"Valor's Choice" By Tanya Huff

This book was lent to me by my aunt-in-law. She is a bibliophile and thought I might be interested in this sci-fi series. Note that I read the first two books published in one text, but this review is only the first book.

Summary: The galaxy is inhabited by a variety of intelligent species. In order to develop spaceflight and establish colonies on other worlds, all these species had to first develop their civilizations to a point where they were diplomatic, almost to a fault. The logic seemed to be that all species that were too violent would destroy themselves before they could become interplanetary. Dozens of these peaceful species found each other and formed the Confederation and thrived together for many years until the Others came along and brought war. All diplomatic attempts failed spectacularly and the Confederation quickly realized it did not have the temperament for war. And so they recruited the dumb and brutish humans to fight on their behalf.

Sergeant Kerr is the senior non-com for a platoon on recently pulled from combat duty. They are to escort some diplomats to a world where the dominant species is considering joining the Confederation. If the mission succeeds, they would be a new species with a penchant for violence that could fight the Others. If the mission fails, they might someday be enslaved by the Others and be set against the Confederation. Kerr is surprised that her combat troops are being used for what amounts to parade ground duty, and that is the first hint that something is not quite right.

What I Liked: Huff writes in a very natural style that is very easy to digest. Kerr is a great protagonist, someone worth cheering for and easy to identify with.

What I Didn't Like: I wish I had a more complete sense of life in the Confederation. This book tightly focuses on one story arc and it's hard to imagine what is beyond it.

Rating: Recommended. I will read more of this series!

Also Read by This Author: None

Reviewed by: Nick

"The Second Summoning" by Tanya Huff

When I finished the first book in Tanya Huff's "Keeper" series the end of June, I immediately begged, bribed and tricked my Aunt into lending me the second book in the series.  My awesome powers of persuasion, and the promise that she'd get it back four years quicker than the first book, convinced her to deliver the goods into my hot (pregnant, swollen, crabby) hands.

Summary:  What happens when a Keeper finds herself falling in love with a normal man?  If that Keeper is Claire Hansen, she pushes that normal man as far away from her as she can so she doesn't have to admit the truth.  What happens when that Keeper's trouble-making younger sister and back talking cat convince her to admit her feelings to herself?  Angels fall from the heavens and demons rise from the bowels of the earth.

A life changing interaction between Claire and Dean turns into a battle between good and evil as an angel and demon find themselves walking on the Earth and learning how to deal with their corporeal bodies for the first time.

What I Liked:  This book is hilarious, in an unconventional, quirky, possibly Canadian way.  While Claire, Austin the cat, Dean and Diana have their moments of glory, the story's focus on Samuel and Byleth is what truly makes this book shine.  The hilarity of an angel and a demon learning to deal with hormones and normal body parts as they make their way in the world had me literally laughing out loud.  Add in the nods (and occasional slams) to late 90s pop culture and you have a recipe for awesomeness.

What Drove Me Nuts:  While clever and full of wit, I felt like there could have been a bit more action to the plot.  The evil wasn't very evil (just hormonal) and the good was sort of doofy.  Actually upon further reflection, that's actual genius by the author.  Well done Ms. Huff.  WELL DONE.

Rating:  If you liked "Summon the Keeper", mocking late 90's trends, Canada or talking cats, check this next installment out!

Also Read by This Author: Summon The Keeper

Reviewed By:  Tami

"Summon the Keeper" by Tanya Huff

Moment of honesty:  My Aunt lent me this book back in 2010 and I hesitated to read it because one of the main characters was a cat.  That talks.  I'm not sure why this prevented me from giving the book a shot---especially since my Aunt is usually spot on with suggestions---but it did.  What's more ridiculous is that I've read books full of magic or vampires or talking horses.  I guess it was just something about the cat.  Four years later when I moved into my new house with my husband, I came across a box of books that had been loaned to me and that I intended to read "someday".  I picked this one off the top of the pile and sped through it in a few days.

Summary:  When a Keeper feels a Summoning, she must follow the command.  That's how Claire Hansen finds herself checking into Elysian Fields Guesthouse Bed and Breakfast on a blustery Canadian evening.   When Claire wakes up the next morning, she finds herself not only the new owner of the Guesthouse, but with a note warning her to stay out of room six.  And also a hole to hell in the basement.

Along with a sassy cat, an innocent hunk and an amorous French Canadian host, Claire must find a way to seal the hole to hell and deal with the problem in room six before she finds herself stuck to the site forever.

What I Liked:

• The dialog in this story is hilarious.  From Claire to the Cat to Hell itself, everyone has snarky comment to make.  I found myself laughing out loud more than once.
• While the plot followed traditional fantasy story lines, the twists and turns it took were new (to me) and very cleverly thought out.  The author didn't make any mistakes and there weren't any gaping plot holes to be found.
• The author is just a good writer.  She introduced the rules of her world slowly and in a way that made sense to me as the reader.  It was fun to stumble across new concepts as the book progressed.
• The guests that popped in and out of the guesthouse kept the story moving and brought moments of hilarity and absurdity to the plot.  A sexy musician vampire?  Werewolves?  A hideously annoying elderly neighbor?  Yes please!
• Overall, this book was just fun.  And fine.  I liked the talking cat.

What Drove Me Nuts:

• There wasn't much I disliked about the book, once I got over the thought of  talking cat.
• The book was written in 1998, so the technology references may make some readers guffaw.
• Don't get me started about the fashion.  It's just so.....Canadian.....

Rating:  Fantasy lovers, add this to your must read list!

Reviewed By:  Tami