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mary_soon_lee's review
3.0
This is the second novel in "The Galactic Cold War" series(*), a series that, indeed, features espionage in a science fiction future. As with the first book, the story switches between the perspective of Kovalic, a long-time operative, and Eli Brody, top-notch pilot, new to galactic intrigue. I found this a quick and thoroughly enjoyable read, but less all-absorbing than the opening book.
Spoilers ahead.
Two other aspects of the book didn't bother me, but might bother others. Firstly, Tapper is rather stereotypical (sergeant-character, type #1), but it's a stereotype I enjoy. Secondly, I doubt that in three hundred years spaceships will be piloted by humans, or at least by unenhanced humans, but I enjoy space pilots so I'm willing to suspend disbelief. Indeed, the technological and cultural changes are generally smaller than I'd expect, other than the faster-than-light travel that enables an interstellar civilization.
The strongest part of the book came near the end. Kovalic's decision regarding concerning one of his operatives was unexpected, but consistent, logical, and powerful. It made me like Kovalic a little less, but it also gives his character more heft.
(*) Goodreads records the opening book, "The Caledonian Gambit," as Book 0 and this book as Book 1 -- maybe this is because there was a shift from one publisher to another, and the new publisher wanted their part of the series to begin with number one??
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
Spoilers ahead.
Spoiler
While I continue to find Eli very likable, his personal stake in events seemed lower and his involvement less central than previously. As for Kovalic, the introduction of his ex, Nat Taylor, lacked emotional weight for me. For whatever reason, their past history didn't feel real to me. Nat seemed like a movie version of a highly competent, beautiful female agent, not a real individual, and Kovalic's reactions to her also felt somehow unconvincing. This may be an idiosyncratic response of mine, all readers bringing their own baggage to a book.Two other aspects of the book didn't bother me, but might bother others. Firstly, Tapper is rather stereotypical (sergeant-character, type #1), but it's a stereotype I enjoy. Secondly, I doubt that in three hundred years spaceships will be piloted by humans, or at least by unenhanced humans, but I enjoy space pilots so I'm willing to suspend disbelief. Indeed, the technological and cultural changes are generally smaller than I'd expect, other than the faster-than-light travel that enables an interstellar civilization.
The strongest part of the book came near the end. Kovalic's decision regarding concerning one of his operatives was unexpected, but consistent, logical, and powerful. It made me like Kovalic a little less, but it also gives his character more heft.
(*) Goodreads records the opening book, "The Caledonian Gambit," as Book 0 and this book as Book 1 -- maybe this is because there was a shift from one publisher to another, and the new publisher wanted their part of the series to begin with number one??
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
dawn_marie's review
3.0
Dan Moren's The Bayern Agenda is, at its core, a spy thriller set in space; one that I enjoyed.
Mr. Moren's prose is pleasant: it is focused, accessible, and humorous; switching point of view narrative between his two protagonists, Simon Kovalic and Eli Brody, with an occasional "interlude" which tells the back story of Simon Kovalic from green private on the frontlines to premier spy. While the other characters are not as complex as Kovalic or Brody
The story starts with Kovalic's team's mission rapidly falling apart on Sevastapol, however it leads to a tip that sends the team to the Bayern Corporation (where of course everything that could go wrong, goes wrong).
This was a nicely paced, well-written enjoyable story.
Mr. Moren's prose is pleasant: it is focused, accessible, and humorous; switching point of view narrative between his two protagonists, Simon Kovalic and Eli Brody, with an occasional "interlude" which tells the back story of Simon Kovalic from green private on the frontlines to premier spy. While the other characters are not as complex as Kovalic or Brody
The story starts with Kovalic's team's mission rapidly falling apart on Sevastapol, however it leads to a tip that sends the team to the Bayern Corporation (where of course everything that could go wrong, goes wrong).
This was a nicely paced, well-written enjoyable story.
amcintosh's review
5.0
A good followup to The Caledonian Gambit.
Despite the synopsis focusing on Simon Kovalic, the story passes between him and Eli Brody just as in The Caledonian Gambit, which suits me just fine.
I quite enjoyed it. I think the writing is slightly improved over The Caledonian Gambit, though I think I enjoyed that novel just slightly more as I feel Caledonia as a setting was a little more detailed and fleshed out than Bayern. That being said, Bayern was also a really interesting and evocative setting.
I really enjoyed the interludes. It was interesting to see (briefly) how Kovalic got to where he was as his Earth past was only casually mentioned previously.
Good read and I’m excited for the next one.
Despite the synopsis focusing on Simon Kovalic, the story passes between him and Eli Brody just as in The Caledonian Gambit, which suits me just fine.
I quite enjoyed it. I think the writing is slightly improved over The Caledonian Gambit, though I think I enjoyed that novel just slightly more as I feel Caledonia as a setting was a little more detailed and fleshed out than Bayern. That being said, Bayern was also a really interesting and evocative setting.
I really enjoyed the interludes. It was interesting to see (briefly) how Kovalic got to where he was as his Earth past was only casually mentioned previously.
Spoiler
I’m fairly sad about Page. I liked him in the last book and he was too absent in this one and then…you know.Good read and I’m excited for the next one.
techxplorer's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
techxplorer's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
dspacenine's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
it took an entire book to tell a story that probably could have fit within two or three chapters. So many interesting things are brought up in the course of the story but never explored, e.g. the jump ship, leaving this a disappointment by the time you finally get to the end.
turrean's review
5.0
The development of Kovalic from raw recruit to seasoned warrior through the flashbacks was so much fun to read, given what readers know of the character from Caledonian Gambit (the prequel.) There’s a delightful cast of spies, villains, traitors, reluctant heroes, and hapless bystanders. My personal favorite is a middle-management bureaucrat at the embassy, who spends her time rotating among feelings of frustrated despair, grudging respect, and appalled horror at the shenanigans of these extra-legal subversive “allies.”
simon_w's review
5.0
An enjoyable space opera. While the second book [a:Dan Moren|11631604|Dan Moren|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1534884845p2/11631604.jpg] has written in this universe, following mostly the same characters, it is easy to approach for those that haven't read [b:The Caledonian Gambit|37870048|The Caledonian Gambit|Dan Moren|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1515494637s/37870048.jpg|51867588].