What do you think?
Rate this book
Cobra War #2
Cobra Guardian
Exciting Military Science Fiction by the New York Times Best-Selling Author.
The Second Novel in a New Trilogy Continuing the Exploits of the Cobras: a New Kind of Soldier, Created for a New Kind of War.
When the colony worlds Adirondack and Silvern fell to the Troft forces almost without a struggle. Outnumbered and on the defensive, Earth made a desperate decision. It would attack the aliens not from space, but on the ground—with forces the Trofts did not even suspect. Thus were created the Cobras, a guerilla force whose weapons were surgically implanted, invisible to the unsuspecting eye, yet undeniably deadly. And the Moreau family were the most famous of the Cobra warriors. Long after victory over the Troft was achieved, the Cobras made common cause against their former adversaries against a new enemy. Their reward was three planets that would be a home for the Cobras, who deadly powers made them too dangerous to feel at home on Earth.
Now, years had passed and not everyone on the Cobra worlds thought that the Cobras were worth the cost of maintaining their existing built-in weaponry, let alone supporting research to improve the Cobra weapons, and possibly even put an end to the negative effects of that built-in weaponry, which caused Cobras to die much too young. Many who had never known interplanetary war were convinced that the Cobras were not needed at all.
That was a grave miscalculation, because a Troft faction has decided to invade the Cobra planets in force, using a new strategy that even the formidable Cobra warriors may not be able to defeat . . .
Praise for Timothy Zahn:
“Zahn keeps the story moving at a breakneck pace, maintaining excitement [in Dragon and Thief].” —Publishers Weekly
“[Conqueror’s Heritage] is another finely wrought space adventure . . . [with] social, political and emotional complications, all of which Zahn treats with his usual skill.” —Booklist
“Zahn paints every detail [in Angelmass] with gleamy realism . . . scientific dialogue that streams with starship hardware and military trooper talk . . . immensely appealing.” —Kirkus Review
The Second Novel in a New Trilogy Continuing the Exploits of the Cobras: a New Kind of Soldier, Created for a New Kind of War.
When the colony worlds Adirondack and Silvern fell to the Troft forces almost without a struggle. Outnumbered and on the defensive, Earth made a desperate decision. It would attack the aliens not from space, but on the ground—with forces the Trofts did not even suspect. Thus were created the Cobras, a guerilla force whose weapons were surgically implanted, invisible to the unsuspecting eye, yet undeniably deadly. And the Moreau family were the most famous of the Cobra warriors. Long after victory over the Troft was achieved, the Cobras made common cause against their former adversaries against a new enemy. Their reward was three planets that would be a home for the Cobras, who deadly powers made them too dangerous to feel at home on Earth.
Now, years had passed and not everyone on the Cobra worlds thought that the Cobras were worth the cost of maintaining their existing built-in weaponry, let alone supporting research to improve the Cobra weapons, and possibly even put an end to the negative effects of that built-in weaponry, which caused Cobras to die much too young. Many who had never known interplanetary war were convinced that the Cobras were not needed at all.
That was a grave miscalculation, because a Troft faction has decided to invade the Cobra planets in force, using a new strategy that even the formidable Cobra warriors may not be able to defeat . . .
Praise for Timothy Zahn:
“Zahn keeps the story moving at a breakneck pace, maintaining excitement [in Dragon and Thief].” —Publishers Weekly
“[Conqueror’s Heritage] is another finely wrought space adventure . . . [with] social, political and emotional complications, all of which Zahn treats with his usual skill.” —Booklist
“Zahn paints every detail [in Angelmass] with gleamy realism . . . scientific dialogue that streams with starship hardware and military trooper talk . . . immensely appealing.” —Kirkus Review
296 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
4 people are currently reading
319 people want to read
About the author
Timothy Zahn
483 books8,550 followersTimothy Zahn attended Michigan State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in physics in 1973. He then moved to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and achieved an M.S. degree in physics in 1975. While he was pursuing a doctorate in physics, his adviser became ill and died. Zahn never completed the doctorate. In 1975 he had begun writing science fiction as a hobby, and he became a professional writer. He and his wife Anna live in Bandon, Oregon. They have a son, Corwin Zahn.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 12, 2012
Book Info: Genre: Military Science-fiction Reading Level: Adult
Disclosure: I received the final book in this trilogy (The Cobra War Trilogy) in exchange for an honest review from Amazon Vine; I am happy to provide an honest review of this second book in the trilogy –which I purchased for myself – as well.
