Review: Special Delivery by Rex Burke
Blurb:
A dangerous mission. A second chance.
Actually, scratch that. No chance.
Dix’s career as a trooper in the Federation army is unblemished – until the day he disobeys a direct order and strikes an officer.
Now Dix has a choice. Face a life of hard labour that promises to be brutal and short. Or accept a mysterious invitation to join a black-ops mission in hostile terrain.
The plan sounds simple, if horribly dangerous. Fetch a fearsome weapon from a secret location and deliver it to a distant planet, whose population is under the chilling yoke of the Federation’s rival empire, the Axis. Do it without getting caught, or implicating the Federation, and Dix’s transgressions will be forgiven.
Review:
A new Burke comes with a certain set of expectations. You know you’re in for some sharp wit, very British humour, the occasional pop-culture nod—and always an engaging story, endearing characters, and a general sense of warmth that, honestly, I chalk up to him being a Yorkshireman.
I’ve said before that Burke’s writing is polished to the bone. No fluff, no filler. Every scene feels like it earned its place. Special Delivery sticks to that formula, even as it shifts tone dramatically. Gone is the cosy space opera. In its place: grit, gore, oppressive hegemonies and fog-thick dread. And yet it still reads with the same brisk clarity. Chapters whizz by in minutes, and minutes in enjoyment. I finished it in a day—and what a day it was.
This book is a departure, but not a detour. Burke navigates the darker territory confidently, without losing the charm and momentum his readers expect. We follow Trooper Dix and his crew—a thrown-together mix of criminals and deserters—on a black-ops mission into Axis territory. Their goal? Retrieve and deliver a weapon that turns out to be far more complicated than expected. There’s still a heart beneath the grime—comradeship, sacrifice, purpose—but this time it’s wrapped in desperation and dirt. It’s less tea on the bridge, more blood on the walls.
The characters shine, as always. Vaskez and Drake are standouts—a clear nod to Aliens, but reimagined with a wink and a twist. There’s also Alard, whose genetic mutation brings a unique ability I don’t think I’ve seen elsewhere. The team dynamic feels lived-in, natural, and just off-kilter enough to keep things interesting.
Fans of Aliens, Starship Troopers, maybe even Mass Effect—this one’s for you. Special Delivery doesn’t ask much of you. It just opens the door and drags you along for the ride. Whether Burke returns to this universe or not, I know I’d gladly sign up for another mission.
