A Review of "Old Soldiers"

"Old Soldiers" by Neal Litherland is a mix of science fiction and noir crime drama set against a post-apocalyptic backdrop with a surprising amount of heart, charm, and suspense.

It is set in a world years after an event called "the Conflict" occurred in which an alien race came to ravage the earth. The descriptions Litherland uses to describe the scenery are exceptional. Phrases like; "rusting rib cages", "crippled structures", and "like broken teeth in a rotting jaw" are abound in his novel. He really has a knack for putting the reader right in the middle of a place, situation, or scene by his alliteration, clever dialogue, and descriptions. As I read this book I felt immersed in another world distinct from the mundane I'm used to.

This style of writing I've read before in another of his books, "Marked Territory", for which I also wrote a review. Even though this story is set in a future with sleek machines and alien technologies, there is a profound feeling of that gritty noir that was also in "Marked Territory". For me, this is unique because I've never read anything quite like it.

The story follows Pollux, a retired major, Castor and Helen, both captains part of the squad, and Medea, a singer/soldier and love interest of Pollux. Pollux, Castor, and Helen are what's called Myrmidon, part human part alien created in labs to help fight off the alien Hyperion invasion during the Hyperion War. Once the war was over though the world did not have much use for them and so they, along with their achievements, were forgotten.

As I said before, Litherland has the great ability to create worlds, especially their underbellies. He takes you smoothly through this new world with vivid scene descriptions, compelling emotions, and dialogue with lingo that adds a flavor of no-nonsense dark humor.

This dialogue paints a clear and animated picture of each character's personality. There is some military lingo mixed with sexual innuendo that creates some playful flirting. Pollux is a very steadfast, somewhat serious character whose heart melts whenever he is with Medea. The play these two have with each other is joyous and heart-warming in the otherwise gray world they live in. Castor seems to be a bit of a jokester or a teaser which is always good when things get too serious. Helen is the person you want as your right hand, always dependable, knowledgeable, and skilled.

Litherland's storytelling has an excellent flow. Nothing is jarring or out of place. Everything, including pertinent exposition, flows seamlessly with/into the narrative, which can be a difficult skill to develop. As seamless as his flow is, is how seamless his skill is.

Throughout the book there is just enough mystery to keep you guessing and, of course, reading on. As the story progresses the suspense and mystery build and you find yourself consuming page after page with a newfound speed!

I'm not sure if other readers do this but it's something I find myself doing a lot when I'm reading something suspenseful- I tend to cover the last couple sentences of a chapter so I don't accidentally see what I'm not supposed to see until the end! With this book I had to do that a couple times because I was so invested in the story that I didn't want to accidentally give it away for myself by inadvertently gazing at those closing sentences.

The action scenes are much the same. They are fast-paced and suspenseful. I was so invested in the characters that my eyes just blazed across the page because I simply had to know their fate.

Anyone who is a fan of science fiction, post-apocalyptic stories, or noir-esque type crime dramas should read this book. It is a thoroughly enjoyable ride that I highly recommend.