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Ryck Lysander has proven himself as a Marine, as a warrior. As he is promoted to sergeant, though, his responsibilities expand beyond merely fighting to leading other Marines into battle.
When an old ally becomes a new enemy, one well-equipped and trained, Ryck is pushed to his very limits as he tries to keep his Marines alive while fulfilling his mission of defeating the enemy on the field of battle.
Faced with extraordinary challenges and grueling missions, Ryck discovers love, loss, brotherhood, and dogged inner strength as he learns what it means to be a sergeant in the United Federation Marine Corps.
When an old ally becomes a new enemy, one well-equipped and trained, Ryck is pushed to his very limits as he tries to keep his Marines alive while fulfilling his mission of defeating the enemy on the field of battle.
Faced with extraordinary challenges and grueling missions, Ryck discovers love, loss, brotherhood, and dogged inner strength as he learns what it means to be a sergeant in the United Federation Marine Corps.
260 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 23, 2014
767 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan P. Brazee
149 books190 followersI am a retired Marine colonel and now a full-time writer living in Colorado Springs with my wife, Kiwi, and infant twin daughters, Danika Dawn and Darika Marie.
I published my first work back in 1978, a so-so short story titled "Secession." Since then, I have been published in newspapers, magazines, and in book format in fiction, political science, business, military, sports, race relations, and personal relations fields. I returned to writing fiction in 2009, and I currently have over 85 titles published, 52 being novels. My novelette, "Weaponized Math," was a finalist for the 2017 Nebula Award, and my novella, "Fire Ant," was a 2018 Nebula finalist. My novel "Integration" was a 2018 Dragon Award finalist, and my novel "Sentenced to War" was a 2021 finalist. I am a USA Today Bestelling writer.
My undergraduate degree was earned at the U. S. Naval Academy (Class of 1979), and I have attended graduate school at U. S. International University and the University of California, San Diego, earning a masters and doctorate. I am a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the US. Naval Academy Alumni Association, and the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.
I have rather eclectic tastes. I have won awards in photography, cooking, wrting, and several sports, earning national championships in rugby and equestrian events. When I'm not writing, I'm reading, cooking, going to the gym, or traveling. I attend quite a few cons over the course of a year, and love meeting other people who love books.
I write because I love it. I only hope that others might read my work and get a bit of enjoyment or useful information out of my efforts.
As an author, I don't think it is fair for me to rate any other author's books here on Goodreads if that rating is less than five stars. I have certainly read many books that do not deserve five (or four, three, or even two). However, I will not rate any of those here while I am a Goodreads author. Consequently, I will only be listing books that I really like and feel deserve five stars.
If you would like to join my email list and find out about new books or promotions, please sign up at http://eepurl.com/bnFSHH. My website is http://jonathanbrazee.com.
I published my first work back in 1978, a so-so short story titled "Secession." Since then, I have been published in newspapers, magazines, and in book format in fiction, political science, business, military, sports, race relations, and personal relations fields. I returned to writing fiction in 2009, and I currently have over 85 titles published, 52 being novels. My novelette, "Weaponized Math," was a finalist for the 2017 Nebula Award, and my novella, "Fire Ant," was a 2018 Nebula finalist. My novel "Integration" was a 2018 Dragon Award finalist, and my novel "Sentenced to War" was a 2021 finalist. I am a USA Today Bestelling writer.
My undergraduate degree was earned at the U. S. Naval Academy (Class of 1979), and I have attended graduate school at U. S. International University and the University of California, San Diego, earning a masters and doctorate. I am a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the US. Naval Academy Alumni Association, and the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.
I have rather eclectic tastes. I have won awards in photography, cooking, wrting, and several sports, earning national championships in rugby and equestrian events. When I'm not writing, I'm reading, cooking, going to the gym, or traveling. I attend quite a few cons over the course of a year, and love meeting other people who love books.
I write because I love it. I only hope that others might read my work and get a bit of enjoyment or useful information out of my efforts.
As an author, I don't think it is fair for me to rate any other author's books here on Goodreads if that rating is less than five stars. I have certainly read many books that do not deserve five (or four, three, or even two). However, I will not rate any of those here while I am a Goodreads author. Consequently, I will only be listing books that I really like and feel deserve five stars.
If you would like to join my email list and find out about new books or promotions, please sign up at http://eepurl.com/bnFSHH. My website is http://jonathanbrazee.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
November 24, 2023
WHAT A GREAT SERIES THIS IS TURNING INTO!
Jonathan Brazee has written another well written action Sci-Fi that is out of this world in his FEDERATION MARINE book 2 "Sergeant." The action pack book takes you through war and the loss of fellow Marines, Sailors, and civilians brought on by politics of governments that really care more about the bottom line in their bank accounts than that of the soldiers of both sides that are fighting the war. I really enjoyed this second book as well as the first and hope you do too.
Jonathan Brazee has written another well written action Sci-Fi that is out of this world in his FEDERATION MARINE book 2 "Sergeant." The action pack book takes you through war and the loss of fellow Marines, Sailors, and civilians brought on by politics of governments that really care more about the bottom line in their bank accounts than that of the soldiers of both sides that are fighting the war. I really enjoyed this second book as well as the first and hope you do too.
August 23, 2021
Sergeant Ryck Lysander is going to war. France has declared war against the Federation and in some cases brother will be going against brother.
Marines in Space! Some ship battles and head to head on planet. Better than the first entry. But still some skimworthy TMI parts
Marines in Space! Some ship battles and head to head on planet. Better than the first entry. But still some skimworthy TMI parts
September 20, 2014
This is the kind of story I like to read. I like to follow young men as they enter the world of the military and have to change their entire way of life. While this is set in the future, the emotions and actions are really, really similar to what any young person would experience in today’s military.
We followed Ryck Lysander as joined the United Federation Marine Corps and completed his basic and advanced military training. He went through a rigorous ordeal but he made it. There comes a time when every young person has to decide whether he can be what the Marines want him to be or go do something different. Lysander found the courage to get through his entry training and is now well on his way to becoming an excellent Marine.
This books has Lysander learning what it means to take care of others. He’s not a baby sitter by any means but he’s now a squad leader and has men assigned to him that his is responsible for. By responsible for, I mean he has their lives in his hands. If he doesn’t do his job by making sure they know what to do and when to do it, they could very well die. I like this story because it shows some of the interactions between those around him. A Marine’s life usually only involves his squad, his platoon to some degree, and his squad/platoon leaders.
Sergeant Lysander gets to find out what it really means to be responsible for the lives of his men. The situation he finds himself in probably wouldn’t happen in a million years but it happened and he has to adapt. I like the action and the realistic descriptions of the weapons and some of their effects even though some of these weapons do not exist. The author doesn’t go into a great deal of explanation where it’s not necessary but he does explain most everything pretty clearly. If you’ve had no military background what so ever, you might find some of this hard to read, but the story is good so give it a shot anyway.
I really want this to continue. Sergeant Lysander is a good character to build on and I hope the author continues to write this great military science fiction.
September 18, 2014
Sergeant
This one is the latest in a series that I have enjoyed greatly. The story may be future stars fiction but it is obviously another version of the exploits of the Marines, told by a Marine. The ability to get you up to speed with fictional events that reflect reality is the primary line behind a great read.
This one is the latest in a series that I have enjoyed greatly. The story may be future stars fiction but it is obviously another version of the exploits of the Marines, told by a Marine. The ability to get you up to speed with fictional events that reflect reality is the primary line behind a great read.
December 6, 2023
Jarhead Story
I'm suckered for Jarhead stories, and this fits the bill. Our boy is moving right along. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
I'm suckered for Jarhead stories, and this fits the bill. Our boy is moving right along. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
December 10, 2023
Good read, well worth your time
I appreciate the balance of action and character development. Book 2 was a fitting follow up for the prequel and a good setup for the next book.
I appreciate the balance of action and character development. Book 2 was a fitting follow up for the prequel and a good setup for the next book.
May 23, 2021
The novel Sergeant by Jonathan Brazee, a retired Marine, is a tour de force of a futuristic Marine Corps in space. Unpleasant circumstances abound as Ryck Lysander is molded into a boots-on-the-ground leader. Heart pounding action is vivid and rich as Ryck grapples with leading his men while learning to tolerate the politics of a given situation. The feel of comrades-in-arms is potent but not overpowering to the total story.
Characters are well developed with a relaxed writing style all while delivering the mental and physical trauma of combat. Shown is a future Marine service incorporating a well-rounded mix of world Marine Corps traditions.
Some foul language is present but nothing outlandish. Highly recommended.
Characters are well developed with a relaxed writing style all while delivering the mental and physical trauma of combat. Shown is a future Marine service incorporating a well-rounded mix of world Marine Corps traditions.
Some foul language is present but nothing outlandish. Highly recommended.
May 19, 2025
Putting their training to use!
Ryck and his unit first have a few lower intensity missions that manage to knock off some of the rough edges of the newest additions to his platoon.
But they wind up getting thrown into a much more dangerous situation that challenges their survival, not just their ingenuity.
Ryck learns an important lesson during the process.
“As a young private, Ryck thought captains were, if not gods, at least saints, doing what they pleased. It took him a while to realize that they had the same pressures and “input” from above. Private or captain, all Marines answered to someone else.”
— Federation Marine 2: Sergeant by Jonathan P. Brazee
Ryck and his unit first have a few lower intensity missions that manage to knock off some of the rough edges of the newest additions to his platoon.
But they wind up getting thrown into a much more dangerous situation that challenges their survival, not just their ingenuity.
Ryck learns an important lesson during the process.
“As a young private, Ryck thought captains were, if not gods, at least saints, doing what they pleased. It took him a while to realize that they had the same pressures and “input” from above. Private or captain, all Marines answered to someone else.”
— Federation Marine 2: Sergeant by Jonathan P. Brazee
March 27, 2020
Mediocre at best. Writing is lacking, story is badly paced. MC has some character development but not too much, and side characters are cardboard cutouts with zero development. Romance is plain awful, it just happens with no real build up of the relationship or Hannah so you don't really care about them or her as an individual. it would be better if it was left out of the story. There is a lot of typos but I don't mind them really. All in all, I don't know why I didn't give up after first book. After this one I won't be reading further.
September 27, 2019
Spoiller Alert - The Entire 7 Book Series Gets 5 Stars
What follows, is pretty much (actually completely) verbatim from my review of Book 2 of Ryck's story.
-- --
As the review title above hints, I have just now finished reading the seven book UFMC Ryck Lysander series. It is so compelling that I have neglected my obligation to the author to offer a review of the book(s) until now in thanks for such a great book/series.
What follows, is pretty much (actually completely) verbatim from my review of Book 2 of Ryck's story.
-- --
As the review title above hints, I have just now finished reading the seven book UFMC Ryck Lysander series. It is so compelling that I have neglected my obligation to the author to offer a review of the book(s) until now in thanks for such a great book/series.
December 22, 2020
Good Storyline
What a great storyline with plenty of blood and guts. I think I missed out for some reason not giving a review for Recruit which was naughty of me but that was a great start to a storyline.. My only prob was clicking on a link thinking it would tell me what the initials meant but no it took me to a website buygo or something scrappy but hey these things happen
What a great storyline with plenty of blood and guts. I think I missed out for some reason not giving a review for Recruit which was naughty of me but that was a great start to a storyline.. My only prob was clicking on a link thinking it would tell me what the initials meant but no it took me to a website buygo or something scrappy but hey these things happen
April 6, 2021
War?
Ryck has made sergeant and with the promotion becomes responsibility. There are rumours of war and he has to acknowledge that many of his men might die if that happens. The story explores the brotherhood in the armed services and the fear that even veterans can face. Very often not for themselves but for the personnel under them. The series is well worth reading so far.
Ryck has made sergeant and with the promotion becomes responsibility. There are rumours of war and he has to acknowledge that many of his men might die if that happens. The story explores the brotherhood in the armed services and the fear that even veterans can face. Very often not for themselves but for the personnel under them. The series is well worth reading so far.
February 16, 2023
Lysander's Tale Continues
What I like most about Fraser's fiction is the huge nugget of truth in which he wraps his tale. I served with guys just like his characters, warts and all. The action rings so true that I often have to step away, have a smoke, and allow my heart rate to slow down.
Congratulations, Colonel Brazee, and thank you.
What I like most about Fraser's fiction is the huge nugget of truth in which he wraps his tale. I served with guys just like his characters, warts and all. The action rings so true that I often have to step away, have a smoke, and allow my heart rate to slow down.
Congratulations, Colonel Brazee, and thank you.
December 24, 2020
Plain and Good
Another book that portrays the gritty side Marines. Clear, simple, and well-written. Ryck is developing well as a character. I look forward to reading more in this series.
Another book that portrays the gritty side Marines. Clear, simple, and well-written. Ryck is developing well as a character. I look forward to reading more in this series.
January 8, 2021
A truly wonderful story.
Becoming Sergeant makes the story even more interesting. Having more possibilities to intertain the reader. The development of the story and the characters is very well done.
Becoming Sergeant makes the story even more interesting. Having more possibilities to intertain the reader. The development of the story and the characters is very well done.
April 6, 2021
Book 2 in the series
Ryck grows and matures as a Marine and as a person. He and his fellow Marines face some bad situations as part of a short war. Many of them don’t come back. A believable and realistic read.
Ryck grows and matures as a Marine and as a person. He and his fellow Marines face some bad situations as part of a short war. Many of them don’t come back. A believable and realistic read.
August 13, 2022
Good read
Good read, but you authors need to work on your time sense. In any activity there are seconds, then there are split moments. Learn the difference when writing action scenes.
Good read, but you authors need to work on your time sense. In any activity there are seconds, then there are split moments. Learn the difference when writing action scenes.
January 14, 2018
I enjoyed, this, will read more as I get the chance.
July 15, 2018
Strong series
Its about the people, not the tech or the action, while (outdated) prominently present, this book is about friedships and loss, love and pain. Highly recommended!
Its about the people, not the tech or the action, while (outdated) prominently present, this book is about friedships and loss, love and pain. Highly recommended!
December 15, 2020
Easy sci-fi military fiction that makes the time fly by.
December 25, 2020
Great sci-fi read
Another good read in this series. This book was full of action and adventure along with the great characters in this series
Another good read in this series. This book was full of action and adventure along with the great characters in this series
January 20, 2021
Good book
Good read. I am not sure the legion will survive in the future. Excellent plot and good characters . I will read next book.
Good read. I am not sure the legion will survive in the future. Excellent plot and good characters . I will read next book.
April 19, 2021
Good continuation of the series
I enjoyed the book. It advanced the storyline well and continues character development in n a logical way. Good action.
I enjoyed the book. It advanced the storyline well and continues character development in n a logical way. Good action.
August 21, 2021
Super read
What can I say other than a fan read from start to finish 😀😀😀😀 On to book number three next and I hope it is just as good 😎
What can I say other than a fan read from start to finish 😀😀😀😀 On to book number three next and I hope it is just as good 😎
September 10, 2021
Excellent Book
This is just as good as Recruit is and just as accurate in portraying the men of the Marine Cors and their attached corpsmen.
This is just as good as Recruit is and just as accurate in portraying the men of the Marine Cors and their attached corpsmen.
February 21, 2022
4 stars. Pretty standard infantry tale of our MC as a newly promoted sergeant.
June 18, 2022
Strong story
Again, you can tell the author has a military background. You can feel the emotions and situations that Ryck deals with. It is well written and well told.
Again, you can tell the author has a military background. You can feel the emotions and situations that Ryck deals with. It is well written and well told.
July 12, 2022
Very Good Story
Author Brazee has done a good job with this story. The characters are believable and so is their dialogue. The plot is thoughtful.
Author Brazee has done a good job with this story. The characters are believable and so is their dialogue. The plot is thoughtful.
August 16, 2022
A decent read although having not been one I still havent got all the nuances that I should have
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews