Audiobook Reviews from Audiobook-Heaven
Title: Trading in Danger
Series: Vatta’s War, book 1
Author: Elizabeth Moon
Narrator: Full cast
Publisher: Graphic Audio
Duration: 13 hours, 49 minutes
Copyright: 2008
Genres: science fiction, military, adventure
Filed in: Audiobook Reviews
Review copy provided by Graphic Audio.
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: Kylara Vatta is the only daughter in a family full of sons, and her father's only child to buck tradition by choosing a military career instead of joining the family business. For Ky, it's no contest: Even running the prestigious Vatta Transport Ltd. shipping concern can't hold a candle to shipping out as an officer aboard an interstellar cruiser. It's adventure, not commerce, that stirs her soul. And despite her family's misgivings, there can be no doubt that a Vatta in the service will prove a valuable asset. But with a single error in judgment, it all comes crumbling down.
Expelled from the Academy in disgrace-and returning home to her humiliated family, a storm of high-profile media coverage, and the gaping void of her own future—Ky is ready to face the inevitable onslaught of anger, disappointment, even pity. But soon after opportunity's door slams shut, Ky finds herself with a ticket to ride—and a shot at redemption-as captain of a Vatta Transport ship.
It's a simple assignment: escorting one of the Vatta fleet's oldest ships on its final voyage...to the scrapyard. But keeping it simple has never been Ky's style. And even though her father has provided a crew of seasoned veterans to baby-sit the fledgling captain on her maiden milk run, they can't stop Ky from turning the routine mission into a risky venture—in the name of turning a profit for Vatta Transport, of course.
By snapping up a lucrative delivery contract defaulted on by a rival company, and using part of the proceeds to upgrade her condemned vehicle, Ky aims to prove she's got more going for her than just her family's famous name. But business will soon have to take a backseat to bravery, when Ky's change of plans sails her and the crew straight into the middle of a colonial war. For all her commercial savvy, it's her military training and born-soldier's instincts that Ky will need to call on in the face of deadly combat, dangerous mercenaries, and violent mutiny…
Copyright 2009 Graphic Audio
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Kylara Evangeline Dominique Vatta is a likeable enough heroine, if a bit on the stereotypical side. She’s young and enthusiastic, perhaps a bit too trusting, and prone to fits of hot-headedness. The youngest of five siblings, and the only girl in a wealthy and successful family, all Ky really wants is to make a name for herself. Lacking any real experience, she often is forced to rely on her own instincts and intuition, which turn out to be surprisingly good most of the time. In other words, Kylara is just the kind of person we love to cheer for.
I like the way Ky handles herself in tough situations, although some of those situations are a little too contrived for my liking. In the naval academy, Ky tries to help a friend who, as it turns out, was trying to discredit the military, and she is expelled. That punishment was way more severe than necessary, but the scene does serve to show us that Ky is a good-natured person who truly wants to help people whenever possible. Later on, Ky inadvertently takes her ship and crew into a star system where war is breaking out. Many of the events that transpire from this don’t make much sense logically, but again they serve to give us more insights into Ky’s nature, namely that she is a capable captain and will do whatever is necessary to protect her ship and crew.
The real saving grace to Trading in Danger is the audio production. Graphic Audio specializes in turning books into full cast dramatizations, complete with music and sound effects. This particular production was beautifully done, with sound and music that truly enhance the story rather than distracting the listener.
As to the cast, what you have basically is a main narrator, and several voice actors who read the parts of the various characters. The main narrator, and I believe also the voice of Kylara, is Nanette Savard, who did a more than adequate job. The other actors are too numerous to name here, but I’m happy to say that they are all named in the recording. That makes me happy because sometimes full cast audio productions neglect to name the actors, so thank you for that Graphic Audio.
Trading in Danger wasn’t the best story, what you might call a space opera I suppose, but there’s plenty of fast-paced action to keep you listening. And the cinema quality sound enhancements are definitely worth a listen.
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
Batman: The Lazarus Syndrome by Dirk Maggs
On Blazing Wings by L Ron Hubbard
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
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If you like this audiobook review, you can purchase the audiobook here:
Get “Trading in Danger”, Vatta’s War book 1 (Unabridged Audiobook) from Graphic Audio.
This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
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