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Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
Hammered In Iron by Brendan O'Meara is book three in the Crafting Humanity series, in which books one and two follow James, a young soldier drafted into an elite military program, who uncovers political betrayal within the Federation as he fights against the BlankZone’s attacks on global cities. After defecting, James leads a rogue team to infiltrate enemy territory, facing capture and torture while learning of the BlankZone’s invasion plans. Against the Federation’s collapse and advancing threats, James works to unite fragmented communities in preparation for a large-scale conflict against the BlankZone. James and his team have spent years defending scattered Federation cities from the destructive BlankZone. After splitting up for missions, James discovers unexpected supplies moving into ruined territories, leading him to investigate the BlankZone’s intentions and protect what remains of their world before it’s lost.
Brendan O’Meara’s Hammered In Iron has genuinely strong writing that, in a particularly helpful nod to readers who are new to the series, integrates flashbacks cleverly into James’s thoughts, providing backstory in an organic way. The depictions of tactical action ground the dystopian world believably, and the attention to realistic military procedures and environmental factors is fantastic. The characters breathe life into the story, all of whom have distinct personalities, and we get a real sense of who they are. The banter between Deck and Liam provides humor and camaraderie, while Heather’s leadership and James’s respect lean into the established group dynamics. James’s observations about his teammates are relayed to us through his thoughts, making the team feel textured and relatable. Overall, O’Meara’s clear and purposeful prose effectively conveys both setting and characters with careful, realistic detail in an excellent story. Very highly recommended.
