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Title: When the Devil Dances by John Ringo ISBN: 0-7434-3602-4 Publisher: Baen Books Pub. Date: 01 April, 2003 Format: Mass Market Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.06 (31 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Don't Get the Wrong Idea ...
Comment: Reading the other reviews I find a repeated criticism of this book as not being long enough, the series being too long, etc., etc. I come to John Ringo via David Weber and going on 60 years of SF background and the library to prove it. This book is every bit as good as those that preceded it in this series and that means VERY, VERY GOOD (if you like this sort of thing). As the series develops the stories keep getting richer and more believable. Here is a saga of interstellar invasion in a setting of galactic society with all sorts (maybe too much) of political incompetence and duplicity. It starts nearly in the present. Anyone who thinks that Ringo is going to compress this into 2 or 3 books is fooling themselves, Especially with his style of gemlike episodes and emphasis on individual military actions. Yes, I too wish there were more books readily available without waiting years for the series to end. But it's worth it to have such good stuff at all!
If Ringo could wrap up the battle for Earth in one more volume and then the battles to take over the galaxy from its evil (and still unknown) overlords in one more I would be very surprised. To stop short of that would REALLY be frustrating and upsetting. I fear for the worst in this respect because of his recent association with David Weber who is well known for leaving nascent series to die on the vine. Practically every book Weber writes cries out for a sequel, a cry which is seldom answered - except in the one Honor Harrington series which is almost too much the other way. I do wish that his publisher would get the word to publish hardcovers first instead of later if at all. Both Weber and Ringo are now "big boys" and deserve full scale publication.
Rating: 4
Summary: Very Entertaining but Inconclusive
Comment: When I read "A Hymn Before Battle", the first book in the series, I thought the substance of the writing was excellent but the style undeveloped. Of course, that was Ringo's first published novel. Having put quite a few words on paper since then, the prose in "When the Devil Dances" reads considerably better.
The things that I liked in "Hymn" have gotten stronger in "Devil"- lots of hardcore military SF action, hard-bitten survivors, and a touch of conspiracy. Some of the things that turned readers off to "Hymn" are still there as well. In particular, Ringo continues to string some subplots along with only minor attention or development. Also, I found the ending of "Devil" irritating- unlike the prior books, which at least told complete stories, this one virtually requires a sequel to let us know what happens next.
Still, I'm glad I pre-ordered and got to read it right away. Anyone who liked "Hymn" will enjoy this book quite a bit. Readers who put "Hymn" down will have no reason to change their minds.
Rating: 5
Summary: Good continuation of a great series
Comment: The series as a whole is excellent and the universe it represents deserves a continuing very detailed rendering by Ringo. The action starts immediately while allowing for continued character development. One finds oneself wanting to know more about the characters and the universe they reside in. The book continues the themes contained within previous books, while developing more nuances in the Posleen, showing deeper glimpses into the politics between Galatics and the Earth, etc. I find the series believable in a way much military sci fi isn't as this series shows the conflicting drivers within leadership versus a one dimensional "us vs them" which is prevelant in other series.
John Ringo joins such recent Sci Fi heavy hitters as David Weber and Eric Flint and joins the ranks of such military SF'ers as David Drake - Hammer's Slammers, Pournelle - John Christian Falkenberg, and Keith Laumer - Bolo's. This series is highly recommended.
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Title: Gust Front by John Ringo ISBN: 0743435257 Publisher: Baen Books Pub. Date: 01 April, 2002 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: A Hymn Before Battle by John Ringo ISBN: 0671318411 Publisher: Baen Books Pub. Date: 01 October, 2001 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: Hell's Faire by John Ringo ISBN: 0743436040 Publisher: Baen Books Pub. Date: 01 May, 2003 List Price(USD): $25.00 |
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Title: March to the Stars by David Weber, John Ringo ISBN: 0743488180 Publisher: Baen Books Pub. Date: 01 April, 2004 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: March to the Sea by David Weber, John Ringo ISBN: 074343580X Publisher: Baen Books Pub. Date: 01 November, 2002 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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