The Tuloriad -- John Ringo and Tom Kratman -- 2009


 

Whence we learn the history of how the Posleen boiled forth to scourge the spaceways.

A small surviving band of Posleen are whisked off Earth by the Indowy / Himmit, and sent off to discover the ancient and forgotten origin of their rampage across the galaxy. A team of human clerics chases them in the hope of converting the race, and leading them back to a peaceful existence in Galactic civilization.

The designs of the Aldenata are revealed, and it seems that they themselves burst upon a galaxy already ravaged from a genocidal onslaught of unknown origin. This, and the John Ringo novel "Eye of the Storm", the last two published in the series, seem to be setting up a new existential threat to humanity, presumably those responsible for the pre-Aldenata catastrophe. Nothing has been published since 2009, though.

This novel, like the rest of the series, is a well-written Space Opera romp -- leave your slide-rule at the door. I've greatly enjoyed this series, and have read all except for "Watch on the Rhine". The series is a good example of that particular Sci-Fi subgenre featuring plucky and adaptable Earthlings who, against all odds, out-battle the brutal and hidebound alien invaders. In this series, about 80% of the human race perishes in the conflict, so figure in a bit of Post-Apocalyptic flavor as well. There's a heavy emphasis on military/warfare affairs; take note accordingly.

The co-authored volumes are as good as the solo Ringo ones. Plenty of military humor in the latter but, being a life-long civilian, it mostly went over my head. Avoid "The Hero", which is not really part of the saga, as it occurs 1000 years after the events of the other 12 volumes.

Interested? Start off with "A Hymn Before Battle", first in the series. See here for more information.
 



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