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Confederation of Valor #4
Valor's Trial
The fourth book in Tanya Huff's action-packed military sci-fi adventure Confederation series
After surviving the perils of the Crucible, the Marine Corps planet where a routine training assignment had taken a deadly twist—Gunnery Sergeant Torin Kerr returned to Ventris Station just in time to link up with her old platoon and head out to a new war zone, an area of space where the enemy known as the Others appeared to be building up its forces for a preemptive strike.
Sent to pull back troops who’d moved up to an indefensible position, Torin was caught in the heaviest fighting just as a devastating air strike reduced the whole area to slag. The Corps concluded that she was dead. But despite irrefutable evidence, neither Torin’s father nor salvager Craig Ryder agreed.
And the truth was that Torin had survived. She woke to discover that she was trapped in a series of underground caves that appeared to be an enemy-run POW camp. But everyone knew the Others never took prisoners—or did they?
Could Gunnery Sergeant Torin Kerr escape this prison that shouldn’t even exist, taking as many Marines as possible with her? Though she was determined to get herself and her Marines back to the Confederation, Torin had no idea how crucial her attempt could prove, not only to her own well-being, but to the course of the entire war.
After surviving the perils of the Crucible, the Marine Corps planet where a routine training assignment had taken a deadly twist—Gunnery Sergeant Torin Kerr returned to Ventris Station just in time to link up with her old platoon and head out to a new war zone, an area of space where the enemy known as the Others appeared to be building up its forces for a preemptive strike.
Sent to pull back troops who’d moved up to an indefensible position, Torin was caught in the heaviest fighting just as a devastating air strike reduced the whole area to slag. The Corps concluded that she was dead. But despite irrefutable evidence, neither Torin’s father nor salvager Craig Ryder agreed.
And the truth was that Torin had survived. She woke to discover that she was trapped in a series of underground caves that appeared to be an enemy-run POW camp. But everyone knew the Others never took prisoners—or did they?
Could Gunnery Sergeant Torin Kerr escape this prison that shouldn’t even exist, taking as many Marines as possible with her? Though she was determined to get herself and her Marines back to the Confederation, Torin had no idea how crucial her attempt could prove, not only to her own well-being, but to the course of the entire war.
410 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 3, 2008
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1171 people want to read
About the author
Tanya Huff
151 books2,448 followersTanya Sue Huff is a Canadian fantasy author. Her stories have been published since the late 1980s, including five fantasy series and one science fiction series. One of these, her Blood Books series, featuring detective Vicki Nelson, was adapted for television under the title Blood Ties.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews
May 12, 2015
Well....shoot. I really can't go more than 3 stars on this one. I mean it tells an excellent story and it adds a good expansion to the story we've already begun.
So why the drop in rating from me? Well first off the romance that began building in the earlier books is reaching an annoying level for me. This began as a pretty good military science fiction series until our heroine met her space salvage pilot and became besotted with him.
Enjoy if it's your cup of tea.
We do leave our "love interest" behind finally and get started on a new adventure that will eventually add more to our knowledge of this universe.
HOWEVER there is a good third too much book here for the story provided. There comes a point or at least there came a point for me when the story seemed to have been stretched out and dragged out far too much...really. As Bilbo Baggins said it was, "like butter spread over too much bread."
There's also a twist near the ending where I was, "really, are you kidding?" I mean if you looked up, "tired, over used trope you'd find this.
But other than that not a bad read. I plan to try the next.
So why the drop in rating from me? Well first off the romance that began building in the earlier books is reaching an annoying level for me. This began as a pretty good military science fiction series until our heroine met her space salvage pilot and became besotted with him.
Enjoy if it's your cup of tea.
We do leave our "love interest" behind finally and get started on a new adventure that will eventually add more to our knowledge of this universe.
HOWEVER there is a good third too much book here for the story provided. There comes a point or at least there came a point for me when the story seemed to have been stretched out and dragged out far too much...really. As Bilbo Baggins said it was, "like butter spread over too much bread."
There's also a twist near the ending where I was, "really, are you kidding?" I mean if you looked up, "tired, over used trope you'd find this.
But other than that not a bad read. I plan to try the next.
December 10, 2025
Some series get a little tired after a few, but the Confederation keeps on giving. While some of the characters remain, the setting for each is novel and fun. After recuing the recruits from the trials and tribulations on Crucible, Gunny Kerr eventually gets reunited with her old platoon just in time for a major battle with the Others. On that distant planet, the Others drop a new type of bomb that molecularly transforms matter; in this case, about 30 square kilos of the planet surface turn to 'glass', along with thousands of troops from both the Confederation and the Others.
The story here oscillates between two story lines-- Kerr's lover Craig Ryder, who refuses to believe Kerr dies, and Kerr, who surprisingly finds herself alive and in some odd prison camp below ground in a series of tunnels. Hundreds of marines exist in the 'camp', but they never meet their jailers as everything is automated (kibble drops down a pipe twice a day). They also do not know how they got there and some have been there for years. Worse, some opportunistic marines have set up mini-fiefdoms, controlling the food supplies and basically doing what ever the fuck they want. Well, wait until they encounter Gunny Kerr! This gave some neat surprises and twists and . 4 stars.
The story here oscillates between two story lines-- Kerr's lover Craig Ryder, who refuses to believe Kerr dies, and Kerr, who surprisingly finds herself alive and in some odd prison camp below ground in a series of tunnels. Hundreds of marines exist in the 'camp', but they never meet their jailers as everything is automated (kibble drops down a pipe twice a day). They also do not know how they got there and some have been there for years. Worse, some opportunistic marines have set up mini-fiefdoms, controlling the food supplies and basically doing what ever the fuck they want. Well, wait until they encounter Gunny Kerr! This gave some neat surprises and twists and . 4 stars.
October 20, 2020
Tanya Huff’s writing is solid. I think I might have rated this book higher if I had read other books in the series. It was a lot of military people finding their pecking order, a long, long, escape story, then, at the very end, some brilliant insights into the ultimate enemy. I liked Torin Kerr’s character. I don’t think I’ll read any more of this series though, it didn’t grab me enough to check out more.
The narrator, Marguerite Gavin did a good job.
The narrator, Marguerite Gavin did a good job.
August 18, 2011
It seems like "a strong female lead" is something that most writers are trying to give their audience these days, and yet, so many of them just manage to provide irritating, not-thinking, "even if it makes more sense to have the male lead to do this task, I'm going to do it, because I'm female and RAWR," Marysues. Huff delivers an ACTUAL strong female lead.
Kerr is a Marine. No two ways about it, in this character we enter the mind and spirit of what it means to be a Marine. Maybe my high school experience with Marine JROTC makes me appreciate this series more than I would otherwise, but every time I put down one of these books, I always feel like shouting "Oorah!" If you want to know why it is men and women don the uniform and serve, read this series.
Obviously, I love the main character. But there are other characters in this series who are equally great. If you like character-driven books, read this series.
But what about the plot, you say? It's a fast book, and the action scenes are in-your-face and might jump out at any moment - just like in a real battle. So, saying that, sometimes the transitions are a bit muddled and it's hard to follow when "down time" and "action time" changed. That's about the *only* thing that I can say is wrong with the plot. Otherwise, it's everything one could ask for in a sci-mil story.
My only regret about reading this series? Is that it's coming so close to the end. This is one that's going to be hard to replace.
Kerr is a Marine. No two ways about it, in this character we enter the mind and spirit of what it means to be a Marine. Maybe my high school experience with Marine JROTC makes me appreciate this series more than I would otherwise, but every time I put down one of these books, I always feel like shouting "Oorah!" If you want to know why it is men and women don the uniform and serve, read this series.
Obviously, I love the main character. But there are other characters in this series who are equally great. If you like character-driven books, read this series.
But what about the plot, you say? It's a fast book, and the action scenes are in-your-face and might jump out at any moment - just like in a real battle. So, saying that, sometimes the transitions are a bit muddled and it's hard to follow when "down time" and "action time" changed. That's about the *only* thing that I can say is wrong with the plot. Otherwise, it's everything one could ask for in a sci-mil story.
My only regret about reading this series? Is that it's coming so close to the end. This is one that's going to be hard to replace.
January 20, 2021
Good military SiFi read. Interesting plot twist on the war that the series is written around. Recommended
January 31, 2019
TH continues to explore b movie sf like script. It felt like a Star Trek episode, with underground tunnel like prison, strange apathy, petty fiefdom, cannibalism (though it's a given with Krai), and so on.
It was not a light reading despite the decor. The main character goes through a lot of psychological pressure. While the end isn't a surprise, it's really well done and still mind-blowing.
It was not a light reading despite the decor. The main character goes through a lot of psychological pressure. While the end isn't a surprise, it's really well done and still mind-blowing.
October 8, 2022
I so enjoyed this. It had been too long since I was in Gunnery Sargent Torin Kerr's world. There's well done action scenes and so many questions answered. Also it doesn't shy away from the dark parts of survival in a prisoner of war camp. The thoughts and actions of the characters are realistic and the desire to stay alive at whatever the cost is as well.
Instead of fighting an enemy, in this one Gunny is fighting her own marines as well as the environment in order to escape. We get details about different races and get to learn so much about the war.
This series is just fun to read military sci-fi. Recommend to those that enjoy the genre
Instead of fighting an enemy, in this one Gunny is fighting her own marines as well as the environment in order to escape. We get details about different races and get to learn so much about the war.
This series is just fun to read military sci-fi. Recommend to those that enjoy the genre
August 17, 2014
There is a Star Trek Voyager episode called The Chute where some of the crew are trapped in an underground prison and are forced to survive their brutal environment and to find a way to escape.
There is a Stargate SG-1 episode called Prisoners where the team are trapped in an underground prison and are forced to survive their brutal environment and to find a way to escape.
There is a book called Valour's Trial where ... you get where this is going, I trust?
