Review: All right...but
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 02 2, 2012
After the last two books I read (see my earlier reviews), my initial reaction was that this was worth 5 stars.  It was just such a relief to read something competently, if not brilliantly, written.  Of course, it is not worth 5 stars.One problem with the author's style is that he uses spoilers.  You know the sort of thing, "If only he had looked right instead of left, he wouldn't have been dead in two minutes" type of thing.  As a literary device, this can be effective.  However, effectiveness depends upon moderation.  It needs to be used judiciously.  It was used far too often and became quite annoying.  Other than that, the writing was reasonable.SPOILER ALERT:  The following contains some of the plot details.  Do not read if you don't want to know.Other problems:  1.  One crew member soups up one of the weapons so that he can destroy the alien vessel that was located.  His reasons for doing so are unconvincing.  If he was so upset at his treatment by his own Navy, one would have expected his anger and frustration to be directed at it, ie the Navy, not an apparently derelict alien vessal. Furthermore, as a plot device, it did not really add anything, except add a few hundred words to the story.2.  There are hints that an earlier war with the Varson (another alien race) was caused by misunderstandings at first contact.  Given that, Captain Haad's first message to the aliens of "Go f... yourself" was probably not high on the list of recommended protocols for first contact.  In his defence, the aliens did appear to be homicidal, well, aliens.  Still, one would have expected some attempt at reasonable communication, particularly if an earlier botched first contact had led to war.3.  One of the officers has smuggled her 12 year old son on board, ie he is 12 at this time.  He came aboard 3 years earlier.  He lives as a stowaway.  Climbing through the ship, he sees himself as an Admiral and a hero.  This is written as if he really believes this.  It is not written as if the boy is just imagining himself as this, but remains fully aware he is a 12 year old stowaway crawling through a ship.  Indeed, after committing an act of some heroism, he introduces himself as "Admiral".  Seriously, the way this is written, the boy is totally loopy, around the twist, mad as a hatter and desperately in need of serious counselling and drugs.  However, none of this is apparent to his mother or the other ship's officers!  I have some fears for what will occur in the second book.4.  Finally, after a battle with another ship belonging to one of the alien races, in which the human ships were victorious, albeit without destroying the alien ship, the alien says it is returning to its home planet and will return with "many ships", essentially to continue the battle.  Captain Haad lets it go!  As matters stand, war with yet another alien race is inevitable.  Really, would you do that?  I wouldn't.Overall, it was an enjoyable read, without being anything special.  I am about to start the second in the series, so it was good enough for that.