Dead Soul

In Her Name: The Last War #3

by Michael R. Hicks

With the Confederation barely holding together, Roland Mills, Valentina Sikorsky, and other characters from IN HER FIRST CONTACT and LEGEND OF THE SWORD lead an attack to free a human colony invaded by the alien Kreelan Empire.

Standing against them are legions of Kreelan warriors and a deadly warrior priestess feared by her own people, who call her the Dead Soul...

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Space Opera, Military Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Military Science Fiction, Aliens

347 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2011

About the author

Born in 1963, Michael Hicks grew up in the age of the Apollo program and spent his youth glued to the television watching the original Star Trek series and other science fiction movies, which continues to be a source of entertainment and inspiration. Having spent the majority of his life as a voracious reader, he has been heavily influenced by writers ranging from Robert Heinlein to David Weber, and many in between. Having finally retired from government service, Michael and his lovely wife, along with their Siberan cat, Nina, are enjoying life as expats in France.

Reviews

[Per Gunnar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the last book of the first trilogy in the In Her Name series by Michael R. Hicks and it is another very enjoyable read. Now, before someone nit-picks about it not being the first trilogy, it is the trilogy that the author himself recommends that you start with so therefore I consider it to be the first trilogy.

The book continues the war started by the Kreelans for some rather obscure reasons involving a prophecy about having to find “the one”. It’s still not very clear why they have to slaughter everyone else in the process but I guess it is part of the mystery around these books. The humans have switched to war footing and are cranking out bigger and better warships as quickly as they can. However, as usual, there people (politicians of course) that tend to make decisions for all kinds of wrong reasons and a symbolic victory over the Kreelans are sorely needed to keep some colonies in line. So thus the stage is set for some clobber time.

As with the previous books this one is very well written and you are easily swept along while reading it. The characters are enjoyable and the action is plentiful of course. The book ventures even further into the mysterious magical ways of the Kreelans and this is where I have a gripe with these books. Again when the human are getting the upper hand one of the Kreelan priestesses comes along and magically changes the playing ground with their totally inexplicable powers. that really bugs me. I have no problem with the magic part in books like the Lost Tales of Power series because there you expect it but in these books it is like the Kreelans want’s their “honorable” fight but only as long as they have the upper hand. If the humans get the upper hand then they cheat.

Regardless of this these books are very good. I was in some doubt after having read the first one but now I am quite happy that I continued the series.

[Lisa Hapney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was completely sucked in by the first two books. Though I enjoyed this one, it wasn't quite as much of a draw for me. I wasn't as drawn in by Ku'ar-Marekh, the Kreelan warrior priestess that was the Kreelan focus for this volume and I really don't feel that I need to be told multiple times that she cannot feel any emotional attachment in great detail. I got it. I would have really liked to see more about Tesh Dar, the warrior priestess from the first book as she was a very interesting character and I had hoped she would be back in business by the last book in the trilogy, but we did get more time with the Empress this time and that was pretty interesting. I will say that I read the prequel series first after having read Mr. Hicks' Foreword at the beginning of Empire from the Redemption trilogy because I wanted to read the story in chronological order so there may be more of what I'm looking for in that story line later, but I can't say at this point as I have just begun reading Empire. Additionally, things with the main human characters all wrapped up a little too quickly in the last chapter of the book like it was an afterthought. Other than Ku'ar-Marekh and the final few pages, I enjoyed the read and continue with my recommendation of the series, but do have to say that the third book, in my opinion, wasn't quite as good as the first two; however, that may not be the case for others. I really like Mr. Hicks' storytelling style and think he's a very good writer. If you enjoy an science fiction adventure of the military flavor you could certainly lose yourself in the series for a couple of days.

This review originally posted at http://tjsbookblog.blogspot.com/

[Cameluta · Rating 4 out of 5]

The war between human colonies and Kreelan Empire continue; but now the main Kreelan character is Ku’ar-Marekh, high warrior priestess of the Nyur-A’il. She is feared not only by the enemies, but also by her own fellow warriors. What I really liked about her was that she suffered all the time because she wasn't able to feel anything. The meeting between her and the Empress, when for a short moment she became alive again, was heart broking...

