A review by mary_soon_lee
The Better Part of Valor by Tanya Huff

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.

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.