So it’s a marvelous space opera. Somewhat on a lark, I requestioned this from the library, remembering having enjoyed the first book. Now, I remember how good the first book was and this is, if not better (though it could be), more exciting. It truly is a classic space opera.

New technologies are incorporated into the story’s logic without becoming burdensome to the narrative. The protagonist is a woman who works closely with a man (she is an empress, formerly a gunrunner – part of the series’ tagline; and he is a is chief bodyguard and closest adviser) and have a friendship that is close and intimate without ever becoming romantic, much less sexual.

The last book was more political, but here we see a bit more of the protagonist as an action hero and participating in some tense situations.

Mostly, I can’t wait to read the next one.