Customer Reviews

Against the Tide (Council Wars)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I really think Ringo has matured as a writer. His last two solo books, Emerald Seas and Against the Tide, have been multi-dimensional, subtle, deep, and ... FUN!

The book's initial premise is that now the nano-tech modified strong-but-dumb forces of the tyrannical council faction headed by Paul Bowman have a real admiral, a real fleet, and real dragon-carriers. And now Duke Edmund and Herzer Herrick are in a bit of a tight spot, after the yacht-club-trained new aristocratic admiralty has lost most of the fleet, and all of the sea advantage, Edmund built up in Emerald Seas. Hmmm, there might be some parallels with certain current politico-military establishments in recent history *grin*.

Along the way of attempting to deal with this little crisis, we get to see what happens to Paul Bowman in his relationship with his beautiful "slave" Megan ... and meet silkies ... and fly with a "fallen angel" ... and meet true highlanders ... and so many other great and beautiful things that I must refrain from speaking so as to avoid spoiling things for the reader.

A new depth of political satire, particular of "political admirals and generals", a great and novel space-twisting invasion, more great characters, and Ringo's uniquely visceral battles, all combine to make this book what I predict will be one of the best novels of 2005.

Not long into it, I decided that this book was my favorite of the series thus far. That is an impression I retained right up until the last page. Then I had second thoughts. I still like it immensely. It still probably my favorite of the series but I was let down by the cliffhanger ending.

The story picks up as the bad guys are planning for an invasion. If they manage to pull it off, its all over for the forces of freedom. What stands in the way of the New Destiny (bad guy) forces is Duke Edmund Talbot and his aide, Herzer Herrick. The duke is given command of the naval forces in an attempt to hold off what seems inevitable. As Wellington said, it was a near run thing.

Ringo again does a superb job of taking the fantastic and making it seem plausible. The background of his world is a highly advanced society that falls into chaos through a civil war. Before the anarchy, genetic manipulation could let people assume almost any form they wished. Teleportation was literally a wish away. Energy was a problem for no one. After the fall, energy is in short supply and people fall back to a pseudo-medieval state. A few people still have access to high tech but most are stuck with a low tech life. They make due brilliantly. I can almost believe carriers propelled by sails and launching dragons instead of F-14s. The elves and dwarves make sense in this tableau. It's a lot of fun.

The only letdown came after the climax. It is a cliffhanger and we are set up for another book. That would not ordinarily be a problem except that I don't want to have to wait for the next book to come out.

This excellent book is the third in the Council Wars series. These books are best read in the correct sequence, which is

There will be Dragons
Emerald Sea
Against the Tide
East of the Sun, West of the Moon

Arthur C Clarke once wrote that any sufficiently advanced tecnhology is indistinguishable from magic. This story is set several thousand years from now in a world where that is literally true. Just about every creature or artifact ever imaged in human myths or legends, from Avatars to Wyverns, Elves to Orcs, and mermaids to winged humans has been created by technology. (I choose the word "creature" very precisely - the story does not include Gods but by definition Gods are not creatures.)

Unfortunately in an earthly paradise of almost perfect luxury most people could not be bothered with the hard work of raising children and so the human race was dying out. Arguments between members of the ruling council over what to do about this eventually resulted in the outbreak of war in the first book of the series, "There will be Dragons." Within moments millions of people were doomed and for most of the rest of humanity their safe and luxurious life was replaced by a cruel, exhausting struggle for existence straight out of the middle ages.

At the start of this book the war rages on between the neo fascist "New Destiny" faction based in "Ropasa" (Europe and Asia) and the the Freedom Coalition's main stronghold in the United Free States (America of course) and "New Destiny" is planning a transatlantic invasion which looks like a real threat. Following on from "Emerald Sea" both sides now deploy Dragon carriers, but it is not clear that the Freedom Coalition's admirals really know how to use them.

Meanwhile however, New Destiny's leader Paul Bowman has overlooked the fact that his actions have created a threat to his position which is much closer to home.

Ringo's recent books have varied from indifferent to excellent, but the Council Wars series is shaping up to be the best thing he has written.

Bottom line: if you liked any of the other books in this series, or any of Ringo's "Roger McLintock" books with Dave Weber ("March Upcountry" et seq.) then you will almost certainly like this one.

In the distant future, the United Free States felt safe inside its paradise. The UFS avoided war for centuries but spent a fortune on a military deterrent leading to a collective national ego believing that the country had military superiority over everyone. Thus a terrible defeat at sea to the tyrannical enemy New Destiny is a major shock though it should not have been since the UFS was using untrained dragons with sportsmen on a lark against skilled Dragon Carriers.

The New Destiny invading force contained more than just Dragon Carrier superiority; other legendary warriors out of myth attacked a shocked nation turning it from a place of waste and plenty to a place of starvation and waste. Desperate to stem a tide that seems heading to certain defeat, the UFS names military genius Edmund Talbot to head the Navy. Stomping on Naval egos (not that defeat to the enemy would ever do that), foot soldier Herzer Herrick is selected to command a critical Dragon Fleet consisting of inexperienced dragons, untrained pilots, and unqualified combat support to go up against a superior in number, highly skilled war tested military machine.

This novel is a sequel to THERE WILL BE DRAGONS and EMERALD SEA. AGAINST THE TIDE is military science fiction tale (with fantasy elements) that is well written and the plot can stand alone or follow the previous well written tales. The strong story line hooks the audience with plenty of action (much more than described above), terrific characters including a neat romance, and a fascinating differing historical perspective on real events. John Ringo provides a fantastic tale that will elate sub-genre readers, but also fascinate historiographers with the thought provoking look at history.

Harriet Klausner

John Ringo is having a lot of fun with this series and so is are his readers. This series is an excellent blend of Hard SF, fantasy and military fiction. The author continues to provide groaner puns (such as the SEAL team...), but leaves out the almost traditional Sluggy Freelance reference.

Against the Tide (2005) is the third SF novel in the Council War series, following Emerald Sea. In the previous volume, the United Free States envoys joined the Mer in driving away the Changed orcas and ixchitl after a surprise attack. Duke Edmund led the Retreat of the Mer to their new home, killing most of the orcas and ixchitl along the way. Joanna the dragon feasted well on the carcass of Shanol the orca, but the kraken was not tasty at all. The spy aboard the Bonhomme Richard was finally exposed, but was killed by his handler.

Megan Travante gained control of the harem girls and lulled Paul Bowman into pillow talk. She even talked him into spending a few days relaxing in the harem. Meanwhile, she stockpiled toxic chemicals in her perfume distillery.

In this novel, a New Destiny fleet sails from Ropasa and Duke Edmund is sent to Newfell to observe Fleet operations against it. Herzer Herrick does along as his Aide and three officer candidates accompany them as gophers. Of course, Edmund also takes his wife Daneh Ghorbani and their daughter Rachael.

After reaching Newfell, the Duke finds North Atlantis Fleet headquarters being run by amateurs and they refuse to listen to his counsel. The New Destiny fleet sinks four of the UFS carriers without loosing a ship. Admiral Draskovich is relieved from command and Edmund is given command of both naval and land forces on the east coast.

First the Duke eliminates the deadwood from the Naval command hierarchy. Then he arranges for the retreating fleet to be welcomed home with reassurances that they will not be defeated again. After that, he initiates a naval training program to insure that the officers and enlisted go to sea already knowing the basics.

After repairing the damage and replacing the lost wyverns and fliers, the Duke takes the fleet out to sea against the enemy. This time the navy has a flag officer over fleet operations, so Edmund is coming along to boost morale and to handle any strategic considerations that happen to occur. But the enemy doesn't give him any time to catch up on his paperwork; the New Destiny fleet separates into two components: a northern fleet carrying the invading troops and a southern fleet heading toward Blackbeard Base in the Bermuda Banks.

An intelligence agent of Joel Travante contacts Megan and then sends an eyes-only message concerning her survival back to Joel, Queen Sheida, and Duke Edmund. Megan recognizes the contact as a possible conduit for sending information back to the UFS, but then she finds out where Paul has hidden his Key. After some dithering, she assassinates him by pouring pure sulfuric acid down his throat.

Taking the Key, Megan contacts Mother and arranges a portal to a Highland Castle. There she converses with Sheida and arranges the diversion of a dragon-carrier to take her and the Key from Glen McClure. Afterward, she finds herself in the middle of the naval aviation battle between the UFS and New Destiny carriers.

In this story, Duke Edmund institutes strict security on fleet positions and then sends his ships everywhere within the Northern Atlantis ocean. Only the captains know their current positions at any time and they continually tack to the four winds. Sealed orders are stored in a locked strongbox within the Marine commander's office under constant guard. Such orders are opened only upon instructions from the fleet commander and only in the presence of the three top officers of each ship.

With one carrier diverted to the Highlands to pick up Megan, Edmund is even more under strength compared to the New Destiny fleets. Then three carriers break off from the enemy Southern fleet and start looking for the UFS carriers. The other two carriers continue on south toward Blackbeard Base. There they encounter a few surprises.

The invading fleet lands about ten thousand troops in Balmoran. Rachael is tending patients in the hospital there and some can't be moved. The movable ones are evacuated to the Blood Lords camp, but Rachael stays with the most badly injured. Duke Edmund is determined not to send troops just to rescue her.

This story contains more conflicts than both of the other two combined. There are combats on the sea, in the air and on the land, individual fights, and various assassinations. The only type of fighting that apparently has not been included are formal duels.

Wait! At the very end of the main story, there is one duel: Bast goes one on one with a Changed Elf for several hours. Edmund finally stops it before everybody else dies of old age, but there is at least that one duel.

Highly recommended for Ringo fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of high tech societies, low tech combat, and political intrigue.

-Arthur W. Jordin

This book and it preceding was excellent. The narritive is well thought out and the action is good. Wonderful storyline, with likeable characters.

This book moves the story along in leaps and bounds. I continues the gripping writing style to perfection. I would reccomend this book to anyone who has read the first two in the series even if they are having doubts.

I sort of knew what I was getting into with Ringo, having read a few of his books. However, while he seems to do pretty well when he cooperates with another writer, when he's working on his own, the characters he creates tend to be painfully thin - and in the case of this book, even ridiculously cringeworthy. Totally put me off from reading the rest of the series.

Anything that the very prolific writer puts on paper (or digital ink) is a pleasure to read again and again. You can really lose yourself in these books.