What do you think?
Rate this book
RCN #10
The Sea Without a Shore
LEARY AND MUNDY RETURN in the RCN SERIES.
#10 in the nationally best-selling Republic of Cinnabar Navy space adventure series.
Cinnabar's chief spymaster is a mother also--and her son is determined to search for treasure in the midst of a civil war. Who better to hold the boy's hand—and to take the blows directed at him—than Captain Daniel Leary, the Republic of Cinnabar Navy's troubleshooter, and his friend the cyberspy Adele Mundy?
The only thing certain in the struggle for control of the mining planet Corcyra is that the rival parties are more dangerous to their own allies than to their opponents. Daniel and Adele face kidnappers, hijackers, pirates and a death squad—even before they can get to their real business of ending the war on Corcyra. Only with planetary peace can the boy they're escorting get on with his mission.
The boy thinks the treasure he's looking for is a thousand years old. Daniel and Adele know that it's probably a dream—
But if the treasure is real, it just might be tens of thousands of years older than anyone imagines, and incalculably more valuable!
About David Drake’s previous RCN novel, What Distant
“Drake deftly weaves a web of political machinations and intrigue that vividly depicts the costs of war. Fans of Patrick O'Brian's Maturin and Aubrey novels will enjoy this intricate, rousing space opera.” – Publishers Weekly
About David Drake’s RCN
“[R]ousing old-fashioned space opera.” – Publishers Weekly
“The fun is in the telling, and Mr. Drake has a strong voice. I want more!” – Philadelphia Weekly Press
“[S]pace opera is alive and well. This series is getting better as the author goes along…character development combined with first-rate action and memorable world designs.” – SFReader.com
About David
“[P]rose as cold and hard s the metal alloy of a tank…rivals Crane and Remarque…” – Chicago Sun-Times
“Drake couldn’t write a bad action scene at gunpoint.” – Booklist
#10 in the nationally best-selling Republic of Cinnabar Navy space adventure series.
Cinnabar's chief spymaster is a mother also--and her son is determined to search for treasure in the midst of a civil war. Who better to hold the boy's hand—and to take the blows directed at him—than Captain Daniel Leary, the Republic of Cinnabar Navy's troubleshooter, and his friend the cyberspy Adele Mundy?
The only thing certain in the struggle for control of the mining planet Corcyra is that the rival parties are more dangerous to their own allies than to their opponents. Daniel and Adele face kidnappers, hijackers, pirates and a death squad—even before they can get to their real business of ending the war on Corcyra. Only with planetary peace can the boy they're escorting get on with his mission.
The boy thinks the treasure he's looking for is a thousand years old. Daniel and Adele know that it's probably a dream—
But if the treasure is real, it just might be tens of thousands of years older than anyone imagines, and incalculably more valuable!
About David Drake’s previous RCN novel, What Distant
“Drake deftly weaves a web of political machinations and intrigue that vividly depicts the costs of war. Fans of Patrick O'Brian's Maturin and Aubrey novels will enjoy this intricate, rousing space opera.” – Publishers Weekly
About David Drake’s RCN
“[R]ousing old-fashioned space opera.” – Publishers Weekly
“The fun is in the telling, and Mr. Drake has a strong voice. I want more!” – Philadelphia Weekly Press
“[S]pace opera is alive and well. This series is getting better as the author goes along…character development combined with first-rate action and memorable world designs.” – SFReader.com
About David
“[P]rose as cold and hard s the metal alloy of a tank…rivals Crane and Remarque…” – Chicago Sun-Times
“Drake couldn’t write a bad action scene at gunpoint.” – Booklist
485 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
32 people are currently reading
449 people want to read
About the author
David Drake
306 books886 followersDavid Drake is an American author of science fiction and fantasy literature. A Vietnam War veteran who has worked as a lawyer, he is now one of the major authors of the military science fiction genre.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
July 8, 2020
I just continue to enjoy the books in this series. From the strong relationships between "3d" characters, to a fully believable world. Just superb! 6/24/17 reread.
