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sashapasha's review against another edition
4.0
Initial thoughts (at 30%):
I find myself just a little disappointed because so far it seems like this installment is a repeat of the first — same equation, different parameters. Torin is again in charge of shepherding a group of civilians and marines through a dangerous situation, but instead of taking place on an alien world, it’s on an alien ship. Instead of her own crew -- the marines we got to know in the first book -- it’s a random assortment of new people. Instead of a green second lieutenant she has a complicated relationship with, it’s a puffed up peacock of a captain she’s never met. Every variable seems to parallel the first book, but in a slightly less likable way. We don’t get to know her new marines as well as her first crew. Her CO is a total dick rather than a green officer with promise. Even the civilians are less fleshed out — and the ones that are given more page time, are more annoying.
Torin herself seems more worn -- like a world-weary sergeant who has had to put up with bullshit from her superiors one too many times. Everything seems less funny and more jaded. And the love interest(?) is all obnoxiousness, no charm.
Thoughts after finishing:
As mentioned above, I was expecting less repetition in the story from the first book -- I was expecting it to be more like Elizabeth Moon’s Vatta Wars series, where each book is distinctly different in plot and construction from the others. That said, it was still incredibly compelling. The nightmare of being trapped in a (probably) sentient ship that is having a grand ol' time fucking with you is definitely a plot that draws you in. And you do eventually get to know the characters better. I would've preferred exploring the first set of characters more deeply, but I'm guessing this is a series where each book will feature a fresh cast (excepting Torin, and perhaps her love interest).
That said, a note on a couple of the characters:
Craig Ryder
His character seemed to be modeled after Han Solo, but, at least initially, I found him much more obnoxious than charming. He did improve over time, though I think that was in part because the situation kept getting worse and he generally knew when to shut up and move. I’d say his most endearing trait was not being scared off by a woman who was more competent and badass than him on every level. His ego at the beginning didn’t seem like it would be able to handle it, but I guess it had to in order for him to perform his role as love interest.
Torin
Badass and insanely competent as usual, but it’s getting to the point where it’s a little ridiculous — she seemed like she could do no wrong. On an unrelated note, I find it interesting that she has this odd mix of paranoid cynicism and unshakeable, optimistic confidence that everything will be okay.
Lieutenant Commander Sibley
Big fan. The whole "insane vacuum jockey" shtick really grew on me.
I find myself just a little disappointed because so far it seems like this installment is a repeat of the first — same equation, different parameters. Torin is again in charge of shepherding a group of civilians and marines through a dangerous situation, but instead of taking place on an alien world, it’s on an alien ship. Instead of her own crew -- the marines we got to know in the first book -- it’s a random assortment of new people. Instead of a green second lieutenant she has a complicated relationship with, it’s a puffed up peacock of a captain she’s never met. Every variable seems to parallel the first book, but in a slightly less likable way. We don’t get to know her new marines as well as her first crew. Her CO is a total dick rather than a green officer with promise. Even the civilians are less fleshed out — and the ones that are given more page time, are more annoying.
Torin herself seems more worn -- like a world-weary sergeant who has had to put up with bullshit from her superiors one too many times. Everything seems less funny and more jaded. And the love interest(?) is all obnoxiousness, no charm.
Thoughts after finishing:
As mentioned above, I was expecting less repetition in the story from the first book -- I was expecting it to be more like Elizabeth Moon’s Vatta Wars series, where each book is distinctly different in plot and construction from the others. That said, it was still incredibly compelling. The nightmare of being trapped in a (probably) sentient ship that is having a grand ol' time fucking with you is definitely a plot that draws you in. And you do eventually get to know the characters better. I would've preferred exploring the first set of characters more deeply, but I'm guessing this is a series where each book will feature a fresh cast (excepting Torin, and perhaps her love interest).
That said, a note on a couple of the characters:
Craig Ryder
His character seemed to be modeled after Han Solo, but, at least initially, I found him much more obnoxious than charming. He did improve over time, though I think that was in part because the situation kept getting worse and he generally knew when to shut up and move. I’d say his most endearing trait was not being scared off by a woman who was more competent and badass than him on every level. His ego at the beginning didn’t seem like it would be able to handle it, but I guess it had to in order for him to perform his role as love interest.
Torin
Badass and insanely competent as usual, but it’s getting to the point where it’s a little ridiculous — she seemed like she could do no wrong. On an unrelated note, I find it interesting that she has this odd mix of paranoid cynicism and unshakeable, optimistic confidence that everything will be okay.
Lieutenant Commander Sibley
Big fan. The whole "insane vacuum jockey" shtick really grew on me.
kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
Second in the Confederation of Valor military science fiction series and revolving around Marine Staff Sergeant Torin Kerr and her people.
My Take
Poor Sibley. He’s trying to shock Kerr . . . and she’s asleep. She’ll wake up soon enough when she learns that Travik will be in command.
Huff uses third person global subjective point-of-view, primarily from Kerr’s perspective, but we do learn a lot from Craig. A number of other characters have their own input including Morris, Carveg, Sibley, and more.
Putting Travik in charge is a nightmare for everyone, as he’s more concerned with his looking good than keeping his people alive — thankfully Kerr is mostly intent on keeping them alive, and she does a good job of manipulating events, lol. Travik is both menace (to his fellow characters) and a joke to everyone, including us readers.
I do enjoy Carveg standing up to Morris, especially after events in Valor’s Choice, 1. That Morris is more concerned about getting the vote he wants from Parliament than his people. And he insists that Torin bring Travik back alive. That’ll be a trick-and-a-half.
I do love how Huff puts together the individual races and how they interact with each other. Those di’Taykan do force an hysterical tolerance on the Humans in this tale full of snark and bravery. Kerr is repetitive with her bracing her courage with her “staff sergeants know everything or they’ll fake it” stance.
What is with those Elder Races? They haven’t gotten the message on dealing with the Others as a lost cause?
That Presit a Tur durValintrisy is dang stubborn. She’s constantly reminding everyone that the media cannot be denied if they are there. She’s a major pain aboard Yellow too. She won’t do this, she insists on that.
There is so much action in The Better Part of Valor, from the Marine interactions to Craig’s actions to the infiltration by the Others to the mysterious aliens at the end. Oh. Boy. What a test! Could not put it down!
The Story
General Morris is at it again. He’s chosen Staff Sergeant Kerr for another mission, concerning the huge alien yellow ship found by Craig Ryder.
It’s a top-secret mission that’s “infiltrated” by an obnoxious reporter, jeopardized by an idiot captain, and a transforming ship that tests them all.
The Characters
Staff Sergeant Torin Kerr, a.k.a. Staff, whose important functions include supporting brand new second lieutenants.
Craig Ryder is a civilian salvage operator (CSO) who found an alien ship. He’s also an excellent poker player. The Promise is his ship.
Sh’quo Company is . . .
. . . a company of Recon combat Marines. Binti Mashona is off to sniper school. Corporal (Cpl) Hollice is getting promoted to sergeant. Sergeant (Sgt) Anne Chou will be senior noncom for the platoon. Second Lieutenant di’Ka Jarret is still around. Sgt Aman. Cpl Berteau is riding herd on the team. Cpl di’Marken Nivry. Sgt di”Perit Dymone.
The assembled team of Marines includes Captain Travik, a media whore who became a celebrity after Horohn 8, who is in command of the mission team; Private First Class (Pfc) August Guimond is a big easygoing Human; Private (Pvt) Ressk is a Krai with a skill for hacking; Pfc Werst is another Krai; Pfcs di’Por Huilin and di’Wen Jynett are playing “my family compound is bigger than yours”; Lance Cpl Danny Johnson/Johnston and Cpl Heer, a Krai, are engineers; Pfcs di’Sarm Frii and di’Benti Orla; Lance Corporals (LCpl) Lesli Dursinsk and Ken Tsui; and, Cpl Harrop, who will be squad leader. The science team includes Dr Hodges; Harveer Niirantapajee, who is head of the Xeno-engineering department at Jinaffatinnic University on the Niln home world of Ciir; and, Gytha a Tur calFinistraven, a Katrien who has a second degree in fractal communications. Pvts Karsk and Visili were at Beconreaks and Pvt Chrac was aircrew.
The punny Lieutenant Commander Sibley, a vacuum jockey (vj), is Kerr’s ride. Lt Shylin, a di’Taykan, is Sibley’s gunner. Boom Boom. Lt Czerneda monitors communications and is one of Carveg’s best STS pilots. Chief Warrant Officer Dave Graham. Petty Officer Tristir, a Krai, works for Graham. The Navy squadrons include Black Star and the Red Maces. Wing Admiral di’Si Trin. A Jade is a type of air fighter. Red Nine is crewed by Jan Elson and Dierik.
Captain Rose is stationed on Ventris Station. General Morris is scum. Lieutenant Stedrin is Morris’ aide. Commander Verite provides escort.
The Berganitan is . . .
. . . commanded by Captain Carveg, a Krai. Yeomans Sanderson and White, Mr Potter, and Lt Cemoln are more crew. Commander Versahche is a watch officer.
Oh, no, Presit a Tur durValintrisy is a pain-in-the-butt journalist with Sector Central News. Her syntax is a crack-up and sometimes “infects” Kerr, lol. She is not popular with her video crew. Cirvan a Tar palRentskik is her camera operator. Durgin a Tar canSalvais is Presit’s pilot.
There are three races that make up the Younger Races: the Krai are short yet mighty with a mighty craving for human flesh; the di’Taykan are one of the most enthusiastically undiscriminating species in the galaxy; and, Humans. A thytrin is a di’Taykan significant other.
The Elder Races are all pacifists incapable of fighting and include the H’san. The Middle Races include the Niln, the furry Katrien, and the Ciptran, I think.
The Methane Alliance is another group. Think of Susumi space as a wormhole. StarCops is a popular Human-produced series. Two of its star characters are Detective Berton and Detective Canter. CSOs haunt the edge of battle zones, gathering up debris to recycle or sell back to the military.
The Others are . . .
. . . the enemy the Confederation has been fighting for centuries.
The Cover and Title
The cover has a gray and blue background of the inside of the alien ship with what looks like brown leather luggage in front of a yellow wall. A vertical of yellow and black on the diagonal and two horizontal rows of green are on the right. The characters represent the Younger Races: a green-haired di’Taykan in a white spacesuit and a huge gun, a shorter Krai in browns with his own version of a big gun, and Torin Kerr in her white spacesuit, representing the Humans. At the very top is an epigram in white with the author’s name just below it, in a shadowed white. The title is below that in an embossed old gold.
The title reflects these Marines and the Navy as they exhibit The Better Part of Valor.
My Take
Poor Sibley. He’s trying to shock Kerr . . . and she’s asleep. She’ll wake up soon enough when she learns that Travik will be in command.
Huff uses third person global subjective point-of-view, primarily from Kerr’s perspective, but we do learn a lot from Craig. A number of other characters have their own input including Morris, Carveg, Sibley, and more.
Putting Travik in charge is a nightmare for everyone, as he’s more concerned with his looking good than keeping his people alive — thankfully Kerr is mostly intent on keeping them alive, and she does a good job of manipulating events, lol. Travik is both menace (to his fellow characters) and a joke to everyone, including us readers.
I do enjoy Carveg standing up to Morris, especially after events in Valor’s Choice, 1. That Morris is more concerned about getting the vote he wants from Parliament than his people. And he insists that Torin bring Travik back alive. That’ll be a trick-and-a-half.
I do love how Huff puts together the individual races and how they interact with each other. Those di’Taykan do force an hysterical tolerance on the Humans in this tale full of snark and bravery. Kerr is repetitive with her bracing her courage with her “staff sergeants know everything or they’ll fake it” stance.
What is with those Elder Races? They haven’t gotten the message on dealing with the Others as a lost cause?
That Presit a Tur durValintrisy is dang stubborn. She’s constantly reminding everyone that the media cannot be denied if they are there. She’s a major pain aboard Yellow too. She won’t do this, she insists on that.
There is so much action in The Better Part of Valor, from the Marine interactions to Craig’s actions to the infiltration by the Others to the mysterious aliens at the end. Oh. Boy. What a test! Could not put it down!
The Story
General Morris is at it again. He’s chosen Staff Sergeant Kerr for another mission, concerning the huge alien yellow ship found by Craig Ryder.
It’s a top-secret mission that’s “infiltrated” by an obnoxious reporter, jeopardized by an idiot captain, and a transforming ship that tests them all.
