Walter H Hunt

RING OF FIRE SERIES ENTRY FROM THE LATE ERIC FLINT AND BEST-SELLING AUTHOR WALTER HUNT: The King is dead: Long Live the King. But which one? Gaston sits on the throne in Paris, but the dead king's infant son has powerful forces on his side, ready to place him where he belongs. Who will prevail? Tensions build in France following the ascension of Gaston to the throne of his murdered brother, but there are factions supporting the claim of King Louis' surviving infant son. As France moves toward civil war, other parties, both visible and invisible, maneuver to take advantage of the increased tension. Who will survive to reign over France--King Gaston, the exiled child and his regents, or the King of Spain?

Tensions build in France following the ascension of Gaston to the throne of his murdered brother, but there are factions supporting the claim of King Louis’ surviving infant son. As France moves toward civil war, other parties, both visible and invisible, maneuver to take advantage of the increased tension. Who will survive to reign over France—King Gaston, the exiled child and his regents, or the King of Spain?

It has taken almost five years for the United States of Europe to stabilize its position in 17th-century Europe. Now it turns its attention to the New World, where the English have ceded their colonial claims to France. There are vast lands and rich resources across the Atlantic for any nations powerful enough to rule and control them—and equal incentive for other nations to block their path. The time-displaced Americans know about the future path that led to their own United States in North America, in the other universe they came from. But do they want to repeat that history as it was? Yes, they had democracy—but they are helping to create that in Europe. And they have learned the bitter prices paid for chattel slavery and the near-extermination of the native populations. Knowledge is power. Perhaps a new course can be taken. Accordingly, an expedition is sent to the New World to see just what might be happening there and what might be done. They are armed with their technology, among which are a radio and an airship. More importantly, they are armed with the knowledge of future history and their determination not to repeat the errors of their past. What could possibly go wrong? About Eric Flint:“This alternate history series is . . . a landmark . . . ”—Booklist“[Eric] Flint's 1632 universe seems to be inspiring a whole new crop of gifted alternate historians.”—Booklist"[R]eads like a technothriller set in the age of the Medicis . . . ”—Publishers WeeklyAbout Walter H. Hunt: "A compelling and immersive novel in which every word feels authentic and every chapter draws the reader deeper into the dark and terrifying power of the mind.”—New York Journal of Books

A veteran commander is placed in the path of an invasion by an unknown enemy, but she is soon placed in an even more difficult position: assuming the role of an alien legendary hero, whose fate is predestined. How far will she go before she steps off the path that has been created for her to follow? Man and zor, once sworn enemies engaged in a mutual campaign of xenocide, now live side by side. The war is over, and Admiral Marais, the legendary "Dark Wing" -- both Angel of Death and Species Savior -- is long dead, though some of his companions and participants in that great war still survive and have even chosen to live among the zor. Now a mystery from the past has become a threat to the present when an unholy menace jeopardizes both humans and zor alike. Whole space fleets have disappeared, with survivors stricken mad. And now man and zor alike must join forces to meet this adversary head on.... Editorial Reviews: "In this gripping sequel to The Dark Wing, Hunt does a better job of depicting character and handling zor mythology and interspecies relations... it offers plenty of surprises." ---Publisher's Weekly"What with the psychic-warrior complications, more Star Wars than Honor Harrington: some fans will relish the exploration of the zor culture." -- Kirkus Reviews"This fine sequel to Hunt's Dark Wing reads somewhat like a collaboration of David Weber and Orson Scott Card... It includes the implacable vuhl, a shape-changing, mind-controlling, insectoid enemy race that recalls the original foes of Card's Ender Wiggin... Imaginative twists include the facts that the human and zor quest team employs the telepathic assistance of Ch'ke'te's dead mate, Th'an'ya, and that some human POWs are finding out how to penetrate vuhl disguises. Gripping stuff that." --Booklist"The sequel to The Dark Wing combines military sf and space opera to produce a large-scale sf adventure that takes place in the depths of outer space, as well as within the minds of the combatants. A good choice for sf collections." --Library Journal"The novel The Dark Wing] succeeded, did well, and now proves to be the first installment in a quest that may well prove science fiction's version of The Lord of the Rings... If you enjoyed Wing, you'll love Path." --Analog Science Fiction and Fact

Mankind faces extinction at alien hands. The only thing standing in their way? THE DARK WINGThe birdlike zor are just one of the alien races that humanity encounters when it travels to the stars, and from the very first meeting it has been all-out war. For many years the conflicts have been sporadic, usually ending with an Earth concession and a treaty. But the zor do not respect mankind and have no intention of honoring the agreements. When the zor decide to mount a surprise attack against human colonies, the normally self-absorbed government of Earth realizes that something must be done before it is too late. A controversial scholar by the name of Ivan Hector Charles Marais, a former admiral, is brought in to take command of the Space Navy and defeat the enemy. Marais has spent his entire life studying the zor and claims to have a plan to deal with them once and for all. With so few options remaining, Marais is put in charge of the battlefleet. Earth just wants the threat neutralized and would be happy with a stalemate, but Marais has other ideas. He presents himself as the Dark Wing of zor mythology, destined to exterminate the zor, and unwilling to accept a return to the status quo. EDITORIAL REVIEWS: "Walter H. Hunt is the new master of military SF. A rollicking, compelling, wonderful debut--the pages fly by at warp speed." --Robert J. Sawyer, Nebula Award-winning author"The psychological warfare in the book is original and gripping. An impressive debut by a military-sf writer likely to please partisans of Saberhagen, Weber, and Drake." --Booklist"Hunt's first novel, set in the far future, deals with the problematic issues of xenophobia and genocide while presenting a fast-paced story that should appeal to fans of space opera and military SF. Reminiscent of Orson Scott Card's military classic Ender's Game, this work belongs in most sf collections." --Library Journal"Military science fiction from newcomer Hunt, something like Honor Harrington flavored with Babylon 5. A thoughtful debut, reassuringly familiar in shape with glints of originality and intriguing aliens: Satisfyingly complete in itself, though expertly set up for sequels." --Kirkus Reviews"This entertaining first novel plays some welcome variations on formulaic military SF... Hunt delivers a bravura performance, especially for a new writer." --Publishers Weekly"Here's action, adventure, and intrigue the way C. S. Forester would have told it." --author William C. Dietz"The plot line is gripping, charged with ethical and moral questions and the struggle of one race to comprehend another whose cosmic view is radically different.... the zor are quite well developed and believable." --VOYA"My initial impression of The Dark Wing was that it was just another flashy space opera. Later I thought it was just another dark novel about the genocide of aliens. Still later I decided it was a splendid depiction of the two sides of the Tao told in a Sci-Fi venue. Finally, I realized that this brilliant first novel was in fact all three and more... I heartily congratulate first time author Walter H. Hunt and wish him all the success he deserves." --Ernest Lilley, SFRevu"The Dark Wing is a promising first novel and a welcome addition to the ranks of military SF." --Starlog