Review: Pike’s Potential by John J Spearman

Three multi-system empires collide in Pike’s Potential, an immersive military space thriller by veteran author John J Spearman.

Commander Pike of the Planetary Alliance, a leader with a star on the rise, must navigate the opening moves of a complex cosmic battlefield as the different factions of the human diaspora once again clash in an epic war. Balancing classic political machinations with naval maneuvering and battles edging towards the speed of light, this novel may be science fiction, but it has a firm base in a reality that military fiction readers will enjoy.

Though the swashbuckling in this novel happens in space, rather than the high seas, there are plenty of similarities when it comes to naval jargon and strategy. It doesn’t take long to become accustomed to the language, but given how immediately immersed in this world readers are, there is no other choice but to familiarize quickly, and Spearman handles these complexities well.

A great deal happens on every page, though there is a dearth of descriptive language, abstract narration, or reflective passages, meaning that this novel is largely character-driven. Commander Pike is a strong protagonist, and while he makes some rash decisions that might get him court-martialed, or even put his crew at greater risk, his intentions are honorable and he inspires loyalty wherever he goes. Ensign Boyle and Warburton (Puss and Stick) are two of the excellent secondary figures – hotshots with serious skills making a name for themselves in the navy – positioning them as ideal foils for the commander. Importantly, any character that sticks around for more than a chapter is three-dimensional and unique, giving this story’s supporting cast real authenticity and depth.

The clipped and efficient style of dialogue and conversation helps to keep the pace of the storytelling high, and reinforces the regimented atmosphere of the DeLuca and other Alliance ships, but there are also plenty of interactions that don’t seem critical to progressing the story. The procedural elements of life on frigates and battleships aren’t always compelling, and some aggressive editing could eliminate redundant passages. The action sequences are engaging, but there is an impartiality of emotion, even during seemingly exciting sections. For instance, during one brutal battle sequence early in the novel, more than half the crew is killed or missing and presumed dead. Commander Pike sheds a tear, but within a few paragraphs, any repercussions of the devastating attack seem to be forgotten.

There is also a notable sloppiness in the writing, with missing words, tense irregularities, missing capitalizations, awkwardly placed commas, and other such errors that could be easily fixed. There is an overuse of adverbs as well, and modern-day idiomatic language, despite this space-jumping plot taking place far in the future. Lastly, there is some repetition in word choice and descriptions, giving the prose a somewhat superficial or stock feel, at times.

That being said, the unpredictable relationships, epic context, and action-heavy prose of this novel make it an entertaining and original escape. For the first book in a series, Spearman has created a sprawling world with huge narrative potential.