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4.26 AVERAGE
4.26 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book follows the adventures of the Commonwealth captain that we met in Rimward Stars after the events of Operation Medusa. You meet new characters and learn about them in depth, and there is fast paced battles and tension. The lack of the q-com (and thus FTL communication) for most of the characters makes this one much more David Webber-like than some of the earlier books.
There is some nice introspection by characters and consideration of personal principles, taking place in an area of space consisting of mainly first nations people, and how their colonial past intersects with the ‘Unity’ focus of the Commonwealth.
There is some nice introspection by characters and consideration of personal principles, taking place in an area of space consisting of mainly first nations people, and how their colonial past intersects with the ‘Unity’ focus of the Commonwealth.
This is a series from Glynn Stewart that had kind of fallen under my radar. I have previously read several book series from this author, For example Castle Federation and the Duchy of Terra Universe to mention a few and there have been many four star and quite a few five star books in these series.
This is a very good book. Not quite five stars but a solid four.
It is classic military space opera in the Castle Federation universe. This time we are given the view from the Terran Commonwealth’s perspective. At least at first.
It is a somewhat apocalyptic beginning with the Commonwealth being sucker punched and their entire FTL communications network being destroyed in one swift go. One gripe that I had right from the start is that although the authors depiction of FTL communications (quantum entanglement) is very realistic, that these communication switchboards would not be better defended is highly unrealistic. I think that this annoying start, and the deja vu feeling of yet another star empire beats the dust, is the primary reason why I could not bring myself to give this book five stars.
Apart from that I really enjoyed the book. The main protagonist, Rear Admiral James Tecumseh, is great. Just the kind of highly competent hero, with a working moral compass, that I want. The rest of the characters around James are very likable as well and, surprisingly enough, one of my favorite characters, apart from James, are the extremely competent spy and assassin that made a surprise appearance as the story evolved.
Of course, the Commonwealth starts to fall apart when various more or less corrupt Admirals tries to carve out their own little domains with other Admiral’s trying to keep the Commonwealth together with dictatorial methods. Add to this the circling vultures in the form of the Commonwealth’s existing enemies and our Rear Admiral has his work cut out for him.
The book has a nice balance between the military parts and the, unfortunately obligatory, political bullshit. Of course, there can be no military science fiction without some military action and, as usual, the author does not disappoint in this area. It is well written and enjoyable to read.
I am quite happy that I found this series that, as I wrote, seemed to have fallen under my radar.
This is a very good book. Not quite five stars but a solid four.
It is classic military space opera in the Castle Federation universe. This time we are given the view from the Terran Commonwealth’s perspective. At least at first.
It is a somewhat apocalyptic beginning with the Commonwealth being sucker punched and their entire FTL communications network being destroyed in one swift go. One gripe that I had right from the start is that although the authors depiction of FTL communications (quantum entanglement) is very realistic, that these communication switchboards would not be better defended is highly unrealistic. I think that this annoying start, and the deja vu feeling of yet another star empire beats the dust, is the primary reason why I could not bring myself to give this book five stars.
Apart from that I really enjoyed the book. The main protagonist, Rear Admiral James Tecumseh, is great. Just the kind of highly competent hero, with a working moral compass, that I want. The rest of the characters around James are very likable as well and, surprisingly enough, one of my favorite characters, apart from James, are the extremely competent spy and assassin that made a surprise appearance as the story evolved.
Of course, the Commonwealth starts to fall apart when various more or less corrupt Admirals tries to carve out their own little domains with other Admiral’s trying to keep the Commonwealth together with dictatorial methods. Add to this the circling vultures in the form of the Commonwealth’s existing enemies and our Rear Admiral has his work cut out for him.
The book has a nice balance between the military parts and the, unfortunately obligatory, political bullshit. Of course, there can be no military science fiction without some military action and, as usual, the author does not disappoint in this area. It is well written and enjoyable to read.
I am quite happy that I found this series that, as I wrote, seemed to have fallen under my radar.
More Castle Federation is always good, and Glynn Stewart shows real skill by making me start liking the villains from the previous six book series. The only issue is that I have to wait for more Dakotan Confederacy... sigh.
informative
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
new region, old universe
A bit of a slow start as characters and politics played out, but even when not at his best Glynn Stewart is head and shoulders above most in the genre. My only complaint is the wait for the next book!
A bit of a slow start as characters and politics played out, but even when not at his best Glynn Stewart is head and shoulders above most in the genre. My only complaint is the wait for the next book!