Review: The Defense of the Commonwealth by John J. Spearman

Diving back in time and space within a realm he knows so well, author John J. Spearman launches a new series with his latest thrilling work of science fiction, The Defense of the Commonwealth.

Hundreds of years in the future, humans have spread into the stars, with wealthy nation-states settling and colonizing habitable planets, though the deep-seated conflicts of modern humanity have regrettably persisted. Alliance strongholds are being overrun in what seems like a coordinated attack against cosmic colonists from the United States, which could endanger the settlements of other nations.

The Inter-Planetary Commonwealth, with as much clout as the Brits once had as masters of the earthly seas, must take action against this brazen move by the aggressive factions – the galactic descendants of the Chinese and Russian superpowers. Rumors of cutting-edge shield tech that can withstand antimatter weapons raise the stakes even higher, and Admiral Freshley of the Royal Navy turns to Perseverance Andrews to take control of the Rowen, one of the newest ships in the fleet.

Thus begins the character-driven drama of this novel, as Andrews must navigate not only the deadly void of a galaxy teetering on the edge of war, but also the interpersonal challenges of commanding a new ship in turbulent times. Romantic interests from the past, challenges to her authority, and feelings of guilt about the violent power of her top-of-the-line ship combine to shape a fully three-dimensional lead character who crackles with authority and appeal.

Loyal readers of the author’s work will recognize some of the players in this new narrative, such as the Rodinan Federation, but this female-driven saga is set long before the events of Spearman’s Jonah Halberd series. The expositional details that bring readers into this imagined future are thorough and easy to follow, without feeling rushed or overly convenient. As is always the case in Spearman’s writing, the technical details are meticulously vetted, and the sci-fi tech has its basis in theoretical physics and real-world jargon that die-hard readers of the genre will appreciate. The nuances of geopolitics, bureaucracy, negotiation, and military procedure are remarkably clear and believable, making this another immersive experience from Spearman’s pen.

Thematically, there is something quite contemporary about this interstellar drama – the uniting of western powers against the encroaching oppression of traditional bad guys, an obvious reflection of current geopolitics. The discussions of historical allegiance and sacrifice for the common good are timeless ideas, but the 25th century setting adds a level of objective detachment that makes it easier for such messages of goodwill and ethical cooperation to come through.

Editorially, there is some exposition that gets too explicit and breaks the believable flow of narration, and there are occasional grammatical errors and misused words, missing commas, and anachronistic language that stands out in the 25th century. Idiomatic speech would likely change over four centuries, and a final edit to identify these jarring phrases would be an easy fix.

Overall, the language of military engagement, transformed cleverly into a navy in space, demonstrates wild creativity and impressive attention to detail, which keeps the action engaging and authentic, even for science fiction fans who aren’t familiar with the military wing of the genre.