The Ethos Effect - L.E. Modesitt Jr. Book Review

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Review Summaries

" Tor, Oct 2003, 27.95, 544 pp. ISBN: 0765308029 Taran Republic Space Force Commander Van C. Albert defeats an unknown enemy's cruiser that attacked his vessel, the RSFS Fergus. However, his joy is short-lived as his actions also caused the destruction of a civilian liner. A board of inquiry condoned his actions, but his career is over though he retains the rank of Commander. His current loser position is as a military attaché at the Taran embassy on Scandya. However, he gets once last chance to show his courage when he stops an assassination. To the elation of his superiors, Van ends up in a coma so he is decorated and given a disability retirement. Van awakens to learn that he no longer works for the military. Integrated Information Systems of the Eco-Tech Coalition hires him to command a starship. The exiled former commander finds he is the prime focus in an interstellar conflict that will leave no world the same and some potentially eradicated. THE ETHOS EFFECT occurs two centuries after the Parafaith War has ended, but retains much of the complex military science fiction that made the previous saga a fan favorite. The story line is action-packed yet contains fully developed characters especially the lead protagonist. Van is more than just a strong strategist and courageous warrior. Readers will feel his guilt over the civilian deaths and his dissatisfaction with his post incident assignments, his shock over his dismissal, and finally his sense of self worth when he is placed in a vanguard position. He makes the tale that will provide much enjoyment to L.E. Modesitt, Jr. fans and sub-genre readers. Harriet Klausner "
Harriet Klausner, Resident L.E. Modesitt, Jr. Scholar

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Overall Review

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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot

Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 10%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 20%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 50%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20%

Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story
Political power play Yes
Political plotlets - preventing/managing clash/war between govts/kingdoms
Inner Struggle Yes
Plotlet: - search for identity/new understanding
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status: - fighter (air/space) pilot
Age: - 20's-30's
How sensitive is this character? - middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Very much smarter than other characters
Physique - very athletic

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Age: - 40's-50's
Profession/status: - mastermind
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character? - middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - average physique

Setting
Spaceship setting: - really, really giant spaceship/station
Takes place in spaceship? Yes

Style
Person? - mostly 3rd
scientific jargon? (SF only) - some scientific explanation
How much dialogue? - significantly more dialog than descript

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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).

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