Legend Of The Sword (In Her Name: The Last War, Book 2) by Michael R. Hicks

Book Description: Six months after the alien Kreelan Empire launched its invasion of human space, the Confederation of Humanity, a coalition of human worlds banding together for self defense, is rapidly growing.

Unfortunately, not all human worlds want to join the Confederation. Some, like Saint Petersburg, don't believe the tales of alien invaders, and think that the formation of the Confederation is nothing more than a veil over Earth's expansionist ambitions. With a powerful navy built in secret and armed with nuclear weapons, Saint Petersburg is preparing to launch their own offensive against Earth before the Confederation becomes too powerful.

The Confederation heavy cruiser Yura, commanded by Ichiro Sato, is part of the fleet the Confederation sends to preempt Saint Petersburg's attack. Drawn into a deadly trap, the Confederation fleet and its Marines are fighting for their lives when Kreelan warships, led by the enigmatic warrior priestess Tesh-Dar, materialize out of hyperspace.

As Tesh-Dar and her warriors wreak havoc on the two human fleets and Saint Petersburg itself, Ichiro, Roland Mills, and a Confederation spy known as SCARLET are faced with desperate choices from which they learn the true meaning of sacrifice.

Review 5 of 5 Stars

I finished Legend of the Sword, the second volume in Michael R. Hicks' In Her Name: The Last War series yesterday. The second book was as good as the first so I started on the third one and am about halfway through it at this time, but that's a review for later. I'm really enjoying this series. The Kreelan priestess Tesh-Dar is fascinating as is the entire culture that Mr. Hicks has brought forth here. Not very long after the first book ends we rejoin our characters as the crisis is picking up between the Confederation and the totalitarian government of Saint Petersburg.  Just in time for the fun the Kreelans arrive to join the party.  We are introduced to some interesting new characters who keep things exciting and moving along, as well as giving the reader a few new characters to follow that will tug at your heart. This is military science fiction, but it's so much more. What I've read so far has been really well done and Mr. Hicks is an excellent storyteller. There's lots happening all the time and you have to pay attention because he does a really good job with character relationships and wrapping things up. If you skim through parts, when you get to the wrap-up you'll feel like you're missing a piece (I say this from guilt of trying to see what was going to happen next to a particular character lol). This would be a fantastic science fiction action flick. I heartily recommend it for summer reading if you enjoy action with a great story.