Review: Darkside is another excellent military sci-fi mystery from Michael Mammay

As a seasoned reader with a penchant for military sci-fi mysteries and a soft spot for snappy dialogue and well-crafted characters, I found myself utterly captivated by Michael Mammay’s latest offering, “Darkside.” Having devoured the previous books in the series, I was eagerly anticipating a reunion with Butler and his motley crew, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint.

At present, Michael Mammay is the writer of over half a dozen books, which include the ‘Planetside’ series and standalone science fiction novels such as ‘The Misfit Soldier’, ‘The Weight of Command’, and ‘Generation Ship’. In the realm of military sci-fi, it’s hard to find someone who excels more than Mammay. This might be due to his real-life experience in combat, his keen attention to detail, or his sharp humor that shines through in his writing. It’s likely a combination of all these factors.

The sharp wit I brought up plays a crucial role in the “Planetside” series, a collection of military sci-fi mysteries. This set of novels centers around Colonel Carl Butler, a former military man who has since retired and grown cynical. Despite his desire to keep clear of trouble, he is repeatedly drawn into solving one complex predicament after another. (A hint: Colonel Butler never shies away from getting involved.)

The latest installment in the Planetside series was 2020’s Colonyside; following that, Mammay took a hiatus to pen several standalone novels. However, he has returned to the series that launched his writing journey, and Carl Butler is once more on duty. This time, he’s tasked with locating a missing individual on a secluded moon, which is under the control of not one, but two rival corporations who have a grudge against Butler.

In this new take, “Darkside” is the fourth installment in the “Planetside” series, a captivating re-entry into a science fiction universe that I’ve developed an affection for over time. I managed to finish it in just one day, and now I’d like to share my thoughts with you. Since this book is the fourth in the series, I won’t delve too deeply into specific details to avoid spoiling the previous novels. So whether you’re already familiar with the “Planetside” novels or are new to the series, wondering if it’s worth diving in, you can do so without worrying about spoilers.

Review: Darkside is another excellent military sci-fi mystery from Michael Mammay

Book review: Darkside by Michael Mammay (Planetside #4)

Unlike Mammay’s past book titled “Generation Ship,” which unfolded as a vast interstellar saga, the “Planetside” series consists of individual stories, each concluding within approximately 300 pages. This format has remained consistent, with protagonist Carl Butler being coaxed out of retirement due to his knack for unraveling complex puzzles, particularly those involving missing persons, as he’s solved several such cases thus far. “Darkside” adheres to this formula, and I wouldn’t change a thing about it. For me, the charm of the “Planetside” books lies in reuniting with Butler and his team of companions – the battle-hardened soldier Mac and skilled hacker Ganos – who find themselves embroiled in yet another enigma that will inevitably implicate both the military and unscrupulous corporations, engaging in their usual practices of exploitation for financial gain.

The story for ‘Darkside’ unfolds as follows: Butler is peacefully retired on Ridia 2, relishing his days with companions and sipping whiskey in the afternoons. Unlike some retirees who secretly yearn to return to work, Butler prefers to remain on his planet and complete his life’s journey. However, a young girl seeks him out regarding her missing father, prompting him to offer assistance. The twist comes when he learns the man vanished on Taug, a moon where both Omicron and Caliber corporations hold major mining interests. If you’ve been keeping up with ‘Planetside’, you might remember Omicron playing a significant role in the second book, ‘Spaceside’, while Caliber hails from ‘Colonyside’. Given Butler’s past dealings with both corporations, it’s clear they aren’t thrilled about him investigating Taug. (A nod here to Mammay and Harper Voyager for including a brief recap of the events from the previous three novels at the start of ‘Darkside’, a practice I hope more authors and publishers adopt.)

The much-anticipated addition to the “Planetside” series, “Darkside,” does not disappoint. Mammay’s portrayal of Butler’s character remains as captivating and immersive as ever, pulling me straight into the narrative from the outset. If you’ve dabbled in any other “Planetside” novels, you know they’re top-notch without my saying so. For those questioning whether “Darkside” maintains the series’ quality, the answer is a definitive yes. This book matches, and in some instances surpasses, the excellence of its predecessors (with the possible exception of the initial “Planetside,” which remains my personal favorite).

Michael Mammay truly excels at crafting captivating combat scenes, and in that regard, “Darkside” might be among his finest accomplishments to date. A standout moment for me is a mid-novel event – an airborne operation on Taug, a planet with lower gravity than Earth – which left my mouth agape. The storyline only accelerated from there, pulling me along at breakneck speed. I haven’t been this captivated by a set piece in the series since the opening action on Cappa in “Planetside.

Review: Darkside is another excellent military sci-fi mystery from Michael Mammay

But action is only one part of the equation in any Planetside book. The mystery elements are also solid, with Butler resorting to some old tricks as well as using new ones to ferret out information from wheedling corporate executives and stoic military personnel who would rather not share. The hacker Ganos remains a highlight; she’s fun, and far more dangerous than Butler or basically anyone else whenever computers are involved. Ganos has a great personality and serves as an excellent counterpart to Butler’s world-weary military experience.

In essence, the focus is on the true luminaries of the book: the dialogues and characters. Mammay excels at crafting sharp, character-rich dialogue that breathes life into each figure, ensuring they all remain unique. With several books featuring characters such as Ganos and Mac under our belt, the entire main cast feels authentic and delightful to revisit. The writing in “Darkside” mirrors that of its predecessors beautifully, making immersion in the narrative effortless.

Regarding criticisms, I must admit it’s challenging for me to come up with any. This is book 4 in the series, and having read the others, I knew generally what to expect going in. The book aligns quite closely with my expectations. Unlike some space operas, the Planetside books are grounded in military sci-fi, each installment serving as a standalone mystery that gets solved by the end. In this aspect, they resemble Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files, where the protagonist embarks on a new case, and part of the enjoyment comes from joining him on his unique investigations once more.

Compared to Mammay’s recent releases, ‘Darkside’ is a more secure read, sticking with a reliable structure that readers have appreciated. In contrast to the ambitious narrative and intricate blend of politics and science in ‘Generation Ship’, it offers a familiar comfort. However, this doesn’t diminish its quality; instead, it excels in every aspect I hoped for, allowing me to savor more moments with Butler’s characters while surprising me with unexpected plot twists and turns.

The ending was exceptional, which stands out as one of the rare instances where the Planetside series has shown some minor deviation in the past. Unlike other installments that often end abruptly, this one felt more like a gradual unwinding, leaving you pondering over the profound impact of Butler’s last words. The ending of Darkside resonated more with me as the original Planetside novel in this regard, leaving me pensive for days as I delved into the intricacies of its closing chapters. To this day, it continues to linger in my thoughts, a testament to Mammay’s masterful storytelling in both the intimate and grand dimensions of Darkside.

Verdict

In another great addition to the military sci-fi mystery genre, Michael Mammay delivers “Darkside”, an impressive continuation of the “Planetside” series. So far, I’ve found all of Mammay’s books to be top-notch, but there’s a unique charm about the “Planetside” universe and its characters that keeps me hooked. These books are quick, captivating reads, as if Butler was recounting the story in a cozy bar over a glass of whiskey. I eagerly await each new “Planetside” tale, but my anticipation has never been higher after reading “Darkside”.

Darkside is available now from Harper Voyager.

2024-10-09 20:42

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