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  • Hand of Mars

  • Starship's Mage, Book 2
  • Written by: Glynn Stewart
  • Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer
  • Length: 8 hrs and 47 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (28 ratings)

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Hand of Mars

Written by: Glynn Stewart
Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer
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Publisher's Summary

Three years ago, as ship's mage of the starship Blue Jay, Damien Montgomery was pursued to the edge of human space by both the agents and enemies of the mage-king of Mars before being brought in from the cold. Now, trained in new skills by the mage-king himself, Damien has been sent to the planet Ardennes alongside Alaura Stealey, hand of the king. A rebel movement there has destroyed cities fighting a governor seemingly lost to corruption. But not all on Ardennes is as it seems. As allies become enemies and an entire world comes apart in chaos around him, Damien will find both his skills and integrity tested to the utter limit.

©2015 Glynn Stewart (P)2015 Tantor

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Lost Opportunity..but Still Reasonably Good

This second novel in the 'Starship's Mage' series picks up after Damien Montgomery completes 3 years of training under the Mage King of Mars and has become an Envoy accompanying a 'Hand' (travelling judge for the Protectorate). Glynn Stewart had a glorious chance to develop his chief character, do some intensive world-building, and fill out his galactic politics/power structure. Instead, he chose to jump right back into an action-driven plot - filled with battles and encounters to show off the flashy magical skills and military technology that help make his vision entertaining. I can't complain that much - Stewart is quite good at it (excellent pacing; well-contrived action sequences; logical motivations) - but he is apparently having trouble finding a balance between advancing his 'Space Opera' agenda and delivering a Saturday Morning Serial. In this one, he pretty much abandons the first mandate.

Jeffrey Kafer is unfortunately again merely "adequate" as a reader. His timbre and cadence are fine and he exhibits an evident interest in the text (Kafer clearly likes the characters he is reading), but a couple of the accents are straight-up terrible, his overall tone is too subdued, and the pacing is *brutal* (I had to speed the reading rate to 1.25X to render a comfortable narration).

This book is undeniably entertaining and continues a saga set in a legitimately fascinating framework, but it's weaker than the first installment. This one merits 7 stars out of 10. I will personally keep reading the series (it's filled with promise and just so *fun*), but you would be forgiven if you gave up.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Still good...

Though not as great as the first book. The tone shift between the first and second book was a little shocking. And revealing the villain so early felt a little odd. But the scale of consequences throughout painted a strong picture of the responsibilities a person of the position in question face in their duties.

Still an easy recommended listen.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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A great space opera!

i really enjoyed the second installment. It held up well and I can't wait to start the next book!

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