I’ll start off by saying that the author handles Lobo with admirable restraint. Let’s face it, there is a lot of potential for unprecedented mayhem here. Instead, there is a lot of tactical, and even strategic, plotting involved and the story focuses mainly on Jon Moore in this first novel. This is perhaps the best route to take, but I’m hoping the subsequent novels will see Lobo fully unleashed.

As far as Science Fiction adventures are concerned, One Jump Ahead has one or two tricks up its sleeve that differentiates it from the pack. The leading character, apart from being a nano-enhanced super soldier (nothing new there), can also talk to machines. Machines? Erm? It’s not as daft as it sounds; it’s actually handled quite expertly in a quaint bling-tech kind of way. Considering that the story takes place in the far future, the typical household appliance described here isn’t remotely identifiable with whatever is occupying your kitchen at the moment, and that obviously helps. It has to do with frequencies, artificial intelligence and other science-y stuff. Despite the fact that Jon Moore is different, he certainly isn’t invincible, and pains are taken to emphasise this. He sometimes needs help, and he is sometimes vulnerable. There are also many secrets in his past, some of which remain shrouded in mystery. Everything seems to indicate that this will be explored further in the sequels to One Jump Ahead so there is a lot to look forward to.

Our super-soldier also has a sidekick (Lobo), who just happens to be a Predator Class Assault Vehicle. Sounds cool, doesn’t it? And it is too. There isn’t much more to be said on this point, it’s the series’ signature. The book wasn’t as pulpy as I’d expected it to be, and it has a lot to do with the fact that the author doesn’t get too carried away with his creations. I’ve already mentioned: admirable.

So, buckets of attitude and old school fun still gets you places. The underwater sequence alone (with a racing Ray named Bob) is worth the price of admission. Fans of David Drake, David Weber and the should check this out. books-i-own science-fiction sf-road-trip-201217 s Dan1,283 72

I love this series. Can't get enough of it. The interaction between the main characters, the situations they find themselves in, and manage to extricate themselves from. Superb. And, hey, you have to love a place called "Pickelponker"! 7/7/17 re-read.2017 2020 first-book-in-series ...more5 s John704 18

It's been ages since I read a mass market paperback. I picked this one up because the author was recommended to me by a friend whose opinions I generally trust, and I wasn't disappointed.

It's classic sci-fi adventure with a "lone wolf" protagonist successfully bucking the system using his wits and technological tricks. One of the great problems with these kinds of stories is explaining why the methods of the hero haven't been dealt with.

For example, (possible spoiler here, but it occurs in the first few pages, so I don't consider it a big one) our hero talks with appliances. AI is so commonplace that even your coffeepot comes with it (a fairly logical extension of the prevalence of computer chips today), and they prove to be a great source of information. The problem is, why doesn't everybody do this, and by extension, why doesn't everybody defend against it?

The author's solution is one I found rather clever, but I won't go into details as it would risk introducing more minor spoilers. Suffice it to say that he did come up with a solution that is at least strong enough to allow me to suspend any disbelief I might have otherwise had.

My biggest issue with the book? It's a shame that the front cover blurb is from Orson Scott Card, it almost caused me to put it back on the shelf. I'm glad I didn't.fiction science-fiction3 s Mary JL419 41

Yes, more military-actions SF. Those of you who read my know it is a favorite type of SF for me.

The story basically introduces two partners. One is Jon Moore, former soldier--enhanced with nanotechnology which gives him special abilities. The other "partner" is Lobo--a sentient AI (artificial intelligence)who is installed in the controls of a Predator-Class Assault vehicle.

Basically, it is a military SF tale with Jon and Lobo Vs. the villains.

Yes, there have been similar tales but this is a good take on an SF standard.

One thing I is Jon Moore does not WANT to stomp the bad guys. But he has to make a living and military skills are the only skills he knows. He's also anxious not to show his 'enhanced" powers for fear of wind up a human guinea pig in some secret government or corporate lab.

And for a computer AI, Lobo is a pretty neat 'character'.

So action, humor, decent characterization and an acceptable plot makes this a fast, fun and easy read for SF/Action/Adventure fans. Recommended for any SF or adventure fan.main-sf-fantasy3 s Cathy 1,956 51

A very fun, fast-pace, sci-fi adventure with a bit of a heist feeling. There's also a bit of military, a bit of technology, some humor, but not too much of anything. It has a great slightly old-fashioned feeling, some of the anti-hero stories from the '60s and '70s. And Lobo is a great side-kick.

This was an accidental re-read. I originally read this before I discovered Goodreads and planned to read the sequels, but never remembered to look for them. Knowing when the next book in a series I'm following comes out is what led me to Goodreads, so finding this is an nice example of things coming full circle. Now I can move on to book two with an extra happy heart. read-in-2011 science-fiction3 s Debrac20142,067 18

I really d the characters and story line! I wonder if Jon's going back to Pinkelponker to find Jennie!2 s Strix249 18

This might be one of the best "competent action man engages in thriller activities to save people" books in the genre, and it has an awesome AI character in it to boot. (I'm very fond of Lobo, even if he didn't get as much focus as I wanted.)

Jon's PTSD is compelling along with his cold competence - and his backstory is fascinating. He used to be a mentally disabled kid, then still vague events happened that turned him into a super-smart cyborg soldier - the only one in the galaxy, and he's determined that no one ever finds out what he is, as he doesn't want to be studied or experimented on.

But that's only a side focus - this novel is a focus on Jon vs megacorp hijinks as he gets tangled in a three-way affair after taking a job to rescue someone from a kidnapping. So it focuses mostly on how he handles every situation, with only glimpses into his past and personality, and it's just the right ratio for me. Enough to make me wonder and care, with the plot being a fun ride. I appreciate how - since Jon is almost a pacifist, with a focus on killing as few people as possible in these encounters - each one is basically a puzzle encounter as he figures out to, say, kidnap a CEO without killing any of his guards.

Good stuff, and I'm looking forward to reading the rest.reviewed sci-fi thriller1 Susan1,599 113

this was extremely OK, but I could feel my eyes glaze over with some of the internal monologue20181 Stephanie282 2

Précis A former mercenary is bio-engineered with outlawed nanotechnology and is the only known survivor of the ill-fated Aggro experiments. He teams up with an intelligent armored vehicle named Lobo and they get caught up in a corporate battle for control of the jump gate aperture near the developing colony world called Macken.
During the ongoing adventure he meets an old friend from his mercenary days, has to work with SAW - the organization he worked for before Aggro - and botches a kidnapping rescue. In the end he gets it right and makes a harrowing escape relying on the mysterious gate aperture and its dis of violence.

Protagonist Jon Moore
Antagonist Ron Slake

What I d I d the interesting use of technology, because of Moore's bioengineering, he can converse with all the intelligent machines, even mundane ones drink dispensers. The portrayal of them as gossipy creatures works well. I also d the love/hate relationship with Lobo and its maturity and the end. The characters are well-developed and the plot moves briskly toward an exciting conclusion. The way he makes his escape was clever and unseen.

What I didn’t I would to see more of Lobo's character revealed. I also wanted to know more about the Aggro experiments.

Final s This is Van Name's first novel and it is a great first effort. It was very readable (I knocked it off in three days) and his style is just different enough from the Ringo and Weber style to be his own. I couldn't help but think that Van Name is a fan of the Bolo books by Keith Laumer. The PCAV is very much the Bolo vehicle; intelligent, well armed and a great machine to have around when the brown stuff hits the fan. Even the name is an anagram. I also d the mystery of the jump gate apertures, they are not manmade and no one knows exactly where they come from.
The sequel to this book is due out in July 2008 and while I probably will wait to get the paperback, I definitely have added Van Name to my list of authors I want to keep reading. I hope that in the sequel we get to know more about Jon's background and get to know Lobo better.
1 AndreasAuthor 2 books28

This is the first book in the Jon & Lobo series. Jon is a man with a troubled past. His planet was destroyed and he was subjected to experiments that left him nanotechnology enhanced. Such enhancements are thought to be impossible and he needs to keep them a secret from those who might profit from them. Suffice it to say, he is a sort of super-soldier. He takes on the task of freeing a kidnapping victim. This simple act entangles him in a complex web of intrigue involving powerful corporations and governments. Along the way, he picks up an assault vehicle known as “Lobo”. The vehicle can handle anything from underwater to deep space. It is also a deeply sarcastic conversationalist.

