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The Maxwell Saga #3
Adapt and Overcome
Assigned to investigate a deadly accident, Lieutenant Steve Maxwell uncovers corruption and criminal collusion reaching far above his pay grade. To save his career he's dispatched to a distant planet to help upgrade its defense forces, in the company of an old friend and some of the most experienced Marines Steve's ever met – plus one of the most distracting.
Trouble is, the planet's antiquated defenses make its new-found wealth a very tempting target – and there are those planning to take full advantage. As Steve and his colleagues strive to whip a rusty, run-down defense establishment into shape, the clock's running out…
Trouble is, the planet's antiquated defenses make its new-found wealth a very tempting target – and there are those planning to take full advantage. As Steve and his colleagues strive to whip a rusty, run-down defense establishment into shape, the clock's running out…
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 5, 2014
50 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Peter Grant
17 books60 followersPeter Grant was born in South Africa in 1958. The state censor board did not allow television until 1973, and his parents didn't get one until 1974. So he grew up with books. Lots of books. He started out after school as a military man, moved into commercial information technology, and assisted with humanitarian work during South Africa's prolonged civil unrest that led to the end of apartheid in 1994.
After having been all over Africa, he emigrated to the USA in 1997, where there were far more English-language books, and more access to the internet. He married a pilot from Alaska and settled in Tennessee.
After having been all over Africa, he emigrated to the USA in 1997, where there were far more English-language books, and more access to the internet. He married a pilot from Alaska and settled in Tennessee.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
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November 15, 2020Perhaps one of the most enjoyable things about this third installment in the Maxwell saga is what it is NOT. It is not an urban fantasy with a wounded female ass-kicking protagonist who reluctantly learns to trust her friends and family, like 99% of what is being published today. No, Steve Maxwell was raised in an orphanage, but emerged as a strong, whole person who places trust in the trustworthy, makes friends and allies easily, and who operates with an internal moral compass that makes his decisions, while not easy, at least clear, quick and un-agonizing.
I'm not sure what it was that Peter Grant was working on so long in his rewrites and edits, but I don't see anything terribly different, from an enjoyment standpoint, from the earlier books in the series, save perhaps that he listened to those beta readers who thought he was doing too much world-building. He's trimmed down to less than the amount of info dumps in previous iterations, though obviously massive amounts of information, well-delivered, certainly are no barrier to book sales...ahem...David Weber.
When Steve becomes the sole witness to an attempt at evidence tampering by a superior officer in the midst of a crash investigation on his latest assignment, his commanding officer decides to get him off planet and away from the newsies, so he is assigned temporary duty with the system defense forces of Rolla, helping them train shuttle crews. He manages to get his old buddy from OCS, Brooks Shelby, who is now a Marine lieutenant, assigned to the training team as well. While he is staying at Brooks' place temporarily between assignments, Brooks and his girlfriend introduce Steve to a lovely young officer, Abha Sashna (you see where this is going, of course) and the two of them fall immediately and hopelessly in love. The trio troops off to Rolla, and more military adventures shortly ensue.
Steve and his friends soon get a chance to demonstrate their martial skills when some old pirate enemies come to call, and the tension ratchets up a notch. His cool, calm competence and ability to anticipate the worst case scenario serves Steve well in these battles, and in the simulated ones at the command school he attends a bit later in the book. All work and no play has made Steve (perhaps in the eyes of the beta readers) a tiny bit of a dull boy, and Grant actually includes some passages detailing how Steve spends his down time, which gives us a glimpse of him in a more personal, less military, setting.
A good story, a likeable hero, and Grant leaves me anxiously awaiting the next book.
I'm not sure what it was that Peter Grant was working on so long in his rewrites and edits, but I don't see anything terribly different, from an enjoyment standpoint, from the earlier books in the series, save perhaps that he listened to those beta readers who thought he was doing too much world-building. He's trimmed down to less than the amount of info dumps in previous iterations, though obviously massive amounts of information, well-delivered, certainly are no barrier to book sales...ahem...David Weber.
When Steve becomes the sole witness to an attempt at evidence tampering by a superior officer in the midst of a crash investigation on his latest assignment, his commanding officer decides to get him off planet and away from the newsies, so he is assigned temporary duty with the system defense forces of Rolla, helping them train shuttle crews. He manages to get his old buddy from OCS, Brooks Shelby, who is now a Marine lieutenant, assigned to the training team as well. While he is staying at Brooks' place temporarily between assignments, Brooks and his girlfriend introduce Steve to a lovely young officer, Abha Sashna (you see where this is going, of course) and the two of them fall immediately and hopelessly in love. The trio troops off to Rolla, and more military adventures shortly ensue.
Steve and his friends soon get a chance to demonstrate their martial skills when some old pirate enemies come to call, and the tension ratchets up a notch. His cool, calm competence and ability to anticipate the worst case scenario serves Steve well in these battles, and in the simulated ones at the command school he attends a bit later in the book. All work and no play has made Steve (perhaps in the eyes of the beta readers) a tiny bit of a dull boy, and Grant actually includes some passages detailing how Steve spends his down time, which gives us a glimpse of him in a more personal, less military, setting.
A good story, a likeable hero, and Grant leaves me anxiously awaiting the next book.
November 14, 2017
This is the 3rd book in this series. I made it through the first 2 hoping that the writing would improve. For me, it did not and I gave up on this one and will not continue with the series or the writer. I generally like this type of story - coming of age or the hero's journey but I found Steve to be a paragon, lacking any depth. The writing style I find intrusive to the narrative flow and nothing in the plot that makes me want to continue investing in the story.
January 9, 2018
I honestly found this book a bit lacking compared to the other books of this series. I found myself skimming through my parts. Yet the story is still pretty good. Would I recommend this book? Yes.
April 7, 2020
Very good
October 17, 2020
Excellent!
Good action, believable characters, decent plot. The action and interaction with the spacers and the marines help make a good story.
Good action, believable characters, decent plot. The action and interaction with the spacers and the marines help make a good story.
May 18, 2021
Good story!
Action was good, as was the characters. I like the political dealings and how some people will do anything to make a buck. How can we set up a system to weed that type out of government?
Action was good, as was the characters. I like the political dealings and how some people will do anything to make a buck. How can we set up a system to weed that type out of government?
March 7, 2014
This series is, I think, getting better as time goes on... Here we follow our hero, Steve Maxwell, into the wilds of shore duty and dating in his junior-mid officer years. Not surprisingly, he handles all obstacles thrown at him with aplomb and panache, and ends up with more awards and accolades heaped upon him. I'd be annoyed by it except that it's become a feature of the series and I like the character. I was very, very worried about what might happen to a young woman character we're introduced to in this episode... in TV or movie terms she'd die a horrible death as part of his path to vengeance. Such worries made the final battle scenes that much more poignant, particularly considering they were carried out inside an operations center that was monitoring the battle instead of actively involved in the shooting.
This is a very plausible picture of a young man's progression through the military, training and all, and I've been enjoying each episode as it progresses, and each seems just a little better than the last. I'm definitely looking forward to the next one when it arrives!
This is a very plausible picture of a young man's progression through the military, training and all, and I've been enjoying each episode as it progresses, and each seems just a little better than the last. I'm definitely looking forward to the next one when it arrives!
May 16, 2014
"Adapt and Overcome" is my first by author Peter Grant. It tells the very readable story of Lt. Steve Maxwell who finds himself in the center of intrigue and world wars despite being a lowly space military grunt. This is the third book in the series, but Grant does a good job of making it simple for the casual reader to pick up on his tale. He's a very orderly and entertaining writer, and I enjoyed the characters he creates. They include very strong women, and he peppers the sci-fi tale with quite a bit of description of planetary economics and politics. I read the book quite quickly and finished feeling satisfied. I did want more about the villain to enhance conflict. It's there. But I really wanted to dislike the fellows and I longed for more of what drove them.
January 4, 2015
As a fan of milfic and a writer, I always have trouble carrying the image of a battle and maneuvers during one in my mind. Such being the truth, I have to say that Grant comes in for high praise in his battle description in that he manages the exposition brilliantly, and in a way that a situationally unaware scatterbrain like me can follow it. That alone should recommend this book -- and the others in the Maxwell saga -- to you. But he also writes compelling characters and affecting stories. All three books: highly recommended.
February 22, 2014
Author Grant continues to produce great space opera. This is the 3rd book in his “Maxwell Saga” series, and is just as well done as the previous two. His characters are crisp and engaging, and the story background exceptional. He seems to have left room for additional books in the series. I’m hoping for a second trilogy.
June 30, 2015
Book 3, is the continuing story of the adventures of Steve Maxwell is excellent, describing a future where integrity, ethics and a well developed moral compass is the key to achievement after achievement in his Navy career. Wish life on earth could measure up to the standards and bold bright future of humanity which is so well described in this book! Anxiously waiting for book 4 :)
February 14, 2014
Excellent series....
Excellent series....
reminiscent of Heinlein in many ways, the path to maturity and a career....as well as a touch of Weber-like technical documentation. Plus, they are a Damon good read!
Excellent series....
reminiscent of Heinlein in many ways, the path to maturity and a career....as well as a touch of Weber-like technical documentation. Plus, they are a Damon good read!
March 21, 2015
I must say he has built his career in an almost perfect way. The way he has obtained his goals is awesome. Now he has found true love. I must say the story has been a very good read and the characters are interesting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2015
Spectacular reading for all
This book eclipsed space travel,
Details, love and friendship
Keeps me reading and reading.
Science fiction is terrific for entertainment purposes
In Houston we are familiar with space.
Keep up the great reading.
Great
Great
This book eclipsed space travel,
Details, love and friendship
Keeps me reading and reading.
Science fiction is terrific for entertainment purposes
In Houston we are familiar with space.
Keep up the great reading.
Great
Great
January 18, 2016
Max 3
A little uneven at times but a wonderful successor to the previous works in this series. The characters were warmly fleshed out. The action sequences were riveting. If you enjoy this genre you will like this book.
A little uneven at times but a wonderful successor to the previous works in this series. The characters were warmly fleshed out. The action sequences were riveting. If you enjoy this genre you will like this book.
December 24, 2016
Boring interludes
I don't know who, the author, the editor, a junior marketing exec thinks that a space opera has to have boring pages of romance. If that was what I wanted I would read romance novels. I skipped at least half this book.
I don't know who, the author, the editor, a junior marketing exec thinks that a space opera has to have boring pages of romance. If that was what I wanted I would read romance novels. I skipped at least half this book.
March 13, 2014
excellent book loved the characters and the story line
April 25, 2014
Excellent space opera. Ended with things pending. When is Book 4?
May 3, 2014
The Maxwell Saga is great
a Sufi love story,mystery,and of dreams, good,and the bad.A Story of out space,man and woman,ships of outer space.you will love it.
a Sufi love story,mystery,and of dreams, good,and the bad.A Story of out space,man and woman,ships of outer space.you will love it.
November 7, 2014
Once again an enjoyable read. Nice to see Steve Maxwell growing up - the opposite sex is no longer as mysterious to him...
April 23, 2015
Ok but pretty vanilla
Simple style, weak characters, a plot you can guess quickly, and technically weak, e.g. dismisses quantum entanglement. It's ok for the price.
Simple style, weak characters, a plot you can guess quickly, and technically weak, e.g. dismisses quantum entanglement. It's ok for the price.
June 19, 2015
A return to form and much better than the second installment in the series. I'm looking forward to continuing to read more of Grant's work.
December 23, 2015
The series continues to improve. Space combat from several POVs.
April 2, 2017
Good read
Fast enjoyable read. This book flowed better than second. Any enjoying the series so far. Hope the next one keeps up.
Fast enjoyable read. This book flowed better than second. Any enjoying the series so far. Hope the next one keeps up.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews