Cold Welcome: Vatta's Peace by Elizabeth Moon

Cold Welcome: Vatta's Peace by Elizabeth Moon
Buy Cold Welcome: Vatta's Peace by Elizabeth Moon at Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com
Category: Science Fiction
Reviewer: Olivia Tierney
Summary: With an epic survival story at its core and suspicion filling every page, Elizabeth Moon's new series kicks off with a bang and shows science fiction at its best. Settle down with Cold Welcome and prepare for a tantalising adventure!
Buy? Yes	Borrow? Yes
Pages: 464	Date: April 2017
Publisher: Orbit
External links: [www.elizabethmoon.com Author's website]
ISBN: 978-0356506289
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I'm convinced we can survive anything

After saving the empire, Admiral Kylara Vatta wants nothing less than to return to her home planet. But after her cousin's request, that's exactly where Ky finds herself, enroute to tie up some family business. Promised a hero's welcome, Ky plans to stay as little time as possible back in the place filled with such horrible memories. But as soon as she arrives, Ky finds herself in perilous danger, caught in the middle of an assassination attempt. Now stranded at sea and without communication links with the outside world, Ky must use every ounce of skill she possesses to battle for survival. But with an unfamiliar crew who don't trust her, sabotaged equipment and a traitor in the midst, the odds aren't in her favour. While the survivors hunt for land, Ky's family members are doing everything possible to ensure her rescue. Old friends are called in and new alliances are made, but will it be enough? Will they get to Ky before it's too late?

I absolutely loved Elizabeth Moon's latest novel. I'm disappointed I haven't already read her Vatta's War series, which precedes Cold Welcome, but I'm going to rectify that very quickly – in fact, I've already ordered the first in the series!

Undeniably the best feature of the novel is the writing. Moon held me on the edge of my seat, completely captivated throughout. The writing flowed beautifully; it was calculating, it was informative and paced superbly but, most importantly it was thrilling. The intense battle for survival, both at sea and then on land, was really interesting and the alternating points of view between those stranded and higher command planning a rescue mission was great storytelling. Ky, our strong and intelligent protagonist makes the novel that bit more exceptional. She's always thinking two steps in front and doesn't shy away from taking action. She's brave and constantly underestimated - it was so satisfying seeing her defy all expectations, and putting people in their rightful place. The other main characters, are equally brilliant in different ways and it was fantastic to see them form a team, each contributing their own useful skills.

Although, you can read Cold Welcome as I did without reading the Vatta's War series, there are quite a few references to events that happen to our beloved characters previously. This didn't hinder the story at all, but for me at times it was a bit frustrating as these references were lost on me and I was desperate to know what they were talking about. For that reason, I think reading Moon's newest novel would be on another level of excitement and enjoyment after having read the original series.

Full of action and nail baiting tension, Cold Welcome is unputdownable! Many thanks to the publisher's for providing a copy for review!

In terms of further reading, The Collapsing Empire by John Scalzi is a brilliant space opera full of twists and turns which are certain to thrill.

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You can read more book reviews or buy Cold Welcome: Vatta's Peace by Elizabeth Moon at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy Cold Welcome: Vatta's Peace by Elizabeth Moon at Amazon.com.

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