Kylara Vatta is the only daughter in a family full of sons and her father's only child to buck tradition by choosing a military career instead of joining the family business. For Ky, it's no contest: Even running the prestigious Vatta Transport Ltd. shipping concern can't hold a candle to shipping out as an officer aboard an interstellar cruiser. It's adventure, not commerce, that stirs her soul. And despite her family's misgivings, there can be no doubt that a Vatta in the service will prove a valuable asset. But with a single error in judgment, it all comes crumbling down.
Expelled from the Academy in disgrace—and returning home to her humiliated family, a storm of high-profile media coverage, and the gaping void of her own future—Ky is ready to face the inevitable onslaught of anger, disappointment, even pity. But soon after opportunity's door slams shut, Ky finds herself with a ticket to ride—and a shot at redemption—as captain of a Vatta Transport ship.
It's a simple assignment: escorting one of the Vatta fleet's oldest ships on its final voyage...to the scrapyard. But keeping it simple has never been Ky's style. And even though her father has provided a crew of seasoned veterans to baby-sit the fledgling captain on her maiden milk run, they can't stop Ky from turning the routine mission into a risky venture—in the name of turning a profit for Vatta Transport, of course.
By snapping up a lucrative delivery contract defaulted on by a rival company, and using part of the proceeds to upgrade her condemned vehicle, Ky aims to prove she's got more going for her than just her family's famous name. But business will soon have to take a backseat to bravery, when Ky's change of plans sails her and the crew straight into the middle of a colonial war. For all her commercial savvy, it's her military training and born-soldier's instincts that Ky will need to call on in the face of deadly combat, dangerous mercenaries, and violent mutiny.
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"Don't know if I was just in the mood for a space journey or if the character of Kylara is someone I can identify with. Enjoyed this book so much will try the sequel. I didn't enjoy Moon's Petiby series. It became too tedious for me and to "out there". But this reminds me of Anne McCaffrey's Sassinak"
— Truitti (4 out of 5 stars)
“The human interest, well-wrought story, humor, and rich world-building will more than satisfy.”
— School Library Journal" I'm in two minds about this story. I was compelled to read it, I read this instead of doing other things... like sleep. It's obviously the beginning of more, and now I have to get the rest to find out what happens next. But. It seemed a little too convenient. I won't go into details. "
— Katherine, 1/20/2014" This is a fairly straightforward space opera. It's a bit dry, and the only character that is fleshed out at all is the main character, Ky Vatta. Moon did a great job with making Ky feel real and she is a cool character. As for everybody else, I honestly forgot most of the nearly faceless nobodies in her crew. However, I think that's the point. It feels like this book was just to define Ky as a character, and that the real meaty stories are later in the series. "
— Eugene, 1/4/2014" LOVED this series. Will write a detailed review, but in my opinion you cannot go wrong reading anything Elizabeth Moon writes. "
— Michael, 12/31/2013" Not bad, and the interplanetary trade stuff may bore some folks, but it's a novel change from the usual military stuff (which I suspect we'll be getting back to in the sequels). Character development could use some work, and the hints about there being something ZOMG special! about the character got irritating, especially since they were never resolved. Good space opera is hard to find, but this ain't bad, and I may pick up the sequel to see where things go. "
— Juliana, 12/31/2013" Endless conversations and excessive analysis of the female hero's thoughts spoil this interesting space opera. The first half of the book unfolds like a youthful reading and it is mostly boring. Afterwards some action happens and Moon's analysis aptitude wonderfully blends the twists of the plot to a satisfactory finale. I will probably continue reading the series. "
— Iordanis, 12/31/2013" Good characters..interesting.. will read more "
— Dave, 12/26/2013" Re-read. Pretty fine space opera. Well-developed main character and, as expected in this sub-genre, plenty of action. The start of a really nice series. "
— Craig, 12/18/2013" I listened to the GraphicAudio version of this novel and I was quite surprised with how well done it was, quite an entertaining ride. If I read it I have a feeling I may have only given it 2/5. "
— Ben, 11/20/2013" Enjoyed this thoroughly. Nothing deep or fancy; just a good, rollicking space opera. Glad I found it and its sequel at a secondhand shop - a good find! "
— Kate, 11/18/2013" Re-read of this series; still not a huge fan, but it's certainly fast-paced! Can't quite seem to decide what genre it's in, though. "
— wychwood, 11/16/2013" My first Elizabeth Moon book, and it was definitely a whole lot of fun to read. I will be looking for more! "
— February, 9/25/2013" If you liked Elizabeth Moon's Serrano Legacy or Anne McCaffrey's Crystal Singer or Catteni series then you probably will enjoy this too. "
— Cydney, 5/26/2013" Pretty good space opera! It leaves a few loose ends; but the sequel picks up right where the first one ends. No need to worry. "
— Will, 4/25/2013" Strong female protagonist, interesting story. "
— Blueberrymaiden, 3/20/2013" I was surprise with this book. If you like Firefly, you'll like this book. It has a similar feel but with a female character. It is a good old space opera adventure. "
— Lew, 10/15/2012" A slow start, a slow first half, a slow back third and then it got pretty exciting. A bit heavy on the 'procedural' stuff but a compelling character and good world building. Would read the next in the series. "
— Becca, 7/8/2012" I really enjoyed this series a heck of a lot more than her first Sci-Fi series. It was definitely more of a normal space opera than the Serrano Legacy. "
— Aaron, 5/4/2012" All in all, I rather liked this. It falls in pretty well in the Hornblower / Aubrey / Harrington line. I look forward to the next one. "
— Honor, 2/10/2012" Series opener---she's forced to resign from the Academy, captains a junker headed for the scrapyard and on the way makes a diversion that takes her into the middle of a war. Fine, absorbing, a little too much soul searching, but less than most other active authors of military SF. "
— John, 12/14/2011" Very good book. Looking forward to the next one. Nice straight up scifi. "
— Amy, 10/8/2011" This was a fun book to listen to. It's quick and light. My husband recommended it to me. I plan to continue with the series. "
— Katie, 5/8/2011" <br/> Pretty good space opera! It leaves a few loose ends; but the sequel picks up right where the first one ends. No need to worry. "
— Will, 4/20/2011" I loved it! I'm not really sure why exactly... There wasn't a great deal of action or anything. It was just a really interesting story and the characters were pretty well-developed (except for Ky's crew... they were all just lame and boring, for the most part). "
— Matthew, 3/29/2011" Features some good character development. <br/> <br/>It was OK, but nothing special. "
— William, 3/9/2011" Enjoyed reading this enough to continue through the series. "
— Kazmo, 3/3/2011" I'm in two minds about this story. I was compelled to read it, I read this instead of doing other things... like sleep. It's obviously the beginning of more, and now I have to get the rest to find out what happens next. But. It seemed a little too convenient. I won't go into details. "
— Katherine, 1/26/2011" Though the writing can get a little long-winded and could have used a bit more judicious editing of the things that the unschooled in militia and space ships would find a little hard to swallow, it was still well-written, fascinating and I anticipate reading the sequel. "
— Kirstin, 11/27/2010" Well written sci-fi with strong female character. Good plot. A little slow; dialog can get technical if you don't like that. "
— Suzanne, 10/19/2010" Great start in which we meet Ky Vatta, washed out student and newly fledged merchant captain, on her maiden voyage with an experienced crew and a decrepit ship. "
— Korynn, 9/9/2010" I wasn't impressed. The switching povs kept killing the tension, the ending fizzled out, and I never really LIKED anyone. The narrative felt very heavy-handed a lot of the time, and the continual reminders of information we already know got tiresome quickly. "
— Merc, 8/2/2010Elizabeth 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.