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Vatta's War #2
Marque and Reprisal
Kylara Vatta, risk-taking, rule-breaking, can-do heroine of Trading in Danger, is back in business–the kind that’s anything but usual–in the new military science fiction adventure by ace action storyteller Elizabeth Moon.
The exciting military career she hoped for never got off the ground–but Ky Vatta ended up seeing plenty of combat when she took the helm of one of the commercial transport vessels in her family’s fleet . . . and steered it into a full-blown war. Now the lessons she learned in that trial by fire are about to pay off: because this time, the war has come to her. To be exact, someone unknown has launched a full-throttle offensive against Vatta Transport Ltd., Ky’s father’s interstellar shipping empire. In short order, most of Ky’s family is killed, and subsequent attacks sever vital lines of communication, leaving Ky fighting, in every sense, to survive.
Determined to identify the ruthless mystery enemy and avenge her family’s name, Ky needs not only firepower but information. And she gets both in spades–from the band of stranded mercenaries she hooks up with, from her black-sheep cousin, Stella, who’s been leading a secret life, and from Stella’s roguish ex-lover, Rafe. Together they struggle to penetrate the tangled web of political intrigue that’s wreaking havoc within InterStellar Communications, whose effective operation their own livelihoods–and perhaps lives–depend on.
But the infighting proves to be infectious, and it isn’t long before Ky’s hired military muscle are turning their suspicions on the enigmatic Rafe, whose wealth of knowledge about ISC’s clashing factions and startling new technologies has begun to make him smell like a rat . . . or a mole. With swift, violent destruction a very real possibility, the last thing Ky needs is a crew divided against itself–and she’s prepared to take whatever measures are necessary to ensure that Vatta stays in business, as well as in one piece.
What she’s not prepared for is the shocking truth behind the terror– and a confrontation with murderous treachery from a source as unexpected as it is unrelenting.
From the Hardcover edition.
The exciting military career she hoped for never got off the ground–but Ky Vatta ended up seeing plenty of combat when she took the helm of one of the commercial transport vessels in her family’s fleet . . . and steered it into a full-blown war. Now the lessons she learned in that trial by fire are about to pay off: because this time, the war has come to her. To be exact, someone unknown has launched a full-throttle offensive against Vatta Transport Ltd., Ky’s father’s interstellar shipping empire. In short order, most of Ky’s family is killed, and subsequent attacks sever vital lines of communication, leaving Ky fighting, in every sense, to survive.
Determined to identify the ruthless mystery enemy and avenge her family’s name, Ky needs not only firepower but information. And she gets both in spades–from the band of stranded mercenaries she hooks up with, from her black-sheep cousin, Stella, who’s been leading a secret life, and from Stella’s roguish ex-lover, Rafe. Together they struggle to penetrate the tangled web of political intrigue that’s wreaking havoc within InterStellar Communications, whose effective operation their own livelihoods–and perhaps lives–depend on.
But the infighting proves to be infectious, and it isn’t long before Ky’s hired military muscle are turning their suspicions on the enigmatic Rafe, whose wealth of knowledge about ISC’s clashing factions and startling new technologies has begun to make him smell like a rat . . . or a mole. With swift, violent destruction a very real possibility, the last thing Ky needs is a crew divided against itself–and she’s prepared to take whatever measures are necessary to ensure that Vatta stays in business, as well as in one piece.
What she’s not prepared for is the shocking truth behind the terror– and a confrontation with murderous treachery from a source as unexpected as it is unrelenting.
From the Hardcover edition.
387 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 28, 2004
About the author
Elizabeth Moon
148 books2,518 followersElizabeth Moon was born March 7, 1945, and grew up in McAllen, Texas, graduating from McAllen High School in 1963. She has a B.A. in History from Rice University (1968) and another in Biology from the University of Texas at Austin (1975) with graduate work in Biology at the University of Texas, San Antonio.
She served in the USMC from 1968 to 1971, first at MCB Quantico and then at HQMC. She married Richard Moon, a Rice classmate and Army officer, in 1969; they moved to the small central Texas town where they still live in 1979. They have one son, born in 1983.
She started writing stories and poems as a small child; attempted first book (an illustrated biography of the family dog) at age six. Started writing science fiction in high school, but considered writing merely a sideline. First got serious about writing (as in, submitting things and actually getting money...) in the 1980s. Made first fiction sale at age forty--"Bargains" to Marion Zimmer Bradley's Sword & Sorceress III and "ABCs in Zero G" to Analog. Her first novel, Sheepfarmer's Daughter, sold in 1987 and came out in 1988; it won the Compton Crook Award in 1989. Remnant Population was a Hugo nominee in 1997, and The Speed of Dark was a finalist for the Arthur C. Clarke Award, and won the Nebula in 2004.
She served in the USMC from 1968 to 1971, first at MCB Quantico and then at HQMC. She married Richard Moon, a Rice classmate and Army officer, in 1969; they moved to the small central Texas town where they still live in 1979. They have one son, born in 1983.
She started writing stories and poems as a small child; attempted first book (an illustrated biography of the family dog) at age six. Started writing science fiction in high school, but considered writing merely a sideline. First got serious about writing (as in, submitting things and actually getting money...) in the 1980s. Made first fiction sale at age forty--"Bargains" to Marion Zimmer Bradley's Sword & Sorceress III and "ABCs in Zero G" to Analog. Her first novel, Sheepfarmer's Daughter, sold in 1987 and came out in 1988; it won the Compton Crook Award in 1989. Remnant Population was a Hugo nominee in 1997, and The Speed of Dark was a finalist for the Arthur C. Clarke Award, and won the Nebula in 2004.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 407 reviews
February 1, 2022
This is a very enjoyable book -- assuming you know what you're hungry for.
For example, if you want a great continuation of a competence-porn space opera dealing with unexpected reversals (such as the loss of her family's trading empire), assassination attempts, money problems, and the need to do everything possible to fight a war with few resources out in space, then I'd say this would be exactly what the doctor would have ordered.
I mean, it has everything a young woman, a trading captain, would want. Handsome spies, mercs in need of work, and action, action, action. :)
Get your mind out of the gutter. This isn't that kind of SF. It's better.
And slowly, surely, this murderous captain that everyone seems to think is a true greenhorn will build that army she needs. If you're hungry for that, then I think you've come to the right place.
For example, if you want a great continuation of a competence-porn space opera dealing with unexpected reversals (such as the loss of her family's trading empire), assassination attempts, money problems, and the need to do everything possible to fight a war with few resources out in space, then I'd say this would be exactly what the doctor would have ordered.
I mean, it has everything a young woman, a trading captain, would want. Handsome spies, mercs in need of work, and action, action, action. :)
Get your mind out of the gutter. This isn't that kind of SF. It's better.
And slowly, surely, this murderous captain that everyone seems to think is a true greenhorn will build that army she needs. If you're hungry for that, then I think you've come to the right place.
February 18, 2022
2022-02: 4 stars.
Nothing new to add, except for the observation that everyone seems so shocked at some of Ky's analyses and decisions. Did they all forget that she has military training?
2017-06: 4 stars.
Was a fast, light read, lots of action, and lots of discussions on how to provision their ship, how they'd make $, what could they trade, in amidst the fear and constant danger of attack by some unknown entity targeting the Vattas for destruction.
Nothing deep, just a fun, fast read.
Nothing new to add, except for the observation that everyone seems so shocked at some of Ky's analyses and decisions. Did they all forget that she has military training?
2017-06: 4 stars.
Was a fast, light read, lots of action, and lots of discussions on how to provision their ship, how they'd make $, what could they trade, in amidst the fear and constant danger of attack by some unknown entity targeting the Vattas for destruction.
Nothing deep, just a fun, fast read.
April 16, 2015
I've got to tell you, I'm really enjoying this series. It's pretty serious, all planning and conspiring and technical stuff. A boatload of death. No sexy times. Not even a love interest (unless I've completely missed something) But, I likey.
My only real complaint is Ky's cousin. Who is a selfish bitch.
MORE.
My only real complaint is Ky's cousin. Who is a selfish bitch.
MORE.
May 25, 2014
Oh good grief... Look, that rating is for the edition I "listened" to. I got the audio version from the library here.
Anyone who's read many of my reviews or been in a "fantasy" group where I'm a member will probably know that Elizabeth Moon's Paksenarrion books are some of my "all time favorite" reads. I like most everything I've read by Ms. Moon. For all I know this is a very good novel...
So, why oh why did they get one of the poorest readers I've ever heard to read the audio versions of the books?!?!?!? I mean maybe the reader (who I won't name here) has done a good job on other books. Maybe she reads mysteries superbly I have no idea. All I know is I couldn't listen to this book. I found it fairly interesting occasionally, but stilted narration with pauses about every 3 words for no apparent reason, the stiff delivery..I just couldn't take it. I longed for it to be a book I could throw across the room.
My ears were bleeding.
I checked and for some reason the same reader reads this entire series so if I read it/them it will be the print version. No more of these...really.
I mean really, I greatly dislike the narration of the audio version of this book...really...
Did I mention I don't care for the narration????
Really, run fast, run far...
Anyone who's read many of my reviews or been in a "fantasy" group where I'm a member will probably know that Elizabeth Moon's Paksenarrion books are some of my "all time favorite" reads. I like most everything I've read by Ms. Moon. For all I know this is a very good novel...
So, why oh why did they get one of the poorest readers I've ever heard to read the audio versions of the books?!?!?!? I mean maybe the reader (who I won't name here) has done a good job on other books. Maybe she reads mysteries superbly I have no idea. All I know is I couldn't listen to this book. I found it fairly interesting occasionally, but stilted narration with pauses about every 3 words for no apparent reason, the stiff delivery..I just couldn't take it. I longed for it to be a book I could throw across the room.
My ears were bleeding.
I checked and for some reason the same reader reads this entire series so if I read it/them it will be the print version. No more of these...really.
I mean really, I greatly dislike the narration of the audio version of this book...really...
Did I mention I don't care for the narration????
Really, run fast, run far...
October 19, 2022
better, see my review of Trading in Danger
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
August 4, 2009
Moon's weaknesses as a writer are starting to dominate in this series. While I still read this book cover to cover more or less in a single sitting, that is definitely much more a reflection of my love for space opera than the quality of the work.
The palette of "real" characters (as opposed to transparent props) has expanded a little, but the new faces don't have serious pyschological depth. Perhaps even more serious, deus ex machina is reaching ridiculous proportions: in a civilization spanning many, many star systems, what is the likelihood that you'll meet someone you know when you duck into the backdoor of a shop on a space-station you have never visited before? "Of all the bars in all the towns in all the world, she has to walk into mine..."? Indeed.
If I compare this series with C.J. Cherryh's "Alliance-Union" series, or Lee & Miller's "Liaden Universe" books... well, there is no comparison. The other two have created believable and richly textured worlds filled with complex characters. Moon has written a children's book.
But I do love space opera.
The palette of "real" characters (as opposed to transparent props) has expanded a little, but the new faces don't have serious pyschological depth. Perhaps even more serious, deus ex machina is reaching ridiculous proportions: in a civilization spanning many, many star systems, what is the likelihood that you'll meet someone you know when you duck into the backdoor of a shop on a space-station you have never visited before? "Of all the bars in all the towns in all the world, she has to walk into mine..."? Indeed.
If I compare this series with C.J. Cherryh's "Alliance-Union" series, or Lee & Miller's "Liaden Universe" books... well, there is no comparison. The other two have created believable and richly textured worlds filled with complex characters. Moon has written a children's book.
But I do love space opera.
November 16, 2017
I couldn’t resist, guys. I liked
Trading in Danger
so much that I couldn’t wait any longer, so I got Marque and Reprisal when last I went to the library, and here I am reading it, almost two months to the day since I read the first book. Like I said on Twitter, Elizabeth Moon writes books that are like crack—except better, because it turns out that crack is actually very bad for you. The first book introduced us to Ky Vatta and provided an intense, compelling space opera. Marque and Reprisal follows up by hugely raising the stakes, dashing our hopes, and then twisting the story arc until you’re just as conflicted and exhausted as Ky.
When I say this book raises the stakes, I mean it raises the stakes. Remember that time in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine when the Dominion occupies Betazed, and suddenly this war got real? Same idea here. In the first book, Ky was a screw-up, but she was a Vatta screw-up. She had a vast, well-connected, wealthy family supporting her. Moon jettisons that first thing with an attack on the Vattas that leaves almost everyone dead. Eventually, Ky is aware of three other Vattas who are still alive (two of them with her). Not only does she have to deal with the trauma of losing her father, she also has to get to the bottom of who (or what) is trying to kill the Vatta family, and stop it. Fast.
The first part of the book, with Ky on Belinta and then later at Lastway, drags slightly. Moon really doesn’t want to skip over large periods of time very often, so while the chapters are action-packed and bleed into one another, it also means time passes pretty slowly. It’s like a slightly less strict 24. Once Ky joins up with Stella and Rafe, however, things get really interesting. I don’t mind at all the way Moon works viewpoints other than Ky’s into the novel, because Stella’s scenes with Rafe and Toby help establish all these new characters. And I was surprised by how I didn’t find Rafe too annoying: it helps that Moon lampshades the “bad boy” character so much that it becomes a non-issue (especially, especially at the end there—oh my).
Stella’s addition to the cast deserves some attention. This is the first time we get to see Ky interact with any Vatta for a long time. Previously, too, the other Vattas were all senior to her. Stella is more her contemporary, and with the remaining Vattas presumed dead, they are pretty close to top of the command chain now. (Can we also get a cheer for just how wonderful all the diverse women in this book are? Stella the spy, Ky the captain, Quincy the engineer, Gracie the elder, even Mehar and Beeah. This book is not MilSF, true, but it feels MilSF adjacent, and it just goes to show you don’t need to stuff your cast full of testosterone.) Stella also offers a great contrast to Ky. Both have reputations as a result of their indiscretions and dishonour. Both misunderstand the other, partly because of those reputations, but also because they don’t know each other’s worlds. I love how Ky keeps deliberating over how much to confess to her cousin: how much should she hold back?
Ky’s moral dilemmas that made her so fascinating in the first book are back, and how. She straight up kills a guy in cold blood, and then she’s like, “I’d totally stop and enjoy this killing high I get, except I’m icky and have a mine to disarm.” That’s ultra-badass and, yeah, borderline psychotic (though to be fair, the guy had it coming). I appreciate, though, that Moon moves beyond the simple “I’m weirded out because I like killing people” dilemma. That was great for the first book, when Ky merely had to worry about the survival of her crew. As she shoulders the burden of rebuilding the Vatta trading empire and finding the source of this conspiracy, it’s only natural that she faces more complicated questions. Stella probably summarizes it best when she confronts Ky about the letter of marque and asks whether Ky’s first loyalty will be to Vatta or to Slotter’s Key, conjecturing that a time will come (if it has not already) when those two parties’ interests diverge.
It’s these underlying problems that really make Marque and Reprisal so satisfying. I mean, yes, on one level it’s just an intense SF adventure. There are EMP mines being slingshotted down corridors and out of airlocks, zero-G knife fights, and more mercenary brinkmanship. There are hints of subtle political machinations, the kinds that make me drool. But beneath all that, there are rich canvases of thought and feeling. These characters aren’t one-dimensional; this is not a Saturday morning cartoon. Beyond the sheer physical demands placed on them, I find myself just marvelling at the decisions they get asked to make (often on little sleep) and thinking that I probably couldn’t do what they do.
Finally, Marque and Reprisal kept surprising me. The narrative is so easy to follow, so simply told, Ky’s plans telegraphed completely … but Moon always manages through a spanner into the works somehow. The simple plans get more complex, and suddenly Ky (or someone else) is improvising. So while I predicted many parts of the resolution, I didn’t see all of it coming—but I certainly enjoyed the result! This, to me, is a win: I love it when books have the capacity to surprise me, especially books I think I have all figured out.
Marque and Reprisal is an excellent sequel to Trading in Danger. It basically replicates the elements of the first book that made it so enjoyable. However, it avoids the most common problems of sequels. Moon definitely doesn’t hold back and is not afraid to make permanent changes to her universe. Similarly, she continues to find ways to put her characters into interesting situations that reveal more about them, or motivate them to change. The result is that rare combination of a resoundingly fun adventure with profound moments and deep themes. It’s nothing less than I’d expect from the author of The Speed of Dark . I have a feeling I’ll be devouring the rest of this series in short order.
My reviews of Vatta’s War:
← Trading in Danger | Engaging the Enemy →
When I say this book raises the stakes, I mean it raises the stakes. Remember that time in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine when the Dominion occupies Betazed, and suddenly this war got real? Same idea here. In the first book, Ky was a screw-up, but she was a Vatta screw-up. She had a vast, well-connected, wealthy family supporting her. Moon jettisons that first thing with an attack on the Vattas that leaves almost everyone dead. Eventually, Ky is aware of three other Vattas who are still alive (two of them with her). Not only does she have to deal with the trauma of losing her father, she also has to get to the bottom of who (or what) is trying to kill the Vatta family, and stop it. Fast.
The first part of the book, with Ky on Belinta and then later at Lastway, drags slightly. Moon really doesn’t want to skip over large periods of time very often, so while the chapters are action-packed and bleed into one another, it also means time passes pretty slowly. It’s like a slightly less strict 24. Once Ky joins up with Stella and Rafe, however, things get really interesting. I don’t mind at all the way Moon works viewpoints other than Ky’s into the novel, because Stella’s scenes with Rafe and Toby help establish all these new characters. And I was surprised by how I didn’t find Rafe too annoying: it helps that Moon lampshades the “bad boy” character so much that it becomes a non-issue (especially, especially at the end there—oh my).
Stella’s addition to the cast deserves some attention. This is the first time we get to see Ky interact with any Vatta for a long time. Previously, too, the other Vattas were all senior to her. Stella is more her contemporary, and with the remaining Vattas presumed dead, they are pretty close to top of the command chain now. (Can we also get a cheer for just how wonderful all the diverse women in this book are? Stella the spy, Ky the captain, Quincy the engineer, Gracie the elder, even Mehar and Beeah. This book is not MilSF, true, but it feels MilSF adjacent, and it just goes to show you don’t need to stuff your cast full of testosterone.) Stella also offers a great contrast to Ky. Both have reputations as a result of their indiscretions and dishonour. Both misunderstand the other, partly because of those reputations, but also because they don’t know each other’s worlds. I love how Ky keeps deliberating over how much to confess to her cousin: how much should she hold back?
Ky’s moral dilemmas that made her so fascinating in the first book are back, and how. She straight up kills a guy in cold blood, and then she’s like, “I’d totally stop and enjoy this killing high I get, except I’m icky and have a mine to disarm.” That’s ultra-badass and, yeah, borderline psychotic (though to be fair, the guy had it coming). I appreciate, though, that Moon moves beyond the simple “I’m weirded out because I like killing people” dilemma. That was great for the first book, when Ky merely had to worry about the survival of her crew. As she shoulders the burden of rebuilding the Vatta trading empire and finding the source of this conspiracy, it’s only natural that she faces more complicated questions. Stella probably summarizes it best when she confronts Ky about the letter of marque and asks whether Ky’s first loyalty will be to Vatta or to Slotter’s Key, conjecturing that a time will come (if it has not already) when those two parties’ interests diverge.
It’s these underlying problems that really make Marque and Reprisal so satisfying. I mean, yes, on one level it’s just an intense SF adventure. There are EMP mines being slingshotted down corridors and out of airlocks, zero-G knife fights, and more mercenary brinkmanship. There are hints of subtle political machinations, the kinds that make me drool. But beneath all that, there are rich canvases of thought and feeling. These characters aren’t one-dimensional; this is not a Saturday morning cartoon. Beyond the sheer physical demands placed on them, I find myself just marvelling at the decisions they get asked to make (often on little sleep) and thinking that I probably couldn’t do what they do.
Finally, Marque and Reprisal kept surprising me. The narrative is so easy to follow, so simply told, Ky’s plans telegraphed completely … but Moon always manages through a spanner into the works somehow. The simple plans get more complex, and suddenly Ky (or someone else) is improvising. So while I predicted many parts of the resolution, I didn’t see all of it coming—but I certainly enjoyed the result! This, to me, is a win: I love it when books have the capacity to surprise me, especially books I think I have all figured out.
Marque and Reprisal is an excellent sequel to Trading in Danger. It basically replicates the elements of the first book that made it so enjoyable. However, it avoids the most common problems of sequels. Moon definitely doesn’t hold back and is not afraid to make permanent changes to her universe. Similarly, she continues to find ways to put her characters into interesting situations that reveal more about them, or motivate them to change. The result is that rare combination of a resoundingly fun adventure with profound moments and deep themes. It’s nothing less than I’d expect from the author of The Speed of Dark . I have a feeling I’ll be devouring the rest of this series in short order.
My reviews of Vatta’s War:
← Trading in Danger | Engaging the Enemy →
December 27, 2023
I was in the mood to reread these and so I binged the series. I love it so. I wish all military SF was so fun. Kylara "Ky" Vatta is an excellent character to root for. Part of what I love about the series is that she starts out being rather naïve but grows and changes into a lovely powerhouse. But just because she is powerful, doesn't mean that she doesn't care about the greater good. I also love Ky's cousin Stella and their goofy Aunt Grace, neither who end up being as originally expected. The highlight of this series for me is always the characters, their interactions, and the way the author twists the plot with unexpected, but rational, consequences. I have not reread the sequel series vatta's peace but now I want to. Arrr!
*****************************
Ahoy there me mateys! This here be a combined review of the second and third books of the Vatta's War series. While I try to post no spoilers, if ye haven’t read the first book and ye keep reading this log then ye have been forewarned and continue at yer own peril . . .
Well book one could have been a standalone but I am extremely glad it wasn't! The second book quickly brings about a major, surprising change for the main character, Ky Vatta, and her family. It was mind-boggling but brilliant. It certainly upped the ante. I loved the crazy mercenary company and how Ky made deals with them. I loved all the space battles. It even makes trading goods interesting.
Ky continues to be a delight. I love watching her get into impossible situations and use her brain and her gusto to solve problems. These books be action-packed, have no real romance, and be filled with admirable women. I particularly love Grandma Grace. She is one tough cookie.
The only minor quibble was the distrust between Ky and her cousin in book three. It made sense in terms of story telling but it did wear on me a bit. I think that overall this book, while enjoyable, felt more like a placeholder set-up book. However, the ending was very satisfying and I am extremely interested in what adventures Ky will get into next.
I have already made plans to get books four and five in me mitts. Arrr!!!
Side note: Much thanks to me matey, Sarah @ brainfluff, for pointing me in the right direction in terms of the recommended readin' sequence for these books!
Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordp...
*****************************
Ahoy there me mateys! This here be a combined review of the second and third books of the Vatta's War series. While I try to post no spoilers, if ye haven’t read the first book and ye keep reading this log then ye have been forewarned and continue at yer own peril . . .
Well book one could have been a standalone but I am extremely glad it wasn't! The second book quickly brings about a major, surprising change for the main character, Ky Vatta, and her family. It was mind-boggling but brilliant. It certainly upped the ante. I loved the crazy mercenary company and how Ky made deals with them. I loved all the space battles. It even makes trading goods interesting.
Ky continues to be a delight. I love watching her get into impossible situations and use her brain and her gusto to solve problems. These books be action-packed, have no real romance, and be filled with admirable women. I particularly love Grandma Grace. She is one tough cookie.
The only minor quibble was the distrust between Ky and her cousin in book three. It made sense in terms of story telling but it did wear on me a bit. I think that overall this book, while enjoyable, felt more like a placeholder set-up book. However, the ending was very satisfying and I am extremely interested in what adventures Ky will get into next.
I have already made plans to get books four and five in me mitts. Arrr!!!
Side note: Much thanks to me matey, Sarah @ brainfluff, for pointing me in the right direction in terms of the recommended readin' sequence for these books!
Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordp...
December 27, 2019
I really enjoyed Trading in Danger, so returning to this series was a delight -- I didn't at all remember what had happened in the previous book, and it doesn't spend a lot of detail filling you in, but you can still get a pretty good indication of the repercussions and fallout from Kylara Vatta's last adventure.
And boy, but this book is explosive. Mysterious enemies start targeting and systematically dismantling the Vatta trading empire, and so Ky is left at loose ends with her clunker of a ship, desperately trying to keep flying, gather her resources and allies, find out what's going on, and rescue as much of her family as she can. The stakes are ratcheted up super-high and she's plunged in the deep end again, and watching how she tries to maneuver out of it is a treat. The new characters that she picks up are also wonderful, particularly Stella and Rafe. I love them!!
And even though you -- and Ky herself -- think you know what the deal is with her family, she's constantly learning new things about her own family, and particularly new depths that other female family members possess (I'll say it again: Aunt Gracie and Stella are wonderful).
As with the previous book, there's a lot of delicious competency porn in seeing the characters operate, particularly Ky's new security expert and the Mackensee mercs. I also never, ever get tired of the logistics and details of their trading and equipment and security measures and ansibles and... I don't know how Elizabeth Moon does it, but logistics that might have come across dull-as-bones and horribly dry in another book, remained riveting to me here, because it just makes for such a rich fleshed-out environment that feels so real.
I also still can't overstate how well I think these books pair with CJ Cherryh's merchanter novels (start with Merchanter's Luck), because she often has competent female captains and young inexperienced boys flung into a crew, or struggling to make ends meet.
I want to pick up the third book ASAP, but I'm gonna detour into The Expanse for a little bit first. Space opera! I can't get enough space opera!!!
And boy, but this book is explosive. Mysterious enemies start targeting and systematically dismantling the Vatta trading empire, and so Ky is left at loose ends with her clunker of a ship, desperately trying to keep flying, gather her resources and allies, find out what's going on, and rescue as much of her family as she can. The stakes are ratcheted up super-high and she's plunged in the deep end again, and watching how she tries to maneuver out of it is a treat. The new characters that she picks up are also wonderful, particularly Stella and Rafe. I love them!!
And even though you -- and Ky herself -- think you know what the deal is with her family, she's constantly learning new things about her own family, and particularly new depths that other female family members possess (I'll say it again: Aunt Gracie and Stella are wonderful).
As with the previous book, there's a lot of delicious competency porn in seeing the characters operate, particularly Ky's new security expert and the Mackensee mercs. I also never, ever get tired of the logistics and details of their trading and equipment and security measures and ansibles and... I don't know how Elizabeth Moon does it, but logistics that might have come across dull-as-bones and horribly dry in another book, remained riveting to me here, because it just makes for such a rich fleshed-out environment that feels so real.
I also still can't overstate how well I think these books pair with CJ Cherryh's merchanter novels (start with Merchanter's Luck), because she often has competent female captains and young inexperienced boys flung into a crew, or struggling to make ends meet.
I want to pick up the third book ASAP, but I'm gonna detour into The Expanse for a little bit first. Space opera! I can't get enough space opera!!!
March 7, 2018
I'm really enjoying this series. Strongly reminiscent of the Barrayar novels by Lois McMaster Bujold, but somehow more enjoyable.
I am straight on to the next one after finishing this, with literally a minute between them ,
I am straight on to the next one after finishing this, with literally a minute between them ,
May 17, 2017
short review of the series (huge novel split into 5) under Trading in danger
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
October 23, 2014
A good (OK?) second book to the series. Major crisis & well fought by our heroine, Kylara. I was a little disappointed by the sudden surge in technology. Without spoiling the story, a crucial resource is suddenly not nearly as scarce as we'd been led to think - or the rest of the universe. It stretched my suspension of belief to the breaking point. It was an almost magical fix, something that marks less than great fiction. It was still a good story, but it lost a lot of points with me for that.
Kylara's development has been rather fast too. She's killed & is coming to terms with it unevenly. Those around her are too. Again, it stretched my belief, although not as badly. Other solutions to issues were quite good, as was the portrayal of local police systems. Lots of action & suspense.
Kylara's development has been rather fast too. She's killed & is coming to terms with it unevenly. Those around her are too. Again, it stretched my belief, although not as badly. Other solutions to issues were quite good, as was the portrayal of local police systems. Lots of action & suspense.
February 22, 2011
I was annoyed for a lot of the book about how perfect Ky was. She's a 22 year-old kid on her first real tour, didn't even finish the academy, but she's somehow way ahead of all of the experienced people because they're just traders and she's bloodthirsty. Ack, annoying. But she made some mistakes near the end that reduced my irritation. On the other hand, Rafe is a problem. That they just happen upon the one guy in the universe with that tech, history and skill set is too absurd; the author should have set it up so that they came upon each other in a more believable way. But I like the new characters of Stella and Toby a lot, the mercenaries were interesting, and there was more action than trading, so I'll round up from 3.5 to 4 stars.
April 6, 2018
“Marque and Reprisal (Vatta’s War #2)” continues the military scifi adventure story of Ky Vatta, her family, the McKinsey Military Assistance Corporation (I just love that name!), the corporate InterStellar Communications Corporation (ISC), and pirates - yes….pirates in space! As a reminder, this series is not lesfic, but that just shows that no series is perfect.
As with Book #1, “Marque and Reprisal” manages to highlight very believable people as individuals, even while adventure and conspiracies and political and corporate and military battles swirl around everyone and everywhere.
“Marque and Reprisal” is more than 14 hours of amazing stories within a story, narrated wonderfully by Cynthia Holloway. Highly recommended with a 5* rating.
As with Book #1, “Marque and Reprisal” manages to highlight very believable people as individuals, even while adventure and conspiracies and political and corporate and military battles swirl around everyone and everywhere.
“Marque and Reprisal” is more than 14 hours of amazing stories within a story, narrated wonderfully by Cynthia Holloway. Highly recommended with a 5* rating.
May 31, 2018
I don't think I'm going to continue this series. I like books that are about characters, and I just don't really care about anyone in this book. It's not awful, I just think the characters are a bit wooden. For example Ky is told that her family has been attacked and many people died. She doesn't even really seemed concerned. Then when she knows for sure that her parents, brother, uncle and cousins are dead she never even cries or seems to grieve. So... I think this series is OK, but not good enough for me to want to read more. It's not in anyway comparable to the Vorkosigan series or even the Liaden series.
May 10, 2013
Vatta's War series
1 Trading in Danger
2 Marque and Reprisal
3 Engaging the Enemy
4 Command Decision
5 Victory Conditions
These 5 books are not so much a series as one long novel - there's one story arc, and you really need to read all five to get to the (satisfying) conclusion. (I somehow had the misapprehension that there were only 4 in the series - luckily the public library came through and got me #5 expediently!)
Due to a misjudgement, Kylara Vatta, scion of an interstellar shipping business, gets kicked out of military academy shortly before graduation. She's pretty crushed by the end of her hopes for a military career, but there's always the family business to fall back on... or is there? Someone's apparently got it out for her family, and before Ky knows it, she's catapulted into the midst of a space war, seeking justice and vengeance against an unsavory alliance of pirates.
These are first and foremost action-adventure books, with plenty of shoot-em-up scenes and an uncomplicated moral compass - you know who the 'bad guys' are, and although Ky is normally affected by the trauma of war (even seeking therapy at one point), she's always clearly on the side of right. The one thing I wished the story had was more exploration of the bad guys' motivations - OK, we know they're racist, and bigoted against 'modified' humans (people who've had either genetic or physical/technological augmentation), and of course they want power - but what's the story behind it all?
However, the characters of the 'good guys' are well-drawn, and the story's definitely recommended for those who like strong female characters: there's Ky, with her military and strategic brilliance, her cousin Stella, who has the financial and business acumen to bring Vatta Enterprises back from the brink - and there's their grandmother, Grace, who is far from being the harmless old lady people might assume. (Grace might be my favorite character - it's wonderful to see an older woman portrayed with such verve.)
As many have mentioned, there are some definite parallells here with Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan saga. I'm not sure these are *quite* as good, but if you like one, I'd guess you'll like the other.
1 Trading in Danger
2 Marque and Reprisal
3 Engaging the Enemy
4 Command Decision
5 Victory Conditions
These 5 books are not so much a series as one long novel - there's one story arc, and you really need to read all five to get to the (satisfying) conclusion. (I somehow had the misapprehension that there were only 4 in the series - luckily the public library came through and got me #5 expediently!)
Due to a misjudgement, Kylara Vatta, scion of an interstellar shipping business, gets kicked out of military academy shortly before graduation. She's pretty crushed by the end of her hopes for a military career, but there's always the family business to fall back on... or is there? Someone's apparently got it out for her family, and before Ky knows it, she's catapulted into the midst of a space war, seeking justice and vengeance against an unsavory alliance of pirates.
These are first and foremost action-adventure books, with plenty of shoot-em-up scenes and an uncomplicated moral compass - you know who the 'bad guys' are, and although Ky is normally affected by the trauma of war (even seeking therapy at one point), she's always clearly on the side of right. The one thing I wished the story had was more exploration of the bad guys' motivations - OK, we know they're racist, and bigoted against 'modified' humans (people who've had either genetic or physical/technological augmentation), and of course they want power - but what's the story behind it all?
However, the characters of the 'good guys' are well-drawn, and the story's definitely recommended for those who like strong female characters: there's Ky, with her military and strategic brilliance, her cousin Stella, who has the financial and business acumen to bring Vatta Enterprises back from the brink - and there's their grandmother, Grace, who is far from being the harmless old lady people might assume. (Grace might be my favorite character - it's wonderful to see an older woman portrayed with such verve.)
As many have mentioned, there are some definite parallells here with Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan saga. I'm not sure these are *quite* as good, but if you like one, I'd guess you'll like the other.
May 2, 2019
Loved this one as much as the first There are additional family members introduced in this book and a good deal of time spent with them in the narrative. They are as interesting as Ky so I wasn't disappointed. I started to wonder if the series may not always be about Ky...
February 8, 2019
Nice SiFi book and series. I think this would be a great series for a younger reader or someone new and just starting to read SiFi. Well written and plotted it does not go deep into the tech and science of the story. Recommended
December 1, 2020
A lot of action & suspense, but too much magic with the ansibles. It really hurt an otherwise decent story. Some great characters are growing well, too. A fun space opera.
I think this series is better in text where skimming is possible. Moon isn't the tightest writer & I'm not all that fond of the narrator. She's made more than a few errors & I find her voice somewhat irksome. Still, I'm enjoying it quite a bit. On to the next since I had to switch books quickly.
I think this series is better in text where skimming is possible. Moon isn't the tightest writer & I'm not all that fond of the narrator. She's made more than a few errors & I find her voice somewhat irksome. Still, I'm enjoying it quite a bit. On to the next since I had to switch books quickly.
September 22, 2018
Vatta wants to be an intrepid member of the Space Force, but family obligation require that she settles for life as a mundane spaceship captain. Then an opposing force almost wipes out her entire family,and she has to go to war, ready or not.
Not bad, although the final reveal didn't do much for me.
Not bad, although the final reveal didn't do much for me.
February 22, 2022
This second instalment picks up the narrative pretty much at the end of the previous book, and I for one enjoyed it as much. Once more Moon describes this world from its bureaucracy and rules to power plays and battle scenes. A lot of fun! Yes, a couple of ‘developments’ were a little on the heavy side of coincidence, but I don’t mind. I love Ky Vatta and can’t wait to see what she does next :O)
February 20, 2024
Our favorite captain is back and is making her usual mistakes but smart enough to evade and scrappy enough to survive! I’m really appreciating the undertone themes of forgiveness for mistakes you’ve made before and second chances.
March 23, 2020
The second book of Vatta's War finally gets to the 'war'. Things take a very violent turn at the start, and everything follows on for that.
We get a little bit of the opposing viewpoint near the beginning, but nothing after that, so it's still too early to know what exactly the plan is. However, there's a feel that they might be a bit incompetent for how competent they're acting.
Part of the setup is InterStellar Communications has an enforced monopoly on... communications. You can travel from system to system easily enough, and bring things with you, but if you want to send a direct message FTL, you go though ISC. Thankfully, they seem to be a good 'neutral carrier', and trustworthy, even as they're making money off of you. As the book goes on, it becomes obvious they've been stifling progress with FTL communications to maintain their monopoly. Okay, fine, nice bit, and some twist in there... but then it jumps a couple orders of magnitude, which makes you wonder why this hasn't broken loose before. And then, the final version of that jumps the shark at the end.
Outside of Macguffin concerns, there's a lot to like. The characters all are well drawn, and Kylara continues to be a great central character. This time, there's a lot more of the action promised but not delivered by the first book. The space-lanes are suddenly a lot less safe than they have been, and Ky is still in an old, slow, merchant carrier that's on its way to being sold for scrap. At least, if viable ships of any type weren't suddenly a rare commodity for Vatta Transport....
The Macguffin problem seems aimed at giving Ky a super-ability for the next book, so much will depend on just how badly that gets abused next time. Short of that, it's a solidly-written book, with good action, and characters who have to struggle with what the violence means.
We get a little bit of the opposing viewpoint near the beginning, but nothing after that, so it's still too early to know what exactly the plan is. However, there's a feel that they might be a bit incompetent for how competent they're acting.
Part of the setup is InterStellar Communications has an enforced monopoly on... communications. You can travel from system to system easily enough, and bring things with you, but if you want to send a direct message FTL, you go though ISC. Thankfully, they seem to be a good 'neutral carrier', and trustworthy, even as they're making money off of you. As the book goes on, it becomes obvious they've been stifling progress with FTL communications to maintain their monopoly. Okay, fine, nice bit, and some twist in there... but then it jumps a couple orders of magnitude, which makes you wonder why this hasn't broken loose before. And then, the final version of that jumps the shark at the end.
Outside of Macguffin concerns, there's a lot to like. The characters all are well drawn, and Kylara continues to be a great central character. This time, there's a lot more of the action promised but not delivered by the first book. The space-lanes are suddenly a lot less safe than they have been, and Ky is still in an old, slow, merchant carrier that's on its way to being sold for scrap. At least, if viable ships of any type weren't suddenly a rare commodity for Vatta Transport....
The Macguffin problem seems aimed at giving Ky a super-ability for the next book, so much will depend on just how badly that gets abused next time. Short of that, it's a solidly-written book, with good action, and characters who have to struggle with what the violence means.
November 3, 2014
Second book in the Vatta series. First book was Trading in Danger.
I found the second book to be as engaging as the first, if not a little slow to start as we watch the crisis unfold and Kylara stocking up with weapons and supplies. I did notice a trend that anyone in an authority position automatically assume the worst and try to add to Kylara's problems. Once or twice, I could see, but every time?
There is something about Moon's dialog that still seems "off" to me. Again the impression of an almost formal give and take between characters, not the easy flow of two people or a group of people talking.
My main complaint with this book came toward the end (without revealing anything plot-wise) with the whole Sexual Attraction Discussion between her, the Mercenaries, and the ISC man. I think it was meant to be humorous, but it came across as patronizing and out of place. It was awkward, didn't fit with the rest of the book and, dare I say it...downright stupid?
Paraphrasing here:
Mercenary Man: "You're a young female Captain. You must be attracted to this handsome older man."
Kaylara, "No, I'm not. He's much too old for me and not my type."
ISC Man, "I don't find her attractive either."
Mercenary Man, "I don't believe you Captain. He's a rougish man, you are a nubile female, you have to be attracted to him and it's impaired your judgement."
Kaylara, "No. My judgement is just fine. I don't like his good looks and have no urge to bed him or any other male on my crew."
And so it went for several pages, several pages too many.
Overall, a worthwhile read, a bit predictable, but good for vacation or light reading. Recommended.
I found the second book to be as engaging as the first, if not a little slow to start as we watch the crisis unfold and Kylara stocking up with weapons and supplies. I did notice a trend that anyone in an authority position automatically assume the worst and try to add to Kylara's problems. Once or twice, I could see, but every time?
There is something about Moon's dialog that still seems "off" to me. Again the impression of an almost formal give and take between characters, not the easy flow of two people or a group of people talking.
My main complaint with this book came toward the end (without revealing anything plot-wise) with the whole Sexual Attraction Discussion between her, the Mercenaries, and the ISC man. I think it was meant to be humorous, but it came across as patronizing and out of place. It was awkward, didn't fit with the rest of the book and, dare I say it...downright stupid?
Paraphrasing here:
Mercenary Man: "You're a young female Captain. You must be attracted to this handsome older man."
Kaylara, "No, I'm not. He's much too old for me and not my type."
ISC Man, "I don't find her attractive either."
Mercenary Man, "I don't believe you Captain. He's a rougish man, you are a nubile female, you have to be attracted to him and it's impaired your judgement."
Kaylara, "No. My judgement is just fine. I don't like his good looks and have no urge to bed him or any other male on my crew."
And so it went for several pages, several pages too many.
Overall, a worthwhile read, a bit predictable, but good for vacation or light reading. Recommended.
October 2, 2016
I feel about the same about this book as I did about Trading in Danger, the previous book in the series. The writing is average, but the pacing is tight and there's plenty of action to keep you turning pages to find out what happens next. The downsides are still apparent, in that character development remains somewhat surface-only and there's never really time for true emotional connections both between characters or between characters and reader.
Ky has certainly developed some and she remains an interesting character to follow, but she's somewhat uneven. Sometimes she's naive and inexperienced, and other times, she's too knowledgeable and even jaded. The new characters who are introduced are much more interesting than the previous supporting cast, I'll grant that. Stella, Rafe, Toby and Jim all bring new perspectives and flesh out the universe with more types of people, but they are not yet fully realized and their motives and characters seem formed more by the plot, rather than the other way around. A common enough problem in science fiction, so I'll let it slide, because at least they're still interesting.
The plot itself, while well-paced and tightly spun, is still pretty predictable, but there's just enough suspense to keep you invested to follow, even when it doesn't offer too many real surprises. That said, I'm still enjoying the series enough to continue on to the next book and find out where the story leads and how Ky will cope with whatever comes at her next.
Ky has certainly developed some and she remains an interesting character to follow, but she's somewhat uneven. Sometimes she's naive and inexperienced, and other times, she's too knowledgeable and even jaded. The new characters who are introduced are much more interesting than the previous supporting cast, I'll grant that. Stella, Rafe, Toby and Jim all bring new perspectives and flesh out the universe with more types of people, but they are not yet fully realized and their motives and characters seem formed more by the plot, rather than the other way around. A common enough problem in science fiction, so I'll let it slide, because at least they're still interesting.
The plot itself, while well-paced and tightly spun, is still pretty predictable, but there's just enough suspense to keep you invested to follow, even when it doesn't offer too many real surprises. That said, I'm still enjoying the series enough to continue on to the next book and find out where the story leads and how Ky will cope with whatever comes at her next.
January 25, 2021
Am loving this series. Can't wait to start the NEXT installment!
August 30, 2014
This book is exactly the type of science fiction I love to read. Militaristic believability mixed with the good old space trader polish. Ky Vatta is the type of woman that I'd probably fall over myself to impress and follow to the end of the Earth, because she's good even if she's not right.
I'm not sure yet where her loyalties lie exactly, I'm sure that she's working for Vatta - as a family and as a corporation. I'll be interested in finding out where she's going, especially not with the way that the book ended.
As for the advancing relationships, I adore the way that any romance is being handled, both by the character and the author - not yet. Not no, but not yet. There are bigger problems to handle before anything romantic happens and to me that is entirely believable. Hormones don't shut off but this situation calls for a clear mind and Ky is exactly the type of person that I believe would recognise that.
I'm definitely intrigued as to the direction of the series and will be starting the next book as soon as possible.
I'm not sure yet where her loyalties lie exactly, I'm sure that she's working for Vatta - as a family and as a corporation. I'll be interested in finding out where she's going, especially not with the way that the book ended.
As for the advancing relationships, I adore the way that any romance is being handled, both by the character and the author - not yet. Not no, but not yet. There are bigger problems to handle before anything romantic happens and to me that is entirely believable. Hormones don't shut off but this situation calls for a clear mind and Ky is exactly the type of person that I believe would recognise that.
I'm definitely intrigued as to the direction of the series and will be starting the next book as soon as possible.
January 4, 2014
3.5 stars, rounded down because I expected better. (I'm determined to be less of a "Santa Claus" with ratings in 2014. I've been good about 5 stars, but entirely too liberal with 4.) Oh, Moon's writing was still tight and fast paced. I liked it.
But this book is more like an expanded chapter or short story, than a stand-alone novel. Ky meets new people--some of whom she befriends, some she kills--and stumbles through the remains of her disintegrating universe.
I prefer this series over even the Honor Harrington stories because those, and many multi-volume SF and fantasy series, have become so sprawling that they seem to tell a history rather than a story. (I like history; I've a degree in it. But when I read novels, usually I want a biography, not a history.)
Still, a very good read.
But this book is more like an expanded chapter or short story, than a stand-alone novel. Ky meets new people--some of whom she befriends, some she kills--and stumbles through the remains of her disintegrating universe.
I prefer this series over even the Honor Harrington stories because those, and many multi-volume SF and fantasy series, have become so sprawling that they seem to tell a history rather than a story. (I like history; I've a degree in it. But when I read novels, usually I want a biography, not a history.)
Still, a very good read.
July 3, 2015
A relaxing space opera, follow up to Trading in Danger, about the young, inexperienced spaceship captain who became embroiled in a battle with pirates. In the sequel, Kylara Vatta continues to make her way toward her cargoes' destinations, but has to keep foiling assassination attempts. She encounters other Vatta family members and reconnects with the mercenary organization she worked with in book 1. Moon's stories are enjoyable, but not complex or thrilling. For space opera with female leads overcoming obstacles and threats, I prefer Tanya Huff's Valor series or William Dietz' Andromeda series. Still, a decent read, and worth continuing with the series.
January 12, 2016
Reread..
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