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The Malcontents #2
Into the Wild
The Malcontents are back in action! Into the Wild, the new novel from acclaimed author Larry Correia, picks up the story begun in Correia’s first entry in the series, Into the Storm. Now under the leadership of the reluctant Lieutenant Kelvan Cleasby, the Sixth Platoon of Storm Knights has been ordered to accompany an archeological expedition from the Royal Cygnaran University deep into the Wyrmwall Mountains. There, the scholarly team from the university will investigate an ancient site of potentially great historical value while the Malcontents stand around playing bodyguards and wishing for just a little excitement. But what seems a simple enough assignment rapidly turns into a test of the platoon’s survival skills—a seemingly abandoned fort, the lone survivor of a horrifying attack, and a ferociously territorial tribe may be more than even the Malcontents can handle. And even once they know the monsters they face, escape may well be impossible—it’s never as easy to get out as it is to get into the wild.
336 pages, Paperback
First published April 13, 2016
64 people are currently reading
307 people want to read
About the author
Larry Correia
122 books4,415 followersLarry Correia (born 1977) is the New York Times bestselling author of the Monster Hunter International series, the Grimnoir Chronicles, and the thriller Dead Six.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
August 2, 2016
Review crossposted from my book review blog.
Larry Correia has kind of a reputation for writing tough, manly-man books about manly things like action and men being manly and shooting big guns and killing each other and/or monsters. And . . . well, yes, that’s true. But it’s also so much more. If that was all it is, I wouldn’t be interested, because those are by no means my favorite parts of his books. Yet he’s one of only two authors on my list of “read every book this author puts out, ASAP” (the other is Jim Butcher). Even though I may not love all of them, I haven’t disliked any of them yet.
Into the Wild is the second book in a series set in a mini-gaming world called the Iron Kingdoms . . . or Warmachine . . . or both. I’m not really clear on that. And I don’t have to be. I know nothing about the world this is set in, but I’m able to understand what’s going on with no problem because everything I need to know is adequately explained in the books themselves. So they’re totally accessible to people who aren’t fans of this one niche fandom. Though, since this is book 2, I’d really recommend you first read book 1, Into the Storm, which is also excellent.
This story has a lot of cool stuff going for it. The tech and magic is very cool and explained well enough to really give the reader a feel for it without there being too much focus put on it. The storm armor that the knights wear is well-described. When wearing something that huge and heavy, it makes sense that it would have an effect on how a person moved and what they were able to do, so all the description of that really helped put me in the scene. The storm blades—swords that shoot lightning—are very cool, and they’re used in multiple exciting ways in this story. The stormjack is probably the most fun bit of technology, a giant war machine that has kind of a violent, bloodthirsty personality.
The dominant feature of this story, other than the cool fantasy stuff, is the action. There is so much action in this story, and it’s all very well written. If you’re a fan of fantasy action, you should check this book out. My favorite part, though, was a duel at the end of the book which, as it’s being set up, seems like a hopeless cause and I was wondering how the character was going to make it out—or if he would. And I don’t want to spoil anything, but the way it went was highly entertaining. It doesn’t sound like the kind of thing that should be funny, but it was.
There was actually a pretty good amount of humor in the story. It’s mostly wedged in and among the action, all incidental kind of humor, but there’s quite a lot of it. For an action story, at least.
Although this is an ensemble story, the main character is the leader of the Malcontents, a guy with the deliciously nerdy name of Kelvan Cleasby. When we first meet him in the first book, he’s exactly the uptight paper-pusher you’d think, but over the course of that book he turns into a strong leader and soldier. In this book, we see that even though he’s a different person than he started out as, he hasn’t lost his love of learning or his scholarly bent. Cleasby is a great example of Correia’s ability to write characters that I just cannot express enough love for. He takes a guy who is initially utterly nerdy, somewhat obnoxious, and yet immediately likable, and turns him into a cool, strong, smart, respected leader of a band of dangerous and not exactly law-abiding warriors. And it’s a believable transition, Cleasby’s actions are always in-character even as he learns and grows and adapts. That’s all in book one, but you can see the results in this book and, through his interactions with people he knew in school, see how much he’s changed. Seriously, I love this character. Nerdy warriors are the best.
