A military action story disguised as Sci/Fi? Perhaps, but Authors David Sherman and Dan Crag draw on their considerable real life combat experience to create a believable universe that is in desperate need of a butt kicking.
The Setting
Four hundred years in the future the human race has detached itself from its earthbound umbilicus and claimed many of the galaxy’s habitable, though not very hospitable, planets in the name of whatever they wanted. Over time governments formed on these planets. Not long after that a coalition of planets called the Confederation developed. Sound familiar? By now you can tell this is a formula novel.
The Worlds
Although the prologue starts Starfist First To Fight in a heated battle with Panchos, marine slang for the bandits on the planet Fiesta De Santiago, the majority of the story is dedicated to world building and character development. Each world is a derivative of a country or nationality on Old Earth except for the marine and army training planet known as Arsenault.
The Characters
Apparently there is a rule that in order for a character to be a marine hero he must be bumped down in rank at least once due to insubordination or improper conduct. Staff Sergeant Charlie Bass has been bumped down three times, but he still has enough combat medals with attachments to set up a medal shop on ebay. Joseph F. Dean is a raw recruit, the perfect catalyst for David Sherman and Dan Crag to show the hardships of Marine Corps boot camp. The supporting characters are surprisingly likeable, but at times their bravado seems a bit laughable.
The Writing
This is not Anton Checkov’s The Kiss or Ernest Hemmingway’s For Whom the Bell Tolls, nevertheless the writing is above average for a serial novel. It is easy to follow and doesn’t try to be more than what it is. Starfist First To Fight's main flaws lie in the dialogue, but even that is easily overlooked because it only occasionally seems stilted. The narrative is informative, transparent, and well balanced with the dialogue. David Sherman and Dan Crag took great care not to let the writing get in the way of the story.
Why is it Different?
So what makes Starfist First to Fight different from other space marine stories? Two things, David Sherman and Dan Crag have been in real combat and are able to convey some of that reality to the reader, and their use of military terminology is precise and correct.
Many writers of Sci/Fi military novels, and TV shows, love to use military jargon that they have picked up from books or other shows. Unfortunately, they have no idea how to properly use Military Protocol which undermines the credibility of their characters. Authors David Sherman and Dan Crag have been there. They know protocol and understand proper drill and ceremony and they use it impeccably in Starfist First to Fight.
The battle scenes are the most riveting part of Starfist First to Fight. David Sherman and Dan Crag are at the top of their game here as they interweave the confusion and fear the marines feel during battle with sound military tactics and believable commanders giving believable commands.
Starfist First to Fight, ISBN 0-345-40622-2, Published by Del Rey 1997, Written by David Sherman and Dan Crag
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