Command Decision

Vatta's War, Book 4

By: Elizabeth Moon

Narrated by: Cynthia Holloway

Length: 15 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

After orchestrating a galaxy-wide failure of the communications network owned and maintained by the powerful ISC corporation, Gammis Turek and his marauders strike swiftly and without mercy. First they shatter Vatta Transport. Then they overrun entire star systems, growing stronger and bolder. No one is safe from the pirate fleet.

But while they continue to move forward with their diabolical plan, they have made two critical mistakes.Their first mistake was killing Kylara Vatta's family.Their second mistake was leaving her alive.

Now Kylara is going to make them pay. But with a "fleet" consisting of only three ships - including her flagship, the Vanguard, a souped-up merchant cruiser - Kylara needs allies, and fast. Because even though she possesses the same coveted communication technology as the enemy, she has nowhere near their numbers or firepower.

Meanwhile, as Kylara's cousin Stella tries to bring together the shattered pieces of the family trading empire, new treachery is unfolding at ISC headquarters, where undercover agent Rafael Dunbarger, estranged son of the corporation's CEO, is trying to learn why the damaged network is not being repaired. What he discovers will send shock waves across the galaxy and crashing into Kylara's newly christened Space Defense Force at the worst possible moment.

©2008 Elizabeth Moon (P)2008 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Strong female leads, terrific action and complications aplenty: should grab existing fans and win new converts." ( Kirkus)

Excellent Military Space Opera

Ky's force grows in experience and size, while...oops! No spoilers...you will have to listen for yourself!

Great Continuation of Series. Great Space Opera

I very much enjoy the whole Vatta series. A lot of reviews indicate a dislike of the reader, but I thought her quite competent. I’m afraid her voice is now Ky’s as far as I’m concerned. This may be my favorite book of the series for Ransom’s Rangers - they’re a hoot.

More Of The Same!

When They attacked the Vatta Family the Pirates made a mistake. They left the 3 most Dangerous members Alive. As the Ladies of Vatta and their allies rally. The Plot grows Bigger. The Story still Moves at a rapid pace and The Narrator still uses the Inflection change for the characters. If you followed the story from the beginning it still what you've come to expect. and it's worth waiting for the Final volumes(?)

Great story; poor reader

As with the rest of this series, the story flows well, the characterization is interesting and involving, and the world is well realized. Unfortunately, Cynthia Holloway seems incapable of reading and repeating words. At this point, it's not really worth the trouble of going back for examples, but it's clear throughout that she is just reading out loud, not actually understanding what the words mean.

Good Series, Narrator needs better direction.

I have been enjoying Vatta's War. The characters are compelling and interesting with black, white and shades of gray. The story moves along well with also enough detail to give an idea of what life on a space freighter might well be. Just as with Moon's other books I've listened to, The Paks series, there is wonderful detail of day to day life that takes into account the little things in life. Some might find this tedious but I find it intriguing, giving fullness not only to the characters but the setting.

I have read reviews that mention the narrator and how grating her voice is. I personally don't find her voice that bad. Some of the voices she uses are more irritating than others but in general her voice is pleasant enough. The thing that is really getting to me is not entirely her fault. The editor or director (or what ever staff is responsible for that on a production like this) should be catching all of her mispronounced words. Query she pronounces to rhyme with worry as opposed to queer - ry. That word is used over and over again and it became quite annoying. Then there was "rev - a - lent." I wish I could have kept a log of all the mispronounced words but I'm driving when I listen and I just can't keep track. It starts to become comical and mars the overall experience of the book. Would I suggest one not to listen to these recordings? No. But I would suggest better direction for this actor in the future to correct this problem.

Good one.

Well paced, explores the difficulty of deciding others' fates. Great characters. Good sci fi and a lot of fun.

Good Story

This book had good surprises and a strong charter development with action, Sabatage and back stabing

Vatta /Harrington effective opposites

I live these capable and very different female characters. they are inspiring. I can almost see myself as Ky. she's the less rigid of the two.

great series

I've listened to this series 3 times and it' doesn't get old. it's a great adventure..

Good series

I must say I have become hooked on this series. Moon has this book broke up into section on Ky Vatta, Rafe and Aunt Grace and only a small amount about Stella. This one has more to do with Rafe than any other books in the series so far. Rafe went off to find out about his family and found they had been kidnapped. He rescues them and takes over as CEO of the communications company. Ky is still trying to get her fleet together. She did have some battle action. Book has suspense, action and humor as well as strong female characters. Looking forward to the next book in the series.