There are other cool characters in this story, too, though they didn’t get as much time as I’d have liked. There was so much focus on action that I feel like spending time on character and relationship development took a backseat, which was disappointing to me. While in the first book, there was loads of character development (especially with Cleasby), there wasn’t a whole lot in this one. Pretty much everyone was the same at the end of the book as they were at the beginning, with a couple having learned one lesson or figured out one thing. I’m all about the characters, so I do hope the next book maybe eases up on the action enough to give us more character stuff.
It was too bad that a couple of the major characters who died in book 1 weren’t here. I mean, obviously they weren’t here because they died, but I just mean it’s too bad they died because they were cool and it would have been nice to keep reading about them.
One thing that I don’t like is how they keep putting Acosta on the cover. This book and the first one. That guy, while an interesting and entertaining character, is not the main character, nor is he even one of the Malcontents, which is the name of the series after all. So, I don’t get why they did that, other than I assume they figure he’s the badest-ass of all of them and therefore should be on the cover. I think Madigan should have been on the cover of book 1 and Cleasby on the cover of book 2. Meh. I feel a little grumpy about that. It’s probably partly because large, bald men do nothing for me and the others would have been more pleasing to my eye.
Now I have to talk about the audiobook.I thought the audiobook of book 1 was pretty much perfect. The narrator, Ray Porter, did a fantastic job. But this one . . . dang, someone really dropped the ball. It’s mostly fine. Mostly as good as the first book even. But it suffers from a problem that I haven’t seen in any of the other audiobooks I’ve listened to (and I’ve probably listened to hundreds). With one of the major characters, Rains, Porter uses two entirely different voices. He inexplicably changes the way he reads that character for several sections. Different accent, different pitch, everything. It’s just a completely different Rains. And he goes back and forth. I could not figure it out. Why on Earth did he do that? How did the editor not catch it? I’m completely baffled how that error could have happened. For an audiobook, the way a character sounds is critical. It would be like an author changing a character’s name entirely at certain random points of the book. It’s like watching a movie and sometimes when one of the major characters shows up, he’s played by a short white guy and other times he’s played by a tall black guy and no one notices or mentions this difference and the audience is sitting there like, “. . .What?” I simply have no idea what was going on with those parts. And Rains was the only one I noticed, but other reviewers mentioned this problem with other characters. So yeah, as much as Ray Porter is normally one of my favorite narrators, I can’t recommend the audio version for this reason. UPDATE: I got a notification from Audible that they've corrected the audio. I haven't listened to the new version yet, but if this is corrected, then I'd definitely recommend the audiobook, as Ray Porter is an excellent narrator. And I am super impressed that Audible would pay enough attention to reader feedback that they'd go to the effort of correcting that.
I do recommend the book, though. I didn’t love it as much as book 1 because it seemed to me like there was so much action that Correia ran out of room to have very much meaningful character development/moments. But it’s still very good. It also sets up some stuff that I’m guessing will probably be relevant in the next book.
Quotes
“Pangborn, take this.”
Pangborn took the satchel by the straps. “What is it?”
“A bomb.”
The mechanic’s eyes widened. “Thanks?”
.
Even in their current state, Cleasby was by nature an inquisitive man. Curious, he poked the creature’s face only to discover the skin was far too soft. It ripped apart at his touch, as if it were now made of damp tissue. “They were far more resilient before. The dermis is decaying at an alarming rate.”
“That’s what I said,” Rains proclaimed. Acosta looked at him, incredulous. “Well, with fewer big words, and I may have blamed witchcraft.”
Larry Correia has kind of a reputation for writing tough, manly-man books about manly things like action and men being manly and shooting big guns and killing each other and/or monsters. And . . . well, yes, that’s true. But it’s also so much more. If that was all it is, I wouldn’t be interested, because those are by no means my favorite parts of his books. Yet he’s one of only two authors on my list of “read every book this author puts out, ASAP” (the other is Jim Butcher). Even though I may not love all of them, I haven’t disliked any of them yet.
