The three book series written by David Drake, of which this is the third, is chock full of adventure and the complexity of spirit of those who fight for others. In Fireships, we see the conclusion of the war Venus has no choice but to fight if it would survive - which seems doubtful at many times - and the sacrifice as well as the healing of many main characters - which also seems doubtful at times. While it is at the tail end of the three book series: Igniting the Reaches, Through the Breech and this one, Fireships - they each could stand alone on their own merits and are well worth your time to read them.