Bibliography
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Planetside SeriesPlanetside (#1)![]()
Planetside SeriesSpaceside (#2)![]()
Planetside SeriesColonyside (#3)![]()
StandaloneGeneration Ship![]()
StandaloneThe Weight of Command![]()
StandaloneThe Misfit Soldier
Reviews
Planetside Series
Planetside (#1)
“PLANETSIDE is Michael Mammay’s debut novel, and it’s one of the best bits of mil-sf I’ve read, and more than that […] [It] is a compelling novel about war that speaks in authoritative tones and should be on the reading list of more than just fans of grunts and guns, though it’s got plenty for them, too.”
“Mammay capably writes Butler’s gritty, old-school soldier’s voice, and the story delivers […] intrigue and action for fans of military SF.”
“It’s clear Mammay is a seasoned veteran who draws extensively on his own military experience to craft both his dialogue and worldbuilding […] This leads to a believable setting filled with natural characters that never feel like caricatures or one-dimensional tropes. The action is fast and fluid, and does a great job at conveying the chaos of violent encounters while still being easy to follow. I also felt the suspense portion of the book was decently crafted—there are enough breadcrumbs to figure out “whodunnit” before the actual reveal, but not so many that it feels transparent.”
“PLANETSIDE, the debut novel by Michael Mammay, is an easy book to love […] For those who already love this genre, the portrayals of honor, teamwork, and devotion to duty will resonate. The author is a retired Army officer, after all […] PLANETSIDE is a page-turner and an extremely satisfying read. ”
“PLANETSIDE comes into its own during skirmishes and chases and Mammay’s writing is crisp and moves well. It’s a picture he obviously feels confident painting. If you’re a fan of military science fiction, this one won’t let you down.”
“It’s a highly impressive first novel that left a real impact.”
"PLANETSIDE is, at its heart, nestled within a framework of military science fiction, a multi-layer and very cleverly written mystery."
“The first thing you realise when you start this book is that it’s the work of someone who knows what they’re talking about. Mammay is a retired war veteran and has a masters degree in military history. It shows. PLANETSIDE is high stakes military sci-fi at its very best…I can’t wait for what comes next from this great new author.”
“A good read and a great writing voice for this first time author.”
“PLANETSIDE is […] a damn good page turner […] that leaves you with plenty to digest when you put it down.”
“If you enjoy military sci-fi with grit, dramatic and explosive gun fights, and plenty of mystery wrapping, give PLANETSIDE a go.”
“A riveting listen from start to finish! […] This new sci-fi offers the perfect blend of science fiction, mystery, military strategy, humor, and momentum. R.C. Bray is the perfect narrator for Carl Butler, as his gruff voice fits the shrewd, matter-of-fact Colonel to perfection. He BECOMES the character, making it seem as though Butler is recounting the story himself. Bray’s impeccable timing and cadence will keep listeners hanging onto his every word. While he builds intensity as the mystery unfolds, his sharp delivery may even startle listeners into a few laughs. It’s a good thing audiobooks are great for multitasking because with PLANETSIDE listeners won’t want to put down their earbuds!”
“If Cold Welcome and Old Man’s War had a love child you might get something like PLANETSIDE. And it would be, and is, pretty damn awesome. I would say it’s awesome for a debut novel, but that isn’t nearly praise enough. It’s just plain awesome. Period. Exclamation point…I have extremely high hopes for more from this author. Soon, please! I already know that PLANETSIDE will be on my Hugo Ballot next year.”
“PLANETSIDE is a rollercoaster ride of action, adventure, and conspiracy.”Audio Book Reviewer
“PLANETSIDE is an excellent novel […] Michael Mammay is able to combine writing skill with military experience to come out with a book that I’m almost certainly going to be reading again.”
“A tough, authentic-feeling story that starts out fast and accelerates from there.”Jack Campbell, The New York Times bestselling author of Ascendant
"Mike Mammay's writes the perfect MilSF story. Elicits all the nostalgic vibes fans of the early Halo books and of Star Gate SG-1 will love. Well paced, and Mike's military background comes through with unquestionable authenticity and great entertainment. If you're looking for your next favorite MilSF author, look no further!”R.R. Virdi, author of The First Binding
“Not just for military SF fans—although military SF fans will love it—PLANETSIDE is an amazing debut novel, and I’m looking forward to what Mammay writes next.”Tanya Huff, author of the Confederation and Peacekeeper series
“PLANETSIDE is a smart and fast-paced blend of mystery and boots-in-the-dirt military SF that reads like a high-speed collision between Courage Under Fire and Heart of Darkness.”Marko Kloos, bestselling author of the Frontline series
“Definitely the best military sci-fi debut I’ve come across in a while.”Gavin Smith, author of Bastard Legion and Age of Scorpio
Spaceside (#2)
“Highly recommended for military sf lovers, who will savor his perspective and probably want to buy the man a drink.”
“In SPACESIDE, Mammay addresses some heavy issues with both nuance and empathy.”
“[SPACESIDE] is another wonderfully addictive, fast-moving book from Michael Mammay. Corporate intrigue, interplanetary politics and military action are blended into a cohesive whole that is both satisfying and great fun.”
“SPACESIDE is a worthy sequel to PLANETSIDE and Mammay once again successfully delivered another highly entertaining page-turner. The cleverly mixed mystery and military sci-fi element made this relatively small book packed with a strong impact, and I highly recommend it to readers who are looking for a fast-paced mystery/sci-fi read.”
“[SPACESIDE IS] a highly engaging military sci-fi that’s super easy to recommend because of its concise writing, dry humor, and exciting action.”
“Mammay does an outstanding job crafting together a clever and addictive narrative that does a spectacular job following on from the author’s amazing debut, PLANETSIDE.”
“SPACESIDE is a book that I’ve been looking forward to for a year […] I hope to see much more from the mind of this author.”
“SPACESIDE is tightly written, with no fillers or fluff.”
“Mammay has delivered another pulse-pounding installment to the Planetside series.”
“Mammay’s storytelling ability in SPACESIDE is top notch. Pure fiction from beginning to end that flowed perfectly.”
Colonyside (#3)
"The third “Planetside” novel (after Spaceside) is a story that lives in the universe-weary voice of its protagonist. It is highly recommended for readers who like their heroes cynical, their mystery twisted, and their sf thought-provoking."
"I loved this one. Actually, I’ve loved this whole series, starting with Planetside and flying right through Spaceside. "
"The story's twists and turns build intrigue as Bray keeps the plot thundering forward. Both fans of the series and newcomers will fall under Bray's spell as he delivers this relatively self-contained, well-plotted sci-fi adventure."
With the Planetside trilogy now complete, there’s never been a better chance to get into Mammay’s work. If you’re a military SF fan, you won’t regret it.
"A fine read clearly informed by the author’s own military background."
"If you like futuristic and mystery science fiction stories, then I recommend you Colonyside."
Standalone
Generation Ship
"An impressively well-balanced page-turner ... propulsive and satisfying."
"Hacker Eddie Dannin is a fantastic successor to Mammay’s (The Misfit Soldier) signature character, Carl Butler, as a blunt instrument who bowls over obstacles in the path of the truth and pushes the story forward at a thrilling clip. Highly recommended."
"The idea of generation ships is not a new one in sf, but Mammay's approach and style are unique. Fans of James S. A. Corey's Expanse series (2011) will enjoy this one."
"Equally entertaining and intelligent, this nuanced tale is sure to please sci-fi fans."
"GENERATION SHIP is compelling, cleverly written, with a well-characterized cast—this is the kind of book to both keep you on the edge of your seat and keep you guessing."Analog
"If you’re looking for a book that’s more concerned with the people behind the technology than the technology itself, and you care even the slightest about our planet, you can’t go wrong with Generation Ship."
"[A] top-notch SF novel that is only enhanced by some of the best characterization you will ever come across. Michael Mammay is an author who I am really glad to have discovered and I am now hellbent on reading his entire bibliography."
"With complex interstellar politics, fully realized characters and a unique ship-bound culture, it’s a story that strikes a difficult balance between the familiarity of home and the strangeness of space exploration. Generation Ship is an excellent science fiction novel that I’m eager to one day revisit. If you’ve been missing The Expanse, you don’t want to sleep on this one."
"Generation Ship is a fantastic political drama about the different players and their motives, and how those can shape the future of a civilisation. I highly recommend this to fans of science fiction, and you bet I’ll load all of Michael Mammay’s work onto my kindle."
"[A]bsolutely riveting every step of the way"
"[A]n engaging political sci-fi with points-of-view spanning five different corners of the central conflict. For those who called Battlestar Galactica 'The West Wing in space' and saw it as a compliment, this one is very much worth the read. "
"Kim Stanley Robinson meets C J Cherryh in this cutting examination of the fallibilities and frailties of the human spirit."Richard Swan, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Empire of the Wolf Trilogy
"Generation Ship is a ferocious story of human desperation, boiling with tension and betrayal."Sunyi Dean, author of The Book Eaters
“Mammay writes compellingly and convincingly about the complex, imperfect, and rocky nature of political and personal change set against the backdrop of a generation ship counting down to its hoped-for destination and what that will mean for everyone aboard.”Kate Elliott, author of Unconquerable Sun
"Anyone who loves military SF with engaging storytelling, well developed characters, and powerful action needs to be reading Michael Mammay."Joelle Presby, author of The Dabare Snake Launcher
“Michael Mammay's Generation Ship is a masterclass in political science fiction. A political chess match filled with absolute page-turning tension that culminates in an ending which manages to be both bittersweet and hopeful. This was a book that will be stuck in my head for a while.”K.B. Wagers, author of the NeoG series and Idranan War Trilogy
"Generation Ship has the brilliant political complexity of The Expanse and the American government, while keeping the fun and excitement of Dark Matter. Thoughtful, well-written, deep, and engaging. Familiar to fans of sci fi and of Mike Mammay's voice while watching him take us in a new direction with his craft and storytelling."R.R. Virdi, author of The First Binding
"Political sci-fi done right! Generation Ship offers a captivating look at an authentic spaceborne civilization aboard a nascent powder keg. Cleverly written, topical, and compelling with a relatable cast of diverse characters, deeply personal stakes, and twisty plot elements that will keep you on your toes."J.S. Dewes, Author of the Divide Series
"A riveting political drama that had me on the edge of my seat wondering if humanity would survive itself. Tense, twisty, and deeply human--my favorite Mammy novel so far!"Bethany Jacobs, author of THESE BURNING STARS
"Mammay masterfully balances multiple points of view against one another to chart a sociopolitical puzzle of growing complexity with no easy answers. Succinct prose, deeply human conflicts, and a planet you’ll be flipping pages to race toward alongside the Voyager."Essa Hansen, author of The Graven trilogy
"A striking, compellingly believable portrayal of political crisis.”J. T. Greathouse, author of Hand of the Sun King
"A timely political sci-fi thriller that hits frighteningly close to home. Mammay fills the pages with tension and humanity. GENERATION SHIP will resonate with new and old fans alike."Zac Topping, author of WAKE OF WAR
The Weight of Command
"Venture into this for witty characters, fast-paced plots, and great momentum!"
"As you’d expect from Michael Mammay, this is another tense military thriller – the pacing is superb."
"This story is told from inside Markov’s head, so we’re with her through every moment of fear, self-doubt, desperation, indecision and anguish. [...] Now that I’ve finished it, I’m looking forward to the author’s next"
“Explosive action, compelling politics, and fallible characters faced with overwhelming odds, this is an exciting look at the complexities of military command.”Zac Topping, author of WAKE OF WAR
"Major Markov is the perfect reluctant hero, and Mammay perfectly blends mystery, politics, and adventure in this hyper-realistic Sci-Fi military thriller. I highly recommend it to all Sci-Fi fans."Scott Drakeford, Author of The Rise of Mages
"THE WEIGHT OF COMMAND opens with a nuke, and Mammay ratchets up the tension from there. In over her head and caught between enemies, Markov’s first rule is: don’t make things worse. They get worse…"Craig Alanson, author of The Expeditionary Force series
The Misfit Soldier
Highly recommended for readers of military sf who love stories where just as it seems the grunts are utterly FUBAR’d, they pull another half-baked plan out of the fire, screw the brass, and save the day.
"You don’t have to be a fan of space marines to enjoy this book (though their power armor is pretty cool), and Mammay has shown obvious growth as an author, with this being his most intriguing work yet."
"Mammay is one of the best authors writing military sci-fi at the moment...[The Misfit Soldier] stands to be a pretty awesome book"
"The Misfit Soldier is a fun, explosive military-SF romp with airtight pacing, succinct prose, and plenty of laughs to go round. Those looking for an entertaining sci-fi read with all of the explosions and snark Mammay brought to the table in his Planetside series will be right at home."
"[I]f you love cheeky scifi like Scalzi’s Old Man’s War and Wells’ Murderbot, this book is right up your alley. Great characters, fun plot, and excellent dry humor – what’s not to love?"
"This standalone book will bring fans old and new to the scene and open up the playbook to what the genre can bring. This was my first book by Michael Mammay and it certainly will not be my last."
"THE MISFIT SOLDIER by Michael Mammay is ‘Starship Troopers’ meets ‘Saving Private Ryan’ with a dash of ‘Ocean’s Eleven.’ A fun, fast-paced Military-SF space adventure. As with all of his books, I highly recommend."Zac Topping, author of WAKE OF WAR
Awards & Accolades
Planetside Series
Planetside (#1)
USA
Audible: Military Sci-Fi Bestseller List
USA
Unbound Worlds: “Best Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books of July 2018”
Poland
2019 LUBIMY CZYTAĆ Readers’ Choice Finalist: “Book of the Year Awards”
Spaceside (#2)
USA
Amazon: #1 Military Sci-Fi Bestseller List