Aftershocks by Marko Kloos
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Solid opening on two counts. The beginning of the novel was pretty strong with the whole "what are we going to do after being in a PoW" vibe going on, full of space opera MilSF goodness between two human populations.

The other solid opening was for the expectation of a full series.

Unfortunately, the actual novel does not feel all that much like a set piece. It might be fine and rather perfect as long as you're reading it along with a full set of novels to come, but since the wait time will be somewhat long, I have the distinct feeling like I'll have to re-read this one just to pick up on the other various character's viewpoints and the details leading up to the hanging plot threads. One or two is no big deal, but this opener promises a bit more complexity.

Not bad, mind you, and great for MilSF space opera fans, but it does come with that caveat. :)

It can be diffiult to develop and write about a new universe. in 'Aftershocks' the univers comprises of one stellar system with multiple human populations that do not like each other. Kloos has written a story, from multiple viewpoints, that brings the reader into the situation completely and seamlessly. Those kinds of stories are the best. This is the first of a continuing series and thus does not necessarily 'end'.

Aftershocks, The Palladium Wars, Book One by Marko Kloos- A new series by the author of the Frontlines military science fiction books. It's five years after a solar system wide conflict involving 6 human planets. We follow the four separate storylines, from the winners and losers POV. Nice setup that builds this new universe around each individual's situation and ongoing conflicts seen and unseen. A very enjoyable read. My only complaint is that it just stopped with several ominous actions still unresolved. No cliffhangers really, only the import that something major was about to happen. Guess I'll have to wait for the next installment to find out, but that's okay, this was a good read.

I was fortunate to receive an ARC of this via NetGalley, and was excited to dig in. The premise appealed to me- it has been years since the aftermath of a war that spanned solar systems, in which an alliance of planets finally succeeded in overtaking the miltaristic society of Gretia. Now, after a period of peace as society struggles to right itself and the Gretian way of life is all but dismantled, unrest is stirring once more. A mysterious group is appearing with technology far beyond anything seen during the War, and they bring destruction with no discernible agenda beyond fostering fear and discord.

There are a handful of point of view characters, and each are unique and well written, with their own voices to distinguish themselves. A space naval commander, a young woman who is heir to the wealthiest family on Gretia and their company’s last hope at survival, a former Gretian “Blackguard” intelligence officer, and a Palladian war veteran who loses her entire unit in a surprise guerilla attack. Marko Kloos handles them all with a deft touch; his prose is easy to ingest and fulfilling, making this story reminiscent of some of the best television science fiction.

So why the two star review?

Well...it’s funny. When you’re writing a series, you can’t lose focus of the individual story for the sake of the larger tale. This is book one of The Palladium Wars, and it FELT like it far more than it felt like Aftershocks. There really was very little discernible story here. No classic structure. Nothing. All building taking place was in service of later books, which I want to read, but make this something of a barrier to entry instead of a story which can also stand on its own two feet. I was left with a profound sense of, “That’s it?” when I turned the final page.

For all its successes in getting me to identify with and even care about most of these POV characters, it just fell flat. There needed to be more. It’s a big issue for me, writing for a sequel instead of focusing on the present. Here’s hoping the payoff in Book Two of the Palladium Wars at least makes this entire book of introduction and filler worth it.

This book shows a big step up from his previous works. The writing is tight, the characters have their own voices, no mcguffins, no Mary sues.
In the Frontlines series, while i enjoyed it, I didn't believe the universe created and the characters living in it. By the end of the latest i was just reading to finish.
Aftershocks treats the reader intelligently, doesn't give away the whole story, the background and tell me everything up front. Still plenty of mysteries to resolve and character development moves along at a nice clip.
I say tight and that is a great thing. Nothing pulls me out of a story like obvious plot holes, unexplained reasons for character motivations and super heroes that can do anything and everything.
Really a fantastic upgrade for Mark Kloos. I look forward to the next one.