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Kris Longknife #10
Furious
Having used unorthodox methods to save a world—and every sentient being on it—Lieutenant Commander Kris Longknife is wanted across the galaxy for crimes against humanity. For her own safety, she’s been assigned to a backwater planet where her Fast Patrol Squadron 127 enforces immigration control and smuggler interdiction.
But Kris is a Longknife, and nothing can stop her from getting back to the center of things—not when all hell is breaking loose. Now she’s on the run, hunted by both military and civilian authorities—and since the civilian authorities happen to be her immediate family, Kris soon finds herself homeless, broke, and on trial for her life on an alien world…
But Kris is a Longknife, and nothing can stop her from getting back to the center of things—not when all hell is breaking loose. Now she’s on the run, hunted by both military and civilian authorities—and since the civilian authorities happen to be her immediate family, Kris soon finds herself homeless, broke, and on trial for her life on an alien world…
369 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 30, 2012
73 people are currently reading
491 people want to read
About the author
Mike Shepherd
78 books564 followersA pseudonym used by Mike Moscoe.
Mike was born in the Philadelphia Navy Yard Hospital -- and left that town at the age of three days for reasons he does not presently recall. But they had to draft him to get him back there. He missed very little of the rest of the country. Growing up Navy, he lived about everywhere you could park an aircraft carrier.
Mike was one of those college students who didn't have to worry about finding a job after graduation. In 1968, his Uncle Sam made him an offer he couldn't refuse. Two days into boot camp, the Army was wondering if they might not have been a bit hasty. Mike ended the day in the Intensive Care Unit of the local Army hospital. Despite most of Mike’s personal war stories being limited to "How I flunked boot camp," he can still write a rollicking good military SF yarns.
Mike didn’t survive all that long as a cab driver (he got lost) or bartender (he made the drinks too strong) but he figured he could at least work for the Navy Department as a budget analyst. Until he spent the whole day trying to balance the barracks accounts for paint. Finally, about quitting time, a grinning senior analyst took him aside and let him in on the secret. They'd hidden the money for refitting a battleship in that little account. Slowly it dawned on Mike that there were a few things about the Navy that even a kid who grew up in it would never understand.
Over the next twenty years, Mike branched out into other genres, including instruction memos, policies, performance standards and even a few labor contracts. All of those, you may notice, lack a certain something. Dialogue ... those things in quotes. In `87, Mike’s big break came. He landed on a two year special project to build a digital map showing where the trees, rivers, roads, Spotted Owls and other critters were in western Oregon. The list went on and on with no end in sight and two years became ten.
Since there was no writing involved in his new day job, Mike had to do something to get the words out. He signed up for a writing class at Clark Community College and proudly turned in a story ... Star Wars shoots down the second coming of Christ.
Two years later, Analog bought "Summer Hopes, Winter Dreams" for the March, 1991 issue. Four years later he sold his first novel. In the ten years since then, Mike’s turned in twelve novels and is researching the next three.
Mike's love for Science Fiction started when he picked up "Rocket Ship Galileo" in the fifth grade, and then proceeded to read every book in the library with a rocket sticker on its spine.
Mike digs for his stories among people and change. Through his interest in history, he has traces the transformations that make us what we are today. Science launches us forward into an ever changing universe. Once upon a time, the only changes in peoples lives came with the turning of the seasons and the growing wrinkles on their brows. Today, science drives most of the changes in our daily lives. Still, we can't avoid the pressure of our own awakening hormones or hardening arteries. Mike is happiest when his stories are speeding across thin ice, balanced on the edge of two sharp blades, one anciently human, the other as new as tomorrow's research.
Trained in International Relations and history, salary administration and bargaining, theology and counseling, Mike is having a ball writing about Kris Longknife ... coming of age while the world her grand parents built threatens to crash down around her ears. These are books I think you’ll love ... and my granddaughter and grandsons too!
Mike lives in Vancouver, Washington, with his wife Ellen, his mother-in-law and any visiting grandkids. He enjoys reading, writing, watching grand-children for story ideas and upgrading his computer -- all are never ending.
Mike was born in the Philadelphia Navy Yard Hospital -- and left that town at the age of three days for reasons he does not presently recall. But they had to draft him to get him back there. He missed very little of the rest of the country. Growing up Navy, he lived about everywhere you could park an aircraft carrier.
Mike was one of those college students who didn't have to worry about finding a job after graduation. In 1968, his Uncle Sam made him an offer he couldn't refuse. Two days into boot camp, the Army was wondering if they might not have been a bit hasty. Mike ended the day in the Intensive Care Unit of the local Army hospital. Despite most of Mike’s personal war stories being limited to "How I flunked boot camp," he can still write a rollicking good military SF yarns.
Mike didn’t survive all that long as a cab driver (he got lost) or bartender (he made the drinks too strong) but he figured he could at least work for the Navy Department as a budget analyst. Until he spent the whole day trying to balance the barracks accounts for paint. Finally, about quitting time, a grinning senior analyst took him aside and let him in on the secret. They'd hidden the money for refitting a battleship in that little account. Slowly it dawned on Mike that there were a few things about the Navy that even a kid who grew up in it would never understand.
Over the next twenty years, Mike branched out into other genres, including instruction memos, policies, performance standards and even a few labor contracts. All of those, you may notice, lack a certain something. Dialogue ... those things in quotes. In `87, Mike’s big break came. He landed on a two year special project to build a digital map showing where the trees, rivers, roads, Spotted Owls and other critters were in western Oregon. The list went on and on with no end in sight and two years became ten.
Since there was no writing involved in his new day job, Mike had to do something to get the words out. He signed up for a writing class at Clark Community College and proudly turned in a story ... Star Wars shoots down the second coming of Christ.
Two years later, Analog bought "Summer Hopes, Winter Dreams" for the March, 1991 issue. Four years later he sold his first novel. In the ten years since then, Mike’s turned in twelve novels and is researching the next three.
Mike's love for Science Fiction started when he picked up "Rocket Ship Galileo" in the fifth grade, and then proceeded to read every book in the library with a rocket sticker on its spine.
Mike digs for his stories among people and change. Through his interest in history, he has traces the transformations that make us what we are today. Science launches us forward into an ever changing universe. Once upon a time, the only changes in peoples lives came with the turning of the seasons and the growing wrinkles on their brows. Today, science drives most of the changes in our daily lives. Still, we can't avoid the pressure of our own awakening hormones or hardening arteries. Mike is happiest when his stories are speeding across thin ice, balanced on the edge of two sharp blades, one anciently human, the other as new as tomorrow's research.
Trained in International Relations and history, salary administration and bargaining, theology and counseling, Mike is having a ball writing about Kris Longknife ... coming of age while the world her grand parents built threatens to crash down around her ears. These are books I think you’ll love ... and my granddaughter and grandsons too!
