The Mongrel

The Hunter's Moon Series, Book 1

By: Walt Robillard

Narrated by: Joe Hempel

Length: 10 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

In a lawless galaxy, justice is only a blaster bolt away.

Beyond the outer boundary of the Core Worlds lies the Frontier. Colonists looking for a life outside the corporate-choked governments cross the border seeking new opportunities, trading security for freedom.

In the Frontier, law is absent except for the Marshals. The warrior mystics saved Orin Lashra from a grinding death in the gladiatorial slave pits, recruiting him as a deputy to serve beside them. During a routine tribal negotiation, violence verging on civil war kills the mentor he called mother. Rising from a grave he wouldn’t accept, Orin embarks on a path of brutal revenge, determined to draw the Marshals and their elite Lancer Regiments into the conflict.

Join Orin in his struggle against disciplined Marshals, relentless Lancers, and shadowy threats to find those responsible for her death and crush them for their mistake.... Never hunt what can hunt you back

The Mongrel blends military science fiction with hardcore space opera to weave a tale of brutality and blasters. Fans of Killjoys, Star Wars, and Dark Matter will fall right into the cockpit for an adrenaline-filled thriller that never lets up on the throttle.

©2021 Walt Robillard (P)2021 Blackstone Publishing

Hang in there and pay attention

At first, I had issues getting used to the information and detail rich writing style of the author. I hung in there, and I was NOT disappointed. It’s one of those books you have to be patient and settle in with the story rhythm, then it kicks into high gear.
Once I became used to the writer’s style, it was Sci Fi rock-n-roll and I was fully engaged.

Robillard is a complex writer a detailed reader would absolutely enjoy. For me, I enjoyed the story in small bites. Like I said, there is A LOT going on in this story. Many layers and more than one subplot. Regardless, it was a fun ride for me. I plan on getting the follow up books once they are on the Audible roster.
The story itself is very fast paced. You WILL spend time thinking about the details. To me, that’s a good thing. If you set down a book and need to think about it, then you are dealing with a skilled writer. Stories that put your mind in motion will stay with you the longest.

It’s all there for the Military Sci Fi fan.
Mechs, advanced battle armor, cyborgs, and murder bots? All there.
Fast paced combat, honor debts and revenge? All there too.
Complex protagonist? Oh god yes. I am glad I hung on. At the end of the book, I was ready for round two.

I highly recommend. 5 Stars

Imagine Clone Wars meets Aliens

Imagine the interstellar war of the Clone Wars cartoon mixed with the grounded feel of the space marines in Aliens - and you've got a taste of what the Mongrel is all about.
It's a fun and fast book - although I will admit I struggled a bit to get into the first chapter.
However, once it found its stride, it was both funny and exciting. The characterization and dialogue (particularly among the military types) had a wit, and authenticity that elevated this book to the next level.

Couldn't finish this one.

I never got into this story. I'm not sure if it's the narration or the story, maybe some of both. I tried to see if I would come around to like this, but in the end, I couldn't finish this book. It never captured my attention.

Lacks character development!

The story was fast paced and the action was good but I felt like I never really got to know the characters well enough to care about what happened to them.