Review: Finally-real scifi
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 09 19, 2011
I really liked the series so far.  I am near the end of this (the fourth book) and have enjoyed it almost all the way.  But, one of the things I like most about the series up to now is the fact that the science used in the books doesn't stray into the realm of fantasy.  Three hundred years from now it is plausible that we have advanced genetic engineering to the extent that the High Borne race could be developed.  And, perhaps such a race could get out of control. The cyborgs are a bit of a stretch.  It is more likely that robotic science could have advanced to the point where manufactured battle machines could be developed.  Just look at the advancement in artificial intelligence  and robotics already achieved and then project 300 years into the future. The author makes no assumption that the faster than light travel and communications barrier will be breached.  From every observance the Einstein model, setting the speed of light as the limit for such things, has held up. And the author makes no pretense that the problem of artificial gravity has been solved (as it is not likely to ever be). I am glad an author has tackled the space opera story in such a plausible manner.The Social Union government the author envisions is quite plausible, based on our own history.  Remember the Soviet Union?A common problem in all this type of science fiction (great space battles) is, where does the money come from. It seems that scifi writers ignore that little problem in general.  I love scifi but have never read a book where the limitations of funding prevented the building of vast armadas. And, each of these ships must be terribly expensive.I think the characters hold up well.  Given the situations they are cast into, I think they react consistent with the personalities that the author has given them.Over all I would recommend this book to anyone that likes science fiction.