Customer Reviews

The Three-Cornered War (The Regiment Series, Book 4)

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

 

 

This book tied up the loose ends of the previous books in the series, but did leave a feeling that there should be more. It's ending is like that of other series I have read, where what purports to be the last book seemed to finish on a flat note. It is as if the author is bored and tired with the whole project and wants to "just wrap it up."

With John Dalmas, and with this series, that is not a fatal flaw. It injects a tinge of disappointment, however. I sure wish and hope that there will be more, and that the author would further develop the theme of the Tzel, and the different way the Iryalans are developing, and what that might mean. (huff, puff, huff) (Sorry for the run-on sentences.)

Despite my "criticism" I found the book a very satisfying and fun read. I had no difficulty with "new" characters injected. I did find some of the situations contrived, but for Pete's sake! what "Space Opera" isn't contrived?

Get the book. It is cheaper than paying to see another crummy offering of bilge from the nimrods in Hollywood.

JHK

I have to agree with one of the previous reviewer who gave a low ratting of this novel.

This is not a "regiment" novel. It's more like an "OSP" novel -- if you are familiar with this series, you would know what I mean. There were hardly anything about the "regiment" except for the last assault on a flagship that involved about a platoon of them.

There were so many unrelated subplots in this book that had not thing to do with the main plot. Even worse, some of them came and went so aruptly. They gave the feeling that they were there just to make the book thicker. For example, in the subplot that "the most important person in human history" kidnapped by some terrorist groups drag on and on for more than 1/4 of the book. I could not help but wondering why this had any thing to do with the main plot. It also felt ridiculous that all these powerful OSP "seers" kept missing the chances to detect the wherabout of the hostage times and again because they always went to bed while the terrorists were tranfered the hostage. Hasn't the author ever heard about the term "24 hours surveillance"?

Even the main plot is lacking. Because of the title of the book, I initially expected the author would construct a really complex, intrigued, interlocked struglles among the three powers. Of course, it was nothing but a wish. The "war" was more like two separate wars that each had its own mad villian. When a villian was gone, the war ended. Just like that.

To be fair, I have to admit that the part of the space battle between the Confederation and the Garthid fleets was not bad. That's why I gave two stars instead of one.

This book was so bad that it forced me to do something I NEVER do. When I finished it, I threw it away. It was that bad.

Characters appear almost randomly. Some appear to have absolutely no importance in the storyline. Some characters disappear, and their fates are never revealed. And "The Regiment's Last Stand" mentioned on the cover quite simply does not occur. In fact, combat is pretty scarce throughout this entire book, considering it's title. Avoid this book, especially if you're a fan of the Regiment.

This book provided the important event that the other books leading up to it hinted at.

I always have a certain amount of trouble getting started on a Dalmas book, but I was easily drawn in. This may come from a familiarity with his style that I have aquired. There is a sygnificant amount of action within this book. It has a number of different subplots, sometimes you shift quickly enough to become confusing, but what work the reader has to do is worth it when the threads are woven together.

The characters that you already know are easily enhanced but Dalmas adds several more. They are easily enchanting, he even makes the villains human enough for sympathy.

The only significant downfall to this book, is that the end is not a conclusion. It begs to have another volume. There is a serious amount of growth potential when the author completed the work. However at the end of the volume the author indicates that this is the last volume. The only other flaw that got my attention was the fact that certain things appeared out of nowhere with little preperation in the preceeding text.

If you have read the other books in the series it is a must read.

John, ever since you stormed into my office with a draft of The White Regiment needing review, I can't put these books down. I love the way this book blends characters, and finds an end point-but there is so much more to go! Kro is just beginning as a character, and will the Empires learn from each other? John definitely picks characters, events, environments, and plots that feel REAL as you read. Pretty good for an old paratrooper.

I have enjoyed reading this whole series, very much. It's right up there with the Falkenberg Legion and the Hammer Slammers.