This novel reminds me a little of the Stainless Steel Rat books. A lone hero and a plot that seems made up as it goes along. Jon is not unable, but his tribulations tend to be long winded and after a few such passages I started losing interest. The characters are straight from central casting, and the locales are even worse. Cookie-cutter, forgettable places that made the plot hard to follow. As our hero jumped to a star system, I struggled to remember what had happened there earlier. The plot is decent, but I couldn’t make myself care very much whether Jon succeeded in his exploits or not. Things are going really well until they go really badly, at a point in the novel that is far too predictable. The hero is supposed to have setbacks, but this one is far too expected. The paraphernalia is pretty cool. In good Bond fashion, the right tools for the job always seem available to our hero. This is fine for comedy, but this book is not going for laughs.

And yet, there is some attraction here. If one can look past the stilted prose the stock characters and the unoriginal plotting, there are hints of potential for this hero. The machine communications are funny and interesting. The universe is engaging enough that it is worth revisiting.

http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=14351 Aspen Junge271 4

I was trying to figure out why I wasn't really connecting with the characters. The plot was fine, action driven. The characters had histories. The author is good with description, if he has a tendency to overexplain a little. Then I realized; I have no idea what Jon, the viewpoint character, is feeling. Since the book is written in first person, this lack is downright creepy.

He's got a tragic past. He's an action hero. He saves the girl right off. He makes a new best friend. And I have no idea how he feels about any of this. When he returns the girl to her father, is he worried? Triumphant? Satisfied at a job well done? He acquires a combat shuttle capable of performing in environments from hard vacuum to deep ocean and with a sentient A.I., and I don't know if he s Lobo or not. Or what he plans to do with it. Is it a friend? Is it a tool? How does he feel about his tragic past? Wistful? Seeking revenge? Has he put it behind him or does it haunt his every waking moment? What motivates the guy? How can I cheer him to his goals if I have no idea what they are?

He doesn't bounce on his toes in anticipation. There is no sick dropping feeling of dread in his stomach. No grin steals across his face a thief in the night. He doesn't stare at the bulkhead, brooding over his wrongs which happened to him oh so many years ago. It's a completely flat affect.

The author mentions several times that Lobo's A.I. has emotion subroutines. Jon is more robotic than Lobo.not-worth-the-time1 Nancy540 20

I read an excerpt of Jon & Lobo #5, No Going Back, before I read this and I feel it really gave me a leg up on the universe. If I hadn't read the excerpt first the learning curve on various things - Lobo, Jon's nanomachines, talking to electronics - would have been a lot steeper. I imagine I would have been a lot more confused and therefore enjoyed it less.

However, I enjoyed it just fine. Fast-paced, SF action adventure that for the most part was a fun read. I loved Lobo. And the talking electronics. Two things kept it from being five stars. One, Jon is not a happy person most of the time. That really wears on me personally as a reader. Lobo counteracts that a bit but I feel Jon needs just a wee bit of a kick in the personality department. On the other hand, Jon is one of those super smart, super capable, super competent characters able to get himself out of most sticky situations in one piece, and I have a soft spot for that kind of character. It's any one of Dick Francis's heroes, but in space!

And two, I noticed that most of the characters in the book were male. Even the background characters - aides, shop keepers, sales people - almost all men, or a gender neutral of some kind. That irritated me a bit.scifi1 Kelly276 182 Read

‘One Jump Ahead’ is Van Name’s first novel and it’s a heck of a debut. I read this book in a quick couple of sittings, ignoring other distractions (even The Sims 3 – which anyone who knows me can tell you is one mean feat!) until I finished it.

