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Aneka Jansen #5
The Greatest Heights of Honour
Aneka Jansen, born on Earth in the twentieth century seems to have been revived after a thousand years of relative peace only to find herself in the middle of a war. As the Herosians manoeuver themselves into a better position for victory, their actions hidden behind subterfuge and high technology, there seems to be little anyone can do to stop the coming war.
But a sudden revelation will plunge Aneka and Ella deep into the conflict while their friends fight for their lives amid a war of giant starships and planet-smashing weapons.
But a sudden revelation will plunge Aneka and Ella deep into the conflict while their friends fight for their lives amid a war of giant starships and planet-smashing weapons.
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First published April 5, 2014
43 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Niall Teasdale
73 books293 followersI was born in the vicinity of Hadrian's Wall so perhaps a bit of history rubbed off. Ancient history obviously, and border history, right on the edge of the Empire. I always preferred the Dark Ages anyway; there’s so much more room for imagination when people aren’t writing down every last detail. So my idea of a good fantasy novel involved dirt and leather, not shining plate armour and Hollywood-medieval manners. The same applies to my sci-fi, really; I prefer gritty over shiny.
Oddly, then, one of the first fantasy novels I remember reading was The Dark Is Rising, by Susan Cooper (later made into a terrible juvenile movie). These days we would call Cooper’s series Young Adult Contemporary Fantasy and looking back on it, it influenced me a lot. It has that mix of modern day life, hidden history, and magic which failed to hit popular culture until the early days of Buffy and Anne Rice. Of course, Cooper’s characters spend their time around places I could actually visit in Cornwall, and South East England, and mid-Wales. In fact, when I went to university in Aberystwyth, it was partially because some of Cooper’s books were set a few miles to the north around Tywyn.
I got into writing through roleplaying, however, so my early work was related to the kind of roleplaying game I was interested in. I wrote “high fantasy” when I was playing Dungeons & Dragons. I wrote a lot of superhero fiction when I was playing City of Heroes. I still loved the idea of a modern world with magic in it and I’ve been trying to write a novel based on this for a long time. As with any form of expression, practice is the key and I can look back on all the aborted attempts at books, and the more successful short stories, as steps along the path to the Thaumatology Series.
As of 2015, I have thrown in my lot with writing. After thirty years of being a computer programmer I am making enough money to quit the day job and write full time. Dreams, occasionally, come true. My favourite authors are Terry Pratchett, Susan Cooper, and (recently) Kim Harrison. Kim’s Hollows books were what finally spurred me to publish something, even if the trail to here came by way of Susan, back in school, several decades ago.
Oddly, then, one of the first fantasy novels I remember reading was The Dark Is Rising, by Susan Cooper (later made into a terrible juvenile movie). These days we would call Cooper’s series Young Adult Contemporary Fantasy and looking back on it, it influenced me a lot. It has that mix of modern day life, hidden history, and magic which failed to hit popular culture until the early days of Buffy and Anne Rice. Of course, Cooper’s characters spend their time around places I could actually visit in Cornwall, and South East England, and mid-Wales. In fact, when I went to university in Aberystwyth, it was partially because some of Cooper’s books were set a few miles to the north around Tywyn.
I got into writing through roleplaying, however, so my early work was related to the kind of roleplaying game I was interested in. I wrote “high fantasy” when I was playing Dungeons & Dragons. I wrote a lot of superhero fiction when I was playing City of Heroes. I still loved the idea of a modern world with magic in it and I’ve been trying to write a novel based on this for a long time. As with any form of expression, practice is the key and I can look back on all the aborted attempts at books, and the more successful short stories, as steps along the path to the Thaumatology Series.
As of 2015, I have thrown in my lot with writing. After thirty years of being a computer programmer I am making enough money to quit the day job and write full time. Dreams, occasionally, come true. My favourite authors are Terry Pratchett, Susan Cooper, and (recently) Kim Harrison. Kim’s Hollows books were what finally spurred me to publish something, even if the trail to here came by way of Susan, back in school, several decades ago.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 22, 2016
The Aneka Jansen series is a fun, easy formula: sci-fi + a little T&A. This 5th edition follows this pattern to a tee. The middle of the book has a pretty big slow patch as we get a Star Wars-esque treatment of pre-war politics. The battle chapters at the end are a highlight.
QOTD
Senate Grand Forum, 1.1.529 FSC.
'As this old year turns and the new one begins, we give thanks for all that has been, and look forward to all that is to come. The Long Dark is gone and we look into the light. Let this First Day be the first of many where we strive to be the best we can be and fight to keep the darkness as bay.'
Ollander raised the glass she was holding and drank from it. The words of the Renewal had never felt quite so important.
- The Greatest Heights of Honour
A good read.
thanks... yow, bill
January 22, 2016
Book begins with Garnet Hyde and it's crew being on a expedition at the volcanic planet. Expedition ends suddenly when creatures that noone knew existed attacks expiditors.
From there story takes us to, what i think, the most interesting storyline in Aneka Jansen-books, war. Herosian-New Earth-war is escalating, civilians of New Earth are starting to protest and Jenlay are being stabbed from behind.
Like all the other books written by Niall Teasdale, this has maybe more than enough of lesbian sex (thankfully Niall has toned it down, it is not as explicit or filler to the story as it was on first trilogy), scifi-action and compelling space opera. Like i said in my review of The Winter War there are some aspects in the story that could have been fleshed out more. As it is, it feels a bit rushed at times. Especially the ending, i think it could have been left to the next book (if there's one). There are also some points in the story where it would need to speed up somewhat. Especially when there are attacks at border of Jenlay controlled space, it just took too much pages waiting "things to happen".
I have seen some complaints how story changes perspective like "kangaroo in meth". Change of perspective gives us, the reader, better view of the whole story (and really, who wants to read page after page after page Aneka and Ella combat training and having sex while travelling from A to B?)I think story would have benefitted of Herosian or Pro-Herosian Jenlay point of view.
There are couple of things that i didn't think were believable. Like how in the hell Old Earth passed all the races in Lorenti Federation in couple of months or years in spacefaring technology? How did they build and learned to fly these things in such a short time?
Overall it is the best book in Aneka Jansen-series, and i'm hoping Niall finishes book six as soon as possible.
From there story takes us to, what i think, the most interesting storyline in Aneka Jansen-books, war. Herosian-New Earth-war is escalating, civilians of New Earth are starting to protest and Jenlay are being stabbed from behind.
Like all the other books written by Niall Teasdale, this has maybe more than enough of lesbian sex (thankfully Niall has toned it down, it is not as explicit or filler to the story as it was on first trilogy), scifi-action and compelling space opera. Like i said in my review of The Winter War there are some aspects in the story that could have been fleshed out more. As it is, it feels a bit rushed at times. Especially the ending, i think it could have been left to the next book (if there's one). There are also some points in the story where it would need to speed up somewhat. Especially when there are attacks at border of Jenlay controlled space, it just took too much pages waiting "things to happen".
I have seen some complaints how story changes perspective like "kangaroo in meth". Change of perspective gives us, the reader, better view of the whole story (and really, who wants to read page after page after page Aneka and Ella combat training and having sex while travelling from A to B?)I think story would have benefitted of Herosian or Pro-Herosian Jenlay point of view.
There are couple of things that i didn't think were believable. Like how in the hell Old Earth passed all the races in Lorenti Federation in couple of months or years in spacefaring technology? How did they build and learned to fly these things in such a short time?
Overall it is the best book in Aneka Jansen-series, and i'm hoping Niall finishes book six as soon as possible.
December 17, 2014
This series keeps getting better and better! I am beginning to see it standing alongside Piers Anthony's "Bio of a Space Tyrant." and other such captivating series. Aneka Jansen is one of the most unique and unforgettable characters to come along in some time. Teasdale's skill at telling a tale of the far future that easily draws comparisons to our own world is compelling and clever.
I have written elsewhere of Teasdale's skill at creating characters and at writing action scenes that will have the reader ducking in his/her chair. For example, see my review of "The Winter War."
Ilove this series and believe it will be considered a classic in the years to come.
Highest recommendation with the caveat that the reader begin with Book 1, "Steel Beneath the Skin."
I have written elsewhere of Teasdale's skill at creating characters and at writing action scenes that will have the reader ducking in his/her chair. For example, see my review of "The Winter War."
Ilove this series and believe it will be considered a classic in the years to come.
Highest recommendation with the caveat that the reader begin with Book 1, "Steel Beneath the Skin."
April 21, 2014
I've finished the whole series now and i must say they were very fun. Most of the situations were inventive, with some homage to classics. But what did it for me was the characters, they were just fun to read. As some of the reviews noted there is a lot Sex, but its different from just about every other book, its not romance as it is sex, and usually a paragraph or maybe a page.
I hope the adventures continue, now om off to read the authors first series :)
I hope the adventures continue, now om off to read the authors first series :)
June 26, 2016
A cold war heats up.
New earth is at war with the Herosians and thins turn nasty. After five centuries of peace no one is all that sure how to fight a war even if the act af if they do. And Aneka an Ella are there right in the middle.... well in a covert. Fact finding while kicking ass kind of way.
The story goes on. Still puly, still funny and with enough world building to keep things interesting.
(For adults only)
New earth is at war with the Herosians and thins turn nasty. After five centuries of peace no one is all that sure how to fight a war even if the act af if they do. And Aneka an Ella are there right in the middle.... well in a covert. Fact finding while kicking ass kind of way.
The story goes on. Still puly, still funny and with enough world building to keep things interesting.
(For adults only)
April 10, 2014
Once again another beautiful story, and a few surprises in store.
April 7, 2014
Awesome, the author mindfucked me with the unexpected, again. Like every Aneka Jansen's book it's a must read.
May 5, 2014
Another adventure in the future. Plenty of fun and this time we have the space battle as well. All very enjoyable.
March 31, 2017
Just as good as the first time I read it. Aneka and Ella kicking butt.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews