Warning! Late Arrival Spoilers abound for previous books in the Starship's Mage series.
It has been over a year since the UnArcana Worlds of the Protectorate of the Mage-King of Mars seceded, shattering the unity of the human race. The new Republic of Faith and Reason has raised new banners in defiance of the power of the Protectorate's Mage aristocracy.
Now, Hand Damien Montgomery commands a relief mission to a Republic world ravaged by famine. His humanitarian mission collides with a newborn military beginning to flex its muscles—and a newborn nation prepared to accept no violations of its sovereignty, regardless of their needs.
Elsewhere, disaster strikes the Nia Kriti Fleet Base as an earthquake shatters their only communication with the rest of the Protectorate. Officer-in-training Roslyn Chambers is in the middle of the recovery effort when she realizes Nia Kriti is under attack.
The Republic is done with peace. They are coming for the Protectorate—and they will see the fleets of Mars break!
This book provides examples of:
- Battlestar: The Republic's biggest advantage is they have created carriers capable of fighting but also releasing hordes of gunships.
- The Cavalry: Damien needs these to show up in order to prevent the Republic from simply steamrolling over all of their scattered forces.
- Decapitated Army: The Republic believes the Protectorate will become this if they kill Damien at Ardennes.
- Ensign Newbie: Roslyn starts as this but doesn't remain such for long.
- Explosive Leash: A lot of the Republic's exosuit pilots and spies have explosive implants, guaranteeing their loyalty.
- Gondor Calls for Aid: Damien calls in favors to Sherwood and Anders in hopes of getting enough forces to reinforce Ardennes. He gets it.
- Last Stand: The Protectorate's fleets are cornered at Ardennes and if they're destroyed there then the Protectorate will fall. It is also implied it is as much because Damien is there than anything else.
- The Mole: It turns out there's a bunch of fanatical saboteurs and spies infiltrating many of these ships.
- Overranked Soldier: Rosalyn is accused of being this by one of the enlisted personnel.
- Polyamory: Kelly is married to both a man and a woman.
- Rank Up: Roslyn Chambers is promoted from cadet to Lieutenant for her heroism during the battle.
- Space Cadet: Roslyn Chambers is this for much of the book until she receives a Battlefield Promotion.
- Standard Sci-Fi Fleet: Both the Republic and Protectorate both have these on display with the addition of aircraft carrier equivalents on the former's side.
- Stupid Evil: The Republic attacks Damien during a humanitarian mission despite the fact that he's delivering food to a starving planet. Both the Governor and Admiral run interference for him.
- Zerg Rush: Half the Republic fleet attacks Ardennes in hopes of not only knocking it out but also killing Damien.
