Review: Ending of a good Trilogy
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 10, 2014
Ark Royal was a really good book and one of Christopher's best books yet.It has it all to me. Flawed characters, a hopeless situation, the under dogs and great military action in a realistic manner. But it was really on a micro personal ship type story level.Book 2, was a great good continuation and a worthy sequel. Did it beat book 1? Nope but it was still great read, continuing to expand the universe. Introduce the aliens as more then a mysteries enemy, as well as explore the universe and the hopeless cause that human was in.Book 3, Trafalgar Gambit, I felt, was as good as book 2. It really expanded on the aliens as well as the human factions. It breathed depth into the the world that is Ark Royal and as such I really got to know the universe well. It also tied up alot of loose ends and expanded on the humanity and flaws of all sides on a species level and a personal level. Ending in a realistic and suitable manner for all involved.I did feel that it could be better, and that is because I am comparing it to Ark Royal (book 1). Also felt the story was rushed (as it had alot of content to cover) and could be expanded (especially on the personal char level) and that is because the Ark Royal universe, Admiral Smith and the rest of the Ark Royal characters are/were such great characters that I wanted a greater more awesome send off.Christopher is a really good writer that does the micro person level really well (Book 1). He also does the more larger picture type stories well too (Book 2). What he did for this book 3 was to combine and tell the micro personal level as well as the larger picture at the same time. In this aspect I feel he can do better. And when he perfects it... look out.The Trafalgar Gambit is a good book and  worthy ending for the Ark Royal saga. It could have been really great but that does not detract from all that it is. It is a showcase that Christopher is a really good author that we all should keep an eye on as when he perfects his craft, he really will be someone to look out for,Luckily for us, the Ark Royal universe is not at the end. And I cannot wait for more books by Christopher. Keep it up Sir.PS:Note, I give 4 stars as I feel only the SUPER OMG EPIC books should be giving the top score of 5.