Reasonably Entertaining "Military SciFi"

David Drake continues his 'Hammer's Slammers' series - started with a collection of short stories not included in this bundle of novel-length offerings - about a futuristic Mercenary Armored Cavalry Unit.
This book provides two tales designed to show off what the series has to offer:

• 'At Any Price' has the Slammers hired to fight "Molts" and "Poofs".. members of an Alien race called 'Autochthones' that has begun an insurgency targeting human colonists on the planet 'Oltenia'. The reptilian creatures have the ability to teleport around the battlefield - making them a challenging opponent.
In this book, Drake largely sticks to individual battles & tactics (essentially ignoring strategy & motivation).. although he *does* touch upon some political rivalries within the Mercenary Corps and the Oltenian heirarchy. The action is well-scripted and described "adequately", but it's very clear that this book is intended as a relatively inconsequential installment in a collection of stories (there is no overarching plot in sight).
• In 'Rolling Hot', Drake provides an action-heavy squad-level mission where 'Captain June "June Bug" Ranson' leads her tanks - manned largely by inexperienced troops & conscripted civilians - through hostile territory.. assisting Terran forces under seige on the planet 'Prosperity'. They fight a running battle that Colonel Alois Hammer deems necessary for the Mercenary Force's legitimacy (and to protect their largest financial patron).
The book is fast-paced but plagued once again by irrelevancy. Yes, the action is pretty exciting, but honestly.. WHO CARES if they succeed/survive or not. Drake clearly based this book on his own experiences with the chaos created by the Tet Offensive in 1968 Vietnam - but didn't convince me that the events in this book were in any way important.

Reader Stefan Rudnicki is uncharacteristically off his game in this recording for some reason, too. To be sure, his signature baritone timbre is on full display, and the voice-acting is outstanding - but Rudnicki often overenunciates, breathes unusually audibly, and betrays an indifferent tone (sounding like he's uninterested.. and clearly reading a text sitting open on his lap). Rudnicki appears to be collecting a paycheck on this project.

In toto, this duo of adrenaline-driven battlefield tales merits 5.5 stars out of 10. If you're looking for some war stories (and really *nothing* else), the collection reads like something your Grandpa could tell you while reminiscing about his experiences while "in the service". As a 'Plus' option, the recording is an acceptable way to spend a couple of quiet afternoons.. but spend your Credit on something else should they ask for one.

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