Whiskey and Warfare

The Team Huntress Flights #1

by E.M. Hamill

Running on caffeine and spite with nothing left to prove.
GOLDEN GIRLS meets FIREFLY in this rollicking space opera adventure.

Maryn Alessi retired from mercenary service after her last assignment went horribly sideways and settled down on a quiet planet with the love of her life. Unexpectedly widowed, Maryn must fulfill a promise to return her mate’s ashes to zer home planet for funeral rites, but a brutal civil war has destabilized space travel.

Former Artemis Corps sisters-in-arms and their sassy ship, the Golden Girl, are up to the task, counting on luck and their rather sketchy cargo business to get Maryn passage through the contested star lanes. But when the crew of the Girl rescues survivors of a ruthless war crime, Maryn and her ride-or-die friends must take up their old profession to save the lives of innocents from a genocidal dictator.

Genres: Science Fiction

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 15, 2024

About the author

E.M. (Elisabeth) Hamill writes adult science fiction and fantasy somewhere in the wilds of eastern suburban Kansas. A nurse by day, wordsmith by night, she has sworn never to grow up and get boring.

Frequently under the influence of caffeinated beverages, she also writes as Elisabeth Hamill for young adult readers in fantasy with the award-winning Songmaker series.

She lives with her family, where they fend off flying monkey attacks and prep for the zombie apocalypse.

Reviews

[Athena (OneReadingNurse) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full Read completed for SPSFC4... Hummmm thoughts to come

[J.P. Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read E.M. Hamill's work for years and every novel is as entertaining as the last. This is no exception. Hamill delivers the "Golden Girls" in space, and even though that's the name of the AI spaceship, the vibe of the 4 best friends (who happen to be space mercenaries) is seat-of-your-pants action-packed, filled with 'omg I'm too old for this,' coupled with a healthy dose of 'fuckit, live life to its fullest.'
Hamill also does some of the best writing on gender. Check it out. Stellar.

A couple of stunning phrases:

"I know I'm chronologically fifty-four, but I thought there'd be some kind of...I don't know. Some kind of level up where I feel wiser or gain more gravitas. All I have is less patience for stupidity and an increased number of bathroom trips." (Gurl, yes. Me too)

"I expect to be terrorizing the galaxy as cackling old crones." (HAHAHAHAHA - count me in!)

This is a series and I cannot wait for the next installment.

[Bonita Gutierrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a huge fan of E.M. Hamill’s. In my opinion, everything she writes is gold. So when she asked me to ARC read her latest book Whiskey and Warfare, I jumped at the chance.

Whiskey and Warfare is brimming with E.M. Hamill’s trademark fast-paced action, snappy humor, and memorable characters. But what makes this book stand out for me from the other amazing series she’s published is how personal it feels.

At its core, Whiskey and Warfare is about the deep and enduring friendship of Team Huntress. Theirs is a friendship forged in emotional trauma but solidified by genuine devotion. Their story is of profound grief and hopeful love. It’s honest, true, and completely relatable.

And like me, I know you’ll fall in love with Team Huntress.

[Nancy Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am one of the judges of team Space Girls for the SPSFC4 contest. This review is my personal opinion. Officially, it is still in the running for the contest, pending any official team announcements.

Status: Finalist
Read: 100%

This is my last book for the competition and I opened it without knowing anything about the story other than it seems to feature 3 human women and a white humanoid cat wearing a space suit. The plot is a pretty straightforward space opera romp starring 4 old friends that get together from semi retirement for one final adventure.

The big difference that helps stand this book apart from a popular theme is each protagonist are middle aged women, the humans in their mid 50s and the cat named Col is in her mid 30s, still springy, just not as much as she used to.

It's real fun reading books with older protagonists and I only felt sad we don't get any scenes of the married couple Jac & Scylla interacting with their adult daughter Maya. Pretty much 80% of the book is in the MC Maryn's POV.

While plenty of books starring old friends getting back together on a mission happen under more pressing circumstances, this book changes the trope a bit where Maryn is a sunken emotional wreck because her spouse, a gender neutral midnight elf named Andalik died a few hours ago from an unexpected illness. Losing your spouse all of a sudden is traumatic enough, things become tenfold worse because Andalik was a member of the Xyri royal family and needs to be buried in zer home planet within a limited time limit. The book never addresses what would happen if this ceremony wasn't done on time, only that not complying would cause political fallout with her relatives.

Not only is Maryn grieving, but she's suffering from PTSD due to nearly dying 20 years ago getting stranded in space. Her 3 friends offer to let her ride their spaceship named 'Girl' while trying to accomodate her space fright. In some ways, despite being very different books from unrelated genres, this book reminded me of Sistah Samurai because both books star a middle aged former warrior who is struggling with the loss of their spouse and the emotional tolls of their violent past. In both books, a female friend of their order shows up to give her emotional support and keep on going.

Saggy stomachs, scars, menopause and aching knees, this book delivers the aches and pains of middle age alongside characters suffering from crippling mental illness that do affect the plot in convincing ways. I am glad to see more books starring older matured protagonists getting their chance to shine along with her lifelong friends. If anything, I felt bummed we never get a scene of Jac knitting given it seems to be her hobby. I would have loved to have a filler travel chapter featuring Jac using Maryn as her sweater model. Scylla frequently blasts metal music at full volume and the level-headed space cat Col is usually seen praying. We never get to see Maryn pursuing her geeky dinosaur hobby turned day job, but given the greater conflict of being a widow and facing her demons, it would make sense she wasn't in the mood to read books during ship downtime. I will presume sequels might offer more of these scenes.

Overall, the Heros Journey story is familiar without any major surprises, but the story is well written without any major formatting or pacing issues. If anything, I never got to understand why everyone knew the hybrid Dair was a gender neutral from looks alone since this is the first of their species Maryn has ever encountered. The book also never delves much about why Dair is addressed with they/them pronouns while Anderlik uses zem pronouns. A part of me would have wanted a villain POV, particularly of the haughty Raging Fire captain. But this is just a personal preference given the book prefers to focus on the sisterhood of the 4 friends and otherwise the book is perfectly fine as it is.

Despite the minor quips, I do believe this book has earned itself its finalist status and readers searching for these specific tropes will enjoy the book very much.

4.5 stars!

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from the SPSFC4, where I was a judge. This book was a finalist in the competition, and I'm sorry to the author for posting this so late. While my reviews on other places went up back in June or July, I've been bogged down in my written reviews.

Anyway, a sci-fi featuring a crew I’ve never seen before - women in their 50s - Whiskey and Warfare is a great blend of bringing the team back together and adventure.

There are a lot of cozy stories or book club fiction about women in their pre-retirement age, but there aren’t a lot of action-adventures. And while this one does have a couple of cozy elements here and there, it’s definitely not a warm and fuzzy sci-fi as it deals with some serious concepts like genocide. Yet, despite the heaviness on that front, it’s fun and it’s great to have a cast of characters that are pretty much entirely women.

The book is also extremely queer friendly, with a lesbian couple, a non-binary (dead) spouse, and other characters in the LGBTQ+ community.

The characters are the strongest aspect of the story because, despite us meeting Maryn mid-funeral for her spouse, and she hasn’t seen her friends in a few years, they effortlessly fall back into their relationships. They talk, get into weird fights, and show care for one another in ways that feel grounded in history. They also feel like older ladies - they complain about stuff that I’m unfortunately just starting to understand at 40, but they also don’t take shit anymore, which I’m, fortunately, also starting to do, and they also have experience and confidence in themselves. It’s really refreshing to see, versus stories of young people trying ot prove their worth.

The worldbuilding was solid enough to be easily understandable, and the plot was good - very much a mercenaries with heart vs evil empire situation - classic space opera.

Because I read it for the competition, I will say I found it dragged a little bit in terms of the story - not that I wasn’t interested in the characters and what was going on, but the pace could have been a bit quicker at the start. It just takes a while for the real premise to build, and while it was great to see a mercenary character overcome a fear, I almost didn’t need that angle, given we were also dealing with her grief over her dead spouse and her re-entering a profession she had left over a decade before. Yet, this was a minor thing, as the story overall is really great.

If you're looking for a female-led, queer spin on a classic space opera, this is that book!

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

4.5 stars

Two comments before I go further in the review. This story involves the attempted genocide of one people by another, with help from powerful, outside governments, which some readers may find uncomfortable. The second comment is that the cover of this book won’t be to everyone’s taste. It really isn’t to mine, and I’m glad I chose to review this because of the author and the plot, because it’s a fun book that deserves to be read.

Hamill has an effortless way of writing characters that make them feel natural and alive. The banter isn’t always witty, because the in-jokes are between characters, not the author and the reader. Arguments happen sometimes out of nowhere because people are stressed and under pressure and blowing up … and both parties handle it like adults. There are apologies, communication, and forgiveness because they’re all old friends who have been there for one another in life and death situations.

The plot is solid, the pacing is good, and the writing is fluid, but the main attraction is the character work. These four women are each well drawn with distinct personalities, and the ties of friendship between all of them are well presented.

Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

DISCLAIMER - I received a free copy of this book to review for the 2024/25 Self-Published Science Fiction Competition (SPSFC).

Space Opera is not my “go to” science fiction - just too much fighting for my tastes. That said, Whiskey and Warfare is one of the best things I’ve read in this year’s competition. E.M. Hamill’s writing is great, the characters multi-dimensional and relatable, the plot includes several different branches, and then there is GIRL - and AI spaceship with an attitude.

With the exception of a husband who dies before the story begins and a couple of total A-Hole academics, this book features a nearly all female identifying cast of characters - including the ship. And with aliens, space travel, and intergalactic politics, this book is all sci-fi.

The ongoing theme of this book is what to do with four women “of a certain age” that are not ready to be be put on the sidelines. Who could not root for four former elite commandoes decide to “put the band back together” to fight for the underdogs in a genocidal war?

The icing on the cake is that Hamill is a master of putting a humorous spin on even the darkest of situations. As a reader now in my seventh decade, I particularly enjoyed this quip: “I know I’m chronologically fifty-four, but I thought there’d be some kind of … I don’t know. Some kind of level up where I feel wiser or gain more gravitas. All I have is less patience for stupidity and an increased number of bathroom trips.”

The banter back and forth and the personal demons being faced quickly make Maryn, Col, Scylla, and Jac your newest best friends. When they fly off at the end of the book you will miss them terribly. The cover states that this is book one so I’m hoping that Hamill will not let these heroes stay away long and has the sequel well underway.

[E.L. Montague · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary: On it's surface, this is a standard military adventure. We follow along with a tightknit group of mercenaries as they take on the wrongs of the universe. But it's more than that. It's a discussion of growing older. It's about faith and fidelity. It's a look at what courage is. And it's layered commentary of corporatism and community. Most of all, it's a good time.

The Good: The Artemis Corps is a classic telling of the group of friends taking care of each other through the shit. Life sucks. It's hard. We love and lose and fall apart and the family we make is just as important as the family that made us. Hamill does a fine job of assembling the mercenary crew.

It might be that I'm at that age myself, but Hamill also makes run through the indecencies of growing older. Maryn loses her spouse. Scylla is losing her mind. Everyone's got to pee too much. And no one should go into space without their meds. The story is told without making this a joke. It felt that way a little in the start, but the sincerity won me over. I don't really know when I stopped thinking about it and started worrying about the characters, but I totally did. I was sucked in.

The Golden Girl might not sit as high in my esteem as the Serenity, but she's pretty high up there. Girl fit right into the team. She had just as many dents and dings to build her character as the ladies of Jaq's crew. She felt like the younger sister only just outside the problems the other four were dealing with who was just trying to take care of them. It worked, even the on-the-nose name, but she didn't feel like a Rose. She felt more like Dorothy to me. I dig the girl.

I listed to this one on Audible. Excellent narration.

The Bad: I never really got a good villain - Zil, the mercenary frigate, PG - not really. We got a self-serving boss, a rival, an overpowered henchman, and a faceless corporation. I might have been more satisfied with an actual place to put my ire, but maybe not. I was pretty happy anyway and the villain wasn't the point. So, maybe it didn't matter.

There were times with the "old people problems" came out like a checklist, but you know what they say about the ring of truth. I get up at night to pee and that never happened twenty years ago.

This one is the opposite of a backhanded compliment, I don't know the word for it. Aestism is 'a' word for it, but I don't like that; it's got no stick to it. Here you go. Zee and zer (Zi/Zir) are weird. It threw me for three chapters. I didn't even know what was going on most of the time, but... it faded. I didn't think about it very long. Once I'd filed it away in it's place, it chafed a little bit, but I got used to it. This is the way to feed the idea into the world. Honestly, I don't care at all about who anyone loves, but I do care about language and clarity. I don't like noticing things in my story that aren't the story, but it got better. I stopped noticing. Keep it up.

Overall: I really enjoyed this book. I love being pulled into a story. I love caring about the characters. I love wanting to know the end. I judge books by how willing I am to give things up to read them. And this was a story that I was happy to spend time with. I think you will be, too.

And, I'd spend some more time with the ladies of the Artemis Corps. This one is a 4.7 of 5 for me.

[J. Coatsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whiskey and Warfare was pitched to me for a beta read by a dear friend of mine, EM Hamill. They had me at “It’s like Golden Girls meets Firefly.”

The story kicks off at a memorial service. Maryn Alessi, once a space mercenary and of late a Professor at a university on Echo Four, has just lost her partner, the nonbinary Andalek, a non-binary Xyrian royal who succumbed to a plague the week before. They should have outlived Maryn by centuries, and she suddenly finds herself alone and stripped of the job she only held by dint of her partner’s tenure.

When the opportunity comes to leave her troubles behind, at least momentarily, by hopping a ride with her former mercenary crew – Col, Scylla, Jaq and the always entertaining Golden Girl ship/snarky AI – she jumps at it.

But what seems like it will be a simple run to Xyri to lay Andelek’s ashes to rest instead turns into a wild run for their lives, when a little smuggler rendezvous that Jac and Scylla “forgot to mention” goes horribly wrong. Soon, the four aging once-warriors find themselves drawn into a fight with a shadowy corporation, trying to save innocent beings from genocide.

Maryn just has to figure out how to overcome her fear from that last, worst mission where he was lost in space and convinced she was going to die.

I love the characters. The story is told in third person, from Maryn’s point of view. She’s getting old, feeling cranky, and not ready to face her old fears, let alone jump back into save-the-galaxy mode. Whiskey and Warfare a no-holds-barred look at aging, including a couple scenes were Maryn is sitting naked on the toilet, staring at her “decrepit” body and the scars that mark who she once was.

My favorite character is Col, a six-and-a-half foot tall white furry Boshi who is at turns menacing and cuddly, and has an almost terminal (and thoroughly adorable) fear of children. Scylla and Jaq, a pair of lovers and the only two of the four still actively working at the whole mercenary thing, round out the cast.

But how could I forget the Golden Girl? Yeah, the name’s maybe a bit on the nose, but the ship/AI offers a humorous counterpoint to the seriousness of the plot, and her sassy comments make her my second favorite character.

There are nail-biting space walk scenes, terrifying battles, and some good-old-fashioned negotiating with the person they left for dead on a previous mission, from who they now need for supplies. The whole story exudes a Firefly (or Star Wars) vibe.

A story with older characters shouldn’t seem so daring. It’s refreshing seeing these women, whom society wants to relegate to the sideines, rediscover who they are and kick some ass. Just goes to show that you don’t have to be a hopped up, macho space marine to clean someone’s clock.

A fantastic read, a thoroughly delightful romp through space with an all-female main cast that blends crazy action scenes with deep reflection on what it means to grow older. This isn’t your parents’ Golden Girls.

I just hope they come back again for more.

[Azrah · Rating 3 out of 5]

[This review can also be found on my BLOG]

**I read this book as a judge for the fourth annual Self Published Science Fiction Competition (SPSFC), this review is solely my own and does not reflect the opinions of the whole team**

CW: violence, war, discussions of genocide/ethnic cleansing, death, loss of loved one, grief, anxiety, ptsd, vehicle accident, swearing, alcohol, terminal illness
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Whiskey and Warfare introduces us to Maryn Alessi, sadly at a time when she has just lost her spouse. Her old Artemis Corp crew from back in her mercenary for hire days reunite with her at the funeral and offer to take Maryn on their ship, the Golden Girl to return her spouse’s ashes back to zer home planet. However, a civil war has been brewing on the fringes of space and when their journey has them crossing paths with a spaceship wreck where it is clear civilians have been unjustly targeted, old habits die hard and the Golden Girl’s crew can’t look the other way when tyrants are at large and innocent lives are at stake.

This was an entertaining and quick read that pretty much feels like your typical “getting the band back together” storyline where the group of friends find themselves stepping in to help the little guys against a bigger, more corrupt power. The difference here is that the wholesome found family at the heart of this story is made up of an all female-identifying crew who are much older than your usual space opera/sci-fi adventure cast which made the book all the more original.

I immediately loved every single member of this crew and their beautiful friendship. However, I did feel like the character work overshadowed the space opera side of things, particularly regarding the wider political situation, to the point that it felt a bit superficial.

While the descriptions of the different planet and station settings capture the scene in the moment, they never really stuck with me as much as the atmosphere aboard the Golden Girl. Plus the actual conflict between the Qet and the Kephran was hashed out in a quick conversation to catch both Maryn and the reader up with. With it being a key part of the book’s synopsis while Maryn and co were actively involved it felt more like a side quest in the overall story.

Their personal stakes, for instance Maryn unpacking her trauma of spacewalking, finding her feet again after such a big loss and everyone coming to terms with how time and age has effected their way of life were aspects that had more emotional weight for me. Additionally while there were some great moments of action I couldn’t help but feeling that everything wrapped up too quickly and neatly by the end with the political plotline.

That aside I still enjoyed this little book and if you enjoy more character driven narratives and space opera storylines with a smaller scope then you’ll definitely have fun with this one too!

[E.W. Parris · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Old Woman's War" is how I characterized Whiskey and Warfare by E.M. Hamill when someone asked me what I was reading for SPSFC4. While I found John Scalzi's Old Man's War sort of meh, this book feels like a more mature, more heartfelt exploration of similar ground. Given the opportunity would someone of middle age want to dive into a life of a mercenary soldier for hire? What would that look and feel like?

Maryn, a fifty-something retired mercenary soldier has lost her spouse, an alien exobiologist, and her job as a professor is mired in academic politics. Luckily for Maryn, her gang of mostly ex-military besties are there to rescue her from middle age.

Where they go from there is a story that provides plenty of room for Hamill to sketch her aging characters with honesty, humor, and humanity (whether they're technically human or not). Where John Scalzi's Old Man's War provides his elders with a new and improved body to take with them on their adventures, Hamill's cast must face their warfare with no such physical enhancements. Her characters go to war with flawed eyesight, creaking joints, unreliable bladders, and in one case, with the tragic onset of dementia.

The result is a story that far exceeded my expectations. It's a story I prefer over Scalzi's glib and glossy tale that treats old age as a disease to be cured. Hamill's characters have to deal with their age-related foibles, their shared trauma, and their losses without the deus ex machina or rejuvenation. Their biggest strength is their friendship as a team of underestimated grannies.

I found this story to be equal parts  heart-warming and heart-breaking, full of real human depth, and a thoughtful exploration of aging, loss, and the healing power of friendships.

[Jess VandenBoom · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Somewhere out there was a corporation willing to engage in genocide to get what they wanted.” Set in a universe like that of the Illuminae Files or Murderbot Diaries, a team of four former mercenaries reunite after the death of one of their spouses. On the way to zer funeral they rescue refugees from a destroyed ship and discover evidence of corporate-sponsored genocide. Older than they once were, and with distant memories of the horrors of war, the women face their fears, dust off their battle armor, and take on the fight.

“You were a warrior before you were a teacher, and neither negate the other. Your nature is bone deep, like mine.” Col reached out and clasped her wrist. “I am not dismissing your fear. It is very real, but it cannot differentiate between then and now. You can.”

Each character is uniquely endearing, including the team’s ship, the Golden Girl. When the story begins, they have an already established foundation of trust, and as the reader we get to see them learn how each other has changed and grown in their time apart.

The stakes are high, but the team rises to the occasion and challenging topics are handled with sensitivity and biting humor. I grinned a lot, cried a bit, and loved every moment. This team is a delight, and I will be back if we get to see them in another adventure one day.

[Jay Brantner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read Whiskey and Warfare as part of a judging team for the fourth annual Self-Published Science Fiction Competition (SPSFC4), where it is a finalist.

Whiskey and Warfare is a short, fast-paced novel that knows what it wants to be and executes it snappily. A band of four women—or rather, female-identifying beings, as one of them is feline—who once served together as mercenaries get the band back together to aid the victims of a genocide being perpetrated against a mixed-race group that holds lucrative mining rights.

Perhaps the main area of the story that doesn’t hew tightly to the tropes is the age of the cast. They’re old enough to be grandparents, and they have physical and psychological scars that genuinely affect their ability to do their jobs. It’s a nice touch in what is otherwise a well-executed, but not especially surprising, action sci-fi tale.

First impression: 13/20.

Full review and SPSFC score to come at www.tarvolon.com

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a universe awash with space elves and giant reptiles where Murderbot would not be out of place, widowed Maryn Alessi needs to return the ashes of her late husband to his home planet. That is a major problem because Maryn has a phobia for space flight. But with the assistance of her old comrades in arms, she makes her way aboard the Golden Girl and they set off. But a few detours ensued, there was smuggling, war crimes to witness, and refugees to rescue. So the old team took up the mantle of protector at least one more time and went off to slay the metaphorical dragon. Managing to survive, more or less intact, there may be future deeds of derring-do in the future! A nice space opera tale in a compact title!

Thanks Netgalley and Starbard Books for the chance to follow the Team Huntress exploits!

[M.H. Thaung]

This is a fast-paced space adventure with a strong focus on interpersonal relationships. “Old gang reunites for one more mission” isn’t a novel premise, but I enjoyed how it was handled here. The sense of ageing and passage of time wasn’t ever forgotten, but neither did the author bash the reader over the head with it.

The writing was straightforward and easy to read. I noticed just a couple of typos. The plot came together well, with the right amount of background information provided. The personalities were distinct. I liked how they interacted with each other and how they handled their individual concerns.

Overall, a fun space opera with plenty of heart.

[Martha Ostrander · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to get to read an advanced copy of this book.
I couldn’t put it down! I laughed, I cried, I cussed, I was totally enthralled. I want to go for a drink with these women and listen to their stories. Better yet, I want to go with them!! It is wonderful to have “seasoned “ characters who have had life experience. What a treat!
The Author has built such a complete world that it is easy to envision it. Not to mention want to hang out there. The cast of characters is well drawn out, each with their own personality and style. I can’t wait to read more of their adventures.

[Dr susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome sci fi adventure

But today is Nov 6, 2024, and this wasn't the best book to read on Election Day and today. Dread and grief are major threads in this story, matched by my personal feelings. The five friends (I included Girl) are incredible ladies who have lived amazing lives. The story has humor, which I may appreciate more when I reread it. There is definitely a sad body count. And age-ism. And prejudice. And so much grief. And found family. And believable non-humans. And I adore Maryn and look forward to more Team Huntress adventures.

[Carol Stefanik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the term space opera. This is a great sci fi story with strong but ageing female characters. As an ageing female myself I identify with all their issues, strengths and weaknesses. Lots of action. But don't get me wrong, this is a chick flick. Tons of emotion, tears and rage. They are bad ass bitches and if that language bothers you, don't read this one because they talk that way too.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Juniper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is immersive in all the best ways-- these characters, the things they get into (and out of), the vibes, the banter-- it's memorable and compelling and I definitely want to see more of them in the future.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Stephanie Moore]

Y’all the book was good! I enjoyed how the protagonist’s were older/middle aged. I like the small exploration of grief, and I liked the -get the team back together-ness of it all.
I don’t think this book will be for everyone but if the synopsis interests you, you should read it!