Mercs is the first book in the Blackhearts series, and while it introduces the main characters and world, it can be enjoyed as a standalone story. However, reading it first will provide the foundational context for subsequent books in the series.
Mercs is the inaugural title in Jay Allan's Blackhearts series, which is set within his broader Crimson Worlds universe. Readers familiar with the Crimson Worlds will recognize some of the overarching themes and military science fiction elements.