Lines of Departure by Marko Kloos
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Similar to the first book in the “Frontlines” series, this book continues in the same hard sci-fi setting. Except of the Alcubierre chutes, which are the only hand-waving ingredient, everything is possible, or at least imaginable.
The last few chapters with the “single missile” (you have to read it, it would be a major spoiler) is also very nicely written, one is left with the feeling that the author really had a scientific advisor and actually listened to his opinions.
The social part, though, is starting to get a bit old. I had to suspend belief quite a bit to follow the yarn about 95% of the population on good old Terra is on starvation levels but that the military can still keep a lid on things. Some people actually have to work in the factories that produce all those weapons that in turn are used against the very same population. A very grim-dark setup indeed.
On the other hand, we see that a nice life is indeed possible for the 1% who survive military service or are otherwise well-connected. Slightly Heinleinesque, this 🙂
I’m looking forward to the third installation, Angles of Attack and after that, the fourth book, Chains of Command. It will be interesting to see how the author spins the yarn about the near-invincible Lankies and the welfare riots back on Terra.