A group of disgraced Special Forces soldiers are given a chance at redemption by completing missions near a black hole to fight Earth's battles in the future, facing heavy costs in time and souls. The story delves into themes of survival, redemption, generational trauma, and the complexities of time dilation in a military science fiction setting.

Reader Review Summary

"The Never Wars" by David Pedreira is a compelling and mind-bending military science fiction novel that delivers an exhilarating blend of hard sci-fi concepts and gritty action. The book's premise alone is ingenious – a group of disgraced soldiers are recruited by a corporation and stationed on a ship orbiting a black hole, where time dilation allows them to effectively time travel and carry out clandestine missions in Earth's future wars. This fresh and original take on the time travel trope immediately grabs the reader's attention.

What really makes "The Never Wars" shine is Pedreira's deft world-building and his ability to weave complex scientific ideas seamlessly into a propulsive, action-packed narrative. From the intricate mechanics of using a black hole's gravitational forces for time dilation to musings on the existential implications of humanity's expansion among the stars, the hard science fiction elements are rendered accessible yet impressively rigorous. Pedreira doesn't shy away from deep dives into theoretical physics and futuristic technology, which many readers found both fascinating and mind-bending.

The novel's characters are another major strength. Rather than idealized heroes, the protagonists are distinctly flawed individuals – killers, psychopaths, and misfits – which lends an engrossing edge and grit to the story. Readers empathized with the well-developed core characters like Owen Quarry and Anaya Pretorius, rooting for their survival and redemption despite their dark pasts. The toxic masculinity and military jargon that initially put some readers off eventually give way to deeper examinations of trauma, morality, and what it means to be human in a universe where "normal" no longer applies.

The action sequences are also a highlight, delivering taut, kinetic bursts of frenetic combat that keep the pacing brisk without overstaying their welcome. Pedreira's experience shines through in his tightly choreographed battle scenes, punctuated by authentic military tactics and creative future weaponry. At the same time, the story deftly avoids becoming a mindless shooter by injecting emotional weight to the violence – deaths and losses that genuinely impact the characters and overall narrative trajectory.

While some readers felt the middle section lagged or became convoluted by the time jumps, the majority praised Pedreira's riveting storytelling and ability to consistently surprise with unexpected twists and turns. The ambition and scope of the novel are staggering, delving into corporate greed, AI ethics, and generational legacy in ways that elevate the familiar military sci-fi premises into a compelling exploration of humanity's future among the stars.

Overall, "The Never Wars" is a stellar triumph – an immersive, idea-driven science fiction tale that delivers both cerebral speculation and visceral thrills in equal measure. With a unique, mind-bending premise, multi-faceted characters, ingenious world-building, and masterful blending of action and hard sci-fi concepts, David Pedreira's second novel establishes him as a powerful new voice in speculative fiction. Highly recommended for fans of intelligent, thought-provoking sci-fi coupled with gritty military action.