Another Word for Magic

Family Law #6

by Mackey Chandler

Fleeing the Solar System after an attack by North America, the three Home habitats now have to seek their own fortunes. Heather, Sovereign of Central on the Moon saved them but now has to make certain the USNA can never threaten them again.
What was a tentative research partnership with the Red Tree Clan of Derfhome becomes a full alliance of equals. Lee finds she has to grasp authority and act for the Red Tree Mothers and herself to repossess the planet Providence she and Gordon discovered. The Claims Commission on Earth has collapsed without the leadership of North America. Explorers like her are cut off from their payments and the colonists on Providence are left in the lurch too. To do that she needs these powerful new allies.

Genres: Science Fiction, Amazon

338 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 26, 2021

About the author

Mackey (Mac') Chandler is retired to Rochester Michigan from a working life that spanned a large number of occupations. Mold maker, aerospace machinist, plumber, mechanic and dozen more as well as owning several businesses. This life experience and travel show in the depth and variety of his writing.
A life long time reader of Science Fiction, the authors at Baen's Bar and their evening chat room motivated him to try his own hand at writing. His first effort was a short story titled "Common Ground" which sold to the short-lived Jim Baen's Universe.
His personal favorite book is "The Mote in God's Eye" by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle. Other favorite authors include Michael Z. Williamson and C.J.Cherryh.

Reviews

[Tony Hisgett]

Most people seem happy with the merger of the April and Family Law series, but I kind of miss the early April books, they seemed to have a bit more purpose about them.
There is quite a lot going on in this book, but it is all fairly low key, even when it looked like things might liven up near the end, it was still a bit of an anticlimax.

[Dan]

Very good!

[Paraphrodite]

3.5 stars.

This one deals with the aftermath of Heather's retaliation after Earth's attack on Central and the Habitats. The move of the Habitats to other planets has created some social and economic issues, with a lot of the people living on those Habitats going down to the planet, causing some unforeseen circumstances. The worst is Gamma, which has gone to Mars. The way Heather dealt with the wannabe despot was badass.

I'm not sure why, but the author seems to have relegated Gordon to the sidelines and he only seems to appear when Lee needs a battle Commander! Lee, on the other hand, has so many balls in the air. One minute she's dealing with the scientists on the new jump drive, another minute she's got this secret project of a supersonic air-car. On top of that, she's negotiating with Central and a couple of Earth delegates and almost getting assassinated. She's also planning her repossession of Providence and deliberating on how to govern it afterwards. And all without Gordon by her side. I just find it a bit strange as Gordon believes she still needs guidance.

[Hlsmlane]

Consider this a review of the entire 22(!) book series, which began with the title "April." Characters were engaging, the social constructs were interesting , the action fast, and the chatter both reflective of the nature of the principle characters and occasionally laugh out loud funny. A bit heavily weighted toward an idealized libertarianism, but who wouldn't want to live in such a society if it could be made to work? Primarily aimed at the YA demographic, but far from a waste of time for adults looking for pure entertainment. I rate the book and series two hairs below Honor Harrington (and way less techy) and one hair below Ishmael Wang. I will be re-reading.

[Carter F.]

Mackey Chandler writes like very few others- like Heinlein.

I own copies of all of Chandler’s Kindle works. I treasure them all. If you like Heinlein, and re-read his books over time, you’ll do the same for Chandler. Like Heinlein, you can’t catch all the nuances or themes in just one reading. You’ll go back- believe me. Chandler knows people, and what makes them tick. Likewise, his dialog, plots, and how people, regardless of race or species, work. He’s just that GOOD. Read, savor, enjoy…

[Travis]

Good book for the series. There's nothing spectacular happening in this book, but there is a lot of information transfer, mostly about Lee, and her new ventures, but there's some new and interesting information about where the series might go in the future. April, Jeff, and of course Heather all make appearances in this one too, and there's some major policy changes affecting countries on the earth. It all blends nicely to build quite the intriguing tale, and I look forward to more in the series.

[Hans Gjerde]

Wasted money

I have been a fan of Mackey Chandlers writing since I found the first April book on amazon. A lot of his work is very good with exicting world building.

This book falls flat. It is just a boring work combining the April univers with the little fleet univers. The charachters have been struggeling, but in this book it falls through.

When Mackey Chandler comes up with some new worlds I will be back, but I will not continue reading therese books.

[jerry smith]

One of the best writers I have ever read. I have read all his books and never rated one under 5 stars. You can not go wrong reading his books, and I strongly advise everyone to read them all! The only fault I have ever found with his work, is that he doesn't write fast enough. Mackey is definitely no R R Martin, but I would like to chain him to his word processor and have him crank out 12 books a year.

[Shane]

Three and half stars. This as sold as Family Law #6 but it reads like April #13. First, it is in the serial style of of the April series instead of complete stories like Family Law established. Second, Lee Anderson is a minor lead at best and Gordon rates about three and half paragraphs. Pretty good April story, disappointing for Family Law.

[William Howe]

Resolution

A lot more April, Jeff, and Heather than you expect from a Family Law book, but plenty of Lee Anderson to balance. This is more of a blend between the ‘main’ series (April) and Family Law. Most action is on Derfhome, with the Moon (Earth’s, that is) being the secondary location.

The author is on my list of insta-buy writers.

[Mike Goodman]

Absolutely Awesome

This story has everyone in this world and April’s in this book. All technology that someone doesn’t understand is Magic. I do dislike the way my homeland is well on it’s way to be as extreme as this world portrays, but hope enough folks read this story to prevent it from happening. Fantastic as Always

[Jimmy Duncan]

Excellent! I'm a fan!!

The people, human and others, their interactions with each other made the story good. The depiction of the U.S. government is right on. When do we get book 7 and 8? Surely the U.S. government can still do something stupid or a new alien group that makes the biters a childs group. Please, more!

[Sarah Nutter]

A Great Addition

I love how the Family Law and April series are merging. We got to see multiple points of view, which really brought the whole book together. Can't wait to see what comes next!

[William Cunningham]

Another good entry into the series

I am much happier with this installment over last. Last felt much more of a bridge novel with out much Lee time. A very happy and am waiting already for the next book.

[Linda U. Dickens]

Long Awaited

I honestly enjoyed the book. The worlds and characters are completely believable. I really hope this isn't the end of the series. I highly recommend the Family Law series to everyone.

[Christy MacFarlane]

Always a Fan!

Made myself read very slowly so I could savor the enjoyment! I love Mackey Chandler books. I get so excited, then I zoom thru and....then come down from my book euphoria and realize once again I am awaiting the story to shape. I so appreciate the story! Thank you.

[Betsy Beard]

A Most Excellent Series

Love these characters, both the Family Law series and the Alice Chronicles. This is well written and well plotted. I may just have to read this series again!

[Kate]

More good stuff!!

Loving the story! especially liked the details of of the setup of Lee's aircar.
That should be lifted into real life design!! The new setup of Providence looks to be interesting. Looking forward to that development. Well done. A good read!

[Jim]

Book 6 in the series

The adventure continues with more action from the Earthies including another assassination attempt and more progress on the fast drive. Lots of good humor. A great story.

[Jennifer Leigh]

The Continuation of the April Series

When I read the last book in the April Series, I was devastated, because I wanted to know more! Though this series is about Lee and her adopted father Gordon and their trials and tribulations, it had more about April which made me happy.

[Kevin Harrison]

Another late night

For the last week I been checking a few times a day to see if book was out. Found it late at night and couldn't go to sleep

[Peter]

Great series

A spin off of the entertaining April novels, Another classic and clean science fiction - a great series, if he keeps writing them, I’ll keep reading.

[John Irving]

Long awaited and well worth it

I've been waiting for more Family Law ever since the release of the previous book, and this did not disappoint!

[John Stephens]

Good

This is a standard April book despite being in the family law series. It is still good, but things haven't progressed from the April books.

[Keith Wagner]

Enjoyed this series

A nice quick read was a fun universe to visit. Would like some more serf and badger focused stories Sp there

[Carl Gillespie]

Progress.

I like the characters. I'm not sure if I like the north Americans as the bad guys. Earth entities corporate or political are greedy an untrustworthy

[kathy pittenger]

Another Word for Magic

Being the last book in the series. I’m sad that reading the storyline is over. I don’t know if the author will be able to top this book.

[Larry Holly]

Great book

Another great book of this series. Great storyline and character development. Cannot wait for the next book of this series to come out

[Lukas Lovas]

Excellent, as all the books in the series before :)

[Brian d Mccoy]

I enjoyed reading

Very good book series, with a good plot that has been kept up from the first book. I enjoyed reading