Review: Characters outshine the storyline
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 03 14, 2013
I bought the 4th book and found that like the previous stories the overall space opera intrigued me. I find Admiral Irons and his Trinity AI's are all becoming quite complex and the new twist between them was very interesting. I find that the main character is quite complex and his interactions with the council and the various other characters was interesting.The overall dystopian view of the galaxy is still a little unclear for me. The amount of time spent reiterating the various "teaching lessons" I think at this point detracts from the overall story. In fact with the amount of time he spends educating the general populace I wish we would learn just what exactly the Xeno's were (I'm assuming they were aliens based on info from book 2) there has been little we actually know about them. Also I find it hard to believe a single species was able to nuke the home worlds of every member of the federation if it was that large. If we keep having to see Irons give lesson after lesson I would prefer to learn something as well rather than just relearn how ignorant the universe is.My preference would be to see the  author focus on Irons various political jujitsu and projects then have it constantly reiterated that the people are ignorant and willing to learn. This particular thread of the story is beginning to seem like beating a dead horse; most readers come from the previous books and the reiteration (at least for me) seems to just detract from the story.spoliersI must say that I am getting a little annoyed that someone with his political sense and knowledge is so willing to not put in at least some minimal effort toward control. I know that the series moves from him going throughout the galaxy. Irons's anger at the end of the book from being ignored and forced out is hard to rectify his willingness to improve the station so much and not try a little harder at trying to find some supporters. At the very least finding out the council was so set against him I'm surprised he gave them so much help restoring everything. I can't see a military man doing so much to restore the new "ghost station" (only the 2nd in the galaxy at this point) that he knows is more than likely to fall into his enemies hands. As a military man even if he is willing to turn control over to civilian government he should be at least willing to try more politicking to protect such a vital resource. In fact letting the cybers unilaterally invoke control (by way of committee) of the station seems asinine for such a strategic resource, after previous experiences I would think Irons would try to keep it out of the hands of such bad managers. After being run out of one system I would have expected the Admiral to be at least a little more fired up to try and keep at least some marginal control. (I can't see someone who is so willing to learn and adapt getting bit a third time it would seem to contradict everything else about his character.)I will state that the entire series is one I will more than likely keep following because the price is low and the series pace has been quick enough for me to at least stay interested. And its been interesting to see a new author take an idea and try to expand it as has been done. Its obvious that Mr. Hechtl is spreading his wings and coming into his own as a writer. As someone who enjoys the space-opera genre self publishing has helped reignite the availability.gallandro