Mike lives in Vancouver, Washington, with his wife Ellen, his mother-in-law and any visiting grandkids. He enjoys reading, writing, watching grand-children for story ideas and upgrading his computer -- all are never ending.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
January 20, 2016
There's a lot of fallout from the previous book so it was no surprise that this one would be dealing with those events. We already know that lots of people are going to be in strong denial about the true scope of the danger at their door, including a lot of Kris' family, and that she's going to start in functional exile (oh yeah, don't read this one before the rest...). And I have to admit I worried a bit at the beginning of this one because Kris seems to have simply given up.
I needn't have worried. Yeah, Kris starts in a deeper hole than she has been in before, but that just means it's a more worthwhile challenge. I really enjoyed watching her go from frying pan to fire to furnace and see her chart her own course regardless. I particularly liked that she had strong goals even in her flailing about and that each step took her closer to where she needed to be. I had a bit of a tough time with an intuitive leap about her grampa Al's motives—a man she has seen maybe twice. But that's such a minor niggle, when it's at least obvious that's he's up to something and Kris knows better than to imagine that it's something small.
And I worried again when Kris finally got her day in court. It was completely needed, but making a legal battle interesting isn't something I'd expect in a military-themed action adventure story. Shepherd pulls it off wonderfully, though, and I found that section of the book particularly engaging. Kris' defense and simultaneous promotion of needed action was strong and right at the heart of her character, her motivations.
And, of course, it didn't hurt at all that in this book she finally works things out with Jack.
There were other nice touches here, too. We got to touch base with Eden and Grandma Ruth and the good folks there. We got some new Nelly developments. We got believable science! advancements and the nerds who tend the tech and did I mention Jack?
So yeah, this was full of win and the best of what I've come to expect from the series. And the ending was superlatives-failingly perfect, even if I do wonder
I needn't have worried. Yeah, Kris starts in a deeper hole than she has been in before, but that just means it's a more worthwhile challenge. I really enjoyed watching her go from frying pan to fire to furnace and see her chart her own course regardless. I particularly liked that she had strong goals even in her flailing about and that each step took her closer to where she needed to be. I had a bit of a tough time with an intuitive leap about her grampa Al's motives—a man she has seen maybe twice. But that's such a minor niggle, when it's at least obvious that's he's up to something and Kris knows better than to imagine that it's something small.
And I worried again when Kris finally got her day in court. It was completely needed, but making a legal battle interesting isn't something I'd expect in a military-themed action adventure story. Shepherd pulls it off wonderfully, though, and I found that section of the book particularly engaging. Kris' defense and simultaneous promotion of needed action was strong and right at the heart of her character, her motivations.
And, of course, it didn't hurt at all that in this book she finally works things out with Jack.
There were other nice touches here, too. We got to touch base with Eden and Grandma Ruth and the good folks there. We got some new Nelly developments. We got believable science! advancements and the nerds who tend the tech and did I mention Jack?
So yeah, this was full of win and the best of what I've come to expect from the series. And the ending was superlatives-failingly perfect, even if I do wonder
November 4, 2012
This book was a mixed read for me. I did not like the first half, or perhaps even a bit more, at all. The second half was more to my liking and the last couple of pages much more to my liking. The book is well written as usual but, to me, the first half was a mixture of just being boring and downright making me mad. Not only was it pure political bullshit but Kris, who should be celebrated as a hero, was made an outlaw. What the f…?
In the second half of the book she was put on trial on a Japanese offspring world still run by an emperor. This is still not exactly my cup of tea either but the author managed to make it interesting nonetheless with the cultural “complications” caused by the fact that this old colony, who now had founded their own interstellar empire, had kept many of the really old Japanese traditions. The book blurb is rather misleading on this by the way since it is not really a “alien” world but a quite human one. I know the English word alien can mean just coming from another country but in this context I doubt many people actually read it that way.
In the last few pages things are getting on track again when Kris gets to start outfitting a new and shiny ship. This time one which appears to have some real butt-kicking abilities. It is a shame that this is pretty much at the end of the book.
Actually this book feels very much like a entr’acte to me. Sure, it makes me want to read the next book now when things are on track again so I guess from the authors point of view the book was a success but I would have liked it much more if the political crap had been condensed into the first 10% of the book and the rest of the book had taken off from where Kris got her ship. I guess (hope) that I get to read about that in the next one though.
In the second half of the book she was put on trial on a Japanese offspring world still run by an emperor. This is still not exactly my cup of tea either but the author managed to make it interesting nonetheless with the cultural “complications” caused by the fact that this old colony, who now had founded their own interstellar empire, had kept many of the really old Japanese traditions. The book blurb is rather misleading on this by the way since it is not really a “alien” world but a quite human one. I know the English word alien can mean just coming from another country but in this context I doubt many people actually read it that way.
In the last few pages things are getting on track again when Kris gets to start outfitting a new and shiny ship. This time one which appears to have some real butt-kicking abilities. It is a shame that this is pretty much at the end of the book.
Actually this book feels very much like a entr’acte to me. Sure, it makes me want to read the next book now when things are on track again so I guess from the authors point of view the book was a success but I would have liked it much more if the political crap had been condensed into the first 10% of the book and the rest of the book had taken off from where Kris got her ship. I guess (hope) that I get to read about that in the next one though.
November 22, 2012
I'm a big fan of the series, but this one disappointed hugely, until the last 20% or so. For most of the book, pretty much nothing happens and no one's on their game: keeping it spoiler-lite, mysteries about but Penny's not investigating; Kris has a simple problem of communications that somehow needs to turn into a half-assed reverse Die Hard; most of the supporting cast is gone... and Jack.
My theory about this book is that it's (a) meeting a contractual obligation to deliver *something* every year and so delivered a chapter outline stretched to book-length (it's as full of stock phrases as the Iliad, without any of the action or character development) and (b) the author's Harry-and-Ginny-like salvo in character shipping wars. I've never bought Kris/Jack as a couple: Kris's internal take has always been schoolgirl crush/mental placeholder - something to allow her to avoid *actually* dating. Kris/Vickie, though, burned off the page. I suspect the author wanted to kill that thoroughly, and was forced to go to painfully awkward and contrived lengths to establish his canon. Ugh.
The last 20% or so shines: Kris defending her actions in the battle from the previous book, making a passel of fun new friends in the process. I hope we see more of the dogged Federal agent and his fangirl partner; I know we'll see more of the sailors of the Musashi Navy.
All in all, a painful afternoon that left me hopeful for next year.
My theory about this book is that it's (a) meeting a contractual obligation to deliver *something* every year and so delivered a chapter outline stretched to book-length (it's as full of stock phrases as the Iliad, without any of the action or character development) and (b) the author's Harry-and-Ginny-like salvo in character shipping wars. I've never bought Kris/Jack as a couple: Kris's internal take has always been schoolgirl crush/mental placeholder - something to allow her to avoid *actually* dating. Kris/Vickie, though, burned off the page. I suspect the author wanted to kill that thoroughly, and was forced to go to painfully awkward and contrived lengths to establish his canon. Ugh.
The last 20% or so shines: Kris defending her actions in the battle from the previous book, making a passel of fun new friends in the process. I hope we see more of the dogged Federal agent and his fangirl partner; I know we'll see more of the sailors of the Musashi Navy.
All in all, a painful afternoon that left me hopeful for next year.
April 17, 2015
In the last episode Kris Longknife was sent to a backwater station of Madigan’s Rainbow to command the fast patrol squadron 127 on immigration control and hunting pirates.
Kris learns that her Grandfather Al, the family business mogul, is sending out a merchant fleet to attempt to trade with the new aliens Kris discovered in the last book.
She runs away from Madigan’s Rainbow to go to Wardhaven to talk to Grandpa Al. She reunites with her bodyguard Jack and they nearly die in an attempt on Kris’ life. She is hunted by everyone, her accounts are frozen, Nelly and kids are unable to connect to the net and both military and civilian authorities are after her. Kris decides to turn herself over to the government of Musashi. There are still repeated assassination attempts on Kris. She is placed on trial. Shepherd does a great job with the trial. Kris also wants to know what happened to the planet they saved and stop Grandfather Al’s merchant fleet. Can she? The ending is a bit of a surprise and a good set up for the next episode.
The book is well written and moves at a very fast pace. Shepherd’s quirky characters make the story seem more real. We have new characters in this book to replace those who died or are missing from the last book. The humor offset some of the assassination attempts. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Dina Pearlman does a great job narrating this series.
Kris learns that her Grandfather Al, the family business mogul, is sending out a merchant fleet to attempt to trade with the new aliens Kris discovered in the last book.
She runs away from Madigan’s Rainbow to go to Wardhaven to talk to Grandpa Al. She reunites with her bodyguard Jack and they nearly die in an attempt on Kris’ life. She is hunted by everyone, her accounts are frozen, Nelly and kids are unable to connect to the net and both military and civilian authorities are after her. Kris decides to turn herself over to the government of Musashi. There are still repeated assassination attempts on Kris. She is placed on trial. Shepherd does a great job with the trial. Kris also wants to know what happened to the planet they saved and stop Grandfather Al’s merchant fleet. Can she? The ending is a bit of a surprise and a good set up for the next episode.
The book is well written and moves at a very fast pace. Shepherd’s quirky characters make the story seem more real. We have new characters in this book to replace those who died or are missing from the last book. The humor offset some of the assassination attempts. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Dina Pearlman does a great job narrating this series.
December 8, 2012
It could be that the series and main character are getting over-used, but it would be nice if something either more fun or different would happen with the story line. Story and writing just seem a bit tired. But you still want to keep reading to see what Kris does next.
Spoiler alert....
The ending, if that's what you call it since it's a little too much left open, was very unlikeable because it left a way too obvious plot line completely un-addressed. So she stopped the commercial fleet from going out to get slaughtered by the killer aliens and then leading them back to the United Sentients. But she was going to visit the bird people that they had saved. So why didn't she tell the merchant fleet about them and redirect them to a better destination or at least offer to check it out for them to see if they actually were saved.
At the very least, if this isn't close to what will happen in the next book, have some explanation of why not do this. Its just too obvious not to mention.
Spoiler alert....
The ending, if that's what you call it since it's a little too much left open, was very unlikeable because it left a way too obvious plot line completely un-addressed. So she stopped the commercial fleet from going out to get slaughtered by the killer aliens and then leading them back to the United Sentients. But she was going to visit the bird people that they had saved. So why didn't she tell the merchant fleet about them and redirect them to a better destination or at least offer to check it out for them to see if they actually were saved.
At the very least, if this isn't close to what will happen in the next book, have some explanation of why not do this. Its just too obvious not to mention.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2015
It is unlikely that as a princess Kris would be hunted to the extent that she is in this book. However, that does give her multiple chances to work her magic, to cheat death, and to extricate herself. Her derring-do keeps the adventures coming!
Road block: she must stand trial for war crimes. Kris must defend herself in a fascinating oriental society that could pronounce her doom. But Kris knows that if she treads both carefully and wisely, she could not only survive, but prosper. New allies from this culture would mean backing. Backing could result in ideas for a dandy, dangerous new ship. Why not design one from scratch..., one that no one has ever seen before.... Sequel! Sequel!
Road block: she must stand trial for war crimes. Kris must defend herself in a fascinating oriental society that could pronounce her doom. But Kris knows that if she treads both carefully and wisely, she could not only survive, but prosper. New allies from this culture would mean backing. Backing could result in ideas for a dandy, dangerous new ship. Why not design one from scratch..., one that no one has ever seen before.... Sequel! Sequel!
March 23, 2017
Legal Battle to new battle
This version of the continuing battle Kris endures with close friends old and new see the group fighting on to ensure the safety of the galaxies. Looking forward to more.
This version of the continuing battle Kris endures with close friends old and new see the group fighting on to ensure the safety of the galaxies. Looking forward to more.
July 26, 2019
***SPOILER ALERT***
The overall story, world/galaxy, aliens, and tech are interesting and enjoyable but the errors and issues that I have with the series drag it down. My biggest issues is the authors use of plot armor and Kris being basically a Mary Sue . The plot armor in this case is spider silk body armor and the armor of her counterparts use leave a feeling there are no real stakes for them. I don't remember how many times Kris has been shot or blown by the tenth book she is still unscathed minus bruises. Two Kris is a naval officer and depending on the book she acts more as a spy/secret agent/ground trooper so she basically is good at everything she puts her mind too and tying in her body armor, her computer ai (which has self awareness and can do anything computer related better than anyone else) she is basically invincible. The one time she gets hit with a pipe bomb from above she is wearing her armor (surprise surprise) but no helmet she is "gravely" injured. She gets rushed to the hospital and at the surprise to no one she comes out completely ok minus the use of crutches for a bit (which they dont entirely hold her back). Her relationship with Jack is built with alot of tension through several books to which they kiss at the end of the previous book but are separated for a short time when they are reunited the over familiarity is a bit unbelievable. The part in this book where they go to the Musashi empire could have been it's own book to help flesh out details and story but this part is crippled by foreshadowing. The legal team that helps Kris is the best and most expensive do it all pro bono for political clout.The author ruins the court trial by showing the crew of the ship Mutsu hating Kris to supporting her in a very short time to the God-emperor of the empire supporting her and lo and behold the court ends up supporting her with the weakest excuse of a prosecution case ever. After which Kris get a brand new experimental ship made out of smart metal with all the new gadgets. How is this funded? By the children of the manufacturing company having "bake sales" in a show of support and one of Nellys children made for the CEOs son. And to wrap it all up the final act of the story Kris takes the ship without even testing it out to chase down her grandfather's trade convoy from leaving. Is there parts in this series/book that are enjoyable? Yes, but I would not really recommend the series as a whole because of a list of issues/errors. I'm going to finish the series as I do not like leaving books undone but I am fairly disappointed with the series as a whole.
