This is the second book in a series on the life of Nicholas Seafort, an officer in the U.N. Navy, about 200 years in our future. Midshipman's Hope should be read first, though it is not absolutely necessary. I would guardedly recommend the series to friends who are interested in military science fiction.
Feintuch has a strong plot and realistic Naval elements, but I do have reservations about his main character. Usually, military SF is one of my favorite subgenres (I love Starship Troopers and Armor, and I have read much more), but I simply can not relate to the protagonist of the series. I find him to be temperamental, whiny, and confusing (also confused, but that is not necessarily a problem), definitely a Byronic hero, brooding and moody. I easily become annoyed with his inflexibility in the face of his duty. And yet, this is the second book in the series that I have read. Like most of us, I am busy enough that if a book does not keep my interest, or if I am annoyed by the main character, I let it go; there are simply too many better books out there to be read. But I can't quite do that with Nicholas Seafort; even though I often lose patience with him, I keep coming back to find out what is happening with him. I look forward to reading responses to my review on this book, to see if other readers have the same problems, or if Nicholas and I simply don't get along. Is he a hero only another male can relate to? Is there essential element to his character that I have failed to grasp? Or does everyone find him as annoying, and yet still fascinating, as I do?
Recommended:
