Sci-fi is a crowded field and all too often what is served up is formulaic and/or badly written. This is particularly the case with well-trodden genres such as Space Opera. Some Desperate Glory is, I am delighted to report, not that kind of Space Opera. In fact, it is brilliant and probably the best sci-fi I have read since Station Eleven.

Within the first few pages you know that earth has been destroyed in a war with aliens and the protagonist is a crack war breed soldier in the last hold-out of humanity – Gaea Station. Those of you old enough to have read Robert Heinlein will know the general vibe – quasi fascistic Marine Corp – yet given the context, strangely compelling. The main character Kyr (short for Valkyrie!) a committed and ruthless killer in waiting departs on an unauthorised mission to rescue her even more ruthless and committed brother.

So far Robert Heinlein would have promoted Kyr to sergeant on the spot, but appearances are deceiving, and this is a novel which takes its readers on a surprising journey.

As Space Opera goes, all the boxes are ticked: a well-imagined alternative universe with plausible characters; interestingly different alien societies and technologies; and a tightly plotted adventure story. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Grant Hansen

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Emily Tesh is the author of the Greenhollow Duology, which begins with Silver in the Wood and concludes with Drowned Country. Tesh is a winner of the Astounding Award and of the World Fantasy Award for Best Novella.

Some Desperate Glory is Emily Tesh’s debut novel.
Since she was born, Kyr has trained for the day she can avenge the murder of planet Earth. Kyr is one of the best warriors of her generation, the sword of a dead planet. When Command assigns her brother to certain death and relegates her to the nursery to bear sons until she dies trying, she knows must take humanity’s revenge into her own hands.

Visit Emily Tesh’s website