What can be added to the clamor of reviews which read "This book rocks!" and "This book [stinks]!" ? Quite a bit actually.

The central issue of this novel is a question - "What is a hero?" Surprisingly, Steakly has pointed out several versions of "hero." We have the man who is the object/victim of idolization (the social hero.) We have the hero of tall tales and legendary stories (another social hero.) We have Felix (a hero who doesn't really want to live, but refuses to die.) And we have a couple of others, safe from exposure under the "spoiler" clause.

The dark and gritty bare bones narrative of Felix in Part I submerge the reader in a horrific struggle for survival. The author's word pictures paint a stark and forbidding landscape, populated with gruesome alien monstors and barely human armorclad men and women, lost and terrified. Then there is the shift to first person (Jack Crow's story.) It is an absolutely brilliant plot device (and I loathe first person) to instantly transport the reader to another world (this one even has colors!)

The characterizations are great; this is another book popluated with people I grew to love and hate. Much has been reviewed about the action scenes. I did not notice anything really stunning there, but if you are into that sort of writing you may share the opinion of many other reviewers. Several scenes just scream "make me a movie!" The "Puppy in a Well" story is both visually shocking and emotionaly wrenching. In my head I can see the trailor featuring Felix in a white latex body suit, his armor in the background, weeping before his second drop. "Armor - A film by whoever"

While this is one of the most engaging books I have ever read (my wife actually has a picture of me vacumming the carpet while reading it) I can not say that the plot is all that grand. We kill lots (I mean lots and lots) of ants. We have people discovering Felix's story, and then we have an ending that I found to be predictable. Still a solid four, though.

By the way, the answer to Steakly's question, "What is a hero?" lies verbatim within his text. "You are what you do when it counts." And that's just what a hero is as well.

I've spent the past 30 minutes reading all 159 reviews and decided to write one out too.Armor is,quite simply, the most in-depth and thought provoking book that I've ever read(and that is not just sci-fi either.)I admit that the transition from Felix to Crow is confusing at first because there is no warning but it isn't really a big deal.Also, the charecters aren't rally given a back story and you do not find out the reason everyones where they are until the middle of the book. I'm 15 and bought this book when I was 11.Since then I've read it 8 times and am enthralled by it every single time. I always discover or figure something out that I missed. Also, to all the reviewers that said that Jack had no personality, think about the personal battles that he faces betraying his friends and the fact that he actually hates Felix because he is better than him.I love how everything ties toghether at the end but I must admit that the ending was depressing and open.In fact, the whole book was depressing in the fact that Felix's non-stop missions were the cause of a mishap and also the fact that Felix could have had a MUCH better life but he cuts all ties and joins the military. PLEASE, the book is very cheap and worth every penny.Buy it! P.S:Sorry this review is thrown toghether as I was just adressing the points brought up in other reviews.Also, to any fans please email Mr. Steakly and request a sequel since his adress is above.

ARMOR is destined to be on the same vaunted pedestal as Heinlein's Starship Troopers. The military action is some of the best I've ever read. Viscerally stunning. I was completely immersed in the experience. Steakley did a masterful job of portraying the survival mechanism of the mind in battle with his Felix/Engine character. Not only on an intellectual level but also on an intuitive level, I was able to feel and understand Felix's fear and anger which led him to create in his mind the ruthless killing machine, the Engine. For anyone who's ever experienced battle, Steakley's Felix/Engine will ring true. I have a few minor criticisms though. What was the whole purpose of the Antwar and specifically the military objectives of attacking Banshee? Steakley hinted that the Ants attacked Earth, and started the interstellar war, but didn't mention why and what happened (Was Earth destroyed?) This should have been fleshed out more. As a former enlisted veteran, I also had a problem with the portrayal of all the military officers as basically idiots. It's just not very realistic. The whole Archon/Guardian thing also needed to be fleshed out more. Overall though, this book was a great read. Anyone who is a fan of Starship Troopers, or of Orson Scott Card's Enders Game will love ARMOR. Most highly recommended. Finally, I hope Mr. Steakley will continue with this universe he created. He has the perfect vehicle for a whole series of books set in this future. I can very easily see several sequels with or without the Felix character during the Antwar. A prequel would be great too. Are you listening Mr. Steakley? For all us military SF fans, I hope so!

I enjoyed this book immensely. It doesn't give in to the 'Anne Rice' version of the vampire; none of this 'noble vampire' absurdity. The vampires in Vampire$ are not noble, misunderstood fellows, they're monsters, dark and evil and without the slightest mercy or humanity in their hearts. The vampire hunters are believable, too- i particularly enjoyed the Jack Crow, Cherry Cat and Felix characters, even though they were a wee bit too macho and overblown. The book accurately depicts the horrible fears and stresses placed on the vampires, but as a trade-off, it's a little depressing. Also, drinking, cussing, and violence abounds- proceed at your own risk. There are several flaws and poorly done sections to this book, but overall, this is an interesting and thoughful adventure. I enjoyed the quality of the writing and plot, as well. Highly recommended. Also, read Steakley's earlier book, Armor,which in many ways is even better.

The idea of the Catholic Church sposered vampire hunter troupe is an itreaging one opening up a new line the fight against evil. Gone are the bookish Professor Van Helsing and the 'chosen' cheerleader Buffy Summers, replaced with a gang of hard fighting, hard drinking killers with pikes, crossbows and dinamite led by Jack Crow, a chain smoking corse giant of a man who effectivle runs the fighting side of the agency known as Vampie$ Inc. This all changes as the S*** hits the fan. the hunters become the hunted as an ancient vampire decides that Crow has gone far enough and must be elimenated or turned. The Book is almost in three parts, part one is the told primarily for Crow's perspective, the second is the history of Davette's relationship with a 'master' vampire and the third is from the persective of Felix, a gunslinger who becomes a reluctant member of Team Crow. All in all a wonderfull story with plenty of action and suspense. Well worth a read.

John Steakley doesn't miss a beat in this bone-crushing novel of combat, friendships, and the miseries of living and dying that follow the professional vampire hunter. Most of the book is fast-paced and keeps you hooked, although there is a lull here and there. This isn't the type of vampire novel where vampires run around kissing people and singing "Kum-bi-yah" like Dracula did in the horrible movie remake of Bram Stoker's excellent book (Poor old Bram must've rolled over in his grave, especially since they called the movie "Bram Stoker's Dracula"). Unfortunately, Steakley's book, Vampire$, was similarly mutilated via a John Carpenter C-section when it was reborn on the big screen. Anyway, the point here is that John Steakley's vampires aren't poor, misunderstood, fuzzy creatures that just need love and kindness. They're completely evil, ruthless, and powerful, and thus require hard, dangerous men to hunt them down and kill them. That's what Team Crow (Based on the name of Jack Crow, the main character) does for a living. In a sense, Team Crow is like a special forces team, but trained to kill vampires instead of people (And don't try to tell me that "Vampires are people,too."). Anyway, it's a great read if you like some action and a lot of raw, intense combat. I also recommend ARMOR, also by John Steakley- totally different genre (ARMOR is sci-fi) but a great book.
See you all at the ANTWAR saloon.
Until then,
Rock and Roll.