World Famous Comics: The Defiance (Helmsman Series , No 7)
The Defiance (Helmsman Series , No 7)
By: Bill Baldwin Publisher: Aspect Average Rating: Binding: Mass Market Paperback Label: Aspect Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 368 Publication Date: November 01, 1996
Helmsman Series , No 7 I was thoroughly disappointed with this book.
First, the switch from 3rd person to 1st person was annoying. It broke the continuity and made it feel like I was starting a new series.
Second, while this started in the earlier books, Wilf completed his transformation from a John Waynish hero-type into a guy who has no problem sleeping with married women. He's not likable anymore. Having his brain "hanging between his legs" was amusing when the character was in his twenties. Now that he's supposed to be in his forties and still can't control himself paints a picture of depravity. In addition, he never seems to get any wiser to the world around him.
Overall, I got the impression that Baldwin was sick of writing these stories and tried to wrap it up quickly and with as much sex as possible. Characters that Brim "loved" at the end of one book were never heard from again in the next and the conclusions to subplots were disappointing at best.
Were it not for the fact that Brim slept with practically every female in the series, I'd at least say that the first half of the series was entertaining enough for teenage space opera, but not much else.
a future cover of WW1 and 2 I don't want to say I was disappointed, I thought that maybe, just maybe Wilf would catch a break, but in the end he loses. I am not sure I want the series to go on because he never catches a break. The series was interesting as it followed the end of WW1, the time in between and into WW2 with future weapons the bears as the russians,the empire as germany with there own SS in controllers,the imperials as the British Starfuries being spitfires, it goes on and on. I can't be the only one who could see it that way.
New Book Like many of you, i have despaired being able to continue the tales of Wilf Brim. I have read these 7 books repeatedly, and basically haunted Bill Baldwin's website to get moe news. Recently, it was announced in his website that Timberwolf Press will be releasing the next book, Turning Tide, as well as re-releasing the earlier 7 books again. I cannot wait for it to be available here.
another great book in the series Bill Baldwin keeps getting better. I really enjoy this series: I've read every one of the books many times. The books keep growing on me: each time I re-read them I find more details that I missed the previous times through. The publisher is insane not to be encouraging Baldwin to write the next six books in the series. Hopefully enough fan support will cause them to rethink this foolish decision. This series is great Space Opera: far better then the vast majority of the military sci-fi that gets published. Other readers have complained about the change in writing style: I get so engrossed in the story that I don't even notice. The change of technologies over the course of the stories has been particularly interesting: as a military history buff and particularly a navy buff I really enjoy this aspect of the books. I like the fact that while the big ships are no longer dominant the smaller units are still much more substantial than mere fighters: there is no carrier dominance in this universe. I like the way Baldwin set up the character for more adventures: he's dealing with the same problem David Weber is starting to have with Honor Harrington (too much rank!) in a creative way. I'd really like to see a Role Playing Game supplement for this universe with pictures of the ships and equipment (and maps): I've thought of running my own campaign in this universe since there's such a tremendous amount of detail in these books, but more information can't hurt (hint,hint)!
Wilf Brin gets nailed... Plenty of action and a couple of new characters you will really, really, REALLY hate. A lot. Wilf, like usual, does his job and does it well - but gets back-stabbed. Read it - you'll see.
This was the first book in the series I read, and hunted up the previous 6. All are well worth the read. One warning - the publisher has no plans to renew the series, even though Bill Baldwin wants to - maybe a little pressure from fans would help!
Update: Bill Baldwin has a new publisher. His books are re-released in expanded versions, and a NEW novel is due by 2007. Wilf will be back!
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