Jerek is once again Captain of the Word of Xal
Surrounded by his friends, Jerek takes time to learn to be an Eradicator, learning Implode, although he really wants Disintegrate. Implode will do for a while. Jerek is learning and doesn't recognize how he is changing. Not only leaving his youth behind, but gaining in confidence and stature has changed the boy into the man he was to be: the commander his people needed. His friends are growing also, responsibility forcing the changes slowly but surely. Briff has molted and become an adult dragon with powers to match. Miri has become Jerek's preferred bed-warmer, not that anything else happens. Vee is inured with Inura, following him around like a puppy dog waiting for a treat. Rava (Jerek's sister, remember her) and Briff seem to have a 'thing'. Even Seket - a paladin of Inura transported through time from the height of the dragonflights to serve under Jerek - has accepted the changed Jerek and calmly takes direction from him. Aboard the Word of Xal, the crew flies to Colony 3 to stop Necrotis from poisoning another Confederate food production planet.
In 5 books, you get to know the characters intimately. Sometimes that's a good thing because you know what they're capable of doing. But you also get to know their weaknesses and how well or poorly trained they are. Even with all their foibles, I've fallen in love with this rag-tag crew. I've gotten to know them, I've seen them fight, I've seen them fall, I've seen them strong and helped pull when they're weak. I've grown with them from the humble students and gamers to the mighty fighters and strategists that traverse the galaxy to help win in the big battles.
The storyline is an amazing stretch of ups and downs with twists and turns galore. It leads our heroes to unwinable scenarios and dares them to challenge fate. It guides them unerringly forward to battles and wars, to confrontations and judgements, to life and death. The storyline gives our characters time for some pleasant interludes and denies them the comfort with untimely interruptions. Back and forth, up and down, in and out, the storyline determines fate.
I am dying to read the next volume in this series! I can't wait! These tales are tremendous. A great read!