Star Commandos 12 War Prince

Rating:
Summary: A triumphant final act for the "Star Commandos" opera!
Review: I've long loved the STAR COMMANDOS novels of P.M. Griffin. And the final book WAR PRINCE had me laughing and crying, in turns, with the greater reality and depth the characters were allowed to experience, along with introducing some GOOD and LIKABLE Arcturians (other than our beloved Varn Tarl Sogan), and finally healing and resolving a lot of old wounds within individuals and between the Federation and the Empire.

Where the earlier novels had tended to be short and so action-packed (after all, they were clearly billed as 'adventure SF') that our heroes could only triumph over the enemy in battle, slap a band-aid over their various psychic and social wounds, and find a way to come to a position of hopefulness (rather than happiness) in the last few pages, these last three novels -- and especially the exceptionally good and deeply satisfying WAR PRINCE -- finally give a sense that the characters are moving forward with hopeful anticipation and joy (based on positive experiences and absolute security in many important relationships, allowing them to truly take some leaps of faith and not be too worried about what new disaster or need for ultimate sacrifice tomorrow might bring), rather than only keeping themselves going on raw courage, mutual loyalty, and refusal to roll over and die for anyone's convenience.

From being a small, close-knit unit with only each other to truly trust or turn to as "home" (since CALL TO ARMS firmly established that even Islaen Connor, however much her family of origina might love her and welcome her and her husband to their home on visits, could never really go home again or fit in with life on her home planet), by the end of these last last three novels in the STAR COMMANDOS series, the improved health of the group and of the two ultra-systems they've served is measured by their vastly expanded adoptive family and by the fact that more and more people are in on their deepest, darkest secrets and letting them know that they don't give a rat's behind about any of the 'bad' stuff and will continue to stand with these five persons (counting Bandit, of course) with the greatest of pleasure.

If I had to sum up in one word my review of these last three Star Commandos novels, it would be "maturity." These books show that Griffin has not wasted those 11 years between CALL TO ARMS in 1991 and WATCHDOGS OF SPACE in 2002. What these books demonstrate to me is a mature and joyful sense of priorities, as well as the confidence to face one's own demons and defeat them, with more than a little help from one's friends and one's 'family' of fellow mutants and mutant-lovers.

My only complaint is that things ended so well and so promisingly, that I'm reluctant to accept WAR PRINCE as the absolute final book in the series.

Rating:
Summary: Bravo!
Review: This richly satisfying conclusion to Star Commandos is bittersweet -- ending as it were an engaging series of adventures with down-to-earth characters who hold the reader's attention and heart. Pitted against the threat of piracy and a shaky alliance between the Empire and Federation, the commandos meet the challenges head-on in both their professional and personal lives. The War-Prince in exile lives up to his honorable name and finds peace within a tight circle of friends, bringing opposing forces together with hope for the future. Bravo PM Griffin from a well-contented reader!