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Invictus #1
Captive
Every soldier knows there are endless ways to die.
Every Ubezhishche soldier knows there are far worse fates than death.
Sevastien one zero two four, S line third modification, has survived the destruction of his own ship and an enemy station. But he was rescued by the wrong side -- by Nalyn Ila, captain of the Elysian destroyer Invictus. Now he's facing a difficult problem: How to persuade Captain Ila and her people that he is not an enemy combatant. That if there was an act of war, it was committed by her people, not his own.
Sevastien is almost certain he was an innocent bystander of disaster ... unless his own people set him up, aiming to get him aboard Invictus for reasons he can't yet understand. Maybe they did. It's just the kind of thing Ubezhishche Command might do.
Nalyn Ila is almost certain Sevastien is an enemy agent, placed aboard her ship by Ubezhishche Command. But no one, not her own people nor the enemy nor Sevastien himself, can possibly guess what use she might actually have for an Ubezhishche soldier. Even if he actually is an innocent bystander, she may be able to use him in her private long-laid plans. And if he's actually an enemy agent ... that might be even better.
Every Ubezhishche soldier knows there are far worse fates than death.
Sevastien one zero two four, S line third modification, has survived the destruction of his own ship and an enemy station. But he was rescued by the wrong side -- by Nalyn Ila, captain of the Elysian destroyer Invictus. Now he's facing a difficult problem: How to persuade Captain Ila and her people that he is not an enemy combatant. That if there was an act of war, it was committed by her people, not his own.
Sevastien is almost certain he was an innocent bystander of disaster ... unless his own people set him up, aiming to get him aboard Invictus for reasons he can't yet understand. Maybe they did. It's just the kind of thing Ubezhishche Command might do.
Nalyn Ila is almost certain Sevastien is an enemy agent, placed aboard her ship by Ubezhishche Command. But no one, not her own people nor the enemy nor Sevastien himself, can possibly guess what use she might actually have for an Ubezhishche soldier. Even if he actually is an innocent bystander, she may be able to use him in her private long-laid plans. And if he's actually an enemy agent ... that might be even better.
391 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2023
65 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Neumeier
56 books577 followersRachel Neumeier started writing fiction to relax when she was a graduate student and needed a hobby unrelated to her research. Prior to selling her first fantasy novel, she had published only a few articles in venues such as The American Journal of Botany. However, finding that her interests did not lie in research, Rachel left academia and began to let her hobbies take over her life instead.
She now raises and shows dogs, gardens, cooks, and occasionally finds time to read. She works part-time for a tutoring program, though she tutors far more students in Math and Chemistry than in English Composition.
She now raises and shows dogs, gardens, cooks, and occasionally finds time to read. She works part-time for a tutoring program, though she tutors far more students in Math and Chemistry than in English Composition.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
August 23, 2024
This was hard to quantify, I really enjoyed it but I am not sure why. It has all the elements of books that I normally would not like. There is a ton of tell but not show and there is a ton of political intrigue. It was also hard to follow the massive amount of new words and titles Neumeier has created, mostly based on Russian (from her notes at the end).
I guess I got wrapped up in the mystery and foreshadowing. The Ubez culture she has created is fascinating, sort of a high tech take on Brave New World. The interactions between Sevastien and the crew and Sevastien and himself were also very entertaining. It reminds me of a one man broadway play.
It is a duology and I own the next one so will probably read it.
I guess I got wrapped up in the mystery and foreshadowing. The Ubez culture she has created is fascinating, sort of a high tech take on Brave New World. The interactions between Sevastien and the crew and Sevastien and himself were also very entertaining. It reminds me of a one man broadway play.
It is a duology and I own the next one so will probably read it.
dnf
February 10, 2024DNF #1 @ 29%
DNF #2 @ 9%
So this one got off to a shaky start since I accidentally started reading the second one first (those covers are way too similar on a black and white Kindle screen). Naturally, I was confused by everything going on. But I realized my mistake and came back to this first one, and it went much better. The world building is slow to get peppered in but you do eventually learn some things (like these guys are way too into eugenics and technical augmentations) but I'm still not clear, at this point in the story, nearly a third of the way through, why these people are so fixated on this passage way thing in space and what their plans for it are. Because naturally, the reason for the plot is something you always want to keep from the reader. 🧐
Aside from that, this was both too much like Tuyo (such as the way the characters talk, especially Syova) and not enough like Tuyo. In Tuyo, you learn all the pertinent information immediately, and I felt connected to the characters immediately as a result. It's just much better paced and plotted, and the characters were much more compelling. Here, I'm still waiting for a reason to really care about any of them. They seem like decent people (aside from the whole pro-eugenics nonsense and the unknown reasons for their larger actions, but if Neumeier stays true to form, I'm sure they're well-intentioned and everything will work out fine) but that's all I've got. Sure, I could certainly keep reading this and I'm sure I'd get at least a three-star read out of it, but I'm nearing the end of the KU trial, and I have a few other books to get to, and this duology is long. I just don't feel like pushing through this one at this time to see if it ends up being worth the effort.
DNF #2 @ 9%
So this one got off to a shaky start since I accidentally started reading the second one first (those covers are way too similar on a black and white Kindle screen). Naturally, I was confused by everything going on. But I realized my mistake and came back to this first one, and it went much better. The world building is slow to get peppered in but you do eventually learn some things (like these guys are way too into eugenics and technical augmentations) but I'm still not clear, at this point in the story, nearly a third of the way through, why these people are so fixated on this passage way thing in space and what their plans for it are. Because naturally, the reason for the plot is something you always want to keep from the reader. 🧐
Aside from that, this was both too much like Tuyo (such as the way the characters talk, especially Syova) and not enough like Tuyo. In Tuyo, you learn all the pertinent information immediately, and I felt connected to the characters immediately as a result. It's just much better paced and plotted, and the characters were much more compelling. Here, I'm still waiting for a reason to really care about any of them. They seem like decent people (aside from the whole pro-eugenics nonsense and the unknown reasons for their larger actions, but if Neumeier stays true to form, I'm sure they're well-intentioned and everything will work out fine) but that's all I've got. Sure, I could certainly keep reading this and I'm sure I'd get at least a three-star read out of it, but I'm nearing the end of the KU trial, and I have a few other books to get to, and this duology is long. I just don't feel like pushing through this one at this time to see if it ends up being worth the effort.
October 6, 2023
Genuinely brilliant
I don’t usually read science fiction: not my thing. But I was out of good reading and picking up a Rachel Neumeier is always a good risk, right? Only I made the terrible mistake of picking it up at 9pm, thinking I’d just start and see how it went… and that blew one night into the small hours of the morning, and then the next. Because this may be space opera, but it’s the characters that matter and this is every bit as gripping as the Tuyo series or the Death’s Lady trilogy, or anything else this author has written. I’m in awe of her productivity - and her capacity for brilliant, engaging world-building. Always at the heart of these stories are questions of integrity, loyalty and honour and this is no different - but the twists are excellent and the core logistics of the technology are fascinating. I so wish the 2nd one was out now - definitely heading off to pre-order.
I don’t usually read science fiction: not my thing. But I was out of good reading and picking up a Rachel Neumeier is always a good risk, right? Only I made the terrible mistake of picking it up at 9pm, thinking I’d just start and see how it went… and that blew one night into the small hours of the morning, and then the next. Because this may be space opera, but it’s the characters that matter and this is every bit as gripping as the Tuyo series or the Death’s Lady trilogy, or anything else this author has written. I’m in awe of her productivity - and her capacity for brilliant, engaging world-building. Always at the heart of these stories are questions of integrity, loyalty and honour and this is no different - but the twists are excellent and the core logistics of the technology are fascinating. I so wish the 2nd one was out now - definitely heading off to pre-order.
September 24, 2023
Awesome sci fi adventure thriller
The worldbuilding is great, albeit grim. The characters are fascinating, and the story is well-written and engrossing. Calling Captive a sci fi spy thriller might be most correct; secrets abound and are wrapped in more secrets and deceptions (except for Dr Hale, whom I love, who is exactly who he is). The book is very character driven which I loved and doesn't have the typical body count and destruction I would expect in a book labelled as Space Fleet sci fi. Syova is an endearing character (as he is meant to be). Seriously, the book is great. Read it! I read it in KU, reread it to pick up things I missed the first time, and will buy it to reread again.
The worldbuilding is great, albeit grim. The characters are fascinating, and the story is well-written and engrossing. Calling Captive a sci fi spy thriller might be most correct; secrets abound and are wrapped in more secrets and deceptions (except for Dr Hale, whom I love, who is exactly who he is). The book is very character driven which I loved and doesn't have the typical body count and destruction I would expect in a book labelled as Space Fleet sci fi. Syova is an endearing character (as he is meant to be). Seriously, the book is great. Read it! I read it in KU, reread it to pick up things I missed the first time, and will buy it to reread again.
January 28, 2025
I pounced on this book as soon as it dropped. There's a glossary at the end guys.
It stops right in the middle of the story. The next book comes out on 15 October. The stopping point is not exactly a cliff-hanger. I just really really want to know what happens next. If book 2 was out right now, I'd grab it.
I'm deducing authors do this partly to do with the technicalities of self publishing books and page length and what not. (given the month apart thing versus the wait-a-year-thing).
Good characters, excellent world building. In this series, Neumeier is overtly interested in the history and cultures of the peoples she has created and how that plays out in the languages and characters and situations in the story. There is a glossary at the end. She wants the reader to partake.
I only bother to continue with books if I like the characters enough, and I really liked everyone in this book. I care about what happens next.
In this space opera set in the far future, one empire whose language is kind of descended from English speakers. The other empire is a breakaway culture of ex clone slaves who speak a language derived from Russian. (this is made clear by the author and in the book). For those of you for whom Russia and Russian is an open bleeding wound, perhaps some caution would be advised.
It stops right in the middle of the story. The next book comes out on 15 October. The stopping point is not exactly a cliff-hanger. I just really really want to know what happens next. If book 2 was out right now, I'd grab it.
I'm deducing authors do this partly to do with the technicalities of self publishing books and page length and what not. (given the month apart thing versus the wait-a-year-thing).
Good characters, excellent world building. In this series, Neumeier is overtly interested in the history and cultures of the peoples she has created and how that plays out in the languages and characters and situations in the story. There is a glossary at the end. She wants the reader to partake.
I only bother to continue with books if I like the characters enough, and I really liked everyone in this book. I care about what happens next.
In this space opera set in the far future, one empire whose language is kind of descended from English speakers. The other empire is a breakaway culture of ex clone slaves who speak a language derived from Russian. (this is made clear by the author and in the book). For those of you for whom Russia and Russian is an open bleeding wound, perhaps some caution would be advised.
September 24, 2023
A decent military space adventure. Apart from the very beginning, the whole thing takes place on board the ship Invictus. An intriguing story with an interesting manner of unfolding. Sadly, it's a real cliffhanger, with the story suddenly stopping right in the middle of the dramatic high point. The author does apologise at the end, saying the book was just getting too long so she decided to split it. Oh well, at least the second half is due out in only a few weeks time. I enjoyed the read so I will go on and read the second half.
November 7, 2023
I almost didn't finish this. Literally the characters only ever discuss strategy, and I have no sense of who they are when they're not working. Plus the dialogue reads too much like the Ugaro from Tuyo, which I already don't really like.
September 16, 2023
Another outstanding story by Rachel Neumeier
I love the way Rachel Neumeier explores the challenges of finding trust & loyalty to a person, a cause, and a people, whether in the strange land of Tuyo or in space for Invictus:Captive. I look forward with eager anticipation to the conclusion.
I love the way Rachel Neumeier explores the challenges of finding trust & loyalty to a person, a cause, and a people, whether in the strange land of Tuyo or in space for Invictus:Captive. I look forward with eager anticipation to the conclusion.
Read
June 2, 2025DNF at 30%. Not sure given I stopped reading .. but felt like this was a very woman-written romance novel disguised as SF.
September 16, 2023
Love it and can't wait for the ending
Ok admittedly I'm a Rachel Neumeier super fan. I've read the Tuyo and Death's lady series multiple times. While those are fantasy and this is scifi, there are still a lot of parallels. There's the themes of two different worlds/cultures colliding and the interesting ways that can play out. Themes of authority, one person coming into the authority and power of the other, and then roles reversing. The world building, as always is just so interesting and unique. The book is deeply character driven, while maintaining a good pace of action. The Ila/Syova duo is kind of like the Aras/Ryo duo in many ways. Hale, a doctor, reminds me so much of Geras. If you're a fan of Tuyo series like I am, this will be very satisfying. Obviously I read it in one day, and that a workday at that. The only minor critique would be that the cultural terminology can be pretty dense at first and also the political discussion/situation, without much handholding for the reader. (This critique feels shared with No Foreign Sky). But there is a helpful glossary of terms in the back that I didn't realize was there until id finished the book, oops. Seriously, I can't wait to read the ending. A month feels agonizing, I wish it were sooner!
Ok admittedly I'm a Rachel Neumeier super fan. I've read the Tuyo and Death's lady series multiple times. While those are fantasy and this is scifi, there are still a lot of parallels. There's the themes of two different worlds/cultures colliding and the interesting ways that can play out. Themes of authority, one person coming into the authority and power of the other, and then roles reversing. The world building, as always is just so interesting and unique. The book is deeply character driven, while maintaining a good pace of action. The Ila/Syova duo is kind of like the Aras/Ryo duo in many ways. Hale, a doctor, reminds me so much of Geras. If you're a fan of Tuyo series like I am, this will be very satisfying. Obviously I read it in one day, and that a workday at that. The only minor critique would be that the cultural terminology can be pretty dense at first and also the political discussion/situation, without much handholding for the reader. (This critique feels shared with No Foreign Sky). But there is a helpful glossary of terms in the back that I didn't realize was there until id finished the book, oops. Seriously, I can't wait to read the ending. A month feels agonizing, I wish it were sooner!
September 23, 2023
Book One in the Invictus Duology, and I just preordered Book Two. Thankfully the author doesn't leave her readers hanging around waiting years for the end of the story. Book two comes out in a measly three weeks!
This is a character-driven tale, first and foremost. I love those! Sevastien one zero two four is one of a long line of a genetically engineered race, the Ubez. He arrives aboard the Elysian (human) destroyer Invictus under suspicious circumstances. What follows is an excellent tale of espionage, divided loyalties, trust/mistrust, friendship and loneliness, just an all around terrifically layered story.
The characters! I loved them. Sevastien is in quite the pickle of a predicament and I found him to be very sympathetic. Captain Ila is enigmatic, and it took me longer to warm to her. Commander Chatham was an intimidating security officer, but he had surprisingly depths to him. The various Marines, lieutenants, and chiefs all had distinct personalities. I think I liked Dr. Hale the most. He reminded me of McCoy from Star Trek.
And my gosh, I really would like to try one of those "deep-fried custard-filled cupcakes" that were mentioned so often. I probably gained ten pounds just reading about them 😂
November 15, 2024
I did not expect to be so enthralled by this book!
I bought this book about 6 weeks ago and tried reading it every so often, and I have to be honest - it was very slow going. I could not read it for much more than fifteen minutes at a time. SO MUCH WORLDBUILDING at the beginning with so little context as to what's going on. But it wasn't "bad," and I don't give up on a book because it has a longer break-in period than I'd like.
BUT THEN it began to slowly slowly pick up the pace. The elements began to come together. There were layers of information that began to be unpeeled or to be revealed as yet-to-be unpeeled.
Over the last two days I could not put it down. I was up all night until 4am until I could not keep my eyes open, then came home from work and finished it this afternoon - and holy moly, it ends in the middle of the story and the story continues in the sequel!
I'm getting that second book next!
I've been reading SciFi since the 4th grade, starting with Asimov. This reminds me a bit of Arthur Clarke and Ursula LeGuin because it is complex and fit together like a wonderful jigsaw puzzle.
One of my favorite books.
I bought this book about 6 weeks ago and tried reading it every so often, and I have to be honest - it was very slow going. I could not read it for much more than fifteen minutes at a time. SO MUCH WORLDBUILDING at the beginning with so little context as to what's going on. But it wasn't "bad," and I don't give up on a book because it has a longer break-in period than I'd like.
BUT THEN it began to slowly slowly pick up the pace. The elements began to come together. There were layers of information that began to be unpeeled or to be revealed as yet-to-be unpeeled.
Over the last two days I could not put it down. I was up all night until 4am until I could not keep my eyes open, then came home from work and finished it this afternoon - and holy moly, it ends in the middle of the story and the story continues in the sequel!
I'm getting that second book next!
I've been reading SciFi since the 4th grade, starting with Asimov. This reminds me a bit of Arthur Clarke and Ursula LeGuin because it is complex and fit together like a wonderful jigsaw puzzle.
One of my favorite books.
December 21, 2023
Syova has been rescued from a disaster in space, but by the wrong side.
Not that there are sides exactly - not yet anyway - because these two civilizations are only nearly at war with each other.
Syova is a genetically engineered super warrior augmented with in-built weapons. He is capable of destroying the Elysian ship practically on his own, and is almost certainly a spy sent to study the game changing technology being tested on board. Should he be locked away in high security or can he be enlisted to their cause?
Invictus is a psychological thriller as much as it is a SciFi. Set entirely aboard a single ship it draws us into the inner world of the Ubez prisoner. Vat-grown, his emotional world is as rich as any "born" human, and he has a mysterious love and affection for the ship's captain.
I was gripped by Invictus all the way through. It's a fascinating character study and highly original.
For my Instagram "first page" read and review go to: https://www.instagram.com/p/C1IYzBfBXpK/
Not that there are sides exactly - not yet anyway - because these two civilizations are only nearly at war with each other.
Syova is a genetically engineered super warrior augmented with in-built weapons. He is capable of destroying the Elysian ship practically on his own, and is almost certainly a spy sent to study the game changing technology being tested on board. Should he be locked away in high security or can he be enlisted to their cause?
Invictus is a psychological thriller as much as it is a SciFi. Set entirely aboard a single ship it draws us into the inner world of the Ubez prisoner. Vat-grown, his emotional world is as rich as any "born" human, and he has a mysterious love and affection for the ship's captain.
I was gripped by Invictus all the way through. It's a fascinating character study and highly original.
For my Instagram "first page" read and review go to: https://www.instagram.com/p/C1IYzBfBXpK/
October 27, 2025
A new favourite. I read a fair amount of military science fiction. I just love good space action. Invictus: Captive by Rachel Neumeier managed to surprise me. There is conflict between two rather different powers. That I expected, and I enjoyed reading how this played out. What I found fascinating were the complex characters. The dynamics between Sevastien and Nalyn Ila creates are compelling. Both characters grapple with their perceptions of loyalty and betrayal, and how the plot unfolds through their conflicting viewpoints, adding layers to the story that kept me engaged. Additionally, Commander Chatham and Dr. Hale were compelling side characters. Especially Dr Hale, who genuinely cares about his patients, enemy or not, and has no problems telling his superiors what he really thinks. Neumeier's ability to balance action with deep character development makes this novel stand out. It also makes it different from other novels in the genre that I've read. It felt refreshing. I'm definitely looking forward to diving into the sequel to see where their journey leads next.
September 17, 2023
https://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2023/0...
This is the kind of sci-fi book that is my JAM. It involves a guy from one group of people being rescued from a big space accident by a group of people that aren’t exactly his enemies, but there is a tense political situation. Except everyone has ulterior motives (this is clear to the reader and the information is doled out at a good pace), so there’s almost a spy games sort of feeling to things. Neumeier is doing one of my favorite things she does here, where there’s a sort of cross-cultural clash, but everyone is trying to make things better. This is the first of a duology and the sequel is out next month, and I am very excited to see where this story goes next. A.
This is the kind of sci-fi book that is my JAM. It involves a guy from one group of people being rescued from a big space accident by a group of people that aren’t exactly his enemies, but there is a tense political situation. Except everyone has ulterior motives (this is clear to the reader and the information is doled out at a good pace), so there’s almost a spy games sort of feeling to things. Neumeier is doing one of my favorite things she does here, where there’s a sort of cross-cultural clash, but everyone is trying to make things better. This is the first of a duology and the sequel is out next month, and I am very excited to see where this story goes next. A.
February 18, 2025
This is the first half of a longer story, not really a first book of a duology - so keep that in mind going in. I picked this up as I was buried in Neumeier's "Tuyo" series, and thought I'd like a sci-fi palate cleanser from the same author. I did enjoy it, it's well written, I liked the social structures she set up - but it also dragged a bit revealing where it was going, and I suspect it could have been edited into one tighter novel. I haven't gone on to the second book unfortunately although I am a bit curious where the story goes.
September 16, 2023
Anxious for Book 2
Really great Schrodinger-esque science fiction, thick with political and military complexity. Is Syova's team dead or alive? Is Syova a non-combatant or a spy? An enemy or a potential ally? Regardless of which way he turns out, he's a wonderful character, and I'm excited to how all this works out. The world building is, as always with Neumeier, rich and layered.
10/10
Really great Schrodinger-esque science fiction, thick with political and military complexity. Is Syova's team dead or alive? Is Syova a non-combatant or a spy? An enemy or a potential ally? Regardless of which way he turns out, he's a wonderful character, and I'm excited to how all this works out. The world building is, as always with Neumeier, rich and layered.
10/10
March 3, 2024
I like it.
It didn't grab me as much as other books of this author did but I still like it and enjoyed reading it.
I wish, that some things/backstories would have been known earlier so that we better understand why some things are so important/not okay in this world.
I really like the main characters and this once again pinged my "found family" radar. :)
The ending? Woha, I'm very curious how that will get resolved.
It didn't grab me as much as other books of this author did but I still like it and enjoyed reading it.
I wish, that some things/backstories would have been known earlier so that we better understand why some things are so important/not okay in this world.
I really like the main characters and this once again pinged my "found family" radar. :)
The ending? Woha, I'm very curious how that will get resolved.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2025
I quickly tired of all the weird words:
ubezhishche
eschahashtesa
etc
There is a glossary at back. I hate books that need one. Not a list of foreign languages and the meaning, but made up stuff. Ugh.
The book droned on. Who is he? What is he hiding? What is the Captain doing? Should each believe each other?
On and on it went. I lost interest in waiting to see what the whole point was.
ubezhishche
eschahashtesa
etc
There is a glossary at back. I hate books that need one. Not a list of foreign languages and the meaning, but made up stuff. Ugh.
The book droned on. Who is he? What is he hiding? What is the Captain doing? Should each believe each other?
On and on it went. I lost interest in waiting to see what the whole point was.
November 2, 2025
By Chapter Nine I had heard the same stuff over and over again. The story didn't progress. Deja vu works but only when there is already context. I feel like I was dropped in the middle of an interrogation of a spy with absolutely no understanding of the world, why he was fixated on the Captain of the ship or anything else that was happening.
September 16, 2023
I'm glad part two is releasing next month... Lots of inherent tension in a plot where the main character is a captive. I liked how Syova was both extremely competent at combat yet emotionally vulnerable. Good world-building and some nice twists.
September 16, 2023
So Good!
Really great characters and an engaging story. This book explores the concept of lying. Does it count as lying if the person you are lying to knows you are lying? Does it count as lying if you don't know you are lying? Can't wait for the sequel!
Really great characters and an engaging story. This book explores the concept of lying. Does it count as lying if the person you are lying to knows you are lying? Does it count as lying if you don't know you are lying? Can't wait for the sequel!
December 6, 2023
If you liked TUYO or DEATH'S LADY, you'll like this. It's very character-driven and interior with fascinating world-building. I found it compelling, especially Sevastien's POV, but readers looking for standard issue space opera will be confused.
Read
September 20, 2023Very readable, and featured several of my interests - sci-fi, political intrigue, spy stuff. If you like sf and you liked this author’s earlier fantasy novel Tuyo, you’ll like this.
June 4, 2024
This author has a great way of taking stereotypes of genres and … keeping them but making you care about the characters anyways.
October 22, 2023
Warning: this book ends with a cliffhanger, it’s really the first half of the story. The author has been very clear about that so hopefully no one is surprised. Plus, book two came out only a month after book one.
Even though the larger plot is about space travel and technology that will likely bring two governments to war, this really is a character driven story, which I always prefer. Syova is a compelling character in a completely helpless situation, captured by the enemy but never quite hopeless. Captain Ilya has absolute power over Syova’s fate, in theory, but can only hope that all of her plans come together at the right time. Each needs the other to believe them, when they’re both leaving out critical details.
History and culture drives how and why the characters act, and that’s all very smoothly linked together. That reminds me of C.J. Cherryh’s Foreigner series, but this is a faster moving plot. Like Cherryh’s Cyteen, the story involves genetically engineered clones, but I appreciate that they have more agency here, at least some control of their own fate.
The little details are nicely placed, I like the food descriptions, and how Sebastian is always calculating odds (reminiscent of Murderbot).
Neumeier has written some of my favorite fantasy novels, and I’m so glad she has started writing science fiction too!
Even though the larger plot is about space travel and technology that will likely bring two governments to war, this really is a character driven story, which I always prefer. Syova is a compelling character in a completely helpless situation, captured by the enemy but never quite hopeless. Captain Ilya has absolute power over Syova’s fate, in theory, but can only hope that all of her plans come together at the right time. Each needs the other to believe them, when they’re both leaving out critical details.
History and culture drives how and why the characters act, and that’s all very smoothly linked together. That reminds me of C.J. Cherryh’s Foreigner series, but this is a faster moving plot. Like Cherryh’s Cyteen, the story involves genetically engineered clones, but I appreciate that they have more agency here, at least some control of their own fate.
The little details are nicely placed, I like the food descriptions, and how Sebastian is always calculating odds (reminiscent of Murderbot).
Neumeier has written some of my favorite fantasy novels, and I’m so glad she has started writing science fiction too!
April 18, 2025
Not at all what I expected, and in a good way! Neumeier's work stays true to the sense of duty and sacrifice that I love, if now in a radically different (sci-fi!) world. Additionally, this novel continues with interesting world building and culture clashes that star in many of her novels. Made me think a bit of Tuyo in the world of Martha Well's Murderbot, but it certainly had its own flair :]
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews