Peter J. Heck

A fun series enjoyed by long-ago carol for inventive capers and general good-vibes of a Space Legion (drawing straight from the band-of-misfits trope), I couldn't remember if I read this one or not when I saw it on sale. This might have been protective memory, or it could be because this came out beyond the prime years of reading this series. Apparently, they brought it back with a co-writer, unclear reasons why.

I think most fans of the series will feel it misses the mark. While it takes the nominal plots from other books--angry superior setting team up to fail; new oddball recruit coming it; acceptance by the locals--this one has Captain Jester's father come to... I don't know, be angry paternal authority figure? He and Jester try and trick each other in the casino from book 2, leading to a deux et machina move for a possible redemption arc, but gets there by the most unlikely of methods, ignoring the skills of Jester that the previous 4 books built up.

Narrative has been one of the strengths--and potential weaknesses--of the series. Asprin head-hopped from character to character, getting insight on the occasionally separate conflicts they were facing. It built characters and tension--occasionally one character will know more than another--but at the risk of continuity. In this book, even more than the normal team have been added to the mix, and not all of them are even on the same planet. Between multiple viewpoints and the plot--instead of one main plot, there's three simultaneous ones (his dad, the environmental review, the mission), along with the usual assortment of minor ones (will the new recruit make it? Will the members of the Company succeed in their personal challenges?)--it's messy. More than a bit, actually.

I think people interested in light sci-fi would do best with the first couple books in the series which were solidly Asprin's. Heck worked primarily as an editor and reviewer and while the framework of Asprin's stories is here, the execution and spirit isn't.

So, reminder to future carol.: You removed this from your kindle for a reason. Just say no.… (more)