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Title: March to the Stars by David Weber, John Ringo ISBN: 0-7434-8818-0 Publisher: Baen Books Pub. Date: 01 April, 2004 Format: Mass Market Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.03 (31 reviews)
Rating: 2
Summary: frustrating and infuriating
Comment: March Upcountry and March to the Sea were two of the best books I have read in a long time--everything that good science fiction ought to be. Great storytelling, the takeoff on Xenophon was a clever idea, and the authors handle it well, with a good plot, intelligent background, interesting characters who actually evolve and change, terrific action, a sneaky sense of humor, and all those wonderful Kipling quotes... This was setting out to be a really exeptional trilogy which I would have wanted to own, to read and re-read and recommend highly. And I would have happily dived into a new trilogy (or two) featuring this universe and character set.
With March to the Sea (although the sea battle is truly worthy of Hornblower himself), the character development halts, the action grinds along and the authors seem bent on systematically unravelling their tapestry, setting their plot on its ears and starting a whole new series without ever finishing the first one. Conceivably, they could finish up in one more book, but it looks like they are thinking of more (Robert Jordan and his unending Wheel of Time, anyone?)...
I was thoroughly hooked, involved in the characters, intrigued with the possibiliies of the setting, enjoying the way the story was unfolding; I really wanted to see how it all ended. What a letdown! Assuming the tale ever ends, will it be one I want to read? Will I care?
Rating: 5
Summary: A great book and a great series
Comment: First, I recommend reading the two previous books before starting March to the Stars. It's possible to begin in the middle of the series, but you really need to be along for the entire ride to appreciate Prince Roger's development to this point.
I've noticed in some of his other books that Weber has a tendency to involve the reader a bit too much in behind-the-scenes military strategy (some of the latest Honor Harrington books come to mind, though I love that series), but with the Prince Roger series, so far, so good. I dislike Byzantine plots that require a bunch of minor characters who get way too much page space, and I'm not crazy about too-detailed descriptions of military engagements - and I think this series is just fantastic. But for those who like the military aspect that comes along with a Weber novel, never fear. There's still plenty of action here for the hardcore military SF readers. But fortunately for the rest of us, Weber and Ringo never forget that the basic element of the story is still our main character, Prince Roger. The reader gets plenty of time with our hero, a major plus that I hope keeps up as the series continues and the plot inevitably becomes more complicated.
Not that it's not complicated already. With sea monsters (or at least some very large fish), pirates, hostile aliens and hostile humans to fight - not to mention a space ship to hijack so they can get off the mudball of a planet Marduk - Roger and Company have a number of nearly impossible trials to face before they can tackle their final mission....
Rating: 5
Summary: Terrific military science fiction -- Very highly recommended
Comment: Prince Roger Ramius Sergei Chiang Alexander MacClintock, Heir Tertiary to the Throne of man proved himself to be such a spoiled and foppish distraction that his mother sent him on a useless mission to keep him busy in MARCH UPCOUNTRY. In MARCH TO THE SEA, he and his Marines battle their way across the remote planet of Marduk in their attempt to return to earth. Now in MARCH TO THE STARS, Roger leads the Bronze Barbarians of the Imperial Guard across the Eastern Ocean of Marduk in quest of the spaceport that will get them home.
During a deadly sea crossing, more than a hundred men are lost to a giant sea monsters or pirates. But more danger threatens, as half way through the novel stakes are raised when Roger learns of the changes of political climate affecting himself and his mother the Empress. Indeed, he will have to take more than just the spaceport if he ever wants to return home. Further, those changes threaten everything he holds dear, including the romance he shares with Despreaux.
Authors David Weber and John Ringo continue their highly successful military science fiction series in MARCH TO THE STARS. While collaborations can be easily flawed by a mix of writing styles, Weber and Ringo offer a seamless blend of voices that becomes an impressive tour de force. Roger comes of age through these novels, growing from court foppishness into a true leader. Written on multiple levels, Weber's background as a historian and Ringo's military background add not only technical proficiency but an insider's observation of our own times and past. As with many of these author's works, many of the characters are amazingly expendable, resulting in exciting action but caution on the reader's part regarding emotional involvement for secondary characters. Nevertheless, readers that have not indulged in the first two books of this series, MARCH UPCOUNTRY and MARCH TO THE SEA, will be scurrying to the bookstore. MARCH TO THE STARS comes very highly recommended.
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Title: Hell's Faire by John Ringo ISBN: 0743436040 Publisher: Baen Books Pub. Date: 01 May, 2003 List Price(USD): $25.00 |
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Title: March to the Sea by David Weber ISBN: 074343580X Publisher: Baen Books Pub. Date: 01 November, 2002 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: March Upcountry by David Weber ISBN: 0743435389 Publisher: Baen Books Pub. Date: 01 May, 2002 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: The Service of the Sword: Worlds of Honor 4 by David Weber ISBN: 0743435990 Publisher: Baen Books Pub. Date: 01 April, 2003 List Price(USD): $26.00 |
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Title: War of Honor by David Weber ISBN: 0743471679 Publisher: Baen Books Pub. Date: 01 November, 2003 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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