Valors Choice [Mass Market Paperback]

It starts out with a prologue that explains the "history" of the universe Huff has created. This is a very good thing, because none of that history could conceivably be told within the narrative of this book without massive info-dumps that would break the fluidity of the story. None of the back story is actually used in the book, but it flavours the feelings and actions of the Marines, and thus is very important to the feel of the book.

That being said, the different aliens and their characteristics can be very confusing sometimes, because of the off-hand manner in which Huff treats them. She's created some interesting ones (like the di'Taykan, who look almost like elves out of human mythology, and are hyper-sexual). The problem is that it's hard to keep track of which species does what. Then, you have numerous characters spread throughout these different species, and you have to try and keep track of who is what (oh, he's a Krai! That's why he's talking about eating anything and everything). Seriously, it can be confusing without a scorecard sometimes. The fact that these Marines are basically reduced to making wisecracks and participating in the action doesn't help, either. Nothing really distinguishes them *except* their species' characteristics.

While this does detract from the enjoyment of the book a little, Valor's Choice is still a wonderful, action-filled romp that is greatly enjoyable. Kerr is a wonderful character and Huff provides lots of detail about her. While the perspective of the story changes at times, the only thoughts you read are Kerr's. She's the perfect NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer, for you non-military types): she keeps her opinion to herself unless it's her duty to give it, she's able to give inflection to the word "Sir" to tell you what she thinks of the person she's talking to, she gives her troops all of the necessary latitude but is willing to reign them in if they go too far, and she has earned the respect of the people under her. She's funny at times, no nonsense at others. You really find yourself caring about what happens to her, and if she makes a mistake, you feel for her when it costs her one of her Marines.

The plot of the book does take a while to get going, but it never really drags because of the byplay between Kerr and the rest of the Marines. Sections within the chapters are relatively short, which gives the book an action-movie feel, almost like quick-cutting does in a film. Once the action really starts, it comes fast and furious, and you find yourself being carried along for the ride. If explosions and military hardware are your thing, then you will love this book. The good thing, though, is that Huff never goes into dry technobabble about this hardware. She tells you what the weapon or ship does and then she moves on with the story. This is much better than David Weber (who I really like, but that's one of his main failings)

I cannot reiterate enough, however, that you must avoid the author's note at the end of the book until you have finished it. If you don't, then not only will the ending be spoiled, but the mystery of why things are happening will also be spoiled. It's too bad that other reviews have already given it away, because I think it seriously detracts from the first reading of the book.

All in all, if you're a fan of military science fiction, you will like this book. It's well-written, has wonderful dialogue and a lot of action. It's not literature, but it doesn't aspire to be. It aspires to be fun, and that's what it is. If you don't like the genre, this book won't give you any reason to start liking it.

One and a half centuries later, Staff Sergeant Torin Kerr, acting first sergeant of Sh'quo Company, is ordered to gather a platoon for ceremonial duty guarding a delegation to the lizard-like Silsviss, a newly discovered aggressive species. This presents some problems since all the platoons are short of troops due to casualties on the last mission, so she is tasked with choosing nine intact fireteams and three squad sergeants from the survivors. The composite platoon rendezvouses with the diplomats on the Confederation Ship Berganitan. The diplomatic party consists of four spider-like Mictoc, four massively humanoid Dornagian, and four bird-like Rakva.

When the Confederation mission reaches Silsvah, the marines demonstrate their proficiency at close-order drill, firearms, and standing guard. The hot climate and boring duties soon send a party of six marines sneaking off to town to meet their counterparts. The ensuing bar fight seems to speed up the negotiations, for the Silsviss terminate the visit in Hahraas early and send the Confederates to their final destination. While enroute, the Confederate transport is shot down over a swamp within a Silsviss Wilderness Preserve. After escaping the ship, the party slogs out of the swamp toward two nearby buildings. There is some need for haste, since the Preserve is used to keep the Silsviss adolescent males occupied while their hormones levels gradually drop to civilized levels. The process also gets rid of some of the surplus male population as they fight each other and anything else that challenges them, including Confederation diplomats and marines.

Most of the Silsviss adolescent males in the vicinity are headed toward the crash site, but several are near the buildings; these attack the slow moving Dornagian and their escorts, who promptly take cover in some rocks. Torin leads a sortie out to recover the Dornagian party and finds that the Silsviss adolescents don't run from, but rather toward, overwhelming fire. During the night, the marines pick off the remainder of the first group, but the next day thousands of adolescent Silsviss appear on the surrounding hills, some armed with Confederation weapons from the wreckage. The attacks continue for days.

Although some might think that this novel is too stereotypical, I find that the characters are fairly true to real life. Soldiers usually are fairly superficial in their discussions; too much intimacy is frowned on for several reasons, not the least that it hurts more when the other guy is KIA. It also doesn't match the macho image that most soldiers try to project; after all, who would want a wimp guarding their back. Depression, on the other hand, is usually close at hand even in the barracks, for a soldier's life is often lonely and boring.

Unlike other reviewers, I would not classify this novel as "space opera"; I reserve that term for works like the Lensman or Legion of Space series. This story is much more like the StarFIST and DMC novels, small-unit combat SF. The fight sequences are most convincing; Huff based them on a famous historical incident, yet filled in the details very realistically. The finale was telegraphed by the Silsviss reaction to the bar fight, but does reflect realpolitik as practiced by politicians since the founding of the Roman empire -- and probably even earlier.

Recommended for all Huff fans and anyone who likes small-unit combat SF.