Into the Wild is the second book in a series set in a mini-gaming world called the Iron Kingdoms . . . or Warmachine . . . or both. I’m not really clear on that. And I don’t have to be. I know nothing about the world this is set in, but I’m able to understand what’s going on with no problem because everything I need to know is adequately explained in the books themselves. So they’re totally accessible to people who aren’t fans of this one niche fandom. Though, since this is book 2, I’d really recommend you first read book 1, Into the Storm, which is also excellent.
This story has a lot of cool stuff going for it. The tech and magic is very cool and explained well enough to really give the reader a feel for it without there being too much focus put on it. The storm armor that the knights wear is well-described. When wearing something that huge and heavy, it makes sense that it would have an effect on how a person moved and what they were able to do, so all the description of that really helped put me in the scene. The storm blades—swords that shoot lightning—are very cool, and they’re used in multiple exciting ways in this story. The stormjack is probably the most fun bit of technology, a giant war machine that has kind of a violent, bloodthirsty personality.
The dominant feature of this story, other than the cool fantasy stuff, is the action. There is so much action in this story, and it’s all very well written. If you’re a fan of fantasy action, you should check this book out. My favorite part, though, was a duel at the end of the book which, as it’s being set up, seems like a hopeless cause and I was wondering how the character was going to make it out—or if he would. And I don’t want to spoil anything, but the way it went was highly entertaining. It doesn’t sound like the kind of thing that should be funny, but it was.
There was actually a pretty good amount of humor in the story. It’s mostly wedged in and among the action, all incidental kind of humor, but there’s quite a lot of it. For an action story, at least.
Although this is an ensemble story, the main character is the leader of the Malcontents, a guy with the deliciously nerdy name of Kelvan Cleasby. When we first meet him in the first book, he’s exactly the uptight paper-pusher you’d think, but over the course of that book he turns into a strong leader and soldier. In this book, we see that even though he’s a different person than he started out as, he hasn’t lost his love of learning or his scholarly bent. Cleasby is a great example of Correia’s ability to write characters that I just cannot express enough love for. He takes a guy who is initially utterly nerdy, somewhat obnoxious, and yet immediately likable, and turns him into a cool, strong, smart, respected leader of a band of dangerous and not exactly law-abiding warriors. And it’s a believable transition, Cleasby’s actions are always in-character even as he learns and grows and adapts. That’s all in book one, but you can see the results in this book and, through his interactions with people he knew in school, see how much he’s changed. Seriously, I love this character. Nerdy warriors are the best.
There are other cool characters in this story, too, though they didn’t get as much time as I’d have liked. There was so much focus on action that I feel like spending time on character and relationship development took a backseat, which was disappointing to me. While in the first book, there was loads of character development (especially with Cleasby), there wasn’t a whole lot in this one. Pretty much everyone was the same at the end of the book as they were at the beginning, with a couple having learned one lesson or figured out one thing. I’m all about the characters, so I do hope the next book maybe eases up on the action enough to give us more character stuff.
It was too bad that a couple of the major characters who died in book 1 weren’t here. I mean, obviously they weren’t here because they died, but I just mean it’s too bad they died because they were cool and it would have been nice to keep reading about them.
One thing that I don’t like is how they keep putting Acosta on the cover. This book and the first one. That guy, while an interesting and entertaining character, is not the main character, nor is he even one of the Malcontents, which is the name of the series after all. So, I don’t get why they did that, other than I assume they figure he’s the badest-ass of all of them and therefore should be on the cover. I think Madigan should have been on the cover of book 1 and Cleasby on the cover of book 2. Meh. I feel a little grumpy about that. It’s probably partly because large, bald men do nothing for me and the others would have been more pleasing to my eye.
Now I have to talk about the audiobook.
