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Galaxy's Edge: Savage Wars #2
Gods & Legionnaires
The Battle Lines Are Drawn.The Coalition is reeling. New Vega and its other worlds have fallen beneath the boot of the newly allied Savage marines, and the death count continues to rise at a staggering rate. One thing is the war to come will be a fight for the very survival of the species. For both sides in this conflict, now is the time to become what fate, and victory, demand.
The Savages—post-human monsters who believe themselves to be gods—are intent on remaking civilization in their own violent and pathological image. Yet their alliance is tenuous. Among the many tribes of the Uplifted, as they call themselves, the struggle for supremacy rages on. All know that in the end there can be only one tribe. One leader. One truth.
Meanwhile humanity’s last, desperate hope is the formation of a new kind of fighting The Legion. Those select few who are hardy enough—or foolish enough—to undertake the relentless, grueling, and merciless candidate training will have the chance to be transformed into mythical heroes… or die trying. They will be pushed beyond their physical and mental limits as they seek to survive an unforgiving planet, lost and derelict ghost spaceships, and worst of all, the cold, unflinching brutality of Tyrus Rechs. At the end of this crucible, only the one percent of the one percent will earn the right to be called…
… Legionnaires.
Also available in audio book format performed by Stephen Lang (Avatar, Tombstone), Galaxy’s Gods & Legionnaires brings you into the mind of the Savage marines and shows you the heart required to enter the Legion in the second epic installment of Galaxy’s Savage Wars!
The Savages—post-human monsters who believe themselves to be gods—are intent on remaking civilization in their own violent and pathological image. Yet their alliance is tenuous. Among the many tribes of the Uplifted, as they call themselves, the struggle for supremacy rages on. All know that in the end there can be only one tribe. One leader. One truth.
Meanwhile humanity’s last, desperate hope is the formation of a new kind of fighting The Legion. Those select few who are hardy enough—or foolish enough—to undertake the relentless, grueling, and merciless candidate training will have the chance to be transformed into mythical heroes… or die trying. They will be pushed beyond their physical and mental limits as they seek to survive an unforgiving planet, lost and derelict ghost spaceships, and worst of all, the cold, unflinching brutality of Tyrus Rechs. At the end of this crucible, only the one percent of the one percent will earn the right to be called…
… Legionnaires.
Also available in audio book format performed by Stephen Lang (Avatar, Tombstone), Galaxy’s Gods & Legionnaires brings you into the mind of the Savage marines and shows you the heart required to enter the Legion in the second epic installment of Galaxy’s Savage Wars!
327 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2020
407 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
About the author
Jason Anspach
187 books840 followersJASON ANSPACH is the author of Galaxy's Edge, Wayward Galaxy, Forgotten Ruin. and more.
He lives in Puyallup, WA with his wife and their seven (not a typo) children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
April 9, 2020
I picked this up because it was the next in the series, and didn’t know it would be from the perspective of a savage marine. It was fascinating and engaging. The particular flavor of posthumanism sci-fi was on point (the savage wars are one of my favorite pieces of world building in any sci-fi universe) and the author’s’ writing style of lilting soliloquy espousing the simultaneous beauty and horror of war shines brighter here than it did in the main series. Earns the rare 5 star and review from me.
May 23, 2020
For more than fifteen hundred years, the Savages were the bane of the galaxy. At first, they were no more than opportunistic raiders, raping and despoiling worlds, and then disappearing into the voids in-between the stars that had made them who they were. But now, the Savages have made common cause with one another against their unevolved, unenlightened cousins who leapt to the stars ahead of them.
Gods & Legionnaires is in a way two separate but related books. The first, Gods, is a harrowing look at what it means to be a Savage, to understand them from the inside. The second, Legionnarires, perhaps reaches similar heights of intensity; Legionnaries is our look into what it means to be shaped into a weapon against the Savages by a man who matches their intensity and ferocity.
Gods
Our introduction to the ways of the Pantheon comes through Crometheus, Savage Marine, and one of the Uplifted. Crometheus survived the battle for New Vega, but when the medics come to extract him from his ruined combat frame in the aftermath of Rechs and Sulla’s escape from New Vega with a handful of survivors, we get our first hints of just how deep this rabbit hole is going to go.
Crometheus has a part to play in what will transpire, but perhaps more importantly, he retains enough of his humanity to be relatable to us. For while the Uplifted in particular, and the Savages in general, have intentionally left their humanity behind, they are nevertheless still very much like us.
What transpires through the rest of Gods is part mystery, part acid trip, and part adventure, as Crometheus negotiates the fraught world the Uplifted have created. Everything in Crometheus’ world is a lie, especially the things he tells himself, and part of the fun is looking for the truth within the lie that cannot be entirely concealed.
In a way, Crometheus started the game at a disadvantage. Unlike his compatriots who have already attained the Xanadu Tower, Crometheus retains some of the sins of men: wine and wenching. However, as time goes on, it is clear that Cro does share the overweening ambition and pride of the leaders of the Prometheus. What he wants is in.
I am reminded of the lecture given by C. S. Lewis at King’s College in 1944, “The Inner Ring”. Lewis had a great appreciation for the temptations that belong to class and status, and in this lecture, he accurately describes the process by which Billy, once a little boy who rode his bike and played videogames in suburban America, turned into a monster of legend:
Of all the passions, the passion for the Inner Ring is most skillful in making a man who is not yet a very bad man do very bad things.
I honestly found this book hard to read, because it is harrowing to enter so deeply into such a wicked mindset. I wonder whether it was a challenge for the authors, as it was for one of Lewis’ more famous works, The Screwtape Letters. Lewis said he found the work “ dry and gritty going“. For as much as the Uplifted see themselves as superior to mere humans, the Path is one that is all too human.
In my review of Savage Wars, I talked at length about the millennarian aspects of Savage culture. And now we get to see it, in all of its grotesque glory. To be a Savage, is in some ways, to be worse than to be one of their victims, insofar as the worst thing they can do to you is break your body or your mind. To be a Savage is to maim your soul.
Cromethueus is a compelling protagonist because he still has some glimmers of humanity in his soul, even as he enthusiastically sheds everything in an attempt to climb the greasy pole that is status within the Path. During his long stretches inside the virtual realities the Uplifted have made for themselves, Cro often returns to the safety of his childhood, or memories of food, or the one woman he truly loved.
The supreme irony of the Path is that no matter how much the Uplifted think they have left behind the past, ultimately they end up creating imitations of the good things they could have had, back on Earth, if they had simply applied their efforts to doing so. But, even the greatest burger would have turned to ash in their mouths, because for those who chose to abandon Earth and embrace the Path, they never really wanted the better world they told themselves they were going to create. They wanted power, and domination, and to be seen as superior.
The Uplifted see the shedding as them leaving Earth and humanity behind, but the truth that in the long dark inbetween the stars, what happened is that their outer appearance began to conform to what they really were, long before they left Earth.
Legionnaires
The second part of the book is shorter, approximately of novella length. It is also much different in its moral valence, although perhaps similar in intensity. We get to see the birth of Legion, under the unkind tutelage of the man who thinks that killing a whole planet is better than letting the Savages win.
Since Tyrus has gotten his own series of books, I’m glad to see Casper getting his due here. Casper and Tyrus really worked best together, as Tyrus’ mind, while steadfast, was absolutely useless for things that needed doing if the galaxy was to be saved from the Savages. And we begin to see some glimmerings of the burden that must have built upon Casper over the centuries, as Tyrus was absolutely unreflective about the times that Casper saved him.
Legionnaires is also an opportunity for some fan service, the introduction of the N-1 blaster gives an opportunity for a little science fantasy woo about what a blaster does, and a sequence aboard a derelict lighthugger that features a motion detector, and the origins of the Legion’s uncrackable L-comm communication system.
Altogether, Gods & Legionnaires is a remarkable entry in the Galaxy’s Edge universe. Entering into the mind of a Savage, and at least partly making him comprehensible, if not quite admirable, is a testament to the skill of the authors. I look forward to seeing the next chapter plays out.
Gods & Legionnaires is in a way two separate but related books. The first, Gods, is a harrowing look at what it means to be a Savage, to understand them from the inside. The second, Legionnarires, perhaps reaches similar heights of intensity; Legionnaries is our look into what it means to be shaped into a weapon against the Savages by a man who matches their intensity and ferocity.
Gods
Our introduction to the ways of the Pantheon comes through Crometheus, Savage Marine, and one of the Uplifted. Crometheus survived the battle for New Vega, but when the medics come to extract him from his ruined combat frame in the aftermath of Rechs and Sulla’s escape from New Vega with a handful of survivors, we get our first hints of just how deep this rabbit hole is going to go.
Crometheus has a part to play in what will transpire, but perhaps more importantly, he retains enough of his humanity to be relatable to us. For while the Uplifted in particular, and the Savages in general, have intentionally left their humanity behind, they are nevertheless still very much like us.
What transpires through the rest of Gods is part mystery, part acid trip, and part adventure, as Crometheus negotiates the fraught world the Uplifted have created. Everything in Crometheus’ world is a lie, especially the things he tells himself, and part of the fun is looking for the truth within the lie that cannot be entirely concealed.
In a way, Crometheus started the game at a disadvantage. Unlike his compatriots who have already attained the Xanadu Tower, Crometheus retains some of the sins of men: wine and wenching. However, as time goes on, it is clear that Cro does share the overweening ambition and pride of the leaders of the Prometheus. What he wants is in.
I am reminded of the lecture given by C. S. Lewis at King’s College in 1944, “The Inner Ring”. Lewis had a great appreciation for the temptations that belong to class and status, and in this lecture, he accurately describes the process by which Billy, once a little boy who rode his bike and played videogames in suburban America, turned into a monster of legend:
Of all the passions, the passion for the Inner Ring is most skillful in making a man who is not yet a very bad man do very bad things.
I honestly found this book hard to read, because it is harrowing to enter so deeply into such a wicked mindset. I wonder whether it was a challenge for the authors, as it was for one of Lewis’ more famous works, The Screwtape Letters. Lewis said he found the work “ dry and gritty going“. For as much as the Uplifted see themselves as superior to mere humans, the Path is one that is all too human.
In my review of Savage Wars, I talked at length about the millennarian aspects of Savage culture. And now we get to see it, in all of its grotesque glory. To be a Savage, is in some ways, to be worse than to be one of their victims, insofar as the worst thing they can do to you is break your body or your mind. To be a Savage is to maim your soul.
Cromethueus is a compelling protagonist because he still has some glimmers of humanity in his soul, even as he enthusiastically sheds everything in an attempt to climb the greasy pole that is status within the Path. During his long stretches inside the virtual realities the Uplifted have made for themselves, Cro often returns to the safety of his childhood, or memories of food, or the one woman he truly loved.
The supreme irony of the Path is that no matter how much the Uplifted think they have left behind the past, ultimately they end up creating imitations of the good things they could have had, back on Earth, if they had simply applied their efforts to doing so. But, even the greatest burger would have turned to ash in their mouths, because for those who chose to abandon Earth and embrace the Path, they never really wanted the better world they told themselves they were going to create. They wanted power, and domination, and to be seen as superior.
