Her Majesty's American

by Steve White

THE UNION JACK TAKES TO SPACE! All-new alternate history science fiction from New York Times best-selling author Steve White.

In an alternate future where the British Empire never crumbled, the space ships of Her Majesty’s Navy work to keep the spaceways safe. But there are those among the stars who are not so happy being subjects of the British Empire. In the Tau Ceti system, a terrorist faction of the rebellious Sons of Arnold attacks the empire from within, and warships of the theocratic Caliphate enter the system, prepared to do their worst to destroy the hated empire head on. Yet standing against the coming anarchy and tyranny is one intrepid spy prepared to risk all for queen and empire! 

Genres: Science Fiction, Alternate History, Space Opera, Fiction, Military Science Fiction, Adventure, Mystery

290 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 4, 2018

About the author

Born in 1948.
Steve White is an American science fiction author best known as the co-author of the Starfire-series alongside David Weber.

He is married with 3 daughters and currently lives in Charlottesville, Virginia. He also works for a legal publishing company. He previously served as a United States Navy officer and served during the Vietnam War and in the Mediterranean region.

See also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Wh...

Reviews

[Janet Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

4 stars for originality, 4 for research, 2 for execution. Characters are wooden and dull, plot a bit of a jerk around. Still, this book and this writer both show promise

[Nick · Rating 1 out of 5]

I like to read bad SFF. Sometimes I end up finding stories that I absolutely love. Stories that stick with me for years and whose ideas and themes show up in my own writing because SFF is about exploring ideas. Even if something is poorly plotted or has wooden characters it's still quite possible for an idea to be so alluring that all the other aspects of the writing fall away completely.

Steve White's Her Majesty's American is not one of those stories. Or at least I hope it's not. It's almost offensively bland. It's sexist and racist in almost impressive ways but it's just so yawn inducingly boring that those aren't even the worst parts of the book.

( hey if you've got this far and long reviews aren't your thing I'm sorry because I'm likely to go on for a while but tldr: this book is real bad )

The book begins with a timeline explaining how the the British Empire persisted into the far flung future of 2281 and how the rest of the world has coalesced into other empire blocks and so on. It's pretty much completely bugnuts insane, but basically all alt-history is and if that's your thing this is certainly a list of historical events that may have resulted in a world where British Empire ( and every other country contemporary to it ) still exists in the far flung future.

However directly after that is chapter one and things go downhill fast. There are five total characters who speak this chapter. Of them the only one you actually need to remember is Robert Rogers, our wonderful protagonist. Of the rest there are three men and one woman. One man is in two scenes and is introduced by a full name and title. Rogers' supposed friend, who is introduced on page 17 and dies on page 28, gets a full name and description AND triggers a small essay about how the Dutch are not really foreigners. The general, who joins the first man in a second scene and then we never hear from him again ( though Rogers thinks of him wistfully for a few chapters in a way that isn't weird at all ) gets full name, title, rank and a partial genealogy! The woman is referred to simply as secretary/receptionist and says this about her:

pg.17
" [The room] had two occupants. One was the director's secretary/receptionist--human, a major status symbol in itself, and in fact a very slightly if somewhat severe one at that. "

This woman is in uniform. I don't know for sure because as I said, the information above is literally all we get about her. However, Rogers specifically comments on how weird it is to see a non-military person in the room when he sees his Dutch friend so she presumably is uniform and has her name printed on her chest like most uniforms. Rogers/the author just can't be bothered. Why would we want a name and/or genealogy about her? She's obviously not important. Not like the other three men who show up in one more scene each. You can accuse me of making mountains out of molehills but you'd be an idiot. This isn't just a one time thing. It's a trend. There are a grand total of three named women in this book and that is with me counting secretary/receptionist. One of the others is a a name. I shit you not, this is literally all there is of this woman in the book:

pg. 153
" A cluster of people, mostly middle-aged or older, sat dejectedly on the floor, under the guns of a pair of what were presumably Sons of Wilkinson members.
Grey thrust herself into the pickup to stare at the screen. 'Professor Boudreau! Mrs. Weston! And... Dr. Bricknell!' "

That's it. The hostages are referred to collectively as "the hostages" from there on out.

