Why? Why did David Drake write a book like this? Why did an alleged military science fiction master genius write such a horrible military sci fi book? Cause this sucks! I have given it my best shot. I have read half of it and I have given up because it is too stupid for words. How can the creator of Hammer’s Slammers write such horseshit?

The leaders of Venus want to go out to compete with the Earth’s military and colonize the universe and free what has been colonized by Earth, as well as do a little plundering. To do this, they send several small ships, only one of which makes it, through one universe to another. Captain Piet Ricimer and his men bring a “warship” to the outer edges of another universe to save it and to plunder its wealth for Venus. This warship has five, count ‘em, five cannon ports. That’s pretty awe inspiring. Great space battles. And when they land on planets, their sailors – cause they didn’t bring any Marines – take over entire planets with between 12 and 20 men. With “flashguns” and cutting blades. Cutting blades. Yeah. A dozen men with cutting blades take over a planet with their warship with five cannon. That’s so fucking cutting edge military sci fi, I’m in fucking awe, Drake! Clearly, you’re a fucking genius! Cause any other military sci fi writer would pretty much blow your ship out of orbit with any pinnace, let alone cruiser or dreadnaught they’d have, and their 1,800 man Marine battalion would take care of your dozen sailors in about one second flat.

What a stupid, idiotic attempt at, quote, military sci fi! This is literally the most putrid attempt at military sci fi I have ever seen, the laziest, dumbest, most pathetic, and this from a guy with a great reputation! What the hell??? Needless to say, I might read another Drake novel one day, although not anytime soon, but I’m not sitting on pins and needles to do so. I have a feeling David Weber could kick his ass any day of the week. Suffice it to say this is one of the most stupid sci fi, and the WORST excuse for a military sci fi book, I have ever read. One star and most definitely not recommended! ( )

The Venusians have found out that they are better sailors than the Earthmen who controlled the extrasystem trade in this post collapse society. Not better in the boasts back at port but in the only ways that really count - in the heat of battle and in finding their ways through the confusions of transit space. And the best of the Venusian spacers was Piet Ricimer, whelp of a potter (not that lowly a trade on Venus, but still...), who was now the commander of the largest Venusian expedition to travel to the stars in a raid on the Federation's extrasolar holdings.

As should be expected from David Drake, the action is fast, furious and not glorious in the least. ( )