: When I read that, I guess I was gullible enough to believe that this would be
: about the decision to become a Spartan, maybe even the process of becoming
: one, something that Initiation obviously didn't give a musine posterior
: about. I had thought that this short novel would introduce wrinkles in the
: Spartan IV program, a reason for the soldier to decline an offer to join
: up. Something better than the "Insane Evil Supersoldier
: Prototype" cliche.

I think you might be pleasantly surprised. :)

: Just a version where Buck was mentally preparing himself for the
: augmentations would have been an interesting read. If he gets
: super-strength and the cybernetic augments required to work MJOLNIR, what
: does that mean for his retirement? Can Spartans retire? Is the UNSC going
: to repossess his augments when he punches out? Is ONI going to keep tabs
: on him in his old age to make sure nobody sneaks a tissue sample? Are his
: medical records going to be classified?

Ditto.

: What's it like going from being a strong man to something that can snap
: two-by-fours with his bare hands? How do you, as an adult, adjust to that?
: What's it like to suddenly be able to think at such a rate that everyone
: else is moving in slow motion. Do the Fours even have that augment?

Double Ditto

: Barely sounds like Nathan Fillion to me.

That was only the first chapter and honestly the most bare bones one establishing the circumstances for the rest of the novel. It isn't meant to be anything other than a sample, not the full course meal. A lot of Fillion's voice is truly conveyed in Buck's words.

: Sounds like he buys into imperialism hook, line, and sinker.

That's a pretty basic statement that anyone, including those in the URF, could stated in any setting from a prologue of a memoir to the dinner table. I figured that he was tired of war in any shape that it took, be it human or Covenant. Being a Spartan would definitely set him on the path towards the former. Honestly, though, so much of New Blood feels very sensationalized when it comes to matters of rebellion directly that I just can't take it very seriously.