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Citizen #2
Into the Maelstrom
Entry number two in the Citizen series, sequel to Into the Hinterlands. Science fiction adventure on the frontier realms of an empire written by biological scientist Dr. John Lambshead and nationally bestselling author David Drake.
The right man for a very bad job
The Cutter Stream colonies were at peace. If everybody behaved reasonably, that peace could last a thousand years.
Allen Allenson had known war; it had made him peaceful and reasonable. He was far too experienced to believe the same was true of all his fellow colonists, however, let alone the government of the distant homeworld across the Bight.
War was coming, a war the colonies had to win if they were ever to be more than prison camps and a dumping ground for incompetent noblemen. The experience that had caused Allenson to hate war made him the only man who could lead the colonial army.
Allenson knew he wasn't really a general, but he understood his fellow colonists better than any homeworld general could. He would free the Cutter Stream, or he would die trying.
What Allen Allenson would not do, what he would never do, was quit.
The right man for a very bad job
The Cutter Stream colonies were at peace. If everybody behaved reasonably, that peace could last a thousand years.
Allen Allenson had known war; it had made him peaceful and reasonable. He was far too experienced to believe the same was true of all his fellow colonists, however, let alone the government of the distant homeworld across the Bight.
War was coming, a war the colonies had to win if they were ever to be more than prison camps and a dumping ground for incompetent noblemen. The experience that had caused Allenson to hate war made him the only man who could lead the colonial army.
Allenson knew he wasn't really a general, but he understood his fellow colonists better than any homeworld general could. He would free the Cutter Stream, or he would die trying.
What Allen Allenson would not do, what he would never do, was quit.
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First published February 16, 2015
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107 people want to read
About the author
David Drake
318 books888 followersDavid Drake is an American author of science fiction and fantasy literature. A Vietnam War veteran who has worked as a lawyer, he is now one of the major authors of the military science fiction genre.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 11, 2015
I generally like anything with the David Drake brand on it. I was surprised how many books already have this title. But the book is a fun version of George Washington in Space. I especially enjoy Col Buller and his bloviation. He adds a lot of comic relief to each scene that he's in.
There was just enough space travel and military sci-fi to make it into that pleasant genre. It's a fun quick read and I can't wait to see what comes next.
But here's one quibble. Apparently these guys ride around on space mo-peds. And if the "weather" is bad in the Continuum, then their bikes (or barges) flounder, and they end up having to pedal the rest of the way to wherever they are going. Unless they run out of battery and they are still in the bad weather, and they pedal until they are tired. Then they come out of the continuum into real space on the back side of nowhere, without any air around.
Here is a commercial opportunity for developing better batteries, and more efficient space bikes. Of course, it appears that they have a culture of chancing it. If you say that the range is 11.5 light years, they'll try to go 16, because that shows how cool/tough they are. This kind of Russian roulette for interstellar travel is a bad idea all around. I'm thinking that we need two things - more efficient vehicles, and a photonic charger or a ramscoop or some other way to keep from finding yourself either a) dropping out of the continuum unexpectedly; or b) showing up for your date at Beta Orionis all sweaty and stinky and breathing hard.
Outside of lame space travel, their whole part of the universe is just as cool as the other side of the pillow (RIP Stu Scott).
There was just enough space travel and military sci-fi to make it into that pleasant genre. It's a fun quick read and I can't wait to see what comes next.
But here's one quibble. Apparently these guys ride around on space mo-peds. And if the "weather" is bad in the Continuum, then their bikes (or barges) flounder, and they end up having to pedal the rest of the way to wherever they are going. Unless they run out of battery and they are still in the bad weather, and they pedal until they are tired. Then they come out of the continuum into real space on the back side of nowhere, without any air around.
Here is a commercial opportunity for developing better batteries, and more efficient space bikes. Of course, it appears that they have a culture of chancing it. If you say that the range is 11.5 light years, they'll try to go 16, because that shows how cool/tough they are. This kind of Russian roulette for interstellar travel is a bad idea all around. I'm thinking that we need two things - more efficient vehicles, and a photonic charger or a ramscoop or some other way to keep from finding yourself either a) dropping out of the continuum unexpectedly; or b) showing up for your date at Beta Orionis all sweaty and stinky and breathing hard.
Outside of lame space travel, their whole part of the universe is just as cool as the other side of the pillow (RIP Stu Scott).
