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Once A Hero

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Book overview

Esmay Suiza's conservative ambitions are challenged when she finds herself the senior surviving officer in a mutiny against a traitorous captain, a situation that could mark her place in history. Reprint.

About the Author

New York Times best-selling author and former Marine Elizabeth Moon has written many novels, including the Paksenarrion fantasy trilogy (available from Baen as The Deed of Paksenarrion and also as separate books), the Heris Serrano space adventure series (the first three novels of which have been combined as Heris Serrano), and Remnant Population, which was a Hugo Award finalist. For Del Rey, she has written Command Decision, Engaging the Enemy, Marque and Reprisal, Trading in Danger, and the Nebula Award winner The Speed of Dark. After earning a degree in history from Rice University, Moon went on to obtain a degree in biology from the University of Texas, Austin.

When not writing, Moon enjoys photographing wildlife and native plants, singing in a choir, cooking for friends and family, drawing, reading, knitting, and lying in a hammock pretending to be plotting the next book. She and her husband subscribe to and read several science and medical journals (since they're not near any academic libraries.) She lives in Florence, Texas, with her husband and son.

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Elizabeth Moon served in the US Marine Corps, reaching the rank of 1st Lieutenant during active duty. She has also earned degrees in history and biology, run for public office and been a columnist on her local newspaper. She lives near Austin, Texas, with her husband and their son. Twenty-six of her books are in print, and she won the Nebula Award with her science fiction novel Speed of Dark (also shortlisted for the Clarke Award), and was a finalist for the Hugo in 1997.

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Customers say

Customers find the book to be good, engaging, and fun. They describe the story as solid, with a great plot. Readers also appreciate the great characters and strong female protagonist. They praise the author as great and say the book is engaging.

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14Customers mention
14Positive
0Negative

Customers find the book good, saying it's one of the best books by Elizabeth Moon. They also say it'll be a great beginning to a series.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

"This is a great book by a great author. This is the second copy I bought. I broke the binding of the first copy from frequent readings...." Read more

"...This is a good book, every bit as good as Heris Serrano. If you liked it, you will likely enjoy this one too." Read more

"This is my favorite of Elizabeth Moon's works. It is space opera at it's best...." Read more

"...for years before I found that it was actually part of a series; This book is so good that I haven't actually read any of the other books because I do..." Read more

8Customers mention
8Positive
0Negative

Customers find the story solid, with great characters. They say it's one of the best military science fiction stories. Readers also mention the book is well-crafted, engaging, and fun.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

"The Science fiction action is rather standard but the character study earns it the 5 stars...." Read more

"A great plot, a wonderful character with all her human flaws and self questioning. Her is Space Opera at good as E. E. "Doc" Smith." Read more

"Solid story. Great characters. Reminds me of Honor Harrington but more vulnerable and believable. Love the background on Esmay's culture" Read more

"As with all the Moon "Serrano" series, well crafted, engaging and fun. I recommend it." Read more

5Customers mention
5Positive
0Negative

Customers find the characters in the book great and strong. They also say the author brings them alive.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

"A great plot, a wonderful character with all her human flaws and self questioning. Her is Space Opera at good as E. E. "Doc" Smith." Read more

"Solid story. Great characters. Reminds me of Honor Harrington but more vulnerable and believable. Love the background on Esmay's culture" Read more

"...always, Moon delivers a very well written page turner with a strong female protagonist. I can highly recommend this!" Read more

"Tightly written, Moon can bring her characters alive to walk around in your head." Read more

5Customers mention
5Positive
0Negative

Customers praise the author as a great writer. They also say the heroines are great to read and tightly written.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

"I love Elizabeth Moon's writing and her heroines they are great to read. Always exciting." Read more

"...Elizabeth Moon is a great writer." Read more

"As always, Moon delivers a very well written page turner with a strong female protagonist. I can highly recommend this!" Read more

"Tightly written, Moon can bring her characters alive to walk around in your head." Read more

3Customers mention
3Positive
0Negative

Customers find the book engaging and fun.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

"...Always exciting." Read more

"As with all the Moon "Serrano" series, well crafted, engaging and fun. I recommend it." Read more

"Good, fun space opera read. Moon is always very good with her fem leading characters. Best to read whole series in order." Read more

3Customers mention
3Positive
0Negative

Customers find the pacing of the book well-paced.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

