Andromeda's Fall

by William C. Dietz

Overview

Hundreds of years in the future, much has changed. Advances in medicine, technology, and science abound. Humanity has gone to the stars, found alien life, and established an empire. But some things never change... 
 
All her life, Lady Catherine Carletto—Cat—has lived for the next party, the next lover, the next expensive toy. Until, in a bloodthirsty power grab, Imperial Princess Ophelia and her cadre of synth assassins murder her brother, the emperor, and go on to purge the galaxy of his friends and allies—including Cat’s family.

Now Cat is on the run. And, like countless others before her, she finds sanctuary among the most dangerous of society’s misfits—the Legion. Cat becomes Andromeda McKee: a woman with a mission—to bring down Empress Ophelia—or die trying. 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780425262344
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	11/26/2013
Series:	Legion of the Damned: Before the Fall , #1
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	4.00(w) x 6.70(h) x 1.20(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

William C. Dietz is the bestselling author of more than forty novels, some of which have been translated into German, Russian, and Japanese. He grew up in the Seattle area, served as a medic with the Navy and Marine Corps, graduated from the University of Washington, and has been employed as a surgical technician, college instructor, and television news writer, director, and producer. Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Dietz served as director of public relations and marketing for an international telephone company.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“When it comes to military science fiction, William Dietz can run with the best.”—Steve Perry, author of the Matador series

Praise for the Legion of the Damned novels

“Dietz expertly jumps from one theater of combat to another.”—Publishers Weekly

“This is an excellent story, well written and excitingly told. If you like military SF, this is definitely a book for you.”—SF Crowsnest.com

“A superb, action-packed thriller . . . [a] terrific tale.”—Midwest Book Review

“A tough, moving novel of future warfare.”—David Drake, author of the Hammer’s Slammers series

“Dietz’s expertise in matters of mayhem is second to none.”—The Oregonian

Editorial Reviews

When it comes to military science fiction, William Dietz can run with the best.”—Steve Perry, author of The Ramal Extraction

Praise for the Legion of the Damned novels

“Dietz expertly jumps from one theater of combat to another.”—Publishers Weekly

“A superb, action-packed thriller...[a] terrific tale.”—Midwest Book Review

“A tough, moving novel of future warfare.”—David Drake, author of the Hammer’s Slammers series

“Dietz’s expertise in matters of mayhem is second to none.”—The Oregonian

From the Publisher

Beginning a sort of prequel series to Dietz's Legion of the Damned cycle (A Fighting Chance, 2011, etc.), these are the far-future exploits of what is currently known as the French Foreign Legion. Humanity has established a galactic empire and come into conflict with aliens. Emperor Alfred Ordanus is working with Carletto Industries to develop affordable cyberbodies--hence a sort of immortality--for everyone. Alfred's sister Ophelia, however, has other ideas. Using her deadly synth warriors, she assassinates Alfred and ruthlessly sets about eliminating all of Alfred's supporters, including the unsuspecting Carlettos. On planet Esparto, Lady Catherine Carletto luckily survives a bombing at an official function. Friendless and desperate, Cat has only one chance: She must vanish. And the Legion is the only organization that will accept her without asking awkward questions about her real identity or the ugly knife wound she sustained to her face. In other ways, too, the Legion is an ideal sanctuary for new recruit Andromeda McKee. It will toughen her up and teach her survival skills, such as how to kill and how to plan, while allowing her to remain concealed while she nurtures her desire for revenge. So, on various planets, the Legion turns socialite Cat into soldier Andromeda. What she doesn't yet know is that Ophelia has a long list of people to be murdered by her all but indestructible synths--and Cat Carletto is number 2999. Don't expect much of a plot, but Dietz develops his characters adequately within the limits of the story--and the action rarely lets up. Mostly predictable, but no less of a page turner for all that.

Kirkus Reviews