Rating: 
Summary: A commanding tribute to the master...
Review: The Far Side of the Stars, with it's rather obvious take on Aubrey-Maturin in both title and its characters, is an intriguing read, something that gives a certain feel of nostalgia for the previous canon, but spins in itself a world of its own.
In general, the characters are familiar, both when introduced in the first RCN book and now into this third volume. I very much enjoyed the characterization of Leary and Mundy, though they do seem a bit familiar to a fan of O'Brian's work, they also have a life of their own and as far as I'm concerned seeing a friendship of their sort is very much an enjoyable thing to read.
The plot of the book is again derivitive but fresh in that it takes a set of old ideas and puts them into an interesting setting. I do think the tree was a bit contrieved and the redemption of the ex-RCN officers a bit too pat, but that's a minor quibble compared to the generally interesting book.
Perhaps most is that I enjoyed reading the book as it reminded me so much of O'Brian's masterpiece series, the supporting cast, the personalities the general prose and feel were all very similar, and I guess perhaps it might be an acquired taste, but one that is exquisite once it is...
Rating: 
Summary: More fun from the RCN
Review: The RCN (Republic of Cinnabar Navy) series revolves around Lt. David Leary, a politician's son, who entered the navy to get away from his father and politics. Leary proves to be an able commander and an expert tactician... and something of a womanizer. The series also follows Adele Mundy, the only survivor of a political massacre of her family. She is a computer wiz who's so good it's not exactly believable. In many ways, the books are seen through her eyes as she begins to emerge from the shell she created when her family was killed.The Far Side of the Stars follows Lt. Leary and Adele Mundy to the weak Confederacy of the Galactic North in the newly decommissioned and sold Princess Cecile. With the war between the Republic of Cinnabar and the Alliance now over, Leary leaves the navy and is hired by eccentric nobles from a far off planet. With the crew of the Cecile and Adele in tow, they head out into rough territory in search of the Earth Diamond, a diamond said to hollowed and to contain the continents of the earth inscribed on the inside. Adele has a dual purpose, courtesy of Cinnabar intelligence, find out if an Alliance base has been built in the Confederacy. The result is a search across numerous planets for the jewel, a confrontation with Alliance pirates and finally a discovery that may just see the end of the Princess Cecile and her crew. ~*~ Despite his obvious skill at writing, David Drake has never been one of my favorite authors. Many of his books, perhaps colored by his experience as a combat veteran of Vietnam, are grim with a dark sort of humor about them. The RCN series, of which The Far Side of the Stars is the third book, is refreshingly different than many of his other books. For one thing, the tone is lighter, and the characters, at least some of them, have a feel about them that is very unlike many of Drake's earlier novels. While it contains some of the darker view of life that Drake is well known for, there is a sort of optimism in the characters that seems refreshing for his writing. To the Far Side of the Stars, like the previous novels in the series, is at points a little over the top. Adele is such a computer wiz that it's unbelievable. But despite this, it does manage to easily follow in the tradition and mood of the previous novels. It's a classic adventure story, sort of a cross between star Trek and Honor Harrington. Lt. Leary remains his indomitable self throughout the novel. But Adele Mundy is where this story seems to focus. I've always enjoyed her character. She is alone in the universe, with no personal attachment left, and then with Lt. Leary showing her friendship, she begins to change. In this novel, she grows significantly. Her shell begins to crack and a hint of something growing between her and Lt. Leary is revealed. I rather enjoyed this novel. It, along with the other books in the series is a great deal of fun. I just wish that Drake would take less time to come out with novels in the series.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Cinnebar tale
Review: The Republic of Cinnebar and the Alliance are at peace which means changing swords into plows and leaving some folks out of work as the war provided them employment. With his warship the Princess Cecile mothballed, Lieutenant Daniel Leary and Signals Officer Adele Mundy are two of those legendary heroes seeking jobs. So when Count Kimov and his wife Valentina decide to hunt for exotic prey in the Galactic North they buy the mothballed Princess Cecile and hire Leary and crew to escort them there. However, just because an armistice has been signed, peace is not everywhere. Soon Leary and company are struggling with deadly dragons and a treacherous Alliance battle fleet ready to destroy Cinnebar and kill anyone who might give away the deceitful plan of preemptive first strike. However, besides a star war at a level not seen before, it is the Oracle that frightens Leary the most. The Republic of Cinnebar tales are some of the best space opera novels in recent years. The latest one, THE FAR SIDE OF THE STARS, is a delightful tale that starts by showing what happens to old soldiers whose glory time looks over, but quickly spins into an action-packed, faster then the speed of light war of the worlds' tale. Leary is a great protagonist who is a fish out of water when peace exists throughout the galaxy, but in a hostile life threatening environs, his true grit is that he is the outer space John Wayne. David Drake entertains the troops with this wild ride. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Cinnebar tale
Review: The Republic of Cinnebar and the Alliance are at peace which means changing swords into plows and leaving some folks out of work as the war provided them employment. With his warship the Princess Cecile mothballed, Lieutenant Daniel Leary and Signals Officer Adele Mundy are two of those legendary heroes seeking jobs. So when Count Kimov and his wife Valentina decide to hunt for exotic prey in the Galactic North they buy the mothballed Princess Cecile and hire Leary and crew to escort them there. However, just because an armistice has been signed, peace is not everywhere. Soon Leary and company are struggling with deadly dragons and a treacherous Alliance battle fleet ready to destroy Cinnebar and kill anyone who might give away the deceitful plan of preemptive first strike. However, besides a star war at a level not seen before, it is the Oracle that frightens Leary the most. The Republic of Cinnebar tales are some of the best space opera novels in recent years. The latest one, THE FAR SIDE OF THE STARS, is a delightful tale that starts by showing what happens to old soldiers whose glory time looks over, but quickly spins into an action-packed, faster then the speed of light war of the worlds' tale. Leary is a great protagonist who is a fish out of water when peace exists throughout the galaxy, but in a hostile life threatening environs, his true grit is that he is the outer space John Wayne. David Drake entertains the troops with this wild ride. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: ROLLICKING GOOD FUN, GREAT SPACE OPERA
Review: The saga of Lt. Daniel Leary and Adele Mundy has been one of the better series written by Drake in the past few years. Unpretentious and fun it combines just the right amount of hard-hitting action with humor and frivolity, just what you would expect from a twenty-three year old naval officer. THE FAR SIDE OF THE STARS is the third in the series and amply fulfills the requirements for escapist literature. While the characters are not particularly deep nor is there any real reason to expect a great deal of growth, after all were looking for fun here not a literature lesson, regardless we do start to see a definite change in the relationship between the characters. Adele is obviously in love with Daniel although she would probably rather eat the barrel of her own pistol than admit it, and Daniel, well there is something going on there, what it is will remain to be seen. Have to save something for future volumes now don't we? All in all this installment of the Leary series is a great read with more than its fair share of fun and excitement. You bet I RECOMMEND it and am waiting eagerly for more to come!
Rating:
Summary: ROLLICKING GOOD FUN, GREAT SPACE OPERA
Review: The saga of Lt. Daniel Leary and Adele Mundy has been one of the better series written by Drake in the past few years. Unpretentious and fun it combines just the right amount of hard-hitting action with humor and frivolity, just what you would expect from a twenty-three year old naval officer. THE FAR SIDE OF THE STARS is the third in the series and amply fulfills the requirements for escapist literature. While the characters are not particularly deep nor is there any real reason to expect a great deal of growth, after all were looking for fun here not a literature lesson, regardless we do start to see a definite change in the relationship between the characters. Adele is obviously in love with Daniel although she would probably rather eat the barrel of her own pistol than admit it, and Daniel, well there is something going on there, what it is will remain to be seen. Have to save something for future volumes now don't we? All in all this installment of the Leary series is a great read with more than its fair share of fun and excitement. You bet I RECOMMEND it and am waiting eagerly for more to come!
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