Just Finished Reading: Legion of the Damned by William C Dietz

In the far future the Human Empire has spread amongst the stars. Its citizens are scattered on hundreds of worlds and lesser bodies protected by the Imperial Navy, the Marines and the Legion. But the Empire is corrupt at its very heart. The Emperor is becoming increasingly erratic in his behaviour and when faced with reacting to an alien invasion on the Empires borders orders his forces to pull back leaving entire worlds at the mercy of alien Hudathan warships. But one group refuses to pull back and instead decides to fight their new enemies to the death against overwhelming odds.

Using the latest in human technology the Legion utilises the reanimated dead to manufacture Cyborg soldiers capable of carrying awesome weapons and of taking astonishing amounts of damage. Some dream of their own final deaths, others lust for revenge against the people who originally killed them, all are dedicated to causing the enemy as much pain as they can before they each fall in battle. It’s just a case of who runs out of soldiers first.

William Dietz is no master wordsmith but he does tell a good tale. Whilst nowhere near original or groundbreaking in any way this book was an entertaining page turner. With two distinct and individually interesting alien races (who were actually not that alien at all), strong central characters, brutal combat scenes, huge set-pieces and a fast paced plot this was a fun read from cover to cover. Recommended for anyone who likes their Combat SF straight up.