This was so thrilling I read it in one sitting and nearly gave it 5 stars, so I can certainly forgive the familiarity of the story (and this book was written after both episodes I mentioned, just in case you wondered). Sergeant Kerr is not fighting the enemy this time, she is fighting her own Marines, who have become corrupted by the conditions in the prison. In most stories of this ilk, she would take charge by beating down the bullies, then have the Marines work together to find a way out of their prison, and that is what happens at first. If that was all that happened it would be a solid 3.5 star book, but things change late on in the story, as her small escape party runs into a similar party of the enemy and they are forced to work together to escape. So far so clichéd, but the final part really clinches it. After escaping the prison and forced to run across an active lava field (itself a pretty well-worn trope), they make the final startling revelation that .
So, none of the individual pieces of this book are in any way that new or special, but put it all together and it becomes a rip-roaring adventure with some unexpected twists and turns. I particularly liked the depictions of the alien enemies as being not so very different from the Marines in most respects. A last minute rescue from a very unlikely duo plays into the underlying story as well, and it seems that the war may be coming to an end and with it a new direction for Sergeant Kerr.
This series will never win any literary prizes, but with this amount of excitement who cares?
4.5 stars
There is a Stargate SG-1 episode called Prisoners where the team are trapped in an underground prison and are forced to survive their brutal environment and to find a way to escape.
There is a book called Valour's Trial where ... you get where this is going, I trust?
This was so thrilling I read it in one sitting and nearly gave it 5 stars, so I can certainly forgive the familiarity of the story (and this book was written after both episodes I mentioned, just in case you wondered). Sergeant Kerr is not fighting the enemy this time, she is fighting her own Marines, who have become corrupted by the conditions in the prison. In most stories of this ilk, she would take charge by beating down the bullies, then have the Marines work together to find a way out of their prison, and that is what happens at first. If that was all that happened it would be a solid 3.5 star book, but things change late on in the story, as her small escape party runs into a similar party of the enemy and they are forced to work together to escape. So far so clichéd, but the final part really clinches it. After escaping the prison and forced to run across an active lava field (itself a pretty well-worn trope), they make the final startling revelation that .
So, none of the individual pieces of this book are in any way that new or special, but put it all together and it becomes a rip-roaring adventure with some unexpected twists and turns. I particularly liked the depictions of the alien enemies as being not so very different from the Marines in most respects. A last minute rescue from a very unlikely duo plays into the underlying story as well, and it seems that the war may be coming to an end and with it a new direction for Sergeant Kerr.
This series will never win any literary prizes, but with this amount of excitement who cares?
4.5 stars
December 8, 2020
When is Torin Kerr not competent? This woman is a bloody force all on her own, and when she finds herself suddenly in a weird underground prison partway through a combat mission against the Others, she assesses the situation, and in practically no time gets all the other imprisoned marines into squads and working towards escaping.
I was so glad when Torin was reunited with Sh’quo company at the beginning of this book (they were in book one) because the my favourite member of the company, Binti Mashona, figured in this story.
Torin's constantly worried about Big Yellow and its motives and whereabouts while she keeps pushing for a way out. Meanwhile, Craig and Presit are told Torin is dead, which neither of them believe and they begin looking for her.
There is a lot of action, of course, with the tension ramping up as the story progresses with the steadily worsening situation. And everyone imprisoned wonders who has taken all these people and for what purpose?
But, in the meantime, Gunnery Sergeant Torin has to keep everyone motivated and moving, which she does, admirably, and the marines themselves, though not strongly characterized (except for a young Krai named Kyster) have what seem to be believable interactions.
The situation is resolved, with some pretty ugly truths revealed, which is a good way to lead into the final war-related book in this series.
I was so glad when Torin was reunited with Sh’quo company at the beginning of this book (they were in book one) because the my favourite member of the company, Binti Mashona, figured in this story.
Torin's constantly worried about Big Yellow and its motives and whereabouts while she keeps pushing for a way out. Meanwhile, Craig and Presit are told Torin is dead, which neither of them believe and they begin looking for her.
There is a lot of action, of course, with the tension ramping up as the story progresses with the steadily worsening situation. And everyone imprisoned wonders who has taken all these people and for what purpose?
But, in the meantime, Gunnery Sergeant Torin has to keep everyone motivated and moving, which she does, admirably, and the marines themselves, though not strongly characterized (except for a young Krai named Kyster) have what seem to be believable interactions.
The situation is resolved, with some pretty ugly truths revealed, which is a good way to lead into the final war-related book in this series.
June 4, 2024
No original review, so I'm going to write a little bit on re-read.
This book is the one that made the series linger enough in my mind that, seven years later, I'm re-reading. I loved the series the first time around, and I love it on the re-read, but there's something particularly special about this book. The people, the deaths, the betrayals, the look at war and the psychology of it. The psychology of the prisoners and how they adapt to it. And the discovery of massive manipulation...it really just sticks with me.
This book is the one that made the series linger enough in my mind that, seven years later, I'm re-reading. I loved the series the first time around, and I love it on the re-read, but there's something particularly special about this book. The people, the deaths, the betrayals, the look at war and the psychology of it. The psychology of the prisoners and how they adapt to it. And the discovery of massive manipulation...it really just sticks with me.
August 4, 2019
I am addicted to this series.
September 28, 2019
I love this a lot.
Is it the most original plot? No. But, I don't care because it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time because I like the writing, I love Torin, I love the setting (Torin being trapped in an underground prison and having to find a way out, keep her Marines alive, keep them (and herself) caring and make friends with the enemy.) and it hits some of my (H/C) buttons. Yeah, I love it.
I love Torin so much. She's badass and awesome and realizes what her Marines need in order to get through stuff (I mean, the whole Kyster and Graydon thing alone) and doesn't hesitate to take names and get stuff done.
I love it but a certain death and the ending (no, not the ending ending but the ending for the prison) about killed me. *cries*
But, yeah, I love it and I'm going to read the next part ASAP.
Is it the most original plot? No. But, I don't care because it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time because I like the writing, I love Torin, I love the setting (Torin being trapped in an underground prison and having to find a way out, keep her Marines alive, keep them (and herself) caring and make friends with the enemy.) and it hits some of my (H/C) buttons. Yeah, I love it.
I love Torin so much. She's badass and awesome and realizes what her Marines need in order to get through stuff (I mean, the whole Kyster and Graydon thing alone) and doesn't hesitate to take names and get stuff done.
I love it but a certain death and the ending (no, not the ending ending but the ending for the prison) about killed me. *cries*
But, yeah, I love it and I'm going to read the next part ASAP.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2015
My favorite of Tanya Huff's Confederation series: basically a classic prison break story, which pits our intrepid heroine, Gunnery Sergeant Kerr, against some truly despicable people, and introduces possibly my favorite secondary character in the series, the young Krai, Kyster.
For a review of the series as a whole, see my review of Valor's Choice
For a review of the series as a whole, see my review of Valor's Choice
July 17, 2014
Valor’s Trial is the fourth novel from Tanya Huff’s Confederation series. I read book five, The Truth of Valor, first and had to go back and read the entire series.
Valor’s Trial is a slower book than its predecessors with less initial complexity and thus fewer twists and turns. It has enough depth to its story of prisoners of war that it neatly deals with tropes (such as the bully who’s taken over one group of beaten-down marines) by layering on additional groups of prisoners with entirely different dynamics. It also adds depth by forcing Torin to deal with the bully’s surviving underlings, which isn’t a black-and-white situation.
One thing that has seriously impressed me throughout the series is the author’s treatment of aliens in her world-building. Aliens have stereotypes but come in a wide variety of individuals. Alien syntax differences vary amongst members of the same species, nicely taking into account the fact that different people learn a new language to differing levels of proficiency. Syntax errors also tend to worsen under stress–a truly nice detail! Humans have varying accents too, something that most authors lose when concentrating on how different aliens sound.
Huff’s Confederation novels have served to remind me of how much I enjoy good military SF. Her particular take on it is heroic and funny but also dark and poignant. It’s probably spoiled me for most of the rest of the genre, and I could easily read another ten books in the series. Valor’s Trial delves further into some of the ongoing plots of the series while providing its own fascinating story. The early part of the book starts a bit slowly, but things definitely get interesting. I don’t want to say too much about how things pick up in order to avoid spoilers. Suffice it to say, there’s plenty of adventure, excitement, and wild plot reveals to keep things hopping!
Visit my site for a longer review including premise: http://www.errantdreams.com/2014/07/r...
Valor’s Trial is a slower book than its predecessors with less initial complexity and thus fewer twists and turns. It has enough depth to its story of prisoners of war that it neatly deals with tropes (such as the bully who’s taken over one group of beaten-down marines) by layering on additional groups of prisoners with entirely different dynamics. It also adds depth by forcing Torin to deal with the bully’s surviving underlings, which isn’t a black-and-white situation.
One thing that has seriously impressed me throughout the series is the author’s treatment of aliens in her world-building. Aliens have stereotypes but come in a wide variety of individuals. Alien syntax differences vary amongst members of the same species, nicely taking into account the fact that different people learn a new language to differing levels of proficiency. Syntax errors also tend to worsen under stress–a truly nice detail! Humans have varying accents too, something that most authors lose when concentrating on how different aliens sound.
Huff’s Confederation novels have served to remind me of how much I enjoy good military SF. Her particular take on it is heroic and funny but also dark and poignant. It’s probably spoiled me for most of the rest of the genre, and I could easily read another ten books in the series. Valor’s Trial delves further into some of the ongoing plots of the series while providing its own fascinating story. The early part of the book starts a bit slowly, but things definitely get interesting. I don’t want to say too much about how things pick up in order to avoid spoilers. Suffice it to say, there’s plenty of adventure, excitement, and wild plot reveals to keep things hopping!
Visit my site for a longer review including premise: http://www.errantdreams.com/2014/07/r...
December 7, 2010
85 out of 100 for 2010
In some ways my favorite novel of this series. Two of the novels were about military training exercises, and one was about a discovery expedition, so this was the first novel in which the reader sees Gunny Torrin Kerr in action with a platoon. She is also taken prisoner of war and finds herself imprisoned with some of those she is fighting against, only to discover there is a third side to the war that humankind has been embroiled in for centuries.
Although the reviewers of this novel says it 'redefines military SF' and 'transcends the genre,' all this tells me is that these reviewers don't read enough military SF to write reviews of it. The series is remarkable, I think and as I have said before, because it's a 'platoon level' example of military SF, which is dominated by officers gazing at screens and talking tactics.
It's also clear that Huff, the author, has actually served in the military. I don't know what her experience was like in the Canadian armed forces, but Huff's writing rings true and jibes with my own enlisted military experience in the States.
But, in an important way, this is the first novel in the series that's actually pure military sf--troops being sent into battle knowing it's a battle and confronting the enemy--or maybe it's just that the author used the same plot device in the first three novels (Kerr goes into a seemingly peaceful situation that turns out dangerous) and this new quality adds a dimension.
It's a good book, perhaps the best, in a series I have enjoyed tremendously. I may have to use my limited funds to break down and buy the latest in hardback (something I only do when I really, really like an author.
In some ways my favorite novel of this series. Two of the novels were about military training exercises, and one was about a discovery expedition, so this was the first novel in which the reader sees Gunny Torrin Kerr in action with a platoon. She is also taken prisoner of war and finds herself imprisoned with some of those she is fighting against, only to discover there is a third side to the war that humankind has been embroiled in for centuries.
Although the reviewers of this novel says it 'redefines military SF' and 'transcends the genre,' all this tells me is that these reviewers don't read enough military SF to write reviews of it. The series is remarkable, I think and as I have said before, because it's a 'platoon level' example of military SF, which is dominated by officers gazing at screens and talking tactics.
It's also clear that Huff, the author, has actually served in the military. I don't know what her experience was like in the Canadian armed forces, but Huff's writing rings true and jibes with my own enlisted military experience in the States.
But, in an important way, this is the first novel in the series that's actually pure military sf--troops being sent into battle knowing it's a battle and confronting the enemy--or maybe it's just that the author used the same plot device in the first three novels (Kerr goes into a seemingly peaceful situation that turns out dangerous) and this new quality adds a dimension.
It's a good book, perhaps the best, in a series I have enjoyed tremendously. I may have to use my limited funds to break down and buy the latest in hardback (something I only do when I really, really like an author.
December 31, 2015
ETA comments during a reread of this series in 2015:
This is the one where Torin fights to escape from a POW camp. I liked the action and the characters, and the individual plot for each book is satisfying, but I continue to be disgruntled by the direction of the series. It’s just a personal disinclination for this type of scenario, and I wouldn’t expect other readers to have the same objection.
Ranting and spoilers:
Original 2008 Review:
Another very entertaining entry in this series, even if I was a little disappointed in the ending. It had a final note to it, so this might be the last of the Valor books.
This series is light military sci-fi. By "light" I mean there's a lot of humor and it doesn't get bogged down in technical details or complex space battles. The protagonist is a sergeant in a Marine Corps composed of humans and two other warrior species who do all of the fighting for a bunch of aliens known as the Elder races, who are entirely too civilized to fight for themselves.
This is the one where Torin fights to escape from a POW camp. I liked the action and the characters, and the individual plot for each book is satisfying, but I continue to be disgruntled by the direction of the series. It’s just a personal disinclination for this type of scenario, and I wouldn’t expect other readers to have the same objection.
Ranting and spoilers:
Original 2008 Review:
Another very entertaining entry in this series, even if I was a little disappointed in the ending. It had a final note to it, so this might be the last of the Valor books.
This series is light military sci-fi. By "light" I mean there's a lot of humor and it doesn't get bogged down in technical details or complex space battles. The protagonist is a sergeant in a Marine Corps composed of humans and two other warrior species who do all of the fighting for a bunch of aliens known as the Elder races, who are entirely too civilized to fight for themselves.
January 5, 2011
I love this series. The main character is kick-ass and the world is wonderfully, solidly filtered through her eyes. And the world? How can you not love a military composed of humans, aliens obsessed with sex, and aliens that can (and will) eat pretty much anything? Huff's ability to make me laugh in the middle of otherwise serious scenarios is amazing.
This book was more serious than book 3 (I can't remember books 1-2 very well, but I think it's more serious than them, as well), but in a good way. The situation was grim (though still peppered with bright bursts of humor) and Torin (the main character) changed substantially by the end of the novel. I'm curious to see where this series goes next.
Some scene transitions are abrupt and jarring, and the ending was a bit rushed--as expected--but overall, this is another strong showing for one of my favorite SF series out there.
I recommend starting the series at book 1 if you can; Huff references the previous events enough that this book could stand on its own, but it does (somewhat) wrap a larger plot-arc from the earlier books.
This book was more serious than book 3 (I can't remember books 1-2 very well, but I think it's more serious than them, as well), but in a good way. The situation was grim (though still peppered with bright bursts of humor) and Torin (the main character) changed substantially by the end of the novel. I'm curious to see where this series goes next.
Some scene transitions are abrupt and jarring, and the ending was a bit rushed--as expected--but overall, this is another strong showing for one of my favorite SF series out there.
I recommend starting the series at book 1 if you can; Huff references the previous events enough that this book could stand on its own, but it does (somewhat) wrap a larger plot-arc from the earlier books.
June 20, 2009
While this book blew me away, it's more like standing in the wave of a nuclear blast and watching everything blow away and I'm still standing by some unnatural stroke of luck. This book, which could be the last piece of the Confederation novels, isn't the weakest one but its not the strongest either. I am very much a fan of Book 1 & 2, but it was vital that for me to finish the whole series. Gunnery Sergeant Kerr is still badass, however and her feats in this book catapult her to legendary status. Trapped in an underground prison, odds stacked way high and with faltering morale, Torin Kerr has to overcome some serious hurdles for her freedom and the freedom of her fellow marines.
Once again, Tanya Huff writes some amazingly endearing characters, and once again she deals some heavy, death scenes...In a sentence or two at times...but with no less punch.
While the book comes to a decent end, I hope that Tanya Huff uses this universe again at some point. Her world-building and character development are so rich, that they are a joy to experience.
Once again, Tanya Huff writes some amazingly endearing characters, and once again she deals some heavy, death scenes...In a sentence or two at times...but with no less punch.
While the book comes to a decent end, I hope that Tanya Huff uses this universe again at some point. Her world-building and character development are so rich, that they are a joy to experience.
September 13, 2012
Gunnery Sergeant Torin Kerr is missing in action presumed dead, her entire company seemingly blasted into the ground so thoroughly all that remains is glassed earth. Her paramour, civilian salvage operator Craig Ryder and her family don't believe it for one second. Rodent reporter Presit smells a big story and encourages an investigation.
The fourth installment in the military sci-fi series is a little bit different from previous outings. The ongoing plastic aliens plot begun on the Big Yellow expedition moves on quite a leap setting up the series for the next and perhaps final book. Barring the opening there's a severe dearth of ammo, guns and things that go boom for a start. I guess it gives us more space and opportunity to explore the characters behind the ordnance but on the other hand it also lets Torin do a bit more hand to hand in her expertise of the fine art of kick-ass. So less firepower but more Krai eating jokes, more di"Taykan amour, more Katrin syntax, more godesslike gunnery sergeant.
The fourth installment in the military sci-fi series is a little bit different from previous outings. The ongoing plastic aliens plot begun on the Big Yellow expedition moves on quite a leap setting up the series for the next and perhaps final book. Barring the opening there's a severe dearth of ammo, guns and things that go boom for a start. I guess it gives us more space and opportunity to explore the characters behind the ordnance but on the other hand it also lets Torin do a bit more hand to hand in her expertise of the fine art of kick-ass. So less firepower but more Krai eating jokes, more di"Taykan amour, more Katrin syntax, more godesslike gunnery sergeant.
September 7, 2018
Mini-Review:
On one hand, I thought this book could have used a bit more editing and cutting. Otherwise, it was a great addition to the series and highlighted on the war. From book two, there are signs of something being off and more clues about that are dished out in each book. The confirmation of that fact is made clear within this novel and puts a new spin on the war front.
Great character progression has been made and I am totally on board with Torin's mind frame & decisions by the end of the book. The fight for survival within the obscure prison was stark and keenly noted the extreme circumstances that may happen. It doesn't matter if you're a solider or not. Though, within this series, it definitely helped because it gave a known structure for strangers to rely on and base their decisions. A comfort in leaning on something known within an alien setting and danger.
On one hand, I thought this book could have used a bit more editing and cutting. Otherwise, it was a great addition to the series and highlighted on the war. From book two, there are signs of something being off and more clues about that are dished out in each book. The confirmation of that fact is made clear within this novel and puts a new spin on the war front.
Great character progression has been made and I am totally on board with Torin's mind frame & decisions by the end of the book. The fight for survival within the obscure prison was stark and keenly noted the extreme circumstances that may happen. It doesn't matter if you're a solider or not. Though, within this series, it definitely helped because it gave a known structure for strangers to rely on and base their decisions. A comfort in leaning on something known within an alien setting and danger.
March 13, 2022
OK, I have to admit I like the first three books in this series the best. Torin Kerr as a Marine sergeant is a round peg in a round hole, and the one-liners are fantastic.
After this one, while I can objectively admire how Tanya Huff writes Torin as a misfit in civilian society - and she does a fantastic job of it - for me, some of the sparkle goes out of the series.
Which isn't to say that I haven't bought the rest of the series, and is certainly not to say that the covers aren't getting battered from the re-reading.
After this one, while I can objectively admire how Tanya Huff writes Torin as a misfit in civilian society - and she does a fantastic job of it - for me, some of the sparkle goes out of the series.
Which isn't to say that I haven't bought the rest of the series, and is certainly not to say that the covers aren't getting battered from the re-reading.
February 13, 2017
So, turns out I really enjoy POW escapes - Miles' escape (Lois McMaster Bujold) is among my favourite LMB short stories and Honor's escape from Charon (David Weber) is up there too (I really need to do a Weber reread and catch up). This was also a grand escape - big time. I mean . . . sheesh, this was some drama. All the ghosts are weighing on Torin Kerr now, she's getting jaded, she's tired, but she's strong, so prison caves run by disgraceful specimens of the military she holds dear? Nuh-uh, that ain't gonna hold. Some old friends show up also captive, outside Craig has trouble coping with the news that Torin is dead, good ole Presit pops by, we finally meet the Others (they're not that Other it turns out) and plastic fantastic gets airtime. You know what I mean, and if you don't then you probably shouldn't read this book yet as I'm guessing you've not read the previous ones.
June 27, 2022
More military SF. Prison escape and rescue scenarios are not my favorite trope. It's solid writing, good humor and furthering the overall Big Picture, but this is combined with what appear to be numerous fortuitous happenstances, each one of which made the plot a little more incredulous. (I did enjoy the series of events that gave Gunnery Sergeant Kerr an almost godlike appearance in the eyes of one Private.) At this point I was set to give it three stars. Then there is one huge WTF plot twist/reveal which completely turned me around and has left me wanted to finish the series to see how it all turns out.
August 17, 2017
3.5 stars.
This is Gunnery Sergeant Torin's "The Great Escape" sci-fi style. I thought the escape was a bit over-long and really sad to see one of those engaging secondary characters not making it to the end.
Although we don't actually read about it, the death-toll in this installment is enormous. It's going to be interesting to see what Torin is going to be doing next.
This is Gunnery Sergeant Torin's "The Great Escape" sci-fi style. I thought the escape was a bit over-long and really sad to see one of those engaging secondary characters not making it to the end.
Although we don't actually read about it, the death-toll in this installment is enormous. It's going to be interesting to see what Torin is going to be doing next.
August 29, 2018
I am officially obsessed with Torin Kerr. The first few books moved through the 4-4.5 star range, this hit a nice 5. In the last couple of books, we finally get to see something other than a gung-ho space marine. Finally there’s a person underneath the gunnery sergeant that Torin has to deal with.
I’m looking forward to the Peacekeepers series and hope the characters’ growth continues.
And, of course, more creepy grey plastic aliens!!
I’m looking forward to the Peacekeepers series and hope the characters’ growth continues.
And, of course, more creepy grey plastic aliens!!
September 26, 2020
Huff really doesn't stint on the death and destruction. Man. That book was a lot.
February 2, 2025
I really like how the running man-esk reference didn't go how I thought it was going to go
August 11, 2019
I confess, I'm so hooked on Tanya Huff's Confederation series that I'm seriously considering a career in the Marines. Fortunately for me and the Marines, I'm too old to sign up.
Valor's Trial is book #4 in the series. I'm going to give you a tip right now: Read the books starting with the first one. You will want to know about the battles and events that the main character, Torin Kerr (a gunnery sergeant in this book), was involved in early on in her career because Kerr's reputation is built on them. You also will want to know about the secondary characters that Kerr has interacted with prior to this book, as well as the bad guys who reappear. Yes, #4 in the series can be read as a stand-alone, but don't do it that way.
I want to disclose here that I have never been in military service, but according to a retired Marine friend of mine, the Marines of author Huff's universe are't all that different from those of today. I like Huff's Marines. There's none of that bogus bias against females, for openers. There isn't even bias against other sentient beings of any sex, because in the Marines you are a Marine before anything else.
I've gotten the impression from all my reading that gunnery sergeants are... well, they aren't anybody you want to mess with. They don't get to be gunnery sergeants by being wusses, or by being stupid. Especially you don't mess with them if they are Torin Kerr, who fulfills any gal's wish for the perfect heroine. Kerr is smart, strong, sure of herself, unafraid to fight or take a hit, and she takes full responsibility for her actions and for her people.
All her people. One of the most fascinating things about this whole series, aside from Torin Kerr's performance as a gunnery sergeant, is what we learn about the various species that inhabit Kerr's universe. Author Huff shows them through Kerr's eyes: we see their strengths as well as their weaknesses, and we see them as people, not intelligent odd-looking aliens.
If that isn't awesome enough, we learn that strength comes, not from numbers of combatants or from firepower -- and not even from being a Marine -- but from a person's mental and moral qualities.
Oorah!
Valor's Trial is book #4 in the series. I'm going to give you a tip right now: Read the books starting with the first one. You will want to know about the battles and events that the main character, Torin Kerr (a gunnery sergeant in this book), was involved in early on in her career because Kerr's reputation is built on them. You also will want to know about the secondary characters that Kerr has interacted with prior to this book, as well as the bad guys who reappear. Yes, #4 in the series can be read as a stand-alone, but don't do it that way.
I want to disclose here that I have never been in military service, but according to a retired Marine friend of mine, the Marines of author Huff's universe are't all that different from those of today. I like Huff's Marines. There's none of that bogus bias against females, for openers. There isn't even bias against other sentient beings of any sex, because in the Marines you are a Marine before anything else.
I've gotten the impression from all my reading that gunnery sergeants are... well, they aren't anybody you want to mess with. They don't get to be gunnery sergeants by being wusses, or by being stupid. Especially you don't mess with them if they are Torin Kerr, who fulfills any gal's wish for the perfect heroine. Kerr is smart, strong, sure of herself, unafraid to fight or take a hit, and she takes full responsibility for her actions and for her people.
All her people. One of the most fascinating things about this whole series, aside from Torin Kerr's performance as a gunnery sergeant, is what we learn about the various species that inhabit Kerr's universe. Author Huff shows them through Kerr's eyes: we see their strengths as well as their weaknesses, and we see them as people, not intelligent odd-looking aliens.
If that isn't awesome enough, we learn that strength comes, not from numbers of combatants or from firepower -- and not even from being a Marine -- but from a person's mental and moral qualities.
Oorah!
February 17, 2015
Continuing on from events in 'The Heart of Valor' in this book Gunnery Sergeant Torin Kerr, rough, tough marine, is sent into battle with her unit, only to be pinned down by artillery fire. After a blinding flash she wakes up in an underground prison camp with no apparent guards except for the formidable nature of the place itself and the sedative drug in the only available food.
Torin’s lover Craig Ryder, a civilian salvage operator, is still trying to discover the truth of Torin's reported death and together with the recurring pain-in-Torin's-ass fur-covered, single-minded reporter, Presit, so he heads out for he last known position looking for closure - or maybe clues. Whilst officially dead Torin takes apart a bully and his thugs, restores military discipline in the prison camp and makes an escape attempt, eventually joining with a group of the Others who are also making a bid for freedom.
At the end of the book the events wrap up the larger story ark begun in the first book, revealing truths that should end the ongoing war of attrition between the Confederation and the Others, and Craig and Torin are reunited. This could be the last Valor book - or it could be just a halfway point and a change of perspective. The Others are no longer the bad guys, and the real bad guys, the plastic aliens from 'Big Yellow', introduced very early on in the story ark, are still out there.
Torin’s lover Craig Ryder, a civilian salvage operator, is still trying to discover the truth of Torin's reported death and together with the recurring pain-in-Torin's-ass fur-covered, single-minded reporter, Presit, so he heads out for he last known position looking for closure - or maybe clues. Whilst officially dead Torin takes apart a bully and his thugs, restores military discipline in the prison camp and makes an escape attempt, eventually joining with a group of the Others who are also making a bid for freedom.
At the end of the book the events wrap up the larger story ark begun in the first book, revealing truths that should end the ongoing war of attrition between the Confederation and the Others, and Craig and Torin are reunited. This could be the last Valor book - or it could be just a halfway point and a change of perspective. The Others are no longer the bad guys, and the real bad guys, the plastic aliens from 'Big Yellow', introduced very early on in the story ark, are still out there.
August 22, 2021
This is a beloved, many times re-read, space opera of awesome proportions.
Torin, (now Gunnery Sergeant of the space marine core) is beyond a doubt, my favourite female protagonists in space opera. I am always impressed at how well the author put together this series and how engrossing the stories are. While they are light on the heavy military details they are exceptionally vivid reading in terms of characters and character interactions and every plot line is entirely unique.
In this one, Torin passes out during a major battle to awaken in a strange underground prison, despite knowing that the Others who they are fighting NEVER take prisoners. Torin being the character she is set out to put things to right where 'right' in orderly, marine corps right and then with a small group, to escape.
I love re-reading this series, they are harder and harder to get in Australia and to my grief, I have not yet been able to obtain the last couple. The ones I do have, I re-read regularly.
To anyone who has not read them - do so! There is so much fun to be had from these books. But don't start with this one, start with the first Valour's Choice and work up.
Torin, (now Gunnery Sergeant of the space marine core) is beyond a doubt, my favourite female protagonists in space opera. I am always impressed at how well the author put together this series and how engrossing the stories are. While they are light on the heavy military details they are exceptionally vivid reading in terms of characters and character interactions and every plot line is entirely unique.
In this one, Torin passes out during a major battle to awaken in a strange underground prison, despite knowing that the Others who they are fighting NEVER take prisoners. Torin being the character she is set out to put things to right where 'right' in orderly, marine corps right and then with a small group, to escape.
I love re-reading this series, they are harder and harder to get in Australia and to my grief, I have not yet been able to obtain the last couple. The ones I do have, I re-read regularly.
To anyone who has not read them - do so! There is so much fun to be had from these books. But don't start with this one, start with the first Valour's Choice and work up.
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