Science fiction icon David Weber (the Honor Harrington series) teams up with Airborne-soldier-turned-author John Ringo (A Hymn Before Battle) in their third novel about Prince Roger Ramius Sergei Chiang Alexander MacClintock, Heir Tertiary to the Throne of Man. March to the Stars continues the adventures of Roger and the Bronze Barbarians that started in March Upcountry and continued in March to the Sea as they battle their way across the remote planet of Marduk in their bid to return home to Earth. Through the course of these first three novels, Roger has grown from a spoiled brat into a true leader of men and aliens alike. March to the Stars takes the Bronze Barbarians of the Imperial Guard across the Eastern Ocean of Marduk, facing giant sea monsters and pirates, and eventually to a spaceport held by humans of questionable loyalties. The naval battle with Mardukian pirates contains some swashbuckling heroics worthy of Errol Flynn himself, and Roger learns that not everything is as it seems on either Marduk or Earth. Fortunately, he's got the Bronze Barbarians and the Basik's Own at his back.

Collaboration is a tricky art form, and the resulting work can often feel rough and blocky, with the writers' differing styles at odds. Weber and Ringo deliver a work with a smooth blending of style, serving up a sum that is indeed greater than its parts. Readers should be warned, however, that by the end of the story they will likely be tempted to scoop up other works by these authors to satisfy their reading needs while waiting for the next novel in the series. --Ron Peterson

From Publishers Weekly
In their third outstanding military SF novel about a spoiled, foppish princeling's coming of age while marooned on the primitive planet of Marduk after a bungled assassination attempt, Weber and Flint (March Upcountry; March to the Sea) show Prince Roger developing into a thoughtful and highly competent (not to mention dangerous and charismatic) leader, who can inspire loyalty among both his Marine bodyguards and the Mardukan troops who have lent a hand or four. Parallels with Prince Hal in Henry IV are probably intentional, adding a certain gravitas to the many exceptionally well-done battle scenes, especially one that recalls the scale of Tolkien's Helm's Deep, which Roger wins by exercise of intelligence rather than strength. The prince and his followers discover that the original assassination attempt is part of a wider plot, as is a particularly loathsome example of cross-cultural contamination affecting the dominant Mardukan society. As Roger and company prepare to leave the planet, readers can look forward to seeing how the authors will retell Henry V. It should be one hell of a St. Crispin's Day. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
The dynamic duo of Weber and Ringo continue Prince Roger McClintock's adventures, which are coming to constitute a military sf classic. During an ocean crossing, McClintock and his diminished band of marines and Mardukans rescue the beautiful Princess Pedi--beautiful by Mardukan standards, that is, and enough so to mate with D'Nai Cord, Roger's shaman advisor. Upon arriving near the imperial base, the marchers find one local realm violently opposed to them and discover that it has been suborned by a faction in the empire that is slimier than any Mardukan faction and has overthrown Roger's mother and declared him an outlaw. Fortunately, Princess Pedi is the daughter of another local potentate, who helps Roger beat the tar out of his rivals and take the spaceport, after which the allies have to deal with a hit squad from the bad guys. Humans and Mardukans fight side by side, and soldiers' deaths are died. Pure entertainment for military sf buffs, who will easily turn all 500-plus pages of it. Roland Green
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

FROM OUR EDITORS

When we first encountered Prince Roger MacClintock, he struck us as an insufferable, if talented, brat. But in each March series book, the self-absorbed prince has gained maturity. In this action-packed military science fiction episode, he and his Royal Marine protectors must battle enemies, including ship-gobbling sea monsters.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly