Gunnery Sergeant Torin Kerr appears to have jumped from the frying pan of endless briefings and speculation about her role in events from the prior book into quite literal fire when she agrees to accompany Major Svensson on his occupational therapy trip to the planet Crucible with a group of marines in training. Almost from the start, it becomes clear that the training mission is not operating according to the script. The training scenarios are supposed to be tough, but not... quite... fatal. However, this time the planet seems to be doing its best to destroy Torin's group. Clearly someone's hijacked the scenario, with the answer to who and how as much of a surprise as the maneuvers Torin's group has to dream up just to survive.

There's a little bit of everything in this story - lots of dry humor, plenty of action, a bit of sex and romance, drama. and a mixture of characters you care about and who interest you. Torin, "Gunny," makes a great military SF protagonist: heroic, resourceful, engaging, and anything but a wooden toy soldier stereotype, despite being an eager and passionate marine. All the ingredients for a great, entertaining summer read. So pick up a copy and enjoy. Recommended.