Trial By Fire (Gannon)

Trial by Fire
Charles E. Gannon (2014)

(Not a review, just some notes to help me remember the things I've read. But written this way because it's the Internet, and some people will stumble across this page.)

This is the second book in the "Caine-verse", the series about Caine Riordian that started with Fire With Fire. This was also a trade paperback edition, not an ebook.

At the end of the first book, it was obvious to those in the know that war was coming to Earth, and it comes quickly by way of Bernard's Star. (Along the way, there is yet another attempt of Caine Riordan's life, to the point that he now has "feelings" when alien tech is being used to kill him.) Earth forces are easily routed at Bernard's Star and then the alien fleet heads to Earth. Caine barely survives this but does with the help of an Arat Kur official. Caine is still listed as an ambassador for Earth.

When he gets back to Earth, he's still a prisoner and a target, but he seeks protection from the Arat Kur, which are oversized roaches who usually dwell in caves underground and avoid the Sun. The Arat Kur have the reach to move across the stars, but they are a slow, deliberative race, unlike the hot-headed slugs the Hrh-Krk (I have to look up the spelling). They are warlike and have an uneasy alliance with the Arat Kur, who are basically their ride.

The second half of the book is all about Earth's response and bringing the war to the Arat Kur without them realizing that pieces had been put into motion even before the invasion took place. (By the way, the Arat Kur believe that they were actually invitied there by the same super-corporation that Caine ooposed in the first book. They claim to speak for the entire planet.)

Love triangles play out, ships get boarded, Timber Ponies are unleashed. Alliances shift and aren't always what they seem to be. And, of course, the guy with the olives shows up again. (Spoiler: the olives don't mean anything. He just likes olives.) This is Earth's trial by fire, and the outcome will determine if Earth will take its place in the cosmos.

In the end, we find out more about the other races which appeared at the Connocation, particularly the ones that wouldn't reveal themselves. And we find out more about the human ruins on Delta Pavonis.

This was an actual trade paperback, and the third book is on reserve at the library.