A good space opera. No real surprises.: For anyone who has read some of the other books in the Sten series it will hold few surprises. However it is a good no brainer of a read. The cast is quite small, however the action is fast paced with the usual predicaments for Sten and his group to get out of. We do expand our knowledge of the Eternal Emperor but not to the extent of discovering his two secrets. All in all, bubblegum for the brain. Enjoyable but not taxing.

Another great Sten novel. These are really classic military sci-fi novels that are really a step above the rest. Great characters, interesting plots, and a lot of action and mayhem. ( )

Excepting the premier book, this book is the only truly stand-alone story told in the Sten series. Very satisfying for those who want to have a story end at the end of the book. That said, key allies and locations are introduced in this story which come into play throughout the rest of the series. Plus, the introduction of stregg! ( )

The series charts the rise of a relative nobody to captain of the Imperial Bodyguard, friend and ultimately betrayer of the Emperor. The author's own notes point out the falacy (as he sees it) of the older SF systems with galaxy spanning empires. The betrayal at the end of the series is thus essential so that the society can become a free democracy.