Alpha Contracts (The Revelations Cycle)

I really love this universe! Each of the Horseman are a different mercenary company that rose to prominence after first contact. Chris and Mark do a great job of developing the character of each company. It is so well written that I was surprised finding myself cheering for “The Horde” who are a disruptable horseman company. It would be interesting to see these four on the same contract. Excellent book!

Chronologically, Alpha Contracts is the first of the Four Horsemen series even if listed as Book ten. It can however be read after the nine others and it is essentially made up of four section, one for each of the four main mercenaries companies. Each section tells of the debuts of each company and of its original founders as they embarked on and survived their first experiences as human mercenaries in a galaxy full of aliens mostly stronger, more technologically advanced or both. They learn by doing and the only ones (out of hundred companies initially) to survive and complete their contracts through luck at least as much as skill.

The companies and their founders provide an interesting mix. Cartwright’s Cavaliers was originally formed by ex-US military from elite forces. Asbaran Solutions were survivors from the Iranian military after their country had been utterly destroyed by a vastly superior alien force bent on retaliation. The Winged Hussars were initially formed by a Polish entrepreneur and naval officers. It is the only one to own a very old but highly sophisticated alien warship which it discovered by chance in circumstances that are described in the book. The Golden Horde is perhaps the hardest to believe with the company originally formed by a Mongolian drug lord and his family who decide to “diversify” into a new line of business.

As usual, a collection of entertaining and exciting stories. Four strong stars.

A great group of tales telling how the legendary “Four Horsemen” got their start and how they survived the Alpha Contracts.