Marko Kloos is the author of the Frontlines and Palladium Wars series of military Science Fiction. He is also a contributing member of George R.R. Martin’s Wild Cards consortium.
Born and raised in Germany, Marko lives in New Hampshire with his wife and two children.
He is represented by Evan Gregory at Ethan Ellenberg. Rights inquiries should be directed to Evan at (212) 431-4554, or agent@ethanellenberg.com.
Greetings from southern Nee Hampshire on a very warm day in December. I drove home from work in fog so thick that I couldn’t see 500feet in front of me. All I could think was that we could be having a Lanky invasion and we wouldn’t even know it. Thank you for writing an awesome series!
Linda
Just finished Centers of Gravity. Wow that was good. Immediately picked up Terms of Enlistment again and started reading which says a lot as I usually never re-read something unless it’s is really good. I feel like there were some rabbit holes left unexplored in CoG. Does this mean I can expect another Andrew Grayson tale in the Frontline series?
I know I am late to the game for the Frontlines series, but I had to start Terms of Enlistment after finding out that the story had ties to the LDR episode Lucky 13.
Almost done with Terms of Enlistment. Does the rest of the series follow Andrew Greyson and Ensign Halley, or does it track other protagonists in the same universe?
Yes to your first question. Sit back and enjoy the ride, and prepare for the next unexpected. You won’t be disappointed
The story of Frontlines follows from Greyson’s perspective.
Not sure how it ties in with the episode…book was published 2014 and it was in planning since 2008. Interesting if so.
To answer your question, the whole series is from Andrew’s POV and Halley makes appearances as well.
Dan,
The episode was adapted from a short story in the Frontlines universe.
Marko Kloos,
I just finished the third book in the Palladium Wars, and absolutely loved it. It was hard to put down, and each book was better than the one before. Clearly there is another book coming and I just saw your reply saying we should not expect it until 2004.
What I especially liked about the story was that sadly, it echoes the incredibly sad state of our world. The misunderstanding, the inability to walk in someone else’s shoes, which leads to the irrational hate and the devastating terrorist massacres of people.
All of the characters are very likeable and interesting, so it is not difficult to root for them, and be very interested in how things eventually work out.
These books are one of the very best in the Space Opera genre and, in my opinion, far better than Heinlein’s book which I enjoyed when I was very young, but no so much as I got older.
Thanks very much for taking us on this wonderful trip to another world! You have a really original and terrific imagination.
I am now just starting book no 8 of the Frontline Series,and I can hardly state how much I enjoyed this series. Having read Palladium Wars 1-3, I am very impressed on how PWars is quite different from Frontline. It must be difficult to start up a totally new series and yet keep the freshness and originality to the same level as your prior work. All I can say is both series are ASTOUNDINGLY Great. Thanks for taking us on a wonderful, amazing journey!
In comparison to how others seem to have discovered you, I am quite unremarkable. I wasn’t cooped up in the back of an AC-130 on my way to my first combat deployment, and I haven’t been following you since you began your career, being a long-time super fan. I was young. I was in year 7 (6th grade). I struggled in school. Focusing was difficult, and I had no interest in stories outside of the latest transformer film (I was a big fan, what can I say?).
It just so happens that I got a new kindle for that Christmas, and I was eager to use it to play angry birds and only play angry birds. At some point later, I discovered that that thing could also be used to read books. I wasn’t interested until I saw a recommendation in the bookstore for Terms of Enlistment. It was free with whatever subscription my Mum had, so I decided to download it. After trying, and struggling, to read the first couple of pages, I discovered that it also came with a narration. I decided what the hell and gave it a listen. I had never listened to audiobooks before and instantly fell in love. The world that was being created in my mind was so fleshed out and engrossing. That was the pull, how easily the story could place me in a completely different world that I wanted to experience.
At that same time, my Dad (in the RAF) was posted to America. Your story and Luke’s voice kept me company in numerous airports, apartments, school visits and car rides. I have listened to the whole series maybe a dozen times. I don’t know why I’m so attached. Or why other audiobooks don’t seem to have the same effect. It’s just really easy to reach the end, wait a few months and then start again from the beginning. It’s been a constant for all the moving around, new schools and people.
Once I was 17 and had my first real job, and therefore disposable income, I bought the entire paperback series to place on my shelf. I didn’t need to read them as I could probably recite them from memory. But I wanted to show support and appreciation for this work of fiction.
I had always wanted to join the military ever since I saw my Dad in his uniform. So you didn’t convince me to. But what you have been able to do is show me such an amazing depiction of military culture. To the point where I have been able to be more of a friend to my Dad, being able to join in his conversations on the shit that he (as an NCO) has to take from junior officers, among other points.
One thing that I can definitely contribute to you is making me want to write myself. Something about your writing style, use of contextual narration and atmospheric storytelling is something I wish I could emulate. I do, however, feel embarrassed whenever I do try to put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard), as I feel the way I write is too similar. Not to mention how difficult it is to come up with my own ideas. I know that that is a very cliché issue for aspiring writers. But I feel like I know my place. Maybe after I live more life, and do more stuff or things, I’ll be able to pull on these experiences.
Maybe it’s that attitude, the ‘try to get life experience that has led me to try my hand at a degree in theoretical physics, going straight to joining the royal marines. I love space, and physics (thanks to both you and The Martian), but I also wish to serve. Be a part of that culture. I wish to meet the men and women that defend my way of life and each other. And I wish for them to find me dependable the same way I would depend on them. I don’t know, I think I’ve taken this comment on your blog as an excuse to digest the decisions I’ve been making. And the type of person that I want to be. And I think that you and Andrew (and Luke Daniels) have helped me become that person. You get loads of comments like this, and I suspect that you’ll never find this reply (let alone read it). I think I’ve just been reading and listening for too long without somehow saying thank you. There is still so much I could say to be honest.
Well, I’m about an hour away from finishing the Terms of Enlistment and about 3 years away from finishing my degree. Thank you, and keep the novels coming man
Thanks for your kind words, and I’m glad you like the series so much. As for writing–the only way to get good at it is to do it a lot. There are no shortcuts. You’ll write a lot of bad stuff in the beginning but you’ll get better over time. Anyone who says there’s a shortcut is either lying or trying to sell you something.
Say Marko are there plans for releasing Frontlines in Japan?
The first two Frontlines novels did get released in Japan, actually, by Hayakawa.
Oh I see, then is there a chance Frontlines could get adapted into an anime? Because that would be sweet!
What about the rest of the series? I’ve also seen the Japanese cover which is very nice!
I started your Frontlines series in the dark cargo bay of a C-130 in 2014 when I was 23 on my first combat deployment to Africa. Now I’m 30 and on my fourth deployment. It’s not often I get an attachment to a book series let alone characters. I am really hoping to see this series continue with Andrew Grayson but it’s also a good ending for him.
What is the status of book 4 of the palladium wars?
It’s safely locked in my head. I’ll start writing it as soon as this Frontlines spin-off is finished, and I expect it will be published late this year or early next year.
Frontlines series are excellent. Thank you for sharing your imagination with us!
One question: When returning to Sol from New Svalbard, the NAC/SRA fleet sent empty freighters ahead as decoys. Why didn’t they load them with water (like the Gary Gordon) and have the Indy direct loaded freighter attacks on the Seed Ships once through transition? (Sorry if I missed the reason in the novel).
Thank you.
The freighter trick worked at New Svalbard because they had advance warning and enough time and data to send one on a collision course. In Sol, they had Lankies waiting on the other side and no time or room to spin up a water-filled freighter to fractional c velocities.
I’ve read all 8 of frontline and all 3 of Palladium Wars, and am wondering when your next book will be out. I’m particularly fascinated about Aden, Solevig, Dunstan and Idina. Where can I find out when your next book will be out?
The next book in the Frontlines universe will be out next year. The next Palladium Wars will be out in early/mid-2024.
Say Marko is the battle Armour in Frontlines Requiem close to what you envisioned in your book series?
I just found about the Frontlines comic from a few years back. The images of the Lankies are not how I pictured them in mind. Something like this, a shovel head and this upper torso, is close to what I pictured. Ignore the Halloween blood on the lower half. Anyone else have similar mental images?
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/e5/8a/7e/e58a7e1f2d2e192fe3b9928543bbb265–creature-concept-art-creature-design.jpg
Cartoon or action? You know, I remember a pretty good cartoon based on Starship Troopers sometime in the early 1990s. But I think as an adult, I’d much rather a live action show. With the CGI available today, the creation of an on-screen Lanky would be easy.
Say Kloos if you had to choose between a cartoon adaptation or a Live-action adaptation of your Frontlines series which would you prefer?
Thank you, I bought it on the first day from Amazon (e-book) but only now I had time finally to read it. It was a great book (again).
( I just don’t understand that why Halley’s dog was named Eleanor?)
Marko – just finished Centers of Gravity and loved it. I have been waiting for book after book in this series. I did have chills and tears w this book. Well done!!
I just went through all your Frontlines books and each of them excelled in all aspects. It has been a great journey, thank you so much!
Possibly the most satisfying conclusion to a great series I’ve ever read. Thanks.
I just finished Centers of Gravity and was moved to write Markos and share my impressions. I’d read the first three books in the series and somehow missed when the rest were released until I saw a notice from Amazon or Bookbub (I can’t remember which.)
So I reread the first three and powered through the rest. I had tears in my eyes reading the last chapter. Thank you, Markos for putting such a special love story in the midst of an awesome military SF series. Throughout, Andrew and Halley’s relationship emotionally grounded the story in a way that is rare (and special) among military science fiction. The last part was so touching–hence the tears.
I’m glad your website says we’ll see them again. There’s still other characters, such as Elin, to have stories to tell and there are wars to be fought and a final battle to be won.
Just finished Centers of Gravity. The Frontlines series is the best military science fiction I’ve ever read. Better than Starship Troopers (known to US Army Infantry officers as “our unofficial bible”), and The Forever War. What distinguishes it is the understanding of the life of grunts regardless of rank. I have a son who is a decorated veteran of the heaviest combat since WWII. You tell the same stories but with the parts he leaves out shared in detail.
I’m glad the series will continue, and add new characters. But I would ask you to consider that Andrews’s story is not done, that the story of his family is not yet done. It feels incomplete. If you can somehow wrap up their story as part of moving on in the same universe, I think many readers will be grateful. In any case, I appreciate you continuing the story.