November 29, 2015
The George Washington in space saga continues in this volume which chronicles the outbreak of the Independence war, the creation of the continental army, the first victory and then reverses and ends with the equivalent of the win at Trenton
the book starts some decades after the events chronicled in Into the Hinterlands (young George Washington and the colonial war against the Riders and the Terrans or the Indians and the French if you want where the English are called Brasilians)
the human civilization is the 4th such - after the collapse of the 3rd, ours, a long dark age, a rebuild, the discovery of the true nature of the universe - the Continuum - which allows interstellar travel with "frames" - special bikes or carriages - or ships, but with many limitations to make it equivalent with 18th century travel as difficulty, time etc, the core worlds are rich, powerful and have local conflicts, most important being Terra with a regime a la Bourbon monarchy coached in modern terms, and Brasilia, with a regime a la 18th century England, again in modern terms, the colonies are many planets in the Bight, a galactic zone where travel to is difficult because of stuff but aided by a current - see Atlantic, America, Gulfstream etc, slavery is called indentured servitude, the Indians/Native Americans are Riders as they use/are used by "crystal beasts" which are beings that can travel the Continuum, with the Riders being human in DNA but split from the rest of humanity for millennia for unknown reason and son on, so forth
Allen Allenson of Pentire from the lower Stream colonies (Virginia, Mount Vernon etc) - whom last we met after the Brasilian/Streamer win in the colonial war when he resigned his command of the colonial militia and married rich widow Trina Blaidsel whom he greatly respected, though he really loved his best friend wife's, the unhappy and passionate Sarai with whom he had a short affair - is now a respectable and quite rich "gentleman" with large landholdings, great prestige as the former (and only) commander of the unified (sort of) militia, a delegate to the colonial Congress where many (most notably the "ascetics" of the rich upper stream colonies - aka the puritans of New England) press for independence, others want self government, others want to see where things go etc
A few things of importance in his life presage the momentous events - his best friend Destry (Sarai's husband) decides to emigrate to Brasilia for various reasons (including the fear that the well known and long suppressed attraction between Sarai and Allen could explode at any time), his nephew Todd returns from school from the "mother planet" and his powerful sister-in-law presses him as Allen's aide, while his stepson continues being expelled from all the best local schools and Allen can only manage responsibly said stepson's estate as his wife doesn't want to hear about her only son's failings and allow her husband to discipline him - the genetic issues that led to his idolized older brother death in the first volume, prevented Allen from having kids, which is another very clear analogy...
And so it starts and then events precipitate following the well known story very cleverly and well done in this setting
the book is just unputtable down and one really wants more as soon as possible
excellent stuff and while it is the first 2015 novel I finished, so it's way early to know what books will attract my attention in 2015, I am pretty certain that it will retain its current place in the top 25 of the year
the book starts some decades after the events chronicled in Into the Hinterlands (young George Washington and the colonial war against the Riders and the Terrans or the Indians and the French if you want where the English are called Brasilians)
the human civilization is the 4th such - after the collapse of the 3rd, ours, a long dark age, a rebuild, the discovery of the true nature of the universe - the Continuum - which allows interstellar travel with "frames" - special bikes or carriages - or ships, but with many limitations to make it equivalent with 18th century travel as difficulty, time etc, the core worlds are rich, powerful and have local conflicts, most important being Terra with a regime a la Bourbon monarchy coached in modern terms, and Brasilia, with a regime a la 18th century England, again in modern terms, the colonies are many planets in the Bight, a galactic zone where travel to is difficult because of stuff but aided by a current - see Atlantic, America, Gulfstream etc, slavery is called indentured servitude, the Indians/Native Americans are Riders as they use/are used by "crystal beasts" which are beings that can travel the Continuum, with the Riders being human in DNA but split from the rest of humanity for millennia for unknown reason and son on, so forth
Allen Allenson of Pentire from the lower Stream colonies (Virginia, Mount Vernon etc) - whom last we met after the Brasilian/Streamer win in the colonial war when he resigned his command of the colonial militia and married rich widow Trina Blaidsel whom he greatly respected, though he really loved his best friend wife's, the unhappy and passionate Sarai with whom he had a short affair - is now a respectable and quite rich "gentleman" with large landholdings, great prestige as the former (and only) commander of the unified (sort of) militia, a delegate to the colonial Congress where many (most notably the "ascetics" of the rich upper stream colonies - aka the puritans of New England) press for independence, others want self government, others want to see where things go etc
A few things of importance in his life presage the momentous events - his best friend Destry (Sarai's husband) decides to emigrate to Brasilia for various reasons (including the fear that the well known and long suppressed attraction between Sarai and Allen could explode at any time), his nephew Todd returns from school from the "mother planet" and his powerful sister-in-law presses him as Allen's aide, while his stepson continues being expelled from all the best local schools and Allen can only manage responsibly said stepson's estate as his wife doesn't want to hear about her only son's failings and allow her husband to discipline him - the genetic issues that led to his idolized older brother death in the first volume, prevented Allen from having kids, which is another very clear analogy...
And so it starts and then events precipitate following the well known story very cleverly and well done in this setting
the book is just unputtable down and one really wants more as soon as possible
excellent stuff and while it is the first 2015 novel I finished, so it's way early to know what books will attract my attention in 2015, I am pretty certain that it will retain its current place in the top 25 of the year
March 24, 2017
Not Drakes best
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Into the Maelstrom (Citizen series Book 2) (Kindle Edition)
This is not a HAMMER'S SLAMMERS type of book which is information not criticism. Drake bases many of his books on historical events which are usually very old, obscure or both. This time the story is loosely based on the American War of Independence and the main character on George Washington. The outcomes of the siege of Oxford abd the battles of Port Trent and Teneyk are therefore somewhat predictable even if the details are not. The story of the fighting at Oxford is one of the problems. DO NOT READ FURTHER if you do not want story details. At Oxford General Allenson uses the peculiar mist of a swamp to protect his battle winning position from Brasilian lasers. The enemy sally against this position is conducted with knives, fists and clubs as lasers will not penetrate the mist. A great point is made of the danger of igniting the unstable mist. Why didn't the Brasilians simply eliminate the position using this characteristic? More troubling is the lack of projectile weapons, the implication being that neither side has access to any weapon of this type. Yet projectile mortars are available. At Port Trent there is reference to a weapon firing bullets. Later in that battle, the Brasilians deploy flame throwers which if used at Oxford would have been catastrophic for Allenson's position in the volatile mist. In addition lasers are "worse than useless within a continuum field" so vehicles carry spring guns which shoot ceramic bolts. These would have been quite useful in the swamp mist. Had the Brasilians stood off in their boats with a supply of rocks, Allenson's men would have had a serious problem. The rock suggestion reminds me that both sides use handgrenades. The entire premise of the key fighting at Oxford is badly flawed. This is so atypical of Drakes' writing that I am at a loss to understand it. This book, if judged against Drakes' other work, is a one or two star at best. Judged against all other scifi, I am giving it a three.
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Into the Maelstrom (Citizen series Book 2) (Kindle Edition)
This is not a HAMMER'S SLAMMERS type of book which is information not criticism. Drake bases many of his books on historical events which are usually very old, obscure or both. This time the story is loosely based on the American War of Independence and the main character on George Washington. The outcomes of the siege of Oxford abd the battles of Port Trent and Teneyk are therefore somewhat predictable even if the details are not. The story of the fighting at Oxford is one of the problems. DO NOT READ FURTHER if you do not want story details. At Oxford General Allenson uses the peculiar mist of a swamp to protect his battle winning position from Brasilian lasers. The enemy sally against this position is conducted with knives, fists and clubs as lasers will not penetrate the mist. A great point is made of the danger of igniting the unstable mist. Why didn't the Brasilians simply eliminate the position using this characteristic? More troubling is the lack of projectile weapons, the implication being that neither side has access to any weapon of this type. Yet projectile mortars are available. At Port Trent there is reference to a weapon firing bullets. Later in that battle, the Brasilians deploy flame throwers which if used at Oxford would have been catastrophic for Allenson's position in the volatile mist. In addition lasers are "worse than useless within a continuum field" so vehicles carry spring guns which shoot ceramic bolts. These would have been quite useful in the swamp mist. Had the Brasilians stood off in their boats with a supply of rocks, Allenson's men would have had a serious problem. The rock suggestion reminds me that both sides use handgrenades. The entire premise of the key fighting at Oxford is badly flawed. This is so atypical of Drakes' writing that I am at a loss to understand it. This book, if judged against Drakes' other work, is a one or two star at best. Judged against all other scifi, I am giving it a three.
December 18, 2017
Way too slow for a Drake book. Not as interesting as I expected.
January 16, 2015
I really enjoy David Drake's Leary books which is why I wanted to read this ARC. I had not read the first book in this series but it turns out it wasn't necessary to get into the story. That being said, I was somewhat underwhelmed by this story. Allen Allenson is a rich farmer (make that owner of a demesne, which is what the large plantation owners call their property) on a colony world of Brasilia. Apparently in the first book he becomes the general of an army that wins a war and that brings him marriage and his huge plantation. The colonists are starting to get tired of always getting second rate goods from the mother planet and are hoping for independence.