"...This whole series is well paced." Read more

"...Pretty fast flowing." Read more

"Fast delivery, great price, excellent quality. Love it!" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
A Great Read
Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2010
This is a great book by a great author. This is the second copy I bought. I broke the binding of the first copy from frequent readings. Although this is technically the fourth book in the series, it is really a stand alone book focusing on a new character and you don't... See more
This is a great book by a great author. This is the second copy I bought. I broke the binding of the first copy from frequent readings. Although this is technically the fourth book in the series, it is really a stand alone book focusing on a new character and you don't have to read the other books first. In fact, I did not read the other books before reading this one, and when I went back to read the earlier books, they did not add anything I needed to know. The book starts in the aftermath of a battle, where the protagonist Esmay Suiza is a very junior officer who has taken command of a war ship after a successful mutiny against a traitorous captain and led the ship into battle and detroyed a superior craft. At the start of the book, she is facing court martial for taking part in the mutiny and is dealing with PTSD from the mutiny and the battle. The book then follows her adventures in her next assignment, where she has to utilize the skills she obtained from the mutiny and battle. Although styled as a space opera, it is less stereotypical than the typical space opera, including the ealier books in the series. Unlike many main characters in space operas, Esmay Suiza is plagued by doubts and insecurities, and the climax of the book is followed by a long denouement where she learns to finally overcome her doubts.
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5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
Also available in The Serrano Connection.
Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2024
A fine continuation of the Serrano series, but prospective buyers should be aware that this and its sequel are more conveniently available in the combo volume 'The Serrano Connection.'
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4.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
Continuing a Heroic Line
Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2006
The Heris Serrano trilogy ended with Serrano beating the bad guys and getting back into the fleet. A fairly minor character who helped her to do that at the end of the 3rd book was Lt. Esmay Suiza who participated in a mutiny in order to recapture her ship from a treasonous... See more
The Heris Serrano trilogy ended with Serrano beating the bad guys and getting back into the fleet. A fairly minor character who helped her to do that at the end of the 3rd book was Lt. Esmay Suiza who participated in a mutiny in order to recapture her ship from a treasonous captain. After being the senior surviving officer of that mutiny, she led her ship back to help Serrano defeat the enemy. This character is the central person of this story.

Mutinies, however justified, how looked at with jaundiced eyes by naval authorities. Although she was fully exonerated, there is still a taint to Suiza's name and, after the court martial, she finds herself stuck on a depot ship. She demonstrates her talents, though, when the bad guys try to capture the ship along with all of its stores and supplies. Even in her lowly rank, she finds that she has among the most combat experience of anyone on board. That redeems her in some eyes and is continued cause for suspicion in others.

This is a good book, every bit as good as Heris Serrano. If you liked it, you will likely enjoy this one too.
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5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
Excellent
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2012
The Science fiction action is rather standard but the character study earns it the 5 stars. Few writers have ever dealt with the trauma and response of an abuse victim as well as this author does. Unlike so many she also presents the concept of extending life with all the... See more
The Science fiction action is rather standard but the character study earns it the 5 stars. Few writers have ever dealt with the trauma and response of an abuse victim as well as this author does. Unlike so many she also presents the concept of extending life with all the hazards with far more realism then do most authors who see it as a problem free desirable goal. Like real people the central character succeeds in spite of flaws. Much more like real most of us do. One of the little quotes that promote books says she handles issues with sensitivity. For once this selective promotion is right on. Clearly a writer for readers who want more then iron jawed heroes and BEM aliens.
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5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
One of the best military science fiction stories ever (no, not the blood and guts, but thoughtful and rousing).
Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2015
This is my favorite of Elizabeth Moon's works. It is space opera at it's best. The heroine is a young officer who rises to heroism though troubled by issues from her childhood. If you liked Weber's Midshipman Herrington, Service of the Sword, or On Basilisk Station, then... See more
This is my favorite of Elizabeth Moon's works. It is space opera at it's best. The heroine is a young officer who rises to heroism though troubled by issues from her childhood. If you liked Weber's Midshipman Herrington, Service of the Sword, or On Basilisk Station, then you will LOVE this.The military aspects are handled perfectly (the author was a Marine officer...). I've read it at least six times; you should go for it. O.K., don't neglect the Trading in Danger series either.
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5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
A great plot, a wonderful character with all her human ...
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2017
A great plot, a wonderful character with all her human flaws and self questioning. Her is Space Opera at good as E. E. "Doc" Smith.
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4.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
another great aria in Moon's Serrano series
Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2009
I am constantly amazed and as a writer humbled by the mastery of absolutely convincing detail that Elizabeth Moon displays in her Vatta and Serrano series, without ever neglecting character or letting the detail get in the way of the plot. No matter how minute the detail... See more
I am constantly amazed and as a writer humbled by the mastery of absolutely convincing detail that Elizabeth Moon displays in her Vatta and Serrano series, without ever neglecting character or letting the detail get in the way of the plot. No matter how minute the detail (three leaky tubes of adhesive) it always goes somewhere (the disabling of an enemy ship and the complete rout of an entire barbarian horde). This is one of her best yet.
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5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
Great
Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2020
I love Elizabeth Moon's writing and her heroines they are great to read. Always exciting.
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Top reviews from other countries

Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
This is spell-binding
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 13, 2022
I read all the Honor Harrington books, loving some of the characters but at times thoroughly irritated by weaknesses in Weber's writing style & technique - there are many weaknesses in that series! So I thought I'd try this too. It sounded similar & I'm a sucker for strong...See more
I read all the Honor Harrington books, loving some of the characters but at times thoroughly irritated by weaknesses in Weber's writing style & technique - there are many weaknesses in that series! So I thought I'd try this too. It sounded similar & I'm a sucker for strong female characters like Heris & here, Esmay & others. And what a brilliant job Elizabeth Moon has done! Strong on character building, the pace keeps right on rolling to satisfying conclusions and the banter & talk is convincing, real. Unlike Weber's attempts... E.g. exchanges between Honor & her mother make me cringe. I probably shouldn't take a pop at Weber here, but the premise is so similar that those differences really stand out for me. Elizabeth Moon wins hands down imo. I really hope she writes more about Esmay in future...
I read all the Honor Harrington books, loving some of the characters but at times thoroughly irritated by weaknesses in Weber's writing style & technique - there are many weaknesses in that series!

So I thought I'd try this too. It sounded similar & I'm a sucker for strong female characters like Heris & here, Esmay & others.

And what a brilliant job Elizabeth Moon has done! Strong on character building, the pace keeps right on rolling to satisfying conclusions and the banter & talk is convincing, real.
Unlike Weber's attempts... E.g. exchanges between Honor & her mother make me cringe.

I probably shouldn't take a pop at Weber here, but the premise is so similar that those differences really stand out for me.
Elizabeth Moon wins hands down imo. I really hope she writes more about Esmay in future...

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Grahame R Smith, violinist and novelist.
5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
An enjoyable and intriguing read.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 13, 2012
I really like this novel. Elizabeth Moon takes a minor character, Esmay, from the previous novel in the series and presents her as the principle character in Once a Hero. Although Esmay appears only briefly in the previous novel, she nevertheless performs an act of extreme...See more
I really like this novel. Elizabeth Moon takes a minor character, Esmay, from the previous novel in the series and presents her as the principle character in Once a Hero. Although Esmay appears only briefly in the previous novel, she nevertheless performs an act of extreme military heroism that saves hundreds of lives. Although highly gifted as a tactician she falls fowl of military bureaucracy and is sidelined to a military backwater. It is the science fiction equivalent of what it crime/detective novels and TV cop shows is called 'taken off the case'. This is always a hook and is well exercised and exploited by the author. Esmay is one of my favourite female characters in science fiction. She plays a crucial role in the next' novel, where again she is 'taken off the case.' Maybe Elizabeth Moon will write another Esmay novel one day. I hope so.
I really like this novel. Elizabeth Moon takes a minor character, Esmay, from the previous novel in the series and presents her as the principle character in Once a Hero. Although Esmay appears only briefly in the previous novel, she nevertheless performs an act of extreme military heroism that saves hundreds of lives. Although highly gifted as a tactician she falls fowl of military bureaucracy and is sidelined to a military backwater. It is the science fiction equivalent of what it crime/detective novels and TV cop shows is called 'taken off the case'. This is always a hook and is well exercised and exploited by the author. Esmay is one of my favourite female characters in science fiction. She plays a crucial role in the next' novel, where again she is 'taken off the case.' Maybe Elizabeth Moon will write another Esmay novel one day. I hope so.

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Sakura
4.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
Spannend
Reviewed in Germany on August 30, 2016
Esmay Suiza ist eine junge Frau von einem altmodischen Planeten, die sich entschieden hat ihrer Heimat den Rücken zu kehren und zur Weltraummarine zu gehen. Eine schnelle Kariere, Ruhm und Ehre sind ihr egal, sie möchte nur einen sicheren Platz in der Welt. Aber dann wird...See more
Esmay Suiza ist eine junge Frau von einem altmodischen Planeten, die sich entschieden hat ihrer Heimat den Rücken zu kehren und zur Weltraummarine zu gehen. Eine schnelle Kariere, Ruhm und Ehre sind ihr egal, sie möchte nur einen sicheren Platz in der Welt. Aber dann wird sie durch widere Umstände die rang-niedrigste Person, die je einen entscheidenden Raumkampf gewonnen hat und Anonymität ist keine Option mehr. Wir begegnen Esmay im Nachhall dieses Kampfes, erfahren über die Gerichtsverfahren und Anhörungen, ihr problematisches Verhältnis zu ihrer Familie, ihre persönliche Dämonen und ihre neue Stellung. Das Buch ist ein wunderbares Beispiel für gute, charakterbasierte Science Fiction. Wir folgen der jungen Esmay Suiza, wie sie in der Folge eines schlimmen Kampfes ihr wahres Talent gezeigt hat und nun mit diesem Talent und ihrem neuen Status als Heldin zu kämpfen hat. Esmay ist ein sehr vielschichtiger und liebenswerter Charakter. Ihre Selbstzweifel und Unsicherheiten, Arbeitsamkeit und Klugheit machen sie zu einem nachvollziehbaren Charakter, in den man sich gut hinein versetzen kann. Ich fand ihre Gedanken und Dialoge immer authentisch und verständlich. Man möchte einfach wissen, wie es mir ihr weiter geht und kann sich nicht helfen als sie anzufeuern. Leider hat das Buch auch ein paar kleine Mängel. Es ist ein Buch einer Serie, und auch wenn man die anderen Teile nicht gelesen haben muss (so wie ich) bekommt man nicht wirklich viel Hintergrundwissen über die Marine und das Universum an sich geliefert. Über Esmays Heimat hingegen werden wie gründlicher informiert, ich vermute weil sie vorher noch nicht vorgekommen ist. Man kann sich genug Informationen aus dem Buch zusammen reimen, aber es werden einem definitiv keine Erläuterungen auf dem Silbertablett geboten und ein paar Dinge sind mir auch einfach unklar geblieben, es war aber nichts, was das Verständnis des Buches als Ganzes gestört hätte, eher Nebensächlichkeiten. Jedenfalls hat das für mich auch den Anfang des Buches etwas schwierig gemacht, weil es gerade am Anfang viel um das große Bild geht, das ich als Leser noch nicht hatte. Es wird auf jeden Fall besser, wenn Esmay ihre neue Stelle antritt. Durch sie erfahren wir genug über das neue Schiff um uns zurecht zu finden. Auch die persönlichen Interaktionen mit ihren Vorgesetzes und Kollegen sind sehr interessant und ich fand es sehr gut, wie ihre inneren Zweifel dargestellt wurden und sich in ihrem Verhalten widergespiegelt haben. Es gibt aber nicht nur Charakterentwicklung. Auch Spannung, Aktion und Kampf kommen nicht zu kurz. Es gibt clevere Pläne und interessante Aktionen, aber der Fokus liegt nicht auf individuellen Kämpfen und Gefechten, eher auf strategischen und taktischen Durchführungen. Wobei ich sagen muss, das ich gegen Ende irgendwann auch einfach den Überblick verloren habe, was genau gerade vorgeht. Ich kann aber nicht beurteilen, ob ich etwas überlesen habe, ob mir Vorwissen fehlt, oder ob das Buch einfach nur deutlich genug geschrieben ist. Ich fand die Geschichte und Esmays Entwicklung jedenfalls extrem gut, fesselnd und mitreißen, und auch die Konflikte waren zum größten Teil sehr gut, nur an ein paar Stellen leider nicht so gut zu verfolgen und etwas verwirrend.
Esmay Suiza ist eine junge Frau von einem altmodischen Planeten, die sich entschieden hat ihrer Heimat den Rücken zu kehren und zur Weltraummarine zu gehen. Eine schnelle Kariere, Ruhm und Ehre sind ihr egal, sie möchte nur einen sicheren Platz in der Welt.
Aber dann wird sie durch widere Umstände die rang-niedrigste Person, die je einen entscheidenden Raumkampf gewonnen hat und Anonymität ist keine Option mehr.
Wir begegnen Esmay im Nachhall dieses Kampfes, erfahren über die Gerichtsverfahren und Anhörungen, ihr problematisches Verhältnis zu ihrer Familie, ihre persönliche Dämonen und ihre neue Stellung.

Das Buch ist ein wunderbares Beispiel für gute, charakterbasierte Science Fiction. Wir folgen der jungen Esmay Suiza, wie sie in der Folge eines schlimmen Kampfes ihr wahres Talent gezeigt hat und nun mit diesem Talent und ihrem neuen Status als Heldin zu kämpfen hat.
Esmay ist ein sehr vielschichtiger und liebenswerter Charakter. Ihre Selbstzweifel und Unsicherheiten, Arbeitsamkeit und Klugheit machen sie zu einem nachvollziehbaren Charakter, in den man sich gut hinein versetzen kann. Ich fand ihre Gedanken und Dialoge immer authentisch und verständlich. Man möchte einfach wissen, wie es mir ihr weiter geht und kann sich nicht helfen als sie anzufeuern.

Leider hat das Buch auch ein paar kleine Mängel. Es ist ein Buch einer Serie, und auch wenn man die anderen Teile nicht gelesen haben muss (so wie ich) bekommt man nicht wirklich viel Hintergrundwissen über die Marine und das Universum an sich geliefert. Über Esmays Heimat hingegen werden wie gründlicher informiert, ich vermute weil sie vorher noch nicht vorgekommen ist.
Man kann sich genug Informationen aus dem Buch zusammen reimen, aber es werden einem definitiv keine Erläuterungen auf dem Silbertablett geboten und ein paar Dinge sind mir auch einfach unklar geblieben, es war aber nichts, was das Verständnis des Buches als Ganzes gestört hätte, eher Nebensächlichkeiten.
Jedenfalls hat das für mich auch den Anfang des Buches etwas schwierig gemacht, weil es gerade am Anfang viel um das große Bild geht, das ich als Leser noch nicht hatte.

Es wird auf jeden Fall besser, wenn Esmay ihre neue Stelle antritt. Durch sie erfahren wir genug über das neue Schiff um uns zurecht zu finden. Auch die persönlichen Interaktionen mit ihren Vorgesetzes und Kollegen sind sehr interessant und ich fand es sehr gut, wie ihre inneren Zweifel dargestellt wurden und sich in ihrem Verhalten widergespiegelt haben.

Es gibt aber nicht nur Charakterentwicklung. Auch Spannung, Aktion und Kampf kommen nicht zu kurz. Es gibt clevere Pläne und interessante Aktionen, aber der Fokus liegt nicht auf individuellen Kämpfen und Gefechten, eher auf strategischen und taktischen Durchführungen.
Wobei ich sagen muss, das ich gegen Ende irgendwann auch einfach den Überblick verloren habe, was genau gerade vorgeht. Ich kann aber nicht beurteilen, ob ich etwas überlesen habe, ob mir Vorwissen fehlt, oder ob das Buch einfach nur deutlich genug geschrieben ist.

Ich fand die Geschichte und Esmays Entwicklung jedenfalls extrem gut, fesselnd und mitreißen, und auch die Konflikte waren zum größten Teil sehr gut, nur an ein paar Stellen leider nicht so gut zu verfolgen und etwas verwirrend.

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John Ellaway
4.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
A spin off from the Serrano Legacy
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 13, 2011
This starts a series based on a female commander who took control of a navy support ship, 'Despite' when the captain and senior officers were revealed as traitors, and went on to destroy an enemy cruiser. It is her story after the finalie in book three "Winning Colours." It...See more
This starts a series based on a female commander who took control of a navy support ship, 'Despite' when the captain and senior officers were revealed as traitors, and went on to destroy an enemy cruiser. It is her story after the finalie in book three "Winning Colours." It is quite imaginative but appears to be partly setting the scene for the future three books. There is plenty of action towards the end but you have to remember this is almost a different story based on the background built up for the Serrano Legacy.
This starts a series based on a female commander who took control of a navy support ship, 'Despite' when the captain and senior officers were revealed as traitors, and went on to destroy an enemy cruiser. It is her story after the finalie in book three "Winning Colours." It is quite imaginative but appears to be partly setting the scene for the future three books. There is plenty of action towards the end but you have to remember this is almost a different story based on the background built up for the Serrano Legacy.

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Ian White
5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
Excellent
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 28, 2022
Well written as usual soon to read the next installment!
Well written as usual soon to read the next installment!

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