The overall story, world/galaxy, aliens, and tech are interesting and enjoyable but the errors and issues that I have with the series drag it down. My biggest issues is the authors use of plot armor and Kris being basically a Mary Sue . The plot armor in this case is spider silk body armor and the armor of her counterparts use leave a feeling there are no real stakes for them. I don't remember how many times Kris has been shot or blown by the tenth book she is still unscathed minus bruises. Two Kris is a naval officer and depending on the book she acts more as a spy/secret agent/ground trooper so she basically is good at everything she puts her mind too and tying in her body armor, her computer ai (which has self awareness and can do anything computer related better than anyone else) she is basically invincible. The one time she gets hit with a pipe bomb from above she is wearing her armor (surprise surprise) but no helmet she is "gravely" injured. She gets rushed to the hospital and at the surprise to no one she comes out completely ok minus the use of crutches for a bit (which they dont entirely hold her back). Her relationship with Jack is built with alot of tension through several books to which they kiss at the end of the previous book but are separated for a short time when they are reunited the over familiarity is a bit unbelievable. The part in this book where they go to the Musashi empire could have been it's own book to help flesh out details and story but this part is crippled by foreshadowing. The legal team that helps Kris is the best and most expensive do it all pro bono for political clout.The author ruins the court trial by showing the crew of the ship Mutsu hating Kris to supporting her in a very short time to the God-emperor of the empire supporting her and lo and behold the court ends up supporting her with the weakest excuse of a prosecution case ever. After which Kris get a brand new experimental ship made out of smart metal with all the new gadgets. How is this funded? By the children of the manufacturing company having "bake sales" in a show of support and one of Nellys children made for the CEOs son. And to wrap it all up the final act of the story Kris takes the ship without even testing it out to chase down her grandfather's trade convoy from leaving. Is there parts in this series/book that are enjoyable? Yes, but I would not really recommend the series as a whole because of a list of issues/errors. I'm going to finish the series as I do not like leaving books undone but I am fairly disappointed with the series as a whole.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2012
This is the style of SF that I grew up on. I guess that is why I have read the past 9 books, making this one a no-brainer.
In a lot of ways this is perhaps the most boring of the series. No cataclismic fight against overwhelming odds and very little fleet action (even the ground fighting/espionage, another big factor for this series, was tame). Mainly just a bunch of hiding/escaping from pursuers, a break in, more fleeing and then a courtroom drama (set in the Japanese empire, which is entertaining). And oddly enough, more romance than we have seen in almost the entire series combined.
Kris starts the story exiled, stuck on a planet far away, seperated from most of her friends (except Abbie). After yet another assaination attempt coupled with some key intel that needs to be resolved back in Wardhaven, she promptly escapes. Making things difficult for her is that her father and her grandfather have both sworn out warrants against her, and her other grandfather locks her out of her massive funds.
Overall entertaining popcorn novel. The most frustrating part of the book was the end, which so horribly teases the next book I was kind of annoyed......
In a lot of ways this is perhaps the most boring of the series. No cataclismic fight against overwhelming odds and very little fleet action (even the ground fighting/espionage, another big factor for this series, was tame). Mainly just a bunch of hiding/escaping from pursuers, a break in, more fleeing and then a courtroom drama (set in the Japanese empire, which is entertaining). And oddly enough, more romance than we have seen in almost the entire series combined.
Kris starts the story exiled, stuck on a planet far away, seperated from most of her friends (except Abbie). After yet another assaination attempt coupled with some key intel that needs to be resolved back in Wardhaven, she promptly escapes. Making things difficult for her is that her father and her grandfather have both sworn out warrants against her, and her other grandfather locks her out of her massive funds.
Overall entertaining popcorn novel. The most frustrating part of the book was the end, which so horribly teases the next book I was kind of annoyed......
January 17, 2014
I really enjoy the Longknife saga. It's as good as the Elizabeth Moon series (plural), and better than Honor Harrington. This installment is the middle of the story arc involving the big bad aliens who look like humans. Kris is in jail for being a bad commander and getting most of her fleet destroyed, but escapes to uncover a side-plot that would be even worse. At the same time, she arranges to face the music in front of judges who have no reason to be sympathetic. The book ends with a leadd-in for the next story.
This book is light on action and heavy on introspection and philosophy. We know how Kris thinks, but now we know more about how she feels. Some new characters were introduced who helped bring out the emotional strength that is the foundation of every Longknife.
Oh and she finally gets her man, at least for a moment.
This book is light on action and heavy on introspection and philosophy. We know how Kris thinks, but now we know more about how she feels. Some new characters were introduced who helped bring out the emotional strength that is the foundation of every Longknife.
Oh and she finally gets her man, at least for a moment.
February 24, 2023
3.75 stars.
Feb 2023 - re-listened.
__________
April 2021
Talk about a dysfunctional family! I'm not sure why Kris had to take such extraordinary lengths to try to talk to her Grandpa Al? I'm sure she spoke to him once before in a previous book with much less effort? And you'd think he would've given her an audience in any case just to hear what she had to say.
Anyhow, Kris gambled with her life in this instalment and I like that we've finally got some traction on her relationship with Jack. And talk about characters coming back to live! Not one but two of them. Looking forward to seeing what happens next.
Feb 2023 - re-listened.
__________
April 2021
Talk about a dysfunctional family! I'm not sure why Kris had to take such extraordinary lengths to try to talk to her Grandpa Al? I'm sure she spoke to him once before in a previous book with much less effort? And you'd think he would've given her an audience in any case just to hear what she had to say.
Anyhow, Kris gambled with her life in this instalment and I like that we've finally got some traction on her relationship with Jack. And talk about characters coming back to live! Not one but two of them. Looking forward to seeing what happens next.
November 18, 2012
Amps up all the bad parts of the series (everyone is the same, communication speed varies with needs of the plot, endlessly repeated damn longknives, crazy coincidences, and now a 'first romance' which will go for ever...) and removes the space battle interest. Ick. Will keep going, hoping this was a necessary interlude, and that some resolution with Jack will remove that painful plotline.
November 10, 2012
Great continuation of the story although I was pretty confused when things started as I had some hazy memories of the end of the last book and needed some help to work out where things were.
The book went along at the usual breakneck pace, with all types of action. The same crew turn up as they should.
thanks, now we wait another year for the next installment.
The book went along at the usual breakneck pace, with all types of action. The same crew turn up as they should.
thanks, now we wait another year for the next installment.
July 24, 2014
Very, very good.
October 6, 2017
After 10 books into the series, I am fairly sure we know what the formula is for a Kris Longknife book. Kris flying around in her princess chariot getting herself into and out of trouble is the usual formula for these books. This one deviates from that formula model, and occurs almost all on the ground with very little combat.
I can see why there is a lot of criticism of this book. Some complain about the simplistic plot in which only Kris can save the universe. This is Space Opera (I so want to say that in King Leonidas’s voice like a Spartan) and it follows a certain formula. You may have to suspend some belief in order to read the books.
Is it likely that all 170+ planets can all gag their press completely at the same time? No, but I agree that this point of the plot structure is highly improbable. I have trouble believing that that many planets will all cooperate with a gag order of the press. As contentious as we mere humans are, getting that many people on that many planets to all sing the same tune is highly unlikely.
Other reviewers complained that Kris chose the brute force method to try to see her grandfather Alex while her older brother merely called on the phone and requested a meeting. I will point out that while Kris’s actions were more entertaining and destructive; neither child was able to talk to Grandfather Alex about what they wanted. Even with the bribe of time with a great grandchild (his first), Kris’s older brother was not any more successful than Kris.
This book is mostly politics and romance (strange but frequent bedfellows). I prefer the books when Kris is facing intelligent enemies. The new aliens Kris is fighting now appear to be mindless brutes with no interest in diplomacy. I foresee an alliance with the Iteeche against these aliens.
Forcing the humans and the Iteeche into an alliance seems like a heavy-handed plot driver. I would not mind an alliance between humans and the Iteeche Empire, but would rather see them face a thinking strategic enemy rather than mindless destructive brutes.
There are no space battles in Kris Longknife Defender which I did not like. I like reading about the space battles. One of the things that I like about Space Opera is the battles. Well-written Space Opera (IMHO) should be light on romance, and heavy on space battles. I like the Honor Harrington series by David Weber as well as the Lost Fleet and its interwoven spin off series written by Jack Campbell.
I understand why several Jews do not like this book, knowing how that culture feels about the use of deadly gas. The author perhaps could have chosen another lethal area denial method, but from a military point of view lethal gas one of the easiest and cheapest methods of area denial.
What I did not like is how it seemed that Kris lost her critical and strategic thinking. Now that Kris and Jack are together has Kris's brains gone to mush with love?
Why was Kris given another ship? You would think after destroying a large fleet and losing so many ships the last thing the bean counters would want to do is give Kris command of another ship.
I wonder though if this is another ploy by her family to keep Kris far away from any area where she might cause something to blow up? If that is the case, Kris’s family has failed miserably at keeping Kris away from trouble.
Interesting reveal at the end of the book and left a nice cliffhanger. I can understand why some reviewers did not like the ending, but I rather liked it. It will certainly give the next Kris Longknifebook an exciting start.
I can see why there is a lot of criticism of this book. Some complain about the simplistic plot in which only Kris can save the universe. This is Space Opera (I so want to say that in King Leonidas’s voice like a Spartan) and it follows a certain formula. You may have to suspend some belief in order to read the books.
Is it likely that all 170+ planets can all gag their press completely at the same time? No, but I agree that this point of the plot structure is highly improbable. I have trouble believing that that many planets will all cooperate with a gag order of the press. As contentious as we mere humans are, getting that many people on that many planets to all sing the same tune is highly unlikely.
Other reviewers complained that Kris chose the brute force method to try to see her grandfather Alex while her older brother merely called on the phone and requested a meeting. I will point out that while Kris’s actions were more entertaining and destructive; neither child was able to talk to Grandfather Alex about what they wanted. Even with the bribe of time with a great grandchild (his first), Kris’s older brother was not any more successful than Kris.
This book is mostly politics and romance (strange but frequent bedfellows). I prefer the books when Kris is facing intelligent enemies. The new aliens Kris is fighting now appear to be mindless brutes with no interest in diplomacy. I foresee an alliance with the Iteeche against these aliens.
Forcing the humans and the Iteeche into an alliance seems like a heavy-handed plot driver. I would not mind an alliance between humans and the Iteeche Empire, but would rather see them face a thinking strategic enemy rather than mindless destructive brutes.
There are no space battles in Kris Longknife Defender which I did not like. I like reading about the space battles. One of the things that I like about Space Opera is the battles. Well-written Space Opera (IMHO) should be light on romance, and heavy on space battles. I like the Honor Harrington series by David Weber as well as the Lost Fleet and its interwoven spin off series written by Jack Campbell.
I understand why several Jews do not like this book, knowing how that culture feels about the use of deadly gas. The author perhaps could have chosen another lethal area denial method, but from a military point of view lethal gas one of the easiest and cheapest methods of area denial.
What I did not like is how it seemed that Kris lost her critical and strategic thinking. Now that Kris and Jack are together has Kris's brains gone to mush with love?
Why was Kris given another ship? You would think after destroying a large fleet and losing so many ships the last thing the bean counters would want to do is give Kris command of another ship.
I wonder though if this is another ploy by her family to keep Kris far away from any area where she might cause something to blow up? If that is the case, Kris’s family has failed miserably at keeping Kris away from trouble.
Interesting reveal at the end of the book and left a nice cliffhanger. I can understand why some reviewers did not like the ending, but I rather liked it. It will certainly give the next Kris Longknifebook an exciting start.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2024
The author again fails to write a credible story. Most of the story suffers from only being held up by the stupid nonsense of mushroom feedstock. The fact that it is in the MC's power to invalidate this whole book by a single action, that of changing the feed, which was her intent in the previous book, and that she seems to forget about doing just so, disgusts me. This fact straight up invalidates the whole book as I see it but authors got to write right!?
This brings us to the story itself, when we are already trying to ignore a massive plot-logic-hole.
This thing is so specked with contrivance as to choke a goat.
- The MC, she is ineptness, passivity and non entity personified for purposes of inane plot. Not that the mc is alone in this for the author sure has his other characters bearing part of the load but it does not improve the story when just the nonsense the MC is labouring under is beyond absurd.
Kris Longknife is very wealthy and accounting for everything else she aught to have accumulated varying forms of power by now. So to the point that she could, hypothetically, personally design, have built and crewed a serious warship out of liquid assets and influence, made it the equivalent of a mobile home, or done whatever other sort of thing she could dream up. Come to think of it she did actually own the ship Wasp, that she picked up on the cheap so to say, but that seems to have been conveniently glossed over. As if someone scrapping ones ship without the meerest "by your leave" wouldn't register for a real person as a major blip of annoyance-anger-rage.
Same goes for being shipped away to be abused by thugs and whatnot. There is barely any reaction or response to these things by the MC. She just comes across as a mudroom boot scraper/brush. The title is again annoying with the only Furious in this book being a ship, and not a furious MC which I'd think valid. I did though find myself rather Infuriated while listening to the audiobook. So another book title in this series that falls more flat than not.
Another example.. with all her issues, worldly experience, perverse love of Government and following the law like a goody goody, having the top lawyers on her home planet on retainer for need would seem like the obvious thing. I would have expected a character like this to have any number of other things going on, fleshing things out, like have her own home on planet with personal retainers and so on. No, instead she is for some sicko reason still doing the equivalent of living in her parents house. People who only cause her trouble nine times out of ten.
She has no back-up plans or anything and this is with having been burnt before and more than once. She Never Learns, never takes the least precautions and so on.. this makes the character unbelievable
The story is weak and falls apart even when I have the audiobook running in the background while focusing my mind on playing a strategy war game.
Then came the absurd, something through a goose, wrap up of the book. Even the audio narrator made it feel like she was speed reading things. It starts getting silly from around the end of the so called legal proceedings against Kris Longknife on Musashi until the last few minutes of the book. Ludicrous does not suffice as a descriptor for the hash the author made of it.
This brings us to the story itself, when we are already trying to ignore a massive plot-logic-hole.
This thing is so specked with contrivance as to choke a goat.
- The MC, she is ineptness, passivity and non entity personified for purposes of inane plot. Not that the mc is alone in this for the author sure has his other characters bearing part of the load but it does not improve the story when just the nonsense the MC is labouring under is beyond absurd.
Kris Longknife is very wealthy and accounting for everything else she aught to have accumulated varying forms of power by now. So to the point that she could, hypothetically, personally design, have built and crewed a serious warship out of liquid assets and influence, made it the equivalent of a mobile home, or done whatever other sort of thing she could dream up. Come to think of it she did actually own the ship Wasp, that she picked up on the cheap so to say, but that seems to have been conveniently glossed over. As if someone scrapping ones ship without the meerest "by your leave" wouldn't register for a real person as a major blip of annoyance-anger-rage.
Same goes for being shipped away to be abused by thugs and whatnot. There is barely any reaction or response to these things by the MC. She just comes across as a mudroom boot scraper/brush. The title is again annoying with the only Furious in this book being a ship, and not a furious MC which I'd think valid. I did though find myself rather Infuriated while listening to the audiobook. So another book title in this series that falls more flat than not.
Another example.. with all her issues, worldly experience, perverse love of Government and following the law like a goody goody, having the top lawyers on her home planet on retainer for need would seem like the obvious thing. I would have expected a character like this to have any number of other things going on, fleshing things out, like have her own home on planet with personal retainers and so on. No, instead she is for some sicko reason still doing the equivalent of living in her parents house. People who only cause her trouble nine times out of ten.
She has no back-up plans or anything and this is with having been burnt before and more than once. She Never Learns, never takes the least precautions and so on.. this makes the character unbelievable
The story is weak and falls apart even when I have the audiobook running in the background while focusing my mind on playing a strategy war game.
Then came the absurd, something through a goose, wrap up of the book. Even the audio narrator made it feel like she was speed reading things. It starts getting silly from around the end of the so called legal proceedings against Kris Longknife on Musashi until the last few minutes of the book. Ludicrous does not suffice as a descriptor for the hash the author made of it.
May 19, 2022
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
Mike Shepherd likes to theme each of his novels around a certain plot type or genre: with Furious, we get a JAG military court hearing next to a simple Die Hard type of heist. This is in addition to Shepherd exploring various cultures and societies (Japan, this time). Your enjoyment of this particular book will likely depend on whether you want pew pew space battles or can enjoy the wordplay in a typical courtroom.Story: Kris needs to get to her grandfather Al, talk with him, and stop the foolhardly plan he is hatching to trade with the hostile aliens. Unfortunately, she's still confined in "Siberia" and neatly tucked out of the way by her great grandfather, King Ray. But Kris has resourceful allies and she can be a very slippery princess. The problem is, where can she go that is safe when she is wanted in nearly every world as an "enemy of humanity?"
This was a fun read and is less about space battles and more about outsmarting opponents in various situations. Fortunately, Shepherd doesn't write her outsmarting lawyers in a court of law - that would be ridiculous. For that she has help in the form of new allies. But of course, as with every where she goes (including the Musashi Imperium), she makes friends and special allies. This book was a lot more about her allies coming to her rescue rather than her miraculously saving the day - again.
This was a brutal one for the narrator - I couldn't help but wince every time a Japanese person would mispronounce a Japanese word or name. But it is what it is and I just had to ignore the distractions since I'd rather have this narrator continue the series rather than having someone else brought in.
There is a large plot twist in the end and it will be interesting to see where it goes from here.
November 30, 2022
When this story begins, Kris is in command of a fast patrol squadron on a very backward planet. In fact, she is being held there. When she learns that her Grampa Al is planning to equip and send a trade mission to the aliens Kris fought and ran from, she is determined to talk to him and convince him that this is a really, really bad idea. But first she has to escape the "command" she is running.
With the help of Abby and her niece Cara and a variety of friends, Kris finds herself at Wardhaven where she meets up with her Grampa Trouble and Jack, who is the man she loves, but who was sent away from her. She has also gathered her old friend Penny. Along with some other allies, they attempt to infiltrate her Grampa Al's supposedly impenetrable fortress. But her father the Prime Minister has tasked Senior Chief Agent in Charge Foile of the Wardhaven Bureau of Investigation to find her and save her life.
Foile and his team which a includes a Kris super fan-girl manage to track her but are always one step behind. But Kris and her compatriots are one step behind Grampa Al too. In order to escape Wardhaven and track down Grampa Al, Kris surrenders herself to a Musashi ship at high Wardhaven even though this means that she will go on trial for her life when she gets to Musashi. Kris just wants a chance to tell her story since she's convinced that her Longknife relatives from King Ray to the Prime Minister are giving the citizens of their planets the straight story about her alien encounter.
I enjoyed all the part of the story that takes place on Musashi from her meeting with the Emperor to her trial. I liked that Kris and her friends are reunited. I liked that the Musashi realize the threat that the aliens present and are willing to help Kris do something about it. I liked that she and Jack have confessed their feelings for each other.
This was an entertaining and exciting episode despite the fact that it ends on a bombshell cliffhanger.
With the help of Abby and her niece Cara and a variety of friends, Kris finds herself at Wardhaven where she meets up with her Grampa Trouble and Jack, who is the man she loves, but who was sent away from her. She has also gathered her old friend Penny. Along with some other allies, they attempt to infiltrate her Grampa Al's supposedly impenetrable fortress. But her father the Prime Minister has tasked Senior Chief Agent in Charge Foile of the Wardhaven Bureau of Investigation to find her and save her life.
Foile and his team which a includes a Kris super fan-girl manage to track her but are always one step behind. But Kris and her compatriots are one step behind Grampa Al too. In order to escape Wardhaven and track down Grampa Al, Kris surrenders herself to a Musashi ship at high Wardhaven even though this means that she will go on trial for her life when she gets to Musashi. Kris just wants a chance to tell her story since she's convinced that her Longknife relatives from King Ray to the Prime Minister are giving the citizens of their planets the straight story about her alien encounter.
I enjoyed all the part of the story that takes place on Musashi from her meeting with the Emperor to her trial. I liked that Kris and her friends are reunited. I liked that the Musashi realize the threat that the aliens present and are willing to help Kris do something about it. I liked that she and Jack have confessed their feelings for each other.
This was an entertaining and exciting episode despite the fact that it ends on a bombshell cliffhanger.
March 25, 2017
More of a bridging novel than a stand alone, this one starts with full on action then takes a breather for the characters to catch up on the crazy lives they've lived the last 9 novels. It also ends with an unexpected surprise (not romance related).
In a way this novel does some long over due tidying up. Like a teenager finally picking up the last month of dirty washing from the floor. This leaves a whole lot of room for new emotional baggage to take on and a sparkling new plot twist to explore.
As for romance, yes, it took ten novels but we did get actual romantic scenes. They started out really authentic but became quickly cloying. Fortunately the author puts a halt to them after a time. It's always good to see characters develop and grow. But gratuitous romance is not needed in a series this hood.
In a way this novel does some long over due tidying up. Like a teenager finally picking up the last month of dirty washing from the floor. This leaves a whole lot of room for new emotional baggage to take on and a sparkling new plot twist to explore.
As for romance, yes, it took ten novels but we did get actual romantic scenes. They started out really authentic but became quickly cloying. Fortunately the author puts a halt to them after a time. It's always good to see characters develop and grow. But gratuitous romance is not needed in a series this hood.
March 17, 2025
Can Kris actually get her day in court?
The fallout from the Wasp returning from her Journey of Exploration reverberates in their society. The survivors of the mission are being systematically removed from public view as the facts of their survival are considered inconvenient to the ruling class and thus are suppressed.
Kris is determined to bring out as many of the facts as she can manage, so she takes an unexpected tack which provides her a chance to get at least some of the truth into the public domain.
The fallout from the Wasp returning from her Journey of Exploration reverberates in their society. The survivors of the mission are being systematically removed from public view as the facts of their survival are considered inconvenient to the ruling class and thus are suppressed.
Kris is determined to bring out as many of the facts as she can manage, so she takes an unexpected tack which provides her a chance to get at least some of the truth into the public domain.
October 28, 2017
This novel has a bit less action but is no less tense. Kris' actions in the prior book have a whole lot of reactions, like news blackouts and warrants for her arrest, one from her own father. She still has attempts on her life, only one where the instigator is known (surprising and sad). Really, though, is this news?
January 29, 2021
The tale starts slower than usual, rolls quickly forward to reveal that some of Kris Longknife's disfunctional family is strictly bonkers, and slides to a rather slow denouement. A passable entry in the series, but no earth-shaker.
May 24, 2024
Whoot trial by fire
Kris is is It again. This time Most of her family is after her. And she is furious... And on the run. Major shenanigans. Much cover up. But enlightenment And a light at the end of the tunnel. Love this series. Been binging.
Kris is is It again. This time Most of her family is after her. And she is furious... And on the run. Major shenanigans. Much cover up. But enlightenment And a light at the end of the tunnel. Love this series. Been binging.
April 17, 2019
Excellent, Kris experiences one exciting situation after another. And, what an ending!
July 18, 2020
I like it, again something different but funny. The new japonnese infused culture was nice. It was a strong book and the verdict of the trial made me laugh. I am glad for the new Wasp
September 25, 2023
Visit different libraries in your area, especially if you haven't explored them all. You might discover hidden gems, and libraries often host interesting events or exhibitions.
November 1, 2012
Book 10 in the Kris Longknife series packs as good a punch as previous books , although for much of this book Kris is not out saving the universe from itself and vicious aliens but saving herself from the executioners block. When we saw Kris last at the end of Daring she had shared one brief but wonderful kiss with Jack (finally) before being dragged away by police after their return from fighting the new Aliens. She was wanted on over 100 worlds for crimes against Humanity for using the Hellburners her great granddaddy King Ray had sent her to use against those Aliens. If you haven't read the short story from Grandpa Troubles point of view Welcome Home Now Go Away (Kris Longknife 10.5) you should before reading this it isn't necessary but gives you a little more reason to despise Admiral Crossenshield and King Ray. It also talks a bit about a certain other Princesses apparent betrayal of Kris.
The start of this book has Kris separated from nearly everyone she cares about other than Abby and Cara and drinking herself into oblivion on the world of Madigan's Rainbow. King Ray and company have "stashed" her there keeping her total lock and key, but we know Kris and even if she has crawled into a bottle it isn't long before someone is going to smash that bottle on her head and then she will smash it in another etc. After a daring and nearly impossible escape from her watchdogs on Madigan's Rainbow she returns to Wardhaven to get back into the fight only to find that her Grandpa Al seems to be starting some special trouble of her own and he seems to be gunning for his own Grandaughter! It seems in her world blood is not thicker than water. But most of the book revolves around Kris defending her actions and trying to keep her head on the Japanese descended planet of Musashi and her long awaited reunion with Jack.
However the best was saved for last and it was perhaps one of the best endings of a Kris Longkinife book I've read. And now I can not wait for the next!
The start of this book has Kris separated from nearly everyone she cares about other than Abby and Cara and drinking herself into oblivion on the world of Madigan's Rainbow. King Ray and company have "stashed" her there keeping her total lock and key, but we know Kris and even if she has crawled into a bottle it isn't long before someone is going to smash that bottle on her head and then she will smash it in another etc. After a daring and nearly impossible escape from her watchdogs on Madigan's Rainbow she returns to Wardhaven to get back into the fight only to find that her Grandpa Al seems to be starting some special trouble of her own and he seems to be gunning for his own Grandaughter! It seems in her world blood is not thicker than water. But most of the book revolves around Kris defending her actions and trying to keep her head on the Japanese descended planet of Musashi and her long awaited reunion with Jack.
However the best was saved for last and it was perhaps one of the best endings of a Kris Longkinife book I've read. And now I can not wait for the next!
December 19, 2012
So often these days I find myself in a love/hate relationship with books in a series primarily the most recent book. I love that I finally got a chance to read it, but I hate that once I finish it I have to wait for the next one to be published. Alas, such is also true of this volume, the latest in the Kris Longknife series by Mike Shepherd.
The book itself wasn't quite what I expected from this series. I have grown used to the character rampaging through space causing (and fixing) trouble wherever she goes. This book was anything but that, and for the first half of the book I was afraid that the entire book was going to revolve around nothing more than her trying to visit family. Fortunately the story took a turn shortly thereafter and moved on to more interesting venues, but the story continued to be rather minimal on the action front right to the very end.
In all honesty, this book feels more like a bridge book, perhaps something that might have been better presented in a couple of novellas as a precursor to the next book in the series. Looking at the structure of the book there are two main "acts" with what could be termed a prologue and an afterward. Present these pieces as a couple of short stories and a couple of novellas and you would be just fine. I don't remember other books having such clear delineations between the different stages of the story. In the end the story eventually worked its way through to a conclusion of sorts, but one that was clearly a setup for the next book which further reinforces my thoughts on the structure of the book.
Regardless of structural issues, the book was a fun read, and while I would have enjoyed more action sequences, which have become rather expected in this series, I did enjoy the book. I only hope that the next book does not suffer from the structure issues that I encountered in this book.
The book itself wasn't quite what I expected from this series. I have grown used to the character rampaging through space causing (and fixing) trouble wherever she goes. This book was anything but that, and for the first half of the book I was afraid that the entire book was going to revolve around nothing more than her trying to visit family. Fortunately the story took a turn shortly thereafter and moved on to more interesting venues, but the story continued to be rather minimal on the action front right to the very end.
In all honesty, this book feels more like a bridge book, perhaps something that might have been better presented in a couple of novellas as a precursor to the next book in the series. Looking at the structure of the book there are two main "acts" with what could be termed a prologue and an afterward. Present these pieces as a couple of short stories and a couple of novellas and you would be just fine. I don't remember other books having such clear delineations between the different stages of the story. In the end the story eventually worked its way through to a conclusion of sorts, but one that was clearly a setup for the next book which further reinforces my thoughts on the structure of the book.
Regardless of structural issues, the book was a fun read, and while I would have enjoyed more action sequences, which have become rather expected in this series, I did enjoy the book. I only hope that the next book does not suffer from the structure issues that I encountered in this book.
May 10, 2014
In this installment Princess Kris Longknife has to face the music from her latest adventure after being charged with crimes against humanity on many planets. As a faithful reader I fell the author tried to make up a story (but isn't that what an author does?) in order to continue the saga. While I understand the direction the story is going, and I enjoyed the way the author presented it, I felt that it was all a bit unnecessary and contrived. That being said, it was a still a farily enjoyable book and sets up an opportunity for the author to do what he does best in the next book. Call it a breather, a chance for the reader to catch their breath before the next great battle, and a chance to further develop characters. Or if you are a pessimist, call it a poor attempt to fill some holes following the departures of several integral characters that the Wasp lost the last time out.
A side note- One of my pet peeves of storytelling is when an author 'retires' characters and then introduces new characters that are nearly identical. While I understand the plot device of the retirement of characters, I don't understand introducing identical characters taking their place. For example, in this book, (Spoiler alert) one former character is replaced by his father, who taught his son 'everything he knows' and is described physically as a 'larger version' of the former character. To me, that's just cheating.
An a positive side note- Mike Shepherd's background as a naval officer is very evident in his writing. He does a great job of detailing the complexities of command and the pressures of making command decisions while also making those decisions seem very human.
Looking forward to the next installment of this series.
A side note- One of my pet peeves of storytelling is when an author 'retires' characters and then introduces new characters that are nearly identical. While I understand the plot device of the retirement of characters, I don't understand introducing identical characters taking their place. For example, in this book, (Spoiler alert) one former character is replaced by his father, who taught his son 'everything he knows' and is described physically as a 'larger version' of the former character. To me, that's just cheating.
An a positive side note- Mike Shepherd's background as a naval officer is very evident in his writing. He does a great job of detailing the complexities of command and the pressures of making command decisions while also making those decisions seem very human.
Looking forward to the next installment of this series.
May 5, 2013
I didn't feel like this book was as tight as the previous novels - mostly, those seemed to have a very concrete start point and end point. This one jumped around a lot - largely due to the nature of where the previous novel left off.
However, I still enjoyed it overall - some good points on the media, on the nature of wartime vs. peacetime, and SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS a nice save from the Musashi lieutenant at the end of the trail. The re-shipping and re-crewing of Kris' little battalion at the end was a nice way to get her back into space, but felt a little convenient. However, this is a fiction novel and in order for her to have more adventures, she does require a ship, so I'm handwaving it as a necessary plot device.
The ending is definitely an interesting cliffhanger; he seems to be doing these a lot lately. I may have to read it through again to check my understanding: Rita Nuu Longknife - Kris' great-grandmother - was on the bird-planet that was attacked by the No Quarter alien ship, and the planet has survived?
I have some reservations about the wholesale categorising of the Musashi as basic Japanese - admittedly, this is part of the whole "taking Earth cultures out into space planets" - one tends to end up with a whole slew of cultures that are 'Japanese' or 'Spanish' or 'Swiss' or 'German' - their cultural cues often wholesale transplanted to a planetary scale. We (in the real world) have one planet with so many different cultures, even if the culture we generically think of as 'western culture' is dominant in most parts of the world.
At any rate, it's a good book, I enjoyed it for a couple of hours, and will look forwards to the next one.
However, I still enjoyed it overall - some good points on the media, on the nature of wartime vs. peacetime, and SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS a nice save from the Musashi lieutenant at the end of the trail. The re-shipping and re-crewing of Kris' little battalion at the end was a nice way to get her back into space, but felt a little convenient. However, this is a fiction novel and in order for her to have more adventures, she does require a ship, so I'm handwaving it as a necessary plot device.
The ending is definitely an interesting cliffhanger; he seems to be doing these a lot lately. I may have to read it through again to check my understanding: Rita Nuu Longknife - Kris' great-grandmother - was on the bird-planet that was attacked by the No Quarter alien ship, and the planet has survived?
I have some reservations about the wholesale categorising of the Musashi as basic Japanese - admittedly, this is part of the whole "taking Earth cultures out into space planets" - one tends to end up with a whole slew of cultures that are 'Japanese' or 'Spanish' or 'Swiss' or 'German' - their cultural cues often wholesale transplanted to a planetary scale. We (in the real world) have one planet with so many different cultures, even if the culture we generically think of as 'western culture' is dominant in most parts of the world.
At any rate, it's a good book, I enjoyed it for a couple of hours, and will look forwards to the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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