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Contravention: The Hegira Saga, Book One
From the acclaimed author of the best-selling Elite Dangerous and Shadeward novels comes a gripping, fast-paced and fascinating new space opera adventure. Richly imagined, strikingly written, scientifically authentic and featuring an ensemble cast of memorable characters, fans of the genre will be entranced.
The legacy of a recent war still haunts humanity’s attempts to spread out into the galaxy, its progress thwarted by a mysterious force known only as ‘The Enclave’. The Hegemony and the Coalition, vast space-faring factions, vie for supremacy whilst resources diminish, pushing star systems to the brink of war.
The promise of a new and rapid interstellar travel technology results in a desperate race across the stars, whilst a crucial peace conference is interrupted by the abduction of the young and beautiful heir to the Empress of the Hegemony.
A tramp trader crew gets caught in the crossfire, just trying to turn a profit in a hostile universe.
“Freed from the restraints of writing within the confines of a video game, this is Drew Wagar flexing his science fiction muscles.”“You can feel the world-building integrity behind what Drew writes. Everything’s authentic.”“Drew Wagar never disappoints with his remarkable characters, spectacular set pieces and marvellous dialogue.”“Just so engaging. Fluid and addictive writing. Story telling at its finest.”
Contravention is the first book in a four part space-opera series called the Hegira Saga, based in the Shadeward Universe.
Dawn Rite Publishing is an independent UK press, founded in 2011.
The legacy of a recent war still haunts humanity’s attempts to spread out into the galaxy, its progress thwarted by a mysterious force known only as ‘The Enclave’. The Hegemony and the Coalition, vast space-faring factions, vie for supremacy whilst resources diminish, pushing star systems to the brink of war.
The promise of a new and rapid interstellar travel technology results in a desperate race across the stars, whilst a crucial peace conference is interrupted by the abduction of the young and beautiful heir to the Empress of the Hegemony.
A tramp trader crew gets caught in the crossfire, just trying to turn a profit in a hostile universe.
“Freed from the restraints of writing within the confines of a video game, this is Drew Wagar flexing his science fiction muscles.”“You can feel the world-building integrity behind what Drew writes. Everything’s authentic.”“Drew Wagar never disappoints with his remarkable characters, spectacular set pieces and marvellous dialogue.”“Just so engaging. Fluid and addictive writing. Story telling at its finest.”
Contravention is the first book in a four part space-opera series called the Hegira Saga, based in the Shadeward Universe.
Dawn Rite Publishing is an independent UK press, founded in 2011.
446 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2023
5 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Drew Wagar
40 books62 followersDrew Wagar is a science fiction and fantasy author, living in the UK. He is the author of the Hegira Series, the Shadeward Saga, The Midnight Chronicles, the Elect Saga and the official Elite Dangerous novelisations.
You can join a mailing list and discover more about Drew's books at his website.
www.drewwagar.com
You can join a mailing list and discover more about Drew's books at his website.
www.drewwagar.com
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 5, 2023
I absolutely lapped up this space opera quicker then most novels I read!
An enthralling story with many moving pieces but at no point did I get lost as the book moves from system to system - faction to faction all the while building characters with actual interest and well written dialogue.
It doesn’t surprise me that Drew continues to put his main protagonists in dire situations after reading the former Shadeward series and the Elite/Elect books. What I do appreciate is that unlike many other space operas or even general sci/fi fantasy that’s available in its abundance, characters in Drew’s novels don’t go left unscathed and their actions don’t go unpunished. This is most certainly present in Hegira: Contravention and I dread the day when I come across the next ‘Meru’ moment as I eventually make my way through the series. (Readers of the Shadeward series would know what I’m talking about here).
I won’t go on…I hate long reviews but roll on book 2. I need to know how this all plays out! 😂
An enthralling story with many moving pieces but at no point did I get lost as the book moves from system to system - faction to faction all the while building characters with actual interest and well written dialogue.
It doesn’t surprise me that Drew continues to put his main protagonists in dire situations after reading the former Shadeward series and the Elite/Elect books. What I do appreciate is that unlike many other space operas or even general sci/fi fantasy that’s available in its abundance, characters in Drew’s novels don’t go left unscathed and their actions don’t go unpunished. This is most certainly present in Hegira: Contravention and I dread the day when I come across the next ‘Meru’ moment as I eventually make my way through the series. (Readers of the Shadeward series would know what I’m talking about here).
I won’t go on…I hate long reviews but roll on book 2. I need to know how this all plays out! 😂
November 10, 2023
Crikey, this book is great. I mean it. Drew is on top-form here, and it’s the perfect opener to the series. Everything’s here: the thoroughly engaging lovable and hate-able characters, the interstellar politics, the spaceships and physics, the worldbuilding, the mystery and intrigue. Drew has always been good at writing in other people’s universes—be that Elite, or Midnight—but when he’s let loose into his own universe, the results are on a totally different level. Shadeward was a triumph, and Hegira really does feel like a full evolution of that. It’s got me excited and restless to read the rest of the series; the wait will be agonising!
So, first of all let’s talk plot. It’s all set against a backdrop reminiscent to that of Drew’s Elite: Dangerous and Elect Saga books, within a collection of core star systems controlled by major factions all vying for territory. There are several intriguing mysteries at play featuring the heiress to the Hegemony, the Mesh (jump) gate wormhole network, and the plans and machinations of other enigmatic powers. Caught up in the middle is a tramp trader crew just looking to make ends meet and pay off substantial debts while being chased by pirates and bounty hunters. Drew is great at writing truly character-driven stories, and everything in the book really does feel like it wouldn’t happen without the agency of each and every one of the characters involved—even in the situations where things happen to them.
The substantial cast of characters themselves are all brilliant, well-realised, and I got immediately invested in them. The captain of the tramp trader crew in particular is a cantankerous elderly woman who, bizarrely, really put me in mind of Mrs Packard from Disney’s Atlantis: The Lost Empire. Their ship has great character of its own, too, and I can see it becoming just as iconic as the Mobilis from Shadeward. The rest of the characters from the other plot-lines are just as engaging, and the way the threads weave together as the story progresses was masterfully done.
There’s really some great set-pieces in this as well, all brought about by the excellent worldbuilding. The physics of space travel and the dangers inherent in that environment are rock solid, and Drew has taken an “Expanse” style approach to ship-building where the decks are oriented perpendicular to the length of the vessels. This also allows for the ships to have pseudo-gravity from thrust, and means that we frequently see the ships accelerating halfway to their destination, cutting thrust, flipping over, and decelerating the rest of the way. The mechanics of high-acceleration manoeuvres are excellently done, especially within a particular set-piece that was just plain awesome to read. For fans of Shadeward, there are plenty of little references to Lacaille 9352, and we get hints of a mystery as to why the world of Esurio is unknown to the wider human diaspora. As always, the worldbuilding is meticulously planned and well detailed, including the developing system of Mesh Gates for interstellar travel, the limitations of which are clearly defined.
Pacing and prose are top-notch here. The book is so easy to just keep on reading that I had to force myself to slow down and savour it. I didn’t want it to end! And that’s helped along even more by the style of Drew’s writing. In his Midnight Chronicles books, Drew adopted a certain writing style to go along with the epic quest fantasy vibe, but I have to say I do much prefer the style he uses for his sci-fi works.
Overall Hegira: Contravention is one of the best books I’ve read this year, and the easiest five stars I’ve ever given. Can’t wait to continue the series.
So, first of all let’s talk plot. It’s all set against a backdrop reminiscent to that of Drew’s Elite: Dangerous and Elect Saga books, within a collection of core star systems controlled by major factions all vying for territory. There are several intriguing mysteries at play featuring the heiress to the Hegemony, the Mesh (jump) gate wormhole network, and the plans and machinations of other enigmatic powers. Caught up in the middle is a tramp trader crew just looking to make ends meet and pay off substantial debts while being chased by pirates and bounty hunters. Drew is great at writing truly character-driven stories, and everything in the book really does feel like it wouldn’t happen without the agency of each and every one of the characters involved—even in the situations where things happen to them.
The substantial cast of characters themselves are all brilliant, well-realised, and I got immediately invested in them. The captain of the tramp trader crew in particular is a cantankerous elderly woman who, bizarrely, really put me in mind of Mrs Packard from Disney’s Atlantis: The Lost Empire. Their ship has great character of its own, too, and I can see it becoming just as iconic as the Mobilis from Shadeward. The rest of the characters from the other plot-lines are just as engaging, and the way the threads weave together as the story progresses was masterfully done.
There’s really some great set-pieces in this as well, all brought about by the excellent worldbuilding. The physics of space travel and the dangers inherent in that environment are rock solid, and Drew has taken an “Expanse” style approach to ship-building where the decks are oriented perpendicular to the length of the vessels. This also allows for the ships to have pseudo-gravity from thrust, and means that we frequently see the ships accelerating halfway to their destination, cutting thrust, flipping over, and decelerating the rest of the way. The mechanics of high-acceleration manoeuvres are excellently done, especially within a particular set-piece that was just plain awesome to read. For fans of Shadeward, there are plenty of little references to Lacaille 9352, and we get hints of a mystery as to why the world of Esurio is unknown to the wider human diaspora. As always, the worldbuilding is meticulously planned and well detailed, including the developing system of Mesh Gates for interstellar travel, the limitations of which are clearly defined.
Pacing and prose are top-notch here. The book is so easy to just keep on reading that I had to force myself to slow down and savour it. I didn’t want it to end! And that’s helped along even more by the style of Drew’s writing. In his Midnight Chronicles books, Drew adopted a certain writing style to go along with the epic quest fantasy vibe, but I have to say I do much prefer the style he uses for his sci-fi works.
Overall Hegira: Contravention is one of the best books I’ve read this year, and the easiest five stars I’ve ever given. Can’t wait to continue the series.
November 25, 2023
I just finished my (first) read through of Drew Wagar’s initial Hegira novel - his new sci fi series. It’s filled with fun world building set in an interstellar future for humanity. The beginning adventure assembles a small ship’s crew who come together through political intrigue, tragedy, and adventure. The distinctive characters are intriguing and drive the plot of this initial adventure setting up a promising series! It’s a space opera which feels like a real possible future for humanity.
November 15, 2023
I have only read Drew Wagar's Elite Dangerous books where he was constrained in his narrative choices as they were tied to the game, so this is the first book of him that I've read where he could show his full abilities.
I like the Elite Dangerous books but this one is even better. The Hegira universe is mostly grounded in real physics, only adding more fantastical element like jumping from star system to star system where it is required to make an interstellar story possible. I like hard scifi as it leaves the writer fewer options for deux ex machina. The characters are interesting and well written, and the book does a good job of setting the stage while also telling a good story. I am eager to read the next books in this series.
I do notice a few tropes in his writing which are not necessarily bad. My only two real problem with the book werer a rather obvious (EMP) plot hole which almost made me stop reading as the characters ignored this for a while. A few chapters later this was finally addressed. That is probably something that would not have bothered other people. The other issue is that letting the future Empress wander around alone in dangerous areas should have seemed implausible to herself as well 4.5/5
I like the Elite Dangerous books but this one is even better. The Hegira universe is mostly grounded in real physics, only adding more fantastical element like jumping from star system to star system where it is required to make an interstellar story possible. I like hard scifi as it leaves the writer fewer options for deux ex machina. The characters are interesting and well written, and the book does a good job of setting the stage while also telling a good story. I am eager to read the next books in this series.
I do notice a few tropes in his writing which are not necessarily bad. My only two real problem with the book werer a rather obvious (EMP) plot hole which almost made me stop reading as the characters ignored this for a while. A few chapters later this was finally addressed. That is probably something that would not have bothered other people. The other issue is that letting the future Empress wander around alone in dangerous areas should have seemed implausible to herself as well 4.5/5
January 23, 2024
A strange mixture of really clever ideas, some interesting politics and some nice science, but with some schoolboy howler plot holes (no details here, because - spoilers), some really cardboard characters and some awful dialogue. Not sure if I will read book 2 when it turns up.
December 27, 2023
Familiar tropes written with style. Like a warm hug in Book form
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews