Steel World
Undying Mercenaries, Book 1
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy Now for $31.26
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Mark Boyett
-
Written by:
-
B. V. Larson
About this listen
In the 20th century Earth sent probes, transmissions, and welcoming messages to the stars. Unfortunately, someone noticed. The Galactics arrived with their battle fleet in 2052. Rather than being exterminated under a barrage of hell-burners, Earth joined their vast Empire. Swearing allegiance to our distant alien overlords wasn't the only requirement for survival. We also had to have something of value to trade, something that neighboring planets would pay their hard-earned credits to buy. As most of the local worlds were too civilized to have a proper army, the only valuable service Earth could provide came in the form of soldiers…someone had to do their dirty work for them, their fighting and dying.
I, James McGill, was born in 2099 on the fringe of the galaxy. When Hegemony Financial denied my loan applications, I was kicked out of the university and I turned to the stars. My first campaign involved the invasion of a mineral-rich planet called Cancri-9, better known as Steel World. The attack didn't go well, and now Earth has entered a grim struggle for survival. Humanity's mercenary legions go to war in Steel World, best-selling author B. V. Larson's latest science fiction novel.
©2013 B. V. Larson (P)2013 Audible, Inc.You may also enjoy...
-
Rebel Fleet
- Written by: B. V. Larson
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Length: 10 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
They hunt us. They bomb our worlds for target practice. A star cluster in the constellation of Orion rotates once every 1,000 years. Those who rule there have an ancient tradition: When each cycle ends, they train their fleets by spilling the blood of lesser beings. The enemy fleets are coming again. In response, the Rebel Worlds gather their starships to face the terrifying threat, and this time humanity is asked to stand with them. The last time they considered Earth, Vikings in longboats were raiding English coastlines. Today, we're less primitive. Today, we're a target.
-
-
Good enough for a first book
- By Slap Chop on 2022-04-12
Written by: B. V. Larson
-
Columbus Day
- Expeditionary Force, Book 1
- Written by: Craig Alanson
- Narrated by: R.C. Bray
- Length: 16 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
We were fighting on the wrong side of a war we couldn't win. And that was the good news. The Ruhar hit us on Columbus Day. There we were, innocently drifting along the cosmos on our little blue marble, like the native Americans in 1492. Over the horizon come ships of a technologically advanced, aggressive culture, and BAM! There go the good old days, when humans only got killed by each other. So, Columbus Day. It fits. When the morning sky twinkled again, this time with Kristang starships jumping in to hammer the Ruhar, we thought we were saved.
-
-
Easily one of the better books I've read..
- By jesse cornelious on 2018-10-31
Written by: Craig Alanson
-
Swarm
- Star Force, Book 1
- Written by: B. V. Larson
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Length: 10 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Kyle Riggs is snatched by an alien spacecraft sometime after midnight. The ship is testing everyone it catches and murdering the weak. The good news is that Kyle keeps passing tests and staying alive. The bad news is the aliens who sent this ship are the nicest ones out there.
-
-
Could Not Finish
- By Greg Foster on 2024-02-07
Written by: B. V. Larson
-
Ascendant: Book 1
- Written by: Craig Alanson
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
- Length: 17 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Wizard's Council of Tarador was supposed to tell young Koren Bladewell that he is a wizard. They were supposed to tell everyone that he is not a jinx, that all the bad things that happen around him are because he can't control the power inside him, power he doesn't know about. The people of his village, even his parents, are afraid of him, afraid he is cursed. That he is a dangerous, evil jinx.
-
-
As predictable as vanilla soft serve
- By Aidan on 2021-03-10
Written by: Craig Alanson
-
Extinction
- Star Force, Book 2
- Written by: B. V. Larson
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Length: 12 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the second book of the Star Force series, Kyle Riggs has another bad year. The Nano ships have a new mission--one that sentences their pilots to death. Meanwhile, the governments of Earth want to steal Star Force's Nano technology for their own. Worst of all, Earth has made a promise to the Macros, and the machines are coming to collect.
-
-
Was hoping it would get better
- By Slap Chop on 2022-01-17
Written by: B. V. Larson
-
Star Runner
- Written by: B. V. Larson
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Length: 9 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Two centuries after humanity colonized the stars, new dangers emerge. The peaceful inhabitants of the Conclave are threatened by expanding alien powers. Invaders threaten the star cluster, attacking our fringe settlements. Captain Bill Gorman has mysteriously disappeared. His clone, set aside for a dark day like this, awakens and begins to put together the pieces. What’s gone wrong out on the frontier? Why are our colonies being attacked by aliens while the Conclave worlds dream of better days? And what happened to the original Captain Gorman?
-
-
Very entertaining.
- By Meredith on 2021-05-14
Written by: B. V. Larson
-
Rebel Fleet
- Written by: B. V. Larson
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Length: 10 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
They hunt us. They bomb our worlds for target practice. A star cluster in the constellation of Orion rotates once every 1,000 years. Those who rule there have an ancient tradition: When each cycle ends, they train their fleets by spilling the blood of lesser beings. The enemy fleets are coming again. In response, the Rebel Worlds gather their starships to face the terrifying threat, and this time humanity is asked to stand with them. The last time they considered Earth, Vikings in longboats were raiding English coastlines. Today, we're less primitive. Today, we're a target.
-
-
Good enough for a first book
- By Slap Chop on 2022-04-12
Written by: B. V. Larson
-
Columbus Day
- Expeditionary Force, Book 1
- Written by: Craig Alanson
- Narrated by: R.C. Bray
- Length: 16 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
We were fighting on the wrong side of a war we couldn't win. And that was the good news. The Ruhar hit us on Columbus Day. There we were, innocently drifting along the cosmos on our little blue marble, like the native Americans in 1492. Over the horizon come ships of a technologically advanced, aggressive culture, and BAM! There go the good old days, when humans only got killed by each other. So, Columbus Day. It fits. When the morning sky twinkled again, this time with Kristang starships jumping in to hammer the Ruhar, we thought we were saved.
-
-
Easily one of the better books I've read..
- By jesse cornelious on 2018-10-31
Written by: Craig Alanson
-
Swarm
- Star Force, Book 1
- Written by: B. V. Larson
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Length: 10 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Kyle Riggs is snatched by an alien spacecraft sometime after midnight. The ship is testing everyone it catches and murdering the weak. The good news is that Kyle keeps passing tests and staying alive. The bad news is the aliens who sent this ship are the nicest ones out there.
-
-
Could Not Finish
- By Greg Foster on 2024-02-07
Written by: B. V. Larson
-
Ascendant: Book 1
- Written by: Craig Alanson
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
- Length: 17 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Wizard's Council of Tarador was supposed to tell young Koren Bladewell that he is a wizard. They were supposed to tell everyone that he is not a jinx, that all the bad things that happen around him are because he can't control the power inside him, power he doesn't know about. The people of his village, even his parents, are afraid of him, afraid he is cursed. That he is a dangerous, evil jinx.
-
-
As predictable as vanilla soft serve
- By Aidan on 2021-03-10
Written by: Craig Alanson
-
Extinction
- Star Force, Book 2
- Written by: B. V. Larson
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Length: 12 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the second book of the Star Force series, Kyle Riggs has another bad year. The Nano ships have a new mission--one that sentences their pilots to death. Meanwhile, the governments of Earth want to steal Star Force's Nano technology for their own. Worst of all, Earth has made a promise to the Macros, and the machines are coming to collect.
-
-
Was hoping it would get better
- By Slap Chop on 2022-01-17
Written by: B. V. Larson
-
Star Runner
- Written by: B. V. Larson
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Length: 9 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Two centuries after humanity colonized the stars, new dangers emerge. The peaceful inhabitants of the Conclave are threatened by expanding alien powers. Invaders threaten the star cluster, attacking our fringe settlements. Captain Bill Gorman has mysteriously disappeared. His clone, set aside for a dark day like this, awakens and begins to put together the pieces. What’s gone wrong out on the frontier? Why are our colonies being attacked by aliens while the Conclave worlds dream of better days? And what happened to the original Captain Gorman?
-
-
Very entertaining.
- By Meredith on 2021-05-14
Written by: B. V. Larson
-
Infinite
- Written by: Jeremy Robinson
- Narrated by: R.C. Bray
- Length: 10 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Galahad, a faster-than-light spacecraft, carries 50 scientists and engineers on a mission to prepare Kepler 452b, Earth's nearest habitable neighbor at 1400 light years away. With Earth no longer habitable and the Mars colony slowly failing, they are humanity's best hope. After 10 years in a failed cryogenic bed - body asleep, mind awake - William Chanokh's torture comes to an end as the fog clears, the hatch opens, and his friend and fellow hacker, Tom, greets him...by stabbing a screwdriver into his heart. This is the first time William dies.
-
-
Excellent Excellent Excellent
- By daniel on 2018-05-14
Written by: Jeremy Robinson
-
Rebellion
- Star Force, Book 3
- Written by: B. V. Larson
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Length: 11 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Rebellion is the turning point in the great interstellar war between all living creatures and the machines. Star Force is on the side of the machines...but for how long? In the third book of the Star Force series, Kyle Riggs learns just what kind of war Earth is caught up in. At the mercy of the Macros, his marines fight against new alien races, big and small. They battle the innocent and the vile alike, until their situation becomes grim. Rebellion is a military science-fiction novel by best-selling author B. V. Larson.
Written by: B. V. Larson
-
Storm Assault
- Star Force, Book 8
- Written by: B.V. Larson
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Length: 11 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Storm Assault , the eighth book of the Star Force series, the story moves in a new direction. Massive fleets are built by both Star Force and the Imperials - but there is a third player in the game: the Blues.
Written by: B.V. Larson
-
Red Company: First Strike!
- Red Company, Book 1
- Written by: B.V. Larson
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For centuries, mankind has searched for nonhuman civilizations in the cosmos. These lost alien societies have finally been discovered—but they were destroyed long ago. Devin Starn starts off as a lowly rock rat aboard Borag, a mining ship working the dangerous end of the asteroid belt. Slowly, he gains prestige and purpose. When an alien base is uncovered, however, he must risk everything to protect his ship and her crew. What wiped out all the civilizations that came before humanity?
-
-
Meh.
- By VyTri on 2023-09-25
Written by: B.V. Larson
-
Ruins of the Galaxy
- Ruins of the Galaxy, Book 1
- Written by: Christopher Hopper, J. N. Chaney
- Narrated by: R.C. Bray
- Length: 14 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The mission is simple. Escort an emissary to an intergalactic peace summit. Try not to get in the way. Lt. Magnus and his 79th Recon Team have certainly handled worse, after all. But when an explosion rocks the tower and sends everyone into a panic, Magnus and his asset find themselves cut off from the rest of the team. Worse still, a dying alien chieftain gives them a priceless drive of intel, marking them for death. The mission has officially changed. With enemies on all sides, Magnus must do everything in his power to protect the emissary and escape the tower.
-
-
R.C Bray is the only good thing about this book
- By Jim Fernuik on 2020-12-28
Written by: Christopher Hopper, and others
-
Fear the Sky
- The Fear Saga, Book 1
- Written by: Stephen Moss
- Narrated by: R.C. Bray
- Length: 20 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From the Audie-nominated narrator of The Martian. In eleven years' time, a million members of an alien race will arrive at Earth. Years before they enter orbit, their approach will be announced by the flare of a thousand flames in the sky, their ships' huge engines burning hard to slow them from the vast speeds needed to cross interstellar space. These foreboding lights will shine in our night sky like new stars, getting ever brighter until they outshine even the sun, casting ominous shadows and banishing the night until they suddenly blink out.
-
-
But of a mix
- By C. Obonsawin on 2020-02-03
Written by: Stephen Moss
-
The Forever Ship
- Starship Omega, Book 1
- Written by: Scott Bartlett, Joshua James
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Length: 18 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When the Ornu came, they took Earth in a single night. Humanity never stood a chance. Now, they force us to crew their ships and fight their wars for them. They hold Earth hostage, and if we refuse to do their bidding, they’ll lay waste to our precious blue marble. Slaughtering the billions who live there. But when Captain Bill Henderson is sent to claim a small moon for his masters, he finds something they never accounted for. An ancient warship – a behemoth abandoned for millennia by a species that reached its peak at the dawn of the universe.
-
-
Soap Opera Sci-fi
- By Jeffrey Gilpin on 2024-10-16
Written by: Scott Bartlett, and others
-
Ruins of the Earth
- Ruins of the Earth, Book 1
- Written by: Christopher Hopper, J. N. Chaney
- Narrated by: R.C. Bray
- Length: 15 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A secret buried in the Antarctic. A puzzle unsolved for thousands of years. And a Brooklyn-born master gunnery sergeant who's royally pissed that he has to babysit the researchers sent to figure it all out. But when Patrick "Wic" Finnegan finally sees what the team has uncovered, he can't believe his eyes, nor is he prepared for the violence to come. Soon, the portal opens and unleashes a storm of unbridled fury upon humanity.
-
-
Impressively bland
- By Reid Wallace on 2021-10-11
Written by: Christopher Hopper, and others
-
The Crypt: Shakedown
- The Crypt, Book 1
- Written by: Scott Sigler
- Narrated by: Ray Porter
- Length: 16 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Few know the warship’s actual name. But everyone has heard the rumors. The PUV James Keeling can do something no other vessel in existence can do—slip into another dimension, travel undetected, then re-emerge onto our plane and surprise enemy targets. But the thing that makes the Crypt unique also makes it a nightmare for those onboard; interdimensional travel causes hallucinations, violent behavior, and psychotic breakdowns. Keeling could be the Union’s greatest weapon, a game-changing asset that can defeat the bloodthirsty zealots of the Purist Nation, the Union’s mortal enemy.
-
-
very disappointed
- By Philippe Parent on 2024-02-14
Written by: Scott Sigler
-
Convergence
- Convergence, Book 1
- Written by: Craig Alanson
- Narrated by: R.C. Bray
- Length: 16 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
My name is Kazimir Wolfe. People call me "Kaz", except they don’t. I never use my real name; it’s too dangerous, for me and for anyone I meet. I’m on the run from the law, who think I killed my aunt, and from whoever did kill her, because they want to finish the job. So, I move around a lot, working construction or whatever job I can find. It’s a lonely life. I don’t let anyone get close...people who get close to me end up dead. Why? I’m a wizard. The world’s only wizard, as far as I know.
-
-
I wanted to like this book.
- By Anonymous User on 2022-09-24
Written by: Craig Alanson
-
Shattered Galaxy
- The Complete After the Galaxy Series Box Set
- Written by: Scott Bartlett
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Length: 27 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Raised fatherless in a galactic Brinktown, Joe Pikeman only ever wanted to escape. The Galactic Guard offered that escape, with the promise of regular meals to boot. Now Joe is a full Guardsman, with his own ship and a snide partner bot who hates humans almost as much as he hates other bots. To the pirates he hunts, Joe is known as the Butcher. His bloody reputation has landed him in the center of a sweeping conspiracy that threatens to stamp out the galaxy’s last surviving human settlements.
-
-
No surprises
- By Joe on 2021-01-28
Written by: Scott Bartlett
-
Conquest: Star Force, Book 4
- Written by: B. V. Larson
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Length: 11 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Conquest is the next chapter in the great interstellar war between all living creatures and the machines. Star Force must stop the machine invaders once again - but how?
In the fourth book of the Star Force series, Kyle Riggs has freed Earth from the chains of the Macros - but at what cost? The Macros no longer trust him. He is a mad dog that must be put down - and all Star Force must be stamped out with him. The war expands in this story, and mankind is once again faced with annihilation.
Written by: B. V. Larson
What listeners say about Steel World
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Joshua
- 2024-09-22
Great First Entry To A New Series
Very unique premise and executed very well. Ignore the "politically correct" police reviews. This book tells a good story. If that story, and its well written main character, offends those who hate all male protagonists, that's their fault. Don't let them steer you away from a worth while series.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Peter
- 2018-01-28
A fun read
A good story and build up to a great series, I cant wait to get all the other chapters.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
8 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kris Noyes
- 2023-06-14
Great start to a great series!!
First, the Narrator is excellent. The story is well paced, lots of action but measured. The character development of the main protagonist is slow but appropriate for the breadth of the series as a whole. Highly recommend this series.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Nicholas Furlong
- 2020-02-21
Thoroughly enjoyed, pumped that there's more!
Didn't know this was the 1st book of what looks to be a long series. Right from the get go I was drawn in. Perfect mix of action, humour and story. Characters started to grow on me as the story progressed!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Howard Heer
- 2024-09-05
Great sci fi and enjoyable plot
Fun easy listening space marine storyline. I enjoyed the overall plot with unique and engaging technology as well as background buildup to an interesting finish. Looking forward to the next book
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Meredith
- 2021-04-17
New series (to me!)
I really like long series, and got the first in this series at a discount. The writer is very imaginative and the narrator was very consistent. I liked so many of his voices, I couldn't pick a favorite! I am pretty sure this series will be my next binge :)
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- crow
- 2021-09-29
it was great it was full of adventure and teach
it took awhile to finish but it was great you will love it to the finish
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Psamathos
- 2024-08-15
Awesome
This has been my favorite series on Audible and I'm currently relistening to the series for the third time. Even though it's the first book in a long series, it stands alone and it's not just a drawn-out introduction. True, it's not a complex plot, nor ground-breaking science fiction, but it's light, entertaining military sci-fi with a great backstory and a solid set of characters. It's not silly enough to be comedy, exactly, but not so serious as Starship Troopers, so it strikes a good balance of action and entertainment. You can just kick back and listen. Mark Boyett does a fantastic job bringing the character to life and does so for the entire series. Give it a listen, you won't regret it.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Fabien L.
- 2021-11-28
Great ideas crumble under lots of flaws
The first half of the book has enough interesting ideas with the setting, technology and premise to make you ignore the more goofy aspects and straight up bad parts.
About 2/3 of the way through the hook gets brushed under the rug and the rate of inconsistencies, plot holes and just plain bad passages goes up high enough to make the cons unbearable.
- Uncomfortably sexist depiction of all the female characters. Which could be ''explained'' by the fact that the book is written in the first person by a horny male protagonist, but considering the only female characters in the book are either love interests or hysteric antagonists, it just comes off as misogynistic.
- The main protagonist has no skillset besides being tall, lucky and somehow always intuiting the right course of action through sheer plot armor, since a lot of his ideas make absolutely no sense to begin with. Also has no personality, which somehow makes him the most interesting person in the room. ''Useless rogues'' type characters only work if they're supported by a very good entourage, while not consistently being shitty (See, The Expanse).
- The whole ''reviving tech'' concept starts off extremely interesting as a main plot device, but repeated plot holes and inconsistencies eventually ruin it. Same goes for most ideas in the book.
Stellar performance though!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Dave Coles
- 2020-03-08
Dumbed down to my frustrations
I couldn't believe how much over explaining
this author provided which spoiled the flow of action. The lead character was not believable since he was brilliant in one moment and completely obtuse in the next.
Also, this book must have been written pre-me too movement considering all the mysigony.
The story, potentially, was a good idea but assumed the listeners were idiots. The writing was somewhat cliche and could have taken place on Earth, rather than a futuristic story.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
6 people found this helpful