The Better Part of Valor

The Better Part of Valor is the second novel in the Confederation series. After bringing home the surviving marines from Silsvah, Staff Sergeant Torin Kerr is detached to a recon unit investigating "an unidentified alien vessel drifting dead in space". ...This novel differs in many respects from Valor's Choice. The naval problems are mostly a sideshow and the Others soldiers are just more of the same. The real problem is the personnel, particularly Captain Tarvik, and the alien ship. All indications are that the ship is running rats in a maze, setting puzzles to be solved by both parties in competition. Torin, of course, is mainly concerned with getting her group home without further casualties and could otherwise care less about the ship's agenda.Recommended for all Huff fans and anyone who enjoys tense military interaction dramas, with a touch of jarhead humor.

It is so cool! My couselor at camp lent it to me telling me that it's a good book. I looked at it cautiously because I don't usually get into sci-fi. When I started reading I realized that it was so much more than that. Torin is so stiff from war, and then this guy Ryder pops up in her face and she doesn't even let herself be attracted to him. Torin has to make sure: her ego filled captain looks good throughout the mission, all of the civilians are safe along with her crew, and that she keeps under control with a sarcastic Ryder. I am probaly going to buy this book and Valor. I reeeeaaaaaly hope that you read it. Also if your a kid be warned that they curse alot and sexual things are written.

As an ex-Marine, I was blown away with how real the Corps was displayed and revealed in this exciting story of the Staff Sergeant with an attitude that never gave up, always took care of her Marines, knew how to handle the brass, and knew what it took to adapt, survive and succeed. The action was so graphically described, I had to duck to keep out of the line of fire. The setting in the alien spaceship of unknown origin and its many tricks and challenges was brilliant. The byplay between the Civiian Salvage Operator and the Staff Sergeant was titillating, cool and warm, all at the same time. I hope there is more to come from these wonderful characters.

Tanya Huff has written a lot of great books, but her "Valor" series is turning out to be my favorite. Torin Kerr, her main character is everything you want a believable hero (rather heroine) to be during war. I've read reviews that compare "Valor" to the Aliens movies, but these are better. I also liked the fact that you don't have to read "Valor's Choice" to understand "The Better Part of Valor", they are two seperate stories about one character. I do however highly recommend that people read both books. They are both very well written, and the reader can clearly see the incredible world Tanya Huff has created. Humor, drama, and ACTION...what more could a reader want? I hope Tanya Huff decides to write more in this series, because it's a promise that I'll buy more books about Staff Sergeant Torin Kerr.

In the distant future, Earth has joined the Confederation in return for becoming a fighting arm of the empire along with other sentient species. Staff Sergeant Torin Kerr is proud to be a marine fighting the Others, a race that covets confederation territory while refusing to negotiate with the delegates of the Confederation. In a life or death battle with the Others, she has come to the attention of General Morris. The General assigns her a top-secret mission to investigate a spaceship that is neither Confederation nor Other in a far corner of the galaxy. When Kerr boards the alien ship, she learns the hard way that it is sentient and doesn't like anyone shooting it. Trapped on board the ship with a group of the Others, Torin must find a way to escape or die trying. Fans of military science fiction will want to read THE BETTER PART OF VALOR, a thriller that is every bit as exciting as STAR WARS. Tanya Huff's latest work is so action packed and colorful it would make a great movie. Torin is a great heroine while the realistic species provide an authentic spin to this vigorous fantastic futuristic tale.Harriet Klausner