Bugs, Mr. Rico!

John Ringo: Gust Front (Baen Books; 2001; ISBN 978-0-671-31976-2; cover by Dru Blair).

Available for free online.

I had read John Ringo's earlier entry in the Posleen series (also known as The Legacy of the Alldenata series). It was fun, but kind of rough. This entry, the second in the series (and I'm not sure how many books this was for Ringo, as he also collaborated on several) was not only much smoother in terms of writing, plotting, characterization, but a much better story.

The bugs...or the Posleen...are approaching Earth. The military is mobilized, but the fleet on which so much hope is pinned won't be ready in time. It'll be up to ground forces (of varying qualities), aging weapons systems with improvements (battleships) and the like.

When the Posleen land, all heck breaks loose. The book does swap around to some of the landings in other countries, but concentrates mainly on the landings in and around Virginia. And, interestingly enough, it does not so much concentrate on the typical infantry or armor units, but a number of engineer (sapper) and mortar units and how they turn the tide. Toss in the usual conniving humans, secret societies and strange plots (more weird stuff going on here than your typical season of 24 or the mind of a conspiracy-laden wing nut) and you've got a good fast-moving read by Ringo. Highly recommended.