Conventions of War [Hardcover]

Walter Jon Williams (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: SIMON & SCHUSTER (November 7, 2005)
• ASIN: B000K2TUDQ
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Facinating Characters, November 28, 2005

By 

J. McClure "Jedo" (Brooklyn, NY United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Conventions of War (Dread Empire's Fall) (Mass Market Paperback)

I really enjoyed this series from the get go, and the final book in the series does not disappoint. Williams has created 2 great characters that follow parallel but mostly separate trajectories though the events of the rich universe he created. Each is a protagonist in their own tale, and a supporting character in the others. It may be a bit much to say that this is SF for people who like Jane Austin, but the strength of this series is in the same vein.

The problem with the vast majority of most hard SF is that it shows astonishing ideas acted out by cardboard cutout characters. And there is nothing wrong with that, since authors have to pick what they want to devote their energy to- and SF is by and large about the ideas. Books that get shelved in the literature section tend to be more about interesting characters and how their actions and their relationships play out. Williams seems to have been able to accomplish both with his deft writing.

So basically, if you like your SF character driven, (For instance, if you liked the show Firefly) then check out this series- you will not be disappointed.

19 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fine space opera, October 2, 2005

By 

Alex D. Groce (Pasadena, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Conventions of War (Dread Empire's Fall) (Mass Market Paperback)

Williams has finished off an enjoyable series with an enjoyable volume. The big things for space opera are done well: nice battle scenes, clever ideas, decent villains (though to be honest, the Naxids are not terribly interesting; the bad "good guys" are the source of fun and gnashing teeth). The writing is not as fine as in Williams' short stories (or in his best novels), but it's always readable and more than competent.

The characters are well drawn, and the nature of the characters makes this more interesting than typical good "interstellar shoot-'em-up" fare -- there's some irony, tragedy, and ambiguity to the (otherwise a bit traditional) ending -- it's not perfectly clear where some of Williams' sympathies lie, and that's a good thing.

Recommended to anyone who likes enjoyable non-slide-rule-bound science fiction, but doesn't demand High Literature.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Ending that Leaves Room for More, November 27, 2005

By 

John A Lee III "jal3" (San Antonio, TX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Conventions of War (Dread Empire's Fall) (Mass Market Paperback)

This series has been different. It is space opera and follows all the normal conventions but it has just seemed "different" in some indescribable way. This third book has the same feel and is, in my mind, the best of the lot. It also leaves open the possibility of opening up the trilogy into a wider ranging series.
Humanity and its allied races are involved in a civil war. After the death of the last of the Shaa conquerors, one race, the Naxids, seek to replace the Shaa as overlords. Needless to say, the other races do not agree.
The allies have had to evacuate the capital planet. All of the government functionaries have fled leaving behind only the mass of citizens and the invaders. Also left behind is a small group of naval officers commissioned to lead an armed insurrection. Most of them are hopeless and good at nothing but being the aristocracy. One exception is Lady Sula. After all of the others are captured, she manages to lead a resistance movement that actually takes over the planet.
Meanwhile, Capt. Martinez and the fleet are trying to rebuild and prepare for a final action. The good captain is a naval innovator and a good leader and that leads him into conflict with the high brass where your bloodline made more difference than your abilities. While a big part of the story takes part with Capt. Martinez and some critical things happen, it is not the main thrust of the story. It is present for character development and as an opportunity to throw in a murder mystery.
The book reads well and keeps the attention. It is entertaining and different in tone and style from most space opera. Its lots of fun. I hope there will be further sequels.