The hits keep coming! Benjamin Wheeler is the latest reviewer to rave about Combat Frame XSeed.
Brian Niemeier’s masterpiece, Combat Frame XSeed, is out! Check it out here.
Combat Frame XSeed is one of the #Gundam4us books I’ve been looking out for for quite some time. It’s a triumph of mecha action. Taking cues from Gundam, Macross and other famous anime mecha shows, Brian Niemeier weaves a fast paced and violent plot filled with fleshed out characters and awesome ideas that never fail to entertain the reader. It is a masterclass in tight plotting and mecha action. All the pieces come together from chapter climax to book climax in a never ending, glorious climb.
After this, Benjamin launches into his lavish mental storyboards for a conjectural CFXS anime series opening. I won’t steal his thunder by reposting it here, but I heartily encourage you to experience his vision at Superversive SF.
Back to the review:
Brian Niemeier knocks the novel out of the park at every level. The characters are well done, from Sieg’s constant revelations to Todd Ritter’s choices to Masz’ slavish obedience to Jean Claude’s nobility, not a single character is left undeveloped or unused. It all moves together on greased wheels.
The plot changes and unfolds itself every time you turn a page. From Todd Ritter defending Chinese colonists in Africa to his acceptance into the EGE, to his flying the Mab, to his final climax at the very end, he provides an excellent main view point for the reader to follow. It is his new eyes that see the introduction of the Dolphs, the appearance of the Mabs, the XSeed combat frames and everything else.
Over all, I have no major complaints. Perhaps I’d like more Zeklov and Tesla Browning. While the plot was fast and exciting, the switch from Ein to Zwei dolphs so fast hurt the menace the Dolphs generally had, and I would have have had just one or two Zweis with Eins making up the bulk of the force. Lastly, there are some things introduced or mentioned that are unremarked on by characters who probably should have went “60 million what now? Years? WAT.” But these are small things that in no way took away from my enjoyment and will certainly be answered in the sequels.
This book is like watching a mecha anime with not-slow pacing. It is fast, furious and adventurous. I heartily recommend Combat Frame, XSeed to anyone fond of the Mecha Genre and recommend it above just about everything else coming out of Japan.
Look, I get that some of you are wary about the switch from philosophical horror in a science fantasy setting to philosophical horror in a Mil-SF setting. But even if you don’t take my word for it, look at the reviews. My business is entertaining you, and I know my business. So far, the most critical review of XSeed from a staunch Soul Cycle fan has been “a solidly satisfying four out of five”. Meanwhile, the overwhelming majority are leaving reviews like this one, which favorably compares Combat Frame XSeed to C.S. Friedman’s career-making In Conquest Born.
Even if you’re not into military sci-fi or the mecha subgenre, keep in mind that the whole point of #AG4U is to shake up the status quo and breathe fresh life into a stale scene. My goal for XSeed was to do for mecha what Galaxy’s Edge did for Star Wars, and the growing consensus is that it succeeded.
The history of science fiction since the 90s has been lifelong readers throwing up their hands in frustration and leaving to do something else. But past performance does not dictate the future. I don’t want anyone missing out on the fun because oldpub poisoned the well.
That’s why I made Combat Frame XSeed available through Kindle Unlimited. If you’re a Prime member, you can read the whole book for free. Don’t worry about me. I still get paid. More importantly, you get to have fun.
Don’t miss out! Read Combat Frame XSeed today!
Already own CFXS and hungry for more? Never fear! I’m currently putting together the book trailer for Combat Frame XSeed: Coalition Year 40. When it’s done, we launch the Indiegogo campaign for the sequel, where backers can get early access. Be there!
