Hand of Mars

This book starts three years after the Mage has been “recruited” by the King of Mars. As usual, it’s action packed and as long as you like the meme “superman swoops in to save the world” you’ll find this a worthy successor to the first book. I don’t like stupid. Both in this series (this book) and in the duchess series, stupid abounds. Worse the villains are such horrible people that Stewart’s efforts to show us their side is implausible. Villainous and 2-dimensional – Snidely Whiplash type of villainy. In both series, a prisoner is so ineffectively controlled as he plays a major role in plot development. Completely implausible – unless you convince yourself that those in security has the intelligence of a turnip. I almost stopped reading at that point. I don’t understand why such ridiculous asinine plot devices are used here. (I also don’t understand why binary poisons are any more effective that any other). The world lacks any effective AI, and drones/automation seems to be stuck mid-1960. For instance, given clear and convincing evidence that the governor is a criminal how could Mars possibly not know that the Navy had to be involved? Why would the only person who could arrest the governor delay that arrest and go to meet him for dinner? (as people literally DIE around the planet) A simple game theoretic assessment would show the high likelihood of an assassination attempt, wouldn’t it? If you can read around the stupid and implausible, it’s fun. I know Stewart is capable of writing better, but if the next book in the series is as bad, it’ll be my last. It’s kinda like finding a fly in your soup, once *might* be forgivable, but only just.

This is old-fashioned science fiction with a dash of magic, and as an old guy, I enjoy every page.

You’ve got your interstellar empire. You’ve got your bad guys. You’ve got your good guys. You’ve got a narrative that transcends each book. You’ve got a likable hero, maybe a little too noble. You’ve got a convincing villain (or two).

And unlike a lot of authors, Glynn Stewart doesn’t devote 200 pages to misery and suffering and 50 pages to positive developments — in fact, that ratio is pretty much reversed, which makes (for me, at least) a fun read.

Oh, the details. Damien Montgomery is a powerful mage, but didn’t come from a family with a genetic predisposition to abilities that, among other things, allow space flight. In the first volume, he took out some bad guys and come to the attention of the Mage-King of Mars, who is essentially the galactic emperor.

In this book, Montgomery has completed his basic training under the Mage-King and is sent off to deal with problems on the planet Ardennes. The plot is reasonably complex, there are some unexpected happenings, but in the end, justice is served (as it should be in these kinds of books).

Bottom line (literally): I’ll be ordering volume three very soon, which is pretty much the highest praise any reader can give.

It is hard to put my finger on what I don’t like about this series. Don’t get me wrong – it is a good book – the world is extremely well described and believable, the actions of the characters make sense, the main character seems likable, the pace of the story is steady and the plot is good. I could go on – this is a great book by almost all measures.

What bugs me about this book is the lack of insight into the emotions of the characters. The characters are wooden to me. Just as in the real world or in a movie, we can judge the characters by their words and their actions, and in that context the characters are consistent at least. But we’re on the outside looking in, even for the main character.

The first book came out and it was promising. This second book Hand of Mars, is rather flat. It is about a young Jedi{Mage} finding his powers. Leading a ragtag Rebel army again a local Tyrants . Then another cookie cuter- spaceship battle scene to save the day……
If the author stay with an interesting story about the Mage. It would be an interest read. I’m getting way from Sci-fi books that are all about battle sense..
db

First let me say that I have all of the books this Author has written and I love them all. With the Hand of Mars Damien has grown up and must face the challenges and difficulties that come with his talents and abilities, Filled with action and conflict the book takes the reader realistically through the the emotional growth necessary when the responsibility of command demands action; action that can result with no real winners if one “Does the right thing”. Too many times people compromise but the author is able to realistically communicate the concept of right from wrong. That evil can masquerade as actions done for the greater good.

I truly hope there will be a book 3 and look forward to reading it.

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