ISBN: 0-765-30802-9 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com
A space adventure with a generous helping of philosophy of power, this novel combines fast action, politics and hard decisions.
Genre: Science Fiction (Politics, War, Aliens)
Synopsis: Van Albert was a commander in the Space Navy forces of the Taran Republic. After a heroic action which caused civilian casualties, he became and embarassment to his superiors. Unfortuntely for them, the best way to dispose of a reviled hero—let him die in another heroic action—doesn't work. Albert persists in surviving deadly situations. Eventually retired due to a serious injury, Albert joins a mysterious private foundation, and finds that his duty of trying to prevent interstellar war has not escaped him.
Full Review: While happening in the same world as The Parafaith War, this is not exactly a sequel. Many decades after the events of the previous book, this one has a new character firmly in the foreground.
The themes are similar to ones Modesitt developed before; one of them is the importance of standing up to evil and personal responsibilities. Some of the themes are described rather bluntly, with oversimplified choices.
Overall, the fast pacing of the book, and a likable hero keep the reader's interest. Most other characters, particularly the villains are less well defined, as well as less plausible.
Overall: 6; Plot: 5; Characters: 5.5; Style: 5.5; World-building: 6; Originality: 6;
Copyright date 2003, Tor, October 2003, Cloth, 509 pages
ISBN: 0-765-30802-9 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com