Mr. Keith has done an admirable job of carrying Keith Laumer's Bolo torch. I was most favorably impressed by the job he did on Bolo Brigade. Mr. Keith has done his homework. There are references to items mentioned in Laumer's novels, noteably the planet Aldo Cerise, and the alien Axorc and Deng. The science is accurate (with the standard exception of faster than light starships). He goes into great detail about Population I and Population II stars, and how planets of the latter would be critically metal-poor (as would be the inhabitants). And all the standard Bolo novel elements are included as well: the steadfast and honorable Bolo, the slimy opportunistic and cowardly politicians, the pigheaded and moronic commander in chief, and the young Bolo commander who is willing to disobey orders in order to do what he knows is right. But more than this, the novel flows effortlessly and smoothly. The sentences slip right along, with no jarring notes or awkward phrasing. Unlike other Bolo novels, the Hideous Alien Invaders are actually pretty terrifying. Imagine a Jurrassic Park style Velociraptor with all the delicacy and refinement of a seven foot tall preying mantis. Equip such aliens with a Darwin-esque religion based on survival of the fittest, and you've got a real menace on your hands. All in all, this is one of the better Bolo novels to come out since the tragic passing of Keith Laumer. It sure made this Bolo fan very happy.
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Winchell Chung is an enigma. Or not. |
Bolo Brigade