I really struggled with a rating for this book.In some ways, it's the best installment of the series, which is still a solid four stars quality, but in other aspects, it has severe flaws that drag it down some.Vatta's War stands out more clearly with each installment as a franchise that "does one thing really well"Moon crafts very well social and economical systems that feel solid and explorable, weaving political environments at the same level Sanderson writes magic.Most people won't appreciate that, but I say it's extremely valuable in any type of genre fiction where worldbuilding and escapism are a state of mind that one wants to achieve through it's consumption.Another great aspect of Moon's writing that has been clearly cemented in this book is a gift for military scenes, be they absolutely sharp and clear action battles, that give you amazing pictures of the battle at large while staying strictly inside of a single bridge, or the luls in between, where involving and compelling routines are constructed.On another hand, Moon's story telling is ... lacking.The intrigue story lines, which make up for no less than 3 POV's in this book (The cousin, the aunt and the love interest) all start out strong, but are ultimately undermined by the uncompelling nature of the characters inside of it.Every antagonist is nothing but a straw person with no motivations other than "because", if someone gets in front of a characters way, we'll soon conveniently be told how he was all along a baby killer, puppy kicking monster who pours his milk before his cereal, and only the power of obeying the rules can truly save the way.Even the protagonists, if they're not army glorifying commercials, then must be over the top caricatures of delusional fops who everyone hates, whose risks must be looked down upon, (unlike those taken by certain inexperienced vatta captains I could name).One struggles to figure out what role stella had, if any other than filling forms, and grace's story line was also very much lacking of a guiding story line or a climax, while Raph's ... well.. had it solved by the power of, well convenience.Turns out he conveniently was loved a lot more than he was led to believe he was, all of his troubled past was entirely someone else's fault, and all he needed to be happily ever after was to figure that out and wait for everything else to practically fall onto his lap.So, despite it being a similar quality book to it's predecessor, I'm awarding it only 3 stars, and hoping the next one has learned better
Once again Moon proves with this book that she is a leading light in the Sci-Fi genre. She has left me both excited beyond imagining for the next book, but, at the same time, petrified to read it and thus end my relationship with Ky, Rafe, Stella and Aunt Grace. I mean, this is one of those books which you hold up as the archetype of an amazing novel - irrelevant of genre. Amazing, and easily worth the Five Stars. The plot built and built so well, going from one strength to the next, never giving you a chance to pause. It swept you along. At first I was a bit disconcerted that Rafe and Stella/Grace were getting more face time than usual, but it blended so well into the story, proving my fears unfounded. If Moon had just stuck with Ky it would have had swathes of boredom, whereas with this she managed to keep the entertainment and the storyline moving throughout. What I also like about Moon is her ability to write characters. I mean, they are all so alive and real, that even some of the minor characters - Pitt for example - are memorable and 'real'. What's more, is that she manages to show their growth so realistically and accurately throughout the series that you do 'grow up' with them; you become attached to them and emotionally involved in their fates more than you would a normal character. In fact, I wouldn't be wrong in saying that her characterisation is one of her strongest points (I mean, just look at Divided Allegiance, it's bloody amazing for character development, and is just another example of how good she is). As for the writing... I have always said - and If you have ever read any of my previous reviews you probably know what I am going to say - that you have bad writing, normal writing you barely notice and then really rare amazing writing. Now, I'm not going to claim that this book has amazing writing skill, no it definitely is the type where it doesn't intrude and which you can ignore. But, having said that, it is good. I mean, it moves the story on so well... Simply, everything about this book is amazing...Simply, everything about this series is amazing... So, should you read this? Yes. No Doubt. Have Fun Reading.
What do You think about Command Decision (2007)?
One book left, and this series is really gelling into a good and fun read. A bit closer to 3.5 than 3 stars, but it is still rather dry in spots. As in the rest of the series, though the main characters are really good the people that they interact with are still quite wooden. A lot of the world and society is still in shadows. One part in particular that stood out for me was when Ky picked up some new ships when they stopped at the modified human (humod) colony. They had rescued a ship with a humod crew that wanted to join up; they decide to use it as a supply ship. At about the same time, a flamboyant captain who just happens to be filthy rich joins up. The playboy is fun, so we get to see him a lot. The humods, and the implications mentioned about how they are considered to be too far from comfortable for humans with fewer implants? They get shuffled to the background, quite literally. There are several moments where the supply ship, with no mention of its crew nor its captain, is mentioned to be just somewhere far away from everybody. I guess they're just doing supply ship stuff. However, every other captain and ship of the fleet gets a front and center role. Intentional, perhaps?
—Eugene
This is book four in the Vatta's War series.[return][return]Ky Vatta now has the beginnings of a fleet to fight against the space pirates responsible for the death of her family. However, she's knows it's not enough--especially with her fleet low on funds and ammunition. Meanwhile, Rafe travels to his homework and discovers his own family in peril. The pirates haven't merely taken over the galaxy by force--they have infiltrated high level governments in various systems, including the Rafe's family-managed communications giant ISC.[return][return]I read this in two days. I didn't want to put it down. I've never considered myself a big scifi reader, but this series has proved otherwise. This is space opera at its finest, with sprawling space battles, sabotage, and boardroom deals that impact millions. I'm already almost 100 pages into the fifth and final book.
—Beth Cato
This is the 4th book in the Vatta's War series. For series overview and list of recommended similar series, please see my review on Trading in Danger, Vatta's War, Book 1.Command Decision picks up where book 3, Engaging the Enemy left off. Ky now leads a small & motley space force dedicated to the defeat of the mysterious pirate empire responsible for killing her family and so many of the other suddenly numerous things going wrong in space. Now Ky needs allies and fast! New treachery unfolds as Ky and her newly christened Space Defense Force try to stay alive against innummerable odds.The fifth and last book - Victory Conditions - is out in hardback now, but I'll be waiting until Jan 2009 until it comes out in paperback to buy & read it. And let me tell you - I CAN'T WAIT to see how this series wraps up.
—Martina the Book Fairy
