[leebase]

The third book in the Empire of Man/Prince Rogers series by John Ringo and David Weber. Weber and Ringo pegged the meter on high in their first book and just kept it there. I've truly enjoyed this series. The story arc is that a spoiled dandy of a prince, third in line to be emperor of the throne of man -- and not particularly liked or valued by anyone except his valet and chief of staff -- gets stranded on a violent and deadly backwaters barbarian planet.

What's interesting is how they designed the arc to be quite different in each book and yet the same story. The first book is a travel through a jungle with lots of the action surrounding the perils of the deadly creatures and fauna -- and yes, barbarians. The second book takes you from the mountains....with more barbarians but cities as well. Different kinds of problems and actions. In this third book they cross a sea -- with sea monsters and pirates to deal with. The level of technology and society is greatly increased as well. Also we begin to enter into the overall human against human political plot that was responsible for stranding the prince and his marines on the planet to begin with.

The character of Prince Roger is developed more as he completes his transition into an amazing leader of men. We are also introduced to some very interesting new characters. There is no sense of "I've read this stuff before".

Good book -- very good series.

Lee