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colossal's review against another edition
4.0
An ending (for now?) of this series. The story reaches an adequate stopping point but there's far more to tell in this universe and with these characters.
The New Alliance and Gate Union are at war. Redmond are acting as a third party in this that neither side really trusts. Actions of Emperor Yu, Crown Princess Michelle's father, bring change to the New Alliance and split Michelle from her loyal Admiral, and Ean away from Radko who he's come to depend on more and more. The efforts by the New Alliance's enemies to wrest control of the alien ships continues apace as both the Eleven and the Confluence get opportunities for action.
While this was a lot of fun, and getting Radko's perspective was a welcome addition, I do have a bit of an issue with the opposition in this one, and in particular how intelligent their plans are. One of the rare instance where the Too Stupid Too Live trope hits an antagonist.
The New Alliance and Gate Union are at war. Redmond are acting as a third party in this that neither side really trusts. Actions of Emperor Yu, Crown Princess Michelle's father, bring change to the New Alliance and split Michelle from her loyal Admiral, and Ean away from Radko who he's come to depend on more and more. The efforts by the New Alliance's enemies to wrest control of the alien ships continues apace as both the Eleven and the Confluence get opportunities for action.
While this was a lot of fun, and getting Radko's perspective was a welcome addition, I do have a bit of an issue with the opposition in this one, and in particular how intelligent their plans are.
Spoiler
The plot is to gain control over Ean's contract, but supposed intelligent people didn't even read it. While their plan fails, even if it had succeeded it wouldn't have worked anyway!tome15's review against another edition
3.0
Dunstall, S. K. Confluence. Linesman No. 3. Ace, 2016.
The Linesman trilogy completes its story arc, more or less. We learn a bit more about the purposes, but not the nature, of lines. We resolve some political issues and tie up some romantic lose ends. Our brave captain deals with her PTSD, and our shy young singer learns to socialize. But many of the open questions of the first two novels remain. But, if you liked the first two books, you will probably like this one as well. I am just being a curmudgeon in my complaints—probably.
The Linesman trilogy completes its story arc, more or less. We learn a bit more about the purposes, but not the nature, of lines. We resolve some political issues and tie up some romantic lose ends. Our brave captain deals with her PTSD, and our shy young singer learns to socialize. But many of the open questions of the first two novels remain. But, if you liked the first two books, you will probably like this one as well. I am just being a curmudgeon in my complaints—probably.
suzjustsuz's review
4.0
4+ stars
This is an excellent space opera. I didn't want to leave the world and I hope that the author continues to write stories in this world.
This is an excellent space opera. I didn't want to leave the world and I hope that the author continues to write stories in this world.
bartfennema's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
Such loveable characters! I love the kindness that permeates through the pages. In that sense, very relaxing and comforting. I keep returning to this series.
snowcrash's review
4.0
More Linesman!
I really liked the first two books, so immediately grabbed the third off of the shelf. If you've gotten this far and are comfortable with the characters, be ready for being tossed off balance. This is to say the authors still have a few surprises up their sleeves.
One surprise is to separate Radko & Ean. (No spoilers, it is on the back of the book). This makes for an interesting twist to the book plot, as it allows us to see each character alone. The emperor of Lancia is a thoroughly despicable man. Absolute power has blinded him to the feelings of those around him. The book makes the pitch that those with good hearts and intentions will win the day. Maybe.
Like the second book, this one kept me up at night. No page turning thriller. It is more like a comfortable sweater on a cold day. The characters and plot are just interesting and simply flow. We learn more about the lines and the alien ships. They take care of their own.
This is the end of the trilogy, which is a bit sad. I really like the concepts and people. I did see the authors have a new series starting and that is already on my list.
I really liked the first two books, so immediately grabbed the third off of the shelf. If you've gotten this far and are comfortable with the characters, be ready for being tossed off balance. This is to say the authors still have a few surprises up their sleeves.
