Planetside

This is a fast-paced, enjoyable military SF novel set on an alien planet which humans are fighting to conquer for its precious metal resources. In addition to the action, adventure, and mystery, the book does a good job of exploring the dubious ethics of colonization and theft of natives' land and resources, and the implications of violating the principle of not interfering with the technological development of alien races (what Star Trek calls The Prime Directive).

Although there are a number of intelligent, competent supporting women characters, it's a bit disappointing that the only really high-ranking one is the Evil Uncooperative Bitch, and the genders represented are very, very binary.

Content Warning for genocide, which the book recognizes as a grievous war crime.