Science Fiction is our view into the future. Into the Fire by Elizabeth Moon delivers an exciting story along with this future view. Ky Vatta has returned home with evidence of a vast conspiracy that threatens her family business Vatta Enterprises (her cousin Stella is CEO) and her home Slotter Key (her great-aunt Grace is Rector of Defense). Even with control of all these resources, the conspirators seem to have the upper hand.
The conspirators have managed to keep the planet Miksland secret for centuries. When Ky Vatta accidentally discovered this, a massive cover-up began. Her crew was quarantined with a cover story of a dangerous contagion and plans for the crew to disappear. Plans were also enacted to discredit and/or destroy Ky Vatta’s family and friends. Their goal is to overthrow the government.
For those interested in political intrigue, immigration is used to remove Ky Vatta through an unexpected application of recent legislation. However, the action is not confined to lawyers and politicians, there is plenty of real action with small skirmishes to air battles to full-scale attacks with ships, artillery, and thousands of combatants.
In addition to a fast-paced story, there are many moments of brilliance. Vatta Transport (think Fedex or UPS) resources are employed in creative ways. When the conspirators attempt to hide their movements by turning off their locators, Vatta Transport tracked them by searching for the few vehicles without locators. When Ky’s plan requires hidden movements, they take the opposite approach. They deploy many vehicles, all tracked as normal. It is impossible for their opponents to discover which vehicles are important.
Though there is a feminist undertone to the book, it is never explicit and never discussed. However, the book includes a great description of mansplaining.
“Seagle leaned back in his seat with the air of someone who had just said the obvious to a roomful of idiots and expected admiring applause.”
This is an expensive book. Even though it’s over 450 pages, it doesn’t last long and might also cost you sleep. The women are in charge and take charge, but they are not typical macho characters simply with women’s names, nor are they stereotypical women just dressed in uniforms. The characters are complex, complete, and the future.
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