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flerpi's review
5.0
Rating: 4.5 stars.
This is not deep, thought-provoking literature. If it were a movie, it'd be a summer blockbuster: a fun ride with humor, explosions, and a lot of action, but not something you'd expect to win awards. For what it is though, it is an excellent book.
Once you get into the second part/book, it's obvious that the stories in this series are going to follow a formula. It'll start off slow, then shit will happen and Torin Kerr will have to save the day by being an efficient, competent badass.
I love this. Too often it seems like lead female characters are labeled as strong, but really aren't. Some people try to label Bella from "Twilight" as strong, which... no. Katniss from "The Hunger Games" is a closer to my idea of strong, but next to Torin there's no comparison. Torin is a trained Marine, repeatedly put into situations where she not only has to try to keep herself alive, but is also responsible for those around her. She manages to keep a steady head in situations where most people to freak out, and she helps those around stay focused and moving forward.
These books also have a good deal of humor and wit, which feel like authentic banter one might expect in the military. There were some lines that made me laugh out loud.
Overall, I really like this book. I've read better, deeper stories, but these were thoroughly enjoyable and I intend to read the rest of the series.
This is not deep, thought-provoking literature. If it were a movie, it'd be a summer blockbuster: a fun ride with humor, explosions, and a lot of action, but not something you'd expect to win awards. For what it is though, it is an excellent book.
Once you get into the second part/book, it's obvious that the stories in this series are going to follow a formula. It'll start off slow, then shit will happen and Torin Kerr will have to save the day by being an efficient, competent badass.
I love this. Too often it seems like lead female characters are labeled as strong, but really aren't. Some people try to label Bella from "Twilight" as strong, which... no. Katniss from "The Hunger Games" is a closer to my idea of strong, but next to Torin there's no comparison. Torin is a trained Marine, repeatedly put into situations where she not only has to try to keep herself alive, but is also responsible for those around her. She manages to keep a steady head in situations where most people to freak out, and she helps those around stay focused and moving forward.
These books also have a good deal of humor and wit, which feel like authentic banter one might expect in the military. There were some lines that made me laugh out loud.
Overall, I really like this book. I've read better, deeper stories, but these were thoroughly enjoyable and I intend to read the rest of the series.
trashgobby's review
adventurous
challenging
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
decembermagpie's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Murder, Death, Fire/Fire injury, War, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Alcohol and Vomit
reasie's review
4.0
Just what I needed - a fun and lighthearted read with lots of humor and tension. This is a compilation of two novels, and I was glad of that when I finished the first because I wanted more.
Now, be warned - the main character is astoundingly competent at everything she does, but at least she escapes Mary Suedom through the fact that she is only perfect at those things within her job description.
The first book was a bit better than the second, I think - more depth of characterization on the minor characters. The second book, I lost track of who was who. Though the second book was better in that it did not have gratuitous "That's an old earth saying" comments after every old cliche the author felt she had to use, but then had to explain away. That got annoying at parts.
Still, straight-up space marine action through and through. I'll read the next one.
Now, be warned - the main character is astoundingly competent at everything she does, but at least she escapes Mary Suedom through the fact that she is only perfect at those things within her job description.
The first book was a bit better than the second, I think - more depth of characterization on the minor characters. The second book, I lost track of who was who. Though the second book was better in that it did not have gratuitous "That's an old earth saying" comments after every old cliche the author felt she had to use, but then had to explain away. That got annoying at parts.
Still, straight-up space marine action through and through. I'll read the next one.
hellorainy's review
5.0
I love these books. Do you like space marines? Do you like space gays? Do you like women they are so competent they are scary? Literally, other characters are scared of her. Torin Kerr is such a great character, she is one of my favorites. Maybe she is too perfect? But I really don't care if that's the case, because I enjoy her so. much.
The stories are pretty slow to start, but I even enjoyed the slow parts because I loved the world building. Tanya Huff put so much thought into the worlds, the different alien races, and the cool scifi military tech the characters use.
The stories are pretty slow to start, but I even enjoyed the slow parts because I loved the world building. Tanya Huff put so much thought into the worlds, the different alien races, and the cool scifi military tech the characters use.
wynwicket's review
5.0
Military science fiction about Staff Sergeant Torin Kerr and the Marines under her command (as well as a cast of loathsome superior officers and a romantic interest or two). This book comprised of the first two books in the series: Valor's Choice and The Better Part of Valor.
I enjoyed this book for its humor and its strong, sarcastic female lead, as well as for the delicious way the author differentiates between alien species--while making even the most alien among them very relatable. That, and there were lots of explosions...
I enjoyed this book for its humor and its strong, sarcastic female lead, as well as for the delicious way the author differentiates between alien species--while making even the most alien among them very relatable. That, and there were lots of explosions...
piburnjones's review
4.0
Overall, I enjoyed these and I'd be game for more, but not with any sense of urgency. If the rest of the series follows suit, each installment is a self-contained adventure with only a few characters in common with other books. (I was so proud of myself for getting all the Marines straight by the end of the first book, only to find that I was starting again from scratch for the second.)
silvani's review
4.0
Solid military sci fi. Somewhere between original series Star Trek and Old Man's War