One surprise is to separate Radko & Ean. (No spoilers, it is on the back of the book). This makes for an interesting twist to the book plot, as it allows us to see each character alone. The emperor of Lancia is a thoroughly despicable man. Absolute power has blinded him to the feelings of those around him. The book makes the pitch that those with good hearts and intentions will win the day. Maybe.
Like the second book, this one kept me up at night. No page turning thriller. It is more like a comfortable sweater on a cold day. The characters and plot are just interesting and simply flow. We learn more about the lines and the alien ships. They take care of their own.
This is the end of the trilogy, which is a bit sad. I really like the concepts and people. I did see the authors have a new series starting and that is already on my list.
patchworkcat's review
4.0
Third in the Linesman series featuring Ean Lambert. Still think the first in the series is the best, found book 2 and 3 to be a bit bogged down by the politics. This one is super enjoyable because we finally get to see a bit more into Radko's POV.
I look forward to more adventures in this series, here's hoping we get them.
PS. Rossi is an ass....more of an ass
I look forward to more adventures in this series, here's hoping we get them.
PS. Rossi is an ass....more of an ass
sarah42783's review
5.0
Nefarious grey cells status: on strike (both of them).
Creativity level: abysmal.
Ability to stare at the blinking cursor on my screen: unlimited.
Just so you know, it took me more than half an hour to come up with these ↑↑ three miserable, pathetic lines. Fun, moderately erratic times ahead and stuff.
Just spent another half hour looking for an “Insert brain to continue” gif but couldn’t find one. At this rate, my great great great grandshrimps will have great great grandshrimps by the time I finish non-writing this crappy non-review non-thingie. Yay and stuff.
Okay. You Little Clueless Barnacles and I need to talkyou’re supposed to start shuddering in fear here. Thank you for your cooperation . You are still NOT reading this series. Amusing I find this NOT and itching to unleash the murderous crustaceans on you post haste I am indeed. Ergo, either pick up [b:Linesman|23604332|Linesman (Linesman, #1)|S.K. Dunstall|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1417986744s/23604332.jpg|43205965] within the next five seconds or die deadly dead. But hey, no pressure and stuff.
Sentient spaceships and political shenanigans and Shrimptastic New Girlfriend Mine™, oh my!
The End.
Oh please, you didn’t really think I was going to let you off so easy, did you? Don’t you know me at all? I mean, it’s not because I have zero none absolutely no inspiration whatsoever that I can’tnot talk about this book for the next 10 hours and stuff.
Anyway.
Confluence is might perhaps possibly be the bestest scrumptiouest instalment in this series so far. Maybe.
Erratic interruption: oh, by the way, some people seem to think this is a trilogy, and that this book is its final instalment. Hahahahahaha. No it isn’t. Because I will not allow it and stuff. Bye now.
So. This is kinda sorta the mostest awesomest instalment in this series so far← this in case you missed the previous paragraph .
First of all, we have my somewhat socially awkward, moderately nerdish yet oddly yummy boyfriend Ean Lambert serenading impatient spaceships, ♫singing♫ his lovely derriere off to the Lines, andtrying to train training new, Ever So Slightly Arrogant and Kinda Reluctant Linesmen (ESSAaKRL™) to do the same ← if you have no idea what I’m talking about it means that you are STILL NOT READING this series and should DIE DEADLY DEAD right about now. RIP and stuff.
Second of all, we have a delicious My New Girlfriend Radko is Mine Mine Mine POV (MNGRiMMMPOV™). And that is quite delicious indeed. Because Radko is cool and Radko is awesome and Radko is super astutely clever and Radko is deliciously deadly and Radko kicks gluteus maximus and Radko is MINE. Okay, so there’s a slight chance Radko might perhaps think she may possibly be developing feelings for my boyfriend Ean Lambert. But that’s only because she hasn’t met me in theflesh exoskeleton yet and has yet to realize she needs a Certain Nefarious Being Who Shall Not Be Named (CNBWSNBN™) in her life and stuff.
Third of all, we have war and political machinations and espionage and covert operations and liars and traitors everywhereyay! and stuff. YUM.
Fourth of all, we have a slightly luscious cast of secondary and not-so-secondary characters. (If Aggravating Rossi keeps his aggravating act up he’s going to get himself snatched up and locked away in my High Security Harem in less time it takes to chop off a puny human head.)
Fifth of all, we have a fast-paced story and great sub-plots and cool action and humorous humor and dun dun dun stuff and mysterious alien technology stuff and lots of questions left unanswered ergo this CANNOT be a trilogy no no no absolutely not it cannot nope nope nope S.K. Dunstall the crustaceans are watching you so you might perhaps possibly want to start working on the next instalment bloody shrimping NOW or else…
➽ And the moral of this Hey Looks Like theWhisky Coffee IV Drip I Got Myself Hooked Up to Did Have a Reasonably Inconsequential Effect on my Ever Deficient Lazy as Fish Grey Cells Yay Go Laphroaig Lavazza and Stuff Crappy Non Review (HLLtWCIVDIGMHUtDHaRIEomEDLaFGCYGLLaSCNR™) is:
QED and stuff.
• Book 1: Linesman ★★★★
• Book 2: Alliance ★★★★★
[Pre-review nonsense]
I want to be a linesman when I grow up. Wait. No. Make that a lineswoman. Wait. No. Better make that a murderous linescrustacean instead. Because decapods in space are the deadliest, smartest, cunningest (yes, that is a word), and sexiest thing that ever was and ever will be.
See what I mean?
➽ Full Ean Lambert Might Be a Pretty Hot Line Twelve But It's His Ass-Kicking Paramour Radko I'm Locking Up in the High Security Harem and Stuff Crappy Non Review (ELMBaPHLTBIHAKPRILUiTtSHaSCNR™) to come.
Creativity level: abysmal.
Ability to stare at the blinking cursor on my screen: unlimited.
Just so you know, it took me more than half an hour to come up with these ↑↑ three miserable, pathetic lines. Fun, moderately erratic times ahead and stuff.
Just spent another half hour looking for an “Insert brain to continue” gif but couldn’t find one. At this rate, my great great great grandshrimps will have great great grandshrimps by the time I finish non-writing this crappy non-review non-thingie. Yay and stuff.
Okay. You Little Clueless Barnacles and I need to talk
Sentient spaceships and political shenanigans and Shrimptastic New Girlfriend Mine™, oh my!
The End.
Oh please, you didn’t really think I was going to let you off so easy, did you? Don’t you know me at all? I mean, it’s not because I have zero none absolutely no inspiration whatsoever that I can’t
Anyway.
Confluence is might perhaps possibly be the bestest scrumptiouest instalment in this series so far. Maybe.
Erratic interruption: oh, by the way, some people seem to think this is a trilogy, and that this book is its final instalment. Hahahahahaha. No it isn’t. Because I will not allow it and stuff. Bye now.
So. This is kinda sorta the mostest awesomest instalment in this series so far
First of all, we have my somewhat socially awkward, moderately nerdish yet oddly yummy boyfriend Ean Lambert serenading impatient spaceships, ♫singing♫ his lovely derriere off to the Lines, and
Second of all, we have a delicious My New Girlfriend Radko is Mine Mine Mine POV (MNGRiMMMPOV™). And that is quite delicious indeed. Because Radko is cool and Radko is awesome and Radko is super astutely clever and Radko is deliciously deadly and Radko kicks gluteus maximus and Radko is MINE. Okay, so there’s a slight chance Radko might perhaps think she may possibly be developing feelings for my boyfriend Ean Lambert. But that’s only because she hasn’t met me in the
Third of all, we have war and political machinations and espionage and covert operations and liars and traitors everywhere
Fourth of all, we have a slightly luscious cast of secondary and not-so-secondary characters. (If Aggravating Rossi keeps his aggravating act up he’s going to get himself snatched up and locked away in my High Security Harem in less time it takes to chop off a puny human head.)
Fifth of all, we have a fast-paced story and great sub-plots and cool action and humorous humor and dun dun dun stuff and mysterious alien technology stuff and lots of questions left unanswered ergo this CANNOT be a trilogy no no no absolutely not it cannot nope nope nope S.K. Dunstall the crustaceans are watching you so you might perhaps possibly want to start working on the next instalment bloody shrimping NOW or else…
➽ And the moral of this Hey Looks Like the
• Book 1: Linesman ★★★★
• Book 2: Alliance ★★★★★
[Pre-review nonsense]
I want to be a linesman when I grow up. Wait. No. Make that a lineswoman. Wait. No. Better make that a murderous linescrustacean instead. Because decapods in space are the deadliest, smartest, cunningest (yes, that is a word), and sexiest thing that ever was and ever will be.
See what I mean?
➽ Full Ean Lambert Might Be a Pretty Hot Line Twelve But It's His Ass-Kicking Paramour Radko I'm Locking Up in the High Security Harem and Stuff Crappy Non Review (ELMBaPHLTBIHAKPRILUiTtSHaSCNR™) to come.
sophiebillekens's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
5 stars for the trilogy as a whole. Book 3 really ties everything together and gives a fitting conclusion to many storylines. I love the exuberance of the ship lines, and the kindness of Ean, and the absolute star that Radko is. Not to mention Michelle, and Abram, and various other characters bubbling with so much life they jump off the page. Hats off to these Australian sisters for cooking up such an entertaining series!
tachyondecay's review
4.0
Spoilers for the first two books but not this one, except maybe a minor not-quite spoiler at the very end.
Hey, SyFy executives who totally spend their time reading some rando’s reviews on Goodreads when they should be doing Important Executive Things™: you need to option the Linesman series and develop it for TV like you did with The Expanse. You did a really good job with The Expanse, by the way; I’m back on board the SyFy train after those few rocky years. I think you’d do Linesman justice, and this is a series that needs to be adapted.
I’m not saying that because I think good books must inevitably be televised or turned into a movie in order to reach their zenith. No, this is purely selfish: I really need something to tide me over until the next Linesman book comes out. A TV series will do it.
Confluence is the third book in this series, and S.K. Dunstall is back in fine form. Whereas the previous book, Alliance, focused on fighting an external power play, this book’s politics turn inwards. Emperor Yu thinks Lancia got a raw deal when his daughter, Crown Princess Michelle, orchestrated its founding role in the New Alliance. So it’s a daddy vs daughter dynastic struggle, with Ean and friends caught in the middle. Fight!
Meanwhile, hold the phone, because we get a Radko POV.
Yeah, it’s everything it sounds like. And more. Radko gets sent off on a covert ops mission to Redmond. Everything goes horribly wrong (obviously), and she has to improvise big time. Although she does end up in a bit of a damsel-in-distress situation where Ean has to “rescue” her, I’d argue it’s forgivable because he wouldn’t even know how to find her if it weren’t for her quick thinking, nor would they be aware of the traitor in their midst. But … I promised no spoilers! Suffice it to say, Radko and her actions are pivotal to the plot of Confluence.
As I mentioned in my review of Alliance, Dunstall has a great knack for sowing the seeds of potential conflict throughout their characters. They show us multiple perspectives so we have an idea of the different plots afoot, yet you’re never 100 per cent certain who is on any given character’s side. It’s both maddening and exciting, and for people who have now grown up and grown used to epic storylines à la Game of Thrones, this series is going to hit that sweet spot. There isn’t as much senseless brutality as something like Game of Thrones, but the high-stakes politicking is there.
I’ve previous compared this series to the Vorkosigan saga and stand by it. If you’re missing Miles, then you should check out these books. There isn’t a single analogous character, but rather an ensemble cast—Ean, Radko, Abram, and Michelle all have aspects of Miles to them. This series also feels like a worthy spiritual successor to Dune. It emulates a lot of the feudal structures that both Bujold and Herbert brought into their space opera, allowing for the kind of romantic power struggles that are so difficult to replicate among parliamentary or congressional type governments. And, as with Dune’s novum of the spice, the lines in this series make for such an intriguing technology that humans only barely control and continue to explore.
That being said, don’t get the impression that this series is derivative. It’s a descendent, but it is its own story. You see this most clearly around the fringes of the narrative, which is to say, where the seams start to become more visible. For three books now, Dunstall has tantalized us with the promise of aliens. They are out there—they built the Confluence and the Eleven, and we have stasis-locked corpses of them now. But where are the living ones? How pissed off will they be when they discover that humanity has jacked their fleet? Again, no spoilers about what we learn in this book.
Suffice it to say, Ean continues his experimentation with the lines. We learn less about them than we have in previous books. Instead, the subplot here is more about the ethics around Ean’s experiments. Various figures voice differing degrees of concern, from Rossi’s conviction that Ean is an amoral madman to Helmo’s nervousness regarding cold jumps. It’s so interesting to see how Dunstall balances these moments. Even in situations when the plot would be more efficiently served by some handwaving and letting Ean get away with, say, monumental cold jumps, Dunstall often chooses the slower path. I was quite frustrated, sometimes, by the narrative’s unwillingness to just give the New Alliance the ability and comfort with cold jumping—but then again, that would make for a different book. I really applaud the way Dunstall doesn’t go for the low-hanging fruit but instead lays the groundwork for even better twists.
I love the way the characters disagree, confront each other, but reluctantly work together when necessary. We see this in Ean and Rossi, such polar opposites in so many ways. Rossi never misses a chance to get a dig in at Ean, who is becoming a little better at returning those serves; additionally, Rossi is quite vehement, even violent at times, in voicing his disapproval of how Ean is experimenting with the lines. Nevertheless, there are moments when Rossi backs up Ean or even gives him advice! Similarly, Radko finds help from unexpected quarters (no spoilers, but someone we know from Alliance!). Each character has their own strengths and flaws. Ean is a sublime level twelve linesman, but he is hopeless at politics and statecraft and knows it. So he can’t Mary Sue his way through the narrative; he can’t always get what he wants. (But he hopefully will get what he needs.)
The action scenes in this one are even stronger than the previous two. There’s so much happening here; the stories are so busy, but I was never confused about what was happening, where, or when. I don’t know how else to say this is except that I literally could not stop reading, could not wait to pick it up again when Real Life intervened (I intentionally waited until the weekend to read this so I could basically spend all of Saturday afternoon on it, stopping only to make dinner). There was one point where I literally leaned forward in my chair because I needed to read a scene faster lest it somehow escape from me.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: books are my drug. And when I find a good one, I mainline it until my supply runs dry. After discovering and devouring Linesman and Alliance in quick succession, I waited months for the release of Confluence. It met, maybe even exceeded, my expectations. Dunstall writes fun space opera with high stakes and awesome characters. I don’t really know what else to say. It sounds like they have more Linesman books planned but are writing a different space opera next. I’m down with that; I wish for more Linesman sooner rather than later, but I’m excited to see what they do next.
Now for the minor not-quite spoiler: as much as I shipped Ean and Rossi as frenemies, I totally ship Ean and Radko. They are so cute together.
My reviews of the Linesman series:
← Alliance
Hey, SyFy executives who totally spend their time reading some rando’s reviews on Goodreads when they should be doing Important Executive Things™: you need to option the Linesman series and develop it for TV like you did with The Expanse. You did a really good job with The Expanse, by the way; I’m back on board the SyFy train after those few rocky years. I think you’d do Linesman justice, and this is a series that needs to be adapted.
I’m not saying that because I think good books must inevitably be televised or turned into a movie in order to reach their zenith. No, this is purely selfish: I really need something to tide me over until the next Linesman book comes out. A TV series will do it.
Confluence is the third book in this series, and S.K. Dunstall is back in fine form. Whereas the previous book, Alliance, focused on fighting an external power play, this book’s politics turn inwards. Emperor Yu thinks Lancia got a raw deal when his daughter, Crown Princess Michelle, orchestrated its founding role in the New Alliance. So it’s a daddy vs daughter dynastic struggle, with Ean and friends caught in the middle. Fight!
Meanwhile, hold the phone, because we get a Radko POV.
Yeah, it’s everything it sounds like. And more. Radko gets sent off on a covert ops mission to Redmond. Everything goes horribly wrong (obviously), and she has to improvise big time. Although she does end up in a bit of a damsel-in-distress situation where Ean has to “rescue” her, I’d argue it’s forgivable because he wouldn’t even know how to find her if it weren’t for her quick thinking, nor would they be aware of the traitor in their midst. But … I promised no spoilers! Suffice it to say, Radko and her actions are pivotal to the plot of Confluence.
As I mentioned in my review of Alliance, Dunstall has a great knack for sowing the seeds of potential conflict throughout their characters. They show us multiple perspectives so we have an idea of the different plots afoot, yet you’re never 100 per cent certain who is on any given character’s side. It’s both maddening and exciting, and for people who have now grown up and grown used to epic storylines à la Game of Thrones, this series is going to hit that sweet spot. There isn’t as much senseless brutality as something like Game of Thrones, but the high-stakes politicking is there.
I’ve previous compared this series to the Vorkosigan saga and stand by it. If you’re missing Miles, then you should check out these books. There isn’t a single analogous character, but rather an ensemble cast—Ean, Radko, Abram, and Michelle all have aspects of Miles to them. This series also feels like a worthy spiritual successor to Dune. It emulates a lot of the feudal structures that both Bujold and Herbert brought into their space opera, allowing for the kind of romantic power struggles that are so difficult to replicate among parliamentary or congressional type governments. And, as with Dune’s novum of the spice, the lines in this series make for such an intriguing technology that humans only barely control and continue to explore.
That being said, don’t get the impression that this series is derivative. It’s a descendent, but it is its own story. You see this most clearly around the fringes of the narrative, which is to say, where the seams start to become more visible. For three books now, Dunstall has tantalized us with the promise of aliens. They are out there—they built the Confluence and the Eleven, and we have stasis-locked corpses of them now. But where are the living ones? How pissed off will they be when they discover that humanity has jacked their fleet? Again, no spoilers about what we learn in this book.
Suffice it to say, Ean continues his experimentation with the lines. We learn less about them than we have in previous books. Instead, the subplot here is more about the ethics around Ean’s experiments. Various figures voice differing degrees of concern, from Rossi’s conviction that Ean is an amoral madman to Helmo’s nervousness regarding cold jumps. It’s so interesting to see how Dunstall balances these moments. Even in situations when the plot would be more efficiently served by some handwaving and letting Ean get away with, say, monumental cold jumps, Dunstall often chooses the slower path. I was quite frustrated, sometimes, by the narrative’s unwillingness to just give the New Alliance the ability and comfort with cold jumping—but then again, that would make for a different book. I really applaud the way Dunstall doesn’t go for the low-hanging fruit but instead lays the groundwork for even better twists.
I love the way the characters disagree, confront each other, but reluctantly work together when necessary. We see this in Ean and Rossi, such polar opposites in so many ways. Rossi never misses a chance to get a dig in at Ean, who is becoming a little better at returning those serves; additionally, Rossi is quite vehement, even violent at times, in voicing his disapproval of how Ean is experimenting with the lines. Nevertheless, there are moments when Rossi backs up Ean or even gives him advice! Similarly, Radko finds help from unexpected quarters (no spoilers, but someone we know from Alliance!). Each character has their own strengths and flaws. Ean is a sublime level twelve linesman, but he is hopeless at politics and statecraft and knows it. So he can’t Mary Sue his way through the narrative; he can’t always get what he wants. (But he hopefully will get what he needs.)
The action scenes in this one are even stronger than the previous two. There’s so much happening here; the stories are so busy, but I was never confused about what was happening, where, or when. I don’t know how else to say this is except that I literally could not stop reading, could not wait to pick it up again when Real Life intervened (I intentionally waited until the weekend to read this so I could basically spend all of Saturday afternoon on it, stopping only to make dinner). There was one point where I literally leaned forward in my chair because I needed to read a scene faster lest it somehow escape from me.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: books are my drug. And when I find a good one, I mainline it until my supply runs dry. After discovering and devouring Linesman and Alliance in quick succession, I waited months for the release of Confluence. It met, maybe even exceeded, my expectations. Dunstall writes fun space opera with high stakes and awesome characters. I don’t really know what else to say. It sounds like they have more Linesman books planned but are writing a different space opera next. I’m down with that; I wish for more Linesman sooner rather than later, but I’m excited to see what they do next.
Now for the minor not-quite spoiler: as much as I shipped Ean and Rossi as frenemies, I totally ship Ean and Radko. They are so cute together.
My reviews of the Linesman series:
← Alliance
lordofthemoon's review
4.0
After a comparative slow down in the previous book, I'm pleased to see that the Dunstalls are cooking with gas again (or should that be, have a strong line ten?). This book sees main series protagonist Ean Lambert have to deal with increasingly impatient ships who want crews, his bodyguard Radko being sent off on a special mission, and intrigue from his own side.
The Linesman books have always had secondary PoV characters, and I was pleased to see that in this one it's Radko, who's been a constant presence in the previous books. She starts off with family problems and to get her away from those, her commanding officer puts her in charge of a team and sends her off on a covert mission. She's as competent in the field as she's been by Ean's side and it's a pleasure to spend some time in her head (as often worrying about the kind of trouble Ean will get into without her as the matter in hand).
There's a lot of politics again here, but I felt more on top of it than in [b: Alliance|625605|The Alliance|Gerald N. Lund|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1176430320s/625605.jpg|1711886], although I'm not sure why. The machinations of the Emperor Yu against what is nominally his own side should have been headache-inducing, but I felt that it was very readable. Various plot strands that have been building for several books now come together here as well. Oh, and although the previous books have been pleasingly romance-free, that streak gets broken here. It's not unexpected, but it did feel a bit predictable(Ean/Radko, I mean; Michelle/Abram felt inevitable and has interesting consequences) .
There's several plot threads still available for future books to weave, but this felt like a satisfying conclusion to a trilogy. I'm happy with where it ended up, but will happily buy and read more books in the series, if they get written (*cough*aliens*cough*).
The Linesman books have always had secondary PoV characters, and I was pleased to see that in this one it's Radko, who's been a constant presence in the previous books. She starts off with family problems and to get her away from those, her commanding officer puts her in charge of a team and sends her off on a covert mission. She's as competent in the field as she's been by Ean's side and it's a pleasure to spend some time in her head (as often worrying about the kind of trouble Ean will get into without her as the matter in hand).
There's a lot of politics again here, but I felt more on top of it than in [b: Alliance|625605|The Alliance|Gerald N. Lund|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1176430320s/625605.jpg|1711886], although I'm not sure why. The machinations of the Emperor Yu against what is nominally his own side should have been headache-inducing, but I felt that it was very readable. Various plot strands that have been building for several books now come together here as well. Oh, and although the previous books have been pleasingly romance-free, that streak gets broken here. It's not unexpected, but it did feel a bit predictable
There's several plot threads still available for future books to weave, but this felt like a satisfying conclusion to a trilogy. I'm happy with where it ended up, but will happily buy and read more books in the series, if they get written (*cough*aliens*cough*).
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