The Colchis Job (Four Horsemen Tales #3) by Kal Spriggs

The Colchis Job (Four Horsemen Tales #3) Reviews

• 
  Joe Jungers

  An interesting spin on an ancient tale.
• 
  Pat Patterson

  I obtained this book through the Kindle Unlimited program. The Amazon review has been submitted.
  
  There is a bit of (alleged ) wisdom about the enemy of my enemy being my friend. I can accept that in certain circumstances; it's that sort of political necessity that allowed Roosevelt and Churchill to join forces with Stalin to defeat Hitler.
  
  HOWEVER, just because it's true in certain limited applications, don't make the mistake of extrapolating beyond appropriate limits. Certainly, don't make that mistake if you are running a country, or a merc team.
  
  Actually, don't make that mistake if you are a reader, either. The reason that thought occurs to me, is because I don't like the protagonist in 'The Colchis Job.'
  
  Here's a quote that I used to define my opinion. Situation: he gives his general fix-it guy a nuclear device, in a delicate/unstable state, and tells him to weaponize it:
  
  “I’ll need to rig some kind of timer or something...”
  “Whatever.” I waved a hand. “Make it work.” I wasn’t really a details kind of guy.
  
  Spriggs, Kal. The Colchis Job (Four Horsemen Tales Book 3) . Seventh Seal Press. Kindle Edition.
  
  Okay, I don't like this guy. I don't find his response charming, or devil-may-care, or any of those interesting quirky things. It happens I have WORKED for bosses like this, and they were always bad for the team, bad for the mission, bad for the company. They wanted what they wanted, immediately, and if you DARED to point out to them that what they were asking for was impossible, they blamed you for that.
  
  I liked the BOOK, though. It's AT LEAST a semi-good plot, in part because the author imposes crippling circumstances on the mercs: extreme limits on CASPers and other weapons tech. The one ultra-super-duper invulnerable unstoppable weapons suit they have consumes power at such a rate that it only has about 20 minutes of combat action time available. Most things have to happen with ingenuity, not brute force.
  
  Also, those 'enemies-of-my-enemies' that I referenced are some pretty dastardly enemies. One of them is an evil step-father (literally). Another is a Mad Scientist, out to rule the universe with proscribed tech. If the Galactics discover that, they will not only kill him, they will bomb Earth back into the Stone Age. And, there are a few other Lesser Evils out there, in the form of...nah, not gonna tell you that.
  
  If you like gonzo humor, as I do, you'll appreciate the dialogue. My favorite involves the field generated when the ElectroMagnetic Onanger (ELMO) is fired. Get too close, and it will kill ya, but from a bit further away, it's survivable for biological units, even if the EMP zaps some suit systems.
  
  One of the BEST aspects of the 4HU is that it's NOT the same story, told over and over, from the same perspective. While common elements remain, such as CASPers and the potential for Galactic threat, the story is not bound by a requirement to always include the same characters. That makes this an INCREDIBLY spacious playground, which can't help but benefit the reader. The fact that this particular story holds DEFINITE potential for further development multiplies the effect, Let's see: does that make this literary kudzu?
• 
  John Davies

  This book is a modern re-telling of Jason and the Argonauts... Jason's just been given a contract to destroy all evidence that Colchis Industries ever existed. After several run-ins with small off-shoots of the company, and spending a full year at a brothel full of genetically enhanced women, helping them "survive", they finally arrive at Colchis's headquarters, where they are greeted as guests. Forced to fight a series of battles with various foes, Jason and his men manage to escape with the help of Kali, a genetically created woman, who falls in love with Jason.
  
  It's not a bad book, and if you didn't know the tale of the Argonauts, it doesn't really matter, but the story is enhanced if you do.
  
  As for where it fits into the overall 4HU storyline, it seems to be before Peepo's invasion, but only just. I did keep waiting for Zeke Avander to show up as a passing character, but he didn't.
• 
  Joe Gordon

  Great book from the Four Houseman universe. I’ve read all the books except 3 & 4 of the omega series there next and this book lives up to them all, if you haven’t read any book written from the universe you can read this as stand alone but I recommend reading at least the three other stand alone Four Houseman tales if you have never read any.
• 
  Waldo Rodriguez

  Another fantastic story, this time following a resource-strapped band of mercs going up against an organization with unlimited resources. The shenanigans they came up with to solve their problems were fantastic, and it had its moments of hilarity which are always a plus to space out the darker moments.
• 
  Joey Calvey

  Another hit for this universe!
  
  Excellent story! You might recognize the inspiration behind it. Lots of action and substance. I really enjoyed the darker aspects of this book. I read this on Kindle Unlimited.
• 
  Antoine Robert

  The story was good and the prospect quite engaging.
  
  I must admit I had a hard time with the hero, I only began to find him sympathic at the end of the first half of the book, before that, I found him not very much likable!
  
  Not a core story for the 4HU but an enjoyable romp in the 4hu universe.
• 
  Preston Dannelley

  Another great 4HU tale!
  
  I am quite enjoying these stories. Having different authors ensures a different approach which keeps the universe alive and growing.
• 
  Bill

  Good read.
• 
  Kevin Beck

  Another excellent tale.
• 
  David Beck

  Another great story with a hero that is many times not heroic.