What do you think?
Rate this book
Harmony War #1
Sacremon
Stay in Earth’s slums or carve out a life in Earth’s Military Forces. Two brothers make a choice that will change their lives forever.
Mark and his brother Tyler survived the slums with a gun in their hand and a blade in their sleeve. The corporations mercenaries are always looking for trained killers.
The EMF offers education, medical care, food whenever they want it, and real pay. They have a chance at a new life, one where they don’t have to worry about a rival gang killing them in the street.
Those privileges come at a hefty cost. Peace doesn’t last and the EMF doesn’t care how many troopers die as long as their cost/benefit ratios make them look good at the next shareholding meeting. Maybe the slums weren’t so bad.
Mark and his brother Tyler survived the slums with a gun in their hand and a blade in their sleeve. The corporations mercenaries are always looking for trained killers.
The EMF offers education, medical care, food whenever they want it, and real pay. They have a chance at a new life, one where they don’t have to worry about a rival gang killing them in the street.
Those privileges come at a hefty cost. Peace doesn’t last and the EMF doesn’t care how many troopers die as long as their cost/benefit ratios make them look good at the next shareholding meeting. Maybe the slums weren’t so bad.
290 pages, Paperback
First published July 7, 2016
337 people are currently reading
466 people want to read
About the author
Michael Chatfield
69 books1,382 followersMichael Chatfield is a Canadian Army veteran and international bestselling author who writes the kind of books he always wanted to read—character-driven, gritty, tactical, and grounded in reality.
He doesn’t write one-dimensional killers wrapped in plot armor, charging toward an objective without thought. His stories are built for readers who want earned progression, tight, understandable logic, and realistic strategy. Every stat system has structure. Every decision is deliberate (except when there is Jaeger involved).
And the pacing? It's locked at two hundred percent. From alleyway brawls to starship armadas clashing over galactic sovereignty, from tactical dungeon assaults to city-states warring over a continent’s fate—Chatfield commits to every battle like it’s his last.
With millions of books and audiobooks sold, and tens of thousands of reviews his work spans LitRPG, military sci-fi, fantasy, and post-apocalyptic survival. He writes for readers who value systems that make sense, loyalty that lasts, and power that’s earned, not handed out.
Whether you're listening on a long drive, grinding through a shift, or up past midnight planning the next in-game raid—this is where you’ll find sagas to binge. Where strength is earned, logic rules, and camaraderie is forged in fire.
You can connect with him on Patreon and don't forget to follow him on social media!
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/authormichael...
Website: http://michaelchatfield.com/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authormichael...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormicha...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormichae...
Facebook Group: The Chatfield Connection - https://www.facebook.com/groups/37693...
He doesn’t write one-dimensional killers wrapped in plot armor, charging toward an objective without thought. His stories are built for readers who want earned progression, tight, understandable logic, and realistic strategy. Every stat system has structure. Every decision is deliberate (except when there is Jaeger involved).
And the pacing? It's locked at two hundred percent. From alleyway brawls to starship armadas clashing over galactic sovereignty, from tactical dungeon assaults to city-states warring over a continent’s fate—Chatfield commits to every battle like it’s his last.
With millions of books and audiobooks sold, and tens of thousands of reviews his work spans LitRPG, military sci-fi, fantasy, and post-apocalyptic survival. He writes for readers who value systems that make sense, loyalty that lasts, and power that’s earned, not handed out.
Whether you're listening on a long drive, grinding through a shift, or up past midnight planning the next in-game raid—this is where you’ll find sagas to binge. Where strength is earned, logic rules, and camaraderie is forged in fire.
You can connect with him on Patreon and don't forget to follow him on social media!
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/authormichael...
Website: http://michaelchatfield.com/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authormichael...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormicha...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormichae...
Facebook Group: The Chatfield Connection - https://www.facebook.com/groups/37693...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
July 18, 2019
I like good military science fiction... that is I'm usually looking for an action read. If it gets into deep thought and political ideology I'm going to be a lot more critical as that becomes an entirely different type book. So I suppose what I like (most of the time) is just good Space Opera.
