Today I’m reviewing Soldier’s Stand (Rifleman Book 2) by Griff Hosker!

Here’s the blurb

Defeat is a moment; victory is a legacy.

In the blistering heat of the North African desert, the air crackles with tension as the unrelenting Desert Fox, Erwin Rommel, closes in on the beleaguered forces of the Allied troops.

Private John ‘Hawkeye’ Sharratt, a battle-sharpened soldier weathered by loss but fuelled by an indomitable spirit, finds himself once again hunkered down with his brothers in arms. After a series of defeats, the veterans of Libya who learned to fight through hardship must now endure a desperate retreat across the unyielding sands. As the shadows of fallen comrades haunt their every step, they grapple with the weight of loss and the flickering flame of hope.

Just when the situation seems hopeless, a new commander arrives – General Montgomery is a man whose reputation for bold strategy ignites a newfound sense of purpose in the weary hearts of Sharratt’s unit. The order is clear: stand and hold the line at El Alamein. As the rumble of panzers grows closer, it becomes clear that survival is not simply a matter of soldiering on; it is an act of relentless bravery in the face of overwhelming odds. With past sacrifices bearing down upon them, the men of the Eighth Army must decide whether they will falter or fight for their futures.

Soldier’s Stand is not just a story of war; it is an exploration of camaraderie, resilience, and the human spirit’s capacity to rise above adversity. As readers follow Hawkeye and his fellow soldiers through the trials of battle, they will be drawn into a gripping narrative that encapsulates the raw emotions of fear, courage, and the unwavering hope that binds us, even in our darkest hours.

Review

Soldier’s Stand picks up where Conscript’s Call, Book1 leaves off. Private John ‘Hawkeye’ Sharratt is no longer a raw recruit.. his mind and body now show the scars of war.

The war isn’t over yet and Sharratt must channel his personal pain into unmoveable determination to make sure others have a chance to survive.

Hosker weaves a wonderful plot around the brutality of war, you almost forget the reality, that many have lost their lives in history to give others a chance..

When reality does hit, it packs a punch.. it’s brutal.. men cut down and basically forgotten.. it’s sobering at times.. a man killed, no time to recover them, sometimes not even enough time to grab their dog tags.. then fresh recruits arrive to fill the holes left and it all starts again.. the almost never-ending back and forth of death…the feeling those lost were simply a number when nothing could be further from the truth!

I really liked the portrayal of weapons, ammo etc, How the men had to conserve there supplies, some weapons failed, tanks are great but can be taken out with one hit to their tracks, the reality of the trenches showing their importance but also how little protection they really had.

I think the most poignant thing for me was learning about the mine fields, and how dangerous a task was to clear them.. how time consuming a task and how many men could be lost to gain very little.

Saying I loved the story feels a little wrong..it’s horrendous what happens but at the same time you feel pride too..it swells as Sharratt and his brothers in arms continue to move forward, never giving up…knowing that real people did exactly this, their heroic actions buried in time.

I’m not going to pretend I know what the reality of war is like but the pace and plot made me reflect a lot on how lucky I am.

The plot is very clever too… yes it’s very moving at times but there’s also a lot of excitement.. the near misses, the guile of the men when it looks like there’s no way out.. it’s the perfect mix of hard hitting reality and excitement.

The biggest surprise for me was how the author managed to add character development in such a fast paced plot driven tale. There’s real depth added to Sharratt as we see him become a leader, those last couple of chapters will stay with me that’s for sure.

I’m not going to spoil anything but Bowler..brilliant.. those who read the book will understand.. what a great pivotal addition to the story..

5/5 stars!

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon, Or ask your local bookseller to get a copy in for you 🙂