The date is 1968 of the Galactic Era, almost three thousand years from now. The Republic, dominated by the human race, is in the midst of an all-out war with the Teroni Federation. Almost a year has passed since the events of Starship: Mercenary. Captain Wilson Cole now commands a fleet of almost fifty ships, and he has become the single greatest military force on the Inner Frontier. With one exception. The Republic still comes and goes as it pleases, taking what it wants, conscripting men, and extorting taxes, even though the Frontier worlds receive nothing in exchange. And, of course, the government still wants Wilson Cole and the starship Theodore Roosevelt. He has no interest in confronting such an overwhelming force, and constantly steers clear of them. Then an incident occurs that changes everything, and Cole declares war on the Republic. Outnumbered and always outgunned, his fleet is no match for the Republic's millions of military vessels, even after he forges alliances with the warlords he previously hunted down. It's a hopeless cause...but that's just what Wilson Cole and the Teddy R. are best at.
I don't know why I decided to read Book 1 of Resnicks series.After finishing book 4,I still don't know why.The only thing that I can say is that I really enjoyed all 4 and can't wait for the fifth installment.The caste of characters are unusual and somewhat comic-bookish (nothing wrong with that at all),but they are very entertaining.I strongly recommend these books and might figure out why after Book 10.
Pretty good read
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 15 years ago
The story is moving along pretty nicely. The characters a still slightly flat in terms of development (I'm joking here...they are about as deep as a puddle). It's a great read simply because it's a fun distraction and it moves along with great pacing. There is action followed by down time followed by action all leading up to a climax. A fun little distraction that I highly recommend.
Great Book
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 16 years ago
Rebel is a great book, easy to read, hard to put down. Witty, love Mikes writing style. would recommend the series to any reader who would like to just enjoy a good read.
The fourth Starship saga is as fast-paced and action-paked as its predecessors
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 16 years ago
After disobeying a direct order that would have killed millions (see STARSHIP: MERCENARY), the Federation throws Captain Wilson Cole of the starship Theodore Roosevelt into the brig awaiting court martial. Knowing he will be found guilty, his loyal crew rescues him and flees to the Inner Frontier where they become pirates then mercenaries.. Cole now commands fifty ships with the home base being Singapore Station A close friend, the alien Commander Forrice, is tortured and killed because he refused to tell where the Teddy R is docked. Cole blasts the vessel where his friend was executed. Federation ships retaliate by destroying an entire populated planet. Furious, Cole intends to attack the Federation to keep them out of the Inner Frontier where they impress civilians into their navy and do whatever abuse they want on independent worlds. Joining Cole on his quest is warlord Octopus who has hundreds of ships, and Lafferty who foments rebellion inside the Federation. The enemy sends the biggest armada with the greatest weaponry ever known to take out Teddy R and the Singapore Station. The fourth Starship saga is as fast-paced and action-paked as its predecessors. Though a bit over Mount Olympus with a thin plot, this is fun military space opera as Mike Resnick paints a vivid galactic future that in many ways mirrors present earth with conflicts everywhere. Fans of the series will be in shock with the direction Cole takes us as he decides who the true enemy is. Harriet Klausner
Thank you Mr. Resnick
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 16 years ago
It is a wonderful thing to be able to sit down to a book written by an author who loves his characters and has a story to tell. This is the fourth book in the Starship series and is the best one so far. If you are reading this review then you have read the previous novels, so I won't spoil the pleasure of reading this one by discussing the plot. Let just say that Mr. Resnick has a story arc that is logical and is exciting. The characters are well drawn and memorable. The author has even created some new ones that are a welcome addition to the series. The last part of the book contains a battle that literally had me cheering as I read it. It was vivid and exciting as any battle scenes from any action movie. I look forward to the next and I suspect final entry of this series. Again thank you Mr. Resnick for a very very good time.
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