Synopsis/Back cover copy: Jasmine Moreau Broom, descendant of a now-legendary family of Cobra warriors, was on a secret mission to the planet Qasama, a world hostile both to the alien Troft and the human-colonized Cobra worlds. But she had hardly arrived before Troft starships descended in force to seize control of the planet. After escaping on a starship, she hoped to get help from other Cobra worlds. What she had not expected was that Troft forces had invaded the Cobra worlds as well.
Still, matters are not hopeless. The Troft are not a monolithic society, but are divided into tribe-like demesnes. One demesne has initiated hostilities, but other demesnes are doubtful of the wisdom of the war, and if the humans can win a decisive battle against the invaders, the Troft might side with them against the belligerent Troft faction.
And the key to such a victory may lie with a political figure on one of the beleaguered Cobra worlds. He has a secret that might turn the tide – if Cobra Lorne Broom can manage to smuggle him and his assistant off a planet occupied by the Troft invaders.
My Thoughts: This book gives us events from multiple omniscient viewpoints, rather than remaining with just the main one – with an occasional foray into a secondary viewpoint for a short period – this one spreads the action among Jin’s children back in the Cobra worlds, during approximately the same time period as the latter part of the previous book. I was appalled, but not really surprised, by the common city citizens’ opinions regarding Cobras, and the willingness of many of them to betray the Cobras to save their own worthless skins.
I should point out that so far, the first two books of this trilogy have taken place over about a three-week period, whereas the first trilogy took place over decades. I think this also shows a change in thinking between the 1980s – when a more epic approach was taken with these things – and modern-day thinking, which is more of a detail-oriented, character-driven plotting.
I think this one is my favorite so far. I really liked the Caelian wilderness scenes, and the Cobras from Caelian are just crazy enough to be fun. There was also a scene with a drone and a truck that actually surprised a laugh out of me – forgive me for the vagueness, but telling you more would constitute a spoiler; just see if you can notice it.
Highly recommended for fans of military science fiction (and despite what the critics say, this is not a space opera, although it is close). Be sure to check out this terrifically fun series of books!
Disclosure: I received the final book in this trilogy (The Cobra War Trilogy) in exchange for an honest review from Amazon Vine; I am happy to provide an honest review of this second book in the trilogy –which I purchased for myself – as well.
Synopsis/Back cover copy: Jasmine Moreau Broom, descendant of a now-legendary family of Cobra warriors, was on a secret mission to the planet Qasama, a world hostile both to the alien Troft and the human-colonized Cobra worlds. But she had hardly arrived before Troft starships descended in force to seize control of the planet. After escaping on a starship, she hoped to get help from other Cobra worlds. What she had not expected was that Troft forces had invaded the Cobra worlds as well.
Still, matters are not hopeless. The Troft are not a monolithic society, but are divided into tribe-like demesnes. One demesne has initiated hostilities, but other demesnes are doubtful of the wisdom of the war, and if the humans can win a decisive battle against the invaders, the Troft might side with them against the belligerent Troft faction.
And the key to such a victory may lie with a political figure on one of the beleaguered Cobra worlds. He has a secret that might turn the tide – if Cobra Lorne Broom can manage to smuggle him and his assistant off a planet occupied by the Troft invaders.
My Thoughts: This book gives us events from multiple omniscient viewpoints, rather than remaining with just the main one – with an occasional foray into a secondary viewpoint for a short period – this one spreads the action among Jin’s children back in the Cobra worlds, during approximately the same time period as the latter part of the previous book. I was appalled, but not really surprised, by the common city citizens’ opinions regarding Cobras, and the willingness of many of them to betray the Cobras to save their own worthless skins.
I should point out that so far, the first two books of this trilogy have taken place over about a three-week period, whereas the first trilogy took place over decades. I think this also shows a change in thinking between the 1980s – when a more epic approach was taken with these things – and modern-day thinking, which is more of a detail-oriented, character-driven plotting.
I think this one is my favorite so far. I really liked the Caelian wilderness scenes, and the Cobras from Caelian are just crazy enough to be fun. There was also a scene with a drone and a truck that actually surprised a laugh out of me – forgive me for the vagueness, but telling you more would constitute a spoiler; just see if you can notice it.
Highly recommended for fans of military science fiction (and despite what the critics say, this is not a space opera, although it is close). Be sure to check out this terrifically fun series of books!
September 30, 2025
This multi-generational military SF remains entertaining, if not mind-blowing. I think some of my issue with it is that the characters are always so level-headedly matter-of-fact that it robs the events of any sense of real urgency or threat.
February 1, 2017
Second in the Cobra Wars and fifth in the combined Cobra military science-fiction series focused on an enhanced group of warriors known as the Cobras. The focus here is on the Moreau-Broom family of Cobra warriors.
My Take
Whew, Zahn has done it again! Cobra Guardian drops you into a desperate situation only to battle its way back to a scrap of hope. All the while, your heart is hammering and you are on the edge of your seat.
If you enjoy lots of action and battle tactics with the underdog battling it out...the entire Cobra series is for you. Zahn is an amazing, never boring writer!
It's that American-style can-do attitude with all the cynicism and distrust of politicians that somehow merges to an alliance with former enemies.
I still don't understand how Nissa and Lorne got a message to pick up Treakness when they were heading to the central government buildings and only happened upon Treakness' building when they were cut off in the Troft attack.
Zahn leaves us with controversies that could result in charges of treason. Of course, that doesn't hold back our intrepid Cobras as they blast off to an alien, possibly enemy-held planet to take it back, explore Isis, and teach the Tlossies not to mess with humans...!
The Story
Called back to Capitalia, Cobra Lorne Broom is ordered by Governor-General Chintawa to locate his mother, Cobra Jin Moreau Broom, for an important event in the city. A move that is beyond difficult as his mother is involved in a highly clandestine mission on Qasama. An enemy planet.
Besides why should any Broom help the government after their betrayal of the Cobras and the Broom family? Unfortunately, the question of how to deal with this problem becomes moot when the Troft invade all the Cobra Worlds. It's a planet-wide lockdown on each of the five worlds. But as the Ts discover, it's hard to keep a good Cobra down...as Lorne escapes Aventine with the doctor and his new invention. As Paul Broom and his fellow Cobras take down their local invaders thanks to unexpected allies and the peeks Lorne and Jin managed inside Troft craft.
The Characters
Lorne Moreau Broom is one of Jin Moreau-Broom's sons and a Cobra. Corwin and Thena Moreau are Lorne's great-uncle and aunt
The Qasaman ship includes:
Jasmine "Jin" Moreau Broom is the first woman Cobra. Djinnis Ghofl Khatir who turns out to be an ambassador; Carsh Zoshak; and, Siraj Akim — the Troft counter to the Cobra warrior. Rashida Vil is the pilot.
Caelian is a truly challenging planet for humanity. Anything with a trace of organic, carbon-bearing material is attacked by microscopic spores which in turn attract bigger and bigger beasties. Both flora and fauna. Nothing is safe. One of the first things any visitor or homesteader must do is shave their heads.
Jin's husband Paul Broom is also a Cobra; he and their daughter Jody are currently at Stronghold on Caelian trying to survive the planet's flora and fauna. Geoff Boulton and Freylan Sonderby are part of Jody's science team investigating the plant and animal life of the planet. Governor Rom Uy is based at Stronghold with his wife Elssa; their son Harli is also a Cobra. Other Cobras on Caelian include Kemp, Matigo, Olwen, Fourdalay, Tracker, and others.
The Aventine group includes:
Senior Governor Tomo Treakness, an Aventine politician, is anti-Cobra and behind the move to reduce Cobra budgeting. Governor Ellen Hoffman, another Aventine politician, is pro-Cobra. Nissa Gendreves is the secondary assistant to Governor-General Chintawa on Aventine. Poole is Treakness' assistant. Koshevski extorts aid from Lorne to move his family from an unprotected area of Capitalia into one that is safe in return for his guiding Lorne and his small party to the spaceport where a Tlossie ship is waiting.
The Tlossie ship party consists of:
Ingidi-inhiliziyo, a.k.a., Warrior, is the second heir of the Tlos'khin'fahi and leading the expedition coming to Aventine to seek Cobra allies. Dr. Glas Croi, in conjunction with Warrior, has created a revolutionary new machine —Isis. And Lorne and Nissa.
Troft is a rather generic term for a number of different demesnes —think of it as Troft equaling Earthling and a demesne equaling a country. The Tlossies are Troft on the side of the Cobra Worlds. The Drim'hco'plai are the invaders.
The Cover and Title
Yup, it's a Baen cover all right. Mostly oranges and greens as one space ship hovers over another that's on fire as three Cobra warriors look on .
The title could refer to Jin Moreau Broom as the Cobra Guardian as it's her efforts amongst the Qasama that may well save the Cobra Worlds.
My Take
Whew, Zahn has done it again! Cobra Guardian drops you into a desperate situation only to battle its way back to a scrap of hope. All the while, your heart is hammering and you are on the edge of your seat.
If you enjoy lots of action and battle tactics with the underdog battling it out...the entire Cobra series is for you. Zahn is an amazing, never boring writer!
It's that American-style can-do attitude with all the cynicism and distrust of politicians that somehow merges to an alliance with former enemies.
I still don't understand how Nissa and Lorne got a message to pick up Treakness when they were heading to the central government buildings and only happened upon Treakness' building when they were cut off in the Troft attack.
Zahn leaves us with controversies that could result in charges of treason. Of course, that doesn't hold back our intrepid Cobras as they blast off to an alien, possibly enemy-held planet to take it back, explore Isis, and teach the Tlossies not to mess with humans...!
The Story
Called back to Capitalia, Cobra Lorne Broom is ordered by Governor-General Chintawa to locate his mother, Cobra Jin Moreau Broom, for an important event in the city. A move that is beyond difficult as his mother is involved in a highly clandestine mission on Qasama. An enemy planet.
Besides why should any Broom help the government after their betrayal of the Cobras and the Broom family? Unfortunately, the question of how to deal with this problem becomes moot when the Troft invade all the Cobra Worlds. It's a planet-wide lockdown on each of the five worlds. But as the Ts discover, it's hard to keep a good Cobra down...as Lorne escapes Aventine with the doctor and his new invention. As Paul Broom and his fellow Cobras take down their local invaders thanks to unexpected allies and the peeks Lorne and Jin managed inside Troft craft.
The Characters
Lorne Moreau Broom is one of Jin Moreau-Broom's sons and a Cobra. Corwin and Thena Moreau are Lorne's great-uncle and aunt
The Qasaman ship includes:
Jasmine "Jin" Moreau Broom is the first woman Cobra. Djinnis Ghofl Khatir who turns out to be an ambassador; Carsh Zoshak; and, Siraj Akim — the Troft counter to the Cobra warrior. Rashida Vil is the pilot.
Caelian is a truly challenging planet for humanity. Anything with a trace of organic, carbon-bearing material is attacked by microscopic spores which in turn attract bigger and bigger beasties. Both flora and fauna. Nothing is safe. One of the first things any visitor or homesteader must do is shave their heads.
Jin's husband Paul Broom is also a Cobra; he and their daughter Jody are currently at Stronghold on Caelian trying to survive the planet's flora and fauna. Geoff Boulton and Freylan Sonderby are part of Jody's science team investigating the plant and animal life of the planet. Governor Rom Uy is based at Stronghold with his wife Elssa; their son Harli is also a Cobra. Other Cobras on Caelian include Kemp, Matigo, Olwen, Fourdalay, Tracker, and others.
The Aventine group includes:
Senior Governor Tomo Treakness, an Aventine politician, is anti-Cobra and behind the move to reduce Cobra budgeting. Governor Ellen Hoffman, another Aventine politician, is pro-Cobra. Nissa Gendreves is the secondary assistant to Governor-General Chintawa on Aventine. Poole is Treakness' assistant. Koshevski extorts aid from Lorne to move his family from an unprotected area of Capitalia into one that is safe in return for his guiding Lorne and his small party to the spaceport where a Tlossie ship is waiting.
The Tlossie ship party consists of:
Ingidi-inhiliziyo, a.k.a., Warrior, is the second heir of the Tlos'khin'fahi and leading the expedition coming to Aventine to seek Cobra allies. Dr. Glas Croi, in conjunction with Warrior, has created a revolutionary new machine —Isis. And Lorne and Nissa.
Troft is a rather generic term for a number of different demesnes —think of it as Troft equaling Earthling and a demesne equaling a country. The Tlossies are Troft on the side of the Cobra Worlds. The Drim'hco'plai are the invaders.
The Cover and Title
Yup, it's a Baen cover all right. Mostly oranges and greens as one space ship hovers over another that's on fire as three Cobra warriors look on .
The title could refer to Jin Moreau Broom as the Cobra Guardian as it's her efforts amongst the Qasama that may well save the Cobra Worlds.
October 5, 2020
Cobra Guardian: Cobra War Book 2 by Timothy Zahn
Cobra Guardian picks up after book 1, Cobra Alliance. Jin Moreau joins her husband, Paul, and her son, Lorne, to fight against the Trofts who have invaded the Cobra worlds. SPOILER ALERT, STOP HERE if you have not read book one. Jin has found new allies in the insular Qasama people. They travel to Caelia to gather troops to free the Qasma from the Trofts. She discovers that the Caelians have their own problems with Trofts and her family is already involved.
They cybernetically enhanced Cobra warriors are the dreamed of super soldiers. Regardless of their enhancements they are still fraught with the fragility of human fears and phobias. The book shows that adversity can unite diverse groups and help them to learn that there are ways to solve problems that are not uniquely their own. The Djinns from Qasma must overcome their historic prejudice while the Caelian Cobras must to the same.
There is plenty of action and the methodology of using the uniquely predatory ecology of Caelia is inspiringly creative.
I look forward to reading the third and final book of the trilogy.
Cobra Guardian picks up after book 1, Cobra Alliance. Jin Moreau joins her husband, Paul, and her son, Lorne, to fight against the Trofts who have invaded the Cobra worlds. SPOILER ALERT, STOP HERE if you have not read book one. Jin has found new allies in the insular Qasama people. They travel to Caelia to gather troops to free the Qasma from the Trofts. She discovers that the Caelians have their own problems with Trofts and her family is already involved.
They cybernetically enhanced Cobra warriors are the dreamed of super soldiers. Regardless of their enhancements they are still fraught with the fragility of human fears and phobias. The book shows that adversity can unite diverse groups and help them to learn that there are ways to solve problems that are not uniquely their own. The Djinns from Qasma must overcome their historic prejudice while the Caelian Cobras must to the same.
There is plenty of action and the methodology of using the uniquely predatory ecology of Caelia is inspiringly creative.
I look forward to reading the third and final book of the trilogy.
September 19, 2020
This was my favourite entry in the Cobra War trilogy thus far. It builds effortlessly on the first novel. I actually tend not to like books that’s frequently change character perspectives - but Zahn does it really well here. I think the key is that all characters drive a main central story that keeps you turning the page.
Another thing I like about the Cobra series is that is focuses a lot on family. That’s rare in space opera or military sci fi. Usually the hero is some kind of orphan washed up on a hostile planet with nothing holding them back. Jin, Paul, Jody and Lorne all have something to lose... each other. Not to mention their family honour.
5/5 - no doubt I’ll go on to finish the trilogy and move onto the sequel trilogy as well!
Another thing I like about the Cobra series is that is focuses a lot on family. That’s rare in space opera or military sci fi. Usually the hero is some kind of orphan washed up on a hostile planet with nothing holding them back. Jin, Paul, Jody and Lorne all have something to lose... each other. Not to mention their family honour.
5/5 - no doubt I’ll go on to finish the trilogy and move onto the sequel trilogy as well!
February 19, 2024
I really appreciate these characters and their growth. I also like of how it looks like the series is going to resolve the moral/ethical dilemmas.
Also, it’s so nice to have a series where people are just people. Are there some nasty people? Yes. Are there lovely healthy families and relationships? Yes. This is a series about space flight and battles and planets and cultures, yes. But it’s mostly a series about people just being people with all their strengths and weaknesses.
Also, it’s so nice to have a series where people are just people. Are there some nasty people? Yes. Are there lovely healthy families and relationships? Yes. This is a series about space flight and battles and planets and cultures, yes. But it’s mostly a series about people just being people with all their strengths and weaknesses.
June 11, 2017
A solid entry in the Cobra series - fun and well-written. What more can you ask for a weekend read?
October 6, 2017
An Action Packed Quick Read
August 2, 2021
Cobra Guardian – Cobra War Book 2 – 2011 - ***1/2 – Book 2 of the Cobra Wars was not quite as good as Book 1 – It seemed to fill pages with useless descriptions of how Lorne Broom moved a few blocks, things of that nature. Still a fast read if you ignore those kind of things. And yes, I will – read book three but I might skim more as I go. The tension in this book lets off a little and there aren’t any notable plot twists. I hope Zahn picks it up for Book 3.
April 3, 2023
I was happy to see that there was plenty of action in this installment of the Cobra War series. The characters were still pretty flat and boring but the storyline was pretty exciting. There were several parts that I skimmed describing buildings and layouts, but overall it was exciting all the way through. 3 out of 5 stars.
September 12, 2024
A bit trite, a family affair saves the empire? Gaga! And the delivery? In a word - lumpy. Surprisingly little action or suspense. 'Hey, lets come up with a plan to start planning for making a big plan?' Not a few inconsistencies and when we do get to the action it is difficult to follow. Surely the space faring antagonists can't be that stupid, while their weaponry is surprisingly rudimentary.
April 7, 2015
Part 2 of a trilogy. In part one cobras from Aventine Jin Moreau Bloom and her son Merrick are summoned to go to Qasama. Qasama has been put off limits and they are technically committing treason just by going there. The Qasamans in general have a hefty dislike and fear of the Cobras so Jin and Merrick have to keep a low profile to find out who wanted them there. While they are Trofts invade there are battles in which Cobra and Djinn (the Qasaman equivalent of the Cobra program) fight side by side. Right at the end when they think they've won the battle we learn that the Trofts have a plan to invade Aventine. Guardian starts off with the Trofts invading not only Aventine, but the rest of the Cobra worlds as well.
On Aventine we follow Lorne Broom, Jin's other son, as he is tasked into getting a high official out of Capitalia and to the space port where the Tlossies have a vessel that can leave. Meanwhile on Caelian we follow Jody and Paul Broom, Jin's daughter and husband, as they first fight the ecology which is so lush and vigorous that a full 20% of the 3500 population are cobras. Even with such a small population the Trofts still send a couple of warships to invade.
It's wall to wall action, we don't know that our protagonists are going to live through the next scene much less accomplish the next goal. Spoiler, there is a book 3 in the series. Zahn let's us infer why the people on Aventine are passive while on Caelian they mount attacks and only bide their time when the attacks are proven totally futile, but they are still trying to think of a different approach.
Excellent, especially if you love action and/or the super-soldier type of premise.
On Aventine we follow Lorne Broom, Jin's other son, as he is tasked into getting a high official out of Capitalia and to the space port where the Tlossies have a vessel that can leave. Meanwhile on Caelian we follow Jody and Paul Broom, Jin's daughter and husband, as they first fight the ecology which is so lush and vigorous that a full 20% of the 3500 population are cobras. Even with such a small population the Trofts still send a couple of warships to invade.
It's wall to wall action, we don't know that our protagonists are going to live through the next scene much less accomplish the next goal. Spoiler, there is a book 3 in the series. Zahn let's us infer why the people on Aventine are passive while on Caelian they mount attacks and only bide their time when the attacks are proven totally futile, but they are still trying to think of a different approach.
Excellent, especially if you love action and/or the super-soldier type of premise.
December 24, 2011
it pains me to write this, since Zahn is one of my favorite authors, but this is a worse sequel to a meh book. In Cobra Guardian we pick up with the raids on Caelian and Esselian, where Lorne and Jody Broom each have to deal with the invasion of their worlds by the Trofts. Lorne must escort a high-ranking official that dislikes the Cobras across spine-leopard infested streets, and Jody has to survive trekking through Caelian's hostile natural fauna as she and her research team try to join up with the resistance.
Unfortunately this section of the book goes on way too long, at 200 pages in the paperback version, with little to no charactertization. Lorne especially has no real personality. A strength of the Cobra books is that each of the Cobras also had strong motivations and desires, but here all they seem to do is react to events.
200 pages in, we pickup with what happened at the end of book one, Jin Moreau and the Qasamans in space. Next is simply more combat with a revelation about what Lorne was protecting, and then the book ends with an utterly absurd decision designed to set up the last book in the trilogy. Absurd as in no Troft threat present or future is worth doing it. If there is any justice. Zahn will make a fourth book exploring the ramifications of what happened, but it's a howler. There's also another headslapper involving a solution to Caelian's native flora which is to neat to be plausible.
It's just a bad novel, with none of the charms of the original series.
Unfortunately this section of the book goes on way too long, at 200 pages in the paperback version, with little to no charactertization. Lorne especially has no real personality. A strength of the Cobra books is that each of the Cobras also had strong motivations and desires, but here all they seem to do is react to events.
200 pages in, we pickup with what happened at the end of book one, Jin Moreau and the Qasamans in space. Next is simply more combat with a revelation about what Lorne was protecting, and then the book ends with an utterly absurd decision designed to set up the last book in the trilogy. Absurd as in no Troft threat present or future is worth doing it. If there is any justice. Zahn will make a fourth book exploring the ramifications of what happened, but it's a howler. There's also another headslapper involving a solution to Caelian's native flora which is to neat to be plausible.
It's just a bad novel, with none of the charms of the original series.
November 27, 2016
Cobra Guardian is the second book in the second Cobra trilogy, called Cobra War. The war started in the first novel of the new trilogy when Jin Moreau Broom went on a secret mission to Qasama with one of her sons. In this second novel we see what happened back home after her departure. To put it briefly: Trofts were no satisfied with attacking only a single human planet, but are coming to all of them.
The best aspect of the novel was we finally visit Caelian - the planet that has been referred to in all of the previous novels, but never shown. Now we finally see what exactly it means that the plantlife itself is hostile to human settlers. Zahn manages to make the biospere of the planet believable in its insanity.
Still, one thing that continues to bother me with these novels is that while Zahn tells the story through individual characters' eyes, they never develop into truly three dimensional characters. We never learn about their hopes or dreams beyond the crises that they go through. In short, they are little more than devices through whom to present the story.
Still, the series continues to be rather interesting, and is worth a read.
The best aspect of the novel was we finally visit Caelian - the planet that has been referred to in all of the previous novels, but never shown. Now we finally see what exactly it means that the plantlife itself is hostile to human settlers. Zahn manages to make the biospere of the planet believable in its insanity.
Still, one thing that continues to bother me with these novels is that while Zahn tells the story through individual characters' eyes, they never develop into truly three dimensional characters. We never learn about their hopes or dreams beyond the crises that they go through. In short, they are little more than devices through whom to present the story.
Still, the series continues to be rather interesting, and is worth a read.
March 10, 2016
2016 Grade B/B+
Series book CW2
Book two in the series is an enjoyable space opera war from start to finish. It is a classic multiple POV third person presentation taking place on two planets from different POVs on each. One planet is a newly settled very unfriendly jungle planet. The other is a city and rural planet of previous enemies. The two POVs don't even come together until about 2/3 of the way through when a third POV from book one enters the picture.
There is some character development and quite a bit of world building, which I like. In fact the world building was oversold a bit making it hard for me to suspend my disbelief at times that the feats of survival were possible. The jungle was a little too ferocious. In the city, the bent over and cold sewer and river journeys were more than any normal person could take. The Nissa character was underdeveloped and seemed a bit out character at the end. Otherwise the novel would have earned a B+.
Series book CW2
Book two in the series is an enjoyable space opera war from start to finish. It is a classic multiple POV third person presentation taking place on two planets from different POVs on each. One planet is a newly settled very unfriendly jungle planet. The other is a city and rural planet of previous enemies. The two POVs don't even come together until about 2/3 of the way through when a third POV from book one enters the picture.
There is some character development and quite a bit of world building, which I like. In fact the world building was oversold a bit making it hard for me to suspend my disbelief at times that the feats of survival were possible. The jungle was a little too ferocious. In the city, the bent over and cold sewer and river journeys were more than any normal person could take. The Nissa character was underdeveloped and seemed a bit out character at the end. Otherwise the novel would have earned a B+.
July 11, 2012
296 pages Science fiction. I was not impressed by this book. I'm glad I got the book from my public library. It tells the story of the invasion of Caelian seen through the eyes Lorne Broom and his attempt escort 5 government officials to a spaceport on the other side of his city. Unfortunately for the reader this takes 200. There is not much that makes you care about characters. The threats encountered during the journey are boring. The plot twist at the end of the journey marks the beginning of the interesting (by comparison to the 1st part of the book )part of the story. Unfortunately for the reader that is only 96 pages,and its not that well done.
The story can be read as a standalone novel, but prior experience with Zahn's other Cobra novels is suggested. Hopefully the final book in this trilogy will be better.
The story can be read as a standalone novel, but prior experience with Zahn's other Cobra novels is suggested. Hopefully the final book in this trilogy will be better.
July 10, 2012
A colleague recently commented that she disliked the middle volume of a trilogy. She even noted that she would occasionally skip the middle volume and miss nothing. I think she has a point. in an effort to prepare a complete story arc, the middle volume suffers. Longer series don't seem to suffer in the same way. Furthermore, unplanned trilogies also don't have this problem--such as the original three Cobra novels.
This is an okay follow-up to Cobra Alliance, but it does suffer from being the middle volume. Readers who start with this volume will be confused as three disparate storylines are drawn together. However, the Moreau family is interesting enough to hold my interest.
This is an okay follow-up to Cobra Alliance, but it does suffer from being the middle volume. Readers who start with this volume will be confused as three disparate storylines are drawn together. However, the Moreau family is interesting enough to hold my interest.
January 27, 2011
Like the first part of this trilogy, it wasn't as good as I'd hoped. Although the last part where everything started to come together was a lot stronger than the beginning, it didn't quite make up for that weakness. Too many coincidences, things and people that just worked out perfectly, didn't help either. Aside from this, Zahn's usual strongest point the characters themselves felt weak. While the main characters were in danger at points I never felt attached enough about them to actually care. Still, despite all these problems it is an entertaining book.
January 17, 2016
Timothy Zahn's books, though somewhat juvenile, are always good fun, with plenty of action, evil villains, and fast pacing. "Cobra Guardian" is no exception. Book 2, of the "Cobra War" series, continues the story of the Broom family, husband Paul, wife Jin, two sons, and a daughter. All of whom, except the daughter are "mechanically enhanced" soldiers, or Cobras. The plot includes several human planets, which have been invaded by an alien race, The Trofts, and much derring-do ensues. It is great escapist fare.
May 20, 2012
A surprisingly quick read. 3.5 out of 5. An Endeavour read only - but it had potential - hostile planets in process of being colonized - cool power-extension "suits". But really it was something fairly simple. Lots of fighting in some interesting situations - but really not recommended for anyone who wasn't a fan for this exact genre.
April 10, 2014
In the first trilogy, it was a generation between books but is this trilogy, it is the same generation, heck even the same month, still, we have familiar faces and problems, and new ways to solve them. were very to see more of the hell world, which is fun. this book in particular deals with reuniting the bloom family.
February 11, 2012
Sequel to Cobra Alliance. Zahn is always good. Lots of interesting ideas, good story line.
February 5, 2013
Great adventure with terrific individual characters of which some form a tight family unit.
This has it all in a the good fight sort of way. Fasinating science future/battle is the future.
This has it all in a the good fight sort of way. Fasinating science future/battle is the future.
April 6, 2013
I'm not sure why I'm seeing so many negative reviews. While this series isn't really breaking any new ground, it is vintage Zahn. Lots of action and political intrigue, plus some social commentary.
August 9, 2018
See Cobra Alliance comments.
July 9, 2016
Really enjoyed this book.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews