Review: Very enjoyable read (SPOILER ALERT!)
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 11 16, 2012
I very much enjoyed this yarn: despicable villains, interesting protagonists facing impossible and deadly situation. The background imagery is brilliant, and the pace is fast and furious. However, there is one significant problem that I would like to make the author (and my fellow readers) aware of: (SPOILER ALERT).As the company is preparing to leave earth, the supply officer points out that they are taking enough supplies, equipment and technology with them that they could actually manufacture starships. Considering the presence of bad guys (raiders and pirates) that are present on other rim worlds, that seems like an obvious opportunity for a sequel... and who knows, maybe that's already in the works. But if not, speaking for myself, I would certainly like to see one. Just saying...I realize that the following will probably stroke someone the wrong way. That's a good thing as discussion fosters learning and sharing. Anyway, I believe that it is worthwhile to point out that the way military personnel address each other while in uniform is more formal that the story seems to indicate. Unless they had a death wish by their Senior NCOs, no subordinate would ever refer to their Commander by first name (Edward) or even their Senior NCO (Gwen) by first name. Even the commander would never refer to his Senior NCO by first name over an open communications circuit where others could hear. To do so could instigate a loss of discipline in the unit.Granted, things may be different in various  branches of service or backgrounds. But, as I experienced in the armed services, officers of the same rank addressed each other (and subordinates) by first name; superiors by "Sir," rank or rank and last name. Officers always addressed enlisted personnel by rank and last name, but never first name except in private, when the Colonel might refer to a senior NCO by first name, though the NCO still addressed his superior by rank or "Sir." Enlisted personnel always addressed peers and subordinates by last name or rank and last name, and superiors by rank and last name.