The only other named female character in the entirety of this 221 page book ( I know it says 240 on the page, but idk the copy on my nook is 221 ) is Grey Goldson. Grey is the female lead of the book but she only exists for Robert to fantasize about sleeping with, to seduce men and to "consider" protesting the execution of disarmed and unconscious enemy combatants. Luckily she "thinks better" of this last wild idea. Oh and also Rogers treats her as though her beliefs make her an idiot, but the author makes it clear that her beliefs are stupid, so it's totally OK and not Rogers being an insufferable prick.

The only other time women even come up in a scene are to scream when something mildly, like when a spaceship jumps to FTL, or majorly, like when a fanatic opens fire in a crowded restaurant and then blows himself up after he is disarmed, surprising happens.

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that there are 30+ named characters in this book. Granted a number of them are just names and granted that we're mostly dealing with one military force or another which are mostly male ( what is it about historical fiction SF authors and clinging to period appropriate sexism despite it being the future? ) but literally three of them are identifiably female.

I also said this book was racist. This is really not something I say lightly, as the beliefs of a character in a book and the author of a book don't necessarily agree. It's possible to write a racist character and not be racist. It's possible even to have that character be the protagonist of your story and not be racist. You could even make the story be that racist protagonist getting whatever it is their racist heart desires and not be racist. I mean, you probably are but it's not a forgone conclusion. What you can't do is make an ethnic group the villains in your story, connect them to modern day events ( the fanatical suicide bomber above is part of said ethnic group of course ), say things like this:

pg. 124
"But in the 2020s, the Caliphate--vulnerable like all Islamic societies to the siren song of jihad--had fallen permanently under the control of blood-mad fundamentalist fanatics."

You can't imply that fundamentalist extremists exist in one culture and not in any others and not be racist. No, not even if you mention that there are Islamic minorities in other countries that don't get "riled up". I'm not sure but that might actually make it worse. And that is certainly not the only time the author decides we need to hear shitty things about this particular ethnic group. There are any number of sections I could grab but none of them are as eminently quotable as the one above.

Seriously people. All of the above is in this book and somehow the terrible plotting, wooden characters and just awful action scenes pushed all this so far out of my head that I only really finished processing how cringe worthy it was after I'd finished the book. I won't bother getting into specifics but just imagine how bad it has to be to have caused the information above to fade away.

[Per Gunnar · Rating 2 out of 5]

What I hoped to get from this book was some nice science fiction story with some British naval traditions, stiff upper lip and all that. I thought the idea of the British Empire reaching out into space sounded fairly cool. I am not much into what…if pondering and if they had just…stuff. Unfortunately the author seems to be into that…a LOT.

The author is spending a lot of time on why things did not turn out as the history books tell us they did, about the political machinations around it and so on and so forth. Way too much for this reader.

Instead of being a book about naval adventures in space the story get bogged down into historical analysis and rewriting and when the author isn’t going down that route he takes the route of new political conspiracies and machinations with not only “American” separatists but a thirteen on a dozen religious caliphate thrown in for good measure.

There are actually a few aliens in the book as well but they are pretty much playing second fiddle as far as the bulk of the story goes.

The book is not poorly written in any way, it’s just not about things that interests me. Well mostly at least. Most of the action events are assassination attempts, kidnapping and such like “mundane” stuff. I was hoping for some nice “traditional” British Navy style action and there are indeed some of that in the book but, although it was fairly well executed, it was simply too little too late for me.

This book was a bit of a disappointment for me actually.

[James · Rating 1 out of 5]

What's to like about this book? The author's note on James Wilkinson (Wikipedia), a slimy Revolutionary War American general, and that's it. And why is this brought up at all you might ask? Because America needs a queen, there is no democracy in space opera.

First bizarre thought when reading this book is why do they keep Grey Goldson, the exposed female double(triple?) agent around? Because she's the only female character, and she's also the hero's love interest and prize for winning at the end.

Then there's the mini-ringworld installation that can't shoot at the hero's ship because he flew through the hole? Along with a plethora of other highly improbable nonsense. Like the hero's builtin phone that was used once and then must have broke down or the hero forgot about it, otherwise the story would have ended on chapter 3.

I've generally enjoyed White's books in the past, I'd recommend any of his other books and forget this book was ever written.

[Vincent Archer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Highly disappointing book.

Took me a while to finish, because it did nothing to capture my interest. The villains are total caricatures of naive versions of their stereotypes, the alternate-history does not feel very alternate, and the heroes are very basic.

You could chalk this to beginner effort if this was not a Baen book from a longstanding author that wrote multiple good books before. Totally surprising. If I had read it without having the name of the author, I would not have guessed in a million years.

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an alternative history set in a future in which the American Revolution was unsuccessful and the colonies remained a part of the United Kingdom, now the British Empire. Canada, Australia, India and Israel are all Dominions of the Empire with seats on the Imperial Council along with various Dominions of what would have been the United States.

The book gets points for originality and research a nd while I can’t vouch for the science, the author at least makes it seem plausible. Interstellar travel is facilitated by the invention of a faster than light speed engine and that leads to colonization of distant planets.

Unfortunately, the characters are wooden, the plot is amateurish and the writing goes off into long expository passages of pseudoscience to explain the author’s plot devices. It makes for a not very exciting book after a very interesting original premise. Very disappointing.

[Richard · Rating 1 out of 5]

It is hard to believe that this is the same author who has written so many series of books that I have enjoyed (series such as Starfire, The Disinherited, The Stars, etc). But this book is nothing like any of those.

The writing is clumsy.
The characters and dialog are wooden.
The whole story feels like some cheap dime novel.
This doesn't even qualify as enjoyable eye candy.

Honestly I'm not able to think of any aspect of this book that is positive. I truly wish I had not wasted the time reading it.

I have to wonder if the author is actually being held captive, and this book is his cry for help?

[Fiona Mackie]

DNF at page 30. I like alt-history, but there were too many science explanations and when the lead character sees the female he’s going to work with and you get told about his instant sexual attraction, I think nope, not for me. It was wooden and I just didn’t care.

[Gray Mouser · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave up at page 120. Nice background and world building, but terrible characters, wooden dialogues and absolutely implausible plot development.

[Kathy Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hits all the tropes and quite a few genres too. It is alternate history depicting a future when the American Revolution was lost and North America is part of the British Empire. It is science fiction taking place in a future where residents of Earth have expanded onto numerous planets and a faster-than-light drive has been developed. It is an espionage novel in that the hero Robert Rogers is an agent for Naval Intelligence trying to track down a terrorist plot.

Robert Rogers gets some information from a colleague telling him that the Caliphate (think very extreme Muslims in space) have some plans for something at New America - a planet settled by North Americans who aren't happy with the results of the failed American Revolution. At first, he is skeptical but when his colleague is killed in front of him he decides that this needs investigating.

Rogers travels to New America to check things out. He is assigned to work with Special Agent Grey Goldson from the New American Internal Security Agency. She is also skeptical about the existence of a Caliphate plan on a planet with few Muslims. Of course, her more usual activities are tracking the Sons of Arnold who are the secret group who want to "free" North America from the Empire.

Grey and Robert are ambushed when they are returning from a meeting but rescued by Empire security. Shortly after they are ambushed again this time with Grey's assistance. Turns out she's a member of the Sons of Arnold. Extremists in that organization called the Sons of Wilkinson are working with members of a Caliphate trade delegation to further their plans. This comes as a surprise to Grey that the Sons of Wilkinson even exists. But the bigger surprise is that the Caliphate is working with an alien group who also want to destabilize the Empire.

This book has plots within plots and schemes aplenty. Robert reminds me of a sort of James Bond in space - super competent, bright, a babe magnet, and completely loyal to the goals of the Empire. Grey is more a character of mystery since her loyalties seem to keep shifting.

I liked the fast pace and the space adventures in this story. I'd be glad to read of Robert Rogers further adventures defending the Empire.

[Andrew J Harvey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I bought the book based on the fact that it was billed as an all-new alternate history science fiction from New York Times best-selling author Steve White. Great, I thought, a book from someone who knows how to write - how wrong I was!

Steve White has written this book, while demonstrating all the skills of a first time author, and this is not a good thing. The characters are flat, the chief two villains particularly. But so too is Grey, the female double agent who eventually wins Rogers' heart (Rogers being the book's hero). Of course she's pretty, and naive, but there is never any explanation why she is so stupid.

And Grey is not the only stupid one. Rogers is one of the Royal Navies top investigators and yet he fails to keep his contact at the embassy of his discoveries, and then he gets captured twice. The information he has is both vital, and time critical to the security of the Empire. I mean,seriously, he gets hit by a sonic stunner, and thinks "Idiot!", then pretty much does the same thing all over again later! Personally, the only hope I have is that he is seriously reamed out on his return, unfortunately I suspect he'll get away with it as a result of his embellishments/lies in his reports.

But getting back to Mr White's elementary writing mistakes: he actually uses the phrase "As you undoubtedly know," when he has one character (De Graeff) launching into providing some back story to Rogers. This is lazy writing, and even lazier editing -- if Rogers already knows, why should De Graeff have to waste time telling him.

Perhaps Mr White was so impressed with his own cleverness and the back-history he had created, that he failed to remember that he still had to tell a good story. Frankly, I have no idea what book the reviewers from Booklist and  Publishers Weekly) (the reviews quoted on the Amazon site) were reading but it certainly wasn't the same one I'm reviewing.

I will admit that my opinion may have been skewed as I had just finished reading Corner-Bryant and Price's On Editing, so unless you're in the mood for flat characters, stupid heroes, and a writer who seems to have ditched whatever writing ability they had before starting this book give this one a miss. Having said that, I did actually finish the book, so it does get one star, rather than than the 1/2 it might otherwise demand.

[Jon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring, predictable and juvenile. All the characters are one dimensional and childishly idiotic and naive. Nothing was surprising about this book except how bad it was.

I'm usually a fan of White's work, but maybe I usually read him in a collaboration.

[Bruce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting premise, distantly reminiscent of Harrison’s “A Transatlantic Tunnel, Hurrah!”.

Felt like the author Steve White put all of his effort into the back story and initial plot development only to trip over the challenges of writing convincing dialogue and avoiding stereotypical character development.

I’ve a soft spot for this kind of alternative history and predisposed as I was to give 4 stars, had to take back a star for its obvious shortcomings.

For what he got right, I’d definitely give the author’s next book a shot.

[Blazej · Rating 2 out of 5]

The idea for the world is interesting but the execution is boring. At times it's really hard to believe that the mind behind the Starfire series created those wooden, one-dimensional characters in 'American', who keep making the same stupid mistakes because 'character flaw'.

I'll give the next book a shot but without much hope. It's like John Ringo, just PG-13.

[Gary Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mediocre espionage thriller in space, starring agent 00, er, Robert Rogers, a member of Naval Intelligence from the Dominion of North America. There are Muslim fanatics, traitors, and aliens who are backing them. Even without Q's fancy gadgets (but he has one of those, too) Rogers amazing abilities save the day. And there's even a Bond Girl.

[D.L. Morrese · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave up on this one after 50 pages. The simple plot, stiff prose, and wooden characters did not engage my interest. The clever setting, an alternate future in which the British Empire endured to dominate both Earth and space, was not enough on its own to urge me to continue reading.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The background and alternate history make the story interesting. The actual actions by the lead characters doesn't follow the logic path I would have chosen. While interesting and good for a light read not something to hold your breath over.

[David Hyder · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a great concept supported by good research and a good writer. Unfortunately the execution doesn't live up to the promise. The characters are stiff and the action slow.

[Kevin K · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a big fan of this book, which is rough because I really wanted to like it. Had elements of alternate history as well as a frontier conspiracy. It was just generally dull.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall a worthwhile alternate history novel, but not on of this author's best. There is some lazy dialogue and one dimensional characters. I read while on vacation so it was worth it.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful, thoroughly enjoyable read!

I really like alternate history. With a few judicious changes here and there (importantly, what if William and Mary of the Glorious Revolution had had a son?), and you get the Britannic Federal Empire in which the sun never set on the British Empire.

The North American colonies and Canada are put in the Viceroyalty of North America (but are set up as Dominions under that umbrella). Australia, New Zealand, etc. also never broke away and finally even England, Scotland, and Ireland become separate Dominions as well. India is declared a Viceroyalty (and never gets Dominion status). The area of New England (in North America) finally (after several Rebellions) is declared an independent Commonwealth, but is reconquered later by the Britannic Federal Empire.

Plus, the Britannic Federal Empire has space colonies!

Unfortunately, it still has enemies, notably the Islamic Caliphate!

Our main protagonist Robert Rogers is an officer in British Naval Intelligence. So not only do we have alternate history but we also now have Spy vs. Spy!

Rogers is sent out to sort out the Islamic Caliphate's attempts to cause trouble in one of the Britannic Federal Empire's space colonies.

Much intrigue and unexpected developments ensue!

I have now read quite a few books by author Steve White. In particular, I have enjoyed his Jason Thanou time travel series where Jason works for a temporal control agency trying to thwart powerful aliens (yes, they tell the humans that they are "gods") who have tried to distort human history at several key times in the past.

This is the first alternate history book I've read by Mr. White. Yes, he writes series books but he also writes standalone books. I would love for him to write a sequel to Her Majesty's American because I would really like to return to this world!

Highly recommended for all sff fans who enjoy space opera, alternate history, and spy adventures!

[Daniel Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

Actually 284 pages, not 240. Big difference when struggling to finish.
The overall premise I liked: what could have happened if the British Empire stayed strong and true, beginning with winning the American Revolution. There could be a whole series of books just from that premise and the timeline.
But this was too much the whole timeline. The book itself did not seem to know where it wanted to go. It put in every stereotypical sci fi plot item, like the author was trying to see what would stick and work, and so all together, none did. The concentration on the plot kept the characters flat not sure how they ended up as they did.

[Bill O'Driscoll · Rating 2 out of 5]

Space opera with a super spy has an interesting premise, investigating terrorists in a remote solar system. However, the spy's character is wildly inconsistent with the spy being incredibly brilliant most of the time while being incredibly gullible the rest of the time. Also did not like some of the plans to attack a ship hijacked by the terrorists, particularly including the assumption that we will not need our powered armor so let's leave it behind.

[Adena Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steve White is a master of the "what if" and like David Drake and Eric Flint, his take on an universe where George III did not rule during the 1772 'unpleasantness' is intellectually coherent, consistent and challenging. This is a great read for history buffs who like a little sci-fi to leaven the speculation.

[Ronald Spitzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Bond in outer space! This book is so James Bond, at least the pre-2000 versions, that I thought I could hear the Goldfinger music in the background. It is a good story with its alternate history and plot twists and turns. This book has it all with the action. Fun!

[Patrick · Rating 1 out of 5]

Predictable and boring.

[Les · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am over halfway through the book and simply lost interest. White is good writer; the story just did not grab me.

[Daryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable!

[David]

Entertaining but simplistic story telling could use more detail and depth