1635: Cannon Law

This is a splendid addition to the 1632 series, but as a standalone it may be a little confusing. Read The Galileo Affair first, especially. I have read this volume at least 5 times, and it improves with every reading. The characters come alive on the page like few other authors can do, and I can't wait to see what happens to Sharon and Ruy next! Buy it, buy many copies and force them on all your friends!!

This book is a continuation of the series that started with Ring of Fire and has continued on through several volumes. If you liked Ring of Fire you will love this book. It both continues the tradition and is definitely setting up a major change in the lives of the people from the twentieth century. Along with the companion book 1634: The Baltic War, it is showing a new side of the leader of the Grantville group. Look out afficianados, things are about to get really interesting in seventeenth century Germany.

'Cannon Law' is a welcome return to the 1632 universe after 'The Ram Rebellion' left some readers disappointed. It is now clear that the series has not in fact lost steam. This latest installation appears to be a sequel to 'The Galileo Affair' more than anything else, dealing largely with Vatican politics and efforts by a Spanish cardinal to undermine Pope Urban to the detriment of USE interests and possibly threatening the very existance of the Church in the long run. This is a great novel for those of us who love historical detail and good research. At the same time, it does not fall into the same trap of the previous book by getting too wrapped up in arcane 17th century minutia without adequate action or substance. The final third of the book in particular is almost entirely action. Overall, the pace of the book and the balance between setup and action is very similar to the work of Patrick O'Brian. Fans of O'Brian would do well to pick up this series at the begining.

The second book in this side story about the USE that takes place in Italy is an improved story from the Galileo Affair. Frank Stone, the eldest son of the Stoner clan (well it was a druggy comune and the family name is Stone) has set up a Frank's Place, his version of the Committee Of Correspodence's Golden Arches, to serve pizza and wine. I really hope that in Italy the rest of the CoC's offices become Frank's Places, because I like the idea of bringing American pizza's to the forefront of Italy like we did in WWII with American soldiers. Note: they still make better pizzas than we do if my last visit to Sicily is any indication. What I like about this story is that the silliness of the first book is lessened, while the insight into the barochian politics of Spain, Rome, and the Vatican is looked at more closely. I really like the way Frank has developed his version of the CoC in Rome and I look forward to how it evolves in the third book. Sharon Nichol's wedding with Ruy Sanchez looks to be a very good team as far as Sharon's diplomacy and Ruy's spymanship is concerned. They both make great foils for each other. The coverage of the Pope and his nephew Antonio Barberini is a fascinating look into the workings of the church during the 1600's, remember that the French only lost control of the Catholic Church about one generation ago, and how much influence the Spanish had on Catholic policy. Cardinal Borja's plot to change Catholic policy is fun to watch, and his tool Francisco de Queverdo y Villega makes for a good rival for Ruy as spymasters. The strength of this novel, more like the main storyline, is its characterization and its look at politics, its downgrading of the silliness of the first book is a very serious plus. What is missing is David Weber's counter-balance of Republican values.

When last we left our intreped time travelers, they had saved Galileo from the inquisition, the American Ambassedora had fallen for a Spanish swashbuckler, young love had conquered all, and Italian merchant empires were learning the meaning of "telecommunications" and "inside your loop." This book picks up immediately after. We should hear no more from people asking Flint & Co. for action. To say more moves into spoiler territory, but artillery, siege of castles, escapes in the night, the Spanish Inquisition, burning buildings, and escapades worthy of Bond, James Bond, should quench any fan's desire for a retreat from political haggling in smoke filled rooms. This bodes well for the NEXT book (1635: The Baltic War) due out next spring.