That's what we have here with a twist. You're going to get a little depth. You'll find yourself (at least I think you will) sort of wondering who the "good guys" really are.
This is one of those futures where everything seems to be run by large mega-corporations... (but are they?)/
Anyway follow the story of our young(ish) hero as he leaves the hopelessness of savage ruined slums taking the one way out common people may have, the military. In this universe we don't travel at FTL but only at near-light speed, so the characters are dealing with time dilation. While they travel for decades aging not at all (in cryosleep) the people they knew on Earth age and die.
So liked this one, have started the next (Masoul). Recommended, enjoy.
That's what we have here with a twist. You're going to get a little depth. You'll find yourself (at least I think you will) sort of wondering who the "good guys" really are.
This is one of those futures where everything seems to be run by large mega-corporations... (but are they?)/
Anyway follow the story of our young(ish) hero as he leaves the hopelessness of savage ruined slums taking the one way out common people may have, the military. In this universe we don't travel at FTL but only at near-light speed, so the characters are dealing with time dilation. While they travel for decades aging not at all (in cryosleep) the people they knew on Earth age and die.
So liked this one, have started the next (Masoul). Recommended, enjoy.
July 21, 2016
Unbelievable...
Yes, this is science fiction, but the book is incredibly difficult to read and not because of an intricate plot. This book has not even been proof read, forget any editing to make the so-so story line flow forward. The author does not have clue on using appropriate pronouns, matching singular or plural subjects with the correct version of the verb, punctuation and spelling are also incredibly poor.
The plot is simple enough, hood rats join space military to get out of the ghetto, the rest is predictable. Many books will surprise the reader, in that the author can take an over used plot but by his/her skill create a world the reader can lose themselves in. "Sacremon" is not such as book.
Yes, this is science fiction, but the book is incredibly difficult to read and not because of an intricate plot. This book has not even been proof read, forget any editing to make the so-so story line flow forward. The author does not have clue on using appropriate pronouns, matching singular or plural subjects with the correct version of the verb, punctuation and spelling are also incredibly poor.
The plot is simple enough, hood rats join space military to get out of the ghetto, the rest is predictable. Many books will surprise the reader, in that the author can take an over used plot but by his/her skill create a world the reader can lose themselves in. "Sacremon" is not such as book.
August 28, 2018
No different than 100 other stories like this.
I guess the author kind of spoiled me with his other series (Emerilia). I kinda had high expectations for this series, but I quickly found that I’ve read this story line hundreds of times before. All he did was sanitize the fighting like other authors before him. Just keeping out the scenes of mothers and children being blown to pieces by grenades and artillery shells or dying from the poison gas. Plus having stupid defenders (I don’t know about you but if I thought I was going to die to the last person I’d make sure I take the whole facility with me after all I can put together some explosives with all the chemist I had). But unfortunately we cannot apply basic fundamental human responses to what is essentially two dimensional characters. I kind of started reading the story hoping to see something new and innovative like with his Emerilia series but I found it highly disappointed. Maybe this series gets better in the later books but unfortunately with a start like this book I kind of find it hard for me to want to read any more into this series.
I guess the author kind of spoiled me with his other series (Emerilia). I kinda had high expectations for this series, but I quickly found that I’ve read this story line hundreds of times before. All he did was sanitize the fighting like other authors before him. Just keeping out the scenes of mothers and children being blown to pieces by grenades and artillery shells or dying from the poison gas. Plus having stupid defenders (I don’t know about you but if I thought I was going to die to the last person I’d make sure I take the whole facility with me after all I can put together some explosives with all the chemist I had). But unfortunately we cannot apply basic fundamental human responses to what is essentially two dimensional characters. I kind of started reading the story hoping to see something new and innovative like with his Emerilia series but I found it highly disappointed. Maybe this series gets better in the later books but unfortunately with a start like this book I kind of find it hard for me to want to read any more into this series.
