The first volume in Hugo Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Moon's epic science-fiction saga the Serrano Legacy…

For Heris Serrano, nothing gave her life as much meaning as serving the ruling Familias Regnant in the Regular Space Service. But after defying a vindictive superior officer in order to save the lives of her men—she's cast off from the crew and finds herself struggling to retain her sense of purpose.

Now, she finds herself in the civilian world and at the helm of the Sweet Delight—an opulent interstellar space yacht owned by the wealthy, powerful and irascible matriarch Lady Cecilia de Marktos. After a disciplined life in the Service, Heris doesn't anticipate having many problems captaining a flying pleasure palace.

But she didn't count on her crew comprising some of the most incompetent degenerates she's ever had the displeasure of commanding. Or that her predecessor had been using the Sweet Delight for criminal enterprises…or that their final destination will bring Heris face-to-face with the man who ended her career.

"A thoroughly enjoyable escapist romp through high society….Great fun."—SF Reviews



Elizabeth Moon grew up on the Texas border, served three years active duty in the USMC (1968-71), and now lives with her husband of almost sixty years, also a veteran, near Austin, Texas. She has written more than twenty-five novels, including Nebula Award winner The Speed of Dark, Hugo Award finalist Remnant Population, the Vatta's War and Serrano Legacy space opera series, and the books of the enduring epic The Deed of Paksenarrion, multiply awarded as one of the 100 Best Fantasies of All Time. A New York Times bestselling author, her work has been published in twenty languages and sold four million copies. When not writing, Moon enjoys photographing native plants and wildlife, knitting socks, and cooking.