[Gary Weinman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 3 in a series. However, I just figured out that this is the prequel and in a very Star Wars way, it is books 4-6 that are the "real series". I've read a lot of the reviews of this author and this series, and it seems to be either "The greatest thing ever" or "It was so bad I gave up". I can see both sides, but when it comes down to it, I like the story and I grew to enjoy and care about the characters. I'm guessing since the next book takes place 100 years after this, I won't see these characters anymore. I will miss them. I'm going to take a little break from this series to read a couple of things that I'm way behind on, but I will be returning.

[Wilson E. Stevens Sr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again I enjoyed the book. This time it was not as well written and the author made several small errors that weren't caught. One that bothered me was that the priestess was sterile, and the storyline indicated any warrior that was sterile and the priestess had silver claws or talons. Yet in the story, the priestess admired her BLACK claws. My biggest problem is while the series is just getting started, it looks like this is the last book in this series. In this case if it is I recommend that you not waste your time reading because it will frustrate you when the last book is read.

[Phillip M Lewallen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I said it before and I'll say it again . . .

Michael Hicks has created a masterpiece in this series! This is my second reading and I am still enthralled by the sweeping, all encompassing majesty of the series! I would give it a higher rating if possible. You will never read anything comparable. A must read!

[Rick Dalllas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Hicks "Dead Soul" riveting reading.

As an avid reader of Sci -Fi I feel that Michael Hicks books have got me spellbound by his style and integration of characters in the storyline and then the seamless flow into his next book. I've never had so many late nights for a long time since reading "In Her Name" series. Looking forward to No4, "Empire ".

[Katherine Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off let me say I am a big fan of the In Her Name series after reading First Contact. The two novels I've read in this series are non-stop action from beginning to end that will keep you up reading all night. I love the worldbuilding with the Kreelan empire; I find myself hoping for any little glimpse into their species and culture and always wanting to know more about them. I skipped the second in this trilogy by accident, but found that some of my favorite characters from the first novel were alive and well in this one. Now I guess I should go back and read the second one! I like this saga a lot and feel like this is another that would make a great live action series.

[David Berkley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worthy Third Volume in the Series

Starts a bit slowly but once the story gets rolling, hang on! As we get to know and understand the aliens the bloodshed is more meaningful and disturbing. Volume four awaits.

[Jeff Wombold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scifi

Another exciting book in the series, although I wonder if the humans will ever get the upper hand. Normally I don't read continuing sagas, but this one had peaked my interest. Book 4 here I come.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok. Following the trend of a-little-bit-better-than-the-last. The most engaging character was the newly introduced child, Allison. Otherwise the book continues to follow Ichiro, Steph, Mills and Valentina.

[Lisa Kinlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read

If you like science fiction / fantasy stories , then you will like this trilogy. It was fun to read and kept my interest.

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting trilogy. I look forward to seeing what a hundred years of advancement is like and how the war ends.

[David Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoying this series., going to have to slow down, going thought them too fast.

[Phoenix Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

It had been a long time since I read science fiction, but I decided to expand my reading to new genres and picked up Empire (In Her Name: Redemption, #1) by Michael R. Hicks. I found it to be a wonderful blend of epic fantasy and sci fi.

So read it, loved it, and immediately bought Confederation, and Final Battle.

Michael Hicks created the world of Earth after it had taken to space, having built far-flung, loose colonies that behaved similar to our own nations here on Earth - mistrusting, not necessarily ready to help or support one another, and having fierce differences of opinion.

Humans were not sure they were the only sentient species in the universe and had not given up looking.

I love the characters, which Michael Hicks is a master at creating, a massive number of them as the series progressed, and some wonderful key players such Ichiro Sato.

But the best characters in the series were among the Kreelans, a society whose ideals were so foreign that it was easy to hate them. And yet, the author managed, at a point, to gain my understanding for them and even empathy. Imagine a society of female warriors, whose lives were totally dedicated to battle. And they were so skilled at war that there was no one left anywhere to conquer - they have taken on every sentient society they found and annihilated them.

To die in battle was the ultimate glory to the Empress. So they fought and were happy to die in her name. Until they found the humans, they had the problem of having no more wars to win. So this war-like society was excited to have a new game of war to play with what they felt were somewhat worthy opponents. Even though the humans were Neanderthals when it came to technology. Nor did they have their powerful magical skills. So the Kreelans had to use ancient technology to even the odds. Because if the win was easy, it was not honorable.

You ask, were there only females in this strange society? Well, no. But to tell you about that would be a spoiler.

So we had a clash of two completely different societies - the Kreelans who had terrible powers, and who did not find killing immoral, and the humans who found killing abhorrent but a necessary evil of war - a war in which they were powerless to win.

I was riveted to the entire exciting series.

[Marianne Barron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hicks has done it again. This is an excellent novel, and one among the very best I've read in this genre! This sixth book in the "In Her Name"-series holds the same quality as my favourite Sci-Fi/Fantasy trilogy, which also happens to be Hicks first three novels in the same series - "In Her Name: Empire, Confederation & Final Battle". Thinking of it, I may put "Dead Soul" on the very top! This is a true pageturner, and I only had a short night between the first and last part of the book. I could not put it down!

The new Kreelan warrior - Ku'ar Marakh - is frighteningly scary, even compared to her blue companions. Allison as an early teenage "mini-heroine" develops beautifully throughout the story. I was very happy to meet Valentina Sikorsky again - the girl with the enhanced body and extended functionality from the previous book "First Contact". And Roland Mills, he is the perfect hero! The humans can finally match the blue warriors in warfare, with Ichiro Sato as "the chosen one" commanding fleet officer.

Hicks has his own beautiful way of developing unique characters, and it is brilliantly done! They have a wonderful depth to them, and they are so credible you may wonder where he picks them :-) In this novel you get everything - the fight between the Kreelan race and humanity, love and sacrifice, tactical warfare and hand-to-hand combat. You don't have to read the other books in the series to thoroughly enjoy this one, it stands very well on it's own two feet, but I recommend you spending time on each and every one "In Her Name" books. You will not be disappointed!

No one above, no one even close! Being a reader is so enjoyable and rewarding when you find authors like Hicks!

[Auburn1975 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again an outstanding book with an intense epic romantic sci-fic theme. As the 6th book in the on-going story (that I hope will NEVER end), we come back to humanity as they consolidate cross planetary defenses, resources, and unite to battle with the alien Kreelan Empire. Michael Hicks is a Master storyteller. I find I can not learn enough about the Kreelan and most often hope that both sides could win in the too often sudden death events that flow one after another. As designed, I find that I deeply care about the characters and the on-going conflicting goals by both sides. In Her Name: Dead Soul was PERFECTION as a follow-on to the bigger previous stories and the destiny to come. Not only can I not wait to find out what happens next between this point and the first book but I also long to see if Mr.Hicks is cleaver enough take us to after In Her Name: Final Battle. Will the Kreelan help put humanity on their path? Can Resa come back? What's to come...I just can't wait.

I have enjoyed these six books more than any other epic in 2011 and totally agree with another reviewer who wrote: "No one above, no one even close! Being a reader is so enjoyable and rewarding when you find authors like Hicks!"

[Paul Martin Schofield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This engrossing story continues on, urging you to keep turning pages. Many reviewers liked this third book of the trilogy more than book two. I actually liked book two better because it told more about the Kreelan Empire. The story continues from book two and the military action is written with the same high quality, energy, and attention to detail. My only reservation is that the action goes on and on and on. I found myself wishing for a break with more attention to character development and descriptive narrative about places and ideology. The story felt like a high powered ten round heavyweight fight that had been extended to thirty rounds with no end in sight. At times I longed for the bell to finally ring. It finally rang and the ending left me unsettled although the author tied everything together with plenty of room for the story to continue.

[Graham Maxwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Conflicted about this one. While not the best written or balanced book, I devoured this and the two before (The Last War and Legend of the Sword). And will now be reading In Her Name: Redemption, the collected trilogy Hicks wrote previously (although set later in the same universe).

Sooo.. dealing with humanity's first contact with an alien race, feline humanoids the Kreelans. I suppose my reservations lie primarily with the tangled (and to my mind inconsistent) code of honour this warrior race follows, secondarily with the main human characters with whom the story sticks - they seem a little superhuman to me.

On the other hand, I have read FAR worse written science fiction and to be fair to Mr Hicks, he does push the action at a blistering pace. Eminently readable and enjoyable.

[Hali · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third book in the Last War trilogy which is the prequel of the Redemption trilogy. Another epic book with the major characters from First Contact and Legend of the Sword returning for more fight against the blue ladies of the Kreelan empire. Tesh Dar is absent from this book and in her place is the suffering Ku'Ar Marekh a last priestess of another order. The battle this time is for Algers world an agricultural world and it is crucial one for the confederation which is beginning to show cracks despite its youth with no successes against the attacks of the Kreelans. The book is tightly written with a good story and great characters. Another strong book in the series

[Andy Mardell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good finish to this trilogy.

Great story as usual and a few surprises I didn't see coming.
You grin when you wait for something to happen, but suddenly something else happens and it's like "Oh, shit."

The only slight setback for me was the children. I've never been fond of child characters driving the story.
They always bug me a little. Even Newt in Aliens.

I strongly recommend this trilogy and also this finishing book!

[Chris Schroeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this installment had all of the action and drama of its predecessors, it feels like something was missing. I can't really put my finger on it but I don't wonder if it was because of the introduction of a new anti-hero. We were introduced to Tesh'Dar in a way that made us sympathetic to her plight, but the new character always felt like an evil bitch.

Other than that, the story telling was top notch and like the previous two, I found it difficult to put the book down.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

The details and characters in this series are outstanding! The growth of our protagonist, around who all actions flow, has been interesting and very entertaining to read. The strength of subordinate characters is such that each can take turns as the solo artist and the story just gets stronger.

There is no doubt in my mind that this is the equal of Lucas and "Star Wars", at least. These stories move much faster than the "Dune" stories.

[Jim Ebeling · Rating 5 out of 5]

The in her name trilogy.

5 stars. I have just finished the whole series. This is one of the very best series I have ever read. These are bound to become classics. I found nothing to dislike about these books. The krelans don't think like we do, so you never know what will happen next. It's riveting, and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Couldn't put it down. Would recommend these books to everyone who likes Sci-fi.

[Mike Outten · Rating 5 out of 5]

While Tesh Dar is on hiatus, re discovering the meaning of her existence, another alien warrior priestess steps in to wage war against the human confederation on a planet called Alger's World. Great plot, good character development, superb writing style! Another action packed, riveting, hard to put down read... This sci-fi trilogy is a must. Pick this book up in the library, off the internet, from Amazon...bottomline: read this adventure.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

So... one review for the trilogy. I read these books in the order that the author recommended (this trilogy first, then Reza's story). I liked these books, military based sci fi, with a lot of blood, guts, gore, and strategy. I generaly prefer "fluffier" stories but there is enough of a balance between following individuals and following the battles to keep my interest.

[Christina (Mystic) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book by Michael R. Hicks in the In Her Name: The Last War trilogy. I again found myself completely enthralled and wanting to read more. The Kreelans are a fascinating alien race and I just can't help but love them.

The author does a great job of keeping the reader enthralled and builds a great universe that will completely immerse you. I highly recommend this series!

[Cyc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great ending to The Last War trilogy. Priestess Ku'ar-Marekh had some amazing abilities. I personally found Tesh-Dar more of a badass, but this new priestess was also very cool for her elusive style and tormented soul. Lots of great human characters throughout the trilogy as well. I will continue on with this series at a later time. Great job, Mr. Hicks.

[richard g roach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic and entertaining

This Trilogy was very engrossing to read. The story line grabs you and pulls you along. The characters while alien draw the reader into their culture, their world and the unique way their race has developed. This series of books kept me wanting to read more.
I heartily recommend it to you.

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am again overwhelmed by this series. The honour on both sides very deeply written into the stories along with the personal sacrifices of the characters.
I pity the fans of sci-fi/ space opera/ batlles and hitory who have not read at least this trilogy or any of the 9 1/2 books about the Earth-Kreelan war