'One Jump Ahead’ is the where not only where we meet Jon Moore and Lobo, but they meet each other. Jon Moore has a colourful and distinctive past as a mercenary soldier and private courier. But before that time he was a test subject in a secret nano-technology experiment. Lobo is a heavily armored and armed PCAV (Predator-class assault vehicle) with an emotive AI and biting wit. They work well together and it’s their partnership that makes this novel (and subsequent novels) so enjoyable.

Jon receives Lobo as payment for a search and rescue operation. Lobo needs some replacement parts and upon recommendation of a client, Jon contacts an arms dealer to secure those parts. This is when the trouble really begins. The arms dealer tries to rip him off, and suddenly there’s a bounty on his head. Somehow, this all has something to do with the girl he rescued. You’ll need to read the rest of ‘One Jump Ahead’ to find out how. It’s a great adventure!1 Don1,302 11

For a first book in a sci fi series this is very good. The characters are believable and entertaining to read about and the action is excellent. The interaction between Jon and his PCAV battle vehicle's AI (Lobo) is great. Probably my favorite part of this book is the future technology that Mark envisions for his worlds. It's a realistic blend of organic and technology, which is probably what the future will end up being more versus an all metal world. I give 3.5 stars to the story itself and 5 stars to the scientific vision and the world he created. Simply fascinating.

I had a chance to meet Mark earlier this year, he is a business partner of my company and was touring the labs when I was introduced. Really bright guy and friendly as well. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the Jon and Lobo series, Slanted Jack. 1 Dmitry34

An average action adventure in Outer Space that may appeal to younger readers.

Otherwise its trite, predictable, full of all the least imaginative tropes. The characters held no interest for me whatsoever. Lobo the AI is even more of a cutout than Jon the buccaneer.

There are far better stories out there if you this kind of thing, for example JN Chaney's Renegade Star.1 Stefan474 58

Mark L Van’s debut novel was a pleasure to reading from the first page to last. It’s one of those books that was so fun I read it too quickly and then wished I had savoured the plots twists and turns more carefully. One Jump Ahead was a wonderfully balanced novel that balanced science fiction with thriller and adventure elements. The non-stop action, compelling first-person narrator and a witty AI-controlled combat ship. science-fiction1 Mitchell Friedman4,927 200

This book will be discussed at the Powells Beaverton SF group Tuesday December 14th at 7pm. This book was chosen to fill the space opera slot. Basic semi-silly non-objectionable single person military space opera. With entirely too much of the phrase, "Fair Enough". An okay read not not exceptional, but with some interesting societal and technological quirks that should be worth discussing. 3.5 of 5.bc-powellssfgroup d- military-sf ...more1 Jeffrey135 1 follower

A light science-fiction read with some interesting ideas. There are a few light moments with the main character giving personalities to different futuristic appliances, but overall, it reads as a science fiction/military adventure with the main character prepping adventurous plans to perform espionage in a futuristic setting.1 Adam56 2

So far, this is a pretty good sci-fi novel. Author Mark L. Van Name mixes semi-hard scii-fi with quirky comedy to create a novel that is better than the sum of its parts.1 Daggry921

I had modest but specific expectations for this one; they were more than met. What sold me was a main character who who walks away from a job proud and relieved to have done a good thing…only to discover that it wasn’t. Add to that a breezy writing style (with moments of discerning description) that fits the thematically undemanding adventure, and I expected a fun enough read but not my reluctance to put the book down at bedtime.

Jon is a retired mercenary with a secret that solves a problem many of these space adventures have: How does the MC get away with so much badassery? Even better, this gives him the ability to communicate with all manner of machines, from lonely old drinks dispensers to sarcastic assault vehicles Lobo: “An old and deadly weapon put out to pasture, [Jon] felt an instant kinship with it.” Jon and Lobo have both learned the hard way that helping veterans past their prime isn’t a profitable priority for governments. Now they have each other. (And, in part because Jon is so good at admitting when he’s wrong, it’s ly this relationship will develop in rewarding ways over the series, which my library unfortunately does not carry.)

