Review: Rather Repetitive Sequel
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 04 19, 2014
If you enjoyed "Ark Royal", as I did, you will find much in "The Nelson Touch" to keep you engaged.  However, Mr. Nuttall has dragged out the same old back stories for each of his main characters, albeit suitably promoted in ranks after the heroics of the last volume.  Some readers may find this humanizing element adds something to military sci-fi genre; I would have preferred that these digressions be substantially reduced.  The expedition of the Ark Royal into enemy space is well portrayed and the international character of the fleet is a nice touch.(Minor Spoiler Alert) The most important addition to the series is a new starfighter pilot who happens to be the British Crown Prince, trying to live a normal life.  The drama of hiding his identity is yet another soap opera-ish bit that didn't do much for this American reader.The space battles are very well done but the last section of the book, when the Ark Royal returns to its own space, seemed rushed to me.  This series has enough going for it to recommend, but does not yet rise to the top level.