Blaze Ward

It would be a poor tale, as a British citizen, if I did not have an idea as to what Magna Carta was about, but, I confess, that this provided me with the first opportunity to read same. Phyllis Radford adds some excellent commentary to help the general reader (ME!!) to understand the significance and historical perspective of each clause and, were she to have left it there, I would have awarded the book five stars. It has lost half a star, in my opinion, because the author uses the document show more to make political points about current day America.

As I have already stated, I am British and have yet to have the opportunity of even visiting the United States, so it would be foolish in the extreme for me to comment as to the efficacy or otherwise of Ms Radford's remarks: needless to say, they did not add to my enjoyment of the book . This is a small gripe about a very good book that is very worthy of a place upon the shelf of anyone who has an interest, not just in British politics, but in the birth of current democratic governmental systems. Those who feel that corruption is breaking in to modern politics, should read this book: it is apparent that the first attempt at democracy was shot through with attempts by the three parties involved (The King of England, the barons and the Catholic Church) to produce a fair system - but leaning in favour of their third of the contributors. Plus ca change..... show less

Starts well but fades in the latter books as the initial premise seems to be ignored. Strangely it's called an omnibus of 4 books, but it's somewhat unclear how many individual titles are actually contained, as there are several novellas joining together, which sort of group into three main story events, the recruitment of the SO, his first successful mission and it's consequences, and then another based on the reputation hence made. The basic premise is quite fun. In a general space age, show more humanity is still exploring the vast galaxy through some undescribed 'jump' drive, there's all the usual things one might expect, a formal Navy and it's cast-offs, through to more thoroughly criminal types lurking around the edges. Our hero is a navy Cast-off, having had some darker history he's now a solo explorer with a clever AI making a living charting new systems. One day he's boarded by semi-decent pirates, people not adverse to breaking the law, but mostly just trying to make a living here and there. Their normal modus operandi is to sell such captives on to worlds where slavery is still legal. However our SO have a glib tongue and more importantly he's managed to cultivate fresh fruit and chickens - all worth their weight in whatever currency you'd care to name. And so he's offered parole - the chance to work his freedom on board the equivalent to the amount the crew could have earned from selling him. He accepts, but swears an mental oath to see them all hung whenever this opportunity presents itself, starting with the first mate. She's an Amazon of formidable size, skill beauty and intelligence, a match for him in all respects but glibness.

And that's where it all fall down. For rather than using is cleverness or indeed any actual science skills all the remaining encounters are either solved by his AI which he manages to keep secret from the crew (really?) or else vague references to skills obtained between leaving the Navy and his solo career. There'a no detail given, he just suddenly knows a location/detail/skill that's useful, and which none of the other pirates do. It sort of works the first time, just, and then becomes passe. YOu're left hoping for the encounter with the formal Navy, or a chance to do so. And it never comes. The only remaining amusement is the interplay and oneuppeopleship of the interplay between him and the first mate. It quickly bores.

A clever concept reasonably well written, especially the two central characters, but lacking depth, breadth, and eventually the plot to make it worth continuing with. show less

Degrading orbit

The plot stops functioning when the laws of physics are broken. The right words are used, but they aren't used correctly. And the military problems have compounded to the point it a farce.

The series started as a strong mil-sf with some weaknesses in the military structure and has become a space opera with combat and no respect for the physics of space combat.

The universe building has finally cracked under the strain.

I will not be continuing with the series. It has become a show more farce. Even the 'strong female characters' have become stereotypes. show less

Degrading orbit

The plot stops functioning when the laws of physics are broken. The right words are used, but they aren't used correctly. And the military problems have compounded to the point it a farce.

The series started as a strong mil-sf with some weaknesses in the military structure and has become a space opera with combat and no respect for the physics of space combat.

The universe building has finally cracked under the strain.

I will not be continuing with the series. It has become a show more farce. Even the 'strong female characters' have become stereotypes. show less