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Sever Squad #1
Drop Zone
Get in fast. Rescue the VIP. Get out. Sever Squad is outnumbered, outgunned, and deep in enemy territory, and every second spent on Dynas ticks them closer to a fiery end.
When a strange rescue signal comes in, Sever Squad gets the call. They're tough, reckless, and one carries a giant hammer. Except this mission's different: the signal's calling for help, but the planet's deserted.
Oh, and Sever's home ship can't wait for them. If they want to get off-world with their rescue, they'll have to find their own way to fly.
For Aurora and the rest of Sever, though, the mission means serious cash. A chance to get out of the grind, find something that doesn't require getting lit up by lasers every other day. So the choice is obvious: load up, and move out.
Drop Zone kicks off the Sever Squad series, a fast-paced sci-fi action blend that takes a battle-hardened crew to strange worlds, trigger-happy enemies, and fair-weather friends.
If you're looking for your next adventure, strap on your power armor and join Sever in the drop shuttle. It's going to be a bumpy ride.
When a strange rescue signal comes in, Sever Squad gets the call. They're tough, reckless, and one carries a giant hammer. Except this mission's different: the signal's calling for help, but the planet's deserted.
Oh, and Sever's home ship can't wait for them. If they want to get off-world with their rescue, they'll have to find their own way to fly.
For Aurora and the rest of Sever, though, the mission means serious cash. A chance to get out of the grind, find something that doesn't require getting lit up by lasers every other day. So the choice is obvious: load up, and move out.
Drop Zone kicks off the Sever Squad series, a fast-paced sci-fi action blend that takes a battle-hardened crew to strange worlds, trigger-happy enemies, and fair-weather friends.
If you're looking for your next adventure, strap on your power armor and join Sever in the drop shuttle. It's going to be a bumpy ride.
246 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2021
326 people are currently reading
244 people want to read
About the author
A.R. Knight
281听books23听followersI spin stories in a frosty house in Madison, WI, primarily owned by a pair of cats. After getting sucked into the working grind in the economic crash of the 2008, I found myself spending boring meetings soaring through space and going on grand adventures.
Eventually, spending time with podcasting, screenplays, short stories and other novels, I found a story I could fall into and a cast of characters both entertaining and full of heart. That story became Wild Nines, and eventually became a trilogy.
I've got a basket, maybe even a barrel of ideas for more stories coming after these, so if you'd like to see what I'm scribing, feel free to visit me at adamrknight.com or sign up for my newsletter at .
Thanks for reading!
Eventually, spending time with podcasting, screenplays, short stories and other novels, I found a story I could fall into and a cast of characters both entertaining and full of heart. That story became Wild Nines, and eventually became a trilogy.
I've got a basket, maybe even a barrel of ideas for more stories coming after these, so if you'd like to see what I'm scribing, feel free to visit me at adamrknight.com or sign up for my newsletter at .
Thanks for reading!
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 25, 2022
It was fast paced and action packed but not much of a story. Not being my normal reading the best comparison I can think of is it is a poorly done B rated version of something similar to Star Wars yet that would give a reader some hope to hold out for. I personally don't think time on this book is worth wasting when you could be doing pretty much anything else and it would be more productive.
Not recommend.
Not recommend.
October 25, 2021
Flashbacks
Almost every chapter begins with a flashback, very annoying. Then the story doesn't end, it ends in the middle of the story.
Almost every chapter begins with a flashback, very annoying. Then the story doesn't end, it ends in the middle of the story.
February 27, 2023
Sever is a squad of 5 individuals, who may or may not be entirely sane, that is sent into high-risk situations. But Sever is good at what they do, and have been successful on their missions so far. The current one, though, amy be a bit tough. Not only are they being dropped on an unfamiliar planet to rescue a VIP target, but their home ship can't wait for them. Any chance of getting back off-world after rescuing the VIP target relies entirely on their own ability.
And to say that things don't start off well would be an understatement.
This was definitely a high-action novel, and I like the premise of it the Sever team. I also really liked the way we learned more about the different characters through their own POV chapters, which provided history and world/universe-building at the same time.
What I didn't like was that the book ended in the middle of the mission. At less than 250 pages, I would rather the book have been twice the length to get the entire mission in one book than to split it up into multiple books. That way, each book in the series could be a separate mission. As it was, this book felt like it just ended. There was no real resolution to anything; it was simply a convenient stopping point in the middle of the story, and that was dissapointing.
I don't know if I'll read the next book in the series or not. Yes, I do kind of want to know what will happen to the characters and see how they may be able to get out of their current sitations, but I don't know if that's enough to overcome my annoyance at the story being abandoned in the middle. Who knows?
And to say that things don't start off well would be an understatement.
This was definitely a high-action novel, and I like the premise of it the Sever team. I also really liked the way we learned more about the different characters through their own POV chapters, which provided history and world/universe-building at the same time.
What I didn't like was that the book ended in the middle of the mission. At less than 250 pages, I would rather the book have been twice the length to get the entire mission in one book than to split it up into multiple books. That way, each book in the series could be a separate mission. As it was, this book felt like it just ended. There was no real resolution to anything; it was simply a convenient stopping point in the middle of the story, and that was dissapointing.
I don't know if I'll read the next book in the series or not. Yes, I do kind of want to know what will happen to the characters and see how they may be able to get out of their current sitations, but I don't know if that's enough to overcome my annoyance at the story being abandoned in the middle. Who knows?
July 12, 2023
Fast paced, but full of flashbacks that don鈥檛 really get you invested in the characters, and then, midway through the story it ends.
I read many series, and stop when they end like this. If you want a cliffhanger, tell one whole story, introduce another and carry on in book two.
I wont be reading anymore of this series.
Oh and I think all the 5 star and 4 star reviews with no comments are 鈥減urchased ratings鈥�. Were the author asks everyone he knows or on FB to give it a good review.
I read many series, and stop when they end like this. If you want a cliffhanger, tell one whole story, introduce another and carry on in book two.
I wont be reading anymore of this series.
Oh and I think all the 5 star and 4 star reviews with no comments are 鈥減urchased ratings鈥�. Were the author asks everyone he knows or on FB to give it a good review.
September 9, 2021
Great concept, enjoyed the pace and the way the story developed.
All in all a good read. Three stars until someone proof reads it and fixes all the things the computer screwed up.
All in all a good read. Three stars until someone proof reads it and fixes all the things the computer screwed up.
October 4, 2021
Flashbacks city
Too much flashbacks for all the characters. Made the flow of the story boring and off track. There was no ending.
Too much flashbacks for all the characters. Made the flow of the story boring and off track. There was no ending.
January 8, 2023
An elite squad of 5 mercenaries are sent on a mission to retrieve a VIP from an inhospitable planet.
The Sever Squad crash land in the swamps of the planet following a firefight insertion. All 5 members of the team survive the landing but are soon attacked by a giant swamp monster (at this early point I lost any semblance of caring really - I guess swamp monsters are not my thing). The squad use their strengths as a team and eventually come out on top.
Abandoning their crashed craft the squad start trekking across the swamp only to run into badly placed mines and ineptly directed laser traps. Eventually they make it to an outpost and during a firefight with local guards gain access.
The swamp things have taken over the outpost and the squad gets split up. Half are dealing with a swamp thing leader called Felix and his games, whilst the other half take over a skiff and end up being taken to a nearby city hidden in the swamp gasses.
Whilst there are many flashbacks to different times in each squad members life the members themselves aren't really relatable until quite far into the story. In fact, the book ends halfway through the story.
There seemed to be a distinct lack of proofreading that may have led to the disconnect with the characters so, maybe, later iterations will fix this problem.
Found it lacking - 2 stars
The Sever Squad crash land in the swamps of the planet following a firefight insertion. All 5 members of the team survive the landing but are soon attacked by a giant swamp monster (at this early point I lost any semblance of caring really - I guess swamp monsters are not my thing). The squad use their strengths as a team and eventually come out on top.
Abandoning their crashed craft the squad start trekking across the swamp only to run into badly placed mines and ineptly directed laser traps. Eventually they make it to an outpost and during a firefight with local guards gain access.
The swamp things have taken over the outpost and the squad gets split up. Half are dealing with a swamp thing leader called Felix and his games, whilst the other half take over a skiff and end up being taken to a nearby city hidden in the swamp gasses.
Whilst there are many flashbacks to different times in each squad members life the members themselves aren't really relatable until quite far into the story. In fact, the book ends halfway through the story.
There seemed to be a distinct lack of proofreading that may have led to the disconnect with the characters so, maybe, later iterations will fix this problem.
Found it lacking - 2 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2023
Intense, non-stop action
Drop a special enforcement group from an interstellar mercenary corporation on a mysterious world and give them the task of retrieving an unknown person or persons. Add hundreds of creatures and combatants to go through and no retrieval/rescue other than what the team can find. This is an intense combat action story with each team member' character becoming increasingly developed as the storyline progresses. Each has his or her own motivations and skills which drive the team accomplishments. It is a page turner to be sure, but more, it is full of side information making the story realistic while certainly overwhelming in its development. I highly recommend Drop Zone.
Drop a special enforcement group from an interstellar mercenary corporation on a mysterious world and give them the task of retrieving an unknown person or persons. Add hundreds of creatures and combatants to go through and no retrieval/rescue other than what the team can find. This is an intense combat action story with each team member' character becoming increasingly developed as the storyline progresses. Each has his or her own motivations and skills which drive the team accomplishments. It is a page turner to be sure, but more, it is full of side information making the story realistic while certainly overwhelming in its development. I highly recommend Drop Zone.
August 7, 2022
Aurora's team are sent on what was supposed to be a rescue recovery mission and land on a swamp planet which seems to be in the middle of an evolutionary upheaval with everything going against them and them getting split up and stuck all over the place they are struggling. The story is god but it seems a bit disjointed and the ending is up in the air. Good job the next episode is available for following the author, watch this space (pun intended)
October 7, 2023
Well. The book was interesting reading, although it seemed to be a bit choppy, switching from the action to the back stories of the characters on the squad, but I was ok with that. There is one thing that is sure to turn me away from reading an author or a series is if the story is not complete in the volume I have "in my hand," and that is the case with this story. That is the reason I have given it such a low rating - it isn't a complete story.
December 26, 2023
Enough already
The book started great but the author got way too long winded an I lost interest. I even skipped chapters but yikes the yammering just kept going. I even skipped to the last chapter hoping for closure that never came. I understand filling in background but enough already. I never found d if the teAm found their VIP and by the end I didn't care. Maybe I can find a Cliffs Notes in the future and find out.
The book started great but the author got way too long winded an I lost interest. I even skipped chapters but yikes the yammering just kept going. I even skipped to the last chapter hoping for closure that never came. I understand filling in background but enough already. I never found d if the teAm found their VIP and by the end I didn't care. Maybe I can find a Cliffs Notes in the future and find out.
June 20, 2024
Good high action book
This was a book filled with action. The universe filled in slowly during the characters adventures, but after reading this book you will have a better grip on how much fun can be had in this universe. I enjoyed the characters and the story and hope that continues in future books. I recommend this book and hope the rest of the series is as good as the starting book ended up being.
This was a book filled with action. The universe filled in slowly during the characters adventures, but after reading this book you will have a better grip on how much fun can be had in this universe. I enjoyed the characters and the story and hope that continues in future books. I recommend this book and hope the rest of the series is as good as the starting book ended up being.
April 18, 2025
Well, this was disappointing
This book was really hard to read. The characters were pretty meh and the writing couldn't really keep me engaged enough.
The story wasn't too bad, actually sounded interesting initially. The writing style though just didn't make me care about anything at all. I ended up skimming and ultimately giving up, it was boring.
Oh well, maybe next time!
This book was really hard to read. The characters were pretty meh and the writing couldn't really keep me engaged enough.
The story wasn't too bad, actually sounded interesting initially. The writing style though just didn't make me care about anything at all. I ended up skimming and ultimately giving up, it was boring.
Oh well, maybe next time!
August 8, 2022
Review of : Drop Zone (Server Squad Book #1)
interesting story, but not complete to be a noble ,. I'm read short stories that had beginning and an end. A few more pages and you could have had a good ending to start another adventure. Better luck k next time!
interesting story, but not complete to be a noble ,. I'm read short stories that had beginning and an end. A few more pages and you could have had a good ending to start another adventure. Better luck k next time!
August 11, 2022
Meh
Not a fan of cliffhangers and the character development leaves a lot to be desired. More zombie type monsters, only this time with major fungal infections from the swamps. Can鈥檛 see say I鈥檇 recommend it.
Not a fan of cliffhangers and the character development leaves a lot to be desired. More zombie type monsters, only this time with major fungal infections from the swamps. Can鈥檛 see say I鈥檇 recommend it.
September 15, 2022
3.5 stars.
It's a segment rather than the whole story (annoying).
A lot of time is spent in flashback by each of the characters. I think that the author could have reduced the number of flashbacks.
It's a segment rather than the whole story (annoying).
A lot of time is spent in flashback by each of the characters. I think that the author could have reduced the number of flashbacks.
November 2, 2022
Really good storytelling.
A solid plot with enough twists and turns to keep things interesting and unpredictable without it being ridiculous.
Solid action scenes and all together believable throughout.
Really enjoyed it, the creativity and good use of language made for a very satisfying read.
A solid plot with enough twists and turns to keep things interesting and unpredictable without it being ridiculous.
Solid action scenes and all together believable throughout.
Really enjoyed it, the creativity and good use of language made for a very satisfying read.
March 15, 2023
A resounding meh.
Didn鈥檛 hate, but glad I didn鈥檛 spend money on it either.
Felt like a decent effort but didn鈥檛 quite pan out. No ending to the story, which wasn鈥檛 really a cliffhanger and just felt like the story was chopped in two. Will not be continuing the series.
Didn鈥檛 hate, but glad I didn鈥檛 spend money on it either.
Felt like a decent effort but didn鈥檛 quite pan out. No ending to the story, which wasn鈥檛 really a cliffhanger and just felt like the story was chopped in two. Will not be continuing the series.
September 9, 2024
A little hard to follow
This book was a little hard to follow, with flashbacks of the main characters occurring in the middle of action. It was also hard to follow the action as well. Average at best.
This book was a little hard to follow, with flashbacks of the main characters occurring in the middle of action. It was also hard to follow the action as well. Average at best.
August 3, 2022
Good read, albeit, once all the Sever group were introduced the story seemed to stop on a high note. Not a fan of novelletes would be better if it were longer and played out to completion
August 13, 2022
Mercenaries, hostile universe, meaningly dialog and sapppyy past flashbacks ,,, read 31 chapters and
dnf gave up
dnf gave up
September 1, 2022
Hmm, basically an expanse clone, but it works. Not exactly excited to read more in the series, but I'll probably do so later on.
January 30, 2023
I thought this was a great book.
July 14, 2023
I found this annoying. Flashbacks in the middle of action scenes? Why?
September 6, 2023
Got boring
I got 60% through and quit. It was boring and I couldn't identify with any of the characters. Just okay.
I got 60% through and quit. It was boring and I couldn't identify with any of the characters. Just okay.
September 18, 2023
Contracting on strange worlds
Private army contracting on far away worlds with no ride home would take a special amount of courage. Great read.
Private army contracting on far away worlds with no ride home would take a special amount of courage. Great read.
April 20, 2024
bunch of zombies... story just ... stops ... no ending, everything is left dangling.
July 26, 2024
i really thought i wrote a review for this already...whoops. june was a MESS for my reading.
anyway, this book was EXACTLY what i needed at the time i read it. we're basically just following this special ops sort of team on a mission that is wayyyy more than it seems. if i'm remembering properly, there are 5 people(??). anyway, we get everyone's pov which kept it interesting and is especially useful when people split up. i already know i like multi pov, but i don't think all authors get it right. i think they all provided a different perspective on what was happening and it was easy to orient yourself within the timeline so it was never confusing. for me, at least. there were also little chapter header illustrations for each character which was super helpful for my forgetful ass. i hate when the beginning of books dump you with crew names, nicknames, job titles, etc and then just move on assuming you'll remember everything (i never do lol). without spoilers: when you start figuring out what's going on it gets really wild, and it went places i didn't expect it to go in the absolute BEST way haha this was also pretty short, which i think is nice when you have a crazy action packed go go go sort of fast pace narrative. we did take some breaks for the characters to reflect on wtf was happening, but i do appreciate books that know when they should end.
WORTH NOTING: i knew going in bc i'd glanced through some nonspoilery reviews, but this book pretty much cuts off halfway into the mission, and, presumably, the second book is the conclusion. idk how the rest of the series works. HOWEVER, if this book wasn't free, i might've paid 99 cents for it. and there's a pleasant surprise related to book two when you finish book one. so if you know that going in, i think you're better off/more likely to enjoy it for what it is instead being pissed about having half a story.
this was incredibly enjoyable, and i'm still bitter about that damn june readathon i shouldn't have done bc i wanted to start book 2 immediately! sigh. i'll see you soon, helix strike lol
anyway, this book was EXACTLY what i needed at the time i read it. we're basically just following this special ops sort of team on a mission that is wayyyy more than it seems. if i'm remembering properly, there are 5 people(??). anyway, we get everyone's pov which kept it interesting and is especially useful when people split up. i already know i like multi pov, but i don't think all authors get it right. i think they all provided a different perspective on what was happening and it was easy to orient yourself within the timeline so it was never confusing. for me, at least. there were also little chapter header illustrations for each character which was super helpful for my forgetful ass. i hate when the beginning of books dump you with crew names, nicknames, job titles, etc and then just move on assuming you'll remember everything (i never do lol). without spoilers: when you start figuring out what's going on it gets really wild, and it went places i didn't expect it to go in the absolute BEST way haha this was also pretty short, which i think is nice when you have a crazy action packed go go go sort of fast pace narrative. we did take some breaks for the characters to reflect on wtf was happening, but i do appreciate books that know when they should end.
WORTH NOTING: i knew going in bc i'd glanced through some nonspoilery reviews, but this book pretty much cuts off halfway into the mission, and, presumably, the second book is the conclusion. idk how the rest of the series works. HOWEVER, if this book wasn't free, i might've paid 99 cents for it. and there's a pleasant surprise related to book two when you finish book one. so if you know that going in, i think you're better off/more likely to enjoy it for what it is instead being pissed about having half a story.
this was incredibly enjoyable, and i'm still bitter about that damn june readathon i shouldn't have done bc i wanted to start book 2 immediately! sigh. i'll see you soon, helix strike lol
August 19, 2024
An interesting premise with characters I started to care for. Kind of strange how the book just ended but does entice you to want to read the second one.
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