“There is nobody who does [military SF] better than Marko Kloos. His Frontlines series is a worthy successor to such classics as Starship Troopers, The Forever War, and We All Died at Breakaway Station.” —George R. R. Martin
The year is 2108, and the North American Commonwealth is bursting at the seams. For welfare rats like Andrew Grayson, there are only two ways out of the crime-ridden and … two ways out of the crime-ridden and filthy welfare tenements: You can hope to win the lottery and draw a ticket on a colony ship settling off-world . . . or you can join the service.
With the colony lottery a pipe dream, Andrew chooses to enlist in the armed forces for a shot at real food, a retirement bonus, and maybe a ticket off Earth. But as he starts a career of supposed privilege, he soon learns that the good food and decent health care come at a steep price . . . and that the settled galaxy holds far greater dangers than military bureaucrats or the gangs that rule the slums.
The debut novel from Marko Kloos, Terms of Enlistment is an addition to the great military sci-fi tradition of Robert Heinlein, Joe Haldeman, and John Scalzi.
Revised edition: This edition of Terms of Enlistment includes editorial revisions.
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I don’t often read military science fiction, but this book blends detailed military protocols and weaponry with a sense of humanity and personal strife. This is a fine line to walk, but Kloos does it well. You will want to continue following Andrew Grayson in his career as a fighter. Which is why I have already bought the second book in the series, Lines of Departure.
This is the best depiction of basic training I’ve ever read.
Closest I’ve ever come to feeling like I was “in it”.
I never pre-buy a book and I pre-bought the next book the first day it was available.
Good action
Marko Kloos has real talent. Definitely an author to watch.
I thought this was a very interesting book. Had a good story, interesting characters. I enjoyed it enough to buy the next one.
I am on the 4th book of the story arch. Watching the main character mature through time and military rank ties the stories together. For those who enjoy military based Sci-Fi.
I powered through in one evening. I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. I love a good space opera.
This is the first in a series, although it can stand on its own, which is not allways the case. I liked it so much I read #2 and expect to keep going.
I didn’t actually buy this book as my Wife has bought all of the books in this series from Audible, so we listened to each book during long trips. Each book definitely kept our attention and we looked forward to our next trip so we listen to the next book. Kloos’ writing style definitely reminds me of Robert A. Heinlein, especially in terms of the main character’s comments on different social classes and how they view any social responsibility to the State.
I prefer an ebook over a recording since it’s all too easy to let my mind drift while listening to a recording and I can read faster than most recorded books are recorded. I’d certainly love to see the series offered as a set at an affordable price!
Really good stuff. Kloos knows what he’s doing.
I enjoyed the entire series. Kind of wish there were more of it. Thought he did a credible job of the science and the combat..
Mr. Kloos never disappoints. Strong characters, strong action, great ideas and takes on a military life which is deeply involved in an implacable alien invasion. Lots of first character interior dialog. Strongly recommend all of his work.
This is now one of my favorite scifi novels. The characters are great, the writing is witty, and it’s nearly impossible to put down. I rarely buy an entire series based on one book, but this is an exception.
In addition, I like Science Fiction, war stories (WWII, and up)
Great series
A wonderfully clear and consistent narrative voice combined with exceptional world building sets up a series that’s hard to put down. This is the one that got me into military scifi, really snuck up on me!
Great Sci-fi, I have fallen in love with this series and always have a hard time waiting a year for each new one to come out. Awesome stuff.
Enjoyable space opera, military SCIFI like David Weber, Jack Campbell and others.