Victory Conditions

Vatta's War, Book 5

By: Elizabeth Moon

Narrated by: Cynthia Holloway

For Kylara Vatta, it's not just about liberating the star systems subjugated by Gammis Turek and defending the rest of the galaxy's freedom. There is also a score to be settled and payback to be meted out for the obliteration of the Vatta Transport dynasty...and the slaughter of Ky's family.

But the enemy have their own escalation efforts under way - including the placement of covert agents among the allies with whom Ky and the surviving Vattas are collaborating in the war effort. And when a spy ring linked to a wealthy businessman is exposed, a cracked pirate code reveals a galaxy-wide conspiracy fueling the proliferation of Turek's warship fleet. Matching the invaders' swelling firepower will mean marshaling an armada of battle-ready ships for Ky to lead into combat. But a violent skirmish leaves Ky reeling - and presumed dead by her enemies.

Now, as Turek readies an all-out attack on the Nexus system - a key conquest that could seal the rest of the galaxy's doom - Ky must rally to the challenge, draw upon every last reserve of her strategic skills, and reach deep if she is to tear from the ashes of tragedy her most decisive victory.

©2008 Elizabeth Moon (P)2009 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Rip-roaring action and intriguing science and tactics distinguish Nebula-winner Moon's fifth and final Vatta's War installment.... A fine and fitting conclusion to Moon's grand space opera tour de force." ( Publishers Weekly)

Story good, narration mediocre

I liked the story well enough, but the narrator had some habbits that irritated me. Short i sounds should not be pronoun ced as a long e. Such as ee mediate, or ee legal. Also, there were several places where she said she instead of he and vice versa.
I guess most folks aren't bothered by that kind of thing, and that's fine, but better post production should catch that kind of thing along with the repeated passage in one spot. Sloppy that. Good story though, so most folks should enjoy the performance.

Needs Work.

The Audable version is flat compared to the Graphic Audio version. It needs work. Lots.

A must listen

Elizabeth Moon did her usual excellent timing of the storyline. The narrator was perfect .

Mispronunciations galore, again.

I'm sure Miss Holloway is a great person. As a narrator, however, she is not great. Her inability to pronounce words correctly, or consistently, almost ruins the experience of listening to the book. She switches back and forth between "Vatta", and "Batta", "Vig-you-rus-lee" in liue of vigorously, etc..

I've really enjoyed the adventure

I've read the first 5 books and they are all excellent. Book 6 & 7 aren't available on Audible yet or I'd continue. I'll be watching for book 6 & 7 to become available on Audible.