Kris Longknife: Intrepid

Alas, I devoured this book far too fast! And I want another one now!! As with each of the volumes in this series I found each of the characters realistic and intriguing. I'm pleased that my daughter is now old enough for me to pass these books off to her (she just finished another series and was looking for something good to read!). It's rare to find a good, strong female protagonist who manages well both in leadership roles and dealing with those situations that young women find themselves in in daily life. Much less those who might find themselves in more dangerous situations, such as those courageous people who are willing to don the uniform of their country and defend it even if it means giving up their life or the life of their comrades or loved ones. These books show that life without catering to those who are just looking for "blood & gore". There is certainly action & adventure! But there is also philosophy. And a spectrum of men and women who run the gamut of those who do what they do for the money and those who do what they do for the safety of those they've left behind and those who just want the "glory". So, action and adventure with a soupcon of philosophy, a smattering of science, a dash of character growth and development and you're left with a book that continues to please. All in all I have to say that I have yet to find any of the Kris Longknife books to disappoint. And given that I've been known to devour upwards of 10 books a week when I get going... well. I rate authors by the number of times I'm willing to reread their books. Thus far, I give this series at least a 10. When this one came out I'd already reread the series once or twice while waiting for it. I imagine I'll reread it again while waiting avidly for the next one. Begin at the beginning. If you like the first one, buy all of them. You won't be disappointed.

I have read this entire series and enjoyed every one, including this one (like the other reviewers, I recommend you read them in order.) However, I couldn't give this five stars because of the following; *********** ***************** Spoiler alert ************ ************** *********** ***************** Spoiler alert ************ ************** *********** ***************** Spoiler alert ************ ************** Kris Longknife arrives at a planet with two ships in orbit and a bad-guy army on the ground. She is commanding a ship with superior armament to the bad-guy ships -- much superior. Instead of taking out the ships and using the high ground (orbit) to force the ground army to surrender, she lands her own, much inferior, force and joins with the poorly armed natives. Only when she is about to lose this battle, does she tell her ship to attack the orbiting enemy ships. They flee and the enemy army IMMEDIATELY surrenders. This exchange is at least half the book. The author is retired military. He should have come up with a better reason for her to fight as a ground commander, if that is what he wanted to do in this novel. More: the enemy ship shoots ground targets with its laser early on, to great effect. But when the army battle starts, NEITHER the bad-guy ship nor her ship provide any air support. Modern (or post-modern war in this instance) is three-dimensional. The author had me shaking my head in disbelief. Well written, otherwise. The final confrontation is very good.

If you haven't read any books in this series this is not the place to start. Mutineer (Kris Longknife) would be the latest place to start. All the characters have grown and are now nicely filed out and compelling. This is still a cowboys in space shoot em up but with a little better military sense. The plot is good but not outstanding although it does support some humor which is appreciated. The plot (which is good) and some errors save this from a 5. There are currently atomic gyros some in use on the newer subs, lasers are all atomic or sub atomic so an "atomic laser" is redundant if not silly; lastly heliographs are gadgets that use sunlight and mirrors for signaling. Someone was probably ambushed by a typo and the spelling checker as Nellie probably was using a holograph projection.

Born on the planet Wardhaven, Kris Longknife's great grandfather King Rex rules over one hundred worlds with more to be formed as the United Sentient Confederation any day. Her father is the prime minister of her homeworld and she easily could have been a pampered princess, but Kris chose otherwise joining the space navy. Right now the warship the Wasp is disguised as a merchant vessel beyond the Rim of humanity home to pirates. Kris and her crew learn that a ship has come from Xanadu, a planet whose residents chose to isolate themselves from the rest of the galaxy. The inhabitants are humans who believe aliens are coming and man should return to Earth and hide. Kris and her crew go to Xanadu to confront the religious leadership after finding the pirate ship's hold was filled to the brim. She warns them they are near so many jump points they will have to open up their space to travelers from all over the galaxy. The people who find living on Xanadu too restrictive colonized Pandemonium and when Kris goes there she finds mercenaries are fighting to control the planet. They are led by the princess' old nemesis Captain Bill Thorpe. Battles occur over the right to choose self government as the orb turns bloody with Kris trying to kick the mercenaries off planet. INTREPID is an accurate description of Lieutenant Longknife as she bravely goes where few would dare; some might insist stubbornly intrepid is a more valid description. She will remind readers of David Weber's Honor Harrington with her strength and intelligence. Mike Shepherd provides an exciting military science fiction thriller set in a future in which mankind has colonized various galaxies. His latest tale focuses on a world in jeopardy with a heroine not sure what is the best course of action for her to take to avert a war. Harriet Klausner

First this is a fine example of military science fiction; like this genre and you will like the book. This particular work is the 6th in this series about a young woman lt. in the Wardhavan space navy. She is also the daughter of the prime minister and grand daughter of the planetary king. It is very much the middle of a series of unknown length. The background is complicated. The commonwealth of Earth has just amicably broken up after a civil war. There has also been a war to the hilt with the only alien race so far found. Wardhavan is the center planet in a democratic commonwealth of circa 125 planets founded out of the ruins but has enemies including a forming extreme dictatorship. The characters are well written and deep. but I would not advise just jumping in at this book becasue you will miss so much needed background. Take my advice, read the first book, then the second, etc.