The Battle of Devastation Reef

Helfort's War #3

by Graham Sharp Paul

If he survives, hell just may freeze over. The savage Hammer Worlds are not only near invincible but almost certain to win their war to crush the Federated Worlds and controlhumanspace-unless the Feds can find and destroy their secret antimatter warhead facility. Only dreadnoughts, the lone Federated ships able to withstand antimatter missile attacks, can do thejob, and only Lieutenant Michael Helfort has the skill to lead them. But skill may not be enough, because Helfort is more than the newly appointed He's a hero, and this means that his own senior officerswant him to fail-and that the enemy's kingpin wants him dead. Helfort's early victories merely intensify everyone's determination. No action is too low, no pricetoo high, to bring him down-with treachery, or betrayal, or an offer he can't refuse, even if it means selling out his own side. "From the Paperback edition."

Genres: Science Fiction, Military Science Fiction, Space Opera, Military Fiction, Fiction, Ebooks

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Graham Sharp Paul, born in Sri Lanka, received an honors degree in archaeology and anthropology from Cambridge University and an MBA from Macquarie University. He joined the Royal Navy in 1972, qualifying as a mine warfare and clearance diving officer before reaching the rank of lieutenant commander with the Navy's mine warfare flotilla. In 1983 he transferred to the Royal Australian Navy, serving in its Trials & Assessments Unit and Clearance Diving School before transferring to civilian life in 1987. Paul worked for two Australian companies in the banking and media sectors before setting up his own business development and corporate finance consultancy in 1991. Over the next twelve years he worked on a worldwide range of projects. In 2003 he gave up corporate life to write full-time.

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the "Helfort's War" series by Graham Sharp Paul. In this one the Hammer Worlds are almost certain to win their war to crush the Federated Worlds and control human space unless the Feds can find and destroy their secret antimatter warhead facility. This task is given to Lieutenant Michael Helfort. He is put in command of a new flotilla of dreadnoughts. These new ships have very small crews and are mostly controlled by battle AI's. This new type of ship faces great opposition from the Federated Fleet which believes that AI's can't be trusted in battle. Because of limited manpower after the devastating battle of Comdur these new ships with their advanced AI's and extra armor are the only ships that can fight and survive an attack by the Hammers new antimatter missiles. The battle to destroy the antimatter warhead facility will rage and Lt. Michael Helfort will find himself facing enemies from the Hammer Worlds as well as his own side. Another great book in this series.

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third installment of Helfort's war is a good read. Some great action, but mostly about the politics in the Federation and the Hammer worlds. Looking forward to the next one. 3.5 stars.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main character, Lt. Michael Helfort, is one lucky guy! He gets a special assignment to start something new within Fleet that gets he in command of his own starship! Now right here we're getting weird.

Although the new starship has a stripped down crew of about 15, nobody in their right mind would give command to a fresh Lt. who is about one year out of the academy. He doesn't have the experience that many, many starship officers senior to him have and he's just not been around long enough to have this happen to him. But, I didn't write these books so this is how it happens.

He gets to command a flotilla of dreadnoughts! Ten to be exact, although only one has a real crew while the others are just automatons which Helfort will direct from his ship! Now, the idea of ships without crews isn't one that's very popular with the rest of the fleet, but because of the fleets horrendous defeat at Comdur, they don't have enough crews to man/woman all the starships. So, Michael's part of this super secret mission to get these starships ready for battle.

And battle they do. You'll have to read the book to find out the details, but suffice it to say that Lt. Michael Helfort becomes enemy #1 in the eyes of the Hammer of Kraa civilization.

Oh, yeah, his girl friend, Lt. Anna gets captured. What's the most important thing to do when captured? Keep your mouth shut, right! Well, she doesn't do that very well (and I thought she was supposed to be smart). This has some terrible consequences for Michael in the next book.

[Richard Clayton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Graham Sharp Paul writes solid military science fiction. The Battle of Devastation Reef, the third book in his Helfort's War quintology carries on the fast paced action and attention to detail of the first two novels. In this novel Helfort is given a special assignment; the destruction of the Hammer World's secret anti-matter weapon base. The mission is fraught with danger as with only a handful of warships Helfort's task is to penetrate the formidable Hammer defences and survive long enough to carry out his mission. The chances of survival are low, especially as Helfort has to deal not only with the deadly Hammers, but also senior commanders who intentionally and accidentally place impediments in his way that threaten to thwart his mission.

I found the books well written with good attention to detail and solid character development. And without giving anything away, the ending of the book is a bit of a cliffhanger. If you like realistic depictions of space warfare you will enjoy this book.

[Steven Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book so far has been the best of the bunch. The author's skill as a storyteller has improved. The space battle scenes are descriptive without becoming boring. The action is fast and paced well so that boredom does not sit in. Some of the politics is a little boring as some of the infighting among the officer ranks. Those of us that have served in the uniformed services will understand the politics, and infighting. There is some foul language, but not much considering these are sailors. Sex is mentioned but is alluded to rather than graphic.

I was sorry to see Anna's ship destroyed and sorry to see the lovely young lady now in the clutches of the Hammer. I expect to see Michael go rogue in the next book, taking his command (the last three surviving dreadnoughts) against the Hammer in a retaliatory strike, Fleet career be damned.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Helfort’s life is not getting any simpler. Being a hero has painted a target on his back. Not only do the Hammers want him to fail, so do many of his senior officers. Fleet is trying a new concept and Michael is the one who must make it work. Added pressure arrives when the Hammers captures someone he cares about. All of these elements add up for to great story in The Battle of Devastation Reef.

The Battle of Devastation Reef, the latest book in the Helfort’s War series, continues the non-stop action between the Hammer’s and Federated Worlds. Graham Sharp Paul has delivered an exciting follow-up to the first two books while setting the stage for book four. Helford’s War is a great series for any Military Science Fiction lover.

[Tbloxham · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best of the series, and an amusing sci fi romp. Perhaps not the greatest book ever, but full to the brim with lasers and high tech military. Helfort makes himself a much more rounded character here, and a few new members of the cast pop up who make things look interesting for future books. There is also some foreshadowing of a greater threat, which might be well served to be developed more later

[Bernard · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is where the series starts going off track. The officer core in the Federation so political and rotted that there just isn't much to like about them. When I don't care for the characters, I don't really care if they win or lose their battles.

Maybe I am a bit negative, but come on, it is like they are trying to lose...

Helfort's solution is not one that most would recommend. Feel free to read the book and come to your own conclusions.

[Nathan Balyeat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book the best out of the three in the series, though it didn't flow as smoothly as the others had in many cases. Michael Helfort remains a likable character, if a bit of a Mary Sue.

I like the series, and will gladly read the next one.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic third installment in this well done and written scifi military series

[Keira F. Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

More helforts war. Guy just cant get a break. Cool combat. So-so story.