I had been considering reading Elizabeth Moon for most of my life, but I somehow never got around to reading any until now. Hunting Party was first published in 1993, when I was turning 10. I acquired the copy I read from a friend of mine, and every part of the reading experience, from the cover art to the Baen Books advertisements in the back, brought me back to the 90s in a good way. I probably would not have enjoyed it when it was first published, but I would have loved it when it was published again in 1999.

Hunting Party was an interesting romp in space. While I’m fairly certain that fox hunting in space has been done before, this is my first time reading such a story. I loved the characters and how they were all unique and yet believable, and found the concept of how rich peers would play at being Old Earth nobles and mix “traditional” names with “modern” names. George Starbridge Mahoney was a particular favorite name of mine, taking a name that one could conceivably encounter today and having a middle name that makes sense in the setting (though it makes me wonder if one of his ancestors built star bridges, as his father’s name is Kevil Starbridge Mahoney - is Starbridge a family name? I want to know).

It was also great to read “older” heroines being in the center of action. Not that Herris Serrano or Lady Cecilia are actually old - they’re described as being older than the young people who are on the ship, but aside from having to deal with societal expectations, their age is not a major plot point. I do not believe that we actually get to find out their ages. Or if they even use the Gregorian calendar or something more practical for a post-fusion society.

The one criticism I had was the love interest that was introduced at the end of the book. That seemed to totally come out of nowhere, added as an afterthought. While I’m not opposed to romance, this one felt very sudden, with no buildup - almost as if it was written as a way to give Herris Serrano a plausible reason to stay out of the Regular Space Service without losing face.

Moon’s writing left me wanting to know more about the galaxy that the story resides in. How did a monarchy take hold of their region of space? Why is there a Regular Space Service and a Royal Astro-Space Service? Does Earth still exist? Will we find out in future books? I’m intrigued and look forward to reading the next book in the series.

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