Stars like Cold Fire

This entertaining novel by Nichols, author of the Gears of a Mad God steampunk series, is a fast-paced military adventure in a vaguely described near-future setting that’s full of political intrigue and drama. Capt. Jeff Yi, the appealing and sympathetic protagonist, is a recent graduate of naval academy officer training and the only son of a hero who was killed stopping an attempted coup on the planet of Wukan. When politics put Yi’s life in danger, he’s given command of the smallest, most ramshackle ship in the Wukan navy in an effort to keep him safe. He nevertheless ends up in an impossible situation, caught between an invading fleet and those in the Wukan navy who want him dead. Readers will be disappointed that the female characters are few and minor; the crew of Jeff’s ship, the Petrel, is entirely male, and the displays of machismo as he is struggling to win the trust of his crew are clichéd and a bit grating. The action sequences are well written, however, and the plot creates genuine suspense, making this a better-than-average space adventure. (Oct.)