Don't cry for me Alaina.

An exciting story with complex ideas, told in simple terms.
Henry Gallant is the only non genetically enhanced human aboard the United Planet's revalutionary ship, Intrepid, on it's maiden voyage to Tao-Ceti and fuelled by dark matter. Gallant, because of his difference, was suspected and rejected by many of the crew but slowly had begun to gain respect and seniority. However, a surprise attack by a Titan Destroyer Class ship as they approached the second of five plants in the system, left Intrepid badly damaged, her crew severely reduced and her amiable Captain dead, to be succeeded by the XO, Anton Neuman, a man with no liking for Gallant. And the feeling was reciprocated: when they returned to Earth, Neuman was to marry the woman with whom Gallant had fallen in love.
Tau Beta, the second planet, is earthlike and, surprisingly, inhabited by humans. How had they arrived there? But there was the possibility of restoring Intrepid before the Titan ship returned, the only hope, in fact, so Gallant was sent down to make it happen.

With plenty of fighting action spread through the body of the book, there is also intrigue and betrayal, the whispers of a new romance, and philosophical discussions with an egotistical AI. It all makes for an excellent story. The only downside is the lack of character development: the protagonists, especially Gallant himself, remain two dimensional despite this being the second book in the series. Some of this is mitigated by the narration of Theo Copeland, who reads with clarity and expression, pacing his delivery with the text, his voicings of all the characters distinctive and individual. A nice performance.

My thanks to the rights holder of Lieutenant Henry Gallant, who, at my request, freely gifted me a complimentary copy of the book, via Audiobook Boom. Although the second in the Gallant saga, this book is fully stand alone, any necessary background information covered in this volume. Recommended to anyone who enjoys a good SF story with battle detail, interesting ideas and good world building.

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