Customer Reviews

When the Tide Rises (RCN)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When the Tide Rises (2008) is the sixth SF novel in the Leary, RCN, series, following Some Golden Harbor. In the previous volume, Daniel Leary commanded the Bennarian destroyer Sibyl in combat with the Pellegrinian cruiser Caio Duilio and drove the enemy ship into the atmosphere of Dunbar's World. After the cruiser crashlanded, the winners gathered to dispose of the booty.

Daniel dictated the ownership of the various ships, weapon and materiel with very little opposition. Adele Mundy had waking nightmares after leading the attack on the missile control trailer, but Daniel calmed her down. Then they went off to listen to Elemere sing.

In this novel, Daniel receives orders to aid the Bagarian Republic in their revolution against the Alliance. Naturally, the mission has more to do with Cinnabar's interests than those of the Bagarian Republic. Just maybe Daniel can do enough to draw the attention of the Alliance Navy and relieve the pressures on Admiral James at Diamondia.

Adele has received a visitor from Bryce in the Alliance worlds. Rene Cazelet is the grandson of Madame Boileau, who had been training Adele as a librarian when Cinnabar killed off her family. Cazelet's parents have been arrested -- and probably executed -- on charges of treason against the Alliance.

Cazelet had only escaped capture because he was with his grandmother and is now fleeing agents of the Fifth Bureau. Madame Boileau asks Adele to take in Cazelet and mentor him as she had done for her. Adele quickly decides to adopt Cazelet, so to speak, and carries him along to the theater. There they see the popular show The Conquest of Dunbar's World, starring Michael Beasley as Lieutenant Daniel Leary, RCN.

In this story, the Princess Cecile first sails to Diamondia. With Daniel's permission, Adele includes Cazelet in the ship's company and bunks him in the midshipmen quarters. Adele starts training him as a signals officer during the voyage.

On Diamondia, Daniel has a private talk with Admiral James. Then the Princess Cecile sails on to Pelosi and the Bagarian Republic. The Bagarian president and ministers are so impressed by Daniel's reputation that they appoint him as the commanding admiral of the Bagarian Navy.

Of course, their navy doesn't amount to much. They do have a former RCN vessel captured from the Alliance -- the light cruiser Victoria Luise -- and offer to rename her Admiral Leary. But Daniel convinces them to name her Ladouceur, the original RCN name.

Daniel takes the Ladouceur and other vessels of the Bagarian Navy out on a training mission. Naturally, Daniel makes the mission as realistic as possible. So they raid Dodd's Throne and take two Pleasaunce registered ships as prizes.

Adele continues instructing Cazelet on ship identification and other techniques that she uses to do her job as signal officer. Cazelet catches on quickly and starts to become very effective in shipbourne communications. Of course, he has already received training from his grandmother almost as extensive as Adele's own education.

This tale takes Daniel through political and naval minefields in the Bagarian Republic and within the RCN. He gains the interest of Admiral James and his senior captains. When James finally ups ship to fight the Alliance fleet, Daniel and the Princess Cecelia are with him.

The story is loosely based on the memoirs of Lord Cochrane in service to the revolutionary governments of Chile and Brazil. One gets the distinct impression that these governments were trying to please the populace without angering Spain and Portugal. Obviously, Lord Cochrane had a difficult time performing his mission with the revolutionary councils working against him. But the author does make things somewhat easier for Daniel, since his own government is not actively baulking him.

As usual, the Princess Cecile succeeds despite the odds and produces the desired results. Both Daniel and Adele perform small wonders and lead the Sissies and other crewmembers to victory. But keep your eye on Cazelet; who knows what he is really trying to do.

Highly recommended for Drake fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of spatial combat, political chicanery and a touch of romance.

-Arthur W. Jordin

I have enjoyed the Leary series from the first. The historical/futuristic blend of technologies is fascinating and allows for a depth of characters that is not normally seen in "outer space". The author plays off his character's weaknesses as well as strengths.

My only problem is a certain repetitiveness(?). The main charcters tend to think or say certain things every other chapter - particularly Mundy in reference to Tovera.

I reccomend this series to anyone who enjoys SF but doesn't want to get to involved in computers or "high" technology.

The war continues unabated between the Republic of Cinnabar and the Alliance of Free Stars. Although his side is short on battleships and experienced combat officers, Cinnabar Space Navy Officer Daniel Leary expects to be mothballed since his mentor on the Board was replaced by someone who detests the maverick as success does not matter; political connections do.

Instead he and his crew are assigned to help the fledgling navy of the Independent Republic of Bagaria, who seceded from the Alliance. Espionage agent Signal Officer Adele Mundy accompanies Daniel and his crew. Upon arrival at the frontier republic, they find the biggest problem is from within the divided Bagarian political leadership as treason seems to be the norm especially for those who lost power when Bagaria left the Alliance.

The latest Leary outer space military science fiction thriller (see SOME GOLDEN HARBOR, WITH THE LIGHTNINGS and THE WAY TO GLORY, etc.) is an excellent entry that has the author's trademark look at the brutality of war, but much more. The story line contains the usual Mr. Drake's deep look at the outcome of hostilities on civilian populations as well as the surviving military. However, the tale also provides a fascinating political twist that is mindful of Iraq and the Baath party. Those who were in power under the Alliance want back what they lost; while those who gained power refuse to share. WHEN THE TIDE RISES is a thought-provoking entertaining entry in the Cinnabar-Alliance war.

Harriet Klausner

The Mundy/Leary series is beginning to change from the pure rockem-sockem space opera to something deeper. Adele Munday is at the center of this book and to put it bluntly, is starting to come unglued. Finally the characters are becoming more human. If you start the series with this book, you will have missed so much Go back and read everything.
Drake has written a new world, not at all like the present world. But that does not mean you wn't cheer commander Leary's victories and grow to love the characters. Fine book.

OK, it's a potboiler, but it's a good potboiler. For those coming in late, this is the latest volume in David Drake's space opera Leary and Mundy series which began with WITH THE LIGHTNINGS. If you haven't read that one, that's the place to start. If you are a fan, this is the next volume after WHEN THE TIDE RISES, and the usual crew is back, relying on Leary's superior command performance and Mundy's intelligence resources to save the Republic of Cinabar's bacon. As I said, it's a potboiler--no major developments in the series, and no major points made. But it's well thought out, entertaining and a part of one of the better space opera series running at present. It's cotton candy SF, but I'm glad I bought it. We should all go to the carnival every now and then.

In all respects, this was a substantial improvement over the previous book in this series (Some Golden Harbor). The plotting seemed tighter, the characterization more sophisticated, and the action more intense.

In particular, Adele Mundy seemed less like a whiner and more like the interesting person she could be. (Daniel Leary also comes off as more adult, which is long since overdue.) The new character, Cazelet, is something of a McGuffin, serving more to advance the character development of the others than as a real character in his own right. But he does do that job well, and it brings Adele out of the stagnation her character has been suffering from.

The book is more action-oriented than some of the others, which is probably a good thing. Drake doesn't need a lot of action to write a good book, but I think Leary and Mundy demand it. So in this series, a healthy amount of action is a plus.

Fans of Tovara and Hogg may feel a bit shorted, but fans of Leary and Mundy will be more happy. And the rest of the Sissies get their screen time as well, which is an important aspect of what makes these books continue to be worth reading.

There is no end in sight for this series, but this book (in contrast to the last one) makes that once again seem like a good thing.

An enjoyed book, with Leary and Mundy and the cast back in action on another desolate outpost and long odds. Fans of the series will enjoy seeing them again, and the action they've come to expect of this set. For those who haven't read the earlier books, I suggest starting at the beginning to enjoy it a lot more. The unusual pairing of a Conquistador-like Cinnabar sense of honor and duels and romance with a reference-librarian turned spy and deadly pistolero may seem odd otherwise!

Oddly, I was both really enjoying it and somewhat disappointed. Drake's done so well with the other volumes that a really good book seems almost a letdown here. The characters remain great and interesting universe, just no real surprises this time. The fleet action is the only part I will actually say wasn't good -- too forced a setup and the battle tactics just not reasonable. Again, an enjoyable visit from old friends.

My review of "Some Golden Harbor" complained about the one dimensional protagonists and the repetitive description of their characters. There is still a little of that in this sequel, but, overall, the characters are more believable with a lot more "show" and a lot less "tell" in their depiction. I also faulted the lack of action in the previous book. Not this time. Except for the occasional party or meeting with an admiral, the action, mostly on board ship, is non-stop.

Highly recommended.

Fans of military science fiction will find WHEN THE TIDE RISES is a gripping, fast-paced story telling of Commander Daniel Leary and his spy friend, who are helping the Bagarian cluster in its rebellion against the alliance. From politics to mutiny and beyond, WHEN THE TIDE RISES is a fast-paced complex of action and adventure, and makes for a fine, involving military science fiction read perfect for collections strong in military science fiction writings.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I found this story to be better than the last officer Leary story. David Drake likes to base his story line on historical battles, which makes these stories a little more real to me. I find the characters a wonderful blend of odd and loyal. The group dynamics are well written and so I can get into character myself and enjoy the ride.