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Book Review By steven vanzant
A Talent for War by Jack McDevitt

This story is similar to many other classic science fiction novels in that it involves a legendary clash between humans and an alien race, the Ashiyyur. Alex begins his search for the truth about Sim and his fight against the Ashiyyur when his uncle dies and some information comes to his attention that throws some doubt into legend and looks like it might prove the hero was nothing more that a fraud. This search takes him to many of the places that Sim once traveled as well as bringing him into contact with one of the Ashiyyur that raises more questions about Sim and his ship. He gets a tantalizing clue to follow when he looks into a journey that the survey ship Tenandrom had made to the Veiled Lady and concludes that the crew found something that they decided to keep secret. This leads him to make a journey to the Veiled Lady himself were he finds something that shocks him. This startling discovery is the Dellacondan warship Corsarius, Christopher Sims' own fabled vessel that was supposedly destroyed near the end of the conflict with the Ashiyyur before the human worlds united against the aliens to force a peace of sorts. Before he can bring his discovery home though he will have to once again take the legendary ship into combat against the Ashiyyur before the secrets of the Corsarius can be fully understood.


Plot & Themes
Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story
Tech./$$$/Info hunt Yes
Stealing/recovering/destroying
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 20 %
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 20 %
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30 %
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 30 %

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Age: - 20's-30's

Main Adversary
Identity: - an entire race
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a little/some
How sensitive is this character?
Intelligence - Average intelligence

Setting
A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body: - humans in a futuristic society
Planet outside solar system? Yes

Writing Style
Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths
scientific jargon? (SF only) - a fair amount of scientific explanation
How much dialogue? - significantly more descript than dialog
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