| In this sequel to "A Hymn Before Battle", the main protagonist, Mike O'Neal, faces off again with the deadly alien Posleen. Using his experience as an Armoured Combat trooper, O'Neal must help organize the defense of planet Earth from the rampaging alien hordes. Human ingenuity and advanced Galactic technology combine to give the human race its most effective tool in the struggle: the Armored Combat Suit. A heavily armed and armoured one-man tank, the Armoured Combat Suit battalions are the forces on Earth capable of meeting the gigantic swarms of the enemy on their own terms.
As O'Neal and his superior officers plan for the impending invasion, the worst happens--an early landing by literally MILLIONS of Posleen! American armed forces are in a sad state of disrepair, as poor morale and worse command and control lead to the destruction of over 100,000 soldiers. In the cities of Richmond and Fredricksburg, vastly outnumbered troops build an amazing array of fortifications and defenses, including a spectacular escape for the civilians of Fredricksburg. In Northern Virginia, beaten and demoralized, the remnants of the American Ninth and Tenth Corps dig in around Washington, D.C., and prepare for the worst. In and around historic monuments and government builings, the battle for America's capital rages. O'Neal and his ACS troops join the titanic melee as the story comes to a climactic ending. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of book - depressing/sad FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story If an invasion, from Earth/human POV: - fighting overt invasion (attacking aliens) War or Invasion Yes Major kinds of combat: - guns Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Descript. of chases or violence - 50 % planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 20 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 10 % Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20 % Main Character Identity: - Male Profession/status: Age: - 40's-50's Main Adversary Identity: - an entire race Profession/status: How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - throughout most of the book. How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor Intelligence - Dumb Setting Terrain Earth setting: - current (early 21st century) Takes place on Earth? Yes Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - explicit references to deaths scientific jargon? (SF only) - none/very little science jargon needed How much dialogue? - significantly more dialog than descript |
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