December 9, 2014
Daniel LeRy assists an acquaintance by outfitting a ship and picked crew for possible treasure hunting on a distant planet. Adele Mundy, meanwhile undertakes a job for Daniel's sister Deidre, basically, dealing with a blackmail source on that same distant planet. Nothing goes as planned, but then Leary and Mundy are great improvisers, so in the end, treasure is found, some justice served and the galactic peace situation is improved. this title is not so much a space opera as a contemplative piece on friendship in a chaotic universe. A very good addition to the series with derringer-do, intrigue, and character development. Enjoy!
July 15, 2015
Another great ride in the Lt. Leary / RCN series. Daniel Leary and Adele Mundy as well as his RCN Sissies make a great team. Together they find creative and entertaining ways to solve problems for the Cinnabar Star Empire and keeps them from going back to war with the Alliance Star Empire. A most entertaining read for fans of Military Science Fiction and fans of David Drake.
March 17, 2017
I can't believe this is the last book of the series
I want to know what happened with Daniel and Maranda I want to know what happened with the girl and to vera this is not fair Wright more now!
I want to know what happened with Daniel and Maranda I want to know what happened with the girl and to vera this is not fair Wright more now!
August 27, 2016
I do love David Drake and I do love this series, though it's hard to explain why sometimes. Short take for fans: this is one of the better ones. If you haven't read them, do start with the first. Drake is a veteran and a historian and his military SF involves his own experiences and certain historical situations, reframed and recast in different universes. See Redliners, a military masterpiece, if you want to know what war is really like.
Daniel Leary is a Naval officer whose father is a political bigwig; they are estranged. Daniel is privileged and handsome and lucky--all good qualities in an officer. He is also arrogant and prejudiced, a perfect caricature of British aristocracy at the height of Empire--this is why I downgrade the books that have a lot of leave time in them, because Daniel on the family estate in Bantry is a rich redneck. I read the books despite this--because I like his sidekick, sociopathic super-librarian Adele Mundy, whose entire family was massacred by Daniel's father. Adele's hobby is figuring out and mimicking human behavior--and she's inspired her sidekick, the psychopath Tovera.
In this episode, I believe Daniel works out a relatively quick solution to avert a longterm war and the involvement of opposing governmental superpowers. There's always the balance of civilians, citizens, politicians, bureaucrats, criminals, the military, spies--terrain, logistics, intel--practicalities vs. theories. There's even a bit of the spiritual in this foray. Drake is always interesting.
Why does Drake keep writing these, and why do we keep reading? It's the character development. The caricature of the British Empire and its lords is becoming a realized universe; Daniel Leary is young and he is maturing; Adele is learning to blend in. There's action, some introspection, some humor, some politics. It's a great way to spend an afternoon, whiling away the hours in another universe, learning about the human creature...
The first book is called With the Lightnings. Enjoy!
9Baen and netgalley provided an e-galley for review.)
Daniel Leary is a Naval officer whose father is a political bigwig; they are estranged. Daniel is privileged and handsome and lucky--all good qualities in an officer. He is also arrogant and prejudiced, a perfect caricature of British aristocracy at the height of Empire--this is why I downgrade the books that have a lot of leave time in them, because Daniel on the family estate in Bantry is a rich redneck. I read the books despite this--because I like his sidekick, sociopathic super-librarian Adele Mundy, whose entire family was massacred by Daniel's father. Adele's hobby is figuring out and mimicking human behavior--and she's inspired her sidekick, the psychopath Tovera.
In this episode, I believe Daniel works out a relatively quick solution to avert a longterm war and the involvement of opposing governmental superpowers. There's always the balance of civilians, citizens, politicians, bureaucrats, criminals, the military, spies--terrain, logistics, intel--practicalities vs. theories. There's even a bit of the spiritual in this foray. Drake is always interesting.
Why does Drake keep writing these, and why do we keep reading? It's the character development. The caricature of the British Empire and its lords is becoming a realized universe; Daniel Leary is young and he is maturing; Adele is learning to blend in. There's action, some introspection, some humor, some politics. It's a great way to spend an afternoon, whiling away the hours in another universe, learning about the human creature...
The first book is called With the Lightnings. Enjoy!
9Baen and netgalley provided an e-galley for review.)
June 6, 2015
This installment was a bit of a letdown. The pace of the whole thing was pretty sedate with no impending deadline to force some action or threaten the lives of the ship's crew. The characters just seemed to wander through the plot and the various bits of diversion that cropped up with every challenge being handled and disposed of in the next chapter. The religious faction that was the impetus for all of this was pretty much undefined and oft contradictory (lovers of peace, but they were buying arms to defend themselves).
No real character development to speak of. Daniel was Daniel and Mundy lamented about all her old issues (again). Not much to be seen of the regulars from the crew, either. One new face was added, but they didn't give her much to do. Oddly, Tovera seemed to have the most noticeable changes in characterization from the past books in the series.
I guess with the peace there comes some less epic tales to be told. Even so, the treasure hunt could have been much more interesting than was presented here.
No real character development to speak of. Daniel was Daniel and Mundy lamented about all her old issues (again). Not much to be seen of the regulars from the crew, either. One new face was added, but they didn't give her much to do. Oddly, Tovera seemed to have the most noticeable changes in characterization from the past books in the series.
I guess with the peace there comes some less epic tales to be told. Even so, the treasure hunt could have been much more interesting than was presented here.
March 24, 2017
David Drake at his best
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Sea Without a Shore (Lt. Leary Book 10) (Kindle Edition)
No space battles in this one. Instead there is intrigue in multiple layers, including Leary, Mundy & associates bringing a war to a peaceful and, for most parties, satisfactory conclusion. The character of Adele Mundy's assistant/bodyguard, Tovera, is further developed in this volume, as is that of several other recurring Leary associates. Altogether a very satisfactory addition to the series.
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Sea Without a Shore (Lt. Leary Book 10) (Kindle Edition)
No space battles in this one. Instead there is intrigue in multiple layers, including Leary, Mundy & associates bringing a war to a peaceful and, for most parties, satisfactory conclusion. The character of Adele Mundy's assistant/bodyguard, Tovera, is further developed in this volume, as is that of several other recurring Leary associates. Altogether a very satisfactory addition to the series.
February 10, 2019
Oh fun. So much fun.
Fights? Yes.
Flight? Yes.
Computer magic? As always.
And the solution is so different for Mundy and Leary, you have to read it....enjoy.
[I did]
Fights? Yes.
Flight? Yes.
Computer magic? As always.
And the solution is so different for Mundy and Leary, you have to read it....enjoy.
[I did]
October 31, 2015
Drake'in alıştığım tarzı ve eğlenceli kolay okunan bir roman. Başyapıt değil, olması da gerekmiyor.
July 5, 2023
In the tenth book of the Leary/Mundy series, Mistress Sand, Cinnabar’s head of intelligence, asks Mundy a favor: her son has gotten involved with a religious group on the neutral planet Corcyra and is convinced he has found a treasure that he can sell to pay for the group’s necessary defense weapons, as there is a civil war of sorts going on. Sand wants Mundy, and her friend Daniel Leary, to help her son and assure his safety, in an unofficial way (as direct Cinnabar support could rekindle the war with the Alliance).
To complicate things further, the leader of one of the factions has evidence that could hurt the Leary family. Daniel’s sister asks Mundy to sort it out, and she needs to do so without Daniel finding out about her extra mission.
Of course we as readers expect Leary, Mundy, et al to solve the problems in front of them, which they do and more. But the fun is in the journey. Drake provides clever solutions to difficult problems. And is always the characters are ones I’ve grown to like. They’ve all grown as the series has progressed, and even Mundy’s bodyguard Tovera is becoming more fleshed out.
The series continues to be very enjoyable. Recommend.
To complicate things further, the leader of one of the factions has evidence that could hurt the Leary family. Daniel’s sister asks Mundy to sort it out, and she needs to do so without Daniel finding out about her extra mission.
Of course we as readers expect Leary, Mundy, et al to solve the problems in front of them, which they do and more. But the fun is in the journey. Drake provides clever solutions to difficult problems. And is always the characters are ones I’ve grown to like. They’ve all grown as the series has progressed, and even Mundy’s bodyguard Tovera is becoming more fleshed out.
The series continues to be very enjoyable. Recommend.
