Well written and enjoyable, there wasn’t much else to this book. It depicts the end of an era, which for both species will require serious adjustment. The military disparity between humanity and the Shrehari was so vast that it made Dunmoore’s actions seem too easy. It’s a good thing the author put a ranking rivalry in, because that was the only real tension on the human side of the story. Unfortunately, the trepidation shown at the end of the last book didn’t really amount to much. On the Shrehari side, Brakal’s journey also seemed too easy. It’s not hard to bring the leaders to his side just by professing the truth, and he doesn’t have much convincing to do for the most part. Due to the story’s lack of depth and anemic diversity of characters compared to other novels in the series, the author unfortunately ends up repeating a lot of information many times for different audiences, and I wished the characters would find other ways to communicate. Similarly, too many guesses turned out to be right, and the overt references to World War II became tiring. Still, I enjoyed the day-in-the-military-life moments, which were well written, as well as the unwavering professionality of everyone –it makes for a satisfying conclusion to this part of the series.

It hasn’t been so long since I last visited this universe, and it’s always a pleasure to do so. This book signals an end to the human-Shrehari war, with Dunmoore as a catalyst. While previous stories barely had any Shrehari involvement, usually just Brakal being very Klingon and complaining, this one deals with them almost on par with the human side of things.

Dunmoore never likes being tied down, and her attachment to Task Force Luckner in Without Mercy was signaled as a major shackle to the freedom she enjoyed in the first five books of this series. Between the by-the-book Admiral Petras and the eager-for-promotion Lena Corto, Dunmoore’s life was set to be miserable.

When this book opens, though, Dunmoore is on her own, probably left behind by a jealous Corto, and she takes advantage of it to strike at a Shrehari supply depot. When the rest of the task force limps back, Dunmoore’s crew is the only one that can truly claim victory. Which means the Admiral takes notice, and agrees to try some things her way, after complaining that she didn’t strictly follow orders. I’m not sure how things went between Without Mercy and this book, but from the start, Petras is leaning in Dunmoore’s direction and away from Corto.

Corto tries to make life difficult for Dunmoore, but it never really happens, and by the end, Corto leaves in, if not disgrace, then with the knowledge that she will never be promoted. Jealousy can be a blinder to better ways, and Corto falls for it when the task force finds another supply station and attacks. Corto doesn’t follow Dunmoore’s plan, looking for her own glory, and as a result the flag bridge is nearly destroyed, and Petras is out of action. Although Corto quickly recuperates, the chain of command goes to Dunmoore instead. Corto capitulates and leaves the story shortly thereafter.

As a result of her successes, Dunmoore is given a Commodore’s rank and control of the next mission, a strike into the home solar system of the Shrehari, something akin to the tactics used in the Second World War after Pearl Harbor. I wish the author hadn’t beat us over the head with these analogies. I could see them for what they were, even not being an enthusiast, though I understand how younger audiences might not get them. But they were referred to too many times.

The dreariness of long travel times is shown through the copious cups of coffee, which is referenced endlessly, and the innumerable games of chess the captain plays with her first officer. At least Zeke is getting better! It seems that the author or the captain has a limited imagination on ways to pass the time, and this is where I missed the large supporting cast that held the first books in this series together. Something had to give way for the Shrehari story to be told, and unfortunately it was all the cool people we’ve met along the way. Some of them show up in sporadic moments –it was nice to see Pushkin again, even though all they did was play chess.

The mission doesn’t take them all the way to the Shrehari homeworld, but to a gas giant on the outskirts, where they blow up two refineries and refueling stations. The tension was palpable, though the outcome was foregone. It was by far the best action sequence (out of three, maybe?) in the book.

In the meantime, because of Dunmoore’s attacks, Brakal is stripped of his rank, and returns to the Shrehari homeworld in disgrace, though he is still head of his clan. While the clan leaders of the kraal have little power compared to the Council and its war leader Mishtak, who has convinced the young emperor and his mother that the war is being won, Brakal plans to bring back its status and power. Disgusted with the way Mishtak is misleading the people, he makes his plans known, even in the face of attacks and pleas by the Regent mother.

Having been on the front lines, he propagates the truth about the war, where the taxes are going, and how their loss would be a much worse disgrace to their honor than asking for a cease-fire and giving away the human colonies they invaded. Mishtak, of course, disagrees.

The Shrehari are loosely based on Klingons, so there is a lot of snarling, but otherwise they could easily be human. The author put some time into the various swears and turns of phrase to make them seem more alien, which was nice, especially given that the phrases could be easily understood by readers.

I’m not sure how their political system works, as the kraal could vote to install a military dictator in place of the dishonorable council. It seems like an easy way to depose an emperor. The kraal meeting with its disgraced military lords sits opposite those of civilian life who believe the lies, but they are turned in favor of Brakal. It’s a given that Brakal is chosen to be the kho-sahra dictator. It’s not clear if he’s surprised by the result.

The backdrop of the meeting is the urgency that Dunmoore has struck into their home system with the fuel refineries. This pushes everybody over the edge, and even Mishtak agrees to step down. It seemed a little too easy; I would have liked to see some setbacks, not just civil arguments.

Dunmoore is invited to guard the Secretary General’s ship as they meet with the Shrehari delegation to discuss terms for peace. Brakal knows humans well enough by now to realize they will accept peace and the return of their colonies, with the Shrehari retreating to their pre-war borders, with no overly-taxing demands. It’s a little to ideal for the real world, but it works here. Brakal and Dunmoore meet in person for the first time, and Brakal thanks her for his rise to power, giving him the ability to end the war.

It’s always nice to read a book where people are professional and know what they are doing, and what’s expected of them. It’s a great world to disappear into for a while. Unfortunately, this one felt too simplistic, with no obstacles for Dunmoore to overcome, and while Brakal’s rise to power was fun, it wasn’t hard for him either. But now the war is over, and there are more books in the series, so I wonder what’s next, now that the team has been disbanded for a second time.