Commander

The David Birkenhead Series #4

by Phil Geusz

"We have not yet begun to fight!" John Paul Jones once declared not long before snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. But even the immortal Captain Jones might've flinched at the prospect of a months-long odyssey through the heart of Imperial space in command of a thin-skinned converted merchantman. In this fourth volume of the "David Birkenhead" series, the newly-promoted Commander Birkenhead is forced to zig when he should've zagged and finds himself in what any lesser officer might well consider a hopeless situation. Cut off from all contact with friendly forces, short on supplies and in command of a ship that most of the navy's brasshats consider a waste of resources, the Hero of Zombie Station must once again make do with what he has rather than what he might wish for.

This time, in so doing he will shake the Empire to the core.

Genres: Science Fiction, Military Fiction, Space Opera

167 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 5, 2012

Reviews

[Erin Penn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 4, Commander, has David Birkenhead beached for a little while. The book is slow going during the political behind-the-scenes maneuvering, but returns to its High Space Opera Military genre best when David does a milk-run to the capital to drop off his adopted human uncle. (Yes, David is a rabbit -get over your herbivore bias or get run over.)

The milk-run gets redirected. Piracy and giving the bad guys a huge black eye follows. I am not going to give any spoilers.

David continues to fight the stigma of being the member of a genetically engineered slave race. During one investigation into his past, he talks to a gene engineers who compares her status as a woman in science to his ex-slave status. I've had seen similar reactions from black males when a white woman compares their situations - mostly a "huh?" and "you don't understand slavery, girl". Again the series keeps the sociological worldbuilding spot on!

Overall, I find the flavor and pacing of the series similar to Kris Longknife (by Mike Shepherd).

[Noodle The Naughty Night Owl · Rating 5 out of 5]

9/10: Fantastic, left me wanting more.

Standard protocol was apparently to yes me to death to my face, then pretend nothing had been said when it came time for action.

Fantastic and fun series. For a full review of the series, check out book one: My Review.

[Ian McCoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very entertaining book series

Truthfully I don't know enough history to truly appreciate the work the author has done in writing this book series. The only downside of this book series is that the books are so short

[Charles Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

When David goes behind enemy lines with an undergunned auxiliary cruiser, what do you think he does with it? He causes all sorts of havoc, that's what. Another terrific performance by our favorite former slave-bunny.

This entire series is some of the best young-adult fiction I've read in decades. The stories and characters are on-par with Mr. Hornblower, Mr. Aubrey and Dr. Maturin.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the high action of the last book, this one felt like a bit of a let down. May be better on a re-read; but I finished this and just felt a bit "blergh"