Against the Odds

I always look for uninterrupted time to read Elizabeth Moon and this was no exception. The story moved quickly in comfortable yet umpredictable patterns. The ideas may not be entirely new but the characters made me feel 'at home'. The action was mature, adult adventure with satisfactory outcomes.I look forward to another of hers.

This is the latest book in the Heris Serrano series, though Heris is not the main character. The book stands on its own, but the previous volumes would help fill in the background of the story. The heroine is Esmay Suiza, a Fleet officer who is not Fleet by birth, coming from an agricultural planet with a rather stuffy governmental system. (There has been only one previous Fleet member from that planet in the history of the Fleet.) There is a mutiny in the Fleet to fight, as well as incursions from the Bloodhorde (a particularly nasty group of pirates) and the Benignancy, a religion-based culture which is based on True Belief. The action is non-stop, and fascinating, but the characters are the element in which Elizabeth Moon excels. There are no stereotypes here: all the characters are living, breathing humans. Some you will love, others you will like, still others you will hate, and others you will pity. Altogether this book is one it is hard to put down!

I picked "Once a Hero" off a bookstore shelf on a whim, and became so engrossed in it that I stayed until the bookstore closed, standing in the aisle consuming chapter upon chapter. Having read all of the Esmay Suiza series, I've found each book to be unique and excellent in its own right, and this one is no exception. The well-thought-out strategy and fast-paced action of the earlier Esmay Suiza books are what initially drew me in. Upon concluding the last chapter, I suddenly realized that there hadn't been nearly as much action as I had hoped for. But oddly enough, I didn't feel the least bit disappointed. I had cracked open the cover looking for battle action and glory, and instead found romance, interpersonal conflict, and political manipulation. Upon digesting the book, I realized that I was quite satisfied, even if I had paid hardcover price. I picked up this book expecting to find resolution to some of the unresolved plotlines from previous books. I was not disappointed, and honestly, I was pleasantly surprised to find that my plot predictions often proved incorrect. Had I known this book was low on action scenes, I wouldn't have read it. But I'm GLAD I was ignorant, because I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I started reading a book the other day that was so awful I literally hurled it into the trash can without finishing it. "Against the Odds" will not be joining that book, and is currently serving as a bookend for a growing collection of Elizabeth Moon books on my shelf... It's a keeper.

This installment of the Familias Regnant series has redeemed my faith in Elizabeth Moon. The previous book (Change of Command) was spotty and was more of a "set-up" for the events that take place in this book. I must agree with one of the other reviewers, they should have been one book. We get to see more of the irrepressable Cecilia deMarktos, and Heris Serrano of course. This book is about youth growing up -- the younger characters (Brun, Barin, and Esmay) all come into their own, parallelling the maturing that occurs in the Familias Regnant as the issue of the "diamond ceiling" of rejuv is tackled. I was very surprised by some of the events that occured in this book, and found the ending to be rather touching.I was hesitant about this book because the previous one just wasn't up to standard; however, I figured that _Change of Command_ was setting the stage for the next installment, and took a chance. Am I glad I did!

Like Change of Command, this is not exactly a stand-alone book, and I would not recommend it as your very first Elizabeth Moon read. But oh, it's a lovely finish to the Familias Regnant series (which began with Hunting Party).I'm not ashamed to admit I cried at the end. To absent friends, indeed.