Silent Warrior (Mass Market Paperback)

The Silent Warrior was a better book than its predecessor, Dawn For a Distant Earth. The pace was faster and more "stuff" just seemed to be going on. But...Modesitt's prose is still clunky, and at times a bit difficult to read because of it. Also, there were too many characters that just seemed to show up to advance the plot along -- usually this entailed dying. I think Modesitt would have been better off developing two or three of the more minor characters to show us the depth that Gerswin is willing to go to use these people...even if they do benefit at times (not every minor character dies). My finally criticism is that the ending to this book, like the last, was incomplete and not very satisfying...it just served to lead us into the third and finally book (which hopefully does have a satisfying conclusion...seeing as how it's the conclusion to the trilogy).

Despite these criticisms, this book really was much better than the first. As mentioned above, Lyr -- the administrator of the OER Foundation -- was really an interesting character...at least from the point of view of her running the Foundation (we only get a few hints at her personal life). Her interaction with Gerswin helps to transform him a bit as a character. She shows him that he must rely, at least in some small way, on other people.

Overall, this book should only be read within the context of the trilogy, but is nonetheless a decent overall book and I look forward to topping off the trilogy.

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In this novel, Gershwin turns down the opportunity to become Commandant of the new Recorps and instead leaves Old Earth to take command of an underpowered and overtasked cruiser, the Fleurdilis, to make initial contact with a previously unknown alien species. Despite a xenophobic executive officer and an ignorance of native customs, Gershwin establishes friendly relations with the aliens, who he names Ursans, and smoothes their further contacts with the Empire. He and his crew are commended for their performance.

After fifteen years on the fringes, Gershwin requests a change of duty to Maintenance in an outbase station. He is assigned as the Commander of an underutilized and obsolescent refitting center and salvage yard. Naturally, he starts turning it into a Galactic class refit station. He marries Allison and they have a son, Corson.

Gershwin also becomes active as the trustee of the OER Foundation founded by Caroljoy, his first lover. He steers the research grants toward less conventional biological technology. Later, he starts forming small commercial companies to market the new biological products.

When the Guild tries to assassinate Gershwin, he determines to destroy the organization. With the assistance of Lyr, the Administrator of the OER Foundation, and some new companies, Gershwin tracks the movements of the Guild leadership. Then he starts to terminate them using their own methods.

Highly recommended for Modesitt fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of individual daring, dedicated perseverance, and commercial intrigue with a touch of romance.

-Arthur W. Jordin

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