The Heart of Valor (#3)
Bestselling author Tanya Huff returns to the Confederation series of military science fiction with a novel where nothing is as it seems, even in the most familiar places…
For Gunnery Sergeant Torin Kerr, it’s a relief to find that no matter what changes shake the Confederation, basic training stays the same. Fresh recruits arrive, get their butts kicked by a drill instructor, preview combat conditions on Crucible, and leave remade as Marines. When she reaches Ventris to debrief on her encounter with the most alien life form yet, she finds her very own drill sergeant shepherding along his final batch of recruits. By the time she’s offered a chance to follow her DI’s platoon to Crucible—instead of answering yet more suspicious questions from every officer in the galaxy—twenty days of simulated war sounds almost like a vacation.
But as soon as their boots hit dirt, Crucible’s controlled combat environment starts looking entirely too realistic. Platoon 72 is facing actual battles, with no idea who they’re fighting or how they’ve infiltrated the system. No one offplanet knows. And if Torin can’t figure out what’s happening, fast, none of them will be leaving alive…
Reviews
“Fast-paced. The intriguing and well-designed aliens and intricate plotting keep the reader guessing.”
“It’s a great mix of military action and mystery with lots of twists and fun characters.”Locus
“Huff has written an engaging new installment in the tales of Torin Kerr that is likely to please."SciFi Weekly
“Series fans will enjoy this fast-paced adventure, appealing to the same audience as David Weber’s Honor Harrington series. A good choice for most sf collections.”Library Journal
“One of the refreshing things about Tanya Huff’s Confederation series, of which this is the third, is that even though they’re essentially military SF, they vary quite a bit from the usual pattern and are interesting as novels as well as military adventures. A nice mystery wrapped up in an adventure story.”Critical Mass
“Rip-roaring military SF. This is Torin Kerr’s greatest test to date, and it takes a true heart of valor to get her through her trial.”SFRevu
“I still read it nonstop. I love Tanya Huff’s work (both fantasy and SF) and will happily embard on any reading adventure she takes me on, especially one involving tough as nails Torin Kerr.”BookLoons
“A fast, smooth pace combined with plenty of political machinations and battlefield skirmishes make for a satisfying read. The difficulties that come with several different species being integrated into a single fighting unit add depth and realism. Plenty of questions are raised regarding the Elders, the Others and a strange new life form pave the way for further exciting adventures.”Monsters & Critics
Awards & Accolades
#3 Locus Paperback Bestseller List
#8 Locus Hardcover Bestseller List
#4 Nielsen Bookscan SFF Paperback Bestseller List
#24 Nielsen Bookscan SFF Hardcover Bestseller List