This is the fourth voyage of Nicholas Seafort, set in the future 2201 when Earth is under attack by fish-like aliens and suffering crippling losses never knowing when the next attack is coming. Seafort is the newly appointed Naval Academy Commandant, the hero of Hope Nation entrusted with the responsibility of educating and creating the next generation of Navy officers and crew vital for the survival of Earth's future. Basically this is Navy in space.

David Feintuch really knows how to write a gripping yarn which is also an emotional rollercoaster. Seafort is a man of complex character, a hero to so many but wracked by self-doubt, haunted by past decisions that cost lives and contravened his beloved Navy rules. He is hard on those around him and even tougher on himself "Lord God's face was still turned from me."

Feintuch also paints a completely believable division of a society of the future including the "trannies", gangs which roam the no go areas of cities, a more extreme version of that which already exists today in many cities around the world. A very frightening otherworld.

I love the depiction of Tolliver, Seafort's right hand man and constant thorn in Seafort's side, his sarcasm makes me laugh. His value is he speaks his mind regardless and Seafort needs him much more than he realises.

An entertaining and fascinating world well worth investing your time.