as well as the Marine/Special Forces books from the Halo universe and Timothy Zahn's Cobra series. This book realy feels like you're reading the Military Science Fiction version of the Army.
One thing I appreciated in this book was the political worldbuilding. I thought that once the story got started, Richard Fox did a good job of explaining the political situation without taking too long or being too complicated. It was easy enough to understand and I was actually really fascinated by the developments in the book.
I also really connected with the characters, in particular the leadership of Lambert and Perrin, the soldiers Mason, Noah and Felix, and I really enjoyed the dynamic that Tessa brought to the book.
The book is obviously inspired by the wars in the Middle East, and as such Richard was able to discuss some really interesting themes about soliders and civilians, when the mission overrides compassion, and also how soldiers deal with compartmentalizing lives in a warzone. Fox really nailed these themes.
The book is really short. The hardcover is only 240 pages. As such, I blew threw it, and had a blast reading it. It defeinitely could have been longer in some places, more fleshed out the world our characters were on. I would say it should have been longer but at least it won't be criticized as bloated or too long.
The book is surprisingly humorous. The "shower" scene at the end was pretty funny, as was the whole discussion of where Felix accidentally shoots someone. This humor made the character interplay work so well.
One thing I didn't particularly like was the language in the book. I understand this is the military and it is common practice in the military, but it was so frustrating seeing characters discuss the importance of their religion, and then in the next sentence be using such fowl language.
Also, it has a nice cliffhanger that has me really interested to read the next book! I hope Richard gets the chance to finish this series' story (although the book itself does complete its' own story).
Overall, the book was a really fun read, and I'm glad it worked so well for me. I'll give it an 8 out of 10.
One thing I appreciated in this book was the political worldbuilding. I thought that once the story got started, Richard Fox did a good job of explaining the political situation without taking too long or being too complicated. It was easy enough to understand and I was actually really fascinated by the developments in the book.
I also really connected with the characters, in particular the leadership of Lambert and Perrin, the soldiers Mason, Noah and Felix, and I really enjoyed the dynamic that Tessa brought to the book.
The book is obviously inspired by the wars in the Middle East, and as such Richard was able to discuss some really interesting themes about soliders and civilians, when the mission overrides compassion, and also how soldiers deal with compartmentalizing lives in a warzone. Fox really nailed these themes.
The book is really short. The hardcover is only 240 pages. As such, I blew threw it, and had a blast reading it. It defeinitely could have been longer in some places, more fleshed out the world our characters were on. I would say it should have been longer but at least it won't be criticized as bloated or too long.
The book is surprisingly humorous. The "shower" scene at the end was pretty funny, as was the whole discussion of where Felix accidentally shoots someone. This humor made the character interplay work so well.
One thing I didn't particularly like was the language in the book. I understand this is the military and it is common practice in the military, but it was so frustrating seeing characters discuss the importance of their religion, and then in the next sentence be using such fowl language.
Also, it has a nice cliffhanger that has me really interested to read the next book! I hope Richard gets the chance to finish this series' story (although the book itself does complete its' own story).
Overall, the book was a really fun read, and I'm glad it worked so well for me. I'll give it an 8 out of 10.
September 16, 2026
I went looking through my lists for a book to read while I had a headache. I usually pull some type of sci-fi down, as it helps distract my brain for awhile. This book seemed to be the right balance of escape and military sci-fi, with an infantry unit dropped onto a world that doesn't want them there.
A lot of characters abound, though most of the focus is on Mason & Noah (brothers) and Felix. For about the first half or so, the characters are not all that interesting. Things happen, the unit is dropped into combat without support, sergeants do their thing to motivate their soldiers, and we follow Felix off on his own. At about the half way point, I was wondering if there was a point, other than the Hegemony was throwing good soldiers into a meat grinder that the insurgents created. Hegemony was badly losing. It is a mirror to Vietnam, Iraq, and Afganistan.
Then at the half way point, there is a swerve. The book changes from despair to hope. Only then does Felix join Mason & Noah, where we discover Felix has finally brought a bit of life to the Bretton unit. Before then it was kinda dull. Felix has a clue about things. Mason is just there to protect his brother Noah. Noah is the straight man, innocent virgin who knows and doesn't know things all at the same time. Noah's nieve persona does get gratting after awhile (Bretton is a volunteer analog planet that has a heavy handed church that was started by St. Robin - they askew technology, using religious verses to justify their lifestyle). Now, when they meet Tessa, combined with Felix, now we have a fun time with the unit. Now there is banter, as all three cultures clash in amusing ways.
The end is abrupt. So is the climatic battle. Even the CO says he waited years to command in combat and it was quickly over (though there is a reason for him saying that). After that, there were only a few pages left, so I thought it would be a bunch of cheering and finishing up. Nope. The story just stops. The CO says they have a new tasking & plans to make. Not the greatest way to slide into a second book.
The author does make an effort to bring drones into the battlefield. Both sides use them to some extent, which is something we need more of. Sci-fi authors can take the current battle drone usage, as seen in Ukraine, and extend it for others to become aware of. Many of the points the drones used by the Bretton units are today's drones made smaller and their information nets more expansive.
One quibble about the cover image. From the descriptions in the book, that armor suit doesn't exist. Flankers had exo-skeletons with plates, but not full coverings. The Caraphact were much bigger and had large armor plates.
A lot of characters abound, though most of the focus is on Mason & Noah (brothers) and Felix. For about the first half or so, the characters are not all that interesting. Things happen, the unit is dropped into combat without support, sergeants do their thing to motivate their soldiers, and we follow Felix off on his own. At about the half way point, I was wondering if there was a point, other than the Hegemony was throwing good soldiers into a meat grinder that the insurgents created. Hegemony was badly losing. It is a mirror to Vietnam, Iraq, and Afganistan.
Then at the half way point, there is a swerve. The book changes from despair to hope. Only then does Felix join Mason & Noah, where we discover Felix has finally brought a bit of life to the Bretton unit. Before then it was kinda dull. Felix has a clue about things. Mason is just there to protect his brother Noah. Noah is the straight man, innocent virgin who knows and doesn't know things all at the same time. Noah's nieve persona does get gratting after awhile (Bretton is a volunteer analog planet that has a heavy handed church that was started by St. Robin - they askew technology, using religious verses to justify their lifestyle). Now, when they meet Tessa, combined with Felix, now we have a fun time with the unit. Now there is banter, as all three cultures clash in amusing ways.
The end is abrupt. So is the climatic battle. Even the CO says he waited years to command in combat and it was quickly over (though there is a reason for him saying that). After that, there were only a few pages left, so I thought it would be a bunch of cheering and finishing up. Nope. The story just stops. The CO says they have a new tasking & plans to make. Not the greatest way to slide into a second book.
The author does make an effort to bring drones into the battlefield. Both sides use them to some extent, which is something we need more of. Sci-fi authors can take the current battle drone usage, as seen in Ukraine, and extend it for others to become aware of. Many of the points the drones used by the Bretton units are today's drones made smaller and their information nets more expansive.
One quibble about the cover image. From the descriptions in the book, that armor suit doesn't exist. Flankers had exo-skeletons with plates, but not full coverings. The Caraphact were much bigger and had large armor plates.
November 13, 2024
Richard Fox starts a fun tale of hard Men of Bretton (hard from Baen). The soldiers of the 11th Bretton Infantry have been drafted by the Hegemony to fight on the jungle world of Dharien which the Hegemony is badly losing to rebels. It's a real snafu in which the battalion is thrown directly into battle and then things go really bad, and their only hope is getting off the planet. I really enjoyed the excitement of a war that feels almost too real
January 26, 2025
pretty bloody realistic
Leaves you wanting more. What a non stop blast. Great character development. Let's see how relationships develop in the next one.
Leaves you wanting more. What a non stop blast. Great character development. Let's see how relationships develop in the next one.
June 22, 2026
Great start
Solid military sci-fi with believable characters and engaging plot. Slow start but worth it. Looking forward to the next one!
Solid military sci-fi with believable characters and engaging plot. Slow start but worth it. Looking forward to the next one!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews