“Die well. How many times would I hear that salutation? I came to love it. After all, you only heard it if you were still alive.” For Linus Vespasius, the protagonist in FX Holden's novel Red Legion: Into The Red, the chances of hearing that salutation for the last time are frighteningly high. Linus is a 22nd-century legionnaire fighting a war on Mars (The Red). His foes are a mysterious and insidious group of aliens whose primary method of attack is via an infectious viral vector, meaning they take control of humans and use them until they expire. As the war rages back and forth, Linus must contend with the aliens and his group of cutthroat fellow soldiers who would gladly sell him for a bag of chips. But this is a war unlike any other, and humanity may have found its match because the aliens can be more human than humanity.

Thrilling, entertaining, and with a touch of humor, Red Legion: Into The Red by FX Holden is a science fiction tale full of wonder and surprise. The visible plot focuses on a struggle between humans and aliens to control Mars. But that is only superficial. The deeper plot (which I will not reveal) surfaces slowly and raises the stakes higher while touching on multiple themes relating to what it means to be human. The world-building is plausible and enchanting, which is crucial in a novel like this, as immersion would fail without it. Character development is outstanding and features some unique and intriguing individuals who are not what they appear to be at first glance. A brisk and, at times, humorous pace brings it all together, making Red Legion one of the freshest and most intriguing science fiction tales I have read in a while.

Red Legion: Into the Red is a harrowing science fiction novel that thrusts readers into a dystopian future where the protagonist Linus Vespasius faces an impossible choice: life imprisonment or service in the infamous Red Army. Through journal entries that chronicle his desperate journey, we follow his struggle to survive the army's brutal training program, which demands recruits endure ninety-nine combat hours against a mysterious enemy that weaponizes human nature itself. With a mere 5% survival rate, only those on the brink of madness would willingly choose this path. Holden crafts a gritty, unsparing narrative that explores the profound themes of sacrifice, survival, and the devastating psychological impact of warfare in a world where humanity itself becomes a liability.

Author FX Holden creates an unrelentingly intense atmosphere that pulls readers into a twisted and oppressive world, and I just couldn't get enough of it. The journal format adds an intimate dimension to the storytelling that made me feel deeply connected to Linus Vespasius's desperate situation, and it's also a clever way to offer a strong, dynamic voice to narrate the tale. The psychological exploration of soldiers forced into impossible choices is both disturbing and captivating, while the high-stakes premise of choosing between imprisonment and near-certain death in the Red Army creates immediate tension and ongoing suspense. I was particularly impressed by how Holden navigates the fine line between action and psychological horror, creating a narrative that's as much about mental endurance as physical survival. The world-building is also exceptional, with vivid details that make the brutal environment feel disturbingly plausible. The mysterious enemy that exploits human weakness added an extra element of psychological complexity that kept me on edge throughout the entire novel. Overall, Red Legion: Into the Red is an essential read for fans of military science fiction who aren't afraid to confront the darker aspects of human nature, and I would certainly recommend it.

Since humans arrived on the red planet, also known as Mars or the Red, their main focus has been establishing residency and commercial mining of its precious minerals. However, in 2133, nearly a century later, a race of alien beings dubbed the Lilin attacked mining bases on the Red, sparking the Red War. In their war effort, the Lilin turned their prisoners of war into their acolytes by infecting them with a virus, using them to fight their fellow humans. On the other hand, governments on Earth had run out of soldiers and were forcefully deploying civilians to the Red. All they had to do was rack up 99 combat hours, an almost impossible feat on the Red, and they would be back home. The counter option for enlistment was jail. Opting for the former, Linus Vespasius, a tank operator, ends up on the Red in a squadron of four combatants. After two bloody battles in which they are miraculously the only survivors, the crew goes on the run to escape their tragic fate at the hands of their commanders. Their only way out is turning to the enemy, who are somehow very interested in Linus. What is so special about Linus? What do the aliens want with him? Get yourself FX Holden’s Red Legion: Into the Red to learn how it all goes down.

This package of high-octane action, adventure, drama, thrills, suspense, and wit will hook you from cover to cover. FX Holden’s Red Legion is a must-read for action-packed dystopian sci-fi aficionados. Featuring an exciting and dynamic cast, Holden weaves an ingeniously layered plot in a gripping tale of blood, lust, fear, power, betrayal, loyalty, fate, and survival. The spell-binding plot twists and cliffhangers had me on the edge of my seat, hanging onto every word. The vivid imagery and nuanced depictions of the setting created a vivid sense of movement, making me feel like I was next to the cast, closely watching the scenes unfold. This page-turner could easily pass for a Marvel Studios franchise. Holden uses introspection and effortlessly flowing dialogue to give depth to the conflicts. Coupled with the humor lacing the dialogue, which gave the storyline a witty backdrop, I found the conversations refreshing and entertaining. The cast’s emotions and complex traits allowed me to connect with them. I could not get enough of Linus and his crew, whose foolish decisions seemed to shield them from the chaos and tragedy around them. Into the Red is the next blockbuster in the sci-fi world. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next installment. I loved this ace piece of work.

The prevailing narrative back on Earth suggests that the Red Army, a coalition of troops from various nations, is successfully repelling the Lilin invasion on Mars. However, Linus Vespasius doubts this and has the scars to show for it. A failed attempt to escape resulted in his demotion, and 99 combat hours added to his punishment. Linus gets another chance to complete his combat hours when Daedalus, a Decanus leading a mismatched group of convict soldiers, recruits him to replace a fallen comrade. Initially indifferent, Linus soon finds himself back in action. When he witnesses a bizarre series of events around him, the disillusioned soldier discovers a potential way out of his predicament. He must first solve a perplexing conspiracy that will determine humanity's fate in FX Holden's Red Legion.

FX Holden's Red Legion is a thrilling blend of gritty action and entertaining science fiction. The world-building highlights a futuristic version of Earth, which is plausible when considering breakthroughs in deep space exploration. That the bulk of the action happens on Mars, the red planet, adds an aura of mystery, which Holden complements with well-thought-out maps and exotic-sounding locations to catch the eyes of science fiction purists. The character development is unique in that we experience Linus's intriguing situation from the position of hindsight in a one-of-a-kind take on time travel as he explains his origins and those of his fellow combatants in brief gaps between the vivid battles. Holden's use of quirky battleground humor in the dialogue lightens the mood and creates an immersive novel that action fans will fall in love with. I enjoyed reading this riveting novel and look forward to the next installment in a unique adventure.