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Cobra War #1
Cobra Alliance: Cobra War: Book I
Earth had won its war with the Troft because of the Cobras, a guerilla force whose weapons were surgically implanted, invisible to the unsuspecting eye, yet undeniably deadly. The Moreau family were the most famous of the Cobra warriors, but their descendent, Jasmine “Jin” Moreau Broom, is worried about the current attitudes of the Cobra worlds and their leaders. Generations after the planets were settled, not everyone on the Cobra worlds thinks that the Cobras are worth their high cost, and favor cutting their funding. Then a new factor is thrown into the mix. Jin receives a message, sender unknown, delivered by a Troft To the Demon Warrior Jasmine Jin Urgent you return at once to Qasama. Crisis situation requires your personal attention. Years ago, a Cobra team, including Jin, had gone to Qasama at the urging of the Troft to counter a threat to other planets, both human and Troft. Jin and her family cannot think of a reason why any Qasaman would want Jin or any other Cobra to return to their planet. Moreover, the Cobra worlds have prohibited any of their citizens from traveling to Qasama, and backed up the prohibition with stiff prison sentences. But the possibility of danger to the Cobra worlds is too important for Jin to ignore the message. She and her son Merrick, also a Cobra, book passage on a Troft ship to Qasama. But are they really going where their help is needed—or are they walking into a trap?
394 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
17 people are currently reading
429 people want to read
About the author
Timothy Zahn
486 books8,337 followersTimothy Zahn attended Michigan State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in physics in 1973. He then moved to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and achieved an M.S. degree in physics in 1975. While he was pursuing a doctorate in physics, his adviser became ill and died. Zahn never completed the doctorate. In 1975 he had begun writing science fiction as a hobby, and he became a professional writer. He and his wife Anna live in Bandon, Oregon. They have a son, Corwin Zahn.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
December 29, 2024
Jasmine 'Jin' Moreau goes back to the planet she barely escaped 30 years before in order to deal with an unknown crisis based on an unsigned note. I liked the book and it looks like a good series based on this start; however, this isn't really a stand-alone book. The returning characters and their motivations will be a lot easier to understand if one has recently read Cobra Bargain. The story is good and the ending very good with a clear set-up for the next book.
June 19, 2025
Decent military SF, as usual. Getting a bit ‘lather, rinse, repeat’, though. Every generation sends a Cobra up the pop charts…
August 11, 2012
Book Info: Genre: Military Science-fiction Reading Level: Adult
Disclosure: I received the final book in this trilogy (The Cobra War Trilogy) in exchange for an honest review from Amazon Vine; I am happy to provide an honest review of this first book in the trilogy –which I purchased for myself – as well.
Synopsis: Earth had won its war with the Troft because of the Cobras, a guerrilla force whose weapons were surgically implanted, invisible to the unsuspecting eye, yet undeniably deadly. The Moreau family were the most famous of the Cobra warriors, but their descendent, Jasmine “Jin” Moreau Broom, is worried about the current attitudes of the Cobra worlds and their leaders. Generations after the planets were settled, not everyone on the Cobra worlds thinks that the Cobras are worth their high cost, and favor cutting their funding.
Then a new factor is thrown into the mix. Jin receives a message, sender unknown, delivered by a Troft messenger:
To the Demon Warrior Jasmine Jin Moreau:
Urgent you return at once to Qasama. Crisis situation requires your personal attention.
Years ago, a Cobra team, including Jin, had gone to Qasama at the urging of the Troft to counter a threat to other planets, both human and Troft. Jin and her family cannot think of a reason why any Qasaman would want Jin or any other Cobra to return to their planet. Moreover, the Cobra worlds have prohibited any of their citizens from traveling to Qasama, and backed up the prohibition with stiff prison sentences.
But the possibility of danger to the Cobra worlds is too important for Jin to ignore the message. She and her son Merrick, also a Cobra, book passage on a Troft ship to Qasama. But are they really going where their help is needed — or are they walking into a trap?
My Thoughts: It is very obvious that there was a huge gap in the years between the last book in the first trilogy (published in 1988) and this first book in the 2nd trilogy (published in 2009). Zahn’s writing skills have obvious matured, and there is also an obvious difference in editors, as this book correctly uses “try to” rather than the colloquial “try and”. This book is very fast-paced and a fast read – I went through it in a single reading session, barely able to turn the pages quickly enough.
I had a whole long paragraph about the cover, but have decided against all that – I will just point out that the cover image is grossly inaccurate and leave it at that. However, is it too much to hope for that the cover accurately reflects the book?
But that was really the only problem I had with the book. It is a very good piece of military science-fiction and a terrific kick-off point for the Cobra War series. My reading of these books will continue with the second book in this trilogy, Cobra Guardian.
Disclosure: I received the final book in this trilogy (The Cobra War Trilogy) in exchange for an honest review from Amazon Vine; I am happy to provide an honest review of this first book in the trilogy –which I purchased for myself – as well.
Synopsis: Earth had won its war with the Troft because of the Cobras, a guerrilla force whose weapons were surgically implanted, invisible to the unsuspecting eye, yet undeniably deadly. The Moreau family were the most famous of the Cobra warriors, but their descendent, Jasmine “Jin” Moreau Broom, is worried about the current attitudes of the Cobra worlds and their leaders. Generations after the planets were settled, not everyone on the Cobra worlds thinks that the Cobras are worth their high cost, and favor cutting their funding.
Then a new factor is thrown into the mix. Jin receives a message, sender unknown, delivered by a Troft messenger:
To the Demon Warrior Jasmine Jin Moreau:
Urgent you return at once to Qasama. Crisis situation requires your personal attention.
Years ago, a Cobra team, including Jin, had gone to Qasama at the urging of the Troft to counter a threat to other planets, both human and Troft. Jin and her family cannot think of a reason why any Qasaman would want Jin or any other Cobra to return to their planet. Moreover, the Cobra worlds have prohibited any of their citizens from traveling to Qasama, and backed up the prohibition with stiff prison sentences.
But the possibility of danger to the Cobra worlds is too important for Jin to ignore the message. She and her son Merrick, also a Cobra, book passage on a Troft ship to Qasama. But are they really going where their help is needed — or are they walking into a trap?
My Thoughts: It is very obvious that there was a huge gap in the years between the last book in the first trilogy (published in 1988) and this first book in the 2nd trilogy (published in 2009). Zahn’s writing skills have obvious matured, and there is also an obvious difference in editors, as this book correctly uses “try to” rather than the colloquial “try and”. This book is very fast-paced and a fast read – I went through it in a single reading session, barely able to turn the pages quickly enough.
I had a whole long paragraph about the cover, but have decided against all that – I will just point out that the cover image is grossly inaccurate and leave it at that. However, is it too much to hope for that the cover accurately reflects the book?
But that was really the only problem I had with the book. It is a very good piece of military science-fiction and a terrific kick-off point for the Cobra War series. My reading of these books will continue with the second book in this trilogy, Cobra Guardian.
September 5, 2012
Excellent writer. Has a good tempo with great skill in developing characters and plots.
January 3, 2021
Nothing fancy, but certainly fast and fun. Jin is a Cobra - a human implanted with military tech - who is 3 decades past her prime. A mysterious note calls her back to Qasama, the unfriendly world where she won a great victory in her youth. But the further she goes, the further the mystery (and the danger!) deepen.
August 8, 2020
I’ve read more books by Timothy Zahn than any other writer. I think this would be my 10th - I’ve also read the original Cobra trilogy, the entire Quadrail series and also Icarus Hunt.
This one rates as good, if not amazing. On average I’d say it was as good as the Cobra 3, not as good as Cobra 2 but better than Cobra 1 (my least favourite).
I was happy to see Jin return as I enjoyed her character the first time around. This time her and her son Merrick and heading back to Qasama after receiving a mysterious, anonymous note pleading for their help.
The original 3 Cobra books (before this one) we’re fairly self contained. This book however definitely feels like the entire trilogy will be like one long story. I always found the character of Daulo to be a bit of a yawn so I was happy to see he only plays a minor role in this book.
I breezed through this one, enjoying Timothy Zahns trademark fast-paced action that somehow never feels rushed. He isn’t the next Shakespeare and nor does he pretend to me. This is fun, pulpy sci fi with super soldiers and foreign planets and all of that stuff. You don’t read Zahn to feel deeply about things. You read him because his books are fun, fast and imaginative.
My one big gripe is the usual 1-2 plot holes that always seem to be in Zahns books. Namely - why invade Qasama to scoop up a bunch of spine leopards (razorarms) to dump into the cities of the other human planets - when those planets themselves already have loads of the animals? Ok maybe the Trofts thought Qasama would be easy pickings do to their lack of Cobras. I don’t know - it feels a little flimsy to me.
All that being said - a super fun book. Can’t wait to read the next one.
This one rates as good, if not amazing. On average I’d say it was as good as the Cobra 3, not as good as Cobra 2 but better than Cobra 1 (my least favourite).
I was happy to see Jin return as I enjoyed her character the first time around. This time her and her son Merrick and heading back to Qasama after receiving a mysterious, anonymous note pleading for their help.
The original 3 Cobra books (before this one) we’re fairly self contained. This book however definitely feels like the entire trilogy will be like one long story. I always found the character of Daulo to be a bit of a yawn so I was happy to see he only plays a minor role in this book.
I breezed through this one, enjoying Timothy Zahns trademark fast-paced action that somehow never feels rushed. He isn’t the next Shakespeare and nor does he pretend to me. This is fun, pulpy sci fi with super soldiers and foreign planets and all of that stuff. You don’t read Zahn to feel deeply about things. You read him because his books are fun, fast and imaginative.
My one big gripe is the usual 1-2 plot holes that always seem to be in Zahns books. Namely - why invade Qasama to scoop up a bunch of spine leopards (razorarms) to dump into the cities of the other human planets - when those planets themselves already have loads of the animals? Ok maybe the Trofts thought Qasama would be easy pickings do to their lack of Cobras. I don’t know - it feels a little flimsy to me.
All that being said - a super fun book. Can’t wait to read the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2016
Before starting to read this series, I went back to the original that I had read about two and a half decades ago for a re-read. It was an enjoyable enough series, character-oriented, but very light. Also some of the themes felt very dated (roles of genders) and Cobra lasers switched from invisible to visible between the first and second novel.
This new series is set a couple of decades later. Jin Moreau, now Moreau Broom, has married and is now the mother of two cobra sons and a non-cobra daughter. It is quickly shown that the archaic gender roles still keep women from military positions, even though, to be fair, women can have important jobs otherwise (in science and politics). The story sets off when Jin Broom receives a message calling her back to Qasama. She breaks the Cobra Worlds laws to do so, and soon finds that a lot has changed (again) on the alien planet.
The series is called Cobra War so things quickly escalate and Jin Broom finds herself and her son on a war-torn planet facing dangers together and separately.
A decent read, overall, but nothing very special. Zahn's writing is better, but the story is as light as the original series. His original Star Wars trilogy and the Conquerors' Trilogy are superior to this in many ways.
This new series is set a couple of decades later. Jin Moreau, now Moreau Broom, has married and is now the mother of two cobra sons and a non-cobra daughter. It is quickly shown that the archaic gender roles still keep women from military positions, even though, to be fair, women can have important jobs otherwise (in science and politics). The story sets off when Jin Broom receives a message calling her back to Qasama. She breaks the Cobra Worlds laws to do so, and soon finds that a lot has changed (again) on the alien planet.
The series is called Cobra War so things quickly escalate and Jin Broom finds herself and her son on a war-torn planet facing dangers together and separately.
A decent read, overall, but nothing very special. Zahn's writing is better, but the story is as light as the original series. His original Star Wars trilogy and the Conquerors' Trilogy are superior to this in many ways.
September 2, 2020
Cobra Alliance by Timothy Zahn, Cobra War Book 1
Cobra’s are cybernetically enhanced warriors. Decades after they save humanity they are regarded as a tax burden. The older Cobras are suffering from a decreased life expectancy due to the alterations in their bodies to make them Cobras. Jin Moreau, an aging Cobra, receives a message requesting help from an old Qasama acquaintance. Jin’s family and Cobras are regarded as demonic by the paranoid Qasama people. The story starts with Jin responding to the request for help due to guilt over past behavior.
The book moves face with lots of action. The insular nature of the Qasama people can reflect real world reactions of some of the people that our own nation has “helped”. Equally the dwindling regard for the Cobra’s somewhat reflects how many of our Vietnam vets were treated when they returned home. Even today, many of our veterans do not get the positive regard they deserve for serving their country.
It is possible I am reading more meaning into Zahn’s work than he intended but that is the beauty of the written word, the ability to see it in your own context.
I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading book 2.
Cobra’s are cybernetically enhanced warriors. Decades after they save humanity they are regarded as a tax burden. The older Cobras are suffering from a decreased life expectancy due to the alterations in their bodies to make them Cobras. Jin Moreau, an aging Cobra, receives a message requesting help from an old Qasama acquaintance. Jin’s family and Cobras are regarded as demonic by the paranoid Qasama people. The story starts with Jin responding to the request for help due to guilt over past behavior.
The book moves face with lots of action. The insular nature of the Qasama people can reflect real world reactions of some of the people that our own nation has “helped”. Equally the dwindling regard for the Cobra’s somewhat reflects how many of our Vietnam vets were treated when they returned home. Even today, many of our veterans do not get the positive regard they deserve for serving their country.
It is possible I am reading more meaning into Zahn’s work than he intended but that is the beauty of the written word, the ability to see it in your own context.
I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading book 2.
May 24, 2021
Cobra Alliance – 2009 – Cobra War Book 1 - ***1/2 - Zahn writes non-stop action Sci-fi novels that are enjoyable to read. The world building is minimal and character development follows suit. But what sets Zahn above other Sci-fi writers is the constant action with plot twists and livable dialogue. Jin Maueau Broom is the matriarch Cobra fighter with a Cobra husband, two sons and one daughter all following her lead. The war on Qasama makes you wonder who is on whose side as the fighting intensifies. I am glad I read this well after print date so I can get the second book in the series right away. Fun escapism for a summer vacation read.
April 11, 2020
My main problem with the book is all flash backs to the previous books in the series. The characters make simple logical decisions which is a nice change of pace as opposed to having the plot driven by stupidity or fate. One thing that bothers me is the seemingly infinite energy of there small arms and servos. Over all not a bad book.
March 20, 2023
While not bad, this book wasn't really good either, it was mediocre at best. I spent more than half of this book bored, there wasn't a whole lot going on. I was not a big fan of the characters and the overall plot was mostly boring. I am curious to see what happens in the next book, but I am not expecting a whole lot. Overall 2.5 out of 5 stars.
March 26, 2020
Timothy Zahn writes good SF and this is no exception. What looked like military SF, which I am not crazy about, turned into a more nuanced story. A series of issues lead to some good twists and turns.
September 24, 2017
a decent war story with multiple characters written in the star wars style
October 28, 2019
Not the best of Zahn's work but interesting. Much is bogged down in reintroducing characters and setting the stage. Hopefully things will pick up in the next book.
September 9, 2022
I really like this author's non-star wars books
dragonback and quadrail series are both really fun
not sure if it's worth digging up the sequels in this one
dragonback and quadrail series are both really fun
not sure if it's worth digging up the sequels in this one
February 11, 2024
The nuancing continues! I’m really appreciating the thematic development of this series.
December 20, 2024
Reading the first Cobra trilogy is almost a requirement for this book to make sense, but if you've done that, this is a good quickly diversionary ready.
Not 'deep literature'. Just fun sci-fi.
Not 'deep literature'. Just fun sci-fi.
December 30, 2024
Gets interesting in the middle and then fizzles back out
April 20, 2011
There are problems here that weren't in the first trillogy, but let me start with the good. The world of Qsama is more detailed than ever, and seems both interesting and somewhat practical for paranoid survivalist types. The Qsamans seem to have a more consistant, and interesting culture than before. There are certain parallells to mid-eastern cultures that I never recognized before, and I was really fascinated to see that explored.
I also felt like the action sequences were nearly as good as they've ever been in any of the cobra books. We know all of the capabilities of the cobras at this point, but still action seems haven't become repeditive. I think the main credit for this is due to the changing circumstances and terrain.
Now the Bad. Jasmin is even less interesting than in the last book. I'm not sure how this is possible. She has apparently gone senial, and can no longer think deeply about anything. Her son, Merrick seems fairly immature. He has few distinguishing features despite the ability to think things through strategically, and be fairly observant.
Also, the mission is iexplicably composed on Jasmin and Merrick only. Apparently the cobra worlds have completely lost the ability to plan an exbidition, and to chose people for their talents rather than their last name. I don't get it. One of the thrills of the earlier books is the idea that different people have different specialities and depending on a mix of skills is important. That is gone completely, and it is a shame.
I recommend this book to those who loved the first 3 (like me). Everybody else should go read those.
I also felt like the action sequences were nearly as good as they've ever been in any of the cobra books. We know all of the capabilities of the cobras at this point, but still action seems haven't become repeditive. I think the main credit for this is due to the changing circumstances and terrain.
Now the Bad. Jasmin is even less interesting than in the last book. I'm not sure how this is possible. She has apparently gone senial, and can no longer think deeply about anything. Her son, Merrick seems fairly immature. He has few distinguishing features despite the ability to think things through strategically, and be fairly observant.
Also, the mission is iexplicably composed on Jasmin and Merrick only. Apparently the cobra worlds have completely lost the ability to plan an exbidition, and to chose people for their talents rather than their last name. I don't get it. One of the thrills of the earlier books is the idea that different people have different specialities and depending on a mix of skills is important. That is gone completely, and it is a shame.
I recommend this book to those who loved the first 3 (like me). Everybody else should go read those.
September 14, 2014
The Moreau family are the most famous of the fighters known as Cobra’s, an elite fighting force implanted with deadly weapons that once allowed them to keep Troft invaders at bay. With the threat to humanity diminished, the necessity of the Cobra program is brought into question.
Jasmine Jin Moreau receives an anonymous message that draws her back to her original home world of Qasama, a place where Cobras, the demon fighters, are not welcome. She thinks the message is from an old friend, one now in need of her help, and she cannot, will not, turn away from an obligation. What she finds on Qasama is more than she counted on.
This is military sci-fi. The Qasama people are poorly disguised Arabic peoples from gender roles to names and speech patterns. I might understand more of this aspect if I had read the first set of books centered on the Cobras, although I have to say, it didn’t read like I stepped into the middle of a story. This is my first Zahn novel. It didn’t leave me chomping at the bit to continue on with the series, the characters were two dimensional and the detailing of the Qasaman culture I found a bit drawn out and boring, but all things considered it was a good read. I found the plot twist at the end intriguing in that it was a little on the abnormal side.
Jasmine Jin Moreau receives an anonymous message that draws her back to her original home world of Qasama, a place where Cobras, the demon fighters, are not welcome. She thinks the message is from an old friend, one now in need of her help, and she cannot, will not, turn away from an obligation. What she finds on Qasama is more than she counted on.
This is military sci-fi. The Qasama people are poorly disguised Arabic peoples from gender roles to names and speech patterns. I might understand more of this aspect if I had read the first set of books centered on the Cobras, although I have to say, it didn’t read like I stepped into the middle of a story. This is my first Zahn novel. It didn’t leave me chomping at the bit to continue on with the series, the characters were two dimensional and the detailing of the Qasaman culture I found a bit drawn out and boring, but all things considered it was a good read. I found the plot twist at the end intriguing in that it was a little on the abnormal side.
January 17, 2016
I liken many of Timothy Zahn's books to summer blockbusters. Lots of action, explosions, suspense, and good vs. evil. Great art? No, but lots of fun, and like movie popcorn, hard to stop consuming. The latest installment(most likely a trilogy- book 2, "Cobra Guardian", is due out next month.) of his "Cobra" series, begun in the mid-1980's, involves the heroine of the last Cobra book, Jasmine "Jin" Moreau, who now has grown children of her own(all are Cobras, of course-bionic fighting machines, which are now mostly out-of-date, and unnecessary, on their home planet.), being called, with her oldest son, to the planet of their old human enemy, very mysteriously, and being there when the planet is attacked by an old alien enemy. Classic science-fiction, and hard to put down. I finished it within 48 hours. If you're into this kind of stuff, check it out.
November 24, 2011
Not a good continuation of the series. Jin Moreau is summoned back to Qasama mysteriously by Danlo, only to land in some serious trouble. That's really about it for the plot, and without getting into spoilers, nothing at all new has been added to the series to make you care about the book. There's only minor changes to Qasama, no real action outside of it, and it's just a collection of action scenes and the Qasamites acting paranoid.
The enemy is especially pointless, and this book is a rare misstep for Zahn. Hopefully he can change the second book into something more like the original trilogy.
The enemy is especially pointless, and this book is a rare misstep for Zahn. Hopefully he can change the second book into something more like the original trilogy.
August 21, 2012
Kind of disappointing considering I almost died to obtain this book. It's not quite as good as Zahn's Star Wars books or the Conqueror's series. It would probably help if you read the Cobra trilogy before this, except those books went out of print about 20 years ago. I had read the last two of that trilogy, though about 3 years ago so I wasn't all that up on who some of these characters were and what had gone on before. Considering how long it's been, maybe the publisher should have included a summary or something.
January 23, 2011
With this book Zahn returns once again to his world of Cobra's, elite soldiers with modified bodies, who were granted their own worlds after their purpose in war had been served. I looked forward to this book, as I liked the original Cobra series, as well as most of Zahn's other work, but somehow everything felt a bit rushed in this book. Hopefully this will improve in the rest of the series. All in all, it was still a nice simple read.
August 4, 2011
280 pages . Get this one from your library. The story is mildly interesting.Its a basic military SF book. The dialog is wooden. There is an OK storyline that sucked me in. I wish Zahn had done a better job of character development. The Qasama maybe stand ins for an Arab culture. are characterized as being paranoid and double dealing. The Cobra's technologically enhanced humans have are noble. The Troft's are the stock aliens.
April 4, 2013
Unless you've read the previous books in the Cobra series there will be some things that escape you. However, I think that it stands well enough on it's own.
I enjoyed the book. It took a little while to get going, but once it did the action was fast and furious. I'm looking forward to the next one!
I enjoyed the book. It took a little while to get going, but once it did the action was fast and furious. I'm looking forward to the next one!
February 7, 2016
2016 grade B+
Series book CW1
This is an action adventure SciFi novel with some of the characters augmented to effectively low level super powers. It also has pretty good character and personality development making it a fun read. The story ends satisfactorily and can be read on its own. But it does up the next novel at the very end.
Series book CW1
This is an action adventure SciFi novel with some of the characters augmented to effectively low level super powers. It also has pretty good character and personality development making it a fun read. The story ends satisfactorily and can be read on its own. But it does up the next novel at the very end.
November 29, 2010
Really tried to like this. I am a huge Zahn fan. But I just could not get into the story. I never really invested in the world that was built and that made it tough to read and connect. I ended up not finishing it.
December 16, 2009
Nothing revolutionary but nice to see he can still write good cobra books.
June 8, 2010
Not as strong as the early novels. I realize that the intent was to set up a series, and the premise is fine. However, I grew tired of the parnoids running the planet and the fifth double-cross.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews