Debt of Loyalty

The Embers of War #2

by Christopher G. Nuttall

An uncivil war in space sends a planet spinning out of control in the next thrilling Kat Falcone novel by bestselling author Christopher G. Nuttall.

The Commonwealth has fractured, its interstellar order breaking down into civil war. On one side is Hadrian, the outlaw king of Tyre, driven from his homeworld and forced into a fragile alliance with the colony worlds; on the other sits a parliament determined to restrain him at all costs. The time for talk is over. The matter can be settled only by war.

Loyal to the king, Admiral Kat Falcone leads her fleets into battle, joined by allies with motives of their own. But her friend and former comrade Commodore William McElney has chosen to join the Houses of Parliament. They now find themselves on opposing sides of a civil war, trapped into waging a series of battles that neither wants to fight but that they dare not lose. And as shadows and secrets come to light, they may find themselves watching helplessly as the war tears the universe they fought for apart.

Genres: Science Fiction, Military Science Fiction

401 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 11, 2020

Reviews

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good entertainment. I find that a future depicting kings and lords somewhat disturbing, but the actual military actions in the war and the political discussions were still interesting. Controlling the "high orbitals" seems to be the most cost effective strategy in controlling the political allegiance of a planet's population.

[Damaged142 · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's... something

It adds very little of actual value to the actual series. It felt more like a stop-gap between the first and last book in the trilogy. The majority of the book was spent following events that have little impact on the story. And what is CGN's obsession with giving Kat the short end of the stick and make all the bad things happen to her

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5* This is a tough book and trilogy to rate. There is a lot of good stuff. The lead characters, Kat Falcone on one side and William on the other, are great. Both are very capable, loyal and fighting for what they personally believe is right. Also, overall, the series is well written, the action is well paced, and the world building is interesting. On the negative side, a lot of the military jargon and details don't always ring true if you know anything about the military. The biggest complaint I have, is that I really detest the leaders on both sides of this Civil War. Neither has a strong moral argument underlying their main reasons for fighting. One leader is technically more evil, but whatever side wins, Tyre will still be ruled by greedy, whiney, self centered autocratic aristocrats who are and will continue to screw over Trye's commoners and the Commonwealth's colonials. I don't really care that much who wins, but I do want to know what happens to Kat and William. That is enough to keep me plugging through to Book Three.

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

So, if you are going to write a shades of grey book, involving both sides of a civil war having their rational reasons, you have to give the audience something to care about.

And I just not caring about the characters. Neither side in the war has me rooting for them, but neither side’s champion are particularly interesting, so there’s nothing particularly noteworthy about the book. Just aristocrats arguing facile points without any sort of grace or unpredictability, with the occasional space battle without real drama or decisiveness.

And I guess that’s this book’s biggest flaw - it sets up plot, it sets up intrigue, but delivers on none of it within the pages, that’s potentially the next book.

We will see what my reading stack looks like at that point if I give it a shot.

(As always, I rail again grade inflation, so two stars is adequate, but not recommendable.)

[Ernest]

Debt of Loyalty by Christopher G. Nuttall | Aug 7, 2020 | 47North

Nuttal follows up his smartly written Debt of Honor with the second book in his Ashes of War trilogy, and it’s every bit as good as the first, if not better. It’s a blend of space navy Mil-SF and political intrigue with a British flavor, which is only natural for the Scottish-born author.

The King, having refused to cede his war powers following a conflict, fled the Commonwealth’s core world of Tyre rather than face impeachment, and took half the fleet (and one its best strategists) with him. Now it’s a civil war, with the colony planets siding largely with the King…they always felt slighted by the House of Lords on Tyre anyway.

More: https://amazingstories.com/2020/07/sc...

[Brenda Mcallister · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continues the story of Kat Falcone, Admiral in the Commonwealth, just recovering from a war with the Theocracy, now forced to choose sides in a civil war between the House of Lords and the King. She chooses her friend and king over family and allies and war continues. Only time will tell if she made the right choice.
Excellent characters and world building but seemed to drag a bit now and then. Lots of different POV s adding background made for a slower pace novel but put all the pieces together.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yikes! I really struggled with this one. The story and the writing was as good as always but I’m having a hard time pulling for any of the characters. I guess it’s the more traditional side of me that enjoys the good vs. evil, the rise of the underdog, etc....but in this case it’s hard to tell who is in the right. Well, things are becoming a little more clear....I think....at the end. What will happen to William, and to Kat? I really can’t figure out where this is going. Definitely have to read the next one!

[BobA707 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: Nice bit of space opera, not particularly believable plot and the continuation of a series I have not read. Book 2 similar to book 1, but now in the depths of civil war

Plotline: Moves along quickly. Power corrupts I suppose, or nothing would really make sense

Premise: Interesting, almost classic space opera premise - it allows a good story

Writing: Light, simple, the action is brought to life

Ending: Generally even the winner loses in civil war. Book 3 here we come

Pace: Never a dull moment!

[Craig Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. Not the best spce opera I've read but not the worst. As usual the combat in cold dark space is the most enjoyable part. When the author tries to give an in-depth discussion of interstellar politics the narrative starts to get a little dry. I would like to have seen a little more passion and emotion from the heroine, Admiral Kat Falcone.

[Anthony Koller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great writer

I am a great fan of his works and i hope that he will one day write a novel for Elite Dangerous Game.
But with what is happening to the world today with religious anger affecting the world and with humanity possibly travelling to the stars in the next few hundred years. I cannot help to stop thinking that he is writing the future of the human race and all of its troubles and all of its wars and a star trek future of peace and harmony is but a dream

[Troy Jeffers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastic sequel. The book is very intriguing and the characters are very idealistic. At times, they may seem a little too principled or naive, but that is from an observer who can clearly see both sides of the argument. The drama and tension through the book is palpable and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kat is back and with her return so do the problems. There are enough space battles for any military science fiction fan. Look for friends to be on separate sides. The readers get to follow the important characters on both sides. There is tension and betrayal as the battle for control pushes on. I think someone is being set up but will have to wait for the next book to know for sure

[Mark L · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good sequel adding to the previous book. I liked how the political and millitary drama escalated in a way that felt realistic. It also continued the effect of making no side seem "good." I also liked how by the end the millitary conflict felt like it had continued yet it was still inconclusive. How good the series is makes you wish it didn't have such generic names for the book.

[Virginia Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Civil War is painfully uncivil

This middle book of the Embers of War trilogy is a study of the bitterness of war with friends and family. War against a despicable enemy is "reasonable". Civil war leaves no room to denigrate the enemy for he is one of us. Looking forward to the conclusion of the story.

[Glenn S · Rating 1 out of 5]

A Mistake

Hopeful this 3 book series would be a good read, I purchased all 3 books. The first book was terrible as I realized Nuttall simply cranked these books out for the money. The second book is nearly as bad as the first. I have a hope the 3rd book will be better, though I doubt it. Either way, this will be my last Nuttall book.

[Saugat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Way better than book 1

Usually book 1 is awesome and then book 2 onwards things slow down a bit. In this case book 2 was way more interesting. It showed the evolution of the civil war and kept the place interesting enough to make it enjoyable

[Roger Sparrowhawk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Political drama

Politics with a future aristocracy commanding decisions
A king carrying out black ops. against parliament with battles in space fighting for advantage. The main characters finely drawn

[Anthony Philosophos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a follow on book to Debt of Honor and continues the plot of the first book. I enjoyed Nuttall's second novel and was happy the level of writing was as good as the first book. The storyline had some good twists and turns to keep you engaged.

[x x x · Rating 5 out of 5]

Complex politics

Another good complex political and technological thriller from Mr Nuttall. You can't beat the breadth of a space opera when you need to be taken away from the minutia of your daily life. Read this one and you will escape. .

[Terry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good book

Another good book, now just waiting on the next one. No disappointments from page one till the last. Would recommend to anyone.

[Jeff butler]

Well done.

Its a great read for someone that really likes battlefield and sci-fi scenarios. Reminds me of the old ship battles of the high sea.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know if the twist at the end was as big of a twist as it was supposed to be, but it was good to get the confirmation

[GREGORY W. LUFT · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Kate Falcon story

A little slow then heats up fast, some surprises, that you guessed were coming. Love the characters and the books. Now to the 3rd book of this seris.

[Peter Baran · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Civil War starts, quickly, with our two lead characters on opposite sides. I'll have more thoughts when I have read the third one on how successful this is but I did burn through this.

[W H Nicholls · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to wonder if Kat has gotten into the wrong side of this civil war, rescuing the King who in effect betrayed every one seems wrong to me. Will she realise she is on the wrong side in the next book when she finds out what he did

[John Purvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christopher G. Nuttall is the author of more than 100 novels. Debt of Loyalty was published in 2020 and is the second book in his Ember of War series. This is the 2nd book I completed in 2023.

I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com with the expectation of delivering a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to some violence and mature language, I categorize this novel as R. The primary character is Admiral Lady Katherine Falcone.

The Commonwealth has been engulfed in a civil war. Falcone had to make a hard decision as civil war became inevitable. Should she stay loyal to the King and the colony worlds or remain with the Tyre Navy and her family. She has sided with King Hadrian and has enabled his escape from Tyre.

The planet Caledonia has become the rebel stronghold and has allied with a handful of colony worlds against the Commonwealth parliament.

Falcone had to make a hard decision as civil war became inevitable. Should she stay loyal to the King and the colony worlds, or remain with the Tyre Navy and her family.

Falcone is given command of the King’s fleet and engages the Tyre forces. They skirmish, but the big battle will be in Tyre space. The plan is risky, but if the war is not taken to Tyre, Caledonia will fall under attack. Falcone wants to win the engagement and bring the civil war to an end. She may have to settle for striking a hard blow and withdrawing in defeat.

I enjoyed the 10.5+ hours I spent reading this 401-page science fiction novel. With this book, I have read six excellent books by Mr. Nuttall. The others are The Oncoming Storm, Falcone Strike, Cursed Command, The Hyperspace Trap, and Debt of Honor. While this novel can be read stand-alone, the novels listed above, except for The Hyperspace Trap should be read first. I enjoy ‘space opera’ stories, and Debt of Loyalty is one of the best. The plot is laced with action, politics, and intrigue. I like the cover art chosen for this novel. I give this novel a rating of 5 out of 5.

You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).

[Chris Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent, entertaining book