Baptism of Fire

Only on the surface is this "futuristic idealism". Linda Grant De Pauw tells us about a society that is inhuman and racist to the core. This space opera is way above average, expertly written, with surprises on every single page, great characters and filled with suspense. Excellent! I'm waiting for the sequel.

After reading this book, I put it on the list for my English students to read. It is well written, captivating and when you are done, you want more. I eagerly await the promised sequel. We need more fiction like this.

This novel is set in a time when women participate not only in combat command but also actively as grunts, Marines, gunners and sailors. Gender has no bearing. Lt. Maggie Steele is the newly assigned line officer to the HMS Lafayette, a dreadnought with a crew of 5000, led by six line officers and two med/life support officers. The crew, some veteran, some pressed into service are of two species: those from Earth and the "Colonials," hominid aliens that differ in two respects from Earthlings. They have no voice boxes and cannot speak, but they can communicate telepathically. De Pauw describes life aboard the futuristic ship (punishments, regulations, food, religion, quarantine, navigation, inoculations, discipline, liberty and the presence of Marines) with an eye for nautical detail and an ear for dialog that is neither sexist nor obscene but conveys the passion of military personnel. Due to a horrific mistake by the young officer on duty on Christmas Eve, the bridge is invaded by pirates. Dr. Parker, one of the med/life support officers , is a Colonial and telepathically she finds out from the captain's steward about the carnage occuring above decks. Lt. Steele had just left the officers' party to come down to the dispensary and hears the graphic story from the doctor. Steele devises a plan of action to retake the ship. Then, as the only line officer aboard, must perform the duties of captain, navigator, engine room officer, hold a trial and execute the pirates, make plans to refuel the ship, calculate the Lafayette's position, plot a course to the nearest base (over a year's travel away), command the crew, hold inspections, supervise drills, and make decisions. Baptism of Fire holds your attention with its descriptive scenarios and futuristic idealism. It is a book for anyone who likes a good adventure