February 24, 2021
Notes:
Yay for libraries! My library has the whole series. =)
Narrator was okay but nothing special. Writing is a bit rough and needs another round of editing. Story flow could be better. Characters are cool but the pivotal story points are lumped summaries between some action.
Yay for libraries! My library has the whole series. =)
Narrator was okay but nothing special. Writing is a bit rough and needs another round of editing. Story flow could be better. Characters are cool but the pivotal story points are lumped summaries between some action.
January 23, 2019
In a post apocalyptic world where most have to live in slums and join gangs to survive, a small percentage of the population are CEO's of large corporations and live like kings. The only way for most to get out of the slums are to join Earth's Military Force where they must serve for 35 years. The catch is they are cryogenically frozen until needed. If they live to fulfill the terms of their contracts everyone they knew will be long dead. This is a great Sy-Fi read. The story has a strong military flavor while combining Sy-Fi and the post apocalyptic genres. I highly recommend this book.
February 25, 2019
An engrossing read.
I'd have liked it more if the underlying cause of the conflict was explored. The lack of moral position was disconcerting. I assume that earth was running out of arable land and had to invest massively in farming colonies to support the growing population, then the second and third generation colonists resisted what seemed like slavery, leading to revolt. But all that was left unsaid.
I'd have liked it more if the underlying cause of the conflict was explored. The lack of moral position was disconcerting. I assume that earth was running out of arable land and had to invest massively in farming colonies to support the growing population, then the second and third generation colonists resisted what seemed like slavery, leading to revolt. But all that was left unsaid.
August 10, 2018
Ok, let me just say up front. This isn't a bad story. The reasons I didn't like it are largely personal preference, but there were a lot of errors in this story more proofreading could have caught easily, which may have helped me drop a 3 star rating instead of 2, since sloppy editing is one of my pet pieves when it comes to reading books. That aside, the reason I really didn't like this book was because of it's taking sides with the oppressors, not against them. Yeah, I know, that's silly, but I've always enjoyed a good old fashioned beat down when it comes at the expense of the bad guys. I read fiction for entertainment, and having soldiers slaughtering innocent civilians doing nothing more than trying to defend their homes isn't something I consider entertainment. Unfortunately, there's enough of that in the real world, and I sure don't need to read about such nonsense when I'm trying to relax. There are some hints in this volume that future installments (should they exist) may not be slanted in this direction, but there's none of that here, and I can't keep reading this material, so I don't believe I'll be continuing with this series.
Also, I had to struggle to get through this book, not only because of it's content, but because it just wasn't well written (imo). There were a lot of places where the storyline was dragged out to no effect, and other places where things just happened, with nobody being the wiser as to why it did. Cause and effect is important, and a lot of times, while reading this book, I was left scratching my head wondering what the heck just took place, because the events leading up to it make no sense in context. I'm generally quite the fan of military science fiction, but Honestly, this story just didn't hold up to the expectations I generally have for such storylines.
Also, I had to struggle to get through this book, not only because of it's content, but because it just wasn't well written (imo). There were a lot of places where the storyline was dragged out to no effect, and other places where things just happened, with nobody being the wiser as to why it did. Cause and effect is important, and a lot of times, while reading this book, I was left scratching my head wondering what the heck just took place, because the events leading up to it make no sense in context. I'm generally quite the fan of military science fiction, but Honestly, this story just didn't hold up to the expectations I generally have for such storylines.
February 25, 2019
Made it through the book!
I liked another series this author, and was waiting for the fourth book, so decided to read this one. It was painful to get through. I am very disappointed at how rough the writing was. The author said he is a Army vet, but some of the terminology seemed off. There was some confusion over if some of the characters were female or male because he switched the sex. I purchased the entire series soI hope the editing and story layout gets better. I am going to take a break for a while before I move to the second book. This was painful to get through, however the bulk of the story was interesting which made me push through the book.
I liked another series this author, and was waiting for the fourth book, so decided to read this one. It was painful to get through. I am very disappointed at how rough the writing was. The author said he is a Army vet, but some of the terminology seemed off. There was some confusion over if some of the characters were female or male because he switched the sex. I purchased the entire series soI hope the editing and story layout gets better. I am going to take a break for a while before I move to the second book. This was painful to get through, however the bulk of the story was interesting which made me push through the book.
September 9, 2016
Non stop ground and pound action
Just want a book filled with non stop action and violence? Here you go. The beginnings of a deeper plot are revealed at the end. There is no shortage of death in this book. It is everywhere, and in most cases brutally.
This book could have been edited better, but Mr Chatfield writes books at an amazing pace. You never have to wait long for the next one, which is a good thing because the stories from each one stay in your mind. I look forward to reading the next one which I will be doing now.
Just want a book filled with non stop action and violence? Here you go. The beginnings of a deeper plot are revealed at the end. There is no shortage of death in this book. It is everywhere, and in most cases brutally.
This book could have been edited better, but Mr Chatfield writes books at an amazing pace. You never have to wait long for the next one, which is a good thing because the stories from each one stay in your mind. I look forward to reading the next one which I will be doing now.
January 22, 2019
Weak plot
2 brothers become 2 really good soldiers....that's the whole story...weak plot. Thought there might be more than just shooting and bombing....
2 brothers become 2 really good soldiers....that's the whole story...weak plot. Thought there might be more than just shooting and bombing....
December 4, 2020
First off, I enjoyed the book. I want to make that clear. It's a good story line, it grabs you from the beginning, and builds from there. I am downloading the second book today, and looking forward to seeing where this story arc goes.
However, this is a clear example of a book that festered in the author's mind for a long while before it finally forced its way out of his brain and onto the page. This book feels a bit like a movie story board, where there are graphic pictures describing scenes that the author clearly envisioned before he sat down to write. Then there are sections of narratives pasted in between those scenes as a sort of "notes to the reader" that expound on and explain why the story is going a certain way. I don't think these were intended to be left in the final book, but they were.
Lastly, due to this cut and paste non-linear writing method, there are many jarring discontinuities. For an easy example of this, there are two shower scenes in this book, one near the beginning, one near the very end. These scenes are preceded and followed by events that are totally out of sequence. And there's little things throughout, like Alexis and Mark burst out laughing, and then one page later, Mark hears Alexis laugh about a different issue and the narration explains that this is the first time he'd ever seen her laugh....but she just shared a laugh in the previous scene.... Arghh!
Whoever helped edit or beta read this book for the author did him a grave misservice. Editing is more than just spell check!
It is my hope that the rest of the series improves as the author develops a rhythm and feel for transcribing his fertile thoughts onto the page.
However, this is a clear example of a book that festered in the author's mind for a long while before it finally forced its way out of his brain and onto the page. This book feels a bit like a movie story board, where there are graphic pictures describing scenes that the author clearly envisioned before he sat down to write. Then there are sections of narratives pasted in between those scenes as a sort of "notes to the reader" that expound on and explain why the story is going a certain way. I don't think these were intended to be left in the final book, but they were.
Lastly, due to this cut and paste non-linear writing method, there are many jarring discontinuities. For an easy example of this, there are two shower scenes in this book, one near the beginning, one near the very end. These scenes are preceded and followed by events that are totally out of sequence. And there's little things throughout, like Alexis and Mark burst out laughing, and then one page later, Mark hears Alexis laugh about a different issue and the narration explains that this is the first time he'd ever seen her laugh....but she just shared a laugh in the previous scene.... Arghh!
Whoever helped edit or beta read this book for the author did him a grave misservice. Editing is more than just spell check!
It is my hope that the rest of the series improves as the author develops a rhythm and feel for transcribing his fertile thoughts onto the page.
December 5, 2018
Very good and fast paced
I chose Sacremon because I like military science fiction and wasn't disappointed, if you like these same type of books you can't go wrong with this one. The story follows 2 children as they grow up in the future on a earth which has been depleted by corporations and is divided into the ruling class, who runs everything and the rest who have to live in a hostile environment and don't have a choice to better themselves unless you join a ruthless gang. The gangs run the slums and the only way to survive, until a person reaches the age when you can join the military. The military`s purpose is to keep the colony worlds under control so they can harvest all their resources for the corporations. This book follows the 2 children(Mark and Tyler) from joining a gang and then their joining the military and what they have to endure to survive their 35 years enlistment putting down revolts on the different worlds for the corporations. This book has it all for military science fiction fans.
I chose Sacremon because I like military science fiction and wasn't disappointed, if you like these same type of books you can't go wrong with this one. The story follows 2 children as they grow up in the future on a earth which has been depleted by corporations and is divided into the ruling class, who runs everything and the rest who have to live in a hostile environment and don't have a choice to better themselves unless you join a ruthless gang. The gangs run the slums and the only way to survive, until a person reaches the age when you can join the military. The military`s purpose is to keep the colony worlds under control so they can harvest all their resources for the corporations. This book follows the 2 children(Mark and Tyler) from joining a gang and then their joining the military and what they have to endure to survive their 35 years enlistment putting down revolts on the different worlds for the corporations. This book has it all for military science fiction fans.
March 4, 2025
at one point one of the side characters asks to be shot by his own side to spare him pain & all i thought was "right there with you bud".
IMO enough said, but if you need more, the other things that bothered me were:
I know it possible, but plausible?
IMO enough said, but if you need more, the other things that bothered me were:
I know it possible, but plausible?
December 12, 2018
War in space with a twist
I probably would have given this one 5 stars if not for all the grammatical errors including added and missing words. If there is a better edited version out there I would highly recommend it. That being said I rather enjoyed the storyline and would like to know what happens next. By the end of the story there is a solid group of characters that you care about and want to see succeed. Being futuristic sci-fi there is so much that can be done and it seems the author has taken the time to think out a timeline. There is a good story here with well thought out characters. A well edited copy of this one is well worth the read. Keep up the good work.
I probably would have given this one 5 stars if not for all the grammatical errors including added and missing words. If there is a better edited version out there I would highly recommend it. That being said I rather enjoyed the storyline and would like to know what happens next. By the end of the story there is a solid group of characters that you care about and want to see succeed. Being futuristic sci-fi there is so much that can be done and it seems the author has taken the time to think out a timeline. There is a good story here with well thought out characters. A well edited copy of this one is well worth the read. Keep up the good work.
February 21, 2022
Turgid, tedious mil-SF with paper-thin characters engaging in interminable high tech murder fests at the behest of their oppressive corporate overlords. Chucking in five pages of "there are multiple secret conspiracies going on!" at the end definitely doesn't save it from the discard pile.
Also, the editing job is almost non-existent. Characters perform tasks that would require them to have six arms if we accept them as written, the wrong words frequently turn up in sentences ('leave' for 'live', for instance), and the tense changes from past to present and back again on multiple occasions.
Also, the editing job is almost non-existent. Characters perform tasks that would require them to have six arms if we accept them as written, the wrong words frequently turn up in sentences ('leave' for 'live', for instance), and the tense changes from past to present and back again on multiple occasions.
January 19, 2018
Good story though there are issues with editing.
The characters were interesting but could stand a bit more development. The editing and proofreading was really poor. There were a lot of typos. There was also a reunion that I think the author was trying to show twice from different perspectives but he failed in the details. But the next in the series is worth a shot and if there is improvement I may try the others as well.
The characters were interesting but could stand a bit more development. The editing and proofreading was really poor. There were a lot of typos. There was also a reunion that I think the author was trying to show twice from different perspectives but he failed in the details. But the next in the series is worth a shot and if there is improvement I may try the others as well.
