The Red

Interesting near-future military SF, with a cynical but probably all-too-true view of the role of private armies and international business in modern and future warfare. Interesting characters, with interesting tech toys to play with. Looking forward to reading the 2nd installment, lined up on my Kindle already.

[b:The Red: First Light 24453551 The Red First Light (The Red Trilogy) Linda Nagata https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1436924487s/24453551.jpg 24561453] is a military techno-thriller placed in the near future. The main protagonist, Lt. James Shelley, leads a squad of soldiers tasked with interdicting and killing terrorists in the Sahel. These are enhanced soldiers. They have received implants for communication and sensing and have exoskeletons that give extra strength and mobility. (Think something part way between present-day boots-on-the-ground grunts and Robert Heinlein's mechanized infantry in Starship Troopers.) Lt. Shelley also has something extra. He seems to have a precognitive gift. He sometimes “knows” when something is about to happen. Some of his team whisper that god talks to him. (Call it the King David connection.) But, is it god or something else?This book is violent and fast moving. It explores technologies that are evolving now and their impact on warfare and politics. It also has some romance and sex (integral to the story), and there some very strange forces at play. (Can't say much more without spoilers.) This is a good and exciting book. Recommended for those who like military SF and/or military-political thrillers.