The brilliantly unorthodox Kylara Vatta—black-sheep scion of Vatta Transport Ltd., one of the galaxy's wealthiest merchant houses—is a heroine like no other, blessed with a killer instinct both for business and for battle. Now, in the aftermath of cold-blooded assassinations that have left her parents dead and the Vatta shipping empire shattered, Kylara faces her greatest challenge yet. There is a time for grief and a time for revenge. This is decidedly the latter. Placing her cousin Stella in command of the trading vessel Gary Tobai, Ky embarks aboard the captured pirate ship Fair Kaleen on a twofold mission: to salvage the family business and to punish those responsible for the killings...before they strike again. Since the network providing instantaneous communication between star systems has been sabotaged, news is hard to come by and available information impossible to trust. But as she travels from system to system, with Stella a step behind, Ky pieces together the clues and discovers a conspiracy of terrifying scope, breathtaking audacity, and utter ruthlessness. The only hope the independent systems and merchants have against this powerful enemy is to band together. Unfortunately, because she commands a ship known to belong to a notorious pirate—her own relative Osman Vatta, whom she killed for his part in her parents' deaths—Ky is met with suspicion, if not outright hostility. Rumors swirl about her intent and even her very identity. Soon, even Stella begins to question her cousin's decisions and her authority to make them. Meanwhile, the conspiracy Ky hunts is hunting her in turn, with agents insinuated into every space station, every planetary government, every arm of the military, and every merchant house—including her own. Before she can take the fight to the enemy, Kylara must survive a deadly minefield of deception and betrayal.
Download and start listening now!
"I had read it before as a library treebook but only recognized it from a distinctive setting halfway through the library ebook (I knew I'd read the earlier part of the series.) Decent middle of series sort of book, would buy used. The series has the author's hallmarks, such as older women (supporting characters in this case) who are tough as nails."
— Drsprite (4 out of 5 stars)
“Moon has created a richly imagined universe of different cultures, replete with intriguing characters and the sense of unlimited possibility that characterizes the most appealing science fiction.”
— School Library Journal" Yet another galloping adventure with space-faring trader cum privateer (kind of like a pirate employed by a government) Ky Vatta. There was a lot going on in this one - we shift between Ky and her cousin Stella aboard another ship, and Ky is busily trying to raise defences against pirates and irritating entire planets in the process. This creates a great deal of tension between her and Stella, which is resolved in a realistic way. There was a cool battle near the end, and Ky is becoming more believable as someone who is very competent at warfare - I'm looking forward to the next book where I imagine her fight will begin in earnest. Yay for battles in space. "
— Celia, 1/8/2014" A good space adventure with a likable heroine & some well developed characters. I'm a bit peeved because one character is STILL hiding & I think I know who it is. It's beginning to be more a point of wonderment & becoming ridiculous. Minor point though. The rest of the universe is well painted, the situation is believable & tense. It's an easy read, but not a dumb one. Better than just a candy book. "
— Jim, 12/29/2013" I will definitely be finishing the series, although I still think the second volume is the best. It also has the best title, "Marque and Reprisal". This is a fun read, it moves well. "
— Elaine, 12/24/2013" I had a hard time getting through this one. I think that the reader will need to read the previous volumes if they aren't going to feel as behind things as I did. "
— Sherida, 12/9/2013" I liked this book, it lacked much of the polish of the first book in the series. This book should have been sent back for further revision before publication. "
— Andre, 9/4/2013" I continue to enjoy this series more than I should, even though the books do tend to run together. Less than a week after finishing this one, I can't really remember what happened in it. But it was fun. :-) "
— Anna, 6/27/2013" I know it is not deep SF but action packed and fun "
— Terry, 5/6/2013" Continues up to its original standards with smart writing and good characterization. This volume has the additional benefit of multiple PoVs that really start to gel, but on the downside it feels like a very middle book with not a lot happening. "
— Shannon, 5/4/2013" For all that there was supposed to be a lot of action, It was not a very *engaging* book. Moon has a talent with making strong female characters but sometimes I think that plot gets a little muddied. "
— Kirstin, 7/24/2012" I love the Kylara Vatta character....she is a great construction. "
— Larry, 4/19/2012" Not sure I can say I really liked it, but I did enjoy it. It's not all that different to the previous two, although there's a greater emphasis on communication and politics than trading. A pretty good read, and certainly enjoyable. "
— Kathryn, 10/22/2011" It's getting better ... but it would've benefitted from some serious editing ... the first 3 books would probably have been better if they had been condensed to 2 ... "
— Pehr, 9/9/2011" continues to improve, see my review of Trading in Danger "
— HBalikov, 7/20/2011" A bit more family mis-understanding/drama in the book than I thought was necessary, but great book none the less. Interesting culture at the one planet too...being rude has serious repercussions. "
— John, 5/27/2011" Features some interesting characters. <br/> <br/>Emphasis on dialog and character development rather than action. "
— William, 3/25/2011" Ky makes some hard decisions in this volume as she tries to catch up with her enemies. "
— Korynn, 9/9/2010" Third book in Vatta series - hooked me right away - left off where last book did - no annoying flashbacks - so must read other 2 first - but worth it!! "
— Karen, 8/20/2010" I liked this even more than the first two. The addition of Gracie and Stella's perspectives really rounded out this book, and it's comforting to know that there are actually authors who plan out an entire series before they begin them, instead of just making crap up on the fly. "
— Scarlet, 6/28/2010" I don't really have much to say except that I enjoyed this (even though I wondered for a while whether this fell into the "hard science" category). It doesn't feel _very_ hard, anyway, but I could just be too used to SF by now. "
— February, 2/18/2010Elizabeth Moon, a former marine, is the author of many novels, including the Vatta’s War and Vatta’s Peace series and the Deed of Paksenarrion, as well as the Nebula Award winner The Speed of Dark and Remnant Population, a Hugo Award finalist. After earning a degree in history from Rice University, she went on to obtain a degree in biology from the University of Texas, Austin.
Cynthia Holloway, a native of Seattle, has performed on stage, in film and television, as well as doing voice-over work. She has given her voice to television programs, radio and television commercials, video games, and audiobooks.