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Off Armageddon Reef by David Weber
02/02/2008 . Source: Geoff Willmetts 
pub: TOR-UK. 789 page paperback. Price: £ 7.99 (UK). ISBN: 978-0-330-45218-2). Buy Off Armageddon Reef in the USA - or Buy Off Armageddon Reef in the UK  check out website: www.toruk.com and www.panmacmillan.com
This is a somewhat odd book. You get more about what happened previously from the back cover than from the contents itself. After being beaten by an alien enemy, the last colony of humans are secured on the planet Safehold. As they don't want to attract the aliens, the humans are conditioned back to the pre-industrial evolution and any who get 'new ideas' are ruthlessly eliminated. Centuries later, hidden technology wakens, decides the threat is over and brings forth powerful androids. One of them, Merlin Athrawes, takes sides in a war between human factions and shows them how to modernise their navy so they are more competitive. They see him as a wise man and his position elevated as he does what appears to be extra-ordinary things for a human but in standing with being an android and its own technology.
Most of the book then follows some espionage and sea battles that wouldn't be out of place on early history Earth. Although much of Merlin's technology is advanced beyond what we can currently do, the science he teaches these people is more familiar. The glossary at the back reveals just over nine pages of characters and I have to confess that it got difficult to keep track of who belongs where or care about their fates. There's a lot to be said to keeping a tight lead cast and the others secondary. Author Weber takes delight in playing around with names that are familiar and phonetic even if they all come out of the same mould.
Having said that, the book is at least readable and sufficiently paced to find out what goes on next. Whether this means that there will be a sequel there is no indication. Weber undoubtedly has done a lot of work building up the reality but whether he'll just progress through a rapid approach toward modern technology or give a much more heavy dose of Science Fiction remains to be seen.
GF Willmetts
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