Book Review: First Casualty by Mike Moscoe

First Casualty
Author: Mike Moscoe
Series: Jump Universe (Book 1)
Publication: Ace; 1st edition (February 26, 2013)

Description: FOUR SOLDIERS. ONE WAR.

Asteroid miner Mary Rodrigo and freighter owner Mattim Abeeb are green draftees of the Society of Humanity, forced to fight for Earth—a planet they’ve never even seen.

Major Ray Longknife and his lover, Senior Pilot Rita Nuu, are career soldiers, invested with the cause of the Unity Party—and its ambitious new president.

These four soldiers on opposing sides of the battle are about to discover the true nature of this terrible war: a quest for profit—from the high command of both sides. What they will risk is nothing less than their lives. For although truth may be the first casualty of war, it’s not going to be the last…

My Thoughts: This is a science fiction war story. It follows four main characters - two from each side of the war - as it unfolds. Major Ray Longknife and his wife Senior Pilot Rita Nuu Longknife are on the Unity side of the conflict. Asteroid Miner turned drafted Marine Mary Rodrigo and freighter owner turned drafted captain of a warshop Mattim Abeeb fight for the Society of Humanity.

The story is filled with space battles and political intrigue. Each of them comes to learn that the wars they are fighting are designed for profiting some wealthy special interest groups on both sides of the conflict. 

I liked the action and adventure and liked getting to know the four main characters. I found the worldbuilding to be interesting. I liked the idea of gates that travel great distances quickly and that are still not understood. I liked that Captain Abeeb and his crew discover a whole new star system when they accidentally enter a jump incorrectly. I liked the way they found their way home and the way the powers that be wanted to hide Abeeb's crew's discovery. 

I liked the romance between Ray and Rita and the way they were willing to do the hard thing as long as it was the right thing. 

This is the first book in a six-book series, so I wasn't surprised that things were left unresolved. I'm eager to read more in the series to follow their adventures and lives. 

Favorite Quote:

"Let's take it down to a dull roar. Volume does not make truth."

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.