27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Uh,folks? I think this is NOT the last book in the series, April 8, 2002
This is the third in the "Suits" series. Here is a series of random observations:
* Great characters, and I like the choices the author made as to which characters to focus on. I'm not sure he's playing entirely fair with us ... at least one main character he 'killed off' will, I'll bet, be resurrected "next week".
* Speaking of resurrections .... naw. Read the book, you'll see it for yourself. Just keep in mind that there are a LOT of different NGO's in this universe, and some of them do indeed work in wondrous ways.
* I was looking for more of the "Suits" in action, with emphasis on hardware and tactics and all that Military SF stuff. Instead I found REAL people instead of characters (generally speaking), and the author worked hardest on developing people so interesting that I cared about what happened to them. Ringo isn't just a Hardware Guy after all. Like Heinlein, he can write a story; like Drake, he can invent interesting situations; like Weber, he can invent complex interstellar societies; and like the very best of writers, his stories take over and hold you spellbound. I would recommend ANYTHING John Ringo writes. Ever.
* This book actually develops the story, instead of just giving us more of what we saw in the previous book. It's refreshing to see a writer who actually seems to be going someplace and writes for other reasons than to fulfill a 3-book contract.
* Sure, the equine antagonists still smell bad and have a disconcerting tendency to slice 'n dice your neighbors, but even they are developing so they seem more real to the reader. When you compare them to Turtledove's invaders, they seem quite interesting even if you wouldn't want them to move in next door.
Or on top of your house, as it were.
* I was ready for this third book to finish the series. I suppose I was hoping Ringo would give us the third of his "March Upcountry" series Real Soon Now. Unfortunately, now I have to wait another six months or more for THAT book and another YEAR for another "Suits" book. Hey, John Ringo! I see you're an honor graduate of the David Weber School of SF Marketting. <G>
* I originally gave this review 4 stars, as if to say "I liked it, but ....". You see, it didn't meet my 'reader expectations'. As I reconsider my position, though, this might be a very good reason to rate it higher than I did. The book gave me MORE than I expected. Sometimes it's A Good Thing to be shaken out of my comfort zone.
So buy the book. Read it. Write your OWN damn review. If you convince me it's a 5-star book, I'll go along with that. But if it's a 5-star rating, how is Ringo going to know that he can do even better on the next one?
Jerry the (I played hooky from the office to read this book!) Geek
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Leaves you wanting more..and SOON, April 28, 2002
By A Customer
Ringo's Posleen books (A Hymn Before Battle, Gust Front, and now When the Devil Dances) are powerful, near future combat sci-fi. If that's what you like, these deliver a complex plot, detailed characters, and compelling action. I think Gust Front (at least) should be read before WTDD to get a sense of the characters and context.
My only, small, disappointment with WTDD is its cliffhanger ending - but as my review title says, I look forward eagerly to Mr. Ringo's next Posleen book.
I highly recommend this series.
Mr. Ringo is a very accessible author, who discusses a number of subjects (including previous and future books) at the Baen's Bar website. It's surprising and gratifying to receive an author's response to questions about apparent inconsistencies in his books, as well as his writing schedule.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Hit the brakes, April 1, 2002
.
If you enjoy Military SF Ringo is great.
The first book sucked you in, the second was a little slower but good and you said "Hey it'll pick up again" but then the long awaited final installment arrives and... it just creeps along, still good but a lot of hand waving in my opinion, you almost feel like the story is on hold for some reason.
Still if you liked the first one then your hooked, and well... your hooked! Now we have to wait another year for the next "Final" installment!
The only other criticism is he hasn't let us in on the behind the scenes conspiracy. Who are behind the Posleen? Who are the players in the galatic chess game? Come on John add some meat here!
I dont think he can apply the richness that subplot deserves in that last installment, unless this is going to be another 15 book series ala a certain roman alternate history series (Every one of which was suppoesd to be "Wrapping things up")
Anway, he is still better than 80% of the Military SF Wannabee's so take the plunge and buy all 3 (4,5,6,7?)
Ringo actually knows the difference between tactics and strategy so if you like technically correct and interesting military stuff he's your guy. Don't get me wrong he also has a pretty good handle on military culture and his stuff is anything but a dry read...
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