Resolute (Kris Longknife)

I could repeat this review for all the books in this series. They are not books of deep meaning. They don't need to be. They are fun space opera. I buy and read them the day they hit the shelves. I have read the whole series more than once and enjoyed them as much the second time as the first. A nice mixture of action, politics, military sci-fi and cool gadget syndrome which im always partial to.

If you read SF for the fun of it, this is good reading. Its not Shakespeare, its good fun in a pretty well done universe. Read it to enjoy. Re-read the series 3 times so far, but that what's I do to books I enjoy. I've re-read the HH-series by Weber 5 or 6 till the last book... still waiting. Now I'm waiting on Mike to get the next one out, then the next...

The thing about the Longknife novels is they may not be great but they are always good. When I can't find anything to read I reread these books. I've read this book twice already. He alway advances the storyline in away that makes you want to read the next book. This book is a sure thing.

I've enjoyed these, as fluffy "space opera", and I actually think the writing is improving with each book, as is the enjoyment one gets from the continuing escapades of the main characters. I think the plot construction is steadily improving, as well as the author's ability to hammer out sentences that don't distract from the reader's enjoyment of the story. That said, I have two negative observations that have become slightly more pronounced with each novel; the author has never really learned the use of humor in balancing the novel, and that he seems to be getting into a bit of a rut. Each novel is seeming like a slightly more polished version of the prior ones, albeit with the props (space station for ships in this one) swapped out. I think the work is fun and entirely readable, but I hope the author continues to develop in new directions, rather than becoming more entrenched in the rut I've mentioned. Frankly, this is one of several series that seem near knockoffs of the Honor Harrington books (which were innovative, but not nearly as well written in my humble view). It was a fun, quick read, and I've already ordered the next book (albeit with some trepidation, due to the increasingly repetitive nature of the author's developing style). I think each one has been more readable, the plot construction is increasingly good, the characters are worth following, and there's a lot to enjoy. For the price, I enjoyed it quite a bit...and I hope you do as well. Just don't expect too much; it is rather fine military space opera, if a quick read and somewhat monotonously dire in the tone of the story and the situation the heroine faces.

The Wardhaven's United Sentients and Greenfield's Confederacy are too evenly matched to go to direct hot hostilities, but that does not restrain the latter from trying to annex planets or from the former trying to stop them in a galaxy cold war. Navy Lieutenant Kris Longknife is also a princess since her grandfather is the king and her father is the prime minister. Some will say her new assignment as the Commander of Naval District 41 is due to her royal connections, but those who know her believe she has earned her position with hard competent work though the brass place her out of harm's way due to her royal lineage and her tendency to get into trouble. The nearest planet not part of the Confederacy is Chance and she must somehow keep it that way while also checking on pirate activity and jump sights. Kris finds and goes through ones she discovered that lead to an unexplored part of space. She soon finds an alien planet with technology that neither she nor her crew have ever seen before. The orb could prove a gold mine, but instead the Confederacy is coming to the space station and Chance to take over both. Kris must prevent that plus she has a more personal war to contend with from the Confederacy commander. Fans of the Honor Harrington escapades will welcome the adventures of another strong female in outer space starring a in a thrill a page military space opera. The heroine's dry wit, ability to know what she is good at and her faults while keeping her regal DNA in perspective especially during a crisis endear her to readers. The audience will root for the determined, courageous and endearing heroine as she displays intelligence and leadership during lethal confrontations. Harriet Klausner