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The Helmsman #5

The Defenders

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When the treacherous League of Dark Stars launches an attack against the Empire's helpless systems, Helmsman Wilf Brim and young Emperor Onrad must rally the surviving Starfuries in a desperate counterattack against devastating odds. Reissue.

311 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1995

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Bill Baldwin

39 books24 followers

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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Profile Image for Steven Allen.
1,188 reviews24 followers
August 11, 2017
I've been a fan of this series ever since I discovered the first four original books in paperback at a used book store.

This series is full of hackneyed tropes of all the worst kind expected of cheesy SciFi. As the series progresses some of these tropes get a little tiring and are more a plot device than adding anything to the story.

I also have trouble believing that such a technologically advanced society that has FTL travel, laser weapons, and most of the usual trappings of high-tech SciFi but cannot cure drug addiction, because that is a major plot point and a huge trope (super drug).

Margot's addiction to TimeWeed, has always caused me to dislike her character. I would not think that someone raised to be a princess, knowing that she is more valuable politically than as a woman, I would not imagine could be so crass.

Of course Margot's addiction to TimeWeed is used as an excuse for her horrible behavior and the supposed way that the League under her asshole husband controls her.

Wilf falls into another honey trap in this book - his second. The first honey trap is in the Trophy using the beautiful League racer Inge as bait. The honey trap in this one used Margot as the bait, but supposedly Margot was under the control of League assassins and not in her right mind.

Once again Wilf's friends bail him out of a spot his dick got him in, which is convenient. I would have rather seen Wilf save himself or unexpected help taking Margot with him than having the Fleet save his ass again.

I was always sad that the mother of Wilf's first child gets killed in the bombardment of Avalon. I always felt the author took the easy way out, rather than have a character that might possibly compete with Margot for Wilf's undying devotion.

I dislike the recreational sex in these books, because I am an old softy romantic at heart. I dislike how Tissaurd is willing to sleep with Wilf for fun, while pining for his buddy who she seduced once. I would never sleep with someone that one of my friends bedded - I just don't go there.
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