Rating: 
Summary: Redefining Space Opera
Review: The Praxis is an extraordinary work by one of science fiction's most talented writers. Williams has created a complex society and populated it with fascinating characters. The battles don't pretend to be fighter planes in space, but take into account the vast distances, and thus add to the tension. I'm eagerly awaiting the futher adventures of Martinez and Sula.
Rating:
Summary: A must read for Space Opera Fans
Review: The Praxis is the best work yet from Walter Jon Williams, it is a blend of imperial England, republican Rome and epic war. The book covers the beginings of the careers of two officers in a space fleet for a galactic empire. The book covers the range from small interpersonal dilemas to glactic military battles. It is a great read and the sequals are sure to please as well.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Good
Review: The remarkable thing about Dread Empires Fall is that very little actually happens. There is action and there is intrigue but it is rather understated. This is understandable as this is obviously a first novel in a proposed series. Even without the action I found myself interested and engaged. I found myself caring about the characters and the Empire as a whole. The author even managed to instill in me a sort of Xenophobic Human pride. I found myself being offended that Earth was a backwater planet and humanity nothing more then one more cog in the giant Empire of Species that is the Praxis. As usual I do not wish to give too much of the plot away so the review lacks some specifics but trust me when I say this is a novel well worth reading and an author well worth watching. The only reason this is four stars versus five is that I don't believe it transcends the level of very good to great. This may change as we see the novel fit into the matrix of the series as it is written.
Rating:
Summary: Very Good
Review: The remarkable thing about Dread Empires Fall is that very little actually happens. There is action and there is intrigue but it is rather understated. This is understandable as this is obviously a first novel in a proposed series. Even without the action I found myself interested and engaged. I found myself caring about the characters and the Empire as a whole. The author even managed to instill in me a sort of Xenophobic Human pride. I found myself being offended that Earth was a backwater planet and humanity nothing more then one more cog in the giant Empire of Species that is the Praxis. As usual I do not wish to give too much of the plot away so the review lacks some specifics but trust me when I say this is a novel well worth reading and an author well worth watching. The only reason this is four stars versus five is that I don't believe it transcends the level of very good to great. This may change as we see the novel fit into the matrix of the series as it is written.
Rating:
Summary: Hornblower in space - part 1
Review: The success of the Honor Harrington series has attracted another, better writer to this niche. Walter Jon Williams is a terrific writer. The development of the characters is excellent. These are people with flaws and greatness on display. Minor characters are well drawn, at least human ones. My only gripe is that, like the Honor-verse of David Weber, this series only aspires to be Horatio Hornblower in outer space. I are still waiting for Aubrey-Maturin in outer space!
Rating:
Summary: Slow start, better ending
Review: This book could have been a couple of hundred pages shorter. The character development was not even-handed, and by the end, I had empathy for only of the protagonists. The world-building was a bit ponderous and protracted -- Williams' should spend more time on his strength, dealing with the actual rebellion. I'm hoping the next volumes do that. More action, less drama!
Rating:
Summary: The Best of Star Wars, Horatio Hornblower, and Jane Austen
Review: This book was brilliant. A space opera that folds in court intrigue, characters with dark secrets, romance and military strategy without dragging down the pace. When I finished it, I gave it to my wife, and she was up until three a.m. with it. Anyone who enjoys David Weber or Lois McMasters Bujold should pick this one up *now*.
Rating:
Summary: Well written and hard to put down
Review: This is the first of Willians books I have read, can't wait for the sequel. I enjoyed it so much I'm going to check out the rest of Williams books. If you enjoy Elizabeth Moon or David Weber, you will like this book.
Rating:
Summary: Well written and hard to put down
Review: This is the first of Willians books I have read, can't wait for the sequel. I enjoyed it so much I'm going to check out the rest of Williams books. If you enjoy Elizabeth Moon or David Weber, you will like this book.
Rating: 
Summary: BORING!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: Well written? Yes. Character development? Oh yes, way too much. In fact that is the entirity of this book. Plot? Yes there is a plot but it is background for hundreds of pages of character development. This book is 400 plus pages long, at page 250 the only thing that had happened was a rescue of a racing ship, and a boring rescue at that. Had I not mistakenly ordered the second book in this series I would not have finished this book at all. Its just slow, it has the makings of a good plot and a good book but all that happens in this book could've been condensed into 50 pages.
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