By any name William H Keith, Jr. writes good books. This one is written under the pen name Ian Douglas. Set in Earth’s far future, this book delivers. There’s lots of action, a main character with a troubled past, and a host of alien races. The alien look and think differently than humans, which makes it all the more engaging.

Lieutenant Gray is a fighter pilot with good instincts, but when the Sh’daar issue an ultimatum, he joins the space navy to protect his home world. The odds seem hopeless. What can one carrier fleet do against a galaxy wide empire? Go they will, because if they don’t, humanity will become the next race in a long line to serve the alien masters.

Ishmael has had a bad week. His mother has died and the company planet she worked for has served him an eviction notice. Now he has to find a job or be deported. When the company tells him that there are no jobs available, Ishmael does the only thing he can think of… He signs onto an interstellar freighter doing whatever grunt work he can get. Nathan Lowell weaves an engaging coming of age tale set in the far future, as a host of engaging characters teach Ishmael what it means to be a sailor in the 25th century.

Space Command ensign, Jenetta Carver has been lost. Her ship exploded and life pod was discovered years later by a freighter. When pirates attack her saviors, will Jenetta help her new crew survive, or will she become a pawn in the buccaneer’s sinister plans.

A delightful space opera with an engaging character. An enjoyable read.