Warlord: The Makaum War: Book Three

Political intrigue gives way to no-holds-barred military action in the high-octane third installment of Odom’s Makaum War series, following 2015’s Guerilla. The war between the Terran Alliance and the Phrenorian Empire comes to a head as both races vie for control over the isolated yet strategically useful planet, Makaum, and its resources. Master Sgt. Frank Sage’s attempts to keep the peace from within the Terran Alliance prove futile in the face of an assassination, local unrest, and the scheming of his superiors. Meanwhile, Phrenorian Captain Zhoh strives to take command of his race’s forces and claim Makaum. While Sage moves to eliminate a Phrenorian weapons stockpile, Zhoh launches an ambitious assault on his enemies, leading to visceral combat sequences both on and above Makaum. Odom crafts an intricate, fast-paced adventure that picks up threads from the previous entries while introducing new conflicts. Juggling a large cast and numerous plot threads, Odom manages to keep the narrative accessible for new readers while delivering substantial payoff for series fans. Agent: Ethan Ellenberg, Ethan Ellenberg Literary. (Feb.)