Brasilia would probably go ahead and give it to them without too much grief except (there's always an except...)a new mineral or something has been discovered in the colonies which would revolutionize the way ships could travel. The way they travel now seems very clunky which I guess is the point of this new discovery being worth so much. In any case Allenson is appointed the general of all the militias and the local governments (from a number of planets) do what governments seem to do best -- argue and not agree :-).
I finished this book and wanted to but it certainly wasn't one I couldn't put down. Allenson is a terrible shot, luckily he has a long lost friend who is an excellent shot and becomes his security. His wife isn't his great love but she wants him alive and is great at logistics. It became repetitive -- Allenson always leads from the front, always manages to not get killed and when he's about ready to surrender, the cavalry comes over the hill to save him. It doesn't make me want to go look up the first book in this series but it was an ok book. I'm looking forward to Drake's next Leary book...
Brasilia would probably go ahead and give it to them without too much grief except (there's always an except...)a new mineral or something has been discovered in the colonies which would revolutionize the way ships could travel. The way they travel now seems very clunky which I guess is the point of this new discovery being worth so much. In any case Allenson is appointed the general of all the militias and the local governments (from a number of planets) do what governments seem to do best -- argue and not agree :-).
I finished this book and wanted to but it certainly wasn't one I couldn't put down. Allenson is a terrible shot, luckily he has a long lost friend who is an excellent shot and becomes his security. His wife isn't his great love but she wants him alive and is great at logistics. It became repetitive -- Allenson always leads from the front, always manages to not get killed and when he's about ready to surrender, the cavalry comes over the hill to save him. It doesn't make me want to go look up the first book in this series but it was an ok book. I'm looking forward to Drake's next Leary book...
February 18, 2015
Intriguing space opera!
War is on the horizon for the Cutter Stream colonies and Allen Allenson is the right man in the right place at the right time.
If war is going to happen it might as well be more than a debacle.
The writing contains the same wry understatement that is so indicative of Drake, filled with outrageous characters who know how to get the job done, led by a mindful yet reluctant leader. Allenson doesn't want war but if war it is then do it right! Allenson collects a colorful (in more ways than one) array of personnel, mostly misfits with some dedicated professionals, along with the not so wonderful experienced bully of a colonel, Renald Buller, who on occasions just might be right, and as one of the few who has actual combat experience, has to be 'handled'.
Another wonderful space opera exhibiting humour, sardonic comments on wars, politics and human folly, peppered with Allenson's occasional moments of reflection on the flora and fauna and the startling geographical aspects of the areas he's fighting in, (recalling RCN 's Lt. Leary's interests). Along the way we are treated to Allenson's truisms of war like, 'if the enemy has only three different choices of reaction to your plans, you may expect it to take the fourth, the one not for seen in the original orders.'
And then there's the secret discovery in the Hinterlands by a research team of the now enemy, the Brasillian Navy. The discovery of a potential new fuel compound that may revolutionize space crafts, travel and more. Hints begin to surface and interested parties come into focus.
A pleasure to read.
A NetGalley ARC
War is on the horizon for the Cutter Stream colonies and Allen Allenson is the right man in the right place at the right time.
If war is going to happen it might as well be more than a debacle.
The writing contains the same wry understatement that is so indicative of Drake, filled with outrageous characters who know how to get the job done, led by a mindful yet reluctant leader. Allenson doesn't want war but if war it is then do it right! Allenson collects a colorful (in more ways than one) array of personnel, mostly misfits with some dedicated professionals, along with the not so wonderful experienced bully of a colonel, Renald Buller, who on occasions just might be right, and as one of the few who has actual combat experience, has to be 'handled'.
Another wonderful space opera exhibiting humour, sardonic comments on wars, politics and human folly, peppered with Allenson's occasional moments of reflection on the flora and fauna and the startling geographical aspects of the areas he's fighting in, (recalling RCN 's Lt. Leary's interests). Along the way we are treated to Allenson's truisms of war like, 'if the enemy has only three different choices of reaction to your plans, you may expect it to take the fourth, the one not for seen in the original orders.'
And then there's the secret discovery in the Hinterlands by a research team of the now enemy, the Brasillian Navy. The discovery of a potential new fuel compound that may revolutionize space crafts, travel and more. Hints begin to surface and interested parties come into focus.
A pleasure to read.
A NetGalley ARC
February 24, 2015
“Into the Maelstrom” was published in 2015 (February) and was written by David Drake (http://david-drake.com) and John Lambshead. David Drake has authored or co-authored more than 30 novels and John Lambshead has authored or co-authored another half dozen or so. This is the second book of their “Citizen” series.
I obtained a galley of this novel for review through https://www.netgalley.com. I would categorize this novel as ‘R’ as there are instances of Mature Language and Violence. This Military Science Fiction novel is set in a far future. Humanity has spread through the stars.
This story is of the Cutter Stream colonies, far removed from the Home Worlds. It parallels in a great degree the history of the Americas and England, and the resulting revolution. The society detailed in the novel is one that is much like the British of the 19th century.
As the Stream colonies think about independence. Allen Allenson is appointed Captain General of the fledgling military. The story details the trials and tribulations of his command as he tries to organize an army and confront the Home Worlds professional army.
There are a few descriptions of direct combat, but most of the story is from the commanders point of view. More a trial of logistics, politics and strategy. I have read several of Drake’s other novels and he is a writer that I enjoy. This book did not disappoint that expectation. I give this novel a 4.5 (rounded up to a 5) out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at http://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
I obtained a galley of this novel for review through https://www.netgalley.com. I would categorize this novel as ‘R’ as there are instances of Mature Language and Violence. This Military Science Fiction novel is set in a far future. Humanity has spread through the stars.
This story is of the Cutter Stream colonies, far removed from the Home Worlds. It parallels in a great degree the history of the Americas and England, and the resulting revolution. The society detailed in the novel is one that is much like the British of the 19th century.
As the Stream colonies think about independence. Allen Allenson is appointed Captain General of the fledgling military. The story details the trials and tribulations of his command as he tries to organize an army and confront the Home Worlds professional army.
There are a few descriptions of direct combat, but most of the story is from the commanders point of view. More a trial of logistics, politics and strategy. I have read several of Drake’s other novels and he is a writer that I enjoy. This book did not disappoint that expectation. I give this novel a 4.5 (rounded up to a 5) out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at http://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
March 21, 2015
David Drake and John Lambshead continue their tale of a future in which bicycle powered starships can move from planet to planet. Full warships are limited in size and attacking a colony is difficult. The Cutter Stream colonies are tired of being under control of Brazalia Allen Allenson had proved himself in the battles that led Into the Hinterlands (paper) in which Brazalia fought Terra for control of the colonies. It’s time for a George Washington and a new congress. Into the Maelstrom(hard from Baen) depicts the first few battles borrowed, as Mr. Drake usually does, from history. There’s even a reference to crossing something like the Deleware in the final battle. Lots of fun with a very eighteenth-century feel to the background. Review printed by Philadelphia Weekly Press
May 13, 2015
I want to like this book more than I do. All of the things that made the first book in this series clever - the novel way and restrictions of traveling through space - become mundane. It somehow becomes nothing more than another science fiction version of the American Revolution, albeit with a few twists. The characters feel pretty two dimensional and the plot just sort of plods along. Neither Drake or Lambshead shine in this one, though the series holds promise. I will pick up the next book in the series and hope for something more dynamic - the set up is there.
March 22, 2015
Others have written plot summaries so let me just say I enjoyed the book and its predecessor, into the Hinterlands. I wish I enjoyed it more. John Lambshead's "Lucy's Blade" was great and David Drake is one of my favorite authors and the one I reread most often. I just haven't been able to suspend my disbelief for this particular universe the two of them have combined to write. The technology feels contrived and keeps taking me out of the story.
January 2, 2016
This is an SF version of George Washington's life. The science has been forced a bit so that it can be loosely the 18th century in space. George has been whitewashed, he owns indentured servants and not slaves and the Riders are much more primitive and savage than NA Indians, so it's OK to kill them.
He's done this before with Patriots which was a fictional Ethan Allen, who in my mind is a much more interesting and sympathetic character than a Southern Aristocratic Planter.
He's done this before with Patriots which was a fictional Ethan Allen, who in my mind is a much more interesting and sympathetic character than a Southern Aristocratic Planter.
July 9, 2015
I would actually give it 3.5 stars if possible. Nice story and interesting. A retelling of the American revolution in a science fiction framework. Interesting technology and worlds. The characters are a little flat.
December 30, 2015
Good read
Enjoyable story, lots of action.
However, there were a few missteps in the presentation of the action. Very jarring changes of scene, with no indicators that a major scene change was occurring. This made it difficult to change gears or trains of thought. Annoying.
Enjoyable story, lots of action.
However, there were a few missteps in the presentation of the action. Very jarring changes of scene, with no indicators that a major scene change was occurring. This made it difficult to change gears or trains of thought. Annoying.
March 15, 2015
No surprises - standard Drake fare, but well executed and enjoyable.
August 5, 2015
wooden characters
slow, insipid plot
bad science
slow, insipid plot
bad science
January 18, 2016
book 2 of the Cutter Stream colonies and the revolt
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews