Victory Conditions

December 17, 2007
Rip-roaring action and intriguing science and tactics distinguish Nebula-winner Moon’s fifth and final Vatta’s War installment. Now combat-blooded and well on her way to the admiralty, young Kylara Vatta commands 40 far-future spacecraft against ferocious Gammis Turek, a criminal mastermind who has threatened Ky’s home world of Slotter Key, her relatives and the far-flung Vatta economic empire. Ky has the rank she always hoped she’d achieve and now must accept the fearful responsibilities it entails. Weighed down by thoughts of the deaths she has caused—both friend and foe—and the need to protect the people in her command, Ky finds herself making some dangerous decisions. She’s surrounded by a convincing supporting cast, from feisty fruitcake-baking Aunt Grace, who runs Slotter Key’s defenses, to dashing Rafe Dunbarger, acting CEO of InterStellar Communications, who has lost his heart to Ky despite his best efforts at stoicism. This epic volume is a fine and fitting conclusion to Moon’s grand space opera tour de force.

February 15, 2008
Since the death of most of her family at the hands of political assassins, Kylara Vatta has sought vengeance against the mastermind behind the plot to destroy the Vatta family and its interstellar holdings. Now the young military-trained space merchant-turned-privateer commands her own fleet of spaceships and has identified her enemythe notorious pirate and would-be galactic ruler Gammis Turek. Despite the threat to free worlds posed by Turek, there are powers who still mistrust the Vatta name and waiver about joining forces with Ky Vatta. The fifth and concluding volume to the author's popular "Vatta's War" series ("Trading in Danger; Marque and Reprisal; Engaging the Enemy; Command Decision") takes place on many frontsmilitary, political, social, and personaland Moon handles everything from full-scale space battles to intimate social and political interactions with the skill of a master storyteller. Strong characterizations, subtle humor, and a feel for military sf make this dynastic space opera a strong addition for all sf collections.

Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2008
Like its four predecessors, the bravura conclusion to the Vatta Wars is fast-paced, intelligent, and witty. Kylara Vatta has organized and disciplined a motley but powerful fleet, Rafe Dunbarger has ferreted out traitors in ISC, and theyre working together against the pirate and criminal masterminds who attacked and slaughtered their families. Each has gained powerful allies. Kylaras include her cousins Toby and wheeler-dealer Stella and her aunt Grace, while Rafe finds baby sister Penny unexpectedly valuable. Action sf doesnt get much better than this, and though the series is done, let us hope to see Kylara and Rafe again.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)