Rebel

Ascent to Empire, Book 2

By: Richard Fox, David Weber

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis

He never wanted to be a rebel.

The Five Hundred, the elite families who rule the Terran Federation and control its political power and its wealth, have grown steadily wealthier and more powerful, thanks to the war against the Terran League. War may be hard on the people who get caught in its path, but it's very good for business in the short term, and the Five Hundred own the shipyards that build the Navy's ships. They own virtually all the industry that produces the weapons and material the war consumes so voraciously... and they've made damn sure someone else does the dying.

True, there are a few flies in the Five Hundred's ointment.

There's the growing hatred and resentment of the Fringe Worlds, whose children do eighty percent of the dying in the Five Hundred's war. But the Five Hundred have made sure the Fringe knows what will happen to any system that goes "out of compliance."

There are the lunatic conspiracy nuts who insist that the alien Rishathan Sphere is secretly aiding the League's military, but the Five Hundred have forced them to keep their mouths shut where it matters.

Then there's Terrence Murphy, a man of honor who loves the Federation, who springs from the Five Hundred, yet knows it for what it is and is determined to speak for its victims. But the Five Hundred have dispatched ample force to deal with him and his handful of lunatic followers.

Unfortunately, the Fringe has paid enough of its children's lives, and it no longer cares what may happen if it dares to defy the Five Hundred.

Worse, the lunatic conspiracy nuts were right, and the Rish have planned carefully for the Federation's destruction.

And, worst of all, the Five Hundred have fatally underestimated Terrence Murphy.

Rebel is book two in David Weber and Richard Fox's Ascent to Empire series.

©2024 Words of Weber, Inc. and Richard Fox (P)2024 Podium Audio

Very reptile drama

All I can say is, I can’t wait for book 3. I was so invested in the characters, I had to pause listening for a few days because I was afraid of what was about to happen next. I truly cannot wait for book 3.

Excellent Political/Military SF

The decadence of the Terran Republic (not to be confused with their bitter enemy, the Terran League) has finally triggered an existential threat from the people it has oppressed in the course of 60 years of war with the League. The series of events begun in volume one of this series is devolving to a full-blown civil war. The timing of the war is especially inopportune, since the war with the League is continuing, and the League is supported by a nearby alien empire.

The Republic's oligarchs have determined to exterminate the threat from the worlds led by Terrence Murphy, the hero of the previous book.

This book is less tightly focused on Murphy, spending more time with his allies and subordinates, which allows for a rather more intimate view of the events here. There are several well-handled fleet battles, main villains whose motivations make sense, and some good development of both the political situation and the focus characters.

This is more of a plot-driven story than a character-driven story, as is typical of novels of politics and grand strategy, though there are excellent character moments.

This is very much a series in the vein of the Honor Harrington series, with both the virtues and faults of that series. If extensive descriptions of space battles and political machinations are the thing you are looking for, this would be an excellent choice. Fortunately, I'm looking for exactly that. Highly recommended.

Interesting enough

It’s obvious that Weber is not the primary author, but the story is interesting enough. I just don’t like the voice actor. He’s the reason that I stopped listening to other series that he is in. However, that could just be me. Make up your own mind.

A QC note made it through chapter 24 @43min 20sec.

Overall good story, world building is very well done characters are interesting. My only complaint is that characters repeat themselves especially Murphy.

Quality of the prose

If a fan of the Safehold series you'll love this! Webber brings his massive ability to craft a story that engages the reader from the start and continues to draw us in as it progresses.