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Siobhan Dunmoore #5
Without Mercy
What is the value of one life in an interstellar war that has already claimed millions? And if that single life doesn't matter, are any others worth saving?
A distress signal draws Siobhan Dunmoore's Q-ship Iolanthe, a battlecruiser disguised as a bulk freighter, away from her devastatingly successful hunt through Shrehari occupied space and plunges Dunmoore into a dark, merciless universe of competing government organizations, undercover warfare, and organized crime on a galactic scale. Along the way, she crosses paths with an old foe and an uncertain ally as she and her crew race against time and determined opposition to rescue innocent civilians condemned merely because they were in the wrong place at the wrong moment. Powerful forces within the Commonwealth would call a handful of lives collateral damage in humanity's existential struggle against the Shrehari Empire. But Dunmoore won't accept that they aren't worth saving even if it puts her at cross-purposes with her new commanding officer and the Commonwealth's fearsome security bureau.
After all, her oath to serve and defend has no limitations and no expiry date.
A distress signal draws Siobhan Dunmoore's Q-ship Iolanthe, a battlecruiser disguised as a bulk freighter, away from her devastatingly successful hunt through Shrehari occupied space and plunges Dunmoore into a dark, merciless universe of competing government organizations, undercover warfare, and organized crime on a galactic scale. Along the way, she crosses paths with an old foe and an uncertain ally as she and her crew race against time and determined opposition to rescue innocent civilians condemned merely because they were in the wrong place at the wrong moment. Powerful forces within the Commonwealth would call a handful of lives collateral damage in humanity's existential struggle against the Shrehari Empire. But Dunmoore won't accept that they aren't worth saving even if it puts her at cross-purposes with her new commanding officer and the Commonwealth's fearsome security bureau.
After all, her oath to serve and defend has no limitations and no expiry date.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 4, 2018
118 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Eric Thomson
39 books129 followersEric Thomson is my pen name. I'm a former Canadian soldier who spent more years in uniform than he expected, serving in both the Regular Army (Infantry) and the Army Reserve (Armoured Corps). I spent several years as an Information Technology executive for the Canadian government before leaving the bowels of the demented bureaucracy to become a full-time author.
I've been a voracious reader of science-fiction, military fiction and history all my life, assiduously devouring the recommended Army reading list in my younger days and still occasionally returning to the classics for inspiration. Several years ago, I put my fingers to the keyboard and started writing my own military sci-fi, with a definite space opera slant, using many of my own experiences as a soldier as an inspiration for my stories and characters. When I'm not writing fiction, I indulge in my other passions: photography, hiking and scuba diving, all of which I've shared with my wife, who likes to call herself my #1 fan, for more than thirty years.
I've been a voracious reader of science-fiction, military fiction and history all my life, assiduously devouring the recommended Army reading list in my younger days and still occasionally returning to the classics for inspiration. Several years ago, I put my fingers to the keyboard and started writing my own military sci-fi, with a definite space opera slant, using many of my own experiences as a soldier as an inspiration for my stories and characters. When I'm not writing fiction, I indulge in my other passions: photography, hiking and scuba diving, all of which I've shared with my wife, who likes to call herself my #1 fan, for more than thirty years.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 2, 2022
I really like this series. Aside from minor inconsistencies, I appreciate the realities in the books:
Missile stocks run low, Both the good guys and the bad guys make mistakes (and have moments of brilliance), Damage happens and has to be taken into account, People interact (sometimes well, sometimes not so well).
The writing is also quite good - I find it difficult to put the book down because I'm not sure what's going to happen; things could (and have) gone either way.
The biggest problem is with the amount of leeway given to Capt. Dunmoore; I'm having a hard time believing that, given her history (and ability to alienate senior officers - though she is learning) her commanders and superiors would let things go.
Missile stocks run low, Both the good guys and the bad guys make mistakes (and have moments of brilliance), Damage happens and has to be taken into account, People interact (sometimes well, sometimes not so well).
