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pjonsson's review
4.0
Although the book takes off straight from where The Valhalla Call ended this book really starts a new story arc in the Hayden War Cycle universe. Unfortunately we are now leaving the real war behind us in order to go into a cold war story arc. I write unfortunately since this is not really my cup of tea when it comes to choice of story. I had hoped that the story would continue with the humans gaining further technological insight and then proceeding to kick some alien butt. However it looks like this is not going to be, at least not for the time being.
That is not to say that it is a bad book of course. I have liked most, if not all, of the books from Evan C. Currie that I have read and this one is no exception. The book is very much like the previous books except with the actual war replaced by political posturing and a fair amount of scheming and plotting by various factions on the alien side. The alien security turns out to be pretty much a joke which allows the plotting and scheming to turn into both assasination attempts and murderous sabotage. There is no lack of action in the book although I do miss the fleet maneuvers and starships slugging it out.
Sorilla Aida is back which is a good thing of course. Actually most of the book revolves around Sorilla and her new tasks “assisting” the diplomatic delegation from Earth. “Tough chick” Sorilla is an enjoyable character but so are some of the aliens. Especially her counterpart. Although I somewhat regret the shift from real war to cold war it was an enjoyable book to read and, who knows, maybe Sorilla, or the aliens, manages to heat things up enough to get back to some real clobber time in the next book.
That is not to say that it is a bad book of course. I have liked most, if not all, of the books from Evan C. Currie that I have read and this one is no exception. The book is very much like the previous books except with the actual war replaced by political posturing and a fair amount of scheming and plotting by various factions on the alien side. The alien security turns out to be pretty much a joke which allows the plotting and scheming to turn into both assasination attempts and murderous sabotage. There is no lack of action in the book although I do miss the fleet maneuvers and starships slugging it out.
Sorilla Aida is back which is a good thing of course. Actually most of the book revolves around Sorilla and her new tasks “assisting” the diplomatic delegation from Earth. “Tough chick” Sorilla is an enjoyable character but so are some of the aliens. Especially her counterpart. Although I somewhat regret the shift from real war to cold war it was an enjoyable book to read and, who knows, maybe Sorilla, or the aliens, manages to heat things up enough to get back to some real clobber time in the next book.
leetcat's review against another edition
5.0
Good book noticeably different from the previous novels.
This book covers more lore and background information about the series.
This book covers more lore and background information about the series.
tuftymctavish's review
4.0
Everybody's a bad-ass, and the aliens are often just a little too familiar to distinguish them from the humans, but I enjoyed the action.
firstspeaker_'s review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the previous book more than this one. In comparison you do not see any space battle or space based adventures in this book, but rather mostly confined to one ship and events on that ship.
I am not sure if there will be another book after this or this is the last. I would read the next books if there is going to be any.
I am not sure if there will be another book after this or this is the last. I would read the next books if there is going to be any.
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