Customer Reviews

Stark's Command (Stark's War, Book 2)

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

 

 

When I first bought 'Stark's War', I didn't read much of it. I wasn't interested at the time. Recently, I came back, and read the whole thing from cover-to-cover. I was thrilled. It was great.

Going through the aisles of my local bookstore the other day, I saw this book. I didn't even know there was going to be a sequel! I bought it immediately, went directly home, and read the book until I finished it, at about 2AM.

It was a great book! Even better than the first. I loved it. It didn't have that "I am invincible! Rarrgh!" theme from the main characters as lots of novels do, either. I thought it was a great yarn, if a very unrealistic view on the future...

... Well, I hope so, anyway.

I definately recommend buying this book. Don't forget to read 'Stark's War' first, to get the whole story. It'll read a lot better that way, and the story'll be cooler.

Now that Sergeant Stark has successfully mutinied and 'his' army is free, there are still some unsolved problems. What will he do with all the officers now in the brig that are consuming food, water, and air (all limited commodities on the moon)? What is he going to do with all the "civs" that are getting closer to a panic as time goes on not knowing what the "mils" are up to? How is the 'his' army going to continue as a combat effective unit without officers? However, the answer to the last question seems to be the first one where an answer is determined, because the 'Enemy' Multinationals have just begun a major assault, and Stark's front line is crumbling . . . This one is good. A little more character development from the first book (Stark's War), and the 'moon rebellion' that Stark unintentionally started begins to expand.

Wow, in this book (#2 of 3) Stark not only deals in combat but in diplomacy, and government building. These future Americans begin to question the state of their homeland and what they must do to fix it or seperate from it.

As the action expanded we learned of the "civs" on the moon, the US Navy, the enemy, the free enterprise of rogue merchants and the drastic state of the US after the events of the first book.

I toyed with the idea after the first book, but I am sure the world Hemry creates in his writings, would make a great role-playing campaign. Whether you rpg or not, if you like fast passed reading about regular people doing extraordinary things, in military or scifi settings, then this book is for you.

Better than Stark's War, and I can't wait to see the 3rd book (Stark's Crusade?).

The sequel to `Stark's War' sees the beginning of the consequences of Sergeant (now Commander) Ethan Stark's mutiny on the moon. For non initiates this series sees the USA as the last surviving superpower on Earth which is now determined to also conquer the colonized moon and claim it for itself.

Stark has been placed in command of the US military forces that have overthrown their high-ranking officers. After witnessing firsthand the terrible and unnecessary waste of life thanks to the myopic orders of his superiors Stark now wishes forge an army based on mutual respect. In addition to fighting a merciless foe on the moon's surface, he must also contend with the US government's reaction to his mutiny.

I must confess I really enjoyed this outing of Hemry's pragmatic, analytical and most of all honourable central character: Stark. I would advise readers to not judge this book by its cover. Looking at it you expect gung ho action and a clichéd drama and I must stress that cannot be further from the truth. This is thoughtful, cerebral military science fiction where every decision has to be painstakingly thought through whilst the stakes become increasingly higher. This conveys the awesome responsibility a leader has for his soldiers, personnel and equipment.

This time out Stark must also gain the trust and cooperation of the civilians who have colonised the moon. If the first entry set things up then this one sees Stark tackling a multitude of issues head on, some he never thought he would have to as a soldier. This makes `Stark's Command' a much more interesting and enjoyable read, it is certainly not just 300 pages plus of grunts battling it out from foxholes and behind rocks; rather it is quite psychological and more about sharing problems and building trust.

With its mixture of `civs' (civilians), `mil' (military), corporations and government the book has plenty of ideologies and thinking to explore with Stark thrust right at the centre of it whether he likes it or not.

What also impressed me about the novel is that it is packed with references to past military history and tactics as well as fleshed out believable supporting characters and not your usual stereotypes. Old favourites like Vic Reynolds, Bev Manley and Stacey Yurivan are all back of course as well as new characters such as Colony Manager James Campbell and his associate and colleague Cheryl Sarafina. What these new additions achieve is added perspective to proceedings so we are not seeing events through one set of eyes. You get a true sense important ideas being thrown about with a multitude of different interests being represented.

Don't get me wrong, for all of the debates and verbal sparring this is packed with fraught and desperate lunar battles and strong imagery as soldiers fight and die on the barren landscape far from home. This one is guaranteed to hold your attention and keep you thinking and guessing.

Factor in some new arrivals with unknown motives as well as the false propaganda from a manipulative media interested only in ratings and entertainment and you have a morally ambiguous and highly combustible situation.

This is a feasible distant future with Stark having to organise and improvise as he attempts to hold all the different factions together. By the novels end the battle lines have been drawn for a big final confrontation. I cannot wait.

John G. Hemry shares a place on my shelf next to Bernard Cornwell, David Weber, and Patrick O'Brian. His military scifi books a filled with a kind of detailed cynicism that can only come from actually serving in the military. I cannot recommend the Stark's War series enough, as well as his lost fleet series, written under the pen name "Jack Campbell" for reasons that escape me. If you like military fiction, you will like his books, even if you aren't a fan of scifi.

Stark's Command picks up where Stark's War left off, and it doesn't disappoint. The scope of the book spreads from pointing out the problems with the military (which accurately reflect real problems in the military and corporate America) to include how Stark deals with these problems.

With the broader scope, civilian problems and politics are introduced into the mix. Stark is forced to determine where his priorities lie, why he is fighting the war, and how to lead without hurting the people he cares about. Characterization is much richer in this book than the last book, and when soldiers die, the reader can feel Stark's upset and pain.

Also presented in the book are the author's ideal civilian (one who respects the sacrifices of the military and helps as much as possible, rather than ignoring and reviling soldiers) and the ideal politician (one who serves the people and does not try to line his pockets).

The archetypes are poignant and realistic, while at the same time being sympathetic and retaining some individuality. The book is still a little preachy about the theme, but it is less noticeable than in the first book.

For the action junkies, there are more explosions and battles, too.

This was a good book to read. You should read the books in order. worth your money

This is a fine sequel to "Stark's War". It's a compelling sequel and worthy of your time to read. Both books are page-turners. However, "Stark's Command" is more evenly written and is an improvement on the first novel (SEE MY REVIEW OF "STARK'S WAR"). The other reviews on Amazon focus on plot, so I won't go into detail. In short, the first novel focuses on issues of leadership, responsibility and honor. The sequel places SGT Stark in power and demonstrates that implementing those principles is difficult and comes with a heavy personal cost. Additionally, Hemry plays with the concept of a cultural gap between the military and civilians and illustrates the dangers of that gulf becoming too wide. "Stark's War" postulates a future where the split in complete. "Stark's Command" starts to bring the two cultures together slowing.