Customer Reviews

Wolf Star (Tour of the Merrimack, No. 2)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I started reading this book with mixed feelings, having seen the reviews here about it. Some people felt betrayed by the ending in the first book, and almost had to fight to read the second book. Some only read the second book because they had already purchased it.

I liked this book very much. The way she shows just how completely history can be changed, from the global, epic scale of events down to the insignificant minutae of someone's life - it was almost awe inspiring to follow, remembering from the first book how it had been previously, and seeing what she wrote now.

I agree that some of the characters don't seem as "lovable" in the second book, but then again that was part of the whole point I believe. What happens to us makes us who we are, and if something had happened differently, we would be colored differently by those incidents. She does a great job of weaving this new reality into being. I can't wait to see where she goes with the next book in the series.

I have always considered Rebecca Meluch to be one of the very best science fiction writers working today. I cannot understand why she has not received more acclaim. Wolf Star continues the series begun in The Myriad. At the end of the first book, an escape through a wormhole and back into the past slightly reset the current Universe. The Hive, the main enemy through the main section of The Myriad, seemed not to exist, and the Roman Empire was America's greatest enemy. In this book, the Hive re-appears, and it becomes apparent that the backstory of The Myriad is, with slight changes, the story of Wolf Star. As usual, Rebecca Meluch's characters are larger than life, well drawn, interesting, each with his own unique personality.

The plot is engaging, though I am not sure why she chose to write these books in what is essentially reverse order, the end of this book being the beginning of the last. Since we already have a pretty good idea of what is going to happen, a good deal of suspense is lost. Nevertheless, the details are exciting, the action engrossing and the characters sympathetic. A terrific story, and I'm looking forward to the next.

I read it straight through and liked it a lot. It features more of the 'minor' characters introduced in the first book such as Don Cordillera and Calli. My one disappointment was that Augustus was present for very little of the book. I wanted to see more of an interaction between him and Farragut because of realization about Farragut that Augustus made in book one. Acutually another roman character hints on it again in this book and I really hope it's followed up in book three.

I enjoyed THE MYRIAD, the first book in the Tour of the Merrimack a lot. This one is even better. Meluch's writing style is fast and vivid, and the pages turn unbelievably fast. She has an amazing way of getting the point across in a few terse words, which other authors would spend paragraphs describing. One of the most exciting books I've read all year. I can't wait to grab the next one.

I was a bit confused as to the time seting in this book. I thought that the enemy aliens were known in volume 1 of this series. So why do they come as a surprise here?
A good read and interesting characters. Definitely worth reading.

I took the time to reread the first book, then moved on to Wolf Star. The books just keep getting better. The character developement, and story was just wonderful. The anticipation of the next book is even better. Can't wait to see where the Merrimack is off to next.

Absolutely a delight! Meluch has done a superb job melding an interesting perspective of a possible future with an Alien invasion, all held tight together with a narrative which just plain moves. The characters are rich and deep, unfolding and developing in the most natural way throughout the story arc.

The most interesting part about reading this second book in Meluch's Merrimack trilogy is that the first introduced you to a whole range of characters who developed, matured and evolved to meet the challenges which came their way - and then wiped the slate clean at the end of the book. If you haven't read The Myriad, then definitely grab it first. Though you could read this book without having first read Myriad, there is a depth of understanding and subtle background tension which you are only aware of from the first narrative found in Myriad.

More a space opera than military science fiction, the military strategy and politics really come second to the characters and the action-packed plotline. Though near the end I did find myself with the ghost of Honor Harrington in the back of my mind; in fact, I really wanted to team Meluch's Farragut up with Webber's Harrington - there would be a military pairing which would burn past all the opposition thrown their way.

In the end I have to recommend this book rather wholeheartedly. There are some more mature sexual themes which make it less appropriate for younger readers. Overall, though, this is an excellent example of Science Fiction at its best.

With the twist at the end of The Myriad, Meluch in essence, if not in reality, sends Merrimack back in time, so we have the opportunity to see a version of what transpired up to the point at which we meet the crew of the Merrimack at the start of The Myriad. All of the characters are back in Wolf Star, some with amended roles, and the story covers a first encounter with The Hive, gives a taste of war and competition with Palatine, and illustrates how the truce between Palatine and Earth may have come about and how Augustus ends up on Merrimack.

Just when I was beginning to think no other character could come close to the perfections of Niki Thea and David Tow, in barges TR Steele to demand consideration. He may not be refined, but I just can't shake him - I hope he'll be with us for the duration of this series. The character of John Farragut is expanded in this installment, and as others have noted, it would be nice to continue his interaction with Augustus in the coming books.

Obviously there is much more adventure awaiting the crew of the Merrimack - the more, the better, if you ask me. The wait for Book #3 is going to be agonizing. I'm going to have to go back and re-read all of her others to stave off the withdrawal symptoms...

So I'm posting this review of the second book directly after posting my review of the first book. I read them one right after the other. Both books had me so engrossed, even given the surprise ending of the first book, that I read both books in four days.

This books kinda/sorta picks up where the first book ends, but you do have to read it a bit before you figure out what the author is doing, and at that point, you start to get a glimpse of the madness that must be working in the authors mind. This is definitely not your stereotypical time-travel/alternate universe story. The author begins to work previous plot elements into the story in such a sinister way it becomes almost an "aha!" moment.

So now I'm hooked, and will have no qualms about picking up the third in the series, and if the author can keep up the pace, I will no doubt be following Farragut for several more boos.

Another great book from R.M. Meluch. You should read the books of this series in order. Well worth your money