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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
Sci.fi, military and action. That is what you get when you read this book. And for the history buffs out there one of the battles is based on a battle in the Zulu war.
In the future a confederation of planets is formed to guard against the threat of an alien race called The Others (I totally want to know more btw). Humans are welcomed to serve as the military as those who formed this federation do not fight. But many others fight too so in Torin's squad there are many more lifeforms, "elves", big spiders, the gluttony alien, you get the picture.
Torin is a true marine, kicking ass, liking the life. Even if she is higher up than the foot soldiers they can trust her. She is a good leader and in this book she gets to prove it too.
There is lots of fighting, but also an interesting introduction to a new planet that wants to join. Reptiles who really likes to fight, and I would not want to meet them.
Now what to compare it too? I have read too few as I can only think of one book. So anyway, if you like action, new worlds, adventure, then this is for you.
In the future a confederation of planets is formed to guard against the threat of an alien race called The Others (I totally want to know more btw). Humans are welcomed to serve as the military as those who formed this federation do not fight. But many others fight too so in Torin's squad there are many more lifeforms, "elves", big spiders, the gluttony alien, you get the picture.
Torin is a true marine, kicking ass, liking the life. Even if she is higher up than the foot soldiers they can trust her. She is a good leader and in this book she gets to prove it too.
There is lots of fighting, but also an interesting introduction to a new planet that wants to join. Reptiles who really likes to fight, and I would not want to meet them.
Now what to compare it too? I have read too few as I can only think of one book. So anyway, if you like action, new worlds, adventure, then this is for you.
It was a bit of a slow start but just non-stop action for the majority. It was a fun read and the characters were likeable.
Enjoyable military SF (which I tend to think of as something I don't enjoy, but I guess I do with some authors). I saw the twist at the end coming, but wasn't certain I was right.
My one complaint is about the audiobook narrator: she's, of the, Will, iam, Shat, ner school of acting, with pauses in very odd places, and, in general, pauses that are just a little bit too long. I've heard much, much worse. This was at least tolerable, but often annoying.
My one complaint is about the audiobook narrator: she's, of the, Will, iam, Shat, ner school of acting, with pauses in very odd places, and, in general, pauses that are just a little bit too long. I've heard much, much worse. This was at least tolerable, but often annoying.
I shouldn't be surprised that I'm enjoying this series, it's brutal and military heavy but Tanya Huff and Kerr pull it all together for me. Kick ass female lead, soldierly banter made this into an all nighter for me and I went straight into book 2.
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was my first military style science fiction read though I'm not sure why. I've loved science fiction since I was nine years old and fell in love (as much a nine year old can) with my very first fictional boyfriend. You may have heard of him. Han Solo? Unfortunately, no Han Solos in this book but I enjoyed it nonetheless. This is the story of a far and away future where multiple worlds comprise the Confederation, and who are facing the threat of an encroaching hostile race. To help shore up alliances, a specially picked platoon of combat marines are dispatched to aid with what is supposed to be a diplomatic mission. The inevitable happens soon enough however and the platoon finds itself facing a combat situation, which is nothing new to them or to their tough as nails Staff Sergeant, Torin Kerr. But combat is very new to their fresh-out-of-officer-school First Lieutenant. I'm a sucker for war movies and the bonds that are forged among those bands of brothers so I liked the cameraderie that these marines had. In this future version, women are very much a part of combat troops. Staff Sgt Kerr is unlike any heroine I've come across to date. I'm used to reading urban fantasy where the typical heroines have a lot of growing up to do. Staff Sgt Kerr is nothing like that. She's smart, she's 100% competent and battle ready, but yet she's caring of her troops and doesn't flinch from showing her softer side when needed. She's confident and she absolutely knows that she has nothing to prove to either herself or to anyone else. I enjoyed how she handled her newbie First LT, Jarrett...always with respect but in such a manner that he allowed himself to be taught the ropes of command. The battles were rough and casualties happened and some marines that I really liked didn't make it out alive. That was hard but then, war is supposed to be ugly. There is no romance here though there was a nice spark between Torin and Jarrett. Given their respective ranks though, I doubt anything will come of it. That said, I hope to get to the rest of series soon.
I loved this book, it has a great story and great characters.
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
I read this on the recommendation of my sister-in-law Stefanie. She described Tanya Huff’s Confederation series as comfort reads, and that was all I needed to hear to convince me to try them out. I am pretty much all comfort reads all the time now. Valor’s Choice was a bit of a departure for me, as it’s military sci-fi set in space, a genre I’m fairly inexperienced with. One thing I liked, though, that made Valor’s Choice feel different than the stuff I’ve read before is that it’s written by a female author and centers a female character. And while it’s not a romance, the story kicks off with a scene that hit very familiar beats to me as a romance reader--Torin wakes up after a one-night stand with a stranger, only to discover later that morning that said stranger is her new commanding officer. Womp womp.
Torin is human but works in an integrated military that includes several different alien species. I really enjoyed this aspect of the worldbuilding, especially the species that have to wear pheromone maskers to keep from driving their comrades crazy with lust (again earning this romance reader’s seal of approval). One thing I struggled with but was too lazy to look up on the internet was the hierarchy of all the ranks. Apparently a second lieutenant is higher up than a staff sergeant. *shrug* If you say so. I’m sure some of the militaristic intricacies were lost on me, but I found it amusing how officers had to be handled with kid gloves and their delicate feelings pandered to. I could easily see that being true to life. Also, even as someone who normally tunes out during fight scenes, I was on the edge of my seat each time Torin’s group went into combat.
Would I have liked this book more if Torin and her superior officer had gotten up close and personal while waging intergalactic war? Yes. That would have been the whipped cream and cherry on top of the sundae. But ice cream is good even without it.
Torin is human but works in an integrated military that includes several different alien species. I really enjoyed this aspect of the worldbuilding, especially the species that have to wear pheromone maskers to keep from driving their comrades crazy with lust (again earning this romance reader’s seal of approval). One thing I struggled with but was too lazy to look up on the internet was the hierarchy of all the ranks. Apparently a second lieutenant is higher up than a staff sergeant. *shrug* If you say so. I’m sure some of the militaristic intricacies were lost on me, but I found it amusing how officers had to be handled with kid gloves and their delicate feelings pandered to. I could easily see that being true to life. Also, even as someone who normally tunes out during fight scenes, I was on the edge of my seat each time Torin’s group went into combat.
Would I have liked this book more if Torin and her superior officer had gotten up close and personal while waging intergalactic war? Yes. That would have been the whipped cream and cherry on top of the sundae. But ice cream is good even without it.
If you're going to read this, I would suggest reading it rather than the audio book. The narrator isn't that great at doing different voices for characters, and it makes it harder to give each of them a personality. Definitely enjoyed reading it a lot more.