The Unincorporated War
trade reviews
"Appealing characters, ruthless villains, and speed-of-light pacing make this a good choice for fans of battle-oriented sf and heroic space adventure in the tradition of Robert Heinlein and David Weber."
"The Kollins’ masterful command of multiple plot threads, characters, and the motifs of grand-scale space opera make for a breathtaking sequel."
"In 'The Unincorporated War,' the lengthy conflict becomes its own end beyond the political philosophies that spawned it. It also turns what could have been a one-note trilogy into something more interesting that encompasses a wide range of ideas."
"..the second, like the first, is a tremendous success...Although I keep thinking that the premise can't last another novel, the Kollin brothers manage to hook you with yet another climactic ending. If you're a fan of science fiction, this is a series you shouldn't miss out on."
"The Unincorporated War remains a great addition to the series with clever ideas and solid characters pitched against each other in rising conflict."
"A solid, old-fashioned, solar system space opera...We've got battles in space, we've got treachery and plots and love affairs and all sorts of action."
Alameda Times-Star
"Fast-paced military science fiction...action-packed throughout...a top-rate outer-space thriller."
reader reviews
"The Unincorporated War is action-packed throughout...[and] is a top rate outer space thriller."
—Harriet Klausner, #1 ranked reviewer on Amazon
"I did not want to put the book down, lest I lose my way in the virtual universe I created in my mind and the state of the social conflict and commentary. Score two for the Kollins."
—J. Sharfman, Amazon
"The Kollin brothers created a magnificent unique world with a modern cycling like tone that makes it hard to put down. Combine Lewis' imagination, a modern Aldous Huxley approach, with a 21 century cadence and you have a very interesting and fun read."
—Miliken Lee, Amazon
"Without losing their sense of humor or attention to detail, the authors have executed another page turner that races through the solar system, answers lingering questions from the first book, and leaves you with an even greater set of what if's to ponder. I can't wait for book three!!!."
—George Chlentzos, Amazon
"...beyond the story of the admirals and presidents, the Kollin brothers add a fascinating depth by introducing us to the smaller people in this drama. These glimpses of the "little man" offer a provactive look into how the war is effecting all levels of society...I would recommend this book to anyone interested in a fascinating concept wrapped up in a good story with sympathetic characters as well as anyone looking for a good "old-fashioned" science fiction tale."
—R.L. Fearn, Amazon
"This sequel doesn't just follow behind, it charges boldly ahead - further exploring the concepts and hypotheticals presented in the first, and introducing new ones that you'll be delighted to explore. The Kollins seem incapable of writing anything boring..What's best is that you not only CARE how it turns out, you're not sure how it will turn out. Unlike many modern novels, anything could happen....the Kollins have written another fantastic novel. This isn't junk food for the brain, it's thought-provoking sustenance and a joy to read."
—C. Taylor, Amazon
"it's refreshing to see a well researched hard science fiction story like this and the authors deserve a lot of credit...I will definitely be buying the third book."
—S. Crouch, Amazon
"...the tactics and asteroid battles are so well worked out that I was fascinated and couldn’t stop reading. [The]... subtle borrowing from the Civil War...enhanced the tale for me"
—Henry Leon Lazarus
The Unincorporated Man
trade reviews
"Fans of SF as a vehicle of ideas will devour this intriguing debut."
"The Kollin brothers' first novel, chosen as a Sci Fi Essential Book, recalls the emphasis on freedom of the early works of Heinlein and the cutting-edge social commentary of William Gibson and Fritz Lieber."
"The Kollin brothers’ debut captivates with unforgettable characters and an ingenious vision of the economic future.”
"...an intriguing economic premise…At some point you wonder whether a slave in this futuristic society is better off buying the rights to himself or herself… Is it possible that in such a world you would trust only a person who was a slave?"
"The Kollin brothers' vision...offers a rare reminder that democratic capitalism as we know it is not necessarily the last word on how we humans should organize our affairs."
"A cohesive, gripping, and potentially controversial story of the future that reminded me at times of the more balanced work of Robert A. Heinlein, with a touch of Philip K. Dick. I foresee very good things in the future from this pair."
"The economic ideas alone are worth cracking this one open...The Unincorporated Man is an excellent novel with a sturdy plot and enough future world building to satisfy any science fiction fan. I highly recommend this book and look forward to their future works."
"THE UNINCORPORATED MAN is a stunning debut. Truly. Forget the genre clichés of laser guns, spaceships, and journeys through black holes and the like. This book is part Heinlein, part Bradbury, and part Asimov. This is no space adventure but a socio-economic envisioning of the future. As such, it would easily fit alongside, say, 1984 or BRAVE NEW WORLD as a chilling and thought-provoking treatise on possible futures."
"...Reminds me a lot of Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, except set 300 years in the future... The Unincorporated Man brings a lot to the table, and if you take the time to dig in, you'll find plenty to chew on and savor."
"Using their intelligence and imagination, the Kollin brothers extrapolate a fascinating and ofttimes frightening society from a simple premise. One of the book's greatest strengths is its likable characters. Another is the authors' willingness to examine all aspects of an idea via logic and satire.
"The Unincorporated Man' harkens back to the type of novel that was created in the 1950s combined with a modern twist...this book is an excellent start and I look forward to seeing more of their work in the future to come."
"A very sharp and often funny look at a 21st Century man who is resuscitated from cryogenic storage only to find himself in a tightly-controlled, techno-bean-counter socio-economic system. This novel may remind some of Heinlein — for both its clarity and its implicit individualist, libertarian satirical slant."
“The Kollin brothers’ careful attention to world building and the deeply conflicted, complex characters make the unique “what if” of this novel into an engrossing read. The powerful ending was a delicious surprise.
An excellent first book by a duo I hope to see more from in the near future.”
“A brilliant, thought-provoking novel…I highly encourage readers to pick up this book.
[The Unincorporated Man] is equal parts in-depth socioeconomic discussion and good old-fashioned science fiction adventure. Achieving a balance between those two seemingly disparate purposes is the Kollin brothers' greatest strength. Throughout the book, the authors seamlessly integrate the gripping, character-driven storyline with an overarching discussion not only of what makes an economy (and therefore a society) "good," but also of our definition of personal freedom."
"A narrative with a strong, fascinating voice--the Kollin Brothers write like a younger, more innocent Heinlein; there's the same rare sense of personal freedom inexorably combined with personal responsibility. The characters are clear and appealing, but the real fascination is the human condition explored in their post-corporate nation world. It cries out for a sequel, and I'll read it eagerly!"
Kage Baker, author of The Sons of Heaven, Hugo and Nebula award nominee
This is a bright, stimulating work that deserves a wide readership."
Gregory Benford, 3 x Nebula award winner, author of Beyond Human: Living with Robots and Cyborgs
"Reminiscent of Heinlein--a good, old-fashioned, enormously appealing SF yarn. Bravo!"
"This book is pretty much an instant classic for me. I recommend it highly to anyone. By the end there was such a push and pull between the moral centers of the characters that I really didn't know who I was pulling for. I will be following the Kollin brothers (authors) closely."
Trappermarkelz.com
"The Kollin brothers are a very clear major new voice in science fiction, very welcome. This novel could be a nominee for the Nebulas or Hugos next year, it's that good. Great characterization, nice world-building around libertarian economics. Very well done."
Nick, goodreads.com
"One Of the Best "New Author" books EVER"
Susan L (River Forest, IL, USA, Audible.com
"I love the way this book makes great arguments on both sides of the story. As I read I couldn’t decide if I was for or against Individual Incorporation. The writing was fantastic and easy to read. These guys have a great imagination and managed to envision a future that somehow manages to both match our wildest dreams about what the future could be like, while still feeling like it is a genuinely possible future for humanity."
www.fearthepenguin.net
"A nice mix of how a man would enjoy waking in the future to new technology and yet discover a problem of a society where freedom is an illusion. While I cheered on the good guy as he survived, and even got to have ‘forbidden’ love, it was the bad guy that made this book more interesting and believable."
Jim, goodreads.com
"The Unincorporated Man is a great combination of high concept science fiction and hard science extrapolations. This book fits perfectly in my bookcase. It's hard to write one of these without sounding cliché, so let me just end by saying that I had the rare pleasure of looking forward to a sequel after putting the book down. Well worth your time."
George Chlenztos, amazon.com reviews
"This book is a very easy read, and easily puts you directly into this future society, with well developed back-stories and technological achievements. Nothing seems contrived or "spacey". This is an amazing novel that is packed with suspense, intrigue, love, politics, and a delicious take on economics. Not since Ayn Rand's 'Atlas Shrugged' have I come across such a great piece of story telling."
Jason Plumber, amazon.com reviews
"If you like Ayn Rand, Charlie Stross, William Gibson, Kim Stanley Robinson or any other writer who takes ideas and runs with them, then you will enjoy this book. They imagine a world that has suffered a meltdown due to Virtual Reality, and built itself back up on hard-core libertarian/free market principles derived from Milton Friedman. They have fully realized the consequences of this premise down to its implications for personal freedom, government financing, interpersonal exchange and all of the other ways that economics and society inter-relate. So then what would happen if you took someone from our time and culture and plopped him into this cultural fabric? Think about how the richest man in the English colonies in 1709 would feel if he were plopped into our time. This is the basic premise, and it makes for a terrific thought-provoking read. Go for it."
Stephen C. Jordan (Virginia Reader), amazon.com reviews
"The Unincorporated Man is an interesting book with a unique and timely premise. This is science fiction at its best---a thought provoking and challenging theme wrapped around a well-written and entertaining story. It is one of the best science fiction books that I have read in a long time."
Jennifer Sopranzi (Jenreader), amazon.com reviews
"The message this novel and its writers have to communicate is well worth listening too and wrapped in a darn good yarn. This is not a space opera but a first rate piece of "old fashioned" science fiction which is well worth the read. I am eagerly anticipating the sequel."
R.L. Fearn, amazon.com reviews
"It has been a long time since I've been so excited about a book. I picked it up on a whim at the bookstore. I don't usually pay full price for a new hardcover, but I was desperate for something to read. I have to say that this book was easily worth every penny I paid. I started reading it while grabbing dinner before class and ended up late to class because I couldn't put it down."
Doubletwist, amazon.com reviews
"I love "real" science fiction. A book that challenges your preconceptions of everything in current society. And this book does it, and does it exceptionally well. This book is a true delight. It is well written. The characters are well developed. The plot unfolds in a logical and intriguing way. All in all, one of the best books I've read in a while. I hope this brother duo continues to write novels as good as this one!"
Kay Havis (Avidreader), amazon.com reviews
"The book works both as great fiction and as an interesting "what if" in how the individual affects others in his culture. It is also an interesting study into the power of both individuals and corporations."
Christine M. Davis, amazon.com reviews
"I don't usually like sci fi. But this isn't sci fi in the normal mode. It's a commentary on the economy of today along with just an astounding, engrossing story. I literally couldn't put it down. I can't wait for part two of the trilogy."
Dana63, barnesandnoble.com review
"One of those books you just can't put down but from which you realized you have learned a lot when you turn the last page. Thought-provoking and powerful!"
Ricardo33AD, barnesandnoble.com review
"This is probably the most authentic science fiction book in the last few decades. In many respects it reminds me of Robert Heinlein's, "Stranger in a Strange Land". The authors create a society with a totally different sociological, economics, and political systems. Then the authors attempt explain the failure of our current systems and the reasons for the rise of their proposed system. They also propose futuristic transportation, communication and medical advances and try to explain them."
Tedf, barnesandnoble.com review
"The premise is great and the future in this book seems very believable and logical. Read it."
Michael, goodreads.com
"It seems like a lot of the books I've been reading lately are light on the awesome technology the authors can dream up and are instead stuck on crap I don't care about like endless journeys from here to there and then oops, plot twist, please read my sequel. Though the end suggests a sequel, all of the action of this book comes to a conclusion with a climax and epilogue that had me taking a 1.5 Earth hour lunch break to finish it."
Richard, goodreads.com
"Read this if:
a) You enjoy a good dystopian novel.
b) You enjoy an intelligent and stimulating read.
c) You are seeking an entertaining page-turner.
d) You are looking for well-fleshed characters.
e) You are fascinated by economics, science fiction, or both.
Don’t read this if:
Nada Farias, livejournal review
"..another fresh fantastic futuristic science fiction thriller. The story line is fast-paced even during the passive moments with soliloquies provide insight into the minds and motives of the key players. Fans of the saga will relish the latest twisting leap into the Kollin squared realm..."