I do recommend the book, though. I didn’t love it as much as book 1 because it seemed to me like there was so much action that Correia ran out of room to have very much meaningful character development/moments. But it’s still very good. It also sets up some stuff that I’m guessing will probably be relevant in the next book.
Quotes
“Pangborn, take this.”
Pangborn took the satchel by the straps. “What is it?”
“A bomb.”
The mechanic’s eyes widened. “Thanks?”
.
Even in their current state, Cleasby was by nature an inquisitive man. Curious, he poked the creature’s face only to discover the skin was far too soft. It ripped apart at his touch, as if it were now made of damp tissue. “They were far more resilient before. The dermis is decaying at an alarming rate.”
“That’s what I said,” Rains proclaimed. Acosta looked at him, incredulous. “Well, with fewer big words, and I may have blamed witchcraft.”
April 29, 2016
While the first Malcontents novel Into the Storm can best be described as The Dirty Dozen set in the anachronistic Steampunk/Magicpunk universe of Iron Kingdoms during one of the major war campaign, this one is more akin to Indiana Jones and the Temple of Dooms with the Storm Knight and Stormclad Jack with all of the excitement of the '40s serials. The previous novel was a pure war adventure story, dealing with leadership and how one grows into the responsibility that comes with it, this one also deals with leadership (on both sides) and the regrets that comes with the outcomes when it's wield.
I would really like to see this one adapted into movie, as it's action are blocked well for that medium as well.
I would really like to see this one adapted into movie, as it's action are blocked well for that medium as well.
May 24, 2020
The first novel in the series was a kind of Fantasy Dirty Dozen. This time around the emphasis is more on the established characters and dealing with a new threat. Very enjoyable.
July 4, 2021
Very fun book and if you get the audible version reporter does an amazing job as always wish and hope there is a third installment
July 3, 2024
Great continuation after the first book. More excitement in this battle for survival for many of the returning characters. I see that there is no plan for a 3rd at this time but hopefully someday we can see the Malcontents back in action.
July 9, 2019
It's a fun book, and the final fight is a classic.
March 4, 2020
This feels like a book which didn't really have any reason to exist.
The previous book in the series was a fairly well-written, if extremely safe story which gave most of it's major characters satisfying (if simple) arcs. Madigan found redemption by confronting the demons of his past. Rains had his thing with his faith and his brother. the 6th went from a group of dregs to a functional fighting unit. Cleasby went from a nerdy, uptight paper pusher to someone with actual leadership potential. In this book, by contrast, there are no real character arcs or development, just a bunch of action without real stakes. The heroes blunder into a dangerous situation, and get out of it more or less unscathed, without any REAL pressing challenge. In contrast to the previous book, where characters grew, changed, and died, in this book they just mow through a numerically and physically superior enemy, with the only losses being redshirts (seriously, I don't think I recall even a single storm knight dying, despite facing off against a village of skinwalkers, druids, and warbeasts.) The opposition was laughably stupid and ineffective, the plotting noble subplot came to zilch, and as a result there was no real sense of urgency or danger. The heroes never had to confront anything or change in any way, they just kind of...overcame everything they came across.
Also, I have to say, they did my boy Krueger dirty in this book. He's supposed to be extremely powerful, intelligent, and ruthless, but he comes off as a scooby doo villain in this.
The previous book in the series was a fairly well-written, if extremely safe story which gave most of it's major characters satisfying (if simple) arcs. Madigan found redemption by confronting the demons of his past. Rains had his thing with his faith and his brother. the 6th went from a group of dregs to a functional fighting unit. Cleasby went from a nerdy, uptight paper pusher to someone with actual leadership potential. In this book, by contrast, there are no real character arcs or development, just a bunch of action without real stakes. The heroes blunder into a dangerous situation, and get out of it more or less unscathed, without any REAL pressing challenge. In contrast to the previous book, where characters grew, changed, and died, in this book they just mow through a numerically and physically superior enemy, with the only losses being redshirts (seriously, I don't think I recall even a single storm knight dying, despite facing off against a village of skinwalkers, druids, and warbeasts.) The opposition was laughably stupid and ineffective, the plotting noble subplot came to zilch, and as a result there was no real sense of urgency or danger. The heroes never had to confront anything or change in any way, they just kind of...overcame everything they came across.
Also, I have to say, they did my boy Krueger dirty in this book. He's supposed to be extremely powerful, intelligent, and ruthless, but he comes off as a scooby doo villain in this.
December 22, 2019
This book is a continuation of the adventures of the Storm Swords under the leadership of Lieutenant Cleasby. This time around, our heroes start out on a routine mission to protect an archaeological expedition. While so doing, they encounter a reclusive tribe of "Skin Walkers," who take umbrage against the intrusion of civilization into their sacred grounds. Chaos ensues. And to say Larry Correia likes chaos is like saying most of us like to breathe. I was not sure where this story was going to go, but wow! There are some terrific battles, some great humor, and a lot of unexpected developments.
It always seems like an oxymoron to say a conflict with blood flying everywhere is both fun and cringeworthy, but Larry has a way of pulling that off. How he can make someone's head getting lopped off funny is a talent at which he excels. And let me tell you, the final battle between tribal leaders is brutal and laugh out loud funny! One sentence turns it from life and death to hilarious. Thank you Mr. Correia!
I keep expecting one day to write that I have now read everything Larry has ever written, but then he writes some more. I love that he is so prolific and that I can look forward to being entertained by him on a regular basis. I can sincerely say, that if you like anything he has ever written, you are going to like the rest of it. He is consistently original and always leaves you wanting more.
It always seems like an oxymoron to say a conflict with blood flying everywhere is both fun and cringeworthy, but Larry has a way of pulling that off. How he can make someone's head getting lopped off funny is a talent at which he excels. And let me tell you, the final battle between tribal leaders is brutal and laugh out loud funny! One sentence turns it from life and death to hilarious. Thank you Mr. Correia!
I keep expecting one day to write that I have now read everything Larry has ever written, but then he writes some more. I love that he is so prolific and that I can look forward to being entertained by him on a regular basis. I can sincerely say, that if you like anything he has ever written, you are going to like the rest of it. He is consistently original and always leaves you wanting more.
January 1, 2018
This is the second book in the Malcontents series, and Larry wants to write a 3rd one at some time. I can only hope that it's sooner rather than later, because I want to know how it's going to top this book.
Cleasby, the lieutenant from the first book, is now the leader of the Malcontants, after Mad Madigan died at the end of the previous book. He's been tasked with providing security for a University professor and his team of archaeologists as they investigate a ruin thats been discovered in the mountains.
Unfortunately for the Malcontents, there is a tribe of skinwalkers who consider the mountain and ruins sacred, and they are determined to kill ALL of the interlopers. In a series of battles, Cleasby, Acosta, Pangborn, Thornbury, and Headhunter, the homicidal stormjack must find a way to survive, and save the lives of the civilians under their protection.
It's a great read, and Larry certainly knows how to write an action sequence in such a way you feel like you are there right in the middle of the action.
Cleasby, the lieutenant from the first book, is now the leader of the Malcontants, after Mad Madigan died at the end of the previous book. He's been tasked with providing security for a University professor and his team of archaeologists as they investigate a ruin thats been discovered in the mountains.
Unfortunately for the Malcontents, there is a tribe of skinwalkers who consider the mountain and ruins sacred, and they are determined to kill ALL of the interlopers. In a series of battles, Cleasby, Acosta, Pangborn, Thornbury, and Headhunter, the homicidal stormjack must find a way to survive, and save the lives of the civilians under their protection.
It's a great read, and Larry certainly knows how to write an action sequence in such a way you feel like you are there right in the middle of the action.
December 19, 2023
Similar to "The 13th Warrior" movie in a lot of ways, Madigan's Malcontents are sent as a protective force for an archaeological dig only to find themselves pitted against skinwalkers, a much stronger, faster, and smarter foe than the humans they defeated in book one. Add into the mix a soldier with an ulterior motive, a leader who wants to retire, and a stubborn professor who seems oblivious to the danger, and you get an exciting, funny, and interesting sequel. I like this series, though almost everyone from the original story has died, so I am not sure how many more installments there can ever be.
