What do you think?
Rate this book
I, Soldier #1
Call Me Ares
Long live the soldiers!
Engage the enemies of mankind. Prevent aliens from breaching the line. Keep them far from Earth.
Travel to the stars where you’ll fight to keep your families safe. Fight for all humanity.
The alien races must be driven back. They are too close. Only the soldiers can protect Earth. Only you.
The only thing the aliens understand is respect. Without it, humanity dies. We die as a race! Earn their respect through your strength.
Bring glory and honor to yourself through your prowess in battle. Trust your section leads. Trust your battle planners. And win.
Win and recover to your ships. Lose and no one will come for you because there will be no one left. We will fight to the last.
By order of Janus Seven, Leader of Humanity
For fans of Starship Troopers, Halo, Battleship Leviathan, and other military science fiction.
Travel to the stars where you’ll fight to keep your families safe. Fight for all humanity.
The alien races must be driven back. They are too close. Only the soldiers can protect Earth. Only you.
The only thing the aliens understand is respect. Without it, humanity dies. We die as a race! Earn their respect through your strength.
Bring glory and honor to yourself through your prowess in battle. Trust your section leads. Trust your battle planners. And win.
Win and recover to your ships. Lose and no one will come for you because there will be no one left. We will fight to the last.
By order of Janus Seven, Leader of Humanity
For fans of Starship Troopers, Halo, Battleship Leviathan, and other military science fiction.
- GenresAmazon
262 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 14, 2025
About the author
Craig Martelle
338 books7,902 followersVisit Craig's web page, craigmartelle.com for the latest posts and updates or find him on Facebook, Author Craig Martelle. Send an email to craig@craigmartelle.com to join his mailing list for the latest on new releases, information on old releases, and anything related to his books.
I see my other lives, a career in the Marines, those damn hand-written tests in law school, a business consultant, as if they're stories from a book. I see my books as if I lived there, as if I were friends with the characters. All things we remember are behind us, only those we imagine lie before.
I'm not sure which place I prefer, but I don't have to choose. They live together in my mind. My books have some award nominations, they have bestseller tags across multiple countries. I write about justice, honor, and loyalty because that's what I care about. My stories are mostly set within worlds that haven't been, but could be. We have to be ready for when those times come.
No matter where I went, I always had a book with me. Thanks to 21st Century technology, I now have hundreds of books loaded on my phone and always with me. This breakthrough allows me to binge read my favorites. How many books would I have read on deployments had I not had to have a physical book with me? I paced myself so I wouldn't finish too quickly.
We aren't encumbered like that now. I love the works of Robert Heinlein, Anne McCaffrey, JRR Tolkien, Robert E. Howard, and so many more. I have been compared to Andre Norton and that is humbling - she was an incredible author with a huge list of novels to her credit. With every new book, I aspire to live up to those that you, the readers, have compared me to.
Through a bizarre series of events, I ended up in Fairbanks, Alaska. I never expected to retire to a place where golf courses are only open for four months out of the year. But that's the way it is. It is off the beaten path. My wife and I get to watch the northern lights from our driveway. Our dog has lots of room to run. And temperatures reach fifty below zero. We have from three and a half hours of daylight in the winter to twenty-four hours in the summer.
It's all part of the give and take of life. If we didn't have those extremes, then everyone would live in the sub-arctic.
I see my other lives, a career in the Marines, those damn hand-written tests in law school, a business consultant, as if they're stories from a book. I see my books as if I lived there, as if I were friends with the characters. All things we remember are behind us, only those we imagine lie before.
I'm not sure which place I prefer, but I don't have to choose. They live together in my mind. My books have some award nominations, they have bestseller tags across multiple countries. I write about justice, honor, and loyalty because that's what I care about. My stories are mostly set within worlds that haven't been, but could be. We have to be ready for when those times come.
No matter where I went, I always had a book with me. Thanks to 21st Century technology, I now have hundreds of books loaded on my phone and always with me. This breakthrough allows me to binge read my favorites. How many books would I have read on deployments had I not had to have a physical book with me? I paced myself so I wouldn't finish too quickly.
We aren't encumbered like that now. I love the works of Robert Heinlein, Anne McCaffrey, JRR Tolkien, Robert E. Howard, and so many more. I have been compared to Andre Norton and that is humbling - she was an incredible author with a huge list of novels to her credit. With every new book, I aspire to live up to those that you, the readers, have compared me to.
Through a bizarre series of events, I ended up in Fairbanks, Alaska. I never expected to retire to a place where golf courses are only open for four months out of the year. But that's the way it is. It is off the beaten path. My wife and I get to watch the northern lights from our driveway. Our dog has lots of room to run. And temperatures reach fifty below zero. We have from three and a half hours of daylight in the winter to twenty-four hours in the summer.
It's all part of the give and take of life. If we didn't have those extremes, then everyone would live in the sub-arctic.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 4, 2026
A SOLDIER WHO LEADS BY EXAMPLE, WHO'S ONLY DESIRE IS TO WIN THE WAR SO OTHERS DON'T DIE
1/03/26 Review:
☆☆☆☆☆
Call Me Ares: A Military Science Fiction Adventure (I, Soldier Book 1) by Craig Martelle is the start of what I have no doubt is going to be another hit series for Craig. I honestly state, I have read most of his books and thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of them.
This first book in this series takes place on a world that is nothing but a battlefield, a place to destroy your opponent by death. Ares is a section leader that is not only a well decorated soldier but as his name states, he is 'The God of War' delivering death each time he and his men take to the battlefield. It's not like he's the only one raining death and destruction but he places himself at the point of the spear doing what he does best.
Like I stated above, this is a very good story and you will not go wrong reading this first installment and once you finish this book you'll find yourself jonesing for the second book to see what's in store for Ares in Antares Sector where he, his team, and The Antilles are heading for their next battle to protect the human race against alien races out to eradicate humans once and for all.
1/03/26 Review:
☆☆☆☆☆
Call Me Ares: A Military Science Fiction Adventure (I, Soldier Book 1) by Craig Martelle is the start of what I have no doubt is going to be another hit series for Craig. I honestly state, I have read most of his books and thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of them.
This first book in this series takes place on a world that is nothing but a battlefield, a place to destroy your opponent by death. Ares is a section leader that is not only a well decorated soldier but as his name states, he is 'The God of War' delivering death each time he and his men take to the battlefield. It's not like he's the only one raining death and destruction but he places himself at the point of the spear doing what he does best.
Like I stated above, this is a very good story and you will not go wrong reading this first installment and once you finish this book you'll find yourself jonesing for the second book to see what's in store for Ares in Antares Sector where he, his team, and The Antilles are heading for their next battle to protect the human race against alien races out to eradicate humans once and for all.
October 11, 2025
Good read
The book moved well and was a good read it keeps you looking for the next chapter. I enjoyed it very much
The book moved well and was a good read it keeps you looking for the next chapter. I enjoyed it very much
September 18, 2025
The God of War!
Ares knows nothing else but his company of soldiers fighting together to defeat the enemy! He is simply good at it, dealing death to all who stand against humanity. I look forward to the next chapter and the next battle!
Ares knows nothing else but his company of soldiers fighting together to defeat the enemy! He is simply good at it, dealing death to all who stand against humanity. I look forward to the next chapter and the next battle!
September 28, 2025
Looking for action
Was a non-stop book of alien warfare. It kept me reading as the action never stopped. It made me excited to read the next book in the series.
Was a non-stop book of alien warfare. It kept me reading as the action never stopped. It made me excited to read the next book in the series.
September 18, 2025
Call Me Ares - a review by Rosemary Kenny.
Aptly named after the Greek God of War, Ares is a super-soldier who leads his troops from the front as they engage with invading aliens bugs and their masters the Skinnies on Espenar Four, a planet that's important to defend as Earth could be next.
Call Me Ares by Craig Martelle is an all-action space opera that will set your pulse pounding, as it's so well written and the engaging characters and dynamic storyline are sure to make you want to enjoy the rest of the series.
Why wait? Grab your copy today and lock and load for adventure!
Aptly named after the Greek God of War, Ares is a super-soldier who leads his troops from the front as they engage with invading aliens bugs and their masters the Skinnies on Espenar Four, a planet that's important to defend as Earth could be next.
Call Me Ares by Craig Martelle is an all-action space opera that will set your pulse pounding, as it's so well written and the engaging characters and dynamic storyline are sure to make you want to enjoy the rest of the series.
Why wait? Grab your copy today and lock and load for adventure!
September 18, 2025
An excellent space opera by a master
I am always interested to read anything that is written by Craig Martelle but especially his military based stories. Plenty of action and a compelling main character made for a book I didn’t want to put down. I look forward to reading the rest of the series
I am always interested to read anything that is written by Craig Martelle but especially his military based stories. Plenty of action and a compelling main character made for a book I didn’t want to put down. I look forward to reading the rest of the series
October 20, 2025
Call Me Ares delivers pure, unfiltered military sci-fi adrenaline. With its rallying cry narrative style and gritty frontline intensity, Craig Martelle channels the spirit of Starship Troopers and Halo with a focus on duty, sacrifice, and glory in the face of overwhelming alien threat. It’s a bold declaration of war wrapped in honor, camaraderie, and raw survival perfect for readers who crave high-stakes humanity-versus-the-universe warfare.
February 21, 2026
War strategy
Tactics and training strategies. Or mind control. Ares didn't argue with himself. He saw what needed to be done and led his men into battle to do it. Win or die. No trying. Win or die.
Tactics and training strategies. Or mind control. Ares didn't argue with himself. He saw what needed to be done and led his men into battle to do it. Win or die. No trying. Win or die.
March 2, 2026
Starship troopers meets Ares
This was an entertaining mix of starship troopers, mech warrior and ares lol.I listened to it while doing chores so was entertaining. Some phrases right out of starship troopers.
This was an entertaining mix of starship troopers, mech warrior and ares lol.I listened to it while doing chores so was entertaining. Some phrases right out of starship troopers.
March 19, 2026
Not for everyone
While I am of two minds about this novel, it is pretty well written. Following the footsteps of a reporter feels cumbersome here, yet I found this to be a fairly quick read.
While I am of two minds about this novel, it is pretty well written. Following the footsteps of a reporter feels cumbersome here, yet I found this to be a fairly quick read.
February 4, 2026
you have to read this book
Great story and characters and military theories. One of the best military fiction adventures. Can’t wait for the next book.
Great story and characters and military theories. One of the best military fiction adventures. Can’t wait for the next book.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews