After Some Golden Harbor I wasn't sure I'd continue reading this space opera series. After a gift certificate to a local used bookstore, I snagged this and I'm glad I did.
The book opens with the addition of new cast members, particularly Renee Cazelet the grandson of Adelle Mundy's beloved instructor in the Alliance. His family is out of sorts with the Guarantor, and his life is forfeit if he returns to the Alliance. He brings skills as a merchant spacer and data analysis almost equivalent to Adelle's.
Daniel Leary seems to be settling down a little. For him, the book opens at a dinner party that turns into a delicate balancing act between the Senate, the RCN and one of Daniel's old conquests... Fortunately for him, Miranda is with him and helps him through it with style. As a character, Miranda seems very aware and intelligent and even manages to charm Adelle.
From Xenos, capital of the Republic of Cinnabar, the duo are off on a mission to raise hell in the Bagarian Cluster, which has just rebelled against the Alliance. The hope is to tie up enough Alliance forces to raise the siege of Jewel. It also looks like an exile to the cluster for Daniel Leary.
As per usual, Daniel and Adelle succeed by being unconventional and frequently in spite of their allies. There are also several exchanges of how Daniel Leary and his crew could take over the entire cluster if they wanted to.
Overall, this is a formulaic RCN space opera novel. That's not a bad thing mind you, and it entertains. Drake's characters are human, flawed, heroic, brilliant and lucky, but human. Adelle continues to pay a price for her talent for killing. Daniel grows. Heck, even Tovera seems to be almost human.
The book opens with the addition of new cast members, particularly Renee Cazelet the grandson of Adelle Mundy's beloved instructor in the Alliance. His family is out of sorts with the Guarantor, and his life is forfeit if he returns to the Alliance. He brings skills as a merchant spacer and data analysis almost equivalent to Adelle's.
Daniel Leary seems to be settling down a little. For him, the book opens at a dinner party that turns into a delicate balancing act between the Senate, the RCN and one of Daniel's old conquests... Fortunately for him, Miranda is with him and helps him through it with style. As a character, Miranda seems very aware and intelligent and even manages to charm Adelle.
From Xenos, capital of the Republic of Cinnabar, the duo are off on a mission to raise hell in the Bagarian Cluster, which has just rebelled against the Alliance. The hope is to tie up enough Alliance forces to raise the siege of Jewel. It also looks like an exile to the cluster for Daniel Leary.
As per usual, Daniel and Adelle succeed by being unconventional and frequently in spite of their allies. There are also several exchanges of how Daniel Leary and his crew could take over the entire cluster if they wanted to.
Overall, this is a formulaic RCN space opera novel. That's not a bad thing mind you, and it entertains. Drake's characters are human, flawed, heroic, brilliant and lucky, but human. Adelle continues to pay a price for her talent for killing. Daniel grows. Heck, even Tovera seems to be almost human.
