Death's Bright Day

RCN #11

by David Drake

A NEW NOVEL IN THE NATIONALLY BEST-SELLING RCN MILITARY SF SERIES! Leary and Mundy are back in another military science fiction adventure as they undertake a mission to a distant but critical star system.

IT'S JUST A REBELLION IN A DISTANT STAR CLUSTER.

Captain Daniel Leary thinks that his marriage will allow him to slip into the quiet role of a naval officer in peacetime. His friend, the spy and cybrarian Adele Mundy, is content to be collating data in her library. But high officials of both superpowers are involved! Those who want Daniel and Adele to become involved in the Tarbell Stars claim that only they can prevent a war between the Republic of Cinnabar and its great rival, the Alliance of Free Stars. The conflict is political, but at the sharp end it means blazing warfare and cold-blooded murder. Daniel and Adele will be at the sharp end.

The odds in ships and guns are badly in the enemy's favor. Daniel, Adele, and the crew of the Princess Cecile will do everything humanly possible, but that may not be enough against an enemy battleship. And even if Daniel and his companions succeed in battle, they can't be sure whether their employers really wanted them to win—or whether they even want them alive. All they can do is to race forward, hoping to come through into DEATH'S BRIGHT DAY.

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 as the metal alloy of a tank…rivals Crane and Remarque…”— Chicago Sun-Times

“Drake couldn’t write a bad action scene at gunpoint.”— Booklist

RCN
With the Lightnings
Lt. Leary, Commanding
The Far Side of the Stars
The Way to Glory
Some Golden Harbor
When the Tide Rises
In the Stormy Red Sky
What Distant Deeps
The Road of Danger
The Sea Without a Shore
Death's Bright Day

Genres: Science Fiction, Space Opera, Military Fiction, Fiction, Military Science Fiction, Audiobook, Ebooks

320 pages, Hardcover

First published June 7, 2016

About the author

David 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.

Reviews

[L.E. Doggett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes I marked a four but I think this one is a 3.89. So close but still not quite a 4.


The descriptions are good, the plot follows itself as it should, the action scenes are well done. All of the characters stay in character. The suspense is good but there is not enough of it. Leary wins too easily in places. There is danger, twists and action. Drake doesn't get as far down into his main character psychics as I like even though they do have to work at winning, and do have emotional angst but still... Certain scenes seem almost the same as certain scenes in previous books, but they were small, less important scenes.

At the same time I enjoyed the story, I liked what happened-on the most part, as I said the plot fit and I will get the next one, if there is one. And I do recommend it even though read the first ten first.

[Donna Jo Atwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just read the ARC for this book. Warning: Do not start this book unless you've read at least a few of the earlier ones. In fact, go ahead and read the earlier ones even if you don't intent to read this one. Shoo...go do it now.

Let me start off by saying, I love Leary and Mundy and the whole crew dearly. The last few books have been leading up to Daniel's wedding with the sister of a deceased shipmate. It finally happens--and, while it's about time, I don't believe it. I didn't need little hearts and cupids and ruffle, but this was pretty flat and the bride seemed pretty unreal to the point of being scary. What is she? A secret agent who is going to assassinate him in his sleep? This is not a spoiler, because it doesn't happen in this book anyway.
Luckily, once the honeymoon is over the real book gets underway and we can get on with the plot where you have to keep a chart of who the good guys and bad guys are.
And Tovara is developing a personality beyond psychopathic killer (and about time).

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite good. 6/25/17 reread. Very enjoyable, even as book 11, it still remains fresh enough to thoroughly enjoy.

[William Bentrim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death's Bright Day by David Drake

This is a new story in the Daniel Leary's Cinnabar RCN series. Adele Mundy, Tovera and Hogg are all back to provide the normal semi-controlled violence. After the inception of a truce in the war with the Alliance, Daniel finds himself embroiled in a politically sensitive skirmish in the Tarbell Stars.

The current conflict in Syria comes to mind in this story. Large countries that don't want to confront each other use an internal conflict to increase their political sphere of influence. Think of Iran,Turkey, Russia and the US. Although Drake credits history for as his muse in this case current events could also be an underpinning for a story.

The Tarbell Stars are facing a rebellion and the rebellion appears to be supported by a faction in the Alliance intelligence community. Cinnabar surreptitiously intervenes on the side of another Alliance faction with the services of Daniel Leary and Adele Mundy.

Leary and Mundy do the impossible once again and discover things are not always as they are purported to be. Leary also gets married in this book and the reader discovers that he chose well.

I enjoyed the book and have enjoyed the series.

