Military Science Fiction of the highest order. This series is one of the best I've ever read (and re-read and read again and so on) The characters are true to themselves for the entire series. The storylines are great. I should say storyline (singular), because after the first two books develop Alex's and Sten's characters, the next 6 present an excellent story arc, each book satisfying yet you crave the next book. (I was stationed overseas when the last book came out and I had to wait for Christmas for my relatives to send it to me)

Recommended.

This is the first of the "Sten" series. It's a great sci-fi read with pleanty of classic sci-fi premisies with a few twists.

One of the nice things about this series is that it ends. Once you get excited about reading these books and become attached to the characters, you can simply pick up the next book and continue on. There is no waiting through years of writers block or movies deals (a la Robert Asprin and JK Rowling).

Yes, it's sad that a series you enjoy ends, but at least you have the sense of completion and closure to the story. Since no series can go on forever it's nice to finish strong.

This, as the first installment, is a great read on it's own merits. It's a great story with great characters.

If you're a fan of books like Starship Troopers (book NOT movie) and Ender's Game - I think you'll like this book and it's sequels.

The Dynamic Duo of Allan Cole and Chris Bunch has pulles together one of the greatest scifi series i've ever seen. The Sten series. Sten a man living a life of hell on the laboring planet of Vulcan found a way to get off that godforsaken rock and with a lil luck made it into the imperial army. With Stens luck he could make it through anything but being promoted to the Mantis section of the imperial army will he be able to pull of the impossable mission of recapturing Vulcan for the Eternal Emperor? Or will his luck finnal run out?(Come Check out my Site for more info on scifi and fantasy books http://scifi-fantasy.8k.com/

Like one of the other reviewers I was actually born at the tail-end of the Tet Offensive. My father had been there and served his tour of duty in 65-66. But this book is on the mark. I first read it in 87 when I was in the R.O.T.C. program at Boise State University.

Just young cadet fascinated by all things having to do with the Army.At the time I felt that the book captured the feel and the rythms of Army life. Whether that be the peacetime Army or the wartime Army. At the time there were still many Vietnam vets in the service and I gave this book to one of the cadre members(a sergeant major) to read. He had served two tours over there and when he finished reading it he told me that the authors had done a better job of capturing the war in all it's nuances then all the other Vietnam novels he had read. No weird musings on the nature of man and no bizzare drug induced fantasies that so many other authors were turning out in the seventies and early eighties. Just a straight forward story.I've since reread this novel twice. The first time was about three years ago and then just last week. I'm older now and my attitude towards things have changed.I have found that often those things which seemed so impressive to me at the age of nineteen are diminished at the age of thirty-three. Well this novel hasn't lost anything. It's still wonderfully detailed, suspenseful, humorous and intelligent. One could do far worse this summer then reading this book. Unfortunately it's out of print, but I still see copies floating around in used book stores - both in paperback and hardcover. Good luck and, when you get a copy,enjoy.

This was the first of many books I have read by these two authors. Being an former Airborne Ranger the details and thoughts they give their characters and the events which surround them are scary in how realistic they are.

Since reading this book I have enthusiastically read ALL of their other works, though I must say the STEN series is at the top of the "must read" list. I have read this entire series at least seven times.

I read this book back when I was in the Army in 1987 and took it with me to the field. The rhythms, the people and the language struck me as being authentic - albeit to a Peacetime soldier born on one of the days detailed in the book - and I am sorry to see that it is out of print. I've read it 3 times, every few years, and the scenes, characters and action stay sharp in my memory.

Find it. Read it. Keep it.

An engrossing continuation of the Timura trilogy, WOLVES OF THE GODS delves even deeper into the connected fates of its main characters and expands the landscape and cultural scope of the epic. Again, I can't wait for the next book in the series.

The second book of the Timura Tales is a wonderfull and entertaining read. There are a few twists that are surprising given one has read the first book, and assuming that you don't read the back cover which may reveal one crucial twist. I can't wait for the next installment of this series. Mr. Cole has weaved a memorable book which leaves you waiting anxiously for the conclusion, although you may find yourself asking for more!

This is a series to be enjoyed by sf-readers as well as fantasy fans, as the magical elements are subordinate to an involving and suspenseful plot. This second volume brings to a pitch the increasingly intense and violent struggle between Timura and Protarus, while it continues to hint at their common destiny. Wolves is no simple story of clear moral good; we see both characters struggle with the compromise of their ideals and the acceptance of wrong action to achieve necessary ends. High level of suspense and engaging episodes of adventure. While the story is dark in tone, it's well balanced with moments of humor and sentiment. Terrifically paced, hard to put down. An exciting read.

