Confederation (In Her Name, Book 5)

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Smashwords – Confederation (In Her Name, Book 5) – a book by Michael R. Hicks

So read it, loved it, and immediately bought Confederation, and Final Battle. Michael Hicks created the world of Earth after it had taken to space, having built far-flung, loose colonies that behaved similar to our own nations here on Earth - mistrusting, not nece It had been a long time since I read science fiction, but I decided to expand my reading to new genres and picked up Empire In Her Name: Michael Hicks created the world of Earth after it had taken to space, having built far-flung, loose colonies that behaved similar to our own nations here on Earth - mistrusting, not necessarily ready to help or support one another, and having fierce differences of opinion.

Humans were not sure they were the only sentient species in the universe and had not given up looking. I love the characters, which Michael Hicks is a master at creating, a massive number of them as the series progressed, and some wonderful key players such Ichiro Sato. But the best characters in the series were among the Kreelans, a society whose ideals were so foreign that it was easy to hate them.

And yet, the author managed, at a point, to gain my understanding for them and even empathy. Imagine a society of female warriors, whose lives were totally dedicated to battle. And they were so skilled at war that there was no one left anywhere to conquer - they have taken on every sentient society they found and annihilated them. To die in battle was the ultimate glory to the Empress.

So they fought and were happy to die in her name. Until they found the humans, they had the problem of having no more wars to win.

So this war-like society was excited to have a new game of war to play with what they felt were somewhat worthy opponents. Even though the humans were Neanderthals when it came to technology. Nor did they have their powerful magical skills. So the Kreelans had to use ancient technology to even the odds. Because if the win was easy, it was not honorable. You ask, were there only females in this strange society?

But to tell you about that would be a spoiler. So we had a clash of two completely different societies - the Kreelans who had terrible powers, and who did not find killing immoral, and the humans who found killing abhorrent but a necessary evil of war - a war in which they were powerless to win. I was riveted to the entire exciting series. Aug 06, Lisa Hapney rated it really liked it.

Confederation, Book 2 of the In Her Name: Redemption trilogy has us following Reza Gard as he tries to acclimate to being human. I enjoyed the book, but didn't find it to be as gripping as Empire, the first book in the trilogy. However, it is a necessary piece in an evolving story. There's a lot of exploration of the human attachments that Reza makes and though he is still the proud and dangerous warrior that we know him to be, he is also out of his element in his dealings with his own kind shal Confederation, Book 2 of the In Her Name: There's a lot of exploration of the human attachments that Reza makes and though he is still the proud and dangerous warrior that we know him to be, he is also out of his element in his dealings with his own kind shall we say.

That isn't at all unexpected at this point in the story and though I completely understood the reasoning behind all of that and how it affects the story arc, I just wasn't as drawn in by this volume as I was with Empire and the fascinating Kreelan culture. Book 2 is more about exploring humans at their best and worst and there's a lot of character and relationship building taking place to set up for the third book. As with the other books in this series by Mr.

Hicks it was quite enjoyable and I dove into the next one right away. It really picks up after the second half of the book and propels the reader forward toward the third book, but the start of this one was a little slower paced. I'm further ahead in the reading than I am in the reviewing, but can comfortably say that this series will be one I read over in the years to come and will wait expectantly for new stories in the fascinating universe created by the author.

This review originally posted at http: Jul 09, Joe Russomanno rated it really liked it. Before I get started I want to point out that the book description is wrong. Hicks is a modern day Homer, in that he gives us an modern day Odyssey. The plot, characters and narrative are genuine.

This is in my opinion a Literary masterpiece and I can think of nothing else to describe it. Now I said masterpiece, not flawless. There were some things I found lacking in the story which, to me were n Before I get started I want to point out that the book description is wrong.

There were some things I found lacking in the story which, to me were nagging but shouldn't be enough to deter anyone from reading. What I found puzzling in this possibly the overall series was Mr. Hicks' shortcomings with understanding military technology. Don't get me wrong if this was taken place maybe 20 years from now, he's just about hit it on the head. However we have humans in this story doing things that are already being replaced by machines. There's almost no mention of robotics in this story other than cleaning drones.

We have squadrons and fleets of automated ships and aircraft now, in a thousand years I have to think human beings won't even have to blow their nose. For most people the technological shortcomings probably won't matter and really if most people don't I can understand. Otherwise a great read. Sep 21, Erin Penn rated it it was ok. Second book of the series and where did the aliens go?

Oh there they are in the last third of the book. Hicks sometimes digresses into other side stories from the primary hero in this book; I would have like at least one of those digressions earlier in the book to include the aliens so important to the first book. I have just finished the book and it had none of the sparkle of physiological jo Second book of the series and where did the aliens go?

I have just finished the book and it had none of the sparkle of physiological journey of the first, but retained all the bad science. None of the new characters are ones I want to spend more than my normal day of reading with. I had hoped to see the Hicks evolve as a writer, not devolve into clique-dom. For most of the book the main hero, Reza, so interesting in the first book of the trilogy, is a non-entity. But in the final third he comes back into his own - he continues to be a person the universe tries to change and discovers instead it must change for him.

While the first book is a good story, this one is just passable until the very end. And now I need to go to the final book to see where it falls in the spectrum of boring to pretty darn good. The final bit of this books was pretty darn good. Just wish the rest was written at the same level. Feb 14, Richard Alan rated it it was amazing.

Confederation (In Her Name, Book 5)

He is still very much a Kreelan when he joins a human fighter group after saving their lives from other Kreelans. He is brought to Earth where some want to kill him, experiment on him, or train him to be a Marine. As his memory returns,he remembers his human childhood and he is loyal to his new home; but many do not trust him and plot against him. The character development remains true. Again I found myself able to picture everything and felt a reality that doesn't exist. I also really cared about most of the "people", and intensely disliked Reza's enemies.

I could not put it down. Sci-Fi is not my favorite genre; however, if all sci-fi writers were as good as Michael Hicks, I would read a lot more of it. I'm looking forward to reading it. Mar 02, C. Confederation is the second book in his first trilogy and continued the mythos he began in Empire. In Confederation, we continue to follow the tale of Resa Gard as he returns to the human Confederation to continue his previous life. Through intense scrutiny he succeeds in winning a place in the marines and rises to the rank of captain over the course of several years.

Reunited with Nicole, his childhood love, and a handful of others that he trusts Resa serves with honor and distinction despite a dark cloud of hatred building behind the scenes. Everything comes together on the planet Erlang where Resa and his unit are sent to prevent a civil war. May 04, Laurie Green rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: Science Fiction Romance fans, Avatar fans.

Better than the first book in the series, though EMPIRE was still engrossing in laying the necessary foundation for Reza's journey and his character. I loved the military elements and characters in book two, especially the opening. There were some big surprises in the continuing adventure and one incredibly spooky-intense scene that gave me goosebumps with its fabulous build-up. Great conflict, mystery and world-building throughout. I won't detail out the story here. That's what reading--and dis Better than the first book in the series, though EMPIRE was still engrossing in laying the necessary foundation for Reza's journey and his character.

That's what reading--and discovering--is all about. I'm now a total Reza fan, and loved many of the other characters in his support group. I would have liked getting into the villain's head a little deeper to understand his motivations and why he holds such hatred for Reza, but I didn't see this as a major flaw in the story. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I have to give this one 3. I enjoyed Eustus, he was a laughable character and likable. Reza returns home to his human kind and joins the Marine Corp. He soon becomes a very vailable member in the Marines.

In his last mission he comes face to face with his Kreelan lover, a battle to the death. He is reuited with Nicole Carre and they remained great friends throughout the yea I have to give this one 3. He is reuited with Nicole Carre and they remained great friends throughout the years of Reza's Marine life.

Although there are new characters, some you'll want to see die others you'll want to root for to live. The ending was a shocker. Great battle scenes in space and on ground. I just thought it was a bit to long but it'll keep you going till the end and want to read The Last Battle. Aug 10, Brian Rush rated it really liked it. Someone may have noted this already but the description here is of the wrong book. In this sequel to Empire, the plot and story continue to hold interest and the characterization has improved somewhat.

It's not as fast-paced and riveting in my opinion as Empire, but still above average. Reza, the main character, remains somewhat of a cypher; he's describable in a few simple phrases -- take any competent human being and raise him to be a Kreelan warrior and if he survives he'll be indistinguisha Someone may have noted this already but the description here is of the wrong book. Reza, the main character, remains somewhat of a cypher; he's describable in a few simple phrases -- take any competent human being and raise him to be a Kreelan warrior and if he survives he'll be indistinguishable from Reza.

Print Edition

We get a bit more development with Jodi McKenzie, the lesbian fighter pilot, though, and that taken together with the good storytelling preserves the 4-star rating. I'm very much interested in reading the final volume to know how it all plays out, as there were a lot of plot threads left hanging not a criticism, as a trilogy is supposed to do that. Great reading book As a science fiction can I really like this book series. I find the characters interesting and the plot engaging. Without giving the story away, I find the premise grabs me at a gut level. Modern man in a post apocalyptic world where mankind has forgotten the history that has preceded them.

If the reader will let themself enter the book and see events unfold and become part of the story you can enjoy the book even more. I could easily wonder how I would react to events that unf Great reading book As a science fiction can I really like this book series. I could easily wonder how I would react to events that unfold. I find this series of books a very enjoyable reading experience. Perhaps a little more in depth look at events that took place that led to the apocalypse would flesh out the storey more. Perhaps a book or two that reveals how mankind in a fit of insanity brought down mankind to near extinction.

Yes, I started and finished this, not short, book in a day. Pretty much couldn't put it down. The main character in this trilogy has reminded me of another character, and until this morning I couldn't exactly remember which one. Seafort Have you ever read the Seafort saga books by David Feintuch, especially the first ones? Then you'll find Reza somewhat familiar. Doing the "right" thing, no matter the impact to himself. Building a small circle Yes, I started and finished this, not short, book in a day.

Building a small circle of friends that would do anything for him. Surviving while many around him don't. Just driving on when there appears to be no hope, but driving none the less I guess you can tell I like this book too? P Third one bought last night as soon as I finished this one Dec 06, Solace Winter rated it it was amazing. Michael Hicks knows how to tell a story and this one sucks you in from the beginning. Picking up almost immediately where the first novel left off, Confederation is a story of the choices we make and what happens when those choices are made.

Hicks integrates a few new characters seamlessly while keeping the focus of the story on Reza. One thing I love about Hicks' novels is that he celebrates female power. His women are the majority in power and his alien race is a group of females who are not m Michael Hicks knows how to tell a story and this one sucks you in from the beginning. His women are the majority in power and his alien race is a group of females who are not men hating aliens. They just know what to expect of their men.

I appreciated this novel more than I appreciated the original if just because this showed he could keep up a good, consistent storyline. It makes me more than a little anxious to read the final novel in this trilogy! May 06, B.

Keeton rated it it was ok. I really wanted to love this book. I love the world and the idea behind it, and the first book in the series was fantastic. But this one just felt off. The characters were shallow and stereotypical - not archetypal - and there really wasn't an inciting incident to move things along. I kept waiting on something to happen, and it never did. This isn't the first sequel to feel this way, and some of my favorite series have been broken up by lackluster second installments, so I keep hope alive that th I really wanted to love this book.

This isn't the first sequel to feel this way, and some of my favorite series have been broken up by lackluster second installments, so I keep hope alive that the third one will end with some oomph. It's not really a bad book, though. Which is disappointing because there was so much promise in it based on the first in the series.

Jul 28, Tim rated it really liked it. This is the second book in the "In Her Name: Redemption" trilogy and it is just as good as the first one. This novel follows Gard as he relearns to be human. Again, Hicks has created a wonderful story that is full of action and emotion. The characters, especially Reza, are deep and complex and the reader can relate to the majority of them and despise the characters they should.

I'm still not a This is the second book in the "In Her Name: There is a lot of action and intrigue to make this a very enjoyable read. Sep 16, Linda Rae rated it it was amazing. Michael has written a masterful epic here, and as I read it I can visualize every battle, love scene, confrontation with evil that Reza Gard experiences. His descriptions are sweeping and complete. His characters make you laugh and cry often.

Have the tissues ready!

There is absolutely nothing that I can think of that he could do to improve on what he's already done! Job very well done! Jun 15, Dan rated it it was ok. This book was a huge disappointment after the first of the series. I was very frustrated at the pace and the inclusion of so many useless side plots and stereotypical bad guys. I skimmed through much of this book. Born in , Michael Hicks grew up in the age of the Apollo program and spent his youth glued to the television watching the original Star Trek series and other science fiction movies, which continues to be a source of entertainment and inspiration.

Having spent the majority of his life as a voracious reader, he has been heavily influenced by writers ranging from Robert Heinlein to Jerry Pournelle and Larry Niven, and David Weber to S. Living in Florida with his beautiful wife, two wonderful stepsons and two mischievous Siberian cats, he is now living his dream of writing full time. Mason on June 28, What a great story. Well crafted, intelligent, sensitive and thought provoking. It manages to induce a bit of Stockholm Syndrome also, as humanity's flaws are exposed - yet again - in a future that shows how little has been learned from the past our present.

Do we really only pay lip service to the ideal of Honor? Pat Young on April 17, An excellent read that takes up the story of Reza Gard and keeps the reader captivated throughout. Richard Adin on June 22, An excellent followup to Empire.

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Well-written and definitely captivating. One of the best fantasy series I have read in a long time.

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