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Mag Force 7 #1
The Knights of the Black Earth
Seeking revenge against the traitor who made him into a cyborg, Xris, the leader of the mercenary team Mag Force 7, is thwarted by the Knights of the Black Earth, a deadly fanatical group. Reprint.
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 1995
11 people are currently reading
371 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Weis
678 books5,844 followersMargaret Edith Weis is an American fantasy and science fiction author of dozens of novels and short stories. At TSR, Inc., she teamed with Tracy Hickman to create the Dragonlance role-playing game (RPG) world. She is founding CEO and owner of Sovereign Press, Inc and Margaret Weis Productions, licensing several popular television and movie franchises to make RPG series in addition to their own.
In 1999, Pyramid magazine named Weis one of The Millennium's Most Influential Persons, saying she and Hickman are "basically responsible for the entire gaming fiction genre". In 2002, she was inducted into the Origins Hall of Fame in part for Dragonlance.
In 1999, Pyramid magazine named Weis one of The Millennium's Most Influential Persons, saying she and Hickman are "basically responsible for the entire gaming fiction genre". In 2002, she was inducted into the Origins Hall of Fame in part for Dragonlance.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 19, 2012
This a a straight, fun action novel. Plain old action science fiction--no deep philosophy, no tremendous insights. Just a pleasant well written action thriller. Just the thing to spend a pleasant evening or two reading when you are not in the mood for more serious SF. Not great literature--but it makes no pretense to be any other than an enjoyable story--which it is.
The Knights of the black Earth are basically a terrorist group bent on bringing back the good old days when Earth was Number One and also the only one. So, they plan to kill the King and Queen.
Our heroes, the Mag Force Seven, get word of this and must join forces with an old enemy to save the galaxy. and off we go on a fun and fast paced journey.
The book is driven by plot and action, not characters and the Mag force team characters are thinly drawn. Xris, as the boss, gets a bit more depth of character. But the two fun characters are Raoul and the Little One. I found the scenes with them to be the most enjoyable in the book.
Suitable for any SF reader over age 14; will please most with a sense of humor. Those who feel that SF must be serious "Literature" might not be happy with it.
The Knights of the black Earth are basically a terrorist group bent on bringing back the good old days when Earth was Number One and also the only one. So, they plan to kill the King and Queen.
Our heroes, the Mag Force Seven, get word of this and must join forces with an old enemy to save the galaxy. and off we go on a fun and fast paced journey.
The book is driven by plot and action, not characters and the Mag force team characters are thinly drawn. Xris, as the boss, gets a bit more depth of character. But the two fun characters are Raoul and the Little One. I found the scenes with them to be the most enjoyable in the book.
Suitable for any SF reader over age 14; will please most with a sense of humor. Those who feel that SF must be serious "Literature" might not be happy with it.
May 2, 2012
This book tells more about Xris the Cyborg and his backstory. Learn how Xris became a Cyborg. Join Xris and his team of commandos as they set out on a mission to avenge Xris and end up discovering a plot to assassinate the King!
This book shows more of Raoul, the Little One, and Harry. It also introduces several new characters. I really thought this book was awesome. I love a good science fiction adventure story.
This book shows more of Raoul, the Little One, and Harry. It also introduces several new characters. I really thought this book was awesome. I love a good science fiction adventure story.
January 29, 2011
Is this Science Fiction or is this Futuristic Fantasy? Does it even matter? This novel graduated from the same school as everything Star Wars, as other reviewers have already mentioned. It's not exactly military sci-fi, but it isn't exactly anything else either. A Space Action novel then. I am sure this is the stage where many others will be pointing out that it's called Space Opera. It is. Only, I'm not convinced because this one has a different feel to it. There isn't a lot of thought given to the different cultures and worlds. You know they're there, because there are aliens in the Mag Force 7 mercenary team, but details remains tantalizingly out of reach. Where other reviewers were partial to the character of Raoul, I was fascinated by Tycho. Interesting, but not quite there.
Something nice: there's a sequence in the novel where people are looking at paintings in the King's art gallery, and I quote:
""That painting's a Youll, if I'm not mistaken," Dixter said, pausing before a portrayal of a spectacular spaceplane battle between a Corasian fleet and Royal Navy forces on the frontier.
"I like that," Tusk said emphatically. "Makes you feel like you're right there."".
See, I like this kind of thing. It's an easter egg of sorts. Stephen Youll did the covers on these novels, and the authors inserted a little 'tribute'.
Something I did appreciate was the feel of an established history. Or are there prequels I missed?
All in all, it's a fun read. It won't win awards for either science or literature, but it is fun.
Something nice: there's a sequence in the novel where people are looking at paintings in the King's art gallery, and I quote:
""That painting's a Youll, if I'm not mistaken," Dixter said, pausing before a portrayal of a spectacular spaceplane battle between a Corasian fleet and Royal Navy forces on the frontier.
"I like that," Tusk said emphatically. "Makes you feel like you're right there."".
See, I like this kind of thing. It's an easter egg of sorts. Stephen Youll did the covers on these novels, and the authors inserted a little 'tribute'.
Something I did appreciate was the feel of an established history. Or are there prequels I missed?
All in all, it's a fun read. It won't win awards for either science or literature, but it is fun.
December 7, 2020
Leaves you wanting more
Knights of the Black Earth is the first, sadly, of a three part series about the adventures of the mercenary group Mag Force 7: the cyborg, Xris, the Loti, Raoul and his sidekick, the Little One, Tycho, Harry, Jamil, and Dr. Bill Quong, as the help Xris seek revenge for past wrongs and save the King from assassination.
The action never stolen from the moment you open the cover 'til you reach the end.
Knights of the Black Earth is the first, sadly, of a three part series about the adventures of the mercenary group Mag Force 7: the cyborg, Xris, the Loti, Raoul and his sidekick, the Little One, Tycho, Harry, Jamil, and Dr. Bill Quong, as the help Xris seek revenge for past wrongs and save the King from assassination.
The action never stolen from the moment you open the cover 'til you reach the end.
July 10, 2008
I probably shouldn't have enjoyed this...but I did.
January 6, 2018
Typical Margaret Weiss Character driven story. I thought Don Perrin's input would add more technical & sci-fi type gadgets, but i was little disappointed in that dept. overall a good read, but I would suggest it to Weiss fans & not necessarily sci-fi fans...
June 14, 2023
While action packed and mostly a fun space romp, this book contains some dramatic character moments and a somewhat interesting (if not really believable) future galaxy. A mystery, some fights and some cool characters
Overall, a pretty nice read when traveling
Overall, a pretty nice read when traveling
October 20, 2024
This is basically popcorn reading with a book set in the Star of the Guardians universe. It follows a mercenary team and has a lot of elements from spy-type movies & novels. It’s pretty funny too. The type of book that is great to just relax with on an afternoon
June 28, 2018
Not much plot, not an interesting world, stereotypical characters.
October 12, 2019
Funny!
July 20, 2020
Intense and entertaining at the same time. Really enjoyable quick read.
April 15, 2021
A fun read
A fun read. I read these years ago, more than a decade but with current stresses I reached for them like an old friend. I say them because its a trilogy.
A fun read. I read these years ago, more than a decade but with current stresses I reached for them like an old friend. I say them because its a trilogy.
September 2, 2023
(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I completely change my mind on a series, so want to change my scoring down a lot. -- I tend not to read reviews until after I read a book, so I go in with an open mind.)
4.5*
Finally getting around to actually saying something to go with 5 star ratings!
First time read the author's work?: Yes (Perrin)
Will you be reading more?: Yes
Would you recommend?: Yes
------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
4.5*
Finally getting around to actually saying something to go with 5 star ratings!
First time read the author's work?: Yes (Perrin)
Will you be reading more?: Yes
Would you recommend?: Yes
------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
July 30, 2016
I love this book. True, it is one in the middle of a series, but here it has been several years since I have read any of the other books. I picked it up and started reading with no refresher (something I usually need when returning to a series) and had no trouble connecting to the characters or feeling the story was complete and enjoyable. This is a great adventure, a fun action filled romp through space with a cyborg and his motley band of mercenaries and perhaps one of my favorite characters from literature Raoul and the Little One (I kind of count them as one, as they really are inseparable). I do so enjoy a good dive into adventure sci-fi now and then. If you are new to the series, I wouldn't start with this one, but you can read it as a stand-alone, and I do really like this tale.
May 22, 2009
I know this is the first of the Mag Force 7 novels, but I read it last. (Found a copy of it last, if you're wondering why.) This novel fills in the gaps between Star of the Guardians and the rest of the Mag Force 7 novels. I always wondered how Xris got in his cyborg condition.
Raoul and the Little One are always a comical addition to this team. Tycho's translator adds some to that, as well. The rest are very serious through most of the book. Adds enough relief to the tension to bring this novel to more readers than just the hard core sci fi or mercenary type enjoyment.
Raoul and the Little One are always a comical addition to this team. Tycho's translator adds some to that, as well. The rest are very serious through most of the book. Adds enough relief to the tension to bring this novel to more readers than just the hard core sci fi or mercenary type enjoyment.
June 29, 2009
Weis' Starfire series plagiarizes from Star Wars with impressive temerity, and this spin-off hasn't much to show for itself either. Characterizations are broad and occasionally nonsensical; the writing is so thin I might liken it to that of "Captain Underpants"; clearly this was a labor of love for nobody.
When I read this, I was at the age when I could be lured into the book by the promise of a hero with a robotic arm, but not so green as to be at all impressed by the result.
When I read this, I was at the age when I could be lured into the book by the promise of a hero with a robotic arm, but not so green as to be at all impressed by the result.
November 3, 2014
A lighthearted space romp in Weis's "Star of the Guardians" universe. A familiar crew of mercs go out on a revenge mission and then fall ass end into a plot to assassinate the king. Space hijinks ensue, folks are beat up, systems are hacked, and military shit is commandeered for the greater good. Nothing overly deep or philosophical, but just a fun read.
April 22, 2011
Mercenary squad in Sci-Fi universe seeking revenge on former member turns into preventing assignation of new king! Mercenaries made up of cyber men, geeks, a vane killer, & an unknown rascal! Good read in Aug. ’10 I'd like to read more of the series.
August 14, 2011
I really liked this book. It's about a cyborg named Xris, the leader of one of the best mercenary groups in the galaxy, who has been searching a long time for his friend Dalin Rowan, only to find that he's not "himself" any more.
August 7, 2012
I read it in jr. high and remember it being a little strange. A man who is half machine, that was the hook for me. There was also an assassin who was very concerned with his appearance. Way more concerned than any reality show woman could ever be.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews