There are multiple subplots, each of which add depth and fit seamlessly into the main narrative. It tackles big topics including racism, fascism, and reproductive freedom, but succeeds in keeping entertainment value and avoiding feeling like its preaching. The plot starts slowly but develops into a fast-paced ride, reminiscent of travelling along a headphone cable someone’s just pulled out of a bag: its all going smoothly, then suddenly there are knots and tangles and nothing makes sense, but with patience everything is revealed and slots together nicely. Tesh clearly has a strength in creating multi-layered, complex characters who are allowed to change and grow throughout the story whilst remaining true to core values. The book is only told from Kyr’s perspective, but her supporting cast also feel well fleshed out. Her development throughout the story is wondrous mainly due to its believability, and the challenging early passages are needed to allow this development to flourish: but that doesn’t make them an easier read.
Her character is intentionally inflexible, unthinklingly callous – and consequently difficult to like. Kyr is a strict follower, obeying rules to the letter and not questioning what she’s told. It starts slowly, introducing the reader to Kyr and her world on Gaea station – and these early passages need a little bearing with. This is one of those stories its best to go into knowing as little as possible and allowing the twists and turns to surprise and shock you.
Accompanied by her brother’s technology-whizz friend and a lonely captive alien, Kyr escapes everything she’s ever known – and discovers a universe more complicated than she ever could have imagined.
However, when Command sends her brother on a suicide mission and her to the Nursery to bear sons until she dies trying, Kyr decides she must take humanity’s revenge into her own hands. Bred for war and raised on Gaea station with the last defiant strands of humanity, she’s preparing to face the Wisdom – the weapon that gave the enemy Majoda their victory over humanity. This is a dark and occasionally difficult read but brilliantly written, a slow burn that sucks the reader in then takes them on a wild ride.Īll her life, Kyr has trained to avenge the murder of planet Earth. It’s hard to believe it from the sheer scope of this space opera, diving into difficult places around indoctrination, racism, family, and personal responsibility for collective horrors. Emily Tesh is a previous Astounding Award and World Fantasy Award winner for her novellas, but Some Desperate Glory marks her first novel.
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