Marque and Reprisal

Check out me other reviews at https: Like I said on Twitter, Elizabeth Moon writes books that are like crack—except better, because it turns out that crack is actually very bad for you. The first book introduced us to Ky Vatta and provided an intense, compelling space opera. When I say this book raises the stakes, I mean it raises the stakes. Remember that time in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine when the Dominion occupies Betazed, and suddenly this war got real?

In the first book, Ky was a screw-up, but she was a Vatta screw-up. She had a vast, well-connected, wealthy family supporting her. Moon jettisons that first thing with an attack on the Vattas that leaves almost everyone dead.

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Eventually, Ky is aware of three other Vattas who are still alive two of them with her. Not only does she have to deal with the trauma of losing her father, she also has to get to the bottom of who or what is trying to kill the Vatta family, and stop it. The first part of the book, with Ky on Belinta and then later at Lastway, drags slightly. Once Ky joins up with Stella and Rafe, however, things get really interesting.

This is the first time we get to see Ky interact with any Vatta for a long time. Previously, too, the other Vattas were all senior to her. Stella is more her contemporary, and with the remaining Vattas presumed dead, they are pretty close to top of the command chain now. Can we also get a cheer for just how wonderful all the diverse women in this book are? Stella also offers a great contrast to Ky. Both have reputations as a result of their indiscretions and dishonour.

I love how Ky keeps deliberating over how much to confess to her cousin: That was great for the first book, when Ky merely had to worry about the survival of her crew. There are EMP mines being slingshotted down corridors and out of airlocks, zero-G knife fights, and more mercenary brinkmanship. There are hints of subtle political machinations, the kinds that make me drool. But beneath all that, there are rich canvases of thought and feeling. Finally, Marque and Reprisal kept surprising me.

The simple plans get more complex, and suddenly Ky or someone else is improvising. This, to me, is a win: I love it when books have the capacity to surprise me, especially books I think I have all figured out. Marque and Reprisal is an excellent sequel to Trading in Danger. It basically replicates the elements of the first book that made it so enjoyable. However, it avoids the most common problems of sequels. Similarly, she continues to find ways to put her characters into interesting situations that reveal more about them, or motivate them to change.

The result is that rare combination of a resoundingly fun adventure with profound moments and deep themes. Mar 06, Bee rated it really liked it Shelves: I'm really enjoying this series. I am straight on to the next one after finishing this, with literally a minute between them ,. Moon's weaknesses as a writer are starting to dominate in this series.

While I still read this book cover to cover more or less in a single sitting, that is definitely much more a reflection of my love for space opera than the quality of the work. The palette of "real" characters as opposed to transparent props has expanded a little, but the new faces don't have serious pyschological depth. Perhaps even more serious, deus ex machina is reaching ridiculous proportions: If I compare this series with C. The other two have created believable and richly textured worlds filled with complex characters. Moon has written a children's book.

But I do love space opera. View all 4 comments. I was annoyed for a lot of the book about how perfect Ky was. She's a 22 year-old kid on her first real tour, didn't even finish the academy, but she's somehow way ahead of all of the experienced people because they're just traders and she's bloodthirsty.

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But she made some mistakes near the end that reduced my irritation. On the other hand, Rafe is a problem. That they just happen upon the one guy in the universe with that tech, history and skill set is too absurd; the author shou I was annoyed for a lot of the book about how perfect Ky was. That they just happen upon the one guy in the universe with that tech, history and skill set is too absurd; the author should have set it up so that they came upon each other in a more believable way. But I like the new characters of Stella and Toby a lot, the mercenaries were interesting, and there was more action than trading, so I'll round up from 3.

As a reminder, this series is not lesfic, but that just shows that no series is perfect. May 31, Emily rated it liked it Shelves: I don't think I'm going to continue this series.

I like books that are about characters, and I just don't really care about anyone in this book. It's not awful, I just think the characters are a bit wooden. For example Ky is told that her family has been attacked and many people died. She doesn't even really seemed concerned. Then when she knows for sure that her parents, brother, uncle and cousins are dead she never even cries or seems to grieve. I think this series is OK, but not good en I don't think I'm going to continue this series. I think this series is OK, but not good enough for me to want to read more. It's not in anyway comparable to the Vorkosigan series or even the Liaden series.

Look, that rating is for the edition I "listened" to. I got the audio version from the library here. Anyone who's read many of my reviews or been in a "fantasy" group where I'm a member will probably know that Elizabeth Moon's Paksenarrion books are some of my "all time favorite" reads. I like most everything I've read by Ms. For all I know this is a very good novel So, why oh why did they get one of the poorest readers I've ever heard to read the audio versions of the bo Oh good grief So, why oh why did they get one of the poorest readers I've ever heard to read the audio versions of the books?!?!?!?

I mean maybe the reader who I won't name here has done a good job on other books. Maybe she reads mysteries superbly I have no idea. All I know is I couldn't listen to this book. I found it fairly interesting occasionally, but stilted narration with pauses about every 3 words for no apparent reason, the stiff delivery.. I just couldn't take it. I longed for it to be a book I could throw across the room.

My ears were bleeding. No more of these I mean really, I greatly dislike the narration of the audio version of this book Did I mention I don't care for the narration???? Really, run fast, run far View all 9 comments. Apr 06, Jim rated it liked it Shelves: I was a little disappointed by the sudden surge in technology.

Without spoiling the story, a crucial resource is suddenly not nearly as scarce as we'd been led to think - or the rest of the universe. It stretched my suspension of belief to the breaking point.

Letters of Marque and Reprisal: A Quick History

It was an almost magical fix, something that marks less than great fiction. It was still a good story, but it lost a lot of points with me for th A good OK?

• Marque and Reprisal;
• Marque and Reprisal?
• cross-references?
• Married by Monday (Weekday Brides Series, Book 2);
• Marque and Reprisal (Vatta's War, #2) by Elizabeth Moon.

It was still a good story, but it lost a lot of points with me for that. Kylara's development has been rather fast too. Those around her are too. Again, it stretched my belief, although not as badly. Other solutions to issues were quite good, as was the portrayal of local police systems. Sep 22, Glen rated it liked it Shelves: Vatta wants to be an intrepid member of the Space Force, but family obligation require that she settles for life as a mundane spaceship captain.

Then an opposing force almost wipes out her entire family,and she has to go to war, ready or not. Not bad, although the final reveal didn't do much for me. May 17, Liviu rated it it was amazing Shelves: Aug 21, Kristin rated it liked it Shelves: Second book in the Vatta series. First book was Trading in Danger. I found the second book to be as engaging as the first, if not a little slow to start as we watch the crisis unfold and Kylara stocking up with weapons and supplies. I did notice a trend that anyone in an authority position automatically assume the worst and try to add to Kylara's problems.

Once or twice, I could see, but every time? There is something about Moon's dialog that still seems "off" to me. Again the impression of an a Second book in the Vatta series. Again the impression of an almost formal give and take between characters, not the easy flow of two people or a group of people talking. My main complaint with this book came toward the end without revealing anything plot-wise with the whole Sexual Attraction Discussion between her, the Mercenaries, and the ISC man.

I think it was meant to be humorous, but it came across as patronizing and out of place. It was awkward, didn't fit with the rest of the book and, dare I say it You must be attracted to this handsome older man.

Letter of marque - Wikipedia

He's much too old for me and not my type. The authority to do such capturing is granted to private vessels in letters of marque and reprisal. In the technical sense, a letter of marque is permission to cross over the frontier into another country's territory in order to take a ship; a letter of reprisal authorizes taking the captured vessel to the home port of the capturer. Since letters of marque and reprisal allowed privately owned and operated vessels to carry out acts of war, the practice came to be known as privateering.

Privateering was frequently encouraged from the period between to , at which time weaker countries used privateers to hurt a stronger country in the way guerrilla warfare is currently used. Privateers operated concomitant to regular navies. Their main purpose was to annoy the enemy; however, an enemy's merchant vessels were often seized in retaliation for acts of hostility. The system of privateering was subject to extensive abuses.

In the absence of proper letters, a privateer was tantamount to a pirate. Describes offense for which commission is issued as reprisal. Restriction on time, manner, place, or amount of reprisal. To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water; The following are some examples of letters of marque and reprisal, with the attributes above indicated for each: Granted to all citizens.

Letters of marque and reprisal — Blog article. Jon Roland of the Constitution Society Original date: Implied against nations in a declared state of war. Value not to exceed marks. Any enemies Scotland, France.