Blending tech-savvy science fiction with military action that soars, Holden (author of the Future War series, among others) launches this series-starter with the intergalactic adventures of Linus Vespasius, a former deep-sea fishing captain turned reluctant soldier. Facing life in prison for murder, Linus opts for service in the Red Army—as in, the army of Mars—enticed by the promise of freedom after completing his combat hours, a mere 99. But nothing is what it seems on Mars, with those hours exceedingly hard to accumulate, a brutal “Reducation process,” and the shocking revelation that the presumably alien enemy, the Lilin, with bodies “not made from elements known to humankind,” can pass themselves off as human. Demotions relegate Linus to the junior-most rank in Legion Praeda, or Legion of the Prey, infamous for its low survival rate. What follows this seeming death sentence is a surprise: the transformation of a self-interested man thrust into the harrowing Red War and a series of vividly drawn combat situations.

For all its action, described with both vigor and rigor, and its cool revelations about the enigmatic Lilin—a seemingly immortal species whose motives and methods defy comprehension—Red Legion at its heart explores human hubris, especially the lengths to which those in power will go to perpetuate their control. But it also offers hope, as Linus’s fight to survive reveals much about himself, the enemy, and a new future for humanity. The ground-level realities of this war, told through Linus’s journal entries, are deftly juxtaposed against the duplicitous “official history” of the conflict fed to Earth’s population to sustain public support.

Lovers of military SF will sign right up, though the military jargon might pose a challenge to some readers. Still, Holden’s meticulous world-building and well-honed action compellingly conjure the unforgiving realities (and imaginative possibilities) of future war, setting the stage for a sprawling, morally complex universe and more high-stakes, thought-provoking storytelling.

Takeaway: Gripping action-packed sci-fi thriller set around an intergalactic high-stakes war.

Comparable Titles: James S.A. Corey, Paul McAuley.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A