If you want to know what it is really like to be a police officer in "real life", you must read this fun, informative book. The style is, informal, real, refreshing, and very enjoyable. I could not put this book down. If you are like me and enjoy understanding your world a little better then this book belongs in your personal library. I loved it!

This book is a departure from my normal reading genres, but a friend recommended I read it and I'm glad he did. It is written in an unpretentious, personal narrative writing style of an uncle to a nephew (Grubb to Cole). The book draws you into the world of a rookie cop, poorly equipped and trained by today's standards, in Philadelphia in the 1950's. Mr. Grubb takes us back into his world and provides lessons in both history and humanity. What impressed me most was the quiet, unassuming professionalism and personal character Mr. Grubb demonstrated while working in some of Philadelphia's toughest neighborhoods peopled with pimps, prostitutes, pushers and junkies -- good cops and bad. This book is nothing like the sanitized TV cop shows of today. It is instead an accurate account of a difficult job in a different time. Check it out. I think you'll enjoy it.

For those of you who enjoy brilliant character development, intense action sequences and adventurous story telling, look no further than the Sten series. Authors Allan Cole and Chris Bunch transport you to a future where man travels the depths of space with ease, the human Empire spans thousands of light years, and mankind has mastered the ultimate power source: AM2. The Eternal Emperor finds his realm beset by adversaries who seek to gain control of the Imperial AM2 supply. With enemy plots threatening to destroy his empire, the Eternal Emperor turns to Sten and Alex Kilgour to help in the Empire's struggle against the powerful and ruthless Tahn invasion fleet. This novel renders amazing space battle scenes, defines courage and valor in the face of overwhelming odds, and is an excellent chapter in the Sten series. Having read hundreds of titles in my life, the Sten series ranks as one of my favorites of all time and I highly recommend it.

As with all the Sten Novels written by Alan Cole and Chris Bunch - simple excellent.

After the first two books of the series set the tone for Cole & Bunch's military/spy space opera, this novel sets the broader themes rolling. Sten, now head of the Eternal Emperor's bodyguard, must deal with traitors within the palace and without, trying to find out who's trying to kill the emperor -- and how to avert interstellar war. Cole & Bunch are endlessly entertaining, mixing blood, puns, action, politics and philosophy into a fast-paced mix. The whole series is great fun and entertainment.

What the EE has always feared most has happened. He has gone insane! How could it be that a man 2000-3000 years old suddenly goes insane, starts killing his friends and becomes the demented ruller like Caligula whom he had always despised. Riveting historical parallels. Pay attention to the events that plunge the Empire into chaos, and see parallels to what is occuring or has occured in our(human) history before.

This is the second "Sten" Book I read, ("Fleet of the Damned" being first), and I thouroughly enjoyed it. Sten, Alex, and the rest of Mantis Team 13 show off their stuff in the Lupus Cluster. Read it, you'll like it. If not, we'll have you brainscaned!

A stranger on a lone hill, the bad guy right? Not exactly. A awesomly written story of love, betarayel, and death. Cole writes a riviting novel which I highly recomend to fantesy lovers!

This is my favorite book. I havn't gotten to reading the rest of the series because the second book is out of print but i plan to get it. I use the characters names from this book for all sorts of vidio game names. Screw Flanders Screw Flanders Screw Flanders Screw Flanders Screw Flanders Screw Flanders Screw Flanders Screw Flanders Screw Flanders Screw Flanders Screw Flanders Screw Flanders Screw Flanders Screw Flanders Screw Flanders Screw Flanders Screw Flanders Screw Flanders Screw Flanders Screw Flanders Screw Flanders Screw Flanders Screw Flanders

Timur Safar (the protagonist) begins out as a naive, trusting young man who graudually matures into his fated station in life. His relationship with a childhood friend, Protarus, is the main focus of this tale. When demons invade their land and threaten the sanctity of Protarus's reign, Safar must come in and aid his long time friend. However, time has distanced the two as well as destiny. This story for me was heartbreaking, maybe it was the music in the background of my room, or the late hour in which I stayed up to finish the book, but I think that it was the touching reality in which Cole described the most painful separation of people who care. This is a must read:)