IMPLOSION!

The worst has happened: Fleet is tearing itself apart. Some of the mutineers see injustice in the unequal spread of the rejuvenation drugs that offer virtual immortality to the rich; others are simply thirsty for power, or for blood. The Loyalists, meanwhile, fight desperately to preserve the rule of law in Familias Regnant space.

But when Esmay Suiza-Serrano is unceremoniously booted out of Fleet, the apparent victim of Family politics, she has no Idea of the whirlwind of conflict Into which she is about to be drawn. As the noose tightens on galactic civilization, great battles will be fought and greater loves affirmed ... and old friends will meet their destinies.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elizabeth Moon has degrees in history and biology, served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, was elected to public office, and spent six years as a paramedic on a rural Texas ambulance service. Her much acclaimed novels include The Deed of Paksenarrion, an epic fantasy, the “Heris Serrano” series; and two nationally bestselling collaborations with Anne McCaffrey, Sassinak and Generation Warriors. Her recent novel Remnant Population was acclaimed by Anne McCaffrey (“. . . marvelously empathic insights . . . pure satisfaction . . .”) and Ursula K. LeGuin (“. . . a book full of pleasures.”) and was a Hugo Award finalist. Her last novel was Change of Command, to which Against the Odds is a sequel. Moon lives outside of Austin, Texas with her husband and their son.

Visit Elizabeth Moon's web page at  http://www.sff.net/people/Elizabeth.Moon

THEIR UNIVERSE IS FALLING APART!

Rejuvenants fear the backlash caused by bad drugs; they want to ensure that nothing interferes with their pursuit of long life—or the profit that comes from promising it to others. Neighbor states fear the aggressive expansion of the Familias Regnant, fuelled by population growth and extended lifespan. Within the Regular Space Service, those who have received experimental rejuvenations fear they may have been given bad drugs on purpose. Esmay Suiza’s family fears that her marriage to an offworlder will damage their position. Barin Serrano’s family fears that his marriage to a Landbride of Altiplano will damage his career and their reputation.

Fear begets violent reactions—from foreign governments, from great Families determined to maintain or increase their power, from internal rivalries in the Fleet—and nothing escapes the resultant bloodbath unscathed. As Esmay and Barin struggle to reconcile their families, others have more cosmic struggles to win.

“. . .one of the best-known and most acclaimed writers of SF adventure.”
—Publisher's Weekly

“. . .fans will relish the clever intrigue, the outstanding characterization and a perfectly applied dash of humor.”
'Moon’s mastery of contemporary science fiction is evident in every line."
—Booklist

WELCOME TO A SWEET DELIGHT

Heris Serrano was an officer from a family with a long tradition of distinguished service in the Fleet. So when a treacherous superior set her up and forced her to resign her commission, she thought life had lost all meaning. But she still needed to pay the bills—which was how she ended up as "Captain" of a rich old lady's interstellar luxury yacht, the Sweet Delight, which just added insult to injury ... or so she thought.

But Cecelia, the rich and exceedingly well-born old lady, turned out to have more brains than most admirals Heris had known, and when the pair ran into a secret society whose idea of "fun" was hunting and killing people, they quickly put a stop to that blood sport. But that was only the beginning. The heir to the throne himself was involved with the society, and Heris soon uncovered a plot against the royal family and a conspiracy within the Fleet itself. And whoever controlled the Fleet controlled the galaxy . . .

Before it was all over, Heris would be given a chance to rejoin her beloved space navy ... if she could manage to stop an invading armada with only one destroyer, two PT boats, one ore scow, and—oh, yes—an old lady's space yacht Sweet Delight. Impossible Not for Heris Serrano.

",,. dazzling ... Moon's mastery of contemporary science fiction is evident in every line. The characters spring to life on the page ... the action never flags... riveting...,"
—Booklist

"One of the best-known and most acclaimed writers of SF adventure...."
—Publishers Weekly

"... excellent world building and appealing characters...."
—Science Fiction Age

TRUE GRIT

Esmay Suiza wasn't a member of a great Navy family like the Serranos. She'd had to make her way on grit alone, which meant it wasn't likely she'd ever make admiral and "hoist her own flag." Well, that was fine with her: all Esmay wanted was a secure berth where she could be part of something greater than herself and otherwise just live her life in peace.

But what we want or think we want from life and what we get are seldom the same—and one day Esmay found herself in the middle of a space battle, and the senior surviving officer in a mutiny against a traitorous captain. Suddenly she has no choice: she must take command and win—and thereby become both the youngest and lowest ranking member of Fleet ever to win a major battle.

While Esmay may not want to be a hero, it looks like she just can't help it, because Once A Hero,...

Satisfying

".. .Moon has established herself as one of the best-known and most acclaimed writers of SF adventure.... [Once a Hero] is a satisfying read, full of the finely detailed settings and excitement that Moon's readers have come to expect, and featuring a heroine whose self-doubt and inner strength lend her considerable appeal." —Publishers Weekly

Resplendent

"...dazzling.... Moon's mastery of contemporary science fiction is evident in every line. The characters spring to life on the page...the action never flags,..riveting .... A resplendent addition to Moon's already impressive catalog." —Booklist

Excellent

"There are so many nice touches [in Once a Hero], it's hard to know where to start.... more than a good read, with excellent world building and appealing characters....—Science Fiction Age

Splendid

"If you have not yet discovered the joys of reading Elizabeth Moon, now is definitely the time to do so.... Esmay Suiza stands out as a splendidly enduring character who takes on l i a wonderful life of her own...." —Romantic Times

NATURAL ALLIES ...

Esmay Suiza and Brun Meager should be friends— they're both bright, brave, likable and adventurous. But true friendship doesn't run any smoother than true love. Brun thinks Esmay's a stuck-up prig, and Esmay thinks Brun's a spoiled rich brat who's making a play for Barin Serrano, Esmay's first love. So when Brun falls into the hands of a repressive religious militia movement, Esmay finds herself in disgrace, suspected of conniving at the capture. Even Barin, now being pursued by the beautiful and ambitious Casea Ferradi, has turned against her, and Brun's powerful family doesn't want Esmay anywhere near the rescue attempt.

Meanwhile, Brun has to figure out how to survive as a pregnant, barefoot prisoner on a planet where female captives are surgically muted to keep them from contaminating others. Her luck may have run out, but her courage hasn't—she's determined to free not only herself, but also other, younger captives. This burst of initiative imperils her own rescue, and it will take double her own luck to save her.

". . . lively characters, inspired details (including a bar comprised of salvaged parts from destroyed ships) and smart pacing . . . the novel will win readers' interest." —Publishers Weekly

"Great female characters, vigorous plotting, [and] a solid military-family backdrop...." —Kirkus Reviews

Defend the Fleet!

Esmay is a young woman caught between the patriarchal culture of her home world, where she is the scion of a powerful family—yet still a second-class citizen—and her chosen profession as an officer of the Fleet, where only ability counts. Esmay's task   To gain control of her easily-offended temperament and to show the galaxy that a woman's place is in command!

Contains Once a Hero and Rules of Engagement, two dazzling high notes in Nebula-Award-winner Elizabeth Moon's intricate and exciting "Serrano" saga!

"[T]he stuff of riveting fiction . . . resplendent."
—Booklist on Elizabeth Moon's Once a Hero.