KCR: Bolo Strike (novel, war, scifi)

Bolo Strike is a novel set in Keith Laumer's Bolo universe. Bolos are huge fighting machines, massing thousands of tons and fire "hellbores" (plasma bolts) from cannons that can effectively engage ships in orbit, as well as defeat almost anything else except other Bolos, unless overwhelmed. The problem with Bolo novels is that Bolos are such magnificent fighting machines capable of so much destruction, it is very difficult to setup a situation where it's even 'close" to a fair fight, much less a tense fight where the Bolo may lose.

The Setup: the Dinochrome Regiment has been called up to attack a planet called Caern, held by a race called the Aetryx, and their "pet" humans, supposedly enslaved and worship Aetryx as gods. The attack was meant to liberate the humans. Unfortunately, as typical of most novels, the enemy is vastly superior to what the Terrans (or even the Bolos) have anticipated, so the Bolos have a VERY tough fight against enemies that may even have suborned older Bolos to their will. With the Terran fleet destroyed or driven off, the Bolos are on their own...

The problem with this novel is it tries a bit too much to make the odds overwhelming for the Bolos, or specifically one Bolo Victorious i.e. "Victor", and his commander(s), and end up with situation that virtually require a "deux ex machina" to salvage, and that's essentially what happened... the Bolo did a "Kirk Maneuver" (hint: M-5).

The fighting is fine, as William H. Keith, author of over 150 novels, knows his plots forwards and backwards. However, it somehow seem to lack the few twists and turns, and reads a bit formulaic.

Still, if you like Bolo novels, you should like this one just fine.

Rating: Try it