- Duchess of Terra (Duchy of Terra Book 2)

Duchess of Terra is an exciting space adventure. It can be read as just that, a space adventure. Lots of action - both conflicts at a personal fighting level and fleet level space battles. The book is far better than just an adventure, however. It describes a new planetary government in crisis, interspecies interactions that are fleshed out and real, and a broad interstellar context that makes sense and seems realistic. The story has sufficient detail for each portion to feel complete, yet it doesn't fall into the trap of excessive detail and description. The plot is the primary driver of the story, and the descriptions flesh it out without feeling wordy. As in the best book series, this book stands alone. Reading the prior book provides context, but is not necessary. Similarly, the book's ending is complete. Yes, we look forward to further adventures, but this story has a solid ending that is satisfying. Too many series now have cliffhanger endings that are disappointing and annoying. This series is NOT in that group. Like the author's other series, each book here is complete in itself, and I appreciate that.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I have to admit, that at the end of the first book in this series, I was curious as to how the author was going to make the taking over / running of a world interesting when compared with the action packed book I’d just read. He delivered. Firstly, our heroine is smart and finds smart, connected, savvy people to help her and delegates to them. Secondly, she’s not starry eyed over the A!Tol and knows they’re looking after themselves before Terra. Annette figures a way to work the A!Tol plan, to make Earth hand over a strategic advantage, against them. Lastly, she’s not above recruiting on the fly when she recognises talent. But that’s not to say we don’t have action in space or on the ground. Or that it’s smooth sailing. The Weber Network and Protocols are still in place and being upheld. There are rogue elements on and off the planet hampering efforts. And we also have the Kanzi not recognising a treaty, just for added interest. We get to meet Harriet Tanaka. (It’s possible we met her in the last book but I honestly don’t remember and didn’t re-read the first book prior to starting this one). Harriet joined the A!Tol navy prior to Earth becoming the Duchy of Terra and has faces fall-out on Earth and attitude in the A!Tol navy. Whilst she’s a captain, others can and do discount her opinion just because she’s human. We get Harriet’s adventure in this book as it links to Earth’s. I read this book in one sitting and barely noticed the passage of time. It was fast paced. It was interesting. I’m already looking forward to where the story will go. (Nb: My copy of this book – an ARC – did have some minor typo’s. There weren’t many. I did notice them, but they didn’t in any way pull me out of the story.)

This is the best $2.99 you will ever spend in your life. How much do I like this book? I was given an advance reader copy in return for an honest review and when the book became available on Amazon, I purchased it even though I had already read it - just to do my part to make sure the author can continue to deliver stories like this. That is how much I liked it. The Duchess of Terra is the second book in in Stewart's new Duchy of Terra series. In the first book in the series, The Terran Privateer, Earth falls to the A!Tol and Captain Annette Bond of the space ship Tornado (a revolutionary new ship capable of hyperspace travel) is Earth's last hope for freedom. She is given a letter of marque and charged with becoming a privateer, doing whatever she can to free Earth. By the end of the first book in the series, Bond has come to understand that sometimes the devil you know is better than the one that you don't. Earth is on the border between two competing powers and while the A!Tol wish to bring them into their Imperium, the slave-trading Kanzi would simply crush the people of Earth under their heel. Annette Bond wins Earth freedom - of a sort - when the A!Tol declare Terra an Imperial Duchy with Annette Bond as the Duchess of Terra. The Duchess of Terra begins as Bond returns to Earth to try and set up a government that will allow its people as much control of their political lives as possible. She has to convince the resistance that she hasn't sold out to the enemy and the people that life as citizens of a Duchy of the Imperium is their only hope to survive in a hostile universe. She also has to find a way to make sure that Earth has a future in the Imperium as a power, not as a puppet. Don't worry, though. This is not a political novel. It is at its heart a space opera, which is a genre that I love. As a fan of Star Trek, Babylon 5, and Firefly, I couldn't resist this series. Stewart's world building is first rate and the pacing means that the book is over all too soon. One thing that I really appreciate is that the aliens in Stewart's universe are, well, alien. They are not humans with different colored skin. The A!Tol are tentacled creatures right off the cover of a 1950s pulp scifi magazine, yet they can demonstrate some of the best characteristics of humanity, while the more human-looking Kanzi are truly horrid creatures. Do yourself a favor - buy this book. Then be prepared to swept away into a universe where the stakes are high, but humanity, under the leadership of Duchess Annette Bond, proves that no one puts the people of Earth into a corner.

Truly excellent space Opera.. Might become as great as star wars. It really a great read. Ships Mage series is excellent also.. And this is even better. Congratulations and i look forward to the next book

Was a great read with a few surprises. Stretches your imagination and kept me reading to get to the end

Well written. Not really much more can be said of a good book Good fun, good action, good characters. I like this author’s attention to detail, and the way he weaves a story-line. I recommend this book, and this series.

Strong cast of characters, non stop action, alien civilizations, and lots of dramatic tension. A great book to devour on a weekend.

Continues to be a really enjoyable series.