Ron

I generally like S. M. Stirling's work, and once into The Sky People, I found it an ok to enjoyable read. I was disappointed in the execution of the premise, which was to write a modern day pulp fiction sci-fi adventure complete with dinosaurs and princesses in need of rescue. There are times he found the right rhythm, but a third to half the book is slow going.

Much to my surprise a very enjoyable read.

Much to my surprise a very enjoyable read

Much to my surprise a very enjoyable read.

I love the series, hate waiting for the next book.

I am not a fan of zombie books, TV, or movies. A relentless, evil antagonist with no soul is an easy out for the author who does not have to develop that side of the story. The conflict stays simple, no need to worry about empathy for the "bad guys" or conflicting moral choices. Having "nothing to read" and enjoying John Ringo's other books I figured "might as well". I was pleasantly surprised with a very good read, so good in fact, that I read through the series and am now waiting for the 4th book! Oh well, back to "nothing to read". - Ron Restorff

I am a reluctant David Drake fan. Yes, "War is Hell" but getting hit over the head with the ugliness, cruelty, violence. barbarism and often pointlessness of war can become wearing. We get it. That being said David is a master storyteller who always manages to grab you by the throat and drag you into the story for a dramatic ride that you cannot fail to appreciate. Buy the time you finish this series you will come to understand what goes through the mind of a soldier when he "sees the elephant". - Ron Restorff

I am a reluctant David Drake fan. Yes, "War is Hell" but getting hit over the head with the ugliness, cruelty, violence. barbarism and often pointlessness of war can become wearing. We get it. That being said David is a master storyteller who always manages to grab you by the throat and drag you into the story for a dramatic ride that you cannot fail to appreciate. Buy the time you finish this series you will come to understand what goes through the mind of a soldier when he "sees the elephant". - Ron Restorff

I am a reluctant David Drake fan. Yes, "War is Hell" but getting hit over the head with the ugliness, cruelty, violence. barbarism and often pointlessness of war can become wearing. We get it. That being said David is a master storyteller who always manages to grab you by the throat and drag you into the story for a dramatic ride that you cannot fail to appreciate. Buy the time you finish this series you will come to understand what goes through the mind of a soldier when he "sees the elephant". - Ron Restorff

An enjoyable read after a slow start. Just want to add that a review of the latest book in this series on this website got me interested! Keep up the great work. - Ron Restorff

As a rule I am not a fan of another author stepping into a world created by a legend just to continue a series. Often the novels fall short and it is obvious that the book is a mercenary attempt by the publisher for more revenue. Deborah J. Ross's Darkover novels are a pleasant exception. It is obvious she has done her homework and while she stays true to Bradley's world she brings a style and viewpoint that is different enough to make the series her own without disappointing long time Darkover fans. - Ron Restorff

The novella in this book is pretty good and does a nice job filling in the back story of King Roger. The interesting part is The Honorverse Companion which is written by a team of fans filling in the details of the Honorverse. Dave has had an incredibly active and knowledgeable fan base from the start of the series. Back in the day they congregated on a David Weber newsgroup that was fascinating both from the technical discussions and the participation of the author. More than once, David ended discussions with it's my universe and that's how it works, keep your stinkin' facts to yourself! It was also were the venerable tradition of red shirting started, (after star trek's security, beam me down, I'm here to die) where if you irritated Dave enough, a character in his next book was named after you who almost always ended up dead. For fans of the series of course this is a must read. However, if you are a writer, or a publisher it is worth your while to read this book and the Ring of Fire universe if you want to get a handle on where modern fiction is going. Both of these series are evolving into a model of what future fiction will look like in the internet age. - Ron Restorff