Esther and Noah Lysander are the twin children of General Ryck Lysander, Commandant of the Marine Corps, leader of the Evolution, and Chairman of the Federation. When they are told that their father and mother have been assassinated, they are both devastated. Cut adrift, they each decide to enlist in the Corps—but for different reasons. Esther feels it is her duty to carry on the family … legacy, confident that she can excel and reach the top. Noah simply wants to earn his father’s pride, even if it is too late.
As children of General Lysander, they are not “normal” recruits. Seniors and peers are well aware of their background, and the twins can’t escape the public eye. From under their father’s heavy shadow, the two have to discover his or her personal path in the Corps, even when that seems to pull them apart from each other.
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A very intriguing storyline, interesting plot and great characters. This is a good case study of interpersonal relationships between twins, differing career goals and personal challenges. The book ends leaving the reader wanting more and to see how the characters resolve their personal conflict.
4 stars, Space Opera series
LEGACY MARINES (THE UNITED FEDERATION MARINE CORPS’ LYSANDER TWINS, #1)
by Jonathan P. Brazee
This is an interesting space opera novel kick-off. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it’s written as a Christian novel. In some spots, the author uses vulgar words, in others he uses made-up names for the vulgar ones (I like when authors do that), and he mentions God, a lot.
The Lysander twins, Esther, who is very competitive, and Noah, who just likes to help his friends, join the Marines. The Marines serve on space ships and other planets. There’s some adventure, you find out all about the Lysander family history, setting up the next few novels in the series, I’m sure.
Overall, I’d recommend this book.
I like military science fiction. The idea of siblings following in their famous father’s footsteps for different reasons reads well. There is a lot of personality to explore in the two main characters. My budget generally disinclined me towards series books but this intriguing duo needs one.
I agree with other reviewers that this story would have been a lot better if someone had edited it for the misused words and wrong pronouns used in the same sentence, he and she mostly.
As far as the characters go, Esther is a jerk and career driven. Noah is a good guy who is trying to live up to his father’s legacy to make him proud posthumously by joining the marines and being the best person he can be. I like Noah’s character which is why I give this book a 4 star instead of a 3 due to the editing.
Overall, I enjoyed the story. I hadn’t read the previous series, but this book can stand alone from the twins points of view. If you like military science fiction, you might like this story.
This book started pretty slowly, and seemed clunky. After a few chapters, I did begin to appreciate the characters. I wish that it was more of a complete story, and less of a intro.
I thought the book had potential but for some reason, the story fell flat for me. I have served in the army at the same time as my brother during wartime, so I know and can understand the difficulties associated with sibling rivalry and individual goals. The politics of military hierarchy are relatable to my military experience also.
Since this was my first read from this author, I wish I had a better understanding of the father and mother and why were they assassinated. The mother was almost forgotten in the story. Was the brother Noah like her like the daughter Ess was like the father as implied?
I would have also liked more action. What there was of it was good, but just not enough to hold my interest, and looking forward to the next installment.
No way I will buy the next one in the series. I am not a Marine, and can’t stand the idealization of the corp.
It took me out of this crazy world for a few hours.
Anyone who has ever gone through basic training and served the army or marines will feel right at home.
This was a decent read that followed the beginning of the careers of Esther and Noah Lysander as they try to make their own way in the wake of their father’s death. I enjoyed the counterpoint of their story, but was distracted by the many grammatical errors. Incorrect pronouns, sentences that were started from one perspective and ended in another, and “they’re” instead of “their.” It appears that the author does not have an editor or didn’t have someone proof the book before release.
With that said, he wrote an entertaining book with relatable characters. I’d recommend it for a light read.
A grippng fantasy and family relations novel, just one part of a series.