Warrior Goddess: Book Two of the Mei Ling Lee Trilogy

by Brendan Wilson

Following the events in the Achilles Battle Fleet, in which Mei Ling Lee is court-martialed and demoted in rank, she transfers to the Alliance Marine Corps and is sent to the far reaches of the galaxy to fight criminal gangs engaged in human trafficking. Lee is abruptly pulled out of company command and sent on a top-secret undercover mission to find and arrest her former boss, Admiral Jay Chambers, who has been missing for the past two years. Alliance intelligence suspects Chambers of running a criminal empire on a remote planet. When Lee finds him, she realizes she must join forces with him to employ her wits and her martial arts skill to foil a plot by terrorists to use time travel to disrupt the present and the future.

Former US Army Ranger and Tae Kwon Do grandmaster Brendan Wilson draws upon his military and martial arts experience, as well as his love of science to continue the saga of Mei Ling Lee in this second novel in the series.

398 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2024

Reviews

[Literary Titan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brendan Wilson’s Warrior Goddess is an action-packed sci-fi epic that follows Marine Captain Mei Ling Lee as she navigates a universe rife with chaos, corruption, and conflict. Set in a distant future where humanity grapples with lawlessness and war, this sequel plunges readers into thrilling battles, moral quandaries, and Lee's relentless journey to lead her team with grit and honor. While the book stands alone, its rich backstory hints at an expansive world built with meticulous care, drawing on themes of resilience and personal sacrifice.

What struck me first was Wilson's knack for pacing. Right from the opening scene, with Mei Ling and her team hurtling through space in fiery orbs toward a high-stakes rescue, I was hooked. Wilson vividly describes Lee's free-fall into enemy territory, balancing technical details of battle armor and insertion tactics with raw human emotions like exhilaration and fear. These moments of intensity are complemented by quieter reflections, such as Mei Ling’s thoughts on her tumultuous transition from the Navy to the Marines. It felt like I was skydiving alongside her—heart pounding, adrenaline coursing.

The character depth is another highlight. Mei Ling Lee is fierce, loyal, and deeply human, wrestling with her identity and role as a leader. I appreciated her interactions with Gunnery Sergeant MacGregor, whose calm, no-nonsense demeanor perfectly contrasts her fiery drive. One of my favorite scenes is when Lee confronts a smuggler threatening a child. The tension is palpable as she coolly outmaneuvers him, a testament to her warrior spirit and sharp mind. Wilson excels at making these encounters personal, giving the action weight and stakes beyond mere spectacle. Wilson's background in martial arts and military operations shines through, lending authenticity to the combat and camaraderie among soldiers.

Warrior Goddess is not just a story of battles and strategy but one of courage and humanity in the face of overwhelming odds. Readers who love character-driven sci-fi with a strong female lead will find much to admire here. If you're a fan of The Expanse or Starship Troopers, this book will feel like home. Personally, I can’t wait to see where Mei Ling’s path leads next.

[Kay Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brendan Wilson writes another thrilling novel, packed with action and adventure, as we read about the first novel's primary characters return to face difficult and life threatening missions and we are introduced to new characters who are equally challenged. The action scenes are vivid, exciting, and fast-paced. We sense the characters' fears, anger, pain, adversities, and triumphs. The author explores a world of time travel, military conquests, and altered realities that seem more real than fictional. The two novels in the Mei Ling Lee trilogy, plus the upcoming third novel, will make outstanding films.