The Uplifted see the shedding as them leaving Earth and humanity behind, but the truth that in the long dark inbetween the stars, what happened is that their outer appearance began to conform to what they really were, long before they left Earth.
Legionnaires
The second part of the book is shorter, approximately of novella length. It is also much different in its moral valence, although perhaps similar in intensity. We get to see the birth of Legion, under the unkind tutelage of the man who thinks that killing a whole planet is better than letting the Savages win.
Since Tyrus has gotten his own series of books, I’m glad to see Casper getting his due here. Casper and Tyrus really worked best together, as Tyrus’ mind, while steadfast, was absolutely useless for things that needed doing if the galaxy was to be saved from the Savages. And we begin to see some glimmerings of the burden that must have built upon Casper over the centuries, as Tyrus was absolutely unreflective about the times that Casper saved him.
Legionnaires is also an opportunity for some fan service, the introduction of the N-1 blaster gives an opportunity for a little science fantasy woo about what a blaster does, and a sequence aboard a derelict lighthugger that features a motion detector, and the origins of the Legion’s uncrackable L-comm communication system.
Altogether, Gods & Legionnaires is a remarkable entry in the Galaxy’s Edge universe. Entering into the mind of a Savage, and at least partly making him comprehensible, if not quite admirable, is a testament to the skill of the authors. I look forward to seeing the next chapter plays out.
April 12, 2021
This book....is trippy. 60% of it, the "Gods" portion, is absolutely insane. What is real is not real, what is true is not true, for only your truth matters, and there is only one truth, but its my truth. Anyone that does not agree with the truth must be exterminated, even if the truth is a lie that must be made truth. Did anything I just say make sense? Yeah, most of the book reads like that. But it really lets you know how the Savages think, why they are like they are, and gives you some good insight into them. It is good, but I feel it went on a bit to long. Also, was a bit to out there.
The Legionnaires portion was easier to understand, far more straight forward, and a good beginning to look at the forming of the Legion. Overall, this was a solid book that makes you wonder why you read it in the end. In a good way. Maybe.
The Legionnaires portion was easier to understand, far more straight forward, and a good beginning to look at the forming of the Legion. Overall, this was a solid book that makes you wonder why you read it in the end. In a good way. Maybe.
July 21, 2023
Diemžēl sērijas jaunpienācējam, kurš kādā nebūt veidā atradis šo triloģiju kā pirmo no kopējās Galaxy’s Edge sērijas, Gods & Legionnaires galīgi nav ko meklēt. Pasniegšanas stils ļoti nedraudzīgs, lai neko nezinot par pamatsēriju, varētu puslīdz noorientēties, kas gan šeit vispār notiek.
https://poseidons99.wordpress.com/202...
https://poseidons99.wordpress.com/202...
July 19, 2020
This first half of this book is probably one of the worst experiences in literature I've had the displeasure of reading. The constant droning and dribbling of over descriptive nonsense in the attempt to cover up the lack of story was infuriating. I had to put this book down repeatedly due to the physical pain it was causing me to fill my brain with the nonsense I was reading, AND IT LASTED FOR 34 CHAPTERS! 34 CHAPTERS OF MY LIFE WASTED. I know some of you will think "just put the book down" or "skip to the good parts" and in retrospect, I probably should have. Problem is I kept figuring it can't get any worse, then it did. The only minimal saving grace was the second half of the book, which was meh at best. But at least it didn't cause me physical pain to read. I would not recommend this book to an illiterate blind baboon let alone a human being.
September 1, 2020
The first half was a struggle and I almost gave up. Stick with it, the second act is where things start shaping up.
April 28, 2021
This is book #2 in a fantastic prequel series for an epic military sci-fi series. However, the "Gods" two-thirds of this book (350+ pages) is twice as long as it needs to be... it is a fascinating Savage perspective, but drags on far too long until you just don't care anymore - perhaps that is the point?
Unfortunately the Legionnaire's origin story gets short changed as the last third of the book, when it really deserved equal time. Book #3 hopefully brings balance back to the universe.
Unfortunately the Legionnaire's origin story gets short changed as the last third of the book, when it really deserved equal time. Book #3 hopefully brings balance back to the universe.
July 3, 2020
Luck of the draw....
Where you are born, how you are raised, environment, circumstances.... All of these and more, determine who we are... Who we become.
This book gives us both sides and it is totally fascinating. Savage and legionnaire, both think they are right. It's all in the perspective.
This book was so well written it is easy to see both sides.
Where you are born, how you are raised, environment, circumstances.... All of these and more, determine who we are... Who we become.
This book gives us both sides and it is totally fascinating. Savage and legionnaire, both think they are right. It's all in the perspective.
This book was so well written it is easy to see both sides.
April 6, 2020
Best Book in the GE series
August 3, 2020
Did not see that coming
I'm not gonna lie. This one was hard for me. It took a month or more to get past Sin City, just keep finding stuff I enjoyed more....finally forced myself to read it and I'm glad I did. The last two words of the book have me blown away
I'm not gonna lie. This one was hard for me. It took a month or more to get past Sin City, just keep finding stuff I enjoyed more....finally forced myself to read it and I'm glad I did. The last two words of the book have me blown away
May 17, 2020
Rating based on last third
I didn’t really know if I wanted to read this , based on First one of this series. Read some of the reviews and Since I’m KU, downloaded it.
Based on reviews, I skipped Book One and went straight to Book Two n the start of Legionnaire training. Authors did something this time, that they didn’t do in Book one. They threw in some character development and got me engaged.
I’m posting this because of some comments made by one of the MCs. The training, boot camp is a mirror copy of SpecOps training today. As an aside, I’m not a fan of finding out your best masochists and then train them forever to be ‘super’ soldiers.
At any rate, the Admiral noted losing known, excellent combat veterans, due to the lengthy, extensive physical and mental abuse. His thoughts were essentially that there’s a point of diminishing returns over time. Any training system focused on getting candidates to quit isn’t very productive in finding your best fighters. IMHO .
Just saying, my thoughts and Admirals commentary rang w me. And the reviews were right on..... I skipped 2/3 of the book and feel that it was the right approach.
I didn’t really know if I wanted to read this , based on First one of this series. Read some of the reviews and Since I’m KU, downloaded it.
Based on reviews, I skipped Book One and went straight to Book Two n the start of Legionnaire training. Authors did something this time, that they didn’t do in Book one. They threw in some character development and got me engaged.
I’m posting this because of some comments made by one of the MCs. The training, boot camp is a mirror copy of SpecOps training today. As an aside, I’m not a fan of finding out your best masochists and then train them forever to be ‘super’ soldiers.
At any rate, the Admiral noted losing known, excellent combat veterans, due to the lengthy, extensive physical and mental abuse. His thoughts were essentially that there’s a point of diminishing returns over time. Any training system focused on getting candidates to quit isn’t very productive in finding your best fighters. IMHO .
Just saying, my thoughts and Admirals commentary rang w me. And the reviews were right on..... I skipped 2/3 of the book and feel that it was the right approach.
June 30, 2020
Took awhile to get moving.
While I enjoyed an idea of the mindset behind the savages, it became a bit too fleshed out with the mindset of crometheus. I understand the authors intentions showing how far humanity has fallen, and how the mind was erratic and different, but it became a bit of a slog. I was disappointed the beginnings of the legion were extremely shortened and condensed because that was what I was really looking forward to after book 1 and I felt it was only given a glancing acknowledgement. First book I’ve read that I wish things could have been a bit different. Onto book 3. Intrigued about the “SGT Fast”, because I didn’t think he was at the beginning of the savage wars that went on for quite some time till when legion starts.
While I enjoyed an idea of the mindset behind the savages, it became a bit too fleshed out with the mindset of crometheus. I understand the authors intentions showing how far humanity has fallen, and how the mind was erratic and different, but it became a bit of a slog. I was disappointed the beginnings of the legion were extremely shortened and condensed because that was what I was really looking forward to after book 1 and I felt it was only given a glancing acknowledgement. First book I’ve read that I wish things could have been a bit different. Onto book 3. Intrigued about the “SGT Fast”, because I didn’t think he was at the beginning of the savage wars that went on for quite some time till when legion starts.
April 17, 2020
Even Hell has its heroes
The second installment of the Savage Wars takes us into the viewpoint of a Savage himself. I was curious how the writers would pull that off while maintaining the alien mystique of the Savages. They don’t disappoint.
One part the ruminations of a damned soul, one part Lit RPG horror, the story of the Savage Crometheus is like those Russian dolls of decreasing size. With each chapter the reader is given a fresh horror to ponder until the final revelation as we learn how far a human being can fall.
The recollections of the long journey and intercine conflicts aboard the lighthugger are truly epic. Equally fascinating is the chillingly pragmatic solution the Savages find to answer the problem of a lack of calories to continue on their journey.
But the most striking thing is how oddly relatable Crometheus is, and the sensation that you too might slip down the road of narcissism and self-deception.
And just as the first installment was a pivotal moment for the side of humanity, so the second is a turning point for the Savages, with Crometheus in the thick of it, and finding a kind of heroism.
So having unlocked the villain campaign, sit back and enjoy!
The second portion, dealing with the training and initial mission of the first Legionnaires, I found less interesting at first, particularly when some of the conflicts about Rechs’ training style and the hostility it engendered to be somewhat contrived: I’d expect the candidates would know what they’re up against and have some idea what they would have to be to fight the Savages, but maybe it’s a result of spending so much time inside Rechs’ perspective in Book One and knowing what the stakes are and what the alternative is.
At first, I thought this could have easily been summarized as a single-chapter prologue in book 3, until the very end when it becomes clear that the segment was necessary to establish yet another character who will play an important role to come.
Going into Savage Wars, I was expecting a fun prequel, but nothing really new since the story’s ending was already known. I’m happy to be proven wrong.
The second installment of the Savage Wars takes us into the viewpoint of a Savage himself. I was curious how the writers would pull that off while maintaining the alien mystique of the Savages. They don’t disappoint.
One part the ruminations of a damned soul, one part Lit RPG horror, the story of the Savage Crometheus is like those Russian dolls of decreasing size. With each chapter the reader is given a fresh horror to ponder until the final revelation as we learn how far a human being can fall.
The recollections of the long journey and intercine conflicts aboard the lighthugger are truly epic. Equally fascinating is the chillingly pragmatic solution the Savages find to answer the problem of a lack of calories to continue on their journey.
But the most striking thing is how oddly relatable Crometheus is, and the sensation that you too might slip down the road of narcissism and self-deception.
And just as the first installment was a pivotal moment for the side of humanity, so the second is a turning point for the Savages, with Crometheus in the thick of it, and finding a kind of heroism.
So having unlocked the villain campaign, sit back and enjoy!
The second portion, dealing with the training and initial mission of the first Legionnaires, I found less interesting at first, particularly when some of the conflicts about Rechs’ training style and the hostility it engendered to be somewhat contrived: I’d expect the candidates would know what they’re up against and have some idea what they would have to be to fight the Savages, but maybe it’s a result of spending so much time inside Rechs’ perspective in Book One and knowing what the stakes are and what the alternative is.
At first, I thought this could have easily been summarized as a single-chapter prologue in book 3, until the very end when it becomes clear that the segment was necessary to establish yet another character who will play an important role to come.
Going into Savage Wars, I was expecting a fun prequel, but nothing really new since the story’s ending was already known. I’m happy to be proven wrong.
April 16, 2025
The first two thirds of this book was hard to read at times since it is a stream of consciousness for the Savage character Chrometheus. He was once a rock star on Earth with the stage name Billy Bang. He did drugs and slept with fellow actresses and groupies. Now as a "Savage" or Uplifted with the goal of being gods and goddess, Crometheus and his fellow Uplifted wage a war of extermination against the humans. That's the gist. Where it is hard is that we don't know what part of the events are his memories as a Savage, what part are memories and dreams, and what part is his refuge from the insanity. At times, he thinks he is playing an arcade game circa 1990s which he thinks is reality.
Chrometheus appears in other books in the series and each time he uses his experiences in the arcade as his "reality." Like Imperator which is the same type of narrative for Admiral Casper Sullivan who would one day be Goth Sullus, you have to wonder how drunk or high you have to be to understand this. Or wonder how high or drunk the authors were. Ultimately, any human who tries to be god often goes insane.
The other "half" is the Legionnaires portion, except based on proportionality, this is only 30%. This part reads like any other book on special forces Selection or Q course or whatever name you want. Hundreds of candidates try. Most fail for various reasons - they just couldn't handle physically and mentally. Those who pass it become even stronger, faster, and mentally strong. Sullivan is the POV and when the washouts and quitters appear, the admiral still treats them like soldiers. He converts them into the necessary support force to the Legion.
This book is chronologically the place where "Aeson Ford" aka Aeson Keel aka the Wraith appears. In terms of publication order, Ford is an established character several hundreds of years in the future. Why he is alive in the Savage Wars is a mystery until the truth is revealed elsewhere.
As a prequel, Anspach and Cole are trying to introduce as many integral background elements as possible. The famed L-comm, the unbreakable Legion communications channel, is introduced here as another Savage tech. This and more. Maybe the prequel bandwagon and origin stories has left the station.
Chrometheus appears in other books in the series and each time he uses his experiences in the arcade as his "reality." Like Imperator which is the same type of narrative for Admiral Casper Sullivan who would one day be Goth Sullus, you have to wonder how drunk or high you have to be to understand this. Or wonder how high or drunk the authors were. Ultimately, any human who tries to be god often goes insane.
The other "half" is the Legionnaires portion, except based on proportionality, this is only 30%. This part reads like any other book on special forces Selection or Q course or whatever name you want. Hundreds of candidates try. Most fail for various reasons - they just couldn't handle physically and mentally. Those who pass it become even stronger, faster, and mentally strong. Sullivan is the POV and when the washouts and quitters appear, the admiral still treats them like soldiers. He converts them into the necessary support force to the Legion.
This book is chronologically the place where "Aeson Ford" aka Aeson Keel aka the Wraith appears. In terms of publication order, Ford is an established character several hundreds of years in the future. Why he is alive in the Savage Wars is a mystery until the truth is revealed elsewhere.
As a prequel, Anspach and Cole are trying to introduce as many integral background elements as possible. The famed L-comm, the unbreakable Legion communications channel, is introduced here as another Savage tech. This and more. Maybe the prequel bandwagon and origin stories has left the station.
May 20, 2020
Descent into madness that is the Uplifted and the Legion
There will be many who pick this book up because they've either read other Galaxy's Edge stories or have military sci-fi as a favorite genre. Many of those readers will likely leave reviews about Part I: Gods being rambling nonsense. That's because Part I introduces readers, not to blazing blaster fire and mechanized space warfare but to the mind of those who left Earth behind (because they were better, smarter, more advanced, knew the right people, greased palms, partied with stars, paid off politicians, and rocked stadiums) - with one goal: to ascend into the stars as The Uplifted, gods in the making. Enter Cromethius, a former star who has entered a world that may or may not be artificial... and finds that what is real "truth" may be only what you believe it to be or what it is made to be. This book really draws deep into the psyche and what makes humans human... and more human than human. Is it a little confusing ? Yes, but so is understanding what makes people "tick" in real life. This is one of the most honest dives into humanity I've ever read in a sci-fi book that is a little litRPG (gamers will dig that part) and a teeny bit cyberpunk. Part Two: Legionnaires introduces readers to how a fighting force was created by those who'd literally jumped ahead of the "elite/uplifted" via technology and are now facing a galactic showdown. Who is the savage and who is the animal? This book made me ask, "Must you become a monster to defeat a monster?" ... or is there something innate about humanity - that it is not only its greatest enemy but also carries at least a tiny spark of redeemability in each individual regardless of the paths, or realities, they choose? Second-best book on the entire GE Universe in my opinion.
There will be many who pick this book up because they've either read other Galaxy's Edge stories or have military sci-fi as a favorite genre. Many of those readers will likely leave reviews about Part I: Gods being rambling nonsense. That's because Part I introduces readers, not to blazing blaster fire and mechanized space warfare but to the mind of those who left Earth behind (because they were better, smarter, more advanced, knew the right people, greased palms, partied with stars, paid off politicians, and rocked stadiums) - with one goal: to ascend into the stars as The Uplifted, gods in the making. Enter Cromethius, a former star who has entered a world that may or may not be artificial... and finds that what is real "truth" may be only what you believe it to be or what it is made to be. This book really draws deep into the psyche and what makes humans human... and more human than human. Is it a little confusing ? Yes, but so is understanding what makes people "tick" in real life. This is one of the most honest dives into humanity I've ever read in a sci-fi book that is a little litRPG (gamers will dig that part) and a teeny bit cyberpunk. Part Two: Legionnaires introduces readers to how a fighting force was created by those who'd literally jumped ahead of the "elite/uplifted" via technology and are now facing a galactic showdown. Who is the savage and who is the animal? This book made me ask, "Must you become a monster to defeat a monster?" ... or is there something innate about humanity - that it is not only its greatest enemy but also carries at least a tiny spark of redeemability in each individual regardless of the paths, or realities, they choose? Second-best book on the entire GE Universe in my opinion.
March 3, 2022
This second book was again straight-up good, better than the first of the Savage Wars trilogy. In the second half (the Legionnaires part) Rechs is laying the foundation for the Legion and we're right there with the very first recruits. Very little, if anything, is written from Rechs's point of view, so we constantly see him through other people's eyes.
What I like is how Rechs' strengths are shown, but also the weaknesses that come with them. He's no holy man, and not by any means perfect. We get to understand why many hated him, including several of his own men.
I also like how we get to know Casper a little bit more; and how his friendship with Rechs works. Their character differences are fleshed out, and nothing is black & white (we get to like stuff about Casper, and dislike stuff about Rechs) - which is the way it should be in a well-crafted story.
But the first half of the book, subtitled Gods, was even better. For the first time we get an inside look into the savages, as we follow along with one of their own marines. It's a deft mix of post-post(-post?) modernist philosophy, transhumanism, materialism, nihilism - and probably some more -isms. It's the ultimate snake-in-the-garden temptation: man believing himself able to become a god, and in sacrificing everything to reach that state, losing his humanity and becoming a devil instead. Very believably written.
Back to the second half of the book. The unexpected reveal of a character's true name in the last sentence of the book had me all confused, considering the timeline of the story universe. But I learned from Reddit that I should simply keep on with the next books and that all shall be explained. :-)
Which is what I'm going to do right now, moving on to part 3 of the trilogy and after that back to the main storyline with Takeover. Yea!
What I like is how Rechs' strengths are shown, but also the weaknesses that come with them. He's no holy man, and not by any means perfect. We get to understand why many hated him, including several of his own men.
I also like how we get to know Casper a little bit more; and how his friendship with Rechs works. Their character differences are fleshed out, and nothing is black & white (we get to like stuff about Casper, and dislike stuff about Rechs) - which is the way it should be in a well-crafted story.
But the first half of the book, subtitled Gods, was even better. For the first time we get an inside look into the savages, as we follow along with one of their own marines. It's a deft mix of post-post(-post?) modernist philosophy, transhumanism, materialism, nihilism - and probably some more -isms. It's the ultimate snake-in-the-garden temptation: man believing himself able to become a god, and in sacrificing everything to reach that state, losing his humanity and becoming a devil instead. Very believably written.
Back to the second half of the book. The unexpected reveal of a character's true name in the last sentence of the book had me all confused, considering the timeline of the story universe. But I learned from Reddit that I should simply keep on with the next books and that all shall be explained. :-)
Which is what I'm going to do right now, moving on to part 3 of the trilogy and after that back to the main storyline with Takeover. Yea!
January 19, 2021
I inhaled the “Galaxy's Edge” series reading them (the 9 written so far) pretty much one after the other. “Galaxy's Edge: Savage Wars” is a prequel series and this is #2. (Ya got that?) Well, first of all, authors Anspach and Cole are sure as heck prolific. Next, it’s been my experience that the quality of many sci-fi series tend to diminish over time. The author just stretches the series a book or three too far. The characters are ‘known’ with little to expand upon, or worse yet, the plots becomes way too farfetched (which, for this genera, is really saying something). With “Galaxy's Edge” and this spinoff this has not been the case. (Hooray!) In fact, this is my favorite book and I think the best so far.
The story starts immediately after the prior book – from the perspective of an enemy Marine. (Note: You could read this as a standalone book, but don’t. It’s so much better if you read #1 first.) The book has two parts and I thought it very well written. The first two thirds of the novel is about the Gods which these Savages seek to become. The authors use the detritus of today’s Pop Culture to both project the future and (as with any good sci-fi) make comments on current society. It explains who the Savages really are and how they got that way – from their philosophical beginning to continually ‘uplifting’ themselves and constantly ‘shedding’ to get ‘better’ … ‘transitioning’ to become gods. (Maybe ‘life’ is just an arcade video game.) The last third, Legionnaires, explains why and how they were created. Talk about a rigorous selection process! And, of course, there’s a big battle and series’ character surprises. … I can’t wait to start #3.
The story starts immediately after the prior book – from the perspective of an enemy Marine. (Note: You could read this as a standalone book, but don’t. It’s so much better if you read #1 first.) The book has two parts and I thought it very well written. The first two thirds of the novel is about the Gods which these Savages seek to become. The authors use the detritus of today’s Pop Culture to both project the future and (as with any good sci-fi) make comments on current society. It explains who the Savages really are and how they got that way – from their philosophical beginning to continually ‘uplifting’ themselves and constantly ‘shedding’ to get ‘better’ … ‘transitioning’ to become gods. (Maybe ‘life’ is just an arcade video game.) The last third, Legionnaires, explains why and how they were created. Talk about a rigorous selection process! And, of course, there’s a big battle and series’ character surprises. … I can’t wait to start #3.
February 22, 2023
Rating is Skewed
I’m on book..26? 28? In the ongoing series. I’ve written a few other reviews.
Overall I’m a huge fan of the series, but in saying that I feel I gotta speak out on weaknesses.
SEMI~SPOILERS ahead, so stop reading….
Ok, you’ve been warned!
The first HALF of this book could have been just as tight and informative in a couple of chapters. Instead we get in one instance 40+ pages of existential introspective musings with 80’s & 90’s teenage angst in arcades… WTF has to do with birth of the hard ass Legionnaires we came to love??
The second part of the book is what most(?) of us wanted, but was 40% of the book. I wanted MORE of Echo, deeper dives into each of the first team members, more if the training regimen. More of the battle on the Savage hulk, have it detailed WHY the newly minted Legionnaires were better than any other fighting force…
I’m looking forward to book 3, hoping it moves forward and stopping with the hippy nonsense! 😎
I’m on book..26? 28? In the ongoing series. I’ve written a few other reviews.
Overall I’m a huge fan of the series, but in saying that I feel I gotta speak out on weaknesses.
SEMI~SPOILERS ahead, so stop reading….
Ok, you’ve been warned!
The first HALF of this book could have been just as tight and informative in a couple of chapters. Instead we get in one instance 40+ pages of existential introspective musings with 80’s & 90’s teenage angst in arcades… WTF has to do with birth of the hard ass Legionnaires we came to love??
The second part of the book is what most(?) of us wanted, but was 40% of the book. I wanted MORE of Echo, deeper dives into each of the first team members, more if the training regimen. More of the battle on the Savage hulk, have it detailed WHY the newly minted Legionnaires were better than any other fighting force…
I’m looking forward to book 3, hoping it moves forward and stopping with the hippy nonsense! 😎
April 4, 2020
Jason and Nick truly out-did themselves with Galaxy's Edge Savage Wars Book 2.
A book that is as entertaining as it is almost an esoteric quest for spiritual development.
a lost soul,
divine discontentment,
awareness at the hotel lobby,
dark night of the soul,
the meeting with a hidden master (Anubis),
dying to be reborn,
the stripping of Self through submission,
the unconscious hunger to unite the anima and the animus,
the initiation,
partaker of the sacred feast,
the quest for godhood through constant effort/act of will
and so much more.
Selfhood - Animals - Annihilation
Uplifted - Eternal - Godhood
Can't wait to see where the journey took Crometheus.
Do another one, babe.
A book that is as entertaining as it is almost an esoteric quest for spiritual development.
a lost soul,
divine discontentment,
awareness at the hotel lobby,
dark night of the soul,
the meeting with a hidden master (Anubis),
dying to be reborn,
the stripping of Self through submission,
the unconscious hunger to unite the anima and the animus,
the initiation,
partaker of the sacred feast,
the quest for godhood through constant effort/act of will
and so much more.
Selfhood - Animals - Annihilation
Uplifted - Eternal - Godhood
Can't wait to see where the journey took Crometheus.
Do another one, babe.
December 31, 2024
While this book has its merits, it ultimately feels a bit imbalanced. The first part, focused on the "Gods" perspective, is fascinating but stretches on far too long. It drags to the point where the intrigue starts to fade. The detailed exploration of the Savage viewpoint is interesting, but by the end, it felt like too much.
The second half, which shifts to the Legionnaire's origin story, felt rushed in comparison. The lack of time given to this crucial part of the plot left me wanting more depth. It seemed like the story was trying to balance too much and lost its way in the process. I’m hopeful that Book #3 will provide a better pacing and restore some of the balance between these two perspectives.
Listened to as an audiobook on Audible.
The second half, which shifts to the Legionnaire's origin story, felt rushed in comparison. The lack of time given to this crucial part of the plot left me wanting more depth. It seemed like the story was trying to balance too much and lost its way in the process. I’m hopeful that Book #3 will provide a better pacing and restore some of the balance between these two perspectives.
Listened to as an audiobook on Audible.
February 22, 2021
Better than Book 1
This book is better than book 1. It rambles a bit, but nothing nearly as bad as the first book. The authors do make some choices that seem, questionable, given the time frame they're working with, but I am hoping that it will make sense after I read book 3.
If it doesn't then it seems like it could be a case of not killing your darlings.
Overall, I enjoyed it. You get to see a POV from the Savages, which I enjoyed, and the creation of the Legion. This book isn't as good, in my opinion, as the main Galaxy's Edge series, nor is it as well written or cohesive, but it's pretty decent and holds up well.
This book is better than book 1. It rambles a bit, but nothing nearly as bad as the first book. The authors do make some choices that seem, questionable, given the time frame they're working with, but I am hoping that it will make sense after I read book 3.
If it doesn't then it seems like it could be a case of not killing your darlings.
Overall, I enjoyed it. You get to see a POV from the Savages, which I enjoyed, and the creation of the Legion. This book isn't as good, in my opinion, as the main Galaxy's Edge series, nor is it as well written or cohesive, but it's pretty decent and holds up well.
April 1, 2021
Lovely, but....
This books covers life aboard a Savage vessel and one marine, second part covers the formation of the Legion. I think that too much time was spent on the "Gods" part of the book, too much superfluous text dedicated to the Savage Marine. I found myself skipping over a lot of it. It does, however put into perspective just how twisted and diabolical the Savages are. That they do indeed need to be put down. You also gain some understanding of their minds. The Legion section is amazing, lots of Easter eggs if you can remember the previous books. And a few questions also.
This books covers life aboard a Savage vessel and one marine, second part covers the formation of the Legion. I think that too much time was spent on the "Gods" part of the book, too much superfluous text dedicated to the Savage Marine. I found myself skipping over a lot of it. It does, however put into perspective just how twisted and diabolical the Savages are. That they do indeed need to be put down. You also gain some understanding of their minds. The Legion section is amazing, lots of Easter eggs if you can remember the previous books. And a few questions also.
April 21, 2021
Book and a half
This book has 2 parts the first part provides some insight into the world the Savages exist in. Normally I would call it a backstory, but not in this case. To be honest, the main character has created so many conflicting memories over his time aboard ship that I don’t think he knows which is the truth. I know I don’t. So I feel the authors did a great job of pulling me into the character’s mind. They even made me sympathetic to why the Savages are the way they are.
The second part of the book details the training of the first class of Legion candidates.
If you read book 1, I think you should read book 2.
This book has 2 parts the first part provides some insight into the world the Savages exist in. Normally I would call it a backstory, but not in this case. To be honest, the main character has created so many conflicting memories over his time aboard ship that I don’t think he knows which is the truth. I know I don’t. So I feel the authors did a great job of pulling me into the character’s mind. They even made me sympathetic to why the Savages are the way they are.
The second part of the book details the training of the first class of Legion candidates.
If you read book 1, I think you should read book 2.
October 24, 2025
Tough beginning but came around
This one was a tough beginning but came around. The repeating got to me but I forged on; some of it became evident eventually. The middle I actually grew angry (lol) which is a sign of a good book, I’m invested in the storyline. The ending was intense as I’ve come to expect with a tremendous twist, or revelation, I did not see coming.
All in all, this one standing on its own probably would be tough to get through if you didn’t read the books in order & have a background. But I did enjoy, just not as much as the others so far, & look forward to the next.
This one was a tough beginning but came around. The repeating got to me but I forged on; some of it became evident eventually. The middle I actually grew angry (lol) which is a sign of a good book, I’m invested in the storyline. The ending was intense as I’ve come to expect with a tremendous twist, or revelation, I did not see coming.
All in all, this one standing on its own probably would be tough to get through if you didn’t read the books in order & have a background. But I did enjoy, just not as much as the others so far, & look forward to the next.
July 20, 2020
It's different
Well, the first two thirds of it anyway. It's a deep look into the psyche of a Savage Marine, so it gets pretty tripy at times. I'm not saying it is bad writitng, I think it was well done, but it is a heavy lift to mentally process compared to previous books I have read. I liked the look into the Savage culture, so that is a bonus.
The last part picjs up a familiar thread, although the surprise reveal at the end has me a little confused and re-checking my time line.
Well, the first two thirds of it anyway. It's a deep look into the psyche of a Savage Marine, so it gets pretty tripy at times. I'm not saying it is bad writitng, I think it was well done, but it is a heavy lift to mentally process compared to previous books I have read. I liked the look into the Savage culture, so that is a bonus.
The last part picjs up a familiar thread, although the surprise reveal at the end has me a little confused and re-checking my time line.
July 6, 2021
This is probably my least favorite book of the entire Galaxy’s Edge series, which I love. It goes into the history of the savages and of the legion, and getting into the minds of the bad guys or even characters is something I never enjoy (the savages, in this case), and yet doing so paints a very compelling picture of what some trends in current society could look like in the not-to-distant future. Thus it’s probably the most important / impactful book of the series. Regardless, if you’re into Galaxy’s Edge, then this does flesh out a lot of history.
November 3, 2025
Another excellent book from Nick and Jason. It details what happened after the First battle of New Vega, and how the Legion came into being.
The first half tells of the story of the Savage Marine, Crometheus, and gives a look into the minds of the Savages themselves. The second half tells the story of Echo Squad, and the training the first members of the Legion go through under the leadership of Tyrus Rechs and Casper. It ends with a reveal about one of the main story characters that I didn't see coming.
The first half tells of the story of the Savage Marine, Crometheus, and gives a look into the minds of the Savages themselves. The second half tells the story of Echo Squad, and the training the first members of the Legion go through under the leadership of Tyrus Rechs and Casper. It ends with a reveal about one of the main story characters that I didn't see coming.
April 14, 2020
Exactly what the title says.
The Savages are one of my favorite things about GE. When I first started reading the series, I assumed it was just a Sith/Mandalorian/Clone Wars with the serial numbers filed off. I wasn’t prepared for the horror elements of the Savages when we saw them in Imperator. G&L follows in that vein, giving us our best look at the Savages yet while maintaining a lot of that body horror and mystery, plus a satisfying look at the beginnings of the Legion.
The Savages are one of my favorite things about GE. When I first started reading the series, I assumed it was just a Sith/Mandalorian/Clone Wars with the serial numbers filed off. I wasn’t prepared for the horror elements of the Savages when we saw them in Imperator. G&L follows in that vein, giving us our best look at the Savages yet while maintaining a lot of that body horror and mystery, plus a satisfying look at the beginnings of the Legion.
April 15, 2020
the front half of the book was a touch hard to get into at first, but I found it pretty thought provoking to consider the nature of the Savages and what kind of people they must have been like in the first place to so readily strip themselves of humanity. Second part brings us back to the same characters we met in Savage Wars as the Legion is being stood up, and enjoy the did I just read what I thought I did moment at the very end of the book.
November 12, 2020
A bit strange in the beginning...
The book was nothing like the first ones you all have read. For me I thought the story was very disjointed and just plane weird. So much so I skipped from 20% to 60%. This is about where I felt the story was just beginning to relate in some way to the previous books. After I picked up again at the 60% mark the story was enjoyable again. I just bought the "Hundred" and I'm hoping the story line is followed.
The book was nothing like the first ones you all have read. For me I thought the story was very disjointed and just plane weird. So much so I skipped from 20% to 60%. This is about where I felt the story was just beginning to relate in some way to the previous books. After I picked up again at the 60% mark the story was enjoyable again. I just bought the "Hundred" and I'm hoping the story line is followed.
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