A Hymn Before Battle (Posleen War Series #1)

The concept of humans, being defeated and eaten by aliens is great. I kept wanting more stories and revenge!!

Then, to find out that every species is being manipulated genetically, politically and financially by some super race makes it so I can hardly wait for the next installment.

The super suits reminded me of the original Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein (the book is way better than the movie).

Even the stories about individual family members, away from the main story line are great.

Please John! Don't keep us waiting any longer. We need another dose of revenge!!!

My first John Ringo read, and I loved it. Obviously, given the genre, if you like reading about war and science fiction, which I do, this is right up your alley. I'm on the second book of the series now and I fully plan on reading the whole series, if not most of what Ringo has written.

The book is action packed filled with characters you will like. It also presents an extermely interesting situation for all of humanity and keeps you thinking all the time- if this really happened, how would we respond? Here comes the cliche: I couldn't put it down.

Something I thought was somewhat unique in the book is that the battle suits the main character fights in comes equipped with speakers- so on several occasions, the main character starts blasting music while fighting. And the action is so absorbing that you really feel like you're listening to the music while the battle's going on (given that you know the song). When Mike plays a certain Led Zeppelin song at the climax of the book- I got chills, literally. Very cool.


Couple criticisms though- I was in the Navy, and I remember how annoying the countless acronyms were. They're kind of annoying in his books too (maybe more so in the second one so far). Your constantly thinking, ok- what does this acronym or abbreviation mean again? The extensive details on chain of command, the structure of the military forces, and uniform styles does get somewhat annoying too. Also, the impact on humanity of contact with an alien 'federation' is somewhat glossed over. However, as I'm reading the second book, he seems to be getting to this a bit more.

These criticisms don't take anything away from the entertainment level though. Awesome book, check it out.

Marc Vietor provides a fine voice spiced with his background acting on television and in film lending action and drama to John Ringo's A Hymn Before Battle, a story of backward Terrans, friendly races of the galactic federation who offer them help, and the confusion of armies of humanity bound to protect not only Earth but two other worlds. Military science fiction at its best comes to life in a gripping audio.

Simply awful and wins the award for the worst book I have ever read.
The lead character is clearly the author's daydream for himself. Utterly unbelievable short guy with enormous muscles (inferiority complex perhaps?), computer geek and part time sci-fi author who just happens to be the best warrior in the universe and is married to the most beautiful girl in the world.

The remaining characters (there are many) are forgettable and often not necessary. The chapters leap from one character to another and frustratingly do not follow chronologically.

Clearly the author knows his military but most of the detail he goes into feels unnecessary. I got the impression we were playing "who knows the most acronyms"

A competent editor may have been able to cut enough of the rubbish from this novel and force enough re-writes to make it enjoyable but clearly no editor was employed.

You need to be a really hardcore military sci-fi fan to get through this book.

This is Military Science Fiction at it's finest. I know of no other war series debut comparable or exceeding to it save for The Black Company. High praise for the endearing characters, and amazing military tactics and science of John Ringo.

A must read for all those who wondered what it was like in the trenches of Star Wars or wanted to feel Starship Troopers all over again.