- The Good: Violent cults and reality-shaping AI
- The Bad: Simplistic morality tale with a third act that falls short
- The Literary: Historical and mythological names
Kyr (short for Valkyr) is one of the top cadets of her generation, in prime fighting shape and ready to face the Majoda and their Wisdom, who destroyed planet Earth decades ago. But then she receives her official assignment, which isn’t in combat but to bear children for the rest of her life.
The same day, her twin brother Magnus escapes and leaves Gaea station forever. With the help of Magnus’ close friend Avi, Kyr discovers that he was assigned to a secret suicide mission. Kyr, Avi, and a captive Majo prisoner escape Gaea station to the planet Chrysothemis, where they think Magnus has gone. Not only do they find Magus but also secrets that shake the very foundation of their world.
At this point in the plot, let me pause and explain that Kyr herself is not really a likeable character. Sure, she cares about her brother, but she’s also a bully, ambitious, selfish, and brainwashed. Even after she discovers the truth about her society, she’s very slow to forgive those branded as traitors. I’m quite impressed how Kyr’s character grows slowly, uncovering her own narrow worldview, until she eventually no longer wants to perpetrate violence. As a cis, white, blond, able-bodied übermensch, it’s not easy for Kyr to see her own privilege.
How does Kyr come to this realization? Well, that’s the best part of the book, and I don’t want to spoil it in this review. Instead, I will say that the second act is surprising and surreal, with a supercomputer who can bend reality. The plot is ostensibly sci-fi as it’s set in space, but since there is little in the way of hard science descriptions or concepts, I am happy to explore the Wisdom AI who leads the Majoda society.
Unfortunately, the story tries to address so many social themes that it falls short with all of them. There are themes of racism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism and traditional gender roles, suicide, eugenics, and more. But each of these themes is only touched on lightly; there’s no nuance or refinement of ideas. Less importantly, the official description says the story is a queer space opera, but I’m disappointed by both the queer and the space opera aspects.
Recommended for fans of modern inclusive and optimistic sci-fi fantasy who enjoy plenty of action whilst breaking out of fascist ideology!