Archangel Rising by Evan Currieis a series in the Odyssey One series. This is the tenth installment chapter in a classic space opera. It takes the same pattern found in Ryk Brown's Frontiers Saga series.

Earth has recovered from world war 20 years in the past. They are taking tentative steps in exploring the stars. Eventually, they discover a kindly starfaring empire. That empire incidentally conflicts with a larger empire set on galactic domination. Some of the details of the stories may change. Effectively that is the gist of each story.

Archangel Rising and the Odyssey One series as a whole does a reasonable job of exploring the decay of the larger empire. The series also tries to relate the incidents in its universe to our present-day situation internationally.

What makes Archangel Rising unique are the two campaigns in the story. One focuses on a battle between an Earth squadron and an Empire fleet. It is a well-written chess match between two commanders. How do you cause an enemy to attack you when the opposing is reluctant to engage you in combat? The other story is one of mission creep and the obligation a commander has to innocent non-combatants? What makes the situation interesting is that two different forces can attack your group?

Archangel Rising and the larger series Odyssey One are good reading for those who like this niche genre of Science. Fiction. ( )

The second in the Archangel One series, Stephanos has established himself as an effective mercenary for hire. In this book, he defeats a neighboring star systems slave overloads and takes over the system's primary export resource facility. Ultimately getting caught by the Imperial force, he has created a persona that identifies him as a crafty mercenary. The book ends with him making a deal with the Imperial Navy to run a system's mining operation for the benefit of thew Imperials. ( )

This and the prior Archangel One just a ton of fun to read. Can't wait for the next in the series, which I hope won't be long in coming. ( )