The writing is also quite good - I find it difficult to put the book down because I'm not sure what's going to happen; things could (and have) gone either way.
The biggest problem is with the amount of leeway given to Capt. Dunmoore; I'm having a hard time believing that, given her history (and ability to alienate senior officers - though she is learning) her commanders and superiors would let things go.
July 11, 2024
3.5/5
*Contains Spoilers*
This was a decent story, and like the last book, it was a very good Q-ship story. (I typically hate Q-ship stories).
There were a few instances of improper grammar from what I could tell.
But overall, not a whole lot happens in this book. Essentially, they go around a few areas searching for the crew of the Katie and rescue them. And that's Essentially it. We get glimpses of some more sketchy SSB operations as well as some more info on colonial office operations, so I guess it's still related to the overarching story introduced in the first 2 books.
I don't really understand why Dunmore and company are so buddy buddy with Ser Forenza. He literally is suspected of killing a suspect in the last book.
*Contains Spoilers*
This was a decent story, and like the last book, it was a very good Q-ship story. (I typically hate Q-ship stories).
There were a few instances of improper grammar from what I could tell.
But overall, not a whole lot happens in this book. Essentially, they go around a few areas searching for the crew of the Katie and rescue them. And that's Essentially it. We get glimpses of some more sketchy SSB operations as well as some more info on colonial office operations, so I guess it's still related to the overarching story introduced in the first 2 books.
I don't really understand why Dunmore and company are so buddy buddy with Ser Forenza. He literally is suspected of killing a suspect in the last book.
December 28, 2018
I was a bit disappointed with this book, it started well and potential could have been one of the best in the series, but apart from a few incidents it really seemed to drag. There was too much repetitive discussion and even the ‘amusing’ banter just became tedious.
I also didn’t feel the combat was consistent, what exactly are Iolanthe’s capabilities, because in one combat she can destroy ships in seconds then in the next she is incapable of scratching the surface.
Overall the story was OK and I will read the next book, although I was slightly concerned that this might be a rehash of the overbearing, arrogant admiral storyline that seems to have been used by every ‘naval’ fiction writer.
I also didn’t feel the combat was consistent, what exactly are Iolanthe’s capabilities, because in one combat she can destroy ships in seconds then in the next she is incapable of scratching the surface.
Overall the story was OK and I will read the next book, although I was slightly concerned that this might be a rehash of the overbearing, arrogant admiral storyline that seems to have been used by every ‘naval’ fiction writer.
February 12, 2019
Described as book five of five, I was hoping for some resolution here. The series has had an undercurrent of political corruption and hidden agendas that hamper the resolution of the war so I assumed this would be the book to tie everything up. Sadly not.
Dunmoore and her Q ship rescue the sole survivor of an attacked ship and follow the leads to rescue the crew and find out what is going on. Old enemies appear and there is the issue of not trusting her own authorities and command, but Dunmoore and her crew continue to be smarter than most.
There must be another book coming as this leaves far too many unanswered questions.
Dunmoore and her Q ship rescue the sole survivor of an attacked ship and follow the leads to rescue the crew and find out what is going on. Old enemies appear and there is the issue of not trusting her own authorities and command, but Dunmoore and her crew continue to be smarter than most.
There must be another book coming as this leaves far too many unanswered questions.
October 24, 2018
This series provides an enjoyable read with good characterization. This 5th in the series was a little slower than some of the previous books but leaves off in a good place with some potential for interesting conflict, both internally and externally. I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes and how some of the things within the Fleet (as well as other agencies) unfold.
December 12, 2018
Another great book in this series
Really engaging and enjoyable read. There is progress in the characters and a bit more detail about their past and so on but mostly I liked this as it is properly written and well paced. A book to make time to savour, not just something to pass the time on your daily commute.
Really engaging and enjoyable read. There is progress in the characters and a bit more detail about their past and so on but mostly I liked this as it is properly written and well paced. A book to make time to savour, not just something to pass the time on your daily commute.
