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Smoke and Thunder
Captain Mike Sandhurst and the 157th Tank Regiment have redeployed to Mars and are stuck in unrealistic training environments designed by those without combat experience and frustration mounts.
Lieutenant Vivian Llewelyn’s Thunderbolts find themselves in a similar situation compounded by their newly assigned Commander Air Group. The loss of the planet Haven speeds the creation of Task Force Victory, combining armored ground forces and dedicated air support, but not before a devastating accident shakes the Thunderbolts to their core.
After a brazen, unprovoked attack on a critical Earth colony planet, Earth Maneuver Forces are without their second largest logistical hub and must respond in force. Task Force Victory deploys forward to the Haven system and a mysterious, barely hospitable planet named Honalee. Given the mission to take and hold a massive island named Paradise, Sandhurst and his friends discover the alien world, while capable of supporting life, is a very dangerous place. Confronted by a dedicated enemy force, complete with a newly discovered variant they name a Brute, Task Force Victory must overcome all of the challenges to establish a beachhead on the island and press the attack forward.
Will Sandhurst and Llewelyn succeed in bringing their units together to take Paradise, and what mysterious secrets are to be found there? What happens when the Task Force gets the attention of the rest of the galaxy?
The fight against the Buzzers rages on in the Buzzer War Series, by Kevin Ikenberry. With realistic military action, space and ground battles, and a vicious bug alien invasion, it's perfect for fans of Starship Troopers, Hell Divers 2, and Rick Partlow's Drop Trooper!
Lieutenant Vivian Llewelyn’s Thunderbolts find themselves in a similar situation compounded by their newly assigned Commander Air Group. The loss of the planet Haven speeds the creation of Task Force Victory, combining armored ground forces and dedicated air support, but not before a devastating accident shakes the Thunderbolts to their core.
After a brazen, unprovoked attack on a critical Earth colony planet, Earth Maneuver Forces are without their second largest logistical hub and must respond in force. Task Force Victory deploys forward to the Haven system and a mysterious, barely hospitable planet named Honalee. Given the mission to take and hold a massive island named Paradise, Sandhurst and his friends discover the alien world, while capable of supporting life, is a very dangerous place. Confronted by a dedicated enemy force, complete with a newly discovered variant they name a Brute, Task Force Victory must overcome all of the challenges to establish a beachhead on the island and press the attack forward.
Will Sandhurst and Llewelyn succeed in bringing their units together to take Paradise, and what mysterious secrets are to be found there? What happens when the Task Force gets the attention of the rest of the galaxy?
The fight against the Buzzers rages on in the Buzzer War Series, by Kevin Ikenberry. With realistic military action, space and ground battles, and a vicious bug alien invasion, it's perfect for fans of Starship Troopers, Hell Divers 2, and Rick Partlow's Drop Trooper!
516 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 14, 2025
116 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Ikenberry
121 books109 followersKevin’s head has been in the clouds since he was old enough to read. Ask him and he’ll tell you that he still wants to be an astronaut. Kevin has a diverse background in space and space science education. As an adult, he's managed the world-renowned U.S. Space Camp program and operated two Challenger Learning Centers. A retired Army officer, Kevin continues to work with space every day.
Kevin is the author of the science fiction novel SLEEPER PROTOCOL (2016) which Publisher's Weekly called "an emotionally powerful debut." His military science fiction novel RUNS IN THE FAMILY (2016) has gained a growing legion of fans. He continues to work on sequels for both novels as well as short fiction and an alternate history novel.
Kevin is the author of the science fiction novel SLEEPER PROTOCOL (2016) which Publisher's Weekly called "an emotionally powerful debut." His military science fiction novel RUNS IN THE FAMILY (2016) has gained a growing legion of fans. He continues to work on sequels for both novels as well as short fiction and an alternate history novel.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 15, 2025
Buzzer War!
I love this series, some of the best combat scenes I've ever read. I love the inscrutable Buzzers, combined arms, and ii even don't mind the touch of romance. Book 5 cannot get here soon enough!
I love this series, some of the best combat scenes I've ever read. I love the inscrutable Buzzers, combined arms, and ii even don't mind the touch of romance. Book 5 cannot get here soon enough!
July 29, 2025
This has turned out to be one of my favorite series. After four books I still can’t hardly wait for the fifth. There are a lot of characters but they each have a specific role they play in the story so it’s not that hard to keep up with everybody. After having a surprising encounter with the Buzzers who actually spoke to Admiral Waumbo, the air wing and the ground troops are in a training mode waiting for the next attack.
Captain Mike Sandhurst has his Cavalry unit conducting simulation training and it’s not going well. The Buzzers a huge and have ungodly firepower that will soon overwhelm everything he and his troop can do. The sims are conducted on Mars and they are becoming brutal. No matter what the “good guys” do, they are always coming out on the short end of the battle. Something isn’t right with these simulations. Even though it’s the job of almost every Armor or Infantry soldier to complain about everything, it’s getting to the point where Captain Sandhurst realizes that they have legitimate gripes. The Buzzers in the simulation do not reflect real-world realities. He and his soldiers have been there first hand to know how the Buzzer look and fight.
Meanwhile, the aviation guys and gals are also conducting their own simulations while at the same time trying to implement some changing doctrine. After their last encounters with the Buzzers, it’s clear that armor and infantry can’t fight this war alone. They need the assets of the air wing down to the maneuver level and as close to the action as possible.
The experimental Carrier Air Wing Twelve was setup to prove the concept of providing close air support while also assigning mission for air interdiction to the proper fuselage type. The Ospreys under command of Commander Landon Strunk have proven they can provide the close air support the tankers and infantry need. They proved that on the battlefield, yet now they have a Wing Commander that doesn’t really recognize their capabilities and wants to do things his way. It doesn’t help that the Wing Commander and is a Kestrel pilot who believes his aircraft is more suited to close air support.
What happens in their latest exercise with live OPFOR almost resulted in the death of a very important Osprey pilot. Both the Wing Commander and his XO let their jealousy of the Osprey’s notable prior performance cloud their judgement. Fortunately, Higher HQ found out about the mis-management within the air wing and took actions to shut it down.
As far as the tankers simulation problem, Colonel Sondgrass took his troops and his own complaints to his boss telling him that the simulations were wrong and they were not the training his troops required or needed. His boss also agreed and was going to make changes accordingly.
But, as usually happens, real-world events started taking place in the most unexpected of places. The Buzzers had suddenly appeared on planet Haven right during a huge military dog and pony show. They quickly overwhelmed the ground troops who were in no way expecting them to show up on this planet. So now the war is continuing and our favorite tank troop, company and our favorite air wing and pilots are going back to the real stuff.
By the time Earth Maneuver Forces (EMF) starts to react to what is happening, Heaven has fallen to the Buzzers. They are now looking to go after the next planet in the system which is Honoree. This is where they will have to be stopped. If they keep taking planets this way, they will soon be heading towards Earth and that can’t happen. So the Air Wing and the Armor units all begin loading up and heading to war.
There are going to casualties in this war and some get pretty close to being hard to bare. Still, this book is very exciting and I really like the way the author presents the communications and command relationships between various units. It reminds me of my days in my own command vehicle, but of course we didn’t have all this technology these warfighters employ. I can’t hardly wait for book 5, “Fury of Heaven”, but it won’t be out until 16 September 2025.
==[Note: As of 12/03/2023, this will not be published on Amazon since I have been banned from posting reviews for some unknown reason. Once the ban is lifted, assuming it does get lifted, I’ll go back and post this to Amazon.]==
Captain Mike Sandhurst has his Cavalry unit conducting simulation training and it’s not going well. The Buzzers a huge and have ungodly firepower that will soon overwhelm everything he and his troop can do. The sims are conducted on Mars and they are becoming brutal. No matter what the “good guys” do, they are always coming out on the short end of the battle. Something isn’t right with these simulations. Even though it’s the job of almost every Armor or Infantry soldier to complain about everything, it’s getting to the point where Captain Sandhurst realizes that they have legitimate gripes. The Buzzers in the simulation do not reflect real-world realities. He and his soldiers have been there first hand to know how the Buzzer look and fight.
Meanwhile, the aviation guys and gals are also conducting their own simulations while at the same time trying to implement some changing doctrine. After their last encounters with the Buzzers, it’s clear that armor and infantry can’t fight this war alone. They need the assets of the air wing down to the maneuver level and as close to the action as possible.
The experimental Carrier Air Wing Twelve was setup to prove the concept of providing close air support while also assigning mission for air interdiction to the proper fuselage type. The Ospreys under command of Commander Landon Strunk have proven they can provide the close air support the tankers and infantry need. They proved that on the battlefield, yet now they have a Wing Commander that doesn’t really recognize their capabilities and wants to do things his way. It doesn’t help that the Wing Commander and is a Kestrel pilot who believes his aircraft is more suited to close air support.
What happens in their latest exercise with live OPFOR almost resulted in the death of a very important Osprey pilot. Both the Wing Commander and his XO let their jealousy of the Osprey’s notable prior performance cloud their judgement. Fortunately, Higher HQ found out about the mis-management within the air wing and took actions to shut it down.
As far as the tankers simulation problem, Colonel Sondgrass took his troops and his own complaints to his boss telling him that the simulations were wrong and they were not the training his troops required or needed. His boss also agreed and was going to make changes accordingly.
But, as usually happens, real-world events started taking place in the most unexpected of places. The Buzzers had suddenly appeared on planet Haven right during a huge military dog and pony show. They quickly overwhelmed the ground troops who were in no way expecting them to show up on this planet. So now the war is continuing and our favorite tank troop, company and our favorite air wing and pilots are going back to the real stuff.
By the time Earth Maneuver Forces (EMF) starts to react to what is happening, Heaven has fallen to the Buzzers. They are now looking to go after the next planet in the system which is Honoree. This is where they will have to be stopped. If they keep taking planets this way, they will soon be heading towards Earth and that can’t happen. So the Air Wing and the Armor units all begin loading up and heading to war.
There are going to casualties in this war and some get pretty close to being hard to bare. Still, this book is very exciting and I really like the way the author presents the communications and command relationships between various units. It reminds me of my days in my own command vehicle, but of course we didn’t have all this technology these warfighters employ. I can’t hardly wait for book 5, “Fury of Heaven”, but it won’t be out until 16 September 2025.
==[Note: As of 12/03/2023, this will not be published on Amazon since I have been banned from posting reviews for some unknown reason. Once the ban is lifted, assuming it does get lifted, I’ll go back and post this to Amazon.]==
September 4, 2025
Still Waiting!!!!!
What's the "Buzzers" reasoning and civilizational history for wanting armed combat against human or any other sentient lifeform? I'm enjoying this military science fiction series but; those questions top my list of queries dealing with this series. I kinda figured that "Bombshell" and a certain commander had a thing for each other; combat and TDY are known to bring feelings out between consenting adults, regardless of rank. As I use to tell my fellow warriors; maintain your professionalism on duty and keep your relationship out of sight out of scrutiny. The author has done a great job of his with other couples in this series. The back and forth between officers and non commissioned officers is great.; especially acknowledging the worth of senior ncos! Yes, I am hooked on this series, looking forward to the next book! Nuff said!!!!
What's the "Buzzers" reasoning and civilizational history for wanting armed combat against human or any other sentient lifeform? I'm enjoying this military science fiction series but; those questions top my list of queries dealing with this series. I kinda figured that "Bombshell" and a certain commander had a thing for each other; combat and TDY are known to bring feelings out between consenting adults, regardless of rank. As I use to tell my fellow warriors; maintain your professionalism on duty and keep your relationship out of sight out of scrutiny. The author has done a great job of his with other couples in this series. The back and forth between officers and non commissioned officers is great.; especially acknowledging the worth of senior ncos! Yes, I am hooked on this series, looking forward to the next book! Nuff said!!!!
May 29, 2025
Great series
I just love the tanks and Warthog ground attack aircraft. A bit like Hammer’s Slammers with A10s thrown in. Very well done, especially the character development. Looking forward to further stories.
I just love the tanks and Warthog ground attack aircraft. A bit like Hammer’s Slammers with A10s thrown in. Very well done, especially the character development. Looking forward to further stories.
May 31, 2025
Four great books in a rowl
Never a dull moment! Great cast of characters and plenty of action in the air and field. And surprises galore, you never know what is going to happen next. Come on book 5!
Never a dull moment! Great cast of characters and plenty of action in the air and field. And surprises galore, you never know what is going to happen next. Come on book 5!
February 1, 2026
Buzzed on war! Brutes ahoy!
Just as good as any of the previous. Would recommend to any that that enjoy the series or are lovers of the genre. 4 stars because its solid and better than 3...and 5 stars are for extraordinary works! Grab and read this page turner, worth the read.
Just as good as any of the previous. Would recommend to any that that enjoy the series or are lovers of the genre. 4 stars because its solid and better than 3...and 5 stars are for extraordinary works! Grab and read this page turner, worth the read.
May 22, 2025
This is a great read future military
Compelling and well written characters and their arcs are also good. Good time read and a well put together series. Good reading to you!
Compelling and well written characters and their arcs are also good. Good time read and a well put together series. Good reading to you!
May 23, 2025
Couldn't put it down
Wow actions that take place in the future that mimics day to day in this day and time. Love the characters and story line. Keep up the fire!
Wow actions that take place in the future that mimics day to day in this day and time. Love the characters and story line. Keep up the fire!
June 21, 2025
Military SciFi at its best!
February 7, 2026
Getting boring
Too much deal all constant battles and people talking battles I will not be reading any more in the series as it is repiticous .
Too much deal all constant battles and people talking battles I will not be reading any more in the series as it is repiticous .
May 24, 2025
Love the Tom Clancy style accuracy of the military action.
Really looking forward to Book 5 and beyond.
Really looking forward to Book 5 and beyond.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews