These gentlemen have a way with battles. Not being a militairy history buff like the writers and, it appears, most of the readers, some of the references are a little obscure, but the story is wonderfully represented and the decisions made understandable even to a non-militairy mind. Most important, to me, is that the characters are alive, real people who make mistakes and have to live with the consequences. Mr. Weber's personal demon - bogging down in technical details - appears to have been successfully reigned in for this tale. Both writers' unfortunate tendency to relate every scene from the viewpoint of several different characters actually manages to enhance this particular story. This second installment in the series - the first begin 'March Upcountry' - brings more battles, and ups the romance and social development, as well as adding new worries. I won't tell you what happens - the idea is to read the book, after all, and there are others who have highlighted the more salient points - but for those who like Weber's and Ringo's other books, or just like militairy science fiction, this is a definite must-have. Personally, I can't wait for book 3....
An Interesting Twist on an Old Tale
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
Let's be up front about this, I'm a David Weber cheerleader. I can say much the same about John Ringo. When the two combine, the seasoned veteran and the new gun in town, watch out! MARCH TO THE SEA is book two in the ongoing series of one Prince Roger, Heir Tertiary to the throne of the Empire of Man. He begins the first book; MARCH UPCOUNTRY, as a spoiled brat who has great potential. By the end of MARCH TO THE SEA he has matured in every way to become the classical hero of Epic proportions.I won't ruin the plot for you; it is a retelling of an ancient tale, with a few twists of its own. History buffs will see it right away; especially with hints other reviewers will surely give. I will say that buying the first book in the series, MARCH UPCOUNTRY, simply because I needed a Weber fix, opened my eyes to a rising star in the Science Fiction World, one John Ringo. For that alone, the price was worth it; never mind the great story inside the cover.If you are (im)patiently waiting the next Honor Harrington book by Weber, might I humbly suggest two things:1) Don't hold your breath, he has other projects and it probably won't be out till early next year if we are lucky.2) Buy the two books in this series to tide you over until then. You won't be disappointed.In case I wasn't clear enough:BUY THIS BOOK!! BUY IT NOW!! BUY _MARCH UPCOUNTRY_ TOO!
Excellent adventure tale, roll on the sequel!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
Both authors are dovetailing seamlessly to produce another pageturner. The characterisations are solid and the tale is always exciting. Technical details have improved my knowledge of divers facts from shipbuilding to metallurgy, yet one is never lost in detail. This is an entirely plausable adventuure tale with a hero, exotic allies in a perilous journey through primitive lands of warring natives to bring them eventually to reach their interstellar zealot foes and a final battle to get off this planet and return an Imperial Prince to his Empress Mother. The societies met with are described with skill so that the picture takes life and the aliens' personalities are developed in parallel with those of the shrinking ranks of the Elite Bronze Company of Marines tasked with the safety of a Prince with great potential, and lethal skills. If you enjoy an adventure tale with spectacular action where the bad guys are really evil and the survival of the good by no means certain, buy this book. If you enjoy a good military tale with historical background, buy this book. Most of all if you enjoy eloquent prose painting a strange yet believable world wherein real things happen, then buy this book. I enjoyed it emmensely and would give SIX STARS if possible.
More and better...more, more more!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
David Weber and John Ringo continue their outstanding re-telling of the story of Xenophon and the 10000...well, not exactly. Now it is the Prince, the captain, the Satanist, Nimashet, a platoon of troopers and an entire planet full of "scummies."As begun in March Upcountry, Roger and his bodyguards are crashlanded on the planet Marduk, which is a death-planet, and controlled by the enemy besides. And they crash landed all the way around the planet...Will Prince Roger grow up fast enough to live through this? Will Captain Pahner kill him before he grows up? Will His Evilness be thwarted?The only way you'll find out the answers to these questions is to buy the book.The style is reminiscent of Heinlein and Poul Anderson. The pacing is a headlong stampede from the first page to the last. Along the way, we are treated to some rather deep discussion of philosophy and politics, feminism and cultural imperialism, coated with a veneer of action and adventure.We have real characters, like Nimashet Despreaux, Sergeant, killer, beautiful woman...and Roger himself, with surprising depth. Even the vignette characters are impressively well drawn.Weber proves once again that he can write something other than Honor Harrington, while John Ringo showcases his versatility and his continuing growth as a writer.Eye candy. That's what it is.Another winner for the big pusher of eye candy, Jim Baen.The worst part of it is that the story isn't finished, and now I have to wait for the third installment.I don't wait well.Guess I'll just have to go re-read March Upcountry and March to the Sea.Eye candy.
Wonderful book!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
David Weber and John Ringo have done it again. They have produced a nice, tightly (and seamlessly) plotted book that makes one read it from cover to cover in the shortest time one can. I read it in one glup and all I can say is: Thank you, gentlemen. Bravo!
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