January 28, 2019
Fast-paced, Exciting Read
This book is a fast-paced ... oh, I've already said that.
If you like military science fiction, you need to read Michael Chatfield. His characters are well thought out and they perform as they should no unexpected wimps here.
I downgraded this book from 5 Stars to 4 Stars for misspelled words and obvious homonym errors.
This book is a fast-paced ... oh, I've already said that.
If you like military science fiction, you need to read Michael Chatfield. His characters are well thought out and they perform as they should no unexpected wimps here.
I downgraded this book from 5 Stars to 4 Stars for misspelled words and obvious homonym errors.
July 6, 2022
The story is interesting, and the main characters are likable. Unfortunately, the characters work for the bad guys and do not question it. They actually act like they believe the bad guys are the good guys. After they actually start their jobs, they spend the rest of the book killing the guys fighting for a good cause. I did not like that and found the book to be a bit depressing.
January 14, 2017
Not a bad idea...
But this is so poorly edited that I gave up about half way through the book. Sentences that stop half way through a thought... Poor grammar and punctuation make it difficult to understand what the author is trying to say... Find an editor!
But this is so poorly edited that I gave up about half way through the book. Sentences that stop half way through a thought... Poor grammar and punctuation make it difficult to understand what the author is trying to say... Find an editor!
October 15, 2018
DNF, I did get about 80% but just found myself not getting into this one. I have liked other books by this author so I think I will try something else by him. This book does have a higher rating by other but I just found that is was not for me.
November 2, 2018
A Good Man Fighting the Wrong Enemy.
Most of this story is grizzly battle. Neither side is pure but it seems justice is on his enemy's side. And they lost. Will he realize and switch? Is there a choice?
Most of this story is grizzly battle. Neither side is pure but it seems justice is on his enemy's side. And they lost. Will he realize and switch? Is there a choice?
November 4, 2018
This wasn't bad, but, as some other reviewers have pointed out, the story and the characters are pretty stock these days. The writing is competent but not great, and there's lots of action, but only superficial attempts at social criticism or emotion-string tugging.
May 25, 2020
Not bad
This wasn’t a bad start to a series. I’m not sure if its supposed to be YA or not. The language suggests not but some of the characters seemed very young or poorly drawn. I will have to see if they improve.
This wasn’t a bad start to a series. I’m not sure if its supposed to be YA or not. The language suggests not but some of the characters seemed very young or poorly drawn. I will have to see if they improve.
April 4, 2021
Not my cup of tea.
The general feeling was boring, the book was combat heavy but it focused on parts that all read the same. This made it very dry and it all felt the same. Add in a revolving crew you did not get to know and I was bored by the end.
The general feeling was boring, the book was combat heavy but it focused on parts that all read the same. This made it very dry and it all felt the same. Add in a revolving crew you did not get to know and I was bored by the end.
December 24, 2017
Great military SciFi
Interesting story the book follows one campaign in great detail. Good character development. I would recommend this book for die-hard military Sci-fi readers
Interesting story the book follows one campaign in great detail. Good character development. I would recommend this book for die-hard military Sci-fi readers
May 7, 2018
Engaging military sci fi
Good story with likable characters. Editing is terrible. I would have rated it higher but the whole thing reads like a rough draft.
Good story with likable characters. Editing is terrible. I would have rated it higher but the whole thing reads like a rough draft.
October 9, 2018
I hope this is the beginning of a long series.
December 20, 2018
The story is good
Unfortunately it seems to have been written by someone with only a nodding acquaintance with the English language, and published without bothering with editing
Unfortunately it seems to have been written by someone with only a nodding acquaintance with the English language, and published without bothering with editing
February 19, 2019
Good first book in series
Well written first book I enjoyed it I am looking forward to reading your next book in the series book number 2
Well written first book I enjoyed it I am looking forward to reading your next book in the series book number 2
May 15, 2019
Pretty darn good military thriller based in the future. One of those books I didn't want to stop reading and ended up tired the next day at work
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews