|
-
Hivemind social net
-
News
- Features
- Blogs
- Events
Calendar
- Editorials
- Monthly
Zine
- Offworld
Report
- Our Daily
RSS Feed
- Google Toolbar scifi
- Movie/TV
Reviews
> Recent movies
> Movies by year
> Movies by title
- Book
Reviews
> Recent books
> Books by year
> Books by title
- Home
- Worlds
- Biography
- Bibliography
- Appearances
- Reviews
- Blog
- Community
- Press
- Links
Become
an Advertiser
- Web
Site Directory
- Search
the Net
- StephenHunt.net
- WoodenRocket.com
- Check
your E-mail
- Non Sci-Fi
News
|
The Serrano Succession by Elizabeth Moon
01/07/2008 . Source: Paul Hanley 
pub: Orbit. 744 page enlarged paperback. Price: £10.99 (UK). ISBN: 978-1-84149-674-0. Buy The Serrano Succession in the USA - or Buy The Serrano Succession in the UK  check out website: www.orbitbooks.net
This book combines two individual and previously published stories, ‘Change Of Command’ and ‘Against The Odds’ into one volume. These are the latest books in Elizabeth Moon’s series about various members of the Serrano family.
The whole backdrop is an aristocratically run space empire with a space navy staffed on similar lines with generations of the same family following each other into the fleet. The Serranos are one such family.
As always Elizabeth Moon takes in a very broad canvas. As the first story opens, one of the key aristocrats in the government is assassinated. It is clear that all in not well as amongst the ruling families – members of the Familias Regnant – there is increasing dissent and there is an ever present danger from the powers beyond the empire such as the Benighty.
One of the themes explored is rejuvenation. If those in power can endlessly rejuvenate themselves how can the young ever get control of the levers of power or reach their inheritance? Lots of other interesting themes such as religion and where political power should lie.
However, the book consists of a number of intertwining tales with mutiny, treachery, high politics and personal matters intervening. I enjoy space opera and military SF and I have read a lot of Elizabeth Moon’s books before. If you have, too, you will know what to expect. We follow various Serranos and their friends and subordinates and other characters encountered in earlier books.
I did feel with this omnibus that there was rather too much of the touchy feely emotional side to events and perhaps too many female characters. I write this as you can imagine as something of an old curmudgeon and grateful none of the female characters in my life are looking over my shoulder. Nevertheless, Elizabeth Moon writes the military parts well with lots of excitement. Some of her military are a little too uptight I feel and not like the naval officers I have met but overall I enjoyed the book as I enjoyed her earlier ones so I would recommend it if you like military SF and especially if you like it set in such a detailed and broad canvas.
Recommended.
Paul Hanley
|
|
