![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Dec. 24th, 2010
Elizabeth Moon: Heris Serrano
Dec. 24th, 2010 11:31 pmI don't believe I've ever read anything from Ms. Moon, but I had a 40% off coupon for Borders, and space opera seemed like a good idea, and spending the coupon on a 1056 page book instead of a tiny paperback seemed fiscally prudent. Mind you, the size and weight of this trade paperback would be a good reason to opt for an ebook version. Reading it in bed was at times a bit uncomfortable, combining the worst of hardcovers and paperbacks.
The ridiculous length is explained by pointing out that this is an omnibus edition -- although the three "books" flow into each other so seamlessly that considering them individual volumes seems a bit silly.
Where David Weber ends up monologuing about sociology, military theory and economics, Moon does the same about horses -- and yes, she's actually devised a reason for there to be horses in an epic space adventure, without turning it into a Firefly setting. Aside from that, the book was exactly what I expected and wanted, well written familiar space opera with interesting, likable characters, adventure and suspense but nothing too horrible to actually make the reader sad. Perfectly safe and entertaining, well written and plotted.
What perhaps bears mentioning, although it wasn't really explored in these three volumes, is that in Moon's universe humanity has spread pretty wide, wide enough that it's become fractured into competing regions, each governed somewhat differently. The main character lives in and the action takes place in a stratified semi-feudal society, and it's pretty much admitted that their way of doing things is different and not perfect, but not necessarily better or worse, than the very capitalistic and technocratic neighbors (though better than the cut-throat crony-capitalist neighbors.) Ground is also laid regarding the implications of rejuvenation technology and resulting immortality, as well as a few other plot points, and in many ways her universe seems vast and well planned enough to support a whole library of books.
If you want female space captains, safe entertainment that doesn't tax the brain too much, and don't mind the feeling that this is just another rehash of already familiar ingredients, recommended. The per page price is another bonus.
3.5 / 5.
The ridiculous length is explained by pointing out that this is an omnibus edition -- although the three "books" flow into each other so seamlessly that considering them individual volumes seems a bit silly.
Where David Weber ends up monologuing about sociology, military theory and economics, Moon does the same about horses -- and yes, she's actually devised a reason for there to be horses in an epic space adventure, without turning it into a Firefly setting. Aside from that, the book was exactly what I expected and wanted, well written familiar space opera with interesting, likable characters, adventure and suspense but nothing too horrible to actually make the reader sad. Perfectly safe and entertaining, well written and plotted.
What perhaps bears mentioning, although it wasn't really explored in these three volumes, is that in Moon's universe humanity has spread pretty wide, wide enough that it's become fractured into competing regions, each governed somewhat differently. The main character lives in and the action takes place in a stratified semi-feudal society, and it's pretty much admitted that their way of doing things is different and not perfect, but not necessarily better or worse, than the very capitalistic and technocratic neighbors (though better than the cut-throat crony-capitalist neighbors.) Ground is also laid regarding the implications of rejuvenation technology and resulting immortality, as well as a few other plot points, and in many ways her universe seems vast and well planned enough to support a whole library of books.
If you want female space captains, safe entertainment that doesn't tax the brain too much, and don't mind the feeling that this is just another rehash of already familiar ingredients, recommended. The per page price is another bonus.
3.5 / 5.