The Stars at War

The Stars at War (2004) is an omnibus edition of the Starfire series, including Crusade and In Death Ground. Crusade is the earliest novel in internal chronological sequence within the series and should be read first. In Death Ground is the second novel in internal sequence following Crusade. This is the first hardback publication of these novels. Crusade (1992) begins fifty years after the Third Interstellar War, in which the Terrans and Orions formed the Alliance and exterminated the Rigellians. An Orion squadron in the Lorelei system is puzzled when an unknown fleet is discovered coming out of Charon's Ferry, the sixth warp point, since no ship had ever returned from there. Also, the bogies are using a very old Terran Federation Navy code in their transmissions. The squadron commander speculates that these ships could be remnants of TFN forces that had fled the Orions 90 years before during the Second Interstellar War. When the bogies identify themselves as TFN and refuse to believe that the Orions are allies, the TFN onboard liaison contacts them and explains the Treaty of Valkha. The bogies agree to parlay and, as the main party stands down, the vanguard comes to the Orions. Shortly thereafter, however, the bogies attack with missiles at minimum range and then with X-ray lasers. The Orions release their Omega drones and fight back, but three ships are soon lost. The Orion flagship is then boarded, but self-destructs before being captured. After studying the available information, the Khanate of Orion decides that the invaders are Terrans. The Strategy Board wants to attack the Federation, but the Khan agrees with the squadron commander's idea of lost TFN forces escaping through Charon's Ferry. He tells the Federation Ambassador that Orion will not attack the Federation or the unknowns, but that the Federation must exact suitable vengeance upon their errant fellows. The Federation agrees and the politicians send a Peace Fleet to Lorelei upon invitation by the unknowns. Under secret orders, the TFN is subordinated to the diplomatic corps with disastrous results as the bogies repeat their underhanded tactics. In Death Ground (1997) is the first in a duology with The Shiva Option. This story takes place 60-odd years after the Theban War. The enemy ambushes Survey Flotilla 27, destroying or severely damaging the survey cruisers and their escorts. The enemy then pursues the survivors through warp point after warp point. The Terran Federation Navy diverts two nearby task forces to reinforce the survivors of SF27 and sends all available freighters and transports to evacuate the colony planets. TF58, under Admiral Anthony Villiers, is the first task force to reach the SF27 survivors in the Golan system. He holds the warp point for a while, bleeding the enemy and evacuating part of the population, until forced to withdraw to Erebor. TF58 has a month to prepare, receive reinforcements, and to start evacuations, but the enemy th

If you've never read any books in the "Starfire" universe but are a fan of either David Weber or military Sci-Fi/space opera, you will not be disappointed. The book consists of two separate novels taking place 50-60 years apart in the near future, each describing a separate interstellar war between Terran Federation and an alien enemy (in the second book, "In Death Ground", humans fight as part of an alliance with the honor-driven and aggressive Orions and several other races). As is common for Weber, military operations and politics are described absolutely superbly with a lot of technical background but the main characters and different races involved are also described with surprising quality if not always depth. I would actually rate these books well above the more popular "Honor Harrington" series. As several reviewers already said, this is not an actual new book but rather a compilation of two previously published and available in paperback novels, "Crusade" and "In Death Ground". "In Death Ground" is also rather not a complete read (cuts off halfway through the war) and requires you to read one more novel, "The Shiva Option" (which is available either separately or as part of "The Stars at War II" together with the last novel in this universe, "Insurrection" which takes part about a century later). The universe is derived from a "Starfire" RPG

The Stars at War is actually two separate but related books under one cover. Both have been previously published. This has caused some consternation from some people who believed they were getting something new and instead got something they already had. If you have not read either of them, however, it's a great deal. They two included books are CRUSADE and IN DEATH GROUND. Individual reviews appear below: CRUSADE I am hooked on the Honor Harrington series. I have spent so much time reading them that, when I was done, I was disappointed because I had nothing else from Weber to read until the next one comes out. I forgot to check for some of his other works. I wouldn't have thought he would have time to write anything else. WRONG! CRUSADE pits the human federation against a new alien species which considers itself saviors dedicated to saving Terra and humanity for the evil Orions who just happen to be uneasy allies of humanity. It takes a while to figure out how this strange turn of events came to be but, when it finally comes out, it makes sense. Religious zealots are at work promoting a jihad for personal advantage. Their only contact with humanity came at a time when it was at war against the Orions. A major problem is that the Orions are a warrior culture and their alliance with humanity is an uneasy one. When the new aliens, the Thebans, are first encountered, it is the Orions they attack and they do so in the name of humanity. Resolving this is left up to humanity but the Orions are keeping a suspicious eye on the situation. The battles are well thought out and fans of space battles will appreciate the book. Just as interesting are the political battles. For me, they are even more interesting to read. It's a good book worth the time. IN DEATH GROUND Humanity and its allies face a deadly enemy. That enemy is one so different that even communication is impossible with them. Only a few things are really known. They look like giant spiders. They attack without warning. They are very powerful. They eat most of their victims. The rest they raise as livestock for future consumption. The naval commanders charged with protecting humanity, and later the rest of the alliance, face terrible choices with frightening consequences. They can't save everybody. That means that the ones who are not saved are going to be eaten. They realize that throwing themselves into battle anyway just increases the odds that all of the allies will lose. Before they can fight the big battle, they must fight rearguard actions and marshal their forces. Whatever they do, people are going to die, people are going to be eaten and the nightmares will come. This book and its sequel do the best job I have ever encountered of pointing out the pain that can come with major commands. Its not a fun read but it is a good one. Its also a cliffhanger.

Be aware that Stars at War II is also a republication containing Insurrection and The Shiva Option according to the Baen website. I believe that Insurrection was the first book written in the series but takes place after the events in The Shiva Option. (Reviews option not available yet on Stars on War II record.)

This book was great and it was intense and exciting and for others who have review and/or judged it not by its contents because it was preprinted material is childish. Also, some people like to collect hardcover books in this world. I think it is unfair to readers who have not read any of the series to date to listen to reviewers to judge it by what you thought it might be instead if it was a good read or not.