Just the kind of space opera I was in the mood for....dramatic, space battle, interesting characters, comedic dialogue.... ( )

I read this series as a teen and really enjoyed it at the time... Coming back to it as an adult who now knows a lot more about writing, I came to the disappointing realization that it isn't very well written. Weis has an unfortunate habit of over-explaining things readers can infer on their own, or making a character who also should be able to infer something on their own look dumb so that another character can explain something to the reader through them. This book was written in the 90's, so perhaps she has improved since then, but it's 450 pages long and I feel like it could have easily been a good 50-100 pages shorter with some smart editing choices removing all the unnecessary parts to make it more succinct.

I don't want to be "that guy", so on a positive note I will say that I like the general concept and idea of this series, and the cast of characters is decent and holds some sentimental value from when I enjoyed it earlier in life. It very much has a Star Wars or Battlestar Galactica feel to it. I just think it could benefit from some heavy editing. ( )

This was almost a 2Star, but the final battle saved it from that ignominious fate. However, even though it ends on a somewhat cliff-hanger'y ending, I won't be reading any more.

French Revolution aftermath in space. I mean, the President of the New Galactic Alliance is called Robes. Pathetic royalty wiped out. A lone surviving heir. Blah, blah, blah.

A lot of this was slogging through. And good night, why does EVERYBODY have to act like a frakking girl? Oh well. Good to know that Weis is off my list of authors I want to read more of. At least by herself. Death Gate Cycle with Hickman is still ok :) ( )

I was a bit disappointed by this. It really is pure fantasy rather than science fiction. When a las-canon has a recoil, I flinch.
Some of the characters are well-developed, but Dion (the lost King) has a personality that seems to flip to match whatever the plot requires. ( )

I normally associate these authors with fantasy, but this is a really fun space opera trilogy. A bit depressing, though. Still, lots of action with blood swords & blood space ships - only those of a specific breeding or something can operate these super weapons. If you liked [a:Simon R. Green|41942|Simon R. Green|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1224555729p2/41942.jpg]'s [b:Deathstalker|629068|Deathstalker (Deathstalker, #1)|Simon R. Green|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1257708375s/629068.jpg|604598] series, you'd probably like this which predates it, although only by a decade or so, as I recall. I liked both, but have no urge to re-read them. ( )