The Characters
Staff Sergeant Torin Kerr, a.k.a. Staff, whose important functions include supporting brand new second lieutenants.
Craig Ryder is a civilian salvage operator (CSO) who found an alien ship. He’s also an excellent poker player. The Promise is his ship.
Sh’quo Company is . . .
. . . a company of Recon combat Marines. Binti Mashona is off to sniper school. Corporal (Cpl) Hollice is getting promoted to sergeant. Sergeant (Sgt) Anne Chou will be senior noncom for the platoon. Second Lieutenant di’Ka Jarret is still around. Sgt Aman. Cpl Berteau is riding herd on the team. Cpl di’Marken Nivry. Sgt di”Perit Dymone.
The assembled team of Marines includes Captain Travik, a media whore who became a celebrity after Horohn 8, who is in command of the mission team; Private First Class (Pfc) August Guimond is a big easygoing Human; Private (Pvt) Ressk is a Krai with a skill for hacking; Pfc Werst is another Krai; Pfcs di’Por Huilin and di’Wen Jynett are playing “my family compound is bigger than yours”; Lance Cpl Danny Johnson/Johnston and Cpl Heer, a Krai, are engineers; Pfcs di’Sarm Frii and di’Benti Orla; Lance Corporals (LCpl) Lesli Dursinsk and Ken Tsui; and, Cpl Harrop, who will be squad leader. The science team includes Dr Hodges; Harveer Niirantapajee, who is head of the Xeno-engineering department at Jinaffatinnic University on the Niln home world of Ciir; and, Gytha a Tur calFinistraven, a Katrien who has a second degree in fractal communications. Pvts Karsk and Visili were at Beconreaks and Pvt Chrac was aircrew.
The punny Lieutenant Commander Sibley, a vacuum jockey (vj), is Kerr’s ride. Lt Shylin, a di’Taykan, is Sibley’s gunner. Boom Boom. Lt Czerneda monitors communications and is one of Carveg’s best STS pilots. Chief Warrant Officer Dave Graham. Petty Officer Tristir, a Krai, works for Graham. The Navy squadrons include Black Star and the Red Maces. Wing Admiral di’Si Trin. A Jade is a type of air fighter. Red Nine is crewed by Jan Elson and Dierik.
Captain Rose is stationed on Ventris Station. General Morris is scum. Lieutenant Stedrin is Morris’ aide. Commander Verite provides escort.
The Berganitan is . . .
. . . commanded by Captain Carveg, a Krai. Yeomans Sanderson and White, Mr Potter, and Lt Cemoln are more crew. Commander Versahche is a watch officer.
Oh, no, Presit a Tur durValintrisy is a pain-in-the-butt journalist with Sector Central News. Her syntax is a crack-up and sometimes “infects” Kerr, lol. She is not popular with her video crew. Cirvan a Tar palRentskik is her camera operator. Durgin a Tar canSalvais is Presit’s pilot.
There are three races that make up the Younger Races: the Krai are short yet mighty with a mighty craving for human flesh; the di’Taykan are one of the most enthusiastically undiscriminating species in the galaxy; and, Humans. A thytrin is a di’Taykan significant other.
The Elder Races are all pacifists incapable of fighting and include the H’san. The Middle Races include the Niln, the furry Katrien, and the Ciptran, I think.
The Methane Alliance is another group. Think of Susumi space as a wormhole. StarCops is a popular Human-produced series. Two of its star characters are Detective Berton and Detective Canter. CSOs haunt the edge of battle zones, gathering up debris to recycle or sell back to the military.
The Others are . . .
. . . the enemy the Confederation has been fighting for centuries.
The Cover and Title
The cover has a gray and blue background of the inside of the alien ship with what looks like brown leather luggage in front of a yellow wall. A vertical of yellow and black on the diagonal and two horizontal rows of green are on the right. The characters represent the Younger Races: a green-haired di’Taykan in a white spacesuit and a huge gun, a shorter Krai in browns with his own version of a big gun, and Torin Kerr in her white spacesuit, representing the Humans. At the very top is an epigram in white with the author’s name just below it, in a shadowed white. The title is below that in an embossed old gold.
The title reflects these Marines and the Navy as they exhibit The Better Part of Valor.
katyanaish's review against another edition
4.0
This series is excellent.
The politics still make me angry, but they are supposed to. I hate that Torin just has to suck it up.
And I hate that reporter. Torin should have drop-kicked her down a shaft. Or left her behind when she insisted she wasn't going down the crate. People like that are TSTL, and should be kicked to the curb before they kill everyone.
But I loved the book, loved the characters, loved the story.
The politics still make me angry, but they are supposed to. I hate that Torin just has to suck it up.
And I hate that reporter. Torin should have drop-kicked her down a shaft. Or left her behind when she insisted she wasn't going down the crate. People like that are TSTL, and should be kicked to the curb before they kill everyone.
But I loved the book, loved the characters, loved the story.
mary_soon_lee's review against another edition
3.0
This is the second in a military science fiction series with marine Staff Sergeant Torin Kerr as the heroine. I read it immediately on the heels of the previous book, "Valor's Choice." The setting is vintage science fiction: humans have joined a Confederation of dozens of alien species, a Confederation at war with the Others.
Book three is waiting on my desk and I will be starting it soon. Recommended.
Spoiler
This particular installment features both a mysterious alien ship and a civilian salvage pilot in the mold of Han Solo. I found it a quick, pleasing read. Torin Kerr is an impressive, thoroughly likable heroine; the prose is dryly humorous; the action scenes are intelligent and compelling. I was disappointed that none of the secondary characters I'd liked in "Valor's Choice" had more than a walk-on part in this installment, and indeed I didn't find the secondary characters in this book as engaging as those in the first book. I'm hoping that as the series continues, there will be recurring likable characters to stand alongside the recurring, but decidedly unlikable, General Morris.Book three is waiting on my desk and I will be starting it soon. Recommended.
halt_bullfrog's review
3.5
mamap's review against another edition
3.0
a real adventure as torin heads out to investigate an alien ship - with the corps finest. more fun than good - with a little of orson scott cards hive queen thrown in. good people die and we hope they died for a good cause.
tessisreading2's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of those locked-spaceship mysteries where Our Heroes end up In Mysterious Peril on a Spaceship Of Mysterious Origin. Thankfully unlike Rendezvous with Rama (1) it is only one book and (2) it does not descend into some weird, weird reproductive dynamics as the human race attempts to survive with only three people in the gene pool. The secondary characters are great, as always, although Ryder frankly felt somewhat superfluous - the “(human) rogue with a heart of gold” is such a generic character that I never got why we should care about him.
blodeuedd's review against another edition
2.0
Torin continues to kick ass in this book, though kick ass is not the right thing to say. She is a marine, she does her duty, the follows orders (tries too), she takes care of those serving with her.
The old gang is not in this book as she has to work with new people and a idiot who is hungry for media attention. Yeah, one of those idiots who gets his squad killed and manages to come out looking like a hero.
It was more space ship action here, and I do tend to enjoy it more when they are on...land or what I should call it. But it would sure make a cool action movie.
Action, danger, and a strange space ship stranded in space. Death and destruction promised.
The old gang is not in this book as she has to work with new people and a idiot who is hungry for media attention. Yeah, one of those idiots who gets his squad killed and manages to come out looking like a hero.
It was more space ship action here, and I do tend to enjoy it more when they are on...land or what I should call it. But it would sure make a cool action movie.
Action, danger, and a strange space ship stranded in space. Death and destruction promised.
kerstincullen's review against another edition
5.0
New scenery, some new characters, and great fun! I enjoyed this one as much as the first book. It might be silly but is perfect for what it is.
aiight's review against another edition
3.0
I don't know how this book managed to wring 3 stars out of me, but it did. Coming from the never-should-have-been-published first book, I was not open minded. Sure enough, it starts off overflowing with the same military action cliches and cheesy enlisted fan fiction. The dialogue reads like a recruitment ad turned action movie. The 'sci' part of this sci-fi is mostly made-up gadget acronyms, the rest relying on the reader's imagination to fill in the holes (unexplained sensors and thrusters and comms galore). The author has to joke at least once per page about what the Krai will eat and what the di'Taykan will have sex with. And yet. Somehow, the author manages to develop the plot lines into something intriguing, with some moral dilemmas, some actual character development, some sacrifice, and non-cringeworthy moments. Having been burned, though, I'm still hesitant about the rest of the series...