Sheepfarmer's Daughter by Elizabeth Moon
an audiobook review by Nicki Gerlach
Paksenarrion is a young woman who wants something more than to marry
her father's neighbor and become a farmer's wife in her small rural village. Fleeing from an argument with her
father, she runs to the next village, where a patrol from a Duke's company of mercenaries has been sent to do some
recruiting. Paksenarrion -- or Paks, as she prefers to be called -- immediately signs up, preferring the life of
a soldier to that of a wife.
Vatta's War: Trading in Danger, Part 2 by Elizabeth Moon
an audiobook review by John Ottinger III
Kylara has survived being shot, awakening in the hospital of one the mercenary ships that are interdicting the planet of Sabine Prime. Quickly
regaining her senses, she returns to the Glennys Jones only to find that her small trader ship is now to be a prison for crews
from non-combatant ships in the Sabine area. Forced to agree to the mercenaries' use of her ship as a cattle
car, Kylara must tread the thin tightrope of appeasing her guests while remaining in charge.
Oath of Fealty by Elizabeth Moon
reviewed by Michelle Enzinas
In this the follow-up to The Deed of Paksenarrion, Duke Keri Phelan becomes
King of Lyonya, working through the human and Elvin customs in a unique Kingdom to finally
rule jointly with his Elvin Grandmother Flessinathlin. Captain Dorrin Verraki is drawn into her corrupt family's
dark legacy, after the Verrakai attack on Keri's royal progress in Deed is considered treason by Tasia's Crown
Prince Mikeli.
Vatta's War: Trading in Danger, Part 1 by Elizabeth Moon
an audiobook review by John Ottinger III
Kylara Vatta, drummed out of the military academy, has her hopes and dreams
of a military career dashed. However, being part of one of the most successful trading families in the known
universe provides a fairly soft cushion. But what Kylara does not expect is that, as a scion of her house, she will
be immediately given a captain's position and sent off on what should be a routine trading mission.
Victory Conditions by Elizabeth Moon
reviewed by Sherwood Smith
The bad news is that this book would be a tough place for new readers to begin, as it is the final installment of the chronicles
of Vatta's War. Every major thread begins pretty much in medias res, pulling a long train of story
investment along with it. The good news is that this is a smashing finish to an excellent series.
Moon Flights by Elizabeth Moon
reviewed by Greg L. Johnson
This first collection is either an introduction to or a rediscovery of a writer who has firmly established herself as
a first-rate teller of tales ranging from humorous looks at life in medieval times to future military adventures, and even
a side-trip or two into just what makes an artist create, and how that creative process fits into a society that doesn't
always appreciate what's presented to it.
Command Decision by Elizabeth Moon
reviewed by Rich Horton
If you haven't been reading this series, Rich recommends going back and starting with book one.
If you have been enjoying the Vatta's War series, you will enjoy this fourth novel.
If you enjoy fast-moving space adventure, with involving characters
and space war tactics and action and all... these books will work for you.
Command Decision by Elizabeth Moon
reviewed by Sherwood Smith
This is the fourth novel in the Vatta's War series.
Ky Vatta has decided that what the systems need is a space force to fight these pirates. Since no one else
is starting one, she will. While looking for support for her nascent fleet, her cousin Stella is recovering from the shock of a nasty revelation by
burying herself in business. And along comes the mysterious, rather charismatic covert ops guy, Rafe, who
is somehow connected to them and has gone off on his own.
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Engaging the Enemy by Elizabeth Moon
reviewed by Sherwood Smith
In this third volume of the Vatta's War series. Stella is
made captain of Ky's original ship, and sent to trade. Stella finds herself hop-scotching
system by system after Ky, dealing with the troubles Ky has stirred up in various ports. Meanwhile, unknown to the cousins,
their tough old Aunt Grace, back on Slotter Key, is spying on the turncoat President -- and watching the assassins who are
watching the survivors of her family. Everyone thinks Grace is a doddering
old woman, an impression she works to foster -- until she is forced to take on an ally and then to act.
Marque and Reprisal by Elizabeth Moon
reviewed by Sherwood Smith
The main protagonist is Kylara Vatta, who is brooding over her past as the book opens; she'd recently been kicked out of her
home planet's military academy through no fault of her own, but had to make a meaningful life for herself anyway. So she's
following the family tradition of trading.
Very swiftly she survives an assassination attempt, then another, discovers her family has been attacked, and then is mysteriously
sent a letter of marque -- which she had never asked for.
Trading in Danger by Elizabeth Moon
reviewed by John Berlyne
The novel opens with the likable young heroine Kylara Vatta being thrown out of military academy in disgrace. Her
crime appears to have been one of poor judgement rather than anything malicious, but the effect of the action illustrates the harsh
(necessary) intolerance that such institutions function under. This in media res opening, in which we soon learn that a good person
has been treated unjustly introduces our protagonist in such a skilful way that it could only be the most hard-hearted of readers
that would not warm to her.
Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon
reviewed by Jayme Lynn Blaschke
Lou Arrendale is a high-functioning autistic adult born in a time when intensive childhood therapy
allowed him the opportunity to become a productive member of society, but born too soon to be
helped by the medical advances that "cured" those autists came after him. Nevertheless, Lou has
earned a good life for himself. His life follows a comfortable, dependable pattern, until a
new supervisor arrives at work -- one who sees autistic employees as a
problem to be eliminated. Lou suddenly finds himself faced with a decision: Submit to an
experimental, untested surgical treatment for autistic adults or face unemployment.
Once A Hero by Elizabeth Moon
reviewed by Donna McMahon
The 2nd book in a series, this novel opens with Lieutenant Esmay Suiza facing a court martial and
board of inquiry, investigating her role in a mutiny aboard her last ship, during which all the senior
officers were killed and she ended up in command. Not only did she take command, she managed to win a
space war and save a planet. Many people view Suiza as a hero, but the upper ranks are nervous about
junior officers who kill senior ones (even senior traitors).
Rules of Engagement by Elizabeth Moon
reviewed by Peter D. Tillman
Esmay Suiza is a likeably nerdy young officer. Her heroic exploits
overshadow her difficult childhood, her love life is terrible, she's had a
bad-hair life... However, Moon's delightfully Wodehousian
aunts-in-space arrive just in time to save Esmay's butt (and career), and to
sort out her love troubles. As usual, Moon's fast-&-furious action,
meticulous military-medical backgrounding, and formidable storytelling
skills carry the day.
Remnant Population by Elizabeth Moon
reviewed by Kim Fawcett
This novel combines the classic story line of first contact with a refreshingly unlikely 70-year-old
protagonist. Beyond that, it accomplishes what too few books, SF and otherwise, fail to do -- it raises bigger
questions that don't necessarily have neat answers.
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