felinity's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
Gunnery Sergeant Torin Kerr and her crew are adjusting to life outside the Corps... sort of. Their mission is to stop some graverobbers whose larceny may tear apart the Confederation, if only they can track them down before it's too late.
It's been quite a while since I read any SF/F with so many different species, and I don't recall any having the incredible variety of cultures, biology, linguistic interpretation and politics I found here. This is the first in [a:Tanya Huff|1967|Tanya Huff|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1207242126p2/1967.jpg]'s new Peacekeepers series, but part of a series already-established (which I now need to start reading), so there's a steep curve for those new to this universe. It's worth it though!
There's a stark contrast between leadership styles the different teams. One leader will take risks to protect her people, and the other won't even touch a member of her team who needs it, deliberately maintaining physical and emotional distance between everyone and treating them all as disposable assets: a risky business in that line of work, and it shows.
I loved the humor and casual affection Torin's team share: they aren't just a team bonded by shared experience and general camaraderie, but are more like a close family. (Expect the normal Marine vs Navy jokes, along with running innuendoes.) Don't be thrown by some grammatical incorrectness in the beginning: it's deliberate, and I started to love Torin when I realized she was twitching as much as I. Some of the later inconsistency is also intentional, so just force yourself past it if that bothers you.
This is military science fiction at its best. There aren't any quick Kirk-style fixes here, or universal translators. Winning is painful, success is rewarded by paperwork (at least failure gets you a pass, even though you're dead), alien species aren't always bipedal, and you can't always make alien tech work.
Disclaimer: I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Gunnery Sergeant Torin Kerr and her crew are adjusting to life outside the Corps... sort of. Their mission is to stop some graverobbers whose larceny may tear apart the Confederation, if only they can track them down before it's too late.
It's been quite a while since I read any SF/F with so many different species, and I don't recall any having the incredible variety of cultures, biology, linguistic interpretation and politics I found here. This is the first in [a:Tanya Huff|1967|Tanya Huff|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1207242126p2/1967.jpg]'s new Peacekeepers series, but part of a series already-established (which I now need to start reading), so there's a steep curve for those new to this universe. It's worth it though!
Spoiler
(And for Doctor Who afficionados new to this universe, there's a whole species who reminded me very much of Captain Jack Harkness...)There's a stark contrast between leadership styles the different teams. One leader will take risks to protect her people, and the other won't even touch a member of her team who needs it, deliberately maintaining physical and emotional distance between everyone and treating them all as disposable assets: a risky business in that line of work, and it shows.
I loved the humor and casual affection Torin's team share: they aren't just a team bonded by shared experience and general camaraderie, but are more like a close family. (Expect the normal Marine vs Navy jokes, along with running innuendoes.) Don't be thrown by some grammatical incorrectness in the beginning: it's deliberate, and I started to love Torin when I realized she was twitching as much as I. Some of the later inconsistency is also intentional, so just force yourself past it if that bothers you.
This is military science fiction at its best. There aren't any quick Kirk-style fixes here, or universal translators. Winning is painful, success is rewarded by paperwork (at least failure gets you a pass, even though you're dead), alien species aren't always bipedal, and you can't always make alien tech work.
Disclaimer: I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
iffer's review against another edition
3.0
It was probably just that I wasn't in the mood for this, even though I started it because space opera is usually one of my happy reading places. Alternating between Torrin's group and the mercenaries was somewhat jarring to me. I had trouble empathizing with the mercenary former-major, which is probably why this volume didn't hit me as hard as some of the others. I do find the shift from this series from mostly action-based to action plus big-idea political based, to be appealing. I'm also looking forward to seeing how Torrin and what she wants out of her life evolves as time passes.
thinde's review against another edition
3.0
I understand, intellectually, why so many readers rate this book highly. Huff manages to imagine a crew with the feel of an authentic family. It reminded me of the Firefly/Serenity series.
Sadly, while I'd have loved to have been on board the Serenity, that's just not true in this case. I can't nail down exactly what was missing, but the action seemed flat. Perhaps I was just in the wrong frame of mind. So, we'll just assume I was wanting ice-cream and was given steak. It may have been a great steak, but I am still not satisfied.
Sadly, while I'd have loved to have been on board the Serenity, that's just not true in this case. I can't nail down exactly what was missing, but the action seemed flat. Perhaps I was just in the wrong frame of mind. So, we'll just assume I was wanting ice-cream and was given steak. It may have been a great steak, but I am still not satisfied.
nessa_arandur's review against another edition
5.0
I love so many things about the Confederacy world that Tuff has created, but probably the thing I love best is the fluidity of concepts like gender and sex when dealing with a multi-species military confederacy. There is no particular focus on it, but it permeates every realistic consideration the characters make, especially when it comes to capabilities, injuries, and interpersonal interactions. Whether a di'Taykan's hair flipping means "up yours" or "pfft, please! I've got this" or the fact that Krai are fantastic climbers but crap at flat running. Our former NCO turned contractor, Torin Kerr, has to know all these things in order to best use her soldiers and get everyone out alive. This adventure is a fun addition to the series and kind of dreadful with what they find in the H'san crypts. Torin Kerr is also dealing with her PTSD, and I really appreciate the fact that Huff shows this is very realistic ways. It's the little things, the tiny moments, that showcase deep and complex trauma. While there was probably more gun-fighting action in the first Confederacy books, this one still packs in plenty of it at the end. Highly recommended for anyone who likes complex settings without info dumps and LGBT+ representation that is just an integral part of the world, rather than an exception.
minotaursmaze's review against another edition
3.0
Good but I kept feeling like I missed a part of the story somewhere.
thestarman's review against another edition
3.0
IN SHORT: Tomb Raider in space (and on an alien world).
BONUS:
BONUS:
Spoiler
alien zombieslindca's review against another edition
4.0
Huff’s Torin Kerr books are a terrific mix of action mixed with great character- and world-building. Revisiting these characters always is a treat.
slc333's review against another edition
2.0
I am so, so sad. How can a book about Torin and company be so boring? I just don't understand it. I LOVED the confederation/valor series and how completely bad-ass Torin was. I was so excited that Torin, Craig, Resk, Werst & Mashona would be a roving trouble-shooter team for the Wardens and have been eagerly anticipating this. Yet I was consistently bored. I didn't hate it, and perhaps if I was coming to this series cold I would have rated it higher but I was expecting rollicking space adventure with kick-ass, get the job done Torin. What I got was our crew flying around confederation space looking for a not so secret world then wandering through tunnels looking for the bad guys. Nothing particularly interesting or dramatic and a severe lack of badassery from Torin. It was meh.
vailynst's review against another edition
3.0
Mini-Review:
3.5 Stars
Torin Kerr: Space Cop (Sort of)
The last book in the Confederate was a hodge-podge of FUBAR in various states and forms. This book was more like what I have come to expect. The case isn't what you think it is, lots of action, a few twists and Torin + Crew wrecking damage as they figure out what the heck is going on.
A great start to a new phase for Torin and her chosen family of misfits.
3.5 Stars
Torin Kerr: Space Cop (Sort of)
The last book in the Confederate was a hodge-podge of FUBAR in various states and forms. This book was more like what I have come to expect. The case isn't what you think it is, lots of action, a few twists and Torin + Crew wrecking damage as they figure out what the heck is going on.
A great start to a new phase for Torin and her chosen family of misfits.