October 10, 2019
Daniel is growing up, Adel is working for the Leary's and Daniel is working for Bernice Sands! How much more can you turn this series upside down? I don't know, but this is the best book so far in the series. Leary has always been brilliant, but now he is stepping up to work on a larger stage. Adel is also growing, perhaps more profoundly than Daniel, but you will have to read the book to see how.
July 26, 2024
I found an ebook this time so much better than audiobook. The story was a bit fluffier than I expected. Less battles and more muck. What I don’t understand is why the author writes/ chooses female characters in this way. Example: Tovera sociopath and colourless, Adelle asexual, obsessed with death and maybe on sepctrum, W large and ugly, Miranda is the exception.
February 27, 2023
Excellent Story
Drake tells a story with virve and elan. Yes, he weaves in the basis from truthful accounts of long past, but he brings this to life with skill and style. I love his world building and the fascinating characters. They grow and become friends to the reader.
Drake tells a story with virve and elan. Yes, he weaves in the basis from truthful accounts of long past, but he brings this to life with skill and style. I love his world building and the fascinating characters. They grow and become friends to the reader.
October 31, 2023
No question about what you're in for in this series, and this book delivers exactly what I keep coming back for. Dare I say it, optimistic military sci-fi, rollicking and no doubt that it's going to work out any other way. Not challenging, but not everything has to be.
August 16, 2024
Inconsistencies with prior world building reality for purposes of plot progression. I am not senile so coming across such things just nails the bullshit speedometer in the red.
On the whole this is a sloppier offering than usual from the author.
On the whole this is a sloppier offering than usual from the author.
December 4, 2024
There is not as much action in this book as there has been in others in the series, but it's still a good read. Leary and his crew get up their normal hi-jinks and lead a revolution to overthrow the current rulers of a planet in order to allow others to take over.
May 22, 2017
Listened to the tale in short segments on The Baen Free Radio Hour.
June 20, 2017
The Leary/Mundy binge is almost concluded. This one is more of an amiable romp.
August 30, 2018
Great series!
Ten bookd so far, nd I hope many more to come. Highly recommended if you like good space opera and original plot lines.
Ten bookd so far, nd I hope many more to come. Highly recommended if you like good space opera and original plot lines.
July 27, 2019
I like the Leary series but this one felt too disjointed to me to get four stars.
November 20, 2021
I really like David drake. His books are always good
June 24, 2024
RECOMMENDED
Read
October 26, 2025Why you might like it: RCN series: Aubrey/Maturin in space, with logistics. Rubric match: not yet scored. Uses your engineering/rigor/first-contact/world-building rubric. Tags: military-sf, ops
November 15, 2025
Good novel. Space opera theme, centred around neo-Roman society and 18th century sailing techniques.
September 2, 2016
...my favourite characters return!
Lt. Daniel Leary and his RCN Sissies and accompanying satellite characters--a group that worm their way into your affections and stay there!
I just think Adele Mundy is a thoroughly interesting person, introvert and socially inept, or maybe ignorant, though she is. Given her history how can we expect anything else. She has become stronger as the series has progressed and in this book she is more central than Daniel Leary.
Her continuing reflections about her life and place in her ongoing world open her up to us even more than before. I really enjoy her interaction with and views about Miranda, Daniels fiancé.
Adele's thoughts in particular about her inevitable death, something she seems to almost welcome as a penance for those deaths she's caused that haunt her are revealing. As are the various facets of her friendship with Daniel, a friendship that has become her lifeline, her touchstone back to her humanity.
Her views about Tovera her bodyguard cum servant are intriguing, delivered as they often are in a one dimensional reflective tone. Yet Adele or 'the mistress' as the spacers call her is anything but one dimensional. She is extremely focused and highly motivated especially with anything that touches on Daniel or the work that her other employer Mistress Bernis Sand, head of Cinnibar Intelligence Service, hands her.
It was fascinating to me when Adele, stepping outside her comfort zone does something that humans normally do, that is, wave a friend [Daniel] over, simultaneously telling Tovera that she, Tovera is a good role model.
'By now Tovera was better at pretending to be a normal human than her mistress was.
But then, Adele had never seen the point of the exercise.'
