The Apocalypse Troll

By David Weber

Book Overview

A CLASSIC OF MILITARY SF FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLING AUTHOR OF THE HONOR HARRINGTON SERIES

RINGSIDE FOR THE APOCALYPSE

There he was in his sailboat in the middle of the Atlantic, all alone and loving it. Well, there was a US Navy carrier group on his southern horizon, but Richard Ashton was a Navy guy himself, so he didn't mind. Then came the UFOs, hurtling in from the Outer Black to overfly the carriers at Mach 17. Their impossible aerobatics were bad enough--but then they started shooting at each other. And at the Navy. With nukes. Little ones at first, but winding up with a 500 megatonner at 90 miles that fried every piece of electronics within line of sight.

Ashton thought he was just a ringside observer to these now over-the-horizon events. But when a crippled alien lifeboat came drifting down and homed in on his sailboat, he suddenly found his hands full of an unconscious, critically wounded, and impossibly human alien warrior who also happened to be a gorgeous female.

That's when things got interesting.

About The Apocalypse Troll:
". . . a particular delight, offering nonstop action that's both well-executed and emotionally satisfying." --Publishers Weekly

"It's a rollicking fun tale that's impossible to put down." --Philadelphia Weekly Press

". . . the best work Weber] has done . . . the rewards are ample . . . recommended. . . ." --Starlog

About David Weber:
" A] balanced mix of interstellar intrigue, counterespionage, and epic fleet action . . . with all the hard- and software details and tactical proficiency that Weber delivers like no one else; along with a large cast of well-developed, believable characters, giving each clash of fleets emotional weight." --Booklist

" M]oves . . . as inexorably as the Star Kingdom's Grand Fleet, commanded by series protagonist Honor Harrington. . . . Weber is the Tom Clancy of science fiction. . . . His fans will relish this latest installment. . . ." --Publishers Weekly

"This entry is just as exciting as Weber's initial offering. . . . The result is a fast-paced and action-packed story that follows our characters] as they move from reaction to command of the situation. Weber builds Shadow of Freedom to an exciting and unexpected climax." --The Galveston County Daily News

"Weber combines realistic, engaging characters with intelligent technological projection and a deep understanding of military bureaucracy in this long-awaited Honor Harrington novel. . . . Fans of this venerable space opera will rejoice to see Honor back in action." --Publishers Weekly

"This latest Honor Harrington novel brings the saga to another crucial turning point. . . . Readers may feel confident that they will be Honored many more times and enjoy it every time." --Booklist

" E]verything you could want in a heroine. . . . Excellent . . . plenty of action." --Science Fiction Age

"Brilliant Brilliant Brilliant " --Anne McCaffrey

"Compelling combat combined with engaging characters for a great space opera adventure." --Locus

"Weber combines realistic, engaging characters with intelligent technological projection. . . . Fans of this venerable space opera will rejoice . . ." --Publishers Weekly

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1982125128
• ISBN13: 9781982125127
• Release Date: January 2021
• Publisher: Baen
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.16 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.9" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Well-written mil-SF/romance, fast-paced & fun.

____________________________________________ As Apocalypse Troll opens, 25th-century humans have been at war with the alien Kanga for centuries. The Kanga are on the ropes; in desperation they send a battle group into Terra's past, to cut off the foe at the roots. BatDiv 92, Terran Navy is soon in hot pursuit. The two task forces virtually annihilate each other. Col. Ludmilla Leonovna shoots down the last Kanga ship -- with some help from the US Navy of 2007 -- but is herself shot down by the last cyborg Troll's fighter. She falls to Earth, and into the arms of USN Capt. Richard Aston: "Take me to your leader", she said with a perfectly straight face. The last Troll is at large, with 25th-century weapons and a bioengineered compulsion to waste humans. Ludmilla must convince 21st-century Earth of the terrible danger they face... Ludmilla is demonstrating her sidearm: "What the hell *is* that thing? What d'you call it?" "I'm afraid we call it a 'blaster'," she said apologetically... It's all good, clean fun and brother, do those pages turn -- this one kept me up til 2 AM. Everything *works* here -- the people, the aliens, the future technology, the battles, the romance .... I had a great time, and so will you. Apocalypse Troll is Weber's 18th published novel, but apparently was actually his first written, some ten years ago. This would have been a very impressive first novel -- I have no idea why it ended up as a "trunk" novel. Happy reading-- Peter D. Tillman

Solid, exciting adventure from the creator of "Dahak"

I found it hard to believe that the author of the last three "Honor Harrington" novels could finally pry himself loose long enough to write a readable, exciting story. This one starts with a jolt of adrenalin in the first few sentences and never lets up, right up to one of the most moving endings I have ever read. I've been through this one three times, and enjoyed it every time.

Just another great David Weber novel.

The novel starts out with battle scenes right out of a universe similar to that of the Honor Harrington novels and ends up in what seems to be present day earth. "Mutineer's Moon" was the first David Weber novel I read and "The Apocalyptic Troll" is really more similar to it. The main characters are a woman from the future with extraordinary capabilities and knowledge and an aging SEAL, from our time. There is battle and romance and I loved the ending, but I'm hoping for a sequel. This is David Weber. You know it going to be good. It is. David Weber wastes too much time on sleeping and eating. He should write more.

Dense action. Non-stop adventure. Natural aliens.

This is a remarkable book. The first 90+ pages are non-stop action. The most continuously exciting "opening" of any sci-fi book I've every read! The science is solid and detailed. The good guys and alien are deep and believeable. The battle scenes are specific and real. With this one book David Weber has replaced Arthur Clarke as my favorite sci-fi author. (Sorry, Artie.) I can't wait to start his other stories.

It gets no better than this!

Colonel Ludmilla "Milla" Leonovna looked only ninetten or twenty years old. In truth, she was over one hundred and twenty. The four hundred year war was nearing the end. However, to spy a Kanga force with three Trollheims siding her and attempting to fold space to cross quickly, and possibly time travel backwards, showed that this was some sort of desperate last move of the Kanga's to change the war. "Trolls" are best described as androids with human brains. Kangas "farmed" human brains to stay supplied with Trolls. It was like fighting fire with fire. Now I must skip much or give away some pretty awesome stuff. Milla and one troll are all that survives and find themselves in the twenty-first century. The Troll has always been the pawn of Kangas. Finding himself able to make his OWN decisions is unique for a Troll. Troll decides NOT to destroy Sol, and therefore complete his mission. That mission had been to destroy Sol (Earth). Then Kangas would win the war before it ever began. With only logic and hatred within himselfr, Troll decides to have revenge on all humans AND kangas. He would enslave all of Sol and be prepared when the first Kangas arrive so he could exterminate them. A soon-to-be retired SEAL Captain rescues Milla when the Troll left, thinking she was dead. Now she and the captain must secretly prepare the world leaders to help seek out and destroy the Troll. However, if the Troll realises Milla still lives or even suspects it cannot complete its "new" mission, Troll will simply and logically destroy himself, which will take all of Sol with it! There is so much more which I cannot tell for fear of spoiling it. This covers only the bare basics. David Weber's series of Honor Harrington and the series known as Wing Commander are the only two Sci-Fi series to even come close to being THIS great! DO NOT MISS THIS ONE! Own it in hardback if possible.