Trading in Danger (1 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation]

Vatta's War, Book 1, Part 1

By: Elizabeth Moon

Narrated by: full cast, Nanette Savard, Jonathan Watkins, Christopher Graybill, Barbara Pinolini, Thomas Penny, Tim Getman, Andy Clemence, Lily Beacon, Michael Glenn, Steven Carpenter, Terence Aselford

Length: 5 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

Kylara Vatta is the only daughter in a family full of sons, and her father's only child to buck tradition by choosing a military career instead of joining the family business. For Ky, it's no contest: Even running the prestigious Vatta Transport Ltd. shipping concern can't hold a candle to shipping out as an officer aboard an interstellar cruiser. It's adventure, not commerce, that stirs her soul. And despite her family's misgivings, there can be no doubt that a Vatta in the service will prove a valuable asset. But with a single error in judgment, it all comes crumbling down. 

Expelled from the Academy in disgrace - and returning home to her humiliated family, a storm of high-profile media coverage, and the gaping void of her own future - Ky is ready to face the inevitable onslaught of anger, disappointment, even pity. But soon after opportunity's door slams shut, Ky finds herself with a ticket to ride - and a shot at redemption - as captain of a Vatta Transport ship. 

It's a simple assignment: escorting one of the Vatta fleet's oldest ships on its final voyage...to the scrapyard. But keeping it simple has never been Ky's style. And even though her father has provided a crew of seasoned veterans to baby-sit the fledgling captain on her maiden milk run, they can't stop Ky from turning the routine mission into a risky venture - in the name of turning a profit for Vatta Transport, of course. 

By snapping up a lucrative delivery contract defaulted on by a rival company, and using part of the proceeds to upgrade her condemned vehicle, Ky aims to prove she's got more going for her than just her family's famous name. But business will soon have to take a backseat to bravery, when Ky's change of plans sails her and the crew straight into the middle of a colonial war. For all her commercial savvy, it's her military training and born-soldier's instincts that Ky will need to call on in the face of deadly combat, dangerous mercenaries, and violent mutiny....

Performed by Nanette Savard, Jonathan Watkins, Christopher Graybill, Barbara Pinolini, Thomas Penny, Tim Getman, Andy Clemence, Lily Beacon, Michael Glenn, Steven Carpenter, Terence Aselford, Michael John Casey, James Lewis, Mort Shelby, Ken Jackson, Lilly David, Sunny Lasskey, Joe Brack, Dylan Lynch, Richard Rohan, Tom Simpson, Tim Carlin, Casie Platt, Colleen Delany.

©2003 Elizabeth Moon (P)2009 Graphic Audio, LLC

Well done

Engaging presentation. Only minus was some dialog of a couple parts were low enough as to be nearly inaudible, and music at the end was so loud during the credits it competed, nearly drowning the words out. Whether sloppy and rushed or inexperienced, it was a shame as the the rest of production, the sound effects, narration, and voice acting were really engaging. For the most part, the extra expense was worthwhile. This review was based on the sound quality of the Kindle Hire.

I listened to the same sections that were problematic on my PC with better speakers, and the while there were issues, it was much less of an issue. Pitt's thoughts were still low volume, but clearer on PC speakers. The book is offered in one long file or two 5 hour blocks. At the end of the first one was a two minute advert, a bit long considering the price.

Different

I've read this series of books a number of times, and have the regular audiobooks too. i was going to start listening to the books again when I noticed these new full-cast audio productions. So I purchased the first part of the first book to see what that was like. It's not bad - the multiple voices and sound-effects do add something to the listening experience. But IMO not enough to justify paying for the whole series again - and having each book divided into two five hour episodes. For now, I'm going to stick with the regular audiobooks.

Wish I had Major Cast Sample - not thrilled w/ Ky.

I really enjoyed the books narrated by Cynthia Holloway. At first she grated on me, but an hour in on the first book I decided I really liked how CH read Ky Vatta, the MC in 6 books in my Library.

If they had CH read it, it would also have ensured pronunciation of key names were consistent - like "Mackensee " in Mackensee Military Assistance Corporation. Assuming this is pronounced like 'mckenzie' down into sounds: [MUH] + [KEN] + [ZEE]. There are other examples - but this one would follow the series as MMAC is a in most of the book series.

For this performance, I'd call it a "fail" not to use the narrator who read the Vattas war series. First - CH already knows the material. Second, the person who did Ky was really whiney as the book started, and through out sounds more and more whiney. Ky isn't whiney, shes struggling and doing a very good job w/ that struggle throughout the series.

Some of the other voices were across the spectrum - strong matches, or not great.

The story narrator is doing a fine job reading all of the background, transition, etc.

Don’t waste your credit

Don’t waste your credit. Yes the performance is good the music choice is really stupid but when I took a look at getting parts one and two and using two credit points it wasn’t worth the cost. And if audible still had the return policy I would return both of them it’s just a waste of money and I know that you could buy the two sections together but I didn’t notice that until after I bought part two. It was my mistake and they will have to live with it