Though Hell Should Bar the Way (RCN Series Book 12) Kindle Edition

I gave up after two attempts to read the predecessor to this book,Death's Bright Day,the 11th entry in the RCN series. It just didn't engage me. Hardcore readers know how difficult it is to maintain the reader's or the writer's interest through such a long run. Aside from Patrick O'Brian(and C.S.Forester?) almost no one in the extended genre has managed to pull this off and even O'Brian seemed to be running out of steam towards the end. A reset of an established series is a hard one to pull off but David Drake has managed it or at least a stay of demise by the introduction of a new character and telling the story from his point of view instead of the former leads. This gives a new perspective to old characters that were getting a bit long in the tooth and adds depth and breadth to the world building. Our protagonist,Roy Olfetrie,is a down on his luck dropout from the Naval Academy doing grunt work and living at the bottom end of a fairly corrupt society that cares little for people like him. A twist of fate ends with a job offer from Captain Daniel Leary and the adventure starts. Entering the close world of Leary's long time crew is not without trials, add to that their latest task is a vague kinda diplomatic mission to a fringe power as the big guns maneuver, all with little regard to Roy's health or longevity. Drake's ability to build a likable crew of characters that care for and sacrifice for each other is on fine display here along with his usual solid writing skills. Some chuckles along the way to cut tension, beautiful women,seduction,spys,subterfuge,a punch out or two-its all there. There may be hope for the future.

I bought this book a few days ago and I just finished, I couldn't put it down! I've enjoyed the entire RCN series, but I wasn't sure how I would like this new one when I found out that it wasn't from the point of view of the two main characters in the rest of the books. I was very pleasantly surprised to find that change is good!The lead character in this book is essentially a minor character in the main Leary/Mundy story-line. He has his own adventures, which are interesting in their own right. But what was really enjoyable was seeing a Leary adventure from the perspective of someone who doesn't have all the information and isn't the center of the main thrust of the plot. Roy doesn't know the big picture, but he does the best he can with what he does know. This is the same big-epic sci-fi story as the rest of the series, but told from the pov of the third spear-carrier from the left.As with all of Mr. Drake's books, the story is exciting and a good read, but what really makes this one stand out is the unique perspective of the main character. I highly recommend it.

A little different but a good read. Spoiler alert.This one starts with Roy Olfetrie. Roy is 5'10" tall and average in every way. He's good looking but just average.Roy currently works for Petersburg chandlery and he and Cady, a blowhard of epic proportions, are just turning into Bergen and Associates. They are there to pick up four high drives.Roy was a third year cadet at the RCN Academy when his Father was found to be a crook. His parents were part of the upper crust of Cinnabar society. His dad blew his brains out rather than face the aftermath of his actions.Roy resigned from the academy because there was no way to pay for it. All his family money was confiscated by the Govt. Roy's fiancé decided that Roy was no longer the guy for her. Roy took any job he could find to earn enough money to pay for his crappy apartment and pay for food.Roy's brother was a graduate of the RNC academy and was killed in action. His brother was a likable guy, a hard drinker and a man who never wanted for female company. Roy was more laid back and he sure is a thinker and a planner.As he gets out of the truck a woman hails him. Miranda Leary has know Roy for ages though they haven't spoken for several years. He never knew she got married. The man she married was Captain Daniel Leary, a living legend in the RNC.He had no idea Leary owned Bergen and Associates and this is when he meets Mon. A Mon who will put him in touch with Leary. A meeting that will change his life.So begins a damned fine read.This one has Roy, Leary, Mundy, Hogg, Tovera, Woetjans, the crew of the Sissie, a trade deligation to Saguntum, a deligation that involves a woman named Maeve, a woman who will get Roy kidnapped and sold into slavery on a slaver planet, a Roy who uses his computer know how to spy on the Admiral and his Wife Court, a Wife Court that includes a blond named Monica, a Monica who wants off the planet and back home to Saguntum, a Roy who uses his skills to become rich, a Roy who will rescue Monica and get off the planet and Roy doing his best to save who he can, get back to the RNC, stay alive and survive.Five Stars. A bit different with Leary and Mundy being supporting characters but a good read with a new character as Leary's Flag Lt. Good read.

This is the first of Drake's books that I can recall being written in the "first person"; that doesn't mean that there aren't others, just that it's the first I remember being so-written. Which makes it worse that some small details are repeated several times; I would expect that a first-person raconteur should remember what he has previously 'told' the reader.Like all Drake's books this is "read once and put in the round file". Fully worth the price for the entertainment of the read and not worth keeping to re-read. I only keep the most-recent one to ensure that the next-published isn't actually one being re-published by the author's apparent move of publisher.

Introducing a bright new spark into Captain Leary’s circle.Bringing fun and freshness to the twelfth outing of this series.Action, intrigue even the politics are handled with panache, it never plods.A page turning read.You say I’ve not read any of the previous eleven. So what read this and enjoy, then go buy the others. A perfect mix of stand alone and RCN universe expanding.Drake is a master writer.

I enjoy David Drake's story telling, and this is a welcome addition to the series. Although the previous main characters have become a supporting cast, I think that is a bonus, as many of the descriptions of them were becoming a bit repetitive (i have read all of the earlier books in the series), and I welcomed the new characters.

When I started reading this book I was surprised by the route of the story. Very different to earlier books but with the same effective storyline

Quite enjoyable but not enough of the central charchter got used to....Leary of Bantry.....seems to set pup for another plot.