Rating: 
Summary: Too Choppy
Review: Having read all of the previous novels in this series, this one was a bit of disappointment. Quite simply, the novel was too choppy. It shifts from character to character too frequently, abandoning certain plot lines for hundreds of pages at a time, changing directions and tone several times, and overall confusing the reader by introducing many new characters that we don't know much about. This 430 page book felt like an extended prologue to an epic series. Taken by itself, it doesn't work. I'm currently reading the next novel, "Against The Odds". Hopefully all the plot lines introduced in "Change" will pay off in "Against". My advice: don't pick this up without reading the previous books in the series, or without also picking up "Against The Odds". As a standalone, it will not make sense nor resolve much of anything.
Rating: 
Summary: A disappointment from one of my favorite authors
Review: Having read the other reviews posted here, I concur with the other reviewers. This is an intermediate book that badly needs the next in the series to be worth reading. I'm not convinced that the society described is viable, particularly the level of technology required for their "barbarian" neighbors, but the series is enjoyable anyway. I hope the next book is up to the standards of Remnant Population and the five previous books in the series.
Rating:
Summary: Half a Book
Review: Having read the previous two books in the Esmay Suiza series I was looking forward to reading this one. After reading the book I was left with an unsatisfied feeling. I reread the book and realized that I felt cheated. It felt like I had read half a book. After a comparison with the previous books I noticed it was shorter and that none of the plot lines seemed to come to a conclusion. If you've read the other books don't waste your money on the hardback. Wait for the paperback. While I'm waiting for the other half of this book to be published I will go back and re-read the Haris Serano series of Familias Regnant books.
Rating:
Summary: Came out of the gate strong but slowed towards the finish
Review: I absolutely loved "Once a Hero" and "Rules of Engagement" and could not wait to see what Esmay would do next. Instead of climactic battles with the heroine we love, we get weak political fighting, a rushed marriage, shocking revelations that are almost too contrived and a fizzled ending. A disappointment at best but I still read it all the way through. Now its on to the first 3 books in the Heris Serrano series.If you're going to buy this one, find it in a used book store.
Rating:
Summary: can't tell a book from its cover
Review: I am almost to page 200. This is struggle and the slowest moving book I have seen in a long time. Perhaps I am missing it, but there also does not seem to be a message in here.
Rating:
Summary: can't tell a book from its cover
Review: I am almost to page 200. This is struggle and the slowest moving book I have seen in a long time. Perhaps I am missing it, but there also does not seem to be a message in here.
Rating:
Summary: Not bad, but when does the *story* start?
Review: I enjoyed the first two of Elizabeth Moon's "Esmay Suiza" books immensely. Esmay is a very likable heroine, and she's the same sort of "trouble magnet" as Modesty Blaise. *This* book, however, isn't about Esmay. It's about the assassination of a head of state, power politics, technical problems with rejuvenation technology, a mutiny on a prison planet, and a blood feud between the Suizas and Serranos (think Montagues and Capulets with nuclear weapons) Esmay herself appears in no more than about one-sixth of this overly-long book, and she's mostly being shoved around from pillar to post. I have a feeling that Ms. Moon is basically using this book to set the background for what I call "meal ticket series" writing, where each book is milked for maximum revenue without regard to entertainment value, and you have to buy *all* the series to understand any of it. I was greatly disappointed with this one.
Rating: 
Summary: John from Texas
Review: I enjoyed this book a great deal. It was different from the previous books but just as good. I enjoyed the many story lines they kept me thinking. It setup for a great next book as well. I can understand the other reviews point of view but I disagree. Read this book and draw your on conclusions.
Rating: 
Summary: Change of Command
Review: I enjoyed this book very much. It is setting the stage for at least 4 additional sequels. If the reader has not read the first two books it may not make a lot of sense, may seem somewhat fragmented. For those of us who HAVE read the prior two in this series and any of the Herris Serrano books it IS tied together and, as I said, indicates the possibility off at LEAST 4 additional books. I will look forward to this possibility with anticipation. Action is continuous, following many strands, I enjoy the interaction of the characters. This book is better than a romp in a theme park.
Rating: 
Summary: Not for Esmay Suiza fans
Review: I felt cheated and ripped off by this book. Expecting to find a continuation of the saga of Esmay Suiza, I was extremely disappointed in her cameo appearance in this book and even more annoyed that she was prominently featured in a cover shot when this book was not about her character. This book actually is an elaborate prologue explaining and defining the Familias Regnant universe. The problem is that our main heroine is shunted to the side and unlike Rules of Engagement which she and Brun Meager Thornbuckle share the spotlight, this book relegates them to the background while introducing hordes of new characters. With only a brief introduction these characters are then thrust into various subplots with no ending in sight. There should have been a more skillfull interweaving of the old and new characters into the storyline. Instead we are left to read about characters we don't know or care much about while the author moves from subplot to subplot. When I buy a book, I expect a complete story even if there are more acts to come. If Ms Moon wishes to write a continuing series at least know where to end the story arc. It certainly seemed like the last half of this book was missing.
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