About the Author

New York Times best-selling author and former Marine Elizabeth Moon has written many novels, including the Paksenarrion fantasy trilogy (available from Baen as The Deed of Paksenarrion and also as separate books), the Heris Serrano space adventure series (the first three novels of which have been combined as Heris Serrano), and Remnant Population, which was a Hugo Award finalist. For Del Rey, she has written Command Decision, Engaging the Enemy, Marque and Reprisal, Trading in Danger, and the Nebula Award winner The Speed of Dark. After earning a degree in history from Rice University, Moon went on to obtain a degree in biology from the University of Texas, Austin.

When not writing, Moon enjoys photographing wildlife and native plants, singing in a choir, cooking for friends and family, drawing, reading, knitting, and lying in a hammock pretending to be plotting the next book. She and her husband subscribe to and read several science and medical journals (since they're not near any academic libraries.) She lives in Florence, Texas, with her husband and son.

Reviews

Members of the Familias Regnant's interstellar military service, Fleet, have mutinied, jeopardizing the fragile peace the Familias holds with its hulking neighbor state, the Benignity, in Moon's entertaining sequel to Change of Command. The Familias Regnant is a centuries-old, mafia-type political consortium built around families, territories, loyalty and protection, governing a vast collection of solar systems for the purpose of protecting trade. Returning hero Lt. Esmay Suiza is suddenly discharged from Fleet after her elopement with another officer and revelations about her religious status. Suiza hitches a ride with a cargo ship to reach Castle Rock, it is the seat of the Familias' governing body, the Grand Council, and the residence of an aristocratic council member Suiza had previously rescued. That council member is Brun Meager, who is consolidating her own power within the council amid heated debates over the effects the near-immortality of the "rejuvenated" rich will have on opportunities for the young. Fans of Moon's series (Once a Hero, etc.) will find the number of returning characters and plot threads satisfyingly complex; however, newcomers will likely be bewildered. Moon's description of a deeply layered political and military culture provides an engaging touchstone for the far-flung skirmishes taking place therein. Absent, however, is a similar attention to contextual details such as scenery, geography and dates. Still, SF readers will delight in the twisting, thorny adventure in the compelling continuation to this popular series. (Dec. 1) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

After rescuing the daughter of a member of the Familias Regnant from a colony of religious fanatics, Fleet Lieutenant Esmay Suiza-Serrano finds herself inexplicably discharged from the Regular Space Service without recourse to appeal. Forced to cast her lot with a civilian trader in the remote hope of winning back her place in the Fleet, Esmay confronts both external obstacles and her own doubts as she battles her way back to her rightful place. Fans of David Weber's "Honor Harrington" series will appreciate Moon's space opera of high politics and military adventure. Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.