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extrapenguin440 pages, copyright 1988 (and its age shows), Space Opera.
I finally finished it. It was enjoyable but I wouldn't rec it due to major Problems: the non-Guardship female characters were few in number, and the ones with the most screentime caused me to wince, especially Valerena; I loathed all the Tregessers, especially Blessed, who should have died in a fire on page 1; the "hero" who I sensed I should cheer for was really fucking bland; and there was too much telling without even explaining (there's a network of Guardships who've upheld the law for eons, and it's just stated that this guy's troops have them secretly following a plan, without even any exposition).
I liked the Guardship characters, especially Jo Klass and Hanaver Strate (WarAvocat). The guardship society (humans who're resurrected should they die) was also intriguing. I wanted for the VII Gemina's crew and faction to emerge victorious, and why the fuck did the Valerena do what she did at the end? If she'd had the access she had, she'd have discovered that her action would be pointless (other Guardships exist! and they have the same data!). It also ends on a blatant sequel hook.
Mostly, I was left pitying WarAvocat, whose enemy was a total Gary Stu.
I finally finished it. It was enjoyable but I wouldn't rec it due to major Problems: the non-Guardship female characters were few in number, and the ones with the most screentime caused me to wince, especially Valerena; I loathed all the Tregessers, especially Blessed, who should have died in a fire on page 1; the "hero" who I sensed I should cheer for was really fucking bland; and there was too much telling without even explaining (there's a network of Guardships who've upheld the law for eons, and it's just stated that this guy's troops have them secretly following a plan, without even any exposition).
I liked the Guardship characters, especially Jo Klass and Hanaver Strate (WarAvocat). The guardship society (humans who're resurrected should they die) was also intriguing. I wanted for the VII Gemina's crew and faction to emerge victorious, and why the fuck did the Valerena do what she did at the end? If she'd had the access she had, she'd have discovered that her action would be pointless (other Guardships exist! and they have the same data!). It also ends on a blatant sequel hook.
Mostly, I was left pitying WarAvocat, whose enemy was a total Gary Stu.