Strength and Honor (Tour of the Merrimack Series #4) Book

This was a rousing and highly entertaining conclusion (?) to the Merrimack series. In this one, Farragut's victory over the Hive triggers Caesar Romulus to immediately declare war on the US, starting with a surprise attack a la Pearl Harbor. Unfortunately, it turns out the Hive has planted eggs (or the equivalent) everywhere, and Romulus discovers his brilliant plan has a few flaws.

My only quibble with this book was that I highly admired Romulus' scheme and planning for the war declaration, and thought his handling was brilliant. But everything he did from that point on was blindingly stupid. I wanted Romulus to stay brilliant -- though the trope of the powerful, arrogant, but cowardly and not-real-bright villain is an honored one, I think the book could have been a lot more fun if he had stayed politically brilliant, and I was disappointed that Meluch clearly didn't think the US could have won without the major mistakes Romulus made.

But honestly, Calli's reaction to being accused of Magnus' murder was awesome, and well made up for it. And despite the references I've seen to this being the last in the series, the last page set up a beautiful premise for a whole new series that I hope she'll pursue.