REVIEW SUMMARY: A new book in Resnick's Birthright universe that includes his trademark compelling plot.

MY RATING:

BRIEF SYNOPSIS: Commander Cole has twice been busted down from Captain for refusing to follow orders when he didn't like them. Having been thrice decorated though, he is too good to drum out of the navy. Eventually, Cole pushes the brass too far politically and they in return push him to far - to the point of mutiny.

MY REVIEW:
PROS: Very compelling 'page-turner' of a story - the plot moves quickly and easily from high point to high point in a well-written manner.
CONS: Beginning is somewhat confusing with its 'throw you into the middle' start
BOTTOM LINE: Fans of Resnick's style will no doubt enjoy this one, and anybody looking for a sci-fi book strong on story will as well

COMMENTARY: Resnick has lots of writing success to his credit (4 Hugo awards and 27 total Hugo nominations, for example) and this book doesn't disappoint. However I did find the intro to be a bit confusing - it isn't that I don't understand and appreciate the way some novels dispense with exposition and get straight to the story - I do. But I just didn't feel that Resnick handled this effort as well as others I've read.

The story ends well too - yes, this is a 'Book 1' and there are more on the way. But it certainly doesn't feel 'book split' and the ending is handled well enough that you don't feel its abrupt or nothing but a lead in to other stories. I was worried about this a bit (as I always am about endings for books in a series) but happy this one worked out.

His character's of Cole and his cadre of supporting officers are very interesting, have motivations and drives, and sympathetic. Resnick isn't as good as Stephen Barnes, but he does a credible job. And parts of this book are very genuinely funny - I laughed out loud twice at the banter between Cole and one of his non-human cohorts and that's rare for me.

Resnick has also populated his world with very satisfying non-human-like aliens - they are all unique and very alien. And while this book is sci-fi, it certainly wouldn't have to be - it could easily be set on a terrestrial navy. That doesn't detract from it though - these kinds of books are still fun.

Overall this book was a quick read - I finished it in about 3 hours - and was glad I did.

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Posted by Scott Shaffer at Friday January 06, 2006 at 1:00 AM
© 2006 SF Signal

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