Web site: http://david-drake.com/

[eyes.2c · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. The rapport between Daniel and Adele. Tovera who maybe is leaning to be a tad more human--but she's a psychopath, so maybe not. Then there's the ever reliable Hogg. And Daniel's wife who is a bit of a mystery, and only seen at the beginning. Is there more to come? Things seem to be ramping up, even if all ended sort of well. Mmmm!

[Dan Langlais · Rating 4 out of 5]

My introduction to the RCN series. A good read. The space travel aspects are especially interesting. It took me some going back & forth in the text to get a handle on the overall strategic context of the story. No doubt, starting off to read the series with an earlier book would have made things easier in that respect. I will definitely look for more of the RCN series books!

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this eleventh book of the RCN series Daniel has finally gotten married and the Republic is at peace. He soon embarks on an expedition that ensures the peace isn't universal, of course, along with Adele and Hogg and Tovera and the Sissies... It's another fun adventure in the Cinnabar universe with plenty of action and intrigue, heroism and derring-do, and the complex political framework solidly based in history that has become Drake's hallmark. (One minor thing that sprang to mind is that in almost all of Drake's books there's a despicable character named Platt who has to get his comeuppance, and this one is no exception. Adele is so blasted smart and has command of so much data from all over the universe; she's bound to notice pretty soon... Won't we see a concerted action to exterminate all of the Platt's pretty soon?) Anyway, the Leary-Mundy books are among the best of modern space opera. This one ends with a set-up for the next, so I'm looking forward to it already.

[Clay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather disappointing. Drake seems to just be on auto-pilot for this book. The characters are established and the plots are now starting to look like several past books in the series. I guess one should come to expect that once the number of books in the series goes into double digits. Or, if you bring peace to the galaxy without setting up anyone else to fight against.

Important parts of the story seem to have been left out like the final space battle and the death of a minor, recurring character. Also, most annoying was the repetition of phrases that have not been used before by characters (e.g. "mare's-nest") and Adele suddenly wondering and worrying about what her mother would have thought about her manners in several situations.

Not as excited about the next book in the series.

[Charles van Buren · Rating 5 out of 5]

In an uneasy peace, there is conflict, July 10, 2016

Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Death's Bright Day (Kindle Edition)

This is another novel which, if compared to Mr. Drake's best work, may disappoint some. Compared to military sci-fi as a whole, it is a fine book. Again taking his story idea from history, Drake has painted an entertaining picture of the political and diplomatic maneuvers of two empires mutually exhausted by years of almost unending warefare in which neither has managed to obtain a decisive advantage. Smaller powers, adventurers, and pirates scramble for the crumbs. As usual Daniel and company beat the odds in desperate military coups.

[Kristen Gray · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got this book for free a few years ago and decided to give it a go. I didn’t read any other books in the series and I was very confused. I thought I saw online that they can be read out of order so I tried it and that was a mistake. There were too many characters with weird names. I enjoy science fiction books but this was a military science fiction so half the book was detailing the different ships they were on and unfortunately.. I didn’t care. I think this is a good book for the right person, just not for me

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are like me and can’t get enough of Daniel and Adele you will love the latest addition to the series. Once again there is tension, danger, interesting back-story and great world building. The story starts at the party for Daniel and his new bride and ends up with a hook for the next book. In between these two events Daniel and Adele have to go as private citizens to stop a civil war. Another fun book in the series.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Classic Drake. But I disagree with some admirers who claim that Drake's "military fiction" ranks up there with the likes of O'brian or Cornwell. It's just fun and easy to read action in the SF world.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this story about Captain Leary and spy Adele, Daniel Leary has now married Miranda, the sister of his late crewmember, and they plan to honeymoon on a planet her late father had visited when a young officer in the RCN. This just happens to coincide with an assignment Adele has been given by Mistress Sand of the Fifth Bureau, so David and crew are recruited to "help out." Once the honeymoon visit is out of the way, with a little intrigue there as the son of the owner of the caverns they visit attempts murder because his mother and Miranda's father were intimately acquainted, what follows is the usual derring-do and the usual hairs-breadth escapes by Daniel and crew.

New wife Miranda is given a chance to prove she's a worthy wife for someone as adventure-minded as Captain Daniel Leary, and can take care of herself in a pinch. She's also tested as her husband of only a short time leaves her behind to sail away on another adventure. (It's interesting to note that toward the end of this book, when David daydreams about retiring and pursuing his hobby of being a naturalist, he envisions himself doing so with Adele, and not his wife, which gives an insights into his relationship with both Miranda and his Signals Officer that perhaps even he isn't aware of.).

A good space adventure with the usual casualties of war, perhaps some unnecessary ones, thanks to Adele and Tovera, who lives to kill, but we are given the usual admonition that an RCN officer is trained to leave emotion aside and kill as needed. The discomfort to the reader may come because Tovera often kills even those unarmed and already surrendered which would certainly seem to be doing a dishonor to a "Leary of Bantry."

Nevertheless, it's a good story and further ones, are looked forward to, especially to see how having a wife plays out in Daniel's further adventures.



This novel was purchased by the reviewer and no remujneration was involved in the writing of this review.

[David Harriss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid Leary-Mundy Story

Drake delivers another volume in the adventurous lives of Leary and Mundy.
Solid prose, a skillfully used supporting cast, and sharp action scenes kept this reader engaged. Mirth, joy, and sorrow can be found in these pages, beside a savage attitude familiar to most combatants.
The pacing drags in several paces, often right before a surprise action scene. The indirect commentary on humanity and politicians is depressing and uncomfortably aligned with events of the last four decades. The historical inspirations could have been lifted from the author's lifetime as easily as the stated historical period.

Overall, fun space adventure. Not a great entry point to the series, but a fine continuation.

[Monty · Rating 2 out of 5]

Subpar,.. a word that makes for a good one word summation of my thoughts on this book.

From the little continuity errors, that really ought not be, to the choppy handwave'ish writing and curtailed or sporadic details what results is just fuzzy nonsense. It all makes it hard or mostly impossible to build a consistent mental picture of the various environments.
A prime example of this issue is how I still, after 11 books, haven't managed to build a cohesive mental picture of the layout of the Corvette Princess Cecile.

On the audio front things aren't good either. The worst thing though is when both audio/editing and writing/storytelling issues manage to overlap making for a double whammy.

[One · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t know if I will ever like an audio book (have no problem with podcasts). A story wrapped with a bow. So far in the series I understand that unique ideas are rare both for writers and readers. Still a space figh, some spying and made up biology information are still there. But the end is actually the reality of small governments, that were traded by the superpowers and have no say in what so ever. The characters didn’t change (which makes it boring and infuriating for some of their views). It’s almost over for them and me with the series.

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

As always, Mr Drake is a good, accomplished writer. The Leary saga was original and entertaining for the first few books. However, this book suffers from something that happens to many book series - it's getting just a bit formulaic. Very little character development and our two heroes having difficult problem A to solve whilst visiting places B and C, killing a few people and having a bit of a space battle. Come on Mr Drake. You have great characters. Give them more innovative storylines!

[Shane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been a fan of the Mundy / Leary series for many years now. This installment sees the (finally) wedding of Leary, and of course a battle or two. Beyond the wedding, which seems to be tossed into the first couple chapters, there is almost no development in the characters or the overall story arc. This not a bad book, but it offers little new and much less than most.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great battles, good worldbuilding with believable characters, and a plot that grows from the motivations of characters. Despite the length of the series, dramatic tension is kept up. There’s a sense of plot threads from earlier in the series being gathered in and prepared to be tied off in the next couple of books.

[Jim Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cinnabar and the Alliance are at peace. But two rival Alliance groups are at work in the neutral Tarbell Stars: one backing the government and one the rebels. Daniel and Adele are sent on a covert mission to back the government faction.

This is another fun entry in the series. It’s fast moving with some great characters.

[Gabriel Clarke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Generally, the Lieutenant Leary novels have been rollickingly good fun. But this one feels unfocused and a bit of a ramble. Perhaps Drake needs to give Leary and Mundy a bit of a break?

[Michael Rutkowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

When it is the eleventh book in a series you pretty much know what you are getting Nothing special but just a good workman like job ! Am adequate, easy summer read !

[Graham Billingsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read as usual.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

YES!!!
read it as soon as you can
good job

[Chuck Ledger · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always for me, David Drake's story telling was very enjoyable.

[William Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

R.CN

Outstanding as all the books are in this series. He is an exceptional author. It is best to read the first for character development

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of action and the adventure of several planetfalls and space battles. Another good read in the Lt. Leary series by David Drake.

[Joe Jungers · Rating 4 out of 5]

More adventures with Captain Leary & Lady Mundy.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent read, but I'm wondering if it's time to retire Lt. Leary or radically change up the action. The stories are starting to feel a bit tired.

[Papal Bull · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy Captain Leary. Not sure why it is called Lt. Leary series when he is the captain of his ship.