Rating: 
Summary: Interesting, but almost goes down to 3 stars
Review: As you probably know if you've read this far, this is part of a rather long series. I enjoyed the book, in fact I finally stopped reading it at 2 am one morning so I could get to bed and get up at 7! I finished the last 1/4 of the book the next night. It may be the break in reading that cut the drama for me--I was just not as impressed with this book as with others in the series, and definitely not as impressed as I was with David Drake's other work. I suspect Drake did much of the overall plotting while Flint did most of the grunt work of writing (I have no evidence for this, just a suspicion).The book is a good, enjoyable adventure yarn. As another reviewer has pointed out, it is predictable, but at least things do go wrong for the heroes from time to time. In fact, various characters in the book repeatedly harp on how things go wrong in combat. There are repeated references in the book to historical parallels with real-world battles. Without dwelling on it, I will say there is a plot reason for doing this. But I suspect that readers who are not history maniacs (I am a history maniac) will find them puzzling or distracting. I didn't find the author's writing style as annoying as some of the other reviewers, but I did have trouble at first keeping track of the characters and events of recent novels in the series. I have completely forgotten some of the events of previous books, and this book didn't gently remind me of them as I might wish for. I hope the authors don't let the characters numbers "grow" anymore in future installments. Good book, but not a great book. I'm toying with waiting for the paperback next time.
Rating: 
Summary: Belisarius and the musketeers--Byzantine alt. history
Review: Belisarius has pushed back the Malwa (Indian) invasion of Persia, but the threat remains. While the main Malwa army regroups in southern Persia, their main cavalry force is crossing the Zacros Mountains and threatening northern Mesopotamia. Even the smaller army is large enough to do great damage--and to force the defending Persians and Romans to divide their forces, allowing the main army to attack once more. Somehow, Belisarius must slow the best army the Malwa can bring--yet can even slowing that army do more than delay the inevitable conquest of the entire world by Malwa armies guided by a future intelligence--and equipped with future technology? FORTUNE'S STROKE continues the BELISARIUS Series. Historically, Belisarius was the greatest general of the late ancient world--the man Byzantine Emperor Justinian relied upon in his reconquest of the Roman Mediterranian. In this alternative history, Belisarius is warned by a crystal intelligence of the destruction sought by the future entity Link, and Link's human servants. Using Roman technology and modern knowledge, Belisarius is able to build a small force of musketeers and develop combined arm tactics that combine the best of Robert E. Lee, and Wellington. Although the series continues to be interesting, with engaging characters and vivid battle scenes, FORTUNE'S STROKE is not the strongest novel in the series. Although Belisarius and his allies repeatedly note that the first law of battle is that things get messed up (in stronger language), in fact, Belisarius's plans never actually get messed up (except a minor problem at the very beginning). He seems to have just the right future technology at just the right time to do maximum damage to his enemies. Worse, the most dangerous enemies he faces are clearly being set up to become future allies. I also felt disappointed by the 'clever' Belisarius plan at the end. The entire book led up to this--it seems to me that Flint and Drake could have come up with something a little more, uh, oblique. Authors Eric Flint and David Drake deliver vivid characters along with detailed battle scenes. Although the interaction between Belisarius and Antonia is sometimes a little too precious, most characters become real--even the Malwa and their allies. Fans of this series will definitely want to read FORTUNE'S STROKE as it details a critical period in the war between Rome and the Malwa, continues character development, and even--brutally but realistically--ends the lives of some characters. This book should not be read first--but fortunately, Flint and Drake offer the first three novels in the series for free from the Baen.com Library so this isn't a problem.
Rating:
Summary: Belisarius strikes again!
Review: Eric Flint and David Drake make a great team. I thoroughly enjoed this book. I have read the three previous books in this series and this one continued the story very well. It was worth waiting for. I love the characters and the plot is fascinating. I have always been interested in this time period, and this series has brought the cultures of this time and place to life for me. I think that I have learned more about india and the people who lived there than I ever did in school. In addition, the authors do a good job of introducing modern military hardware (rockets and guns) and tactics while adjusting them for the capabilities of the period. The military, political and social details in this book add considerable background and depth to the plot. The only problem was that the book did not hold my interest as intensely as the earlier books did. There were also a few places where I would have been happier with a more detailed build up to a scene. I wanted to know more about what happened to the characters on the way; I wanted richer descriptions. I would have been thrilled if the book had been a hundred pages longer. This is not a serious problem. The series as a whole is still a rich and enthralling alternative history and I am looking forward to the nect book.
Rating:
Summary: The tension is building...
Review: FORTUNE'S STROKE is the (action-packed) fourth installment of this series. This time around, Belisarius doesn't have such an easy time defeating the Malwa. The advance of Damodora places him up against Rana Sanga, a warrior he likes and respects. After their encounter in the mountains of Persia, he will respect him even more. Elsewhere, tragedy in Ethiopia spurs on the Axum-Roman alliance, and Antonina furthers her education in the ways of war. Despite the sheer carnage that forms the center of the book, much of the focus is on human relationships. True Love blossoms for Eon, Shakuntala, Holkar, and Irene, while the devotion of Belisarius and Antonina is unshaken. Just as gratifying is the continued development of Aide into a character with a mind and voice of his own. It can be taken for granted that the Malwa forces in Mesopotamia and India suffer tremendous losses in this installment. While it's not exactly a cliff-hanger, there is incentive to read the next book. The authors dangle a carrot at the end of the book in the form of the (imperial) ambitions of Narses, now firmly entrenched in the Malwa camp. (For that matter, when will we hear more about Photius and the Roman empire!?) I for one will be haunting the bookstores until THE TIDE OF VICTORY arrives to--well, tide me over.
Rating:
Summary: The tension is building...
Review: FORTUNE'S STROKE is the (action-packed) fourth installment of this series. This time around, Belisarius doesn't have such an easy time defeating the Malwa. The advance of Damodora places him up against Rana Sanga, a warrior he likes and respects. After their encounter in the mountains of Persia, he will respect him even more. Elsewhere, tragedy in Ethiopia spurs on the Axum-Roman alliance, and Antonina furthers her education in the ways of war. Despite the sheer carnage that forms the center of the book, much of the focus is on human relationships. True Love blossoms for Eon, Shakuntala, Holkar, and Irene, while the devotion of Belisarius and Antonina is unshaken. Just as gratifying is the continued development of Aide into a character with a mind and voice of his own. It can be taken for granted that the Malwa forces in Mesopotamia and India suffer tremendous losses in this installment. While it's not exactly a cliff-hanger, there is incentive to read the next book. The authors dangle a carrot at the end of the book in the form of the (imperial) ambitions of Narses, now firmly entrenched in the Malwa camp. (For that matter, when will we hear more about Photius and the Roman empire!?) I for one will be haunting the bookstores until THE TIDE OF VICTORY arrives to--well, tide me over.
Rating: 
Summary: Another excellent installment in this series
Review: Got it. Read it in one long sitting. Wasted a whole day. Except it wasn't a waste, because it's an excellent book. There's more action among the other characters, but Belisarius remains at the center of this story. Aide becomes more humanized (and occasionally a bit *too* cute), and the story continues. If you liked the earlier books, you'll like this one; it's every bit as good. Also, this book (very much like early Heinlein) is not only a great story, but one with a moral point. It's not heavy-handed, but it's there, and it's good. Bravo!
Rating:
Summary: Another excellent installment in this series
Review: Got it. Read it in one long sitting. Wasted a whole day. Except it wasn't a waste, because it's an excellent book. There's more action among the other characters, but Belisarius remains at the center of this story. Aide becomes more humanized (and occasionally a bit *too* cute), and the story continues. If you liked the earlier books, you'll like this one; it's every bit as good. Also, this book (very much like early Heinlein) is not only a great story, but one with a moral point. It's not heavy-handed, but it's there, and it's good. Bravo!
Rating:
Summary: Fourth in a Great Series !
Review: Great, great, great book. I especially enjoy a great series since I sometimes read 2 to 3 books a week. Very engaging, the characters are real and well developed, the plot is very interesting. I generally do not go in for alternate history but this one draws me in for some reason.
Rating:
Summary: Fourth in a Great Series !
Review: Great, great, great book. I especially enjoy a great series since I sometimes read 2 to 3 books a week. Very engaging, the characters are real and well developed, the plot is very interesting. I generally do not go in for alternate history but this one draws me in for some reason.
Rating:
Summary: Excellant addition to series
Review: I have been reading this novel through Baens eWebscription service and it is great. The writing is just as tight and clean as the first few books and the history is consistant. Worth the buy. The only negative I would have to say is that although the book is exciting, entertaining and well written it does not move the plot nearly as much as I had hoped it would.
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