The Blackcollar

BLACKCOLLAR is a really good sci-fi/action series focusing on elite warriors in a universe dominated by evil aliens. It is similar to COBRA and I think it might be slightly better. As they did with the COBRA trilogy, Baen does a great job with the presentation. The book has an above-average font size which is a pleasure to read. Zahn really excels at writing these types of novels. If you enjoyed the tactics and strategy of Grand Admiral Thrawn in his STAR WARS novels, you are sure to like this. It's great to read about intelligent characters trying to outsmart each other. Another thing Zahn does really well here (and always) is to focus on the facial expressions of the characters. It adds another layer of reality to the books and gives you more insight into the conversation. There is also plenty of action. It's all written in a clear manner and fairly easy to follow. BACKLASH MISSION (the second book in this volume) is not quite as good as the first book. Note that it does not really have an ending. It took Zahn twenty years but he wrote the third (and apparently final) book in 2006, BLACKCOLLAR: THE JUDAS SOLUTION. Which also happens to be a great book. If you're going to take the plunge into BLACKCOLLAR, I highly recommend reading the entire trilogy. I really liked it a lot.

"Blackcollar". Three decades have past since the Ryqril invaders conquered the earth. The last hope, the Blackcollar warriors failed and either died, were captured, or fled in defeat, rumors being to lick their wounds on the isolated colony of Plinry. Now thirty years later, a fledgling resistance has formed. Amongst the newcomers is young Allen Caine, who has never lived on a free earth. His mission is to find the Blackcollar squadron and accompany them in a quest to locate and use five cached Warships. Blackcollar: The Backlash Mission: Allen Caine has come along way from his neophyte mission. He has since been trained as a Blackcollar and commands his own unit. His first mission as a leader is to visit a lab that produced the physical enhancer chemical Backlash. The assignment seems simple enough after his time on Plinry, but he will learn otherwise once in the Mile High City. In Denver, a bewildered and beleaguered Allen learns first hand that the local gangsters run the city and do not welcome armed outsiders; others want him to fail, even retired Blackcollars. Finally the elixir and its secrets reside inside an impenetrable stronghold that no one not even the Blackcollar veterans who thirst for their potion or the Ryqril have infiltrated. The reprinting of and merging of two entertaining 1980s science fiction thrillers into one book will please fans of Timothy Zahn and anyone who enjoys a besieged earth vs. all powerful alien invaders. Both tales are well written with Blackcollar more of a coming of age story while by the Backlash Mission, Allen has gained experience and training. Though the tale simplifies the good vs. evil adversaries, albeit these are Allen's tales, readers will want to peruse this fine collection. Harriet Klausner