One takes a step back and has to think a bit more about who Adele is and just what is normal. The training, the humanizing of Tovera has given Adele another purpose it seems.
Tovera, sociopath, shadowy figure that she is, is also revealed a little more in this book. I loved it when, in a very rare conversation with Tovera, after nary a flicker of an eyebrow! Daniel says that he would give her a home if anything happened to Adele.
I also enjoy the interplay between Hogg and Tovera, both having similar roles, both capable of total focus and destruction. Hogg, piratical poacher that he is, is without doubt the man to have at your back in a crisis. Tovera's capability for focused destruction strikes the same cord.
Of course Daniel and Adele are up against unknown odds in this adventure. This time Adele has specific orders and interests on two fronts. Daniel is not on official Cinnibar RCN business but as per usual that seems to slide into an area of possibility.
Sand's son Rikard Cleveland has been kidnapped and Daniel and Adele are tasked to find him. Adele is also undertaking a task for Daniel's sister, Deirdre Leary. A task that touches on Daniel's well being.
Adele once more demonstrates that she is a whizz with all things regarding gathering and analyzing data. Their relationship is now to the point where she and Daniel either think as one or Daniel stands back and allows her to make the decisions. Trust and respect between the two moves into a new dimension. The inclusive socializing of Adele continues!
We know Adele communicates more readily via an interface than in person and in many ways she is similar to Torvea in this stunted part of her growth. But like the spacers who serve with her, we accept her and champion her.
It was rather touching when Cory made sure that in the destruction of the Gulkander Palace by missiles he endeavoured to do it so that a cache of antique books Adele had found would still be available to her. Such is the regard the 'Sissies' have for Adele. She is part of their family.
We also see the healing of other characters begin to happen. A nice touch! Daniel Leary has great wisdom in his Bantry educated, Hogg assisted that it was, heart.
A NetGalley ARC
Lt. Daniel Leary and his RCN Sissies and accompanying satellite characters--a group that worm their way into your affections and stay there!
I just think Adele Mundy is a thoroughly interesting person, introvert and socially inept, or maybe ignorant, though she is. Given her history how can we expect anything else. She has become stronger as the series has progressed and in this book she is more central than Daniel Leary.
Her continuing reflections about her life and place in her ongoing world open her up to us even more than before. I really enjoy her interaction with and views about Miranda, Daniels fiancé.
Adele's thoughts in particular about her inevitable death, something she seems to almost welcome as a penance for those deaths she's caused that haunt her are revealing. As are the various facets of her friendship with Daniel, a friendship that has become her lifeline, her touchstone back to her humanity.
Her views about Tovera her bodyguard cum servant are intriguing, delivered as they often are in a one dimensional reflective tone. Yet Adele or 'the mistress' as the spacers call her is anything but one dimensional. She is extremely focused and highly motivated especially with anything that touches on Daniel or the work that her other employer Mistress Bernis Sand, head of Cinnibar Intelligence Service, hands her.
It was fascinating to me when Adele, stepping outside her comfort zone does something that humans normally do, that is, wave a friend [Daniel] over, simultaneously telling Tovera that she, Tovera is a good role model.
'By now Tovera was better at pretending to be a normal human than her mistress was.
But then, Adele had never seen the point of the exercise.'
One takes a step back and has to think a bit more about who Adele is and just what is normal. The training, the humanizing of Tovera has given Adele another purpose it seems.
Tovera, sociopath, shadowy figure that she is, is also revealed a little more in this book. I loved it when, in a very rare conversation with Tovera, after nary a flicker of an eyebrow! Daniel says that he would give her a home if anything happened to Adele.
I also enjoy the interplay between Hogg and Tovera, both having similar roles, both capable of total focus and destruction. Hogg, piratical poacher that he is, is without doubt the man to have at your back in a crisis. Tovera's capability for focused destruction strikes the same cord.
Of course Daniel and Adele are up against unknown odds in this adventure. This time Adele has specific orders and interests on two fronts. Daniel is not on official Cinnibar RCN business but as per usual that seems to slide into an area of possibility.
Sand's son Rikard Cleveland has been kidnapped and Daniel and Adele are tasked to find him. Adele is also undertaking a task for Daniel's sister, Deirdre Leary. A task that touches on Daniel's well being.
Adele once more demonstrates that she is a whizz with all things regarding gathering and analyzing data. Their relationship is now to the point where she and Daniel either think as one or Daniel stands back and allows her to make the decisions. Trust and respect between the two moves into a new dimension. The inclusive socializing of Adele continues!
We know Adele communicates more readily via an interface than in person and in many ways she is similar to Torvea in this stunted part of her growth. But like the spacers who serve with her, we accept her and champion her.
It was rather touching when Cory made sure that in the destruction of the Gulkander Palace by missiles he endeavoured to do it so that a cache of antique books Adele had found would still be available to her. Such is the regard the 'Sissies' have for Adele. She is part of their family.
We also see the healing of other characters begin to happen. A nice touch! Daniel Leary has great wisdom in his Bantry educated, Hogg assisted that it was, heart.
A NetGalley ARC
February 8, 2014
Drake pours on the adventure and gives readers an excellent time.
The Sea without a Shore by David Drake is the latest (#10) in the Daniel Leary / Adele Mundy space navy series. Drake keeps things fresh in this adventure of the duo in the Cinnabar Navy--RCN as all the insiders call it. Because this is one of a series, and because the author has said he tries to make it possible to start the series from any one of the books, this book has some passages that readers familiar with the series will either welcome as familiar friends or feel some level of annoyance with the repetition of stuff they already know. Mine was the familiar friends reaction.
David Drake (as his authhor's note explains) takes earth minor historical events and recasts them as a plot framework for Leary & Mundy to work through in different planets and star systems. It's a technique that works very well for me. The author is able to take his characters through multiple adventure scenarios without becoming repetitive (except in as much as some have found the explanations of the Matrix or Leary or Mundy's personal history repetitive, as mentioned above).
In this book, they are not acting as official RCN members. They escort the son (formerly a ne'r do well, but now reformed) of Adele's civilian boss to a planet where there's a revolution going on, where the son hopes to find a buried treasure to help his side buy weapons and win the revolution. They don't know if there really is a treasure, but they set off to help--with Adele having a related secret mission that she doesn't share with Daniel or anyone else!
In one sense, it's a well-know pattern for fans of the series--Daniel & Adele are given a nearly impossible mission, Daniel thinks up a bold and sly plan, and Adele gets normally inaccessible information and fools the opposition. This may sound simple and mundane, especially after nine previous novels in the series, but once again, for me, Drake pours on the adventure and gives readers an excellent time.
I've read all his books in the Leary & Mundy series more than twice! and I expect to do the same with this volume.
The Sea without a Shore by David Drake is the latest (#10) in the Daniel Leary / Adele Mundy space navy series. Drake keeps things fresh in this adventure of the duo in the Cinnabar Navy--RCN as all the insiders call it. Because this is one of a series, and because the author has said he tries to make it possible to start the series from any one of the books, this book has some passages that readers familiar with the series will either welcome as familiar friends or feel some level of annoyance with the repetition of stuff they already know. Mine was the familiar friends reaction.
David Drake (as his authhor's note explains) takes earth minor historical events and recasts them as a plot framework for Leary & Mundy to work through in different planets and star systems. It's a technique that works very well for me. The author is able to take his characters through multiple adventure scenarios without becoming repetitive (except in as much as some have found the explanations of the Matrix or Leary or Mundy's personal history repetitive, as mentioned above).
In this book, they are not acting as official RCN members. They escort the son (formerly a ne'r do well, but now reformed) of Adele's civilian boss to a planet where there's a revolution going on, where the son hopes to find a buried treasure to help his side buy weapons and win the revolution. They don't know if there really is a treasure, but they set off to help--with Adele having a related secret mission that she doesn't share with Daniel or anyone else!
In one sense, it's a well-know pattern for fans of the series--Daniel & Adele are given a nearly impossible mission, Daniel thinks up a bold and sly plan, and Adele gets normally inaccessible information and fools the opposition. This may sound simple and mundane, especially after nine previous novels in the series, but once again, for me, Drake pours on the adventure and gives readers an excellent time.
I've read all his books in the Leary & Mundy series more than twice! and I expect to do the same with this volume.
August 10, 2015
Number 10 in this series and as it progresses it is much more enjoyable than Weber's Honor Harrington series where Dame Honor never makes mistakes, never is in danger, and never does not advance higher.
Drake served and so he has an appreciation for how things might actually be. Here we are between wars, in the Peace of Amiens (for as Weber, though to a much lesser extent, we have a universe that parallels our history of the Napoleonic wars)
And as such we see that a warrior such as Leary is not employed at all instances to fight for his country but in Peace, the Navy is reduced and he is on the beach. So Drake comes up with a plausible reason for his hero and friends to go back into danger. A plot that is nuanced and deep with layers and intrigue for all.
Where Drake fails us a little is that we know these characters. We have seen their demons and here we are presented repetitively with the demons of Adele Mundy, the 2nd protagonist several times, from the exact same view, rather than breaking through to a new realization and the next level of being a human. So she becomes a cliche throughout the story and needs to put aside or deal with her past so we don't relive her angst more than once a story. In fact, as Leary has advanced in career and realized that he has put aside his salad days, even though he is youthful, his responsibilities are that of a man of more sober years and he has glimpses of how he should act, and then does so, but we never seem to tie up those loose ends and have him really take the next step of being an adult.
Those qualms, put to bed and allow our heroes to advance from the circular shackles they are in would do great service to the series. Otherwise this is an excellent adventure and read.
Drake served and so he has an appreciation for how things might actually be. Here we are between wars, in the Peace of Amiens (for as Weber, though to a much lesser extent, we have a universe that parallels our history of the Napoleonic wars)
And as such we see that a warrior such as Leary is not employed at all instances to fight for his country but in Peace, the Navy is reduced and he is on the beach. So Drake comes up with a plausible reason for his hero and friends to go back into danger. A plot that is nuanced and deep with layers and intrigue for all.
Where Drake fails us a little is that we know these characters. We have seen their demons and here we are presented repetitively with the demons of Adele Mundy, the 2nd protagonist several times, from the exact same view, rather than breaking through to a new realization and the next level of being a human. So she becomes a cliche throughout the story and needs to put aside or deal with her past so we don't relive her angst more than once a story. In fact, as Leary has advanced in career and realized that he has put aside his salad days, even though he is youthful, his responsibilities are that of a man of more sober years and he has glimpses of how he should act, and then does so, but we never seem to tie up those loose ends and have him really take the next step of being an adult.
Those qualms, put to bed and allow our heroes to advance from the circular shackles they are in would do great service to the series. Otherwise this is an excellent adventure and read.
April 5, 2014
The Sea Without A Shore by David Drake (A Daniel Leary Book)
My standard preface for a Daniel Leary book, this book is another in the continuing saga of Daniel Leary’s career in the Cinnabar space navy. I compare this series with that of the Horatio Hornblower series and perceive that as a compliment. I love both of the series, one as iron men in wooden ships and the other as the carbon fiber men in the composite beryllium ships. It is the men not the hardware that makes the series so enjoyable.
This time the Sissie's are pared down to the core and shipping out in a beat up freighter as a favor to Mistress Sands, the spy master.
It's interesting that the psychological aberrant are so prominent in the Leary books. Adele Mundy and Tovera are both, hmm a bit odd is the kindest definition. The general population not in the nobility seem to reflect England's Victorian population behavior. Which carries me back to Hornblower and the fact that the spacers behave so much like the sailors of old.
Problems abound in these books and Daniel Leary frequently solves them in a highly unorthodox manner.
These books are a treat to read and I always enjoy them.
Once again the “Sissie” and her crew are put into untenable situations and extradite themselves brilliantly. Again, the loyalty, honor and camaraderie are what makes the books so engrossing and successful.
The books are simplistic and I love them. (Draw your own conclusions on that.)
My standard preface for a Daniel Leary book, this book is another in the continuing saga of Daniel Leary’s career in the Cinnabar space navy. I compare this series with that of the Horatio Hornblower series and perceive that as a compliment. I love both of the series, one as iron men in wooden ships and the other as the carbon fiber men in the composite beryllium ships. It is the men not the hardware that makes the series so enjoyable.
This time the Sissie's are pared down to the core and shipping out in a beat up freighter as a favor to Mistress Sands, the spy master.
It's interesting that the psychological aberrant are so prominent in the Leary books. Adele Mundy and Tovera are both, hmm a bit odd is the kindest definition. The general population not in the nobility seem to reflect England's Victorian population behavior. Which carries me back to Hornblower and the fact that the spacers behave so much like the sailors of old.
Problems abound in these books and Daniel Leary frequently solves them in a highly unorthodox manner.
These books are a treat to read and I always enjoy them.
Once again the “Sissie” and her crew are put into untenable situations and extradite themselves brilliantly. Again, the loyalty, honor and camaraderie are what makes the books so engrossing and successful.
The books are simplistic and I love them. (Draw your own conclusions on that.)
March 13, 2015
Another fine volume in the RCN series. There's no space war this time around, but Leary and his crew still find trouble and conduct themselves as admirably as ever. It's not so much a space opera as what I believe Heinlein might have called a drama of manners. This time we have two people sending the crew off to the same obscure place at the same time for two very different reasons, which seems like a little too much of a coincidence, but that's a minor glitch. The side characters have developed enough through the series that they have become as interesting as Leary and Mundy. Drake's style is as sharp and witty as ever, with cool lines like:
" "Six says he's not a politician," Tovera said. "But he's lying."
She laughed, a cackle that might have come from a peevish reptile. "
That a really terrific, unusual description! Here's another:
"Tovera was always alert and always expected an attack, but Tovera was a sociopath and not really human. An ordinary human being who acted the way she did would be insane. Hale would have to learn that.
Or go insane, of course. There were always options."
At first glance it's a funny, throw-away line, but then you stop and think about it and it's not really funny at all; he's painted a perfect picture of Tovera's character, a deeper insight into Adele's by her description and acceptance of it, and introduced newcomer Hale into the dynamic. Good stuff! Drake has been one of my favorites for a long time.
" "Six says he's not a politician," Tovera said. "But he's lying."
She laughed, a cackle that might have come from a peevish reptile. "
That a really terrific, unusual description! Here's another:
"Tovera was always alert and always expected an attack, but Tovera was a sociopath and not really human. An ordinary human being who acted the way she did would be insane. Hale would have to learn that.
Or go insane, of course. There were always options."
At first glance it's a funny, throw-away line, but then you stop and think about it and it's not really funny at all; he's painted a perfect picture of Tovera's character, a deeper insight into Adele's by her description and acceptance of it, and introduced newcomer Hale into the dynamic. Good stuff! Drake has been one of my favorites for a long time.
May 5, 2015
It looks like I'm in the minority here, but I felt that this book suffered from the same sort of scattered story telling and confusion that plagued the previous book in the series. Characters would appear in one place in a chapter and then a completely different location in the next for no rhyme nor reason. I needed a scorecard to keep up with all the different political/religous/extraplanetary groups, and it all seemed to melt into a big jumbled mess.
This wouldn't have bothered me if the story had more action, but the action this time around was minimal at best. If the characters were more interesting, then there might be something to the story, but the regulars haven't changed much at all. Leary is getting married, but other than that, there was nothing new to say about him. Hogg is Hogg. Mundy has become, if it were possible, less likeable as a character. Her bodyguard, Tovera, couldn't make an appearance without being described as reptilian or saying something psychotic. Even Mundy is a borderline sociopath.
The stories are just getting old. There's nothing connecting them, no backstory around which each individual book revolves. Sadly, I think I'm over this series.
This wouldn't have bothered me if the story had more action, but the action this time around was minimal at best. If the characters were more interesting, then there might be something to the story, but the regulars haven't changed much at all. Leary is getting married, but other than that, there was nothing new to say about him. Hogg is Hogg. Mundy has become, if it were possible, less likeable as a character. Her bodyguard, Tovera, couldn't make an appearance without being described as reptilian or saying something psychotic. Even Mundy is a borderline sociopath.
The stories are just getting old. There's nothing connecting them, no backstory around which each individual book revolves. Sadly, I think I'm over this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews