Loading...
22nd out of 142 books
—
334 voters
My rating:
add to my books
Valor's Choice (Confederation #1)
by
Tanya Huff
In the distant future, humans and several other races have been granted membership in the Confederation -- at a price. They must act as soldier/protectors of the far more civilized races who have long since turned away from war....
Mass Market Paperbound, 409 pages
Published
April 1st 2000
by Daw Books
There is a good chance some of your friends read this book. Sign in to see!
sign in »
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
1,387)
I love military fiction, as well as science fiction, and so naturally I dig military science fiction.
I really enjoyed this book. Staff Sergeant Torin Kerr was indeed a bad-ass, as other reviewers have noted. She gets the job done. One of the blurbs likens her to the Ripley character in the ALIENS movies.
Huff's knowledge of military life rings completely true. The characters are all great fun, and she does a decent job of making the names unique in order to help the reader...more
I really enjoyed this book. Staff Sergeant Torin Kerr was indeed a bad-ass, as other reviewers have noted. She gets the job done. One of the blurbs likens her to the Ripley character in the ALIENS movies.
Huff's knowledge of military life rings completely true. The characters are all great fun, and she does a decent job of making the names unique in order to help the reader...more
I enjoyed Valor's Choice. I know I'm coming late to this series, and I have the next three books here waiting for me to read. I've read a lot of Tanya Huff's contemporary fantasy books, but this is the first science fiction that I've read from her.
I was happy to find her humor throughout the narration of this book. The main character, Toren was interesting and a very strong personality without being overwhelmingly so. This book takes place in the future, a future so far in advanc...more
I was happy to find her humor throughout the narration of this book. The main character, Toren was interesting and a very strong personality without being overwhelmingly so. This book takes place in the future, a future so far in advanc...more
Torin Kerr is a First Sergeant in the Confereration Marines. A century and a half previously, Earth was contacted by the alien Confereration. It seemed the Confederation was in a bit of a pickle. An enemy known as The Others was attacking Confederation worlds. But the alien civilizations in the Confederation were all basically pacifists. There was a need to recruit warlike races to wage war. Humans were the first of these races, and thus the military forces follow what is basically a human model...more
As a non-aggressive, peace-loving, middle-of -the-road liberal, I have no idea why I am drawn to space military sci-fi books. It's baffling. I think this is at least my third series in that genre, including the Heris Serrano and the Honor Harrington series. These series do all have female protagonists so I'm sure that's one appealing aspect for me. This is the first book in the Valor series and I plan on reading the others.
This series has a slightly different take as the main ch...more
This series has a slightly different take as the main ch...more
view 1 comment
Just back from battle Staff Sergeant Torin Kerr is told to assemble a platoon from the survivors of her company to serve as an honor guard for a diplomatic mission to convince the reptilian Silsviss to join the Confederation rather than ally themselves with the Confederation’s archenemy, the Others. The general who issues the orders wants troops who will impress the warlike Silsviss. Kerr doesn’t think that dress uniforms will make much of an impression, and she worries that marines bored with m...more
One of these years, I'm going to get my regularly scheduled respiratory infection (how else would I know it's October?) and I'm going to be out of Tanya Huff books. And that's going to be really freaking sad.
Yeah, my enjoyment of this was in inverse correlation with my health. They're fluffy multi-planetary marine adventures with maybe two or three emotional notes to play -- hoo-rah marines are cool! But sometimes they die and that's sad! But they're also multi-species marines so there...more
Yeah, my enjoyment of this was in inverse correlation with my health. They're fluffy multi-planetary marine adventures with maybe two or three emotional notes to play -- hoo-rah marines are cool! But sometimes they die and that's sad! But they're also multi-species marines so there...more
This is the first book in Tanya Huff's Confederation Novels.
A good solid start to a new series. A little on the predictable side but not to the story's detriment. I liked the way Tanya portrayed the military as a whole. It felt real without being forced. It gave me, the reader, the sense that I was right there in the middle of it all. I will definitely be reading the next book in the series, The Better Part of Valor.
The Confederation Novels
A good solid start to a new series. A little on the predictable side but not to the story's detriment. I liked the way Tanya portrayed the military as a whole. It felt real without being forced. It gave me, the reader, the sense that I was right there in the middle of it all. I will definitely be reading the next book in the series, The Better Part of Valor.
The Confederation Novels
76 out of 100 for 2010
Tanya Huff is a new writer for me; this series, starring Staff Sergeant Torrin Kerr, is military SF. It's at the platoon level, with a non com as the main character, a la Hemry's 'Stark's War' series or, if you like funnier stuff, Robert Aspirin's 'Phule's Company.'
Kerr and her company are charged with "easy" duty, guarding a diplomatic mission to an apparently friendly power. But the company is shot down over what turns out to be hostile...more
Tanya Huff is a new writer for me; this series, starring Staff Sergeant Torrin Kerr, is military SF. It's at the platoon level, with a non com as the main character, a la Hemry's 'Stark's War' series or, if you like funnier stuff, Robert Aspirin's 'Phule's Company.'
Kerr and her company are charged with "easy" duty, guarding a diplomatic mission to an apparently friendly power. But the company is shot down over what turns out to be hostile...more
Not bad overall, but not thrilling. The author is clearly better at, and more interested in, the military life/gruff camraderie of Marines then the details of plot or actual combat. A lot of things, especially once the action heats up, are frustratingly underdescribed.
Another problem is the super-abundance of characters, which makes it hard to get a sense for anyone other then the Staff Sergeant and difficult to care about them when they get in danger or get killed. It's even more...more
Another problem is the super-abundance of characters, which makes it hard to get a sense for anyone other then the Staff Sergeant and difficult to care about them when they get in danger or get killed. It's even more...more
Only advanced, peaceful species make up the Confederation. So when they are attacked by the Others, they need to quickly incorporate 3 species who are aggressive enough to defend the Federation, but peaceful enough to co-exist. One of those species are Humans. And a fourth species may be the lizard-like Silsviss--that is, if the current Confederation Marines can convince this warrior species that the Confederation military has what it takes. Staff Sgt. Torin Kerr has the job of taking a combat...more
Pros:
-I love strong female characters and Torin Kerr is just that. How could she not be? After all she is a Staff Sargent in the marines! Which is so bad ass!
-Every character was fantastic, although me being who I am had trouble keeping them all straight, I can never remember which species which person was, I always seem to find that with Sci-Fi novels. I have the worst memory!
-World building was awesome, enough to figure out what's going on through out the book, but without all that info dumpin...more
-I love strong female characters and Torin Kerr is just that. How could she not be? After all she is a Staff Sargent in the marines! Which is so bad ass!
-Every character was fantastic, although me being who I am had trouble keeping them all straight, I can never remember which species which person was, I always seem to find that with Sci-Fi novels. I have the worst memory!
-World building was awesome, enough to figure out what's going on through out the book, but without all that info dumpin...more
Staff Sergeant Torin Kerr is a wonderful invention from author Tanya Huff. She is a professional soldier, a marine, who, in between kicking ass, spends time looking after and guiding a new officer.
The mission is a diplomatic one, tasked to encourage an alien species (The Silviss) to join a Confederation of allies fighting a formidable enemy. It all seems to be going well, in spite of her dislike of and unfamiliarity of diplomacy and protocol, but suddenly, following a crash while on route ...more
The mission is a diplomatic one, tasked to encourage an alien species (The Silviss) to join a Confederation of allies fighting a formidable enemy. It all seems to be going well, in spite of her dislike of and unfamiliarity of diplomacy and protocol, but suddenly, following a crash while on route ...more
As always I love this series, although this was the first time for me to listen to it rather than read. The story and characters that Tanya Huff creates are strong as always.
The narrator did an excellent job with all of the voices. Unfortunately I was a little disappointed by the quality of the editing; it seemed to have been a little sloppy in a few areas. Occasionally there was a repeated line or clipped words. On the whole though I quite enjoyed it and was easily lost in the stor...more
The narrator did an excellent job with all of the voices. Unfortunately I was a little disappointed by the quality of the editing; it seemed to have been a little sloppy in a few areas. Occasionally there was a repeated line or clipped words. On the whole though I quite enjoyed it and was easily lost in the stor...more
Tanya Huff has been one of my favorite authors for years. This novel takes her writing to an entirely new level. Torin Kerr may well be one of the best kick-butt female heros in science fiction. I enjoyed Huff's depiction of the military culture and the relationship between the Marines. Mostly, I loved that Huff could create a female character strong, sensitive, and enjoyable. Plus, anyone who can inject easy going humor into battle scenes definately has my vote as a worthwhile author.
Fun! Another good series; unfortunately, there are only 4 books. But I love strong female characters, and this one is about as strong as they come.
Staff Sgt. Toren Kerr (that tells you a lot right there, doesn't it?) has a fresh new 2nd Lieutenant to train, and a hand-picked group of combat marines to whip into shape for a non-combat diplomatic mission.
Lots of aliens, lots of marines, lots of weaponry - good dialogue, strong military sf.
I have to pace myself h...more
Staff Sgt. Toren Kerr (that tells you a lot right there, doesn't it?) has a fresh new 2nd Lieutenant to train, and a hand-picked group of combat marines to whip into shape for a non-combat diplomatic mission.
Lots of aliens, lots of marines, lots of weaponry - good dialogue, strong military sf.
I have to pace myself h...more
Military Space Opera written by a woman who really knows what she's writing about. Marvelous characters and alien races, extremely snappy dialogue, an endearing and tough heroine, and lots of fast action. Torin Kerr is one of my favorite main characters ever written, and I am a particular fan of this book (the first in the series) because it opens with a post sex pheromone hangover and ends with a battle based one of the early moments in the Zulu War (late 1870s).
Please, don't make ...more
Please, don't make ...more
i liked this one. not that it's that wonderful, but i really liked the premise and the insights into battle and the conflicts between races. lots of language - very PG-13. also very science fiction, but without the multiple characters and the development of whole new worlds. i just don't have the time to devote to an epic. i like my books fun.
I have mixed reactions to a lot of Ms Huff's books, but this series is my favorite of her books. It has a kick-ass heroine in charge of a military troop with mixed races that come across as very interesting. The operation is a little too blatant about being based on a historical battle, but it was a very fun read.
Solid military based science fiction. The are two basic alliances of alien species in opposition. The younger aggressive species provide the recruits. The aliens may not fully adapted to this life style but Sgt Kerr will work the pieces into a solid unit.
Excellent, consistent aliens with believable differences.
Excellent, consistent aliens with believable differences.
I've been indulging in an orgy of military sf reading since February, when Patrick at Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego got me hooked on it. This is one of the best by far, a splendid blend of characterization, setting, plot and hand-to-hand combat. I'd follow Staff Sergeant Torin Kerr anywhere.
Marines in space...a total departure from what I'd expect from this author. Filled with interesting species and tons of battle scenes/gore and death; quite an exhausting adventure. Only drawback for me, even w the main character being female, only a hint of innuendo and romance. Kept this from being a 4 star.
Both Science fiction fans and anybody who has EVER been in the military will enjoy Tanya Huff's "Valor" books. the language and behavior of her marines is spot on even set in the far future they are recognizable to any veteran and thus not only nostalgic but often side-splitingly funny.
Read this when it first came out, but was VERY amused to see that the cover artist listed was Jody Lee when it was actually Luis Royo.
Great military sci-fi, which takes note of real historical battles and gives them a sci-fi spin. Staff Sergeant Kerr is a great character, and she really makes the books something special. Read on the in also excellent The Better Part of Valor.
Meh. I couldn't tell the less major/minor characters apart. I didn't get a feel for what each alien race actually looked like or what they were actually like. Didn't care for any characters. And of course there was a race that would have sex with anything. Of course.
I am not usually a fan of military fiction but in this case I have to say that I loved the main character, Torin Kerr, Staff Sergeant, and her interactions with her soldiers and with her superior officers. A likeable character and an entertaining plot.
Never thought I would so thoroughly enjoy military science fiction, but this engaging series by Tanya Huff has me hooked on the adventures of Marine sergeant Torin Kerr who always brings her troops out alive from deadly encounters in outer space.
Mostly I thought it was like a Michael Bay movie in book form. The plot was mostly a series of battles and the characters were thin at best. The military grunts always know what to do and the higher ups and politicians are always idiots.
One annoying trait of Tanya Huffs that is really frustrating in this book is the assumption of previous knowledge or awareness of characters or species. Makes it hard to get into the book. But overall a decent book
Author has a snarky sense of humor. Fascinating military/space/sci-fi novel based on an actual historic battle with an alien twist. Staff Seargeant Kerr is amazing at dealing with ignorant officers and clueless civilians both.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Readers Also Enjoyed
"Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia: Although I haven't actually lived "down east" since just before my fourth birthday, I still consider myself a Maritimer. I think it's something to do with being born in sight of the ocean. Or possibly with the fact that almost no one admits to being from Ontario…
Raised, for the most part, in Kingston, Ontario. It was the late sixties, early...more
More about Tanya Huff...
Raised, for the most part, in Kingston, Ontario. It was the late sixties, early...more
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“A quick check on the platoon showed everyone more or less enjoying the flight.
"Whatever it is you're eating, Ressk, swallow it before we land," [said Staff Sergeant Kerr].
"No problem, Staff."
"More like whoever he's eating," Binti muttered beside him.
"You ought to count your fingers," he suggested. "You're too serley stupid to notice one missing."
"Maybe you ought to gren sa talamec to."
"That's enough, people."
When the Confederation first started integrating the di'Taykan and the Krai into what was predominantly a human military system, xenopsychologists among the elder races expected a number of problems. For the most part, those expectations fell short. After having dealt with the Mictok and the H'san, none of the younger races - all bipedal mammals - had any difficulty with each other's appearance. Cultural differences were absorbed into the prevailing military culture and the remaining problems were dealt with in the age-old military tradition of learning to say "up yours" in the other races' languages. The "us against them" mentality of war made for strange bedfellows.”
—
2 people liked it
More quotes…
"Whatever it is you're eating, Ressk, swallow it before we land," [said Staff Sergeant Kerr].
"No problem, Staff."
"More like whoever he's eating," Binti muttered beside him.
"You ought to count your fingers," he suggested. "You're too serley stupid to notice one missing."
"Maybe you ought to gren sa talamec to."
"That's enough, people."
When the Confederation first started integrating the di'Taykan and the Krai into what was predominantly a human military system, xenopsychologists among the elder races expected a number of problems. For the most part, those expectations fell short. After having dealt with the Mictok and the H'san, none of the younger races - all bipedal mammals - had any difficulty with each other's appearance. Cultural differences were absorbed into the prevailing military culture and the remaining problems were dealt with in the age-old military tradition of learning to say "up yours" in the other races' languages. The "us against them" mentality of war made for strange bedfellows.”
