The Ramal Extraction: Cutter's Wars

I love Perry's work, and was excited to see a new (original) series out from him. I have only read the first book in this series so far, and it was good, but I only gave four stars because (unlike some of his other books), I haven't even purchased the second one yet. Usually when I start a series, if I'm really hooked, I'll buy the next book or two before I finish the first so that I won't have to wait even one day to plunge into the next part. In this case, I felt that there were too many characters competing for attention right off the bat--we aren't given a central hero. In The Man Who Never Missed series, for example, we got very attached to one character (Emile Antoon Khadaji) before we met other important players later on, and he became the "rock," if you will, that all of the others were arranged around. Though this novel's subtitle is "Cutter's Wars," I felt less of a connection to Cutter than to some of the other characters in this story. That's not to say that we won't learn more about Cutter in future books, but for now, he didn't stand out.With that said, I enjoyed the story and the action. I can get lost in Perry's worlds, and they feel "real" to me. I certainly will pick up the next installment.

This book is the beginning of a short trilogy by a master of Space Opera. Not as hard boiled as some of his earlier work as found in the Matador series, and has less graphic sex. Sex in this series is fade to black, rather than the graphic portrayal found in the Matador series.

I've been a fan of this author's original works since "The Man Who Never Missed" first started the Matador series and this book does not disappoint. While a few of the main characters seem a little familiar to the genre they've been given just enough of the Perry treatment to have potential in what I believe is to be at least a three book series. Perry knows his stuff when it comes to the fight scenes and he does know how to throw in just enough twists to keep it entertaining as far as the plot goes. My favorite aspect is an alien character who appears to be at least half a step up the food chain from humans in the combat abilities arena, but still manages to be part of the team and bring some unique spins to the story itself. I'll be waiting patiently for the next installment.

I'm a big Matador fan and knew ahead this wasn't in the same universe. That said, it's a rollicking good read in it's own right. The cast of characters seems generic at first, but Steve fleshes them out and makes them into as likeable cast as I've seen elsewhere. Halfway through, I thought I knew who the bad guy was and towards the end knew I was right.Then he throws a nice curveball that makes me go "Well, didn't see that coming".Great read and I eagerly look forward to the next one.

I have long enjoyed Steve Perry's writing, with only one or two of his books not making my worth re-reading list. This book does make that list. It is not his best work, but it is a good book and a nice introduction to his new series.the premise, of private company military teams that tackle jobs for hire is a good one and is believable in context. Not sure the aliens are alien enough, but that is the nature of SF, its hard to think like an alien because we have no experience. Still caught my interest and kept me reading all the way through the book. Have already read the second in the series and enjoyed it as well.

I've been a Steve Perry fan for years, and of you love his universes, then you will not be disappointed with this series. My only complaint was having too many characters to keep track of. Otherwise, I'm downloading the next book now!

I'm a huge fan of the Matador books, and I've enjoyed just about everything else Perry's written.This book was almost as good as those were. It lacked some of the moral center that the Matador novels had, but the writing was entertaining.There were a lot of point of view switches between the main character leads, but it was not a huge detractor.-DA

Quick, empty read. The plot was much too convoluted, and the characters were inept experts at best. First rule of military Sci-Fi, do NOT make your characters the best and then have them stand around watching a duel and NOT maintaining perimeter defense. How many times did they do the stupidest, non-military thing in order to fall into traps? At least 4. End explanations were wimpy and the comeback for betrayal trite. Nevertheless, if you like a "Shadow Run" type novel it is available, but so is that series. Most definitely the author used lots of current themes for characters, even though they are terribly stale. What he did use for 'augmented' people rang definite overtones to the long out of print Hook series.  Hook: Whirlpool of stars (Star-spanning man of the future) . That incredibly advanced augmented "boosted" man of the four book series (12 in Germany) was very much avantgarde at it's publication. Secondly, the best friend of Hook's was an androgynous sentient, very much like that used by Perry. Thanks, Harry!

Solid action. Mercenaries at large. Perry does not disappoint..

This book is fun in the sort of way those old Doc Savage books from back forever ago where. Its a team of the perfect people at whatever it is that they are specialized to do, and you get to watch them do it. The plot is simple, the writing a touch above average for this sort of sf military adventure stuff, but it never feels real at all, its just Doc & his team doing their thing.