Semper Mars: Book One of the Heritage Trilogy [Mass Market Paperback]

 

 

Create your own review

After reading all 3 books of the "Heritage Trilogy" I felt compelled to write a review. I am one of those many readers who go through 'phases' and read tons of different types of books. I read most of the 'Starfist' series, which I found mildly enjoyable (except #2, skip that one). Anyway, I figured these would be quick, action packed, easy reads. I was partially right. There is action, and alot of Space Marine patriotism. Just what I was hoping for. A very pleasant surprise however was Mr. Douglas' excellent plot and character development. Unlike many series, where it appears the author(s) just decided to stick a new story onto the last one without any real regard for continuity, The Heritage Trilogy delivers. I found it to be fresh, interesting, and much more than just a bunch of Marines-fighting-against-impossible-odds cliches. I highly recommend "The Heritage Trilogy" in its entirety. Each book is better then the last.

Ok, I liked the book. Lotta fun with some interesting situations. Granted, it is a "gung-ho" marine type of book...but, that's not hard to figure out from the title. Personally, I have no problem with a gung-ho American/Marine type of story...especially in these days when America is often portrayed as the exact opposite. It will turn off those that think that way. I don't.

The storyline is pretty interesting. Set in 2040, America has set up some habitats on Mars, and is researching the "Face" and other artifacts. Seems these are actually alien structures built a very long time ago. We are finding a treasure house of fascinating alien stuff.

We are sharing these facilities with the UN. Which, in this story has become a pretty dominate force in the world. The US, Britain, and Russia are really not a part of the UN these days and there is some serious conflict between us. However, we allow the UN archealogists and scientists access to everything, and we share our research and study the sites together. The UN then sends some troops up to Mars, the US sends some marines up there to counter it...and things get a little interesting.

In this story, the UN is a pretty dominate force. It has invaded Brazil because of Brazils lack of care for the rainforest. It wants the US to give up part of the Southwest for an "Aztecan" homeland thing. It has a very aggressive role in the world...all for the "good" of the worlds people of course.

This may upset some people who think the world of the UN. I have been studying the UN for quite a while. Tho this book may look at the UN in the worse possible light, there is some factual reasoning to support some of it. Some of it may be a little too much...some of it is plausible. It's a book of fiction however, and the author decided to make the UN the bad guy masquerading as the worlds savior.

Anyway, the UN forces decide, for the best interests of the world, not just for the benefit of the US, Britain, and RUSSIA, to take over the MARS station. The UN wants to control the new discoveries on MARS while the US scientists want to publish new findings to the world. However, the UN team thinks it needs to be controlled, and decides to take action to make it so.

This also coincides with hostilities on the earth as well. Things are heating up everywhere. The book is mainly about how the US and the few Marines on Mars, as well as the scientists there...deal with this new situaton. It's a pretty fun read.

There are a coupla reservations, however, that prevented me from giving this book a higher rating.

The research facility on MARS is basically a US funded and built site. We are sharing it with others and the UN, but, it's mostly our show. When the new controversial discoveries are found, the UN commander there doesn't want the information released. The US team wants it be released. The UN commander (a sexy french woman) convinces the US people NOT to tell their superiors about the findings, until she talks to HER superiors first.

WHAT??????

Well, for some unknown stupid reason, the US people let her talk to her superiors before they talk to any of theirs...she does, and the UN takes action before the US people tell anyone. I'm pulling my hair out by now. The US owns the station, their commander is the head guy on the station and he lets the UN commander tell her superiors and ask for advice before he even tells his own bosses?? Gimme a break.

The other glaring reservation I have. A war starts up on Earth. The US, Britain, and Russia against the UN. Well, the UN is sending cruise missles, blowing up US cities. Troops cross from Mexico and Canada into the US...and the US president is contemplating what he might have to do to appease the UN, possibly surrendering. While the book talks about what the UN is doing to the US, there is not ONE MENTION of anything the US is doing in response. NOTHING, ZERO, NADA. We are just fighting a defensive battle on our own soil, and occassionally knocking down a missle heading our way.

WHAT????

No mention at all of any counter attacks by our navy, submarines, air forces...hell, no mention of our navy, air force, submarine fleets at all! We just are being hit, and doing nothing in response, except defensively.

Except on Mars. For some unknown reason, the President determines that it's all about Mars. Tho he can't send any troops to Mars to help...the outcome of the 20 marines vs 50 UN troops there is his number one concern. While a world war is going on here on earth. It's quite silly really.

Now, these things bugged me. Annoyingly buggy. But, I still enjoyed the book for what it was. Characters were good, the Mars storyline and conflicts were fun. The book, and the series has some great potential...really :)

Just bought the second book in the series...stay tuned :-)

SF

I purchased this book about three years ago and never forgot about it because of its captivating characters and story line. Rereading this book was probably the only time that I have ever reread a first book in a trilogy without having read the following two books.

The imagery and story were simple and clear, yet not simplistic. The author does an A- job of balancing character development, story development and the description of relevant details. In some cases, I would have liked a bit more character development or character complexity, however it is clear that this would have been inconsistent with the general style and it would have added unnecessarily to an already long novel.

There is a bit of patriotic rah-rah-rah, but from a person who is not usually impressed by that, it was entirely apropriate and engaging in this work. It is likely that political conflicts such as those described in the book will arise in the future, especially in a post 9/11 world. Something needs to drive us to look outside our planet, even if it ends up being the military and flag planting.

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 52 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

 

5.0 out of 5 stars fastreader
Ian Douglas knows how to spin a tale. This whole series of 9 books (that's a triple trilogy) are ultimately very very entertaining. Read more

Published 8 months ago by fastreader

5.0 out of 5 stars Semper FI
OK, First off im in the Marine Corp, im a 0311 infantry rifleman. As most of you know if you know marines Grunts are stupid and most dont read. Read more

Published on Mar 14 2004 by henderson

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible military SCI-FI
Amazing storytelling with a great human backdrop of the saga of the US Marine Corps. This one is a must have for any military sci-fi fan. Read more

Published on Aug 20 2003 by John B. Bonner

1.0 out of 5 stars Hackneyed, pre-Sept 11 Blungeondry
As a long-time Mars fanatic, miltiary buff and sci-fi hound, I've got to say this book is a disappointment. Read more

Published on April 13 2002 by Reviewer

4.0 out of 5 stars Jar Heads to the Rescue
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I thought the battle scenes in space and on Mars explored many of the problems related to fighting in space. Read more

Published on Mar 23 2002 by Douglas De Bono - Author of No...

5.0 out of 5 stars space marines HOO-Rah
excellent book I enjoyed the authors way of drawing a mental picture of all that goes on.

Published on Mar 18 2002 by scott

3.0 out of 5 stars Splendid story - poor political insight
Technically this book is one of the best in its genre. The author knows how to get a grip on his readers. Read more

Published on Oct 27 2001 by Peter Werner

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Military Sci-fi
Semper Mars is the first of three books in the Heritage Series, a well written trilogy that combines some excellent military fiction with an engrossing science fiction plot that... Read more

Published on July 9 2001 by SH in Tampa

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Nice Job! Not just for Space Marine fans
After reading all 3 books of the "Heritage Trilogy" I felt compelled to write a review. I am one of those many readers who go through 'phases' and read tons of different... Read more

Published on Jan 30 2001

3.0 out of 5 stars OOH-rah! Long on Esprit de corps, short on substance
Low-cal brain candy for those few of us addicted to all things Marine (Semper Fi!)and science fiction. Read more

Published on Nov 24 2000 by Billy Sargent

Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

› See all 52 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

Search Listmania!