Book #3 - Confederation

Continuing the In Her Name series, which has me hooked, Confederation is the middle book of the Reza trilogy. This picks up at the end of Empire, with a Marine contingent trapped on a small world, few of them left, outnumbered by the Kreelan warriors, but in a defensible position in a small village. They take refuge in a church, with Jodi McKenzie, Navy pilot turned Marine leader, wondering how they will survive the next assault from the Kreelans. The village inhabitants are pacifists, and it frustrates her, especially the words and wisdom of the local priest.

Suddenly Reva appears to her, in a church basement, with no way in. She’s amazed as he leaves and then confronts the Kreelan warriors. They greet either other, and Reva the High Priest of Tesh Dar, slays them. After that, the book goes as you might expect. He’s vilified by the church going people as some kind of demon. Many on Earth think he’s some kind of Kreelan spy or traitor, but he still has the letter from the old Colonel asking he be granted admission to the Marine Corps. That, along with recognition by Nicole (from Empire), now a decorated pilot, and he goes through Marine training.

Part of the book is the training, part is his life after, as a Marine officer. The book jumps through time in a few places, and shows Reva’s struggles. It ends in a cliff hanger of sorts again, and immediately had me looking for the next book. Not fantastic, but a very enjoyable read.