September 6, 2021
Fun adventure in the Iron Kingdoms! Very good novel as part two of the Malcontents series. LT Kleisby leads his platoon on an expected laid-back mission to protect an archaeological dig. When Acosta the mercenary shows up, he knows that the mission will be far from ordinary. Good military fantasy in a very interesting world of steam punk magic technology powered by coal. The world is great and Correia does a great job as the storyteller. I will continue to read most anything Larry puts out. As usual, excellent narration for the audible edition by Ray Porter.
March 5, 2018
If you're a fan of Larry Correia; you owe it to yourself to read these Malcontents books. They are fantastic! Larry has mentioned that there should be a third book in the series, but that it's on the back burner because these books don't sell as well as his other stuff. Buy these and read them. You'll love them and maybe your purchase will get the next book written. These are great stories and 100% Larry.
March 18, 2019
This one takes place out of wartime. The 6th is on an escort mission for a scholar expedition. Cleasby arranges for a small group of soliders that did not leave base for leave.
This was a very action packed book. You could see the danger coming ... and really didn't know if the boys could handle it or not. Headhunter comes along ... and he's just plain awesome.
I really liked this one ... I hope Correia continues with this series soon.
This was a very action packed book. You could see the danger coming ... and really didn't know if the boys could handle it or not. Headhunter comes along ... and he's just plain awesome.
I really liked this one ... I hope Correia continues with this series soon.
June 9, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. However I don’t understand why it was the 2nd of 2. It was obviously the 2nd part of 1.
The number of editing errors in the 2nd half of this book was genuinely annoying. They were disrespectful of those who give out to read these books.
But, the story was great, characters clear, circumstances hair raising. Larry is obviously a master. I just wish they had had a higher regard for readership.
The number of editing errors in the 2nd half of this book was genuinely annoying. They were disrespectful of those who give out to read these books.
But, the story was great, characters clear, circumstances hair raising. Larry is obviously a master. I just wish they had had a higher regard for readership.
April 13, 2025
oh does Larry know how to write an enthralling action story! smaller in scope than the previous iteration - Into the Storm -, it is more cohesive as a story, and the exploration of the wilderness setting. stellar cast and squad dynamics, and a deeper dive into the charismatic and enigmatic Acosta. Just good fun, really
8/10
8/10
September 23, 2017
I read the first book in the series and recommend reading it before reading this book. You will like the characters and the writer really draws you into the punk and turning pages or swiping on tablet. The Malcontents really feel like a unit after 2 books. Larry Correa writes really good military action and military mind set. I am retired military and the writing resonates with me. Looking forward to more on the “Malcontents”.
March 9, 2020
This was a great read! I really enjoyed the build-up of events as the story proceeded forward. The differing perspectives of the various characters involved helped to see the conflict as more than merely an evil versus good or Cygnar versus non-Cygnar affair. The final battle was definitely done in Warmachine/Hordes EPIC fashion!
October 5, 2020
Larry delivers again. A group of characters you can't but help like and hope they kick ass all over the pages, but the stories stay strong and entertaining which is a hard combination you usually get one or the other. Creative, fun, and upbeat if you want a series to eat up a few night on the couch you won't be dissapointed by the Malcontents.
May 29, 2020
4.5*'s This was an awesome read. Thank you wifey for the recommendation.
I enjoyed this almost more than the first book.
Headhunter... You do you.
Acosta... You are still terrifying 😂, I loved it.
Madigan's Malcontents added another worthy chapter to their bloody history.
I enjoyed this almost more than the first book.
Headhunter... You do you.
Acosta... You are still terrifying 😂, I loved it.
Madigan's Malcontents added another worthy chapter to their bloody history.
November 1, 2021
This was a fun adventure with the characters from the first book--jungle setting rather than urban this time. The world and overarching plot was expanded a little bit, but mostly it was just how do we survive. The ending was a little anticlimactic, but the characters carried the story.
October 23, 2019
DNF. I'm guessing the story might be good enough to finish it (like where is nothing really keeping you to read, but if you have nothing better to do it's passable). Narration is terrible.
May 23, 2021
It’s more D&D role playing game-ish than Sci-Fi, so not the genre for me. Still: Ray Porter narrates, so... swoon!
May 10, 2022
If you don’t mind all the gratuitous violence, it’s a fun read. Larry Correia has a wonderful sense of humor and Ray Porter is the perfect narrator on audio!
November 1, 2022
What a tale!
This was the second book about this world that I've read. Cannot wait to read more! Fantastic visualization of a fantastic world!
This was the second book about this world that I've read. Cannot wait to read more! Fantastic visualization of a fantastic world!
April 5, 2023
Jolly Good
Succinct and entertaining story. Gotta love Acosta. It certainly could have used some more dwarven flavor, but couldn't every story.
Succinct and entertaining story. Gotta love Acosta. It certainly could have used some more dwarven flavor, but couldn't every story.
February 23, 2017
Fast, Fun Read
Enjoyed this but believe you need to read book 1 to appreciate fully. Most of character development occurs there and sets the background for sub-plot of a common dilemma many go through. Anyone who's had a mentor that was a 'cut above' and constantly measuring ourselves against them and believe ourselves lacking.
Thought author did a nice job with plot and sub-plot, keeping it simple, uncomplicated and entertaining. Good action, some twists n turns with like-able characters. Throw in some steam, add a little fantasy, maintain solid mil and put some mystery n intrigue and you've got a winner.
Enjoyed this but believe you need to read book 1 to appreciate fully. Most of character development occurs there and sets the background for sub-plot of a common dilemma many go through. Anyone who's had a mentor that was a 'cut above' and constantly measuring ourselves against them and believe ourselves lacking.
Thought author did a nice job with plot and sub-plot, keeping it simple, uncomplicated and entertaining. Good action, some twists n turns with like-able characters. Throw in some steam, add a little fantasy, maintain solid mil and put some mystery n intrigue and you've got a winner.
October 1, 2016
Into the Wild isn't quite as good as Into the Storm, at least in part because Madigan was such an awesome character, and the Madigan/Cleasby relationship that was so fun to read from book 1 is missing in book 2. There is an attempt to replace it with a Cleasby/Acosta relationship, but it's really not the same.
Like all Correia books, the action scenes are epic, and the dialog is fun to read. I'm enjoying the world building. Cleasby is developing into a more interesting character, but none of the others (maybe Pangborn? maybe Rains?) had much development in this book.
Overall it's a fun read. Definitely a page-turner (I read the back half in a single sitting), and I'll pick up the next in the series, but it's not quite as well rounded, deep, and polished as Correia's other books.
Like all Correia books, the action scenes are epic, and the dialog is fun to read. I'm enjoying the world building. Cleasby is developing into a more interesting character, but none of the others (maybe Pangborn? maybe Rains?) had much development in this book.
Overall it's a fun read. Definitely a page-turner (I read the back half in a single sitting), and I'll pick up the next in the series, but it's not quite as well rounded, deep, and polished as Correia's other books.
October 6, 2016
Book one in the series, Into The Storm, was The Dirty Dozen in Space, and was fantastic and large-scale, one of my favorite Correia books. This story has a smaller cast, is more intimate in scope but still has a lot of action and good characters. Actually in this one I think the villains are more interesting than the good guys.
A lot of fun, enjoyed it a lot but not as great as its predecessor.
A lot of fun, enjoyed it a lot but not as great as its predecessor.
October 13, 2016
I like this books. Good characters, off an a little adventure, who soon find themselves in over their heads against forces far greater than they ever dreamed exist. Tough battles ensue, against long odds. Science and magic duke it out. Good villains, whom we will certainly see again. It is a quick read, and like everything Larry writes, it's engaging, and entertaining. I'll read the next book in the series.
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