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Hammer's Slammers #7
The Sharp End
With two syndicates dominating the planet of Cantilucca, Major Matthew Coke, the head of the Frisian Defense Force, watches as his mercenary force is used to evil ends by Cantilucca's leaders. 50,000 first printing.
377 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1993
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275 people want to read
About the author
David Drake
307 books886 followersDavid Drake is an American author of science fiction and fantasy literature. A Vietnam War veteran who has worked as a lawyer, he is now one of the major authors of the military science fiction genre.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
April 7, 2015
I should say right off the bat that I do like the whole "shooty death kill" sci-fi sub-genre, and David Drake's "Hammer's Slammers" books are TOTALLY that. And, frankly, not a whole lot more...most of the books in this "series" (quotes because it isn't really a series, just a bunch of novels and short stories dealing with the same mercenary organization which have a consistent supporting cast, but generally different protagonists)basically star the "super tanks" and follow a very consistent pattern. VERY consistent...like, kind of almost the same story...
Having said that, this book is actually quite different. Centering on a small unit sent to "feel out" the situation with potential clients, the novel is structured more like an old western movie, and as anyone who is a fan of the show "Firefly" can tell you, combining western story elements with science fiction can work very well, if done well. It is done well here.
The "Hammer" tales can be pretty darn thin on characterization, but this novel (novella? it's really quite short) is a pleasant exception, with better drawn characters than the norm for these books. The setting of the planet is well drawn, the factions are a little too "scum and villainy", perhaps, but they are FUN bad guys, and the action is fast and entertaining. The plot is reminiscent of "Yojimbo/A Fistful Of Dollars", but well constructed, with enough twists to keep it interesting without getting needlessly complicated. And again, the action...Drake is a master of writing a rollicking good action sequence, and he's at the top of his form here. The sequences are quite graphically violent, which may be a turn-off to some, but Drake is a combat veteran, and actually wrote a very interesting explanatory prologue to one of the "Slammers" story collection where he discussed his reasons for making his violence actually hurt. (This little "essay" is well worth reading in it's own right and for it's own merits.)
Overall I'd have to say that this is the best of the "Hammer's Slammers" stories. It's also the most atypical, which may account for that...? Fans of military science fiction should like it, and it's a good "intro" for anyone who hasn't read much of that kind of book but may be curious. Also any "Firefly" fans will likely dig it.
I feel I should mention that David Drake has done what I consider to be much more satisfying character building in some of his other series than in the "Slammers" works. Specifically, the "Lt. Leary Commanding" novels combine his flair for action with more thoroughly realized characters. Those novels all have a serious naval flavor to them, and are excellent.
Having said that, this book is actually quite different. Centering on a small unit sent to "feel out" the situation with potential clients, the novel is structured more like an old western movie, and as anyone who is a fan of the show "Firefly" can tell you, combining western story elements with science fiction can work very well, if done well. It is done well here.
The "Hammer" tales can be pretty darn thin on characterization, but this novel (novella? it's really quite short) is a pleasant exception, with better drawn characters than the norm for these books. The setting of the planet is well drawn, the factions are a little too "scum and villainy", perhaps, but they are FUN bad guys, and the action is fast and entertaining. The plot is reminiscent of "Yojimbo/A Fistful Of Dollars", but well constructed, with enough twists to keep it interesting without getting needlessly complicated. And again, the action...Drake is a master of writing a rollicking good action sequence, and he's at the top of his form here. The sequences are quite graphically violent, which may be a turn-off to some, but Drake is a combat veteran, and actually wrote a very interesting explanatory prologue to one of the "Slammers" story collection where he discussed his reasons for making his violence actually hurt. (This little "essay" is well worth reading in it's own right and for it's own merits.)
Overall I'd have to say that this is the best of the "Hammer's Slammers" stories. It's also the most atypical, which may account for that...? Fans of military science fiction should like it, and it's a good "intro" for anyone who hasn't read much of that kind of book but may be curious. Also any "Firefly" fans will likely dig it.
I feel I should mention that David Drake has done what I consider to be much more satisfying character building in some of his other series than in the "Slammers" works. Specifically, the "Lt. Leary Commanding" novels combine his flair for action with more thoroughly realized characters. Those novels all have a serious naval flavor to them, and are excellent.
May 4, 2015
This isn't really a Hammer's Slammers tank novel exactly, more of a cathartic examination of survival and necessity and perhaps redemption and recovery. It's a stark and brutal and unrelenting book, very dark yet with bits of hope and true character throughout. It seemed to me to be an important book that marked a point in Drake's writing where he could more comfortably move on to different attitudes and considerations, and the tone allowed the reader to move on with him. It's a very thoughtful and questioning book, despite the ultra-violent actions.
September 12, 2018
I liked this book. It was like every spaghetti western from my childhood rolled into one story. The influences hit you in the face if you are familiar with the westerns they are based on. He weaved them well. Not a work of literary excellence, but one hell of a good ride and fun read.
July 13, 2017
I'm of the school of thought that holds that you can determine things about an author by reading their books. And what I determined from this one is that David Drake probably enjoyed watching a Fistful of Dollars. Sure the Clint Eastwood film was a westernization of Yojimbo which was an Easternization of Red Harvest, but The Sharp End feels like a Spaghetti western as a small group of mercenaries wander into Columbia IN SPACE and play two warring drug cartels against each other before just killing everyone in a kind of pointless gesture since the people the mercenaries kill were all going to die soon anyway.
The other thing I determined was that Drake must have really regretted killing Joachim Steuben, the gay gunslinger who used to be Hammer's right hand man because here he is again, undead and using a new name...for...some reason. It doesn't really make sense. He hints that the apparent kill shot was stopped by a vest but I recall Steuben being definitely perforated and there's no hint whatsoever that there's an actual reason why Steuben would have faked his death and yet still be working for Hammer in a paper-thin disguise. Maybe Steuben's a vampire and doesn't want Hammer to know, his new identity being down at the bottom where Hammer who is now a planetary leader will never see him.
On the other hand I can see why Drake would want his badass gunslinger around for his tribute to spaghetti westerns so I guess we just go with it.
The other thing I determined was that Drake must have really regretted killing Joachim Steuben, the gay gunslinger who used to be Hammer's right hand man because here he is again, undead and using a new name...for...some reason. It doesn't really make sense. He hints that the apparent kill shot was stopped by a vest but I recall Steuben being definitely perforated and there's no hint whatsoever that there's an actual reason why Steuben would have faked his death and yet still be working for Hammer in a paper-thin disguise. Maybe Steuben's a vampire and doesn't want Hammer to know, his new identity being down at the bottom where Hammer who is now a planetary leader will never see him.
On the other hand I can see why Drake would want his badass gunslinger around for his tribute to spaghetti westerns so I guess we just go with it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2021
I recently listened to The Sharp End written by David Drake and read by Stefan Rudnicki.
This is the third book in the Hammers Slammers series. It could be argued that this book is not directly about the Hammers Slammers, but rather that they are about the Friesan Defense Force. This gets into a lot of backstory for the series that isn't really germane. This story, like all of the Hammers Slammers stories, can be read as self contained story that needs no outside references.
The story focuses on a particular scout team trying to drum up work for the mercenary unit. They go to a planet known to have multiple factions warring over it and assess the various factions as possible customers for a mercenary company.
This, of course, is not done in a vacuum. The factions on the planet are wholly aware that mercenaries joining their enemies could doom them. These factions not only vie for their services, but also put the pressure on each other before an outside force can be brought in.
Stefan Rudnicki has fairly crisp and clear diction, however, his reading is just a tad too monotone for my personal tastes. He wasn't a horrible narrator, but I felt he could have brought more to reading.
Overall this was another excellent entry in the Hammers Slammers series. Despite the narration, I still think this book makes an excellent listen for any in search of good military sci-fi.
This is the third book in the Hammers Slammers series. It could be argued that this book is not directly about the Hammers Slammers, but rather that they are about the Friesan Defense Force. This gets into a lot of backstory for the series that isn't really germane. This story, like all of the Hammers Slammers stories, can be read as self contained story that needs no outside references.
The story focuses on a particular scout team trying to drum up work for the mercenary unit. They go to a planet known to have multiple factions warring over it and assess the various factions as possible customers for a mercenary company.
This, of course, is not done in a vacuum. The factions on the planet are wholly aware that mercenaries joining their enemies could doom them. These factions not only vie for their services, but also put the pressure on each other before an outside force can be brought in.
Stefan Rudnicki has fairly crisp and clear diction, however, his reading is just a tad too monotone for my personal tastes. He wasn't a horrible narrator, but I felt he could have brought more to reading.
Overall this was another excellent entry in the Hammers Slammers series. Despite the narration, I still think this book makes an excellent listen for any in search of good military sci-fi.
October 17, 2021
This book is partway through a series but stands alone fine.
The book starts giving a few pages on each characters reason for being in this particular mission. It feels a bit slower to get into the meat of the story, but it also really does a good job making the characters seem more 3 dimensional.
A lot of the book is just back and forth of violence. The book shines nearer the end as the characters decide their course of action, and the middle of the book feels like lead-up to that.
If you want some ridiculous action, perhaps this is a book for you.
The book starts giving a few pages on each characters reason for being in this particular mission. It feels a bit slower to get into the meat of the story, but it also really does a good job making the characters seem more 3 dimensional.
A lot of the book is just back and forth of violence. The book shines nearer the end as the characters decide their course of action, and the middle of the book feels like lead-up to that.
If you want some ridiculous action, perhaps this is a book for you.
February 26, 2018
I suggest reading this book because it talks about gangs trying to survive in the land of cantilucca. The only weapon they can use is guns. the top gang was called the survey team. Major Mathew Coke is a defensive force. Sten Moden is the captain of the group. Robert Barbour is the one that gathers information for the group. Mary Margulies is a survivor that was saved. Niko is a technician that is very young and Johann is a person that wants to make a new life and help out the team
May 8, 2018
We send out men and young men in an attempt to work our will on the world. All too often the place we send them cuts them, damages them. This is story of a group that was good enough to write its own ticket in that war/battle place called The Sharp End. I just this month reread this. I was right. This book, (football simile coming up Warning) like Troy Aikman and Johnny Unitas, is something special.
January 5, 2021
David Drake is still one of the standards when you compare military sci-fi, and this book is no exception! He's always showing the POV of the grunts on the ground. When there are officers in the story they are combat, NOT garrison. The stories are full of action but the characters are fleshed out with feelings about different aspects of warfare most civilians either never think of or more often, are convinced that the "dumb grunts" aren't intelligent enough to consider.
April 10, 2021
I quite liked this one, even though I don't really understand how Joachim Steuber is still alive. Very much a western/sci-fi crossover, complete with showdowns in the street, seedy bars, and gangs of outlaws. There was actually some decent character work done too, this was probably one of the best of the series that I've read so far.
May 12, 2021
A!ways a good read
Every book written by David Drake reminds me of my own time at the sharp end. A young 20 something year old man. I think the whole time I read that if I had made one choice different something similar could have happened to me. Always a good read every time I pick one of his books up.
Every book written by David Drake reminds me of my own time at the sharp end. A young 20 something year old man. I think the whole time I read that if I had made one choice different something similar could have happened to me. Always a good read every time I pick one of his books up.
July 31, 2022
Expanded Redliners
David Drake for the best Military Science Fiction with real red hot combat tales! The Cantilucca survey team action reminded me of the movies YOJIMBO and A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS. Competing families fighting for Primacy and outsiders come in and the whole thing goes up in flames! Intense Reading Pleasure!
David Drake for the best Military Science Fiction with real red hot combat tales! The Cantilucca survey team action reminded me of the movies YOJIMBO and A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS. Competing families fighting for Primacy and outsiders come in and the whole thing goes up in flames! Intense Reading Pleasure!
February 27, 2018
Well written military science fiction - so if you like that, this one is for you. If you don't, go elsewhere!
December 31, 2018
Almost the perfect military science fiction novel.
Read
August 9, 2021While I own this paperback, I have not had the time to read it as of yet, So this was an interesting listen while driving from Illinois to Arizona this summer.
November 8, 2022
A great story of redemption. I enjoyed watching the characters grow. It was a fast-paced story that held my attention. I recommend this book.
February 15, 2023
Military Sci-Fi meets Spaghetti Western. The plot reminded me of A Fist Full of Dollars. And the overall feel was like The Magnificent Seven.
February 15, 2015
Hammer’s Slammers is not a “series” as much as it is a collection of books and short stories. It’s probably classified as Military Science Fiction – but, other than weapons technology (futuristic – but plausible and even likely), there’s not a lot of “Sci-Fi” to it. “The Sharpe End” is a standalone novel – and I wish I would have read this book first. Upfront, it gives general background on the mercenaries, Hammer's Slammers.
On a “survey” (really an intelligence gathering mission) to a plant run by cartel-like gangs – kind-of Crips and Bloods – this six person team are like salesmen for the mercenary organization, just selling their services to the highest bidder. Yet, in the end, the story has shades of “The Magnificent Seven”.
Drake is definitely a “shoot-‘em-up-bang-bang” writer. (I swear, it’s got to be 75% is ACTION.) We’re not talking great literature here, but it’s now a comic book either. I found the characters very interesting and would probably enjoy reading other stories of their adventures. While I could not make this standard fare, this escapes reading is fun every once in a while.
On a “survey” (really an intelligence gathering mission) to a plant run by cartel-like gangs – kind-of Crips and Bloods – this six person team are like salesmen for the mercenary organization, just selling their services to the highest bidder. Yet, in the end, the story has shades of “The Magnificent Seven”.
Drake is definitely a “shoot-‘em-up-bang-bang” writer. (I swear, it’s got to be 75% is ACTION.) We’re not talking great literature here, but it’s now a comic book either. I found the characters very interesting and would probably enjoy reading other stories of their adventures. While I could not make this standard fare, this escapes reading is fun every once in a while.
February 24, 2009
I am absolutely crazy about Drake's Hammer Slammers books, and in my mind this is the best of the bunch. Unlike his other Slammers books this one has less to do with futuristic tank warfare and more to do with a team of elite soldiers sent in to "fix" a problem. This book contains violence, intense action and alternative lifestyles.
One of my favorite things about Drake's writing is his female characters. Drake treats both male and female characters equally, and except for the names they are interchangeable. My second favorite thing about these books is that there are no heros and it's all a matter of point of view. Which is far more realistic than most fantasy or sci-fi are. Bravo I say!
One of my favorite things about Drake's writing is his female characters. Drake treats both male and female characters equally, and except for the names they are interchangeable. My second favorite thing about these books is that there are no heros and it's all a matter of point of view. Which is far more realistic than most fantasy or sci-fi are. Bravo I say!
May 30, 2008
This book felt a little like a group of short stories that got assembled into a novel. The first half is the assembling of a "scouting" company (or some name like that). It gathers up a varied bunch of Hammer's Slammers who are coming off injuries or screw-ups or other problems--and devotes a chapter to what happened to each of them that put them in this position. So when the company is assembled, we know more about them than they do about each other. Once assembled, they are sent off to a planet where the boss Hammer is considering taking on a contract for his mercenaries. The military adventure begins there. Lots of action. Lots of shooting and blowing stuff up. Good read.
November 22, 2013
This was a very good book as you can see by how I rated it. I liked the way each major character was introduced before the mission was set up, and then able to watch the reactions during the mission. I liked the technology used to keep them posted and allow them to do the job they all wanted to get done. While it was a war book with a lot of shooting and blood and guts, it was nicely done. I will probably read this one again in six months or year or more. Well worth keeping in my library to read again.
November 11, 2008
A group of talented but wounded (physically or emotionally) mercenaries are assigned to sell their services in the middle of a planet's gang war. But their consciences won't let them support either of the gangs...
As usual Drake handles the characters and action deftly and quickly. A bit unrealistically hopeful in that almost all the "good guys" come out with no new scars, but the depiction of the hopelessness of the civilian lives makes up for that.
As usual Drake handles the characters and action deftly and quickly. A bit unrealistically hopeful in that almost all the "good guys" come out with no new scars, but the depiction of the hopelessness of the civilian lives makes up for that.
November 26, 2013
I have to say, it takes real effort to make a military sci-fi story boring. But I think that Drake managed to do it here. The opening introductory stories were dull, unengaging and not particularly well-written. For the most part, I felt no attachment whatsoever to the characters. And one of the intro stories (the longest, if I remember correctly) seemed completely implausible. Not recommended.
November 28, 2014
The planet Cantilucca is controlled by two rival drugs cartels. The Frisian Defense Force is a military force for hire built around Hammer's Slammers. A survey team of misfits and screw ups is sent to the planet and to suggest which side to hire out to. There is a short background on each member and why they were assigned. But sometimes things take are more important than business.
September 9, 2016
A whole new look at Hammer's Slammers, this time we follow a survey team made up of some of the best. They're going to determine whether either of the Gangsters running the planet are going to be able to hire The Slammers to start & finish their war. Is there any difference between the two? Not so you'd notice. I love how this book comes together and the ending is almost worth dying for.
October 26, 2009
it's a decent enough book, my bf convinced me to read it and there wasn't actual STORY until about page 100 or so... a little odd for me because the characters were developed in the beginning and i just didn't care about them as of yet...
July 5, 2012
Glad that I had already read the Dashiell Hammet book Red Harvest which this book is an homage to. Drake does Hammett justice. If you liked the movies Yojimbo or Fistfull of Dollars you know the general idea of the story.
February 26, 2015
This is Dashell Hammet's Red Harvest meets David Drake's Hammers' Slammers. I loved it. It has both interesting characters and good action. The ending is too neat, but that's not enough for me to mark it down from five stars.
November 18, 2007
read 11.08.05
Hammer's Slammers series. great series
Hammer's Slammers series. great series
June 6, 2012
Drake's take on Red Harvest. Not your usual Hammer's Slammers. More character development.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews