Though Hell Should Bar the Way

FROM WEALTH AND POWER, TO POVERTY AND INSULTS! Roy Olfetrie planned to be an officer in the Republic of Cinnabar Navy, but when his father was unmasked as a white-collar criminal he had to take whatever he was offered. What is offered turns out to be a chance to accompany Captain Daniel Leary and Lady Adele Mundy as they go off to start a war that will put Roy at the sharp end. Duty snatches Roy from the harem of a pirate chief to a world of monsters, from interstellar reaches in a half-wrecked starship to assassination attempts at posh houses. Roy has the choice of making friends or dying friendless; of meeting betrayal and responding to it; of breaking his faith or keeping it at the risk of his life. Pirates, politics, and spies—and waiting for Roy if he survives all the rest, a powerful warship. The action doesn't slow—nor can Roy, for if he does the only question is which of the many threats will be the one to catch and kill him. But Captain Leary himself has given Roy a chance, and Roy is determined make the most of it—THOUGH HELL SHOULD BAR THE WAY. “ is vastly entertaining, a tale that demonstrates Drake’s skill as an author, illustrating why Drake is one of the best living science fiction authors today."— “[R]ousing old-fashioned space opera.”— “The fun is in the telling, and Mr. Drake has a strong voice. I want more!”— “[S]pace opera is alive and well. This series is getting better as the author goes along...character development combined with first-rate action and memorable world designs.”— “Drake deftly weaves a web of political machinations and intrigue that vividly depicts the costs of war. Fans of Patrick O'Brian's Maturin and Aubrey novels will enjoy this intricate, rousing space opera.” — “[P]rose as cold and hard as the metal alloy of a tank...rivals Crane and Remarque...”— “Drake couldn’t write a bad action scene at gunpoint.”—