The Siege

The Helmsman #6

by Bill Baldwin

Rear Admiral Wilf Brim and his old comrade General Ursis must rally Sodeskaya's archaic ships in order to repel Triannic's vast star fleet and overcome overwhelming odds. By the author of The Defenders. Original.

Genres: Science Fiction, Military Fiction, Fiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1994

Reviews

[Steven Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are many things that have always bothered me about this book, especially this new expanded and revised one.

There are numerous errors, and even some of the author's notes to himself throughout the book. Obviously self published, this book did not get much if any editing before being sold.

I dislike how Claudia's culture changed. In The Trophy Claudia is married and when she meets Wilf again she tells him that they cannot sleep together anymore because of her marriage.

In this version of The Siege, Claudia's husband all but orders her to sleep with Wilf. In her culture husband's honor guests by giving them their wife for the night. In the morning the guest is supposed to rather graphically thank his host by describing the things they did. Sort of institutionalized wife swapping.

This ham fisted plot change prevents Wilf and Claudia from feeling guilty about their affair. At least in The Siege, Wilf admits that his failure to move on after losing Margot cost him a chance to marry Claudia. Wilf and Claudia admit their love for each other, despite the fact that Claudia will not leave her husband, they intend to see each other when they can.

Wilf's daughter Hope must be a prodigy of magnificent proportions to hold such complicated discussions at age 4.

[Otis Campbell · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Our favorite country boy, Wilf Brim, managed to hold the line at Avalon, but the villainous League of Dark Stars ain't the type to pack up their toys and go home just because they got their noses bloodied. Instead, they dig in their heels and surround the Imperial capital sector like a pack of starving wolves circling a chicken coop. They cut off the supply lines, jam the long-distance communications, and start a brutal, grinding siege to starve the Empire out. The high-and-mighty Imperial Fleet is battered, bruised, and running plum out of fuel, ammunition, and rations. To make matters a whole heap worse, a treacherous bunch of inside saboteurs and silver-spoon politicians start plotting a mutiny from within, ready to hand the keys to the kingdom over to the bad guys just to save their own greasy hides. It’s up to Wilf to keep his exhausted pilots flying on pure fumes and stubborn grit, sniffing out the traitors on the inside while blasting the invaders on the outside before the capital's shields finally drop for good. This book is more tense than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. It’s a darker, more desperate chapter that really tests what Wilf and his crew are made of when the gravy train completely runs dry. If you want a top-shelf space opera that blends military grit with a high-stakes political thriller, this one is a certified humdinger.

[Eric Johannson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Proofreading needed

I would have rated it higher, except this book fairly cries out for a proofreader...spelling, punctuation, tenses, etc. Was this a first or second draft?

[Gary Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner for mr Baldwin. The characters are excellent and I was there for every twist and turn. Completely enjoyable read. Recommend this book for anyone who enjoys reading.

[Lynn Mcguire · Rating 4 out of 5]

When we last left The Helmsman in Book #5, he was very busy defending Avalon against the League, AKA the battle for Britain. Now in book #6, our hero is busy defending Sodeskaya (the Bears) against the League. Very much out of WWII and updated to a very classic space opera.

[Barry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat slower paced book concerning the invasion of the Bear's Sodeskaya realm.