Review: Unpredictable and Exciting - Arseneault's Best Yet
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 5, 2014
I rated this book a five because a six was not available. It is that good. If you enjoy complex detail filled sci-fi adventures this should be on your list of future reads. Read on to see why I like what this author is creating.The author starts with a narrative about the end of the 1,000 year Milgari war and the preparation for celebration on the Grid. Things were winding down, Defiant was going home, and I was expecting a rather slow and relaxing read offering lots of reflection and insight into the main characters.  But when Grange and his team detected some inconsistencies in President McKinzey’s speech and no mention about the Nation of Defiant things soon took a turn for the worst. The fight was not over; it was now a battle from within.The author immediately unfolded the story in an unexpected and exciting direction with a finely balanced blend of human angst, in your face hand-to-hand fighting, lots of blood, guts and carnage, new weaponry and some very creative technologies including the use of wormhole portals. Throughout the rollercoaster ride the plot had multiple branching opportunities that could have provided an equally viable and believable outcome. I felt that the author had ratcheted up his story telling from his earlier works making the read more engaging and enjoyable; better dialog, more descriptive directions and lots and lots of technology details. Grange not only had to defend himself from the enemy but also from his own Sergeant Frost, who took every opportunity to grope and spoil him with unwanted sexual advances in the heat of the battles. I found myself rooting for Grange and his team, laughing at Frost, and feeling sorry for the Dakari Feta Lunge.With so much information and action happening in short periods of time I found that I was going back a page or two to make sure I kept the details straight and the writer honest. I was checking the author’s math just to make sure it was accurate and came away satisfied. As a Sci-fi reader it’s the details that sell me on the story. It has to be creative and inventive but most importantly it has to be believable. Even in the end the author allowed things to go wrong as if beyond his control. It could have been easy to be predictable, but then the story itself would not be as entertaining to read. I applaud the author for taking chances on each book, not providing a predictable story ending that guarantees a sequel.  I want to be shocked and mad when the series comes to a conclusion instead of counting down to the final act. I am hooked and looking forward to the next installment of the AMP series.