Subtle philosophizer he may not be, but Jon manages to think in interesting, uncomfortably honest ways about violence and guilt. In fight scenes, he tries to avoid lethal force but doesn’t gloss over the inevitable killing. He admits to a relief so great it’s almost joy—that it’s them dead and not you—even while he’s longing to get away from that violence and the subsequent feelings of guilt. His longings for things to be other than they are (or were) lead to one of the most poignant and painfully relatable moments, where he reflects on his failures to save his sister and Jasmine: “At some moments in the dreams, I yearned for this longing to count for something, to have value, to make things at least a little better, but I knew it didn’t…” It’s lines this that elevate what I thought would be a forgettable three-star space adventrure to a solid four stars that will lightly haunt me.

What I didn’t was the torture and misogyny. This book has one of the longest torture scenes I’ve ever read, though it's not gratuitous. Then there’s the inaccurate/infuriating reference to torture working. Gah. The misogyny is more awkward than horrifying. Until halfway through, the only women mentioned are sex workers or waitresses—both valuable roles, but surely not the only ones where women could be found in that part of the world/story? It’s just weird. Oh, and there’s the kidnapped girl. Not much of a role, that. Later, there are three women mentioned, one with a significant role—but all of them, without exception, are first introduced with reference to their beauty and sexiness. If this were in character for Jon, then it might still be off-putting but it would make sense. As is, it’s just regrettable writing, though not too surprising for the year it was published. Gray Mouser73 3

While I do not give much for cover praises, I normally check WHO is writing those. Since "One jump ahead" got those from Orson Scott Gard, Eric Flint and David Drake, all of which I typically enjoy, I counted this as a recommendation. Unfortunately, I was not impressed. The story telling was decent. I also strongly appreciated that Mr. van Name avoided several typical clichés and made interactions of the characters believable. For example: although the main story line is the rescue of a teenage girl, which was a major emotional involvement for our hero, he considered her barely more than a nuisance/a job to be done during their encounters. No cheap romance or hero worship here. His interactions with the AI of his ship, Lobo, also did not follow the downtrodden "deep understanding man-machine"-track. It was more interactions between an old married couple "you really annoy me and I do not really know why I put up with it."

Having given my praises, the story fell flat: fighting mega corporations, interspersed with the typical military SF cast: the experienced mercenary sergeant, the slightly psychotic mercenary girl, evil ruthless corporate men, etc. Technical hardware was introduced when the story required it. Not inconsistently, but also not very interestingly. The plot was a series of repetitive action maneuvers: sneak in, hit them, get it/her/him, get out; typically with some deus-ex-machina trick of our nanomachine-improved hero. Overlaid by him consistently bemoaning his unwillingness to kill needlessly while realizing his desire to do so.

I might get the sequel at one point, but I am not in any rush. If you need a decent book to pass some time with your brain in relax-mode, go ahead and get it. If you are looking for a really good book, which grabs you... search on. Pat Patterson330 6


Format: Kindle Edition
About 12 years ago, Mark L. Van Name appeared onto the military science fiction field with this book, and we all stood around and were amazed.

Keith Laumer developed the idea of the self-aware war machine in his BOLO series, but each one of those behemoths was really only seen once, in a short story. What Van Name has done is different; commencing with this book, the self-aware war machine is a space assault shuttle named Lobo who is a PERMANENT character. Furthermore, Lobo becomes a companion, and a friend, to the human Jon Moore.

The backstory is obviously well established; it's just not revealed, except one teasing bit at a time. the single characteristic that separates Jon from the rest of humanity is revealed in a little throw-away recounting of a series of conversations he has with a washing machine.

Yep, that's right. Jon can talk to washing machines. Jon can talk to ANY machines, as it turns out. And how that happened involves mysterious circumstances, torture, a missing sister, and banked-up rage.