March 6, 2019
Best since the first
Siobhan and her disguised warship, the Iolanthe, run across an abandoned merchant vessel with one survivor and then the fun begins. Who took the crew & passengers? Why did they? Do the Sherhari have anything to do with this mystery? Only reading this will unveil the mystery....
Siobhan and her disguised warship, the Iolanthe, run across an abandoned merchant vessel with one survivor and then the fun begins. Who took the crew & passengers? Why did they? Do the Sherhari have anything to do with this mystery? Only reading this will unveil the mystery....
April 14, 2023
Another gripping mystery in space, why is a ship floating in space, empty of all crew save one hideaway? This adventure takes us to 3 star systems, and several intrigues, prison camps and pirates, all keen to stir the plot.
I particularly enjoyed the new/reoccurring character dynamics and the world building.
I particularly enjoyed the new/reoccurring character dynamics and the world building.
December 5, 2018
3.5 stars. OK story, but not much character growth and there seem to be quite a few logic holes. Not sure I'll continue reading series as the setup for the next book seems to indicate a well worn story-line
June 25, 2025
I love coming back to this captain and her crew. The professionalism and the way they plan out their strategy allow them to come out on top, and they are trained so well that surprises don’t throw them for long. The book continues the theme of finding rogue government agents working against the Commonwealth, but here it’s wrapped in the mystery of where the crew of the drifting starship has been taken. Normally when an author presents a plan in advance, it’s because things will go wrong, but here the author uses the plan to allow us to understand what’s going on later when it’s being executed, so he can focus on the action. It’s an interesting way of writing, but takes some of the suspense out of the story. Regardless, the action scenes were action-packed, and the waiting and strategizing were full of interesting dialog, ruminations and playful banter, which all dries up when they are called to battle stations. The usual problems persist, with the long military titles and so many crew members who come and go, but these are minor. I love the ship and its immense firepower. I also love the way Dunmoore takes charge and reminds her enemies of the advantages she has.
October 28, 2018
Three and a half stars. Great Siobhan Bunmoore action. Not a great deal of story arc development nor any development of the characters. Don't let that stop you if you like the series.
November 4, 2018
Loving it!
One of my favourite series that I've followed from the start! Definitely hope that Thomson continues on with the next books!
One of my favourite series that I've followed from the start! Definitely hope that Thomson continues on with the next books!
February 21, 2019
Captain Dunmoore and the crew of the Q-Ship Iolanthe intercept a distress signal. An abandoned cargo ship, which turns out to house a single survivor. What follows is a chase to find the perpetrators and disentangle their complex scheme.
While Dunmoore and her merry band of naval personnel are still good fun to hang out with, the quality of the narrative is lower than in previous installments. There seems to be no real risk that any of the characters will be killed or even seriously injured. Much of the text consists of the main characters spouting literary and military history quotes in extended banters sessions, showing off how clever they are while their enemies are continually confounded.
http://www.books.rosboch.net/2018/12/...
While Dunmoore and her merry band of naval personnel are still good fun to hang out with, the quality of the narrative is lower than in previous installments. There seems to be no real risk that any of the characters will be killed or even seriously injured. Much of the text consists of the main characters spouting literary and military history quotes in extended banters sessions, showing off how clever they are while their enemies are continually confounded.
http://www.books.rosboch.net/2018/12/...
September 12, 2021
Good use of the mystery to allow us to explore some more unique areas of this universe
June 9, 2023
Excellent
I'm excited to keep following this story. Interesting twists in the storyline. Entertaining and enjoyable. Doing what you can to save those who you can save.
I'm excited to keep following this story. Interesting twists in the storyline. Entertaining and enjoyable. Doing what you can to save those who you can save.
October 23, 2018
The best Siobhan Dunmoore book so far.
January 21, 2019
Love This Series
The Siobhan Dunmoore series has great characters, kick-ass space battles, and awesome small-unit action. Great space military fiction! Worth reading every word.
The Siobhan Dunmoore series has great characters, kick-ass space battles, and awesome small-unit action. Great space military fiction! Worth reading every word.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews