The continuing saga of Cadet Justin Bell and friends. I liked that there were fewer long diatribes about politics in this book than there were in the first. I liked that Justin stood up for his friend even though it might cost him everything. I liked that Justin tried to be honest in his testimony even though what he said might not be what the brass wanted to hear.

It did bother me that so many things on the ship were not according to protocol and that senior officers who had the opportunity to stop it chose to look the other way rather than risk their careers. ( )

Article 23 continues the story of Justin Bell, Matt Everett, Thor Thorsson and gang as they return back to the Star Voyager Academy. Forstchen continues his world building of the near future. We haven't conquered faster than light travel yet, there are still remnants of 2014-era political and security problems that plague the universe, and the military is still the military.

Forstchen's background as a historian comes through quite clearly in Article 23. His references to the British Royal Navy add depth and credibility to the story he tells.

I enjoyed the story told in Article 23, the warnings foretold, and the growth of the characters. Sometimes the story appears simplistic, which is a natural outcome of adapting magazine-sized short stories for a novel. None of these points got in the way of me enjoying the book.


As happens too frequently in novels like this, everything was wrapped up far too nicely at the end. I look forward to reading the next book, Forstchen's Prometheus, to see what happens and if yet more depth of character is provided.
( )

ZB9