The story includes some nice passive-aggressive banter between Lobo and Jon, and the core of their relationship has definite elements of humor without being slapstick. Both are serious people, and they take advantage of every occasion where the opposition does not treat them seriously enough.

The important points to remember are these: Both Jon and Lobo are lethal; both have been programmed by others and by their past behavior, and they both are highly motivated to seek justice for the wrongs done to them. And, they are suckers for little lost kittens, regardless of species. John Davies540 11

This is the first book in the series, and it introduces us to Jon, a human ex-soldier, that has had nano-machines forced into his body, and Lobo, a PCAV (Predator Class Assault Vehicle), equipped with an AI, and capable of changing his internal structures depending on the needs of the mission.

Jon is hired to rescue a girl from kidnappers, which he does, on condition that he be allowed to keep Lobo as payment. When he tries to get a desperately needed part for Lobo from an arms-dealer, he finds out that Lobo is now a prize that others want, and that the girl's REAL father has placed a bounty on his head.

After kidnapping the father, who's company is battling against the man who works for a different company who originally hired him, Jon realises he needs to make things right. To do so, he gets an old friend who now commands a mercenary company, and another old friend who may or may not be a cold blooded killer to help him rescue the girl again, prevent Kelco from beating Xychek, and allow them all to come out of it with money to get paid.

It's a good tale, and I really want to know more about Jon and what had happened to him before this book starts, and I'm hoping the following stories will fill in the gaps. I'm looking forward to it.sci-fi sci-fi-military splody-goodness Anthony78

A fun, action-filled story that follows the exploits of one seriously bad-ass dude. The action was non-stop, the tech was breathtaking, and the worldbuilding...was ok. But the action! Cool battles with incredibly smart weapons and tactics. A man and his deadly spaceship, fighting together. And the spaceship is sarcastic, of course.

A fun read. Will G.34 1 follower

Interesting premise of a nano-enhanced soldier with a nightmarish past. And his vehicle, an assault spacecraft. Anna Hood20

Love this series! First time I ever heard of a "digital wallet"! JPY19

Nanomachines, son. Ford Prefect24 2

Pretty much a straight up sci-fi action book done well. Not much else to say.action science-fiction Grady660 47

The blurbs on the back are attributed to John Ringo, David Drake, and Eric Flint, signaling the subgenre and target audience for this debut novel: military science fiction read by young men. The main character of this book, Jon Moore, is emotionally young himself (though he's chronologically a centenarian) and suffers continuing trauma from past experiments that left him equipped with nanotech implants. The character and plot reminded me a bit of Richard Stark's pulp crime hero Parker: a former mercenary, Moore finds himself boxed in by corporate thugs, so he starts taking them out, one by one (although, un Parker, Moore has help from his faithful dog, I mean homoerotic buddy, I mean spaceship, Lobo).

The book's chief problem is that it's boring. Not everything is described in detail -- a number of exotic weapons appear in the story as if by magic -- but a lot of the plots and counter-plots are described both mechanically and comprehensively.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the book is the narrator's attitude towards sex. He's perfectly willing to speak as though he's familiar with sex, describing wood furniture as 'smooth to the touch as a new lovers' breast' (huh?), and leather upholstery as 'soft as the month's wages hookers that filled the evenings of the execs stuck in' the local spaceport [75], thus following the rule that if you say anything tender you must immediately talk trash to show you're not soft. Here's Moore's explanation why he could never join those who revere the alien artifact jump gates he uses to travel: 'I've seen a blazingly pink gate; if nothing else would have stopped me from being a Gatist, that would have done it. I can't picture myself ever worshiping something pink.'[52] With that attitude, it's no wonder he's been unable to keep an intimate relationship going longer than a few weeks [194]. When a former mercenary colleague shows up in a sexpot body, she gets to add color while locking sexuality away behind a wall of professionalism - Moore can be distracted the first time he sees her (he's not gay, really he's not), but there's zero chance of a romantic interaction. Fortunately, in military sf, frustrated desires can always be sublimated into bloody violence, and there's plenty of that to go around. Sam Lehnert3

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