Reviews

Victory Conditions by Elizabeth Moon

imitira's review against another edition

1.0

I read this entire series over the past week, and, until the final volume, it was acceptably mediocre. Victory Conditions, however, is just terrible.

Space Opera inevitably descends into munchkin power gaming, and this is a prime example of how not to do it. Dei ex machina, painfully predictable plot coupons, and, when a whole bunch of minor characters who had spanned much of the series die violently, a three page gesture towards sorrow in an attempt to give the lead character some depth. Feh.

wmhenrymorris's review

A satisfying conclusion to the series, although wish Stella hadn't disappeared so much from the final book.

tuftymctavish's review against another edition

4.0

This final book in the series of 5 fairly rushed into the conclusion, which I thought was a shame. The big bad never really got developed, but occasionally we'd get short segments unraveling his plans by the good guys. Otherwise each of the main players gets their turn for their stories within the series. And this final chapter took at least one surprising turn that I won't be specific about.

However, there was altogether far too much relationship stuff which seemed bolted or forced in at times - most of the time in fact. People being professional at their roles was generally well handled, not so much the relationship stuff which I could have well done without.

I'll certainly be looking to read more by this author as I'm fair enjoying this run of Military SciFi action/adventure that I'm on.

lushr's review against another edition

4.0

good ending to the series, culminated well, balanced tension with action. need more to read now.

bookwisp's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

mothwing's review

3.0

A satisfying conclusion to this space opera. I especially enjoyed watching Stella and Ky's relationship evolve, this could have easily been a very different and less realistic story, full of petty jealusy. But the author thankfully chose to go a different way.

rkstumblingbear's review

adventurous dark emotional funny sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

chan_fry's review against another edition

4.0

3.5 stars. Victory Conditions, overall, is a satisfying and conclusive end to the five-book Vatta’s War series. As always, I enjoyed identifying with Kylara Vatta during her adventures.

A couple of criticisms: (1) I thought the space-battle scenes were more chaotically written than in previous books, especially the first major battle halfway through. (2) After reading the final 33 pages (everything after the final battle), I wished this slow and anticlimactic ending had been squeezed into a two-page epilogue.

(I have published a longer review on my website.)

alesia_charles's review against another edition

5.0

Our copy of #4 of this series has gone awol, so I'll have to re-read that when it turns up again.

Naturally, given my mood, I've started on one of Moon's other space opera series now.

jkh107's review

5.0

A satisfying conclusion to the "Vatta's War" series. To do a plot synopsis would give away too much. If you like space opera at all, or kick-ass space military heroines, check this one out.