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The Maxwell Saga #5
Stoke The Flames Higher
Two planets, torn apart by the same fanatics - and Lancastrian forces are caught in the middle!
Major Brooks Shelby must keep the peace, on a world where radical terrorists want submission or death. Lieutenant-Commander Steve Maxwell must trace the source of their fighters and funding, deal with diplomats, and fend off a nosy journalist.
The marines are up against smuggled explosives and suicidal martyrs, while a suborned bureaucracy stymies the investigation. Brooks and Steve must find a way to stop their enemies at all costs, before the fanatics unleash their own version of Armageddon!
Major Brooks Shelby must keep the peace, on a world where radical terrorists want submission or death. Lieutenant-Commander Steve Maxwell must trace the source of their fighters and funding, deal with diplomats, and fend off a nosy journalist.
The marines are up against smuggled explosives and suicidal martyrs, while a suborned bureaucracy stymies the investigation. Brooks and Steve must find a way to stop their enemies at all costs, before the fanatics unleash their own version of Armageddon!
- GenresScience Fiction
358 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 3, 2016
52 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Peter Grant
17 books60 followersPeter Grant was born in South Africa in 1958. The state censor board did not allow television until 1973, and his parents didn't get one until 1974. So he grew up with books. Lots of books. He started out after school as a military man, moved into commercial information technology, and assisted with humanitarian work during South Africa's prolonged civil unrest that led to the end of apartheid in 1994.
After having been all over Africa, he emigrated to the USA in 1997, where there were far more English-language books, and more access to the internet. He married a pilot from Alaska and settled in Tennessee.
After having been all over Africa, he emigrated to the USA in 1997, where there were far more English-language books, and more access to the internet. He married a pilot from Alaska and settled in Tennessee.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
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November 2, 2020I've been waiting for the fifth book in the Maxwell saga for quite a while now. Peter Grant had some health issues for a while that slowed its publication down, and then when I finally got it for my Kindle, I had a rather large TBR pile, but I finally got around to it the other day, and was very pleased with the story. Grant continues to refine his craft and delivers a very tight, gripping novel.
There's a very good scene that begins the book which sets up (or reminds us, anyway, if we've been away from the series too long) Steve's martial arts skills - he receives his fifth dan belt in Karate. So, we don't find it improbably later on in the story that he is able to overpower and disarm professional thugs. Steve's band of covert operatives get a new assignment ferrying a diplomatic party to a planet where a fanatical religious sect is fomenting a revolution, and is also exporting their brand of guerilla warfare to a neighboring planet, where one of Steve's best friends is posted with his space Marines, so Steve is hoping to be able to mix a bit of personal pleasure with business this trip.
Things turn out to be closer to catastrophe than anyone thought, and when things hit the fan, Steve has to rescue his diplomats from the rebels in the middle of a coup attempt, get off planet, and warn his friend about a devastating surprise attach which is on its way.
Still lots of upside to go in this series, though Grant has begun branching out into other genres, including Westerns, and has a couple of Fantasy proposals on the table for this year. I read a couple of rough draft excerpts - I think they're gonna be fun, too.
There's a very good scene that begins the book which sets up (or reminds us, anyway, if we've been away from the series too long) Steve's martial arts skills - he receives his fifth dan belt in Karate. So, we don't find it improbably later on in the story that he is able to overpower and disarm professional thugs. Steve's band of covert operatives get a new assignment ferrying a diplomatic party to a planet where a fanatical religious sect is fomenting a revolution, and is also exporting their brand of guerilla warfare to a neighboring planet, where one of Steve's best friends is posted with his space Marines, so Steve is hoping to be able to mix a bit of personal pleasure with business this trip.
Things turn out to be closer to catastrophe than anyone thought, and when things hit the fan, Steve has to rescue his diplomats from the rebels in the middle of a coup attempt, get off planet, and warn his friend about a devastating surprise attach which is on its way.
Still lots of upside to go in this series, though Grant has begun branching out into other genres, including Westerns, and has a couple of Fantasy proposals on the table for this year. I read a couple of rough draft excerpts - I think they're gonna be fun, too.
August 24, 2017
The Steve Maxwell books just get better and better. While I wouldn’t want Peter Grant denied a fortune in exchange for the movie rights, I shudder to think about how his hero – Steve – would be distorted and diluted as a result.
Some of the characters in this book are subjected to a heightened sense of hero-worship in terms of Steve Maxwell, but Peter Grant’s narrative puts it all into perspective and generates a depth of emotion that has made my eyes “water” by times, and for all of the best reasons.
The continuity of reading the five Steve Maxwell books in order is important. Every book in the series is complete in itself, but recurring characters and references to previous events will make the plotlines a bit bumpy, otherwise.
If Steve Maxwell seems bigger-than-life, his creator – Peter Grant – does, too. I read his book about his experience as a prison chaplain, which was a revelation, and very thought provoking.
And, wonder-of-wonders, Peter Grant writes “westerns”, and I look forward to reading “Brings the Lightening” soon.
Some of the characters in this book are subjected to a heightened sense of hero-worship in terms of Steve Maxwell, but Peter Grant’s narrative puts it all into perspective and generates a depth of emotion that has made my eyes “water” by times, and for all of the best reasons.
The continuity of reading the five Steve Maxwell books in order is important. Every book in the series is complete in itself, but recurring characters and references to previous events will make the plotlines a bit bumpy, otherwise.
If Steve Maxwell seems bigger-than-life, his creator – Peter Grant – does, too. I read his book about his experience as a prison chaplain, which was a revelation, and very thought provoking.
And, wonder-of-wonders, Peter Grant writes “westerns”, and I look forward to reading “Brings the Lightening” soon.
March 24, 2017
Stoke the flames higher is a very good continuation to the Maxwell saga. I like how Peter Grant depicts a more mundane task than in the previous books. Where Steve Maxwell has to transport some diplomats to a less sophisticated planet. But during his time there he learns of an attack against another planet that the military he is a part of is helping defend. He rushes to that planet and warns them of the attack he then helps with the planet's defence.
Personally I don’t think this is the best book in the series. I think the pacing is a little slow there is too much time spent explaining things. That makes it good for less experienced readers. I think that it is a very good continuation to the series and I look forward to the next book.
Personally I don’t think this is the best book in the series. I think the pacing is a little slow there is too much time spent explaining things. That makes it good for less experienced readers. I think that it is a very good continuation to the series and I look forward to the next book.
September 18, 2019
I.impossible to put down
Incredible characters and creative plots. Well worth reading. I look forward to hearing more about Commander Maxwell. Mr. Grant is a very talented story teller.
Incredible characters and creative plots. Well worth reading. I look forward to hearing more about Commander Maxwell. Mr. Grant is a very talented story teller.
May 16, 2021
Want more!!
Lots of good action, if Steve fell into a cesspool, he would come out smelling of roses. I would like at least one more book about/with him. I also enjoyed the teasing at the end.
Lots of good action, if Steve fell into a cesspool, he would come out smelling of roses. I would like at least one more book about/with him. I also enjoyed the teasing at the end.
December 14, 2019
More excellence! An awesome series!
Pretty well my favorite mc! This series has developed wonderfully, such a good story! Sure hoping there's "more to the story"!
Pretty well my favorite mc! This series has developed wonderfully, such a good story! Sure hoping there's "more to the story"!
April 7, 2020
Like how it revolves around two main characters now. No pirates this time' is that every spoiler?
October 17, 2020
Good story!
Good combat action. A pointed reminder, often glossed over, that the enemy is not always stupid and has a voice in the battle.
Good combat action. A pointed reminder, often glossed over, that the enemy is not always stupid and has a voice in the battle.
January 8, 2017
The fifth book in an excellent military scifi series.
December 6, 2016
Captain Kirk ain't got nothing on Steve Maxwell. . . .
I stumbled into Peter Grant's 'Maxwell' saga about the time the second book was released, and been reading it ever since. The curious mixture of Horatio Alger and the Hornblower Saga, heavily seasoned with a dash or three of David Weber's starship combat action, is unusually satisfying. Can't wait for the next volume.....and this one was only released yesterday........
I stumbled into Peter Grant's 'Maxwell' saga about the time the second book was released, and been reading it ever since. The curious mixture of Horatio Alger and the Hornblower Saga, heavily seasoned with a dash or three of David Weber's starship combat action, is unusually satisfying. Can't wait for the next volume.....and this one was only released yesterday........
December 7, 2016
Another fun chapter of the maxwell sags
I like the way his confidence and competence is growing, without his being perfect.
While there are a few references to other books reading them first is not necessary. This would be a good starting point if you wanted too.
I like the way his confidence and competence is growing, without his being perfect.
While there are a few references to other books reading them first is not necessary. This would be a good starting point if you wanted too.
December 16, 2016
Always a good read
A continuation of the original storyline, not too pedantic. But the author really knows how to punch your buttons on heroic action and honoring our fallen. Well worth the time and effort, I look forward to the next
A continuation of the original storyline, not too pedantic. But the author really knows how to punch your buttons on heroic action and honoring our fallen. Well worth the time and effort, I look forward to the next
March 6, 2019
Great continuation
Love this series as we follow Steve as he steadily makes a name for himself through his valor and bravery in combat
Love this series as we follow Steve as he steadily makes a name for himself through his valor and bravery in combat
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews