Sailor to a Siren

Underside #1

by Zoë Sumra

When Connor and Logan Cardwain, a gangster's lieutenants, steal a shipment of high-grade narcotics on the orders of their boss, Connor dreams of diverting the profits and setting up in business for himself. His plans encounter a hurdle in the form of Eloise Falaviere, Logan's former girlfriend, who has been hired by an interplanetary police force's vice squad.

Logan wants a family; Eloise wants to stop the drugs shipment from being sent to her home planet; Connor wants to gain independence without angering his boss. All of their plans are derailed, though, when they discover that the shipment was hiding a much deadlier secret - the prototype of a tiny superweapon powerful enough to destabilise galactic peace.

Crime lords, corrupt officials and interstellar magicians soon begin pursuing them, and Connor, Logan and Eloise realise they have to identify and confront the superweapon's smuggler in order to survive. But, when one by one their friends begin to betray them, their self-imposed mission transforms from difficult to near-impossible.

Genres: Science Fiction

288 pages, ebook

First published July 17, 2015

About the author

Zoë was born in London, but spent her later childhood living in Lancashire, where she started writing novels at the age of twelve due to extreme boredom. After completing the obligatory epic fantasy trilogy in her teens, she spent four years at the University of St Andrews, where she learnt to fence both foil and sabre and cemented her passion for space opera. She now lives in London with her husband and a collection of swords.

Reviews

[Seregil of Rhiminee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published at Risingshadow.

Zoë Sumra's debut sci-fi novel, Sailor to a Siren, is an addictive, fast-paced and highly entertaining take on an epic space opera novel. It's a novel filled with entertaining action, intriguing characters and good worldbuilding. It contains interesting gangster and thriller elements that set it apart from other similar kind of novels. It gives readers an adrenaline rush through plot twists and surprises.

Sailor to a Siren is a welcome and exciting addition to the space opera genre, because the author successfully blends space opera with a few elements that are often found in crime fiction and thriller fiction. This is something unique and unusual, because you won't be able to find many similar kind of novels. There are a few science fiction novels out there in which the authors combine different genres, but this novel feels refreshingly different from them.

In this debut novel, Zoë Sumra exhibits signs of skillful storytelling with an emphasis on fast-paced action and entertainment. The gradually unfolding story is highly enjoyable, because the author keeps readers wondering what will happen next to the characters. To be honest, it's been a while since I've read anything as good and entertaining as this novel when it comes to fast-paced space opera novels.

I think it's good to mention that Sailor to a Siren is a novel for adult readers, because it contains sex, violence and gritty scenes that are not suitable for younger readers.

Here's a bit of information about the story:

The events take place on a planet that is inhabited by the bird-like Pellites and humans. Connor and Logan Cardwain are lieutenants who work for a gangster, Meris Hardblade. Connor and Logan steal a drug shipment from a rival gang and wonder why it was guarded by a Spellweaver instead of normal guards. They try to find a way to sell what they've stolen. Soon Connor and Logan realise that they've stolen something far more valuable than drugs and find themselves in quite a big trouble. Their lives become increasingly complicated when Logan's old girlfriend, Ellie (Éloise Falavière), appears to their lives. She's a Spellweaver who's trying to prevent drug shipments from being sent to her home planet...

This is the beginning of an enjoyable and fast-paced story that's filled with action and surprises.

Characterisation is good and interesting, because the three main characters - Connor Cardwain, Logan Cardwain and Éloise Falavière - have quite a lot of depth to them. Considering the amount of action this novel contains and how fast the story moves forward, character development works surprisingly well. This is rare in fast-paced space operas, because normally authors emphasise action over character development and thus characters tend to be a bit flat and one-dimensional.

All of the main characters are compelling, because their lives are anything but ordinary. Both of the Cardwain brothers are criminals, but they're strangely likeable and have their own agendas - Connor is interested in setting up his own business and Logan has a lot on his mind because of Éloise. Éloise is a fascinating character, because she's a Spellweaver and has her own secrets.

It was interesting for me to read about what happened to Connor and Logan when they found out the truth about what they had stolen. Their actions and decisions are told in a convincing and satisfying manner.

Worldbuilding is excellent, because the author has created a universe filled with different species, aliens, brutality and interesting magic. Life is cheap and harsh in this universe and anything can happen to those who are not careful about their doings and dealings with various gangsters and people. Nobody can be fully trusted, because betrayal comes easy. You have to be able to look after yourself and your own interests or you'll perish.

The story moves fast forward, which is great. There aren't any boring moments in this novel, because the author keeps things rolling and makes sure that there's plenty of action to satisfy the needs of readers who are fascinated by well written action scenes.

The author's way of writing about sex and sexuality is delightfully graphic and explicit. She writes boldly about sex and sexual situations, because she doesn't censor anything and lets her readers feel the heat and frenzy of sex.

Reading about the Spellweavers and their powers was interesting, because they can use magic. They have different skills that range from Defense to Healing. There are two factions of Spellweavers - the Circle and the Guild - who have disputes and differences over certain things. They refuse to meet terms. I have to mention that I was intrigued by the Spellweavers' magic and its origin, because it was something different. Antimagic is also explored in an intriguing way, because it causes severe discomfort to Spellweavers.

One of the best things about this novel is that Zoë Sumra has created a satisfyingly complex story. Her story becomes increasingly interesting as it begins to unfold, because certain things are revealed to readers (it's pure entertainment from start to finish).

I'd like to write a lot about the plot twists and surprises in this novel, but I think I'd better not go into details about them, because I might write spoilers. I'll only mention as an example that the scene in which Logan meets Éloise again and hears interesting news from her is simply excellent. What Logan hears from Éloise comes as a surprise to him, because he didn't expect to hear that kind of news. There are many other intriguing scenes, but I won't write about them, because that wouldn't be fair to anybody.

I think that careful readers will notice that there's much more to this novel than meets the eye. At first it may seem to be an action-filled novel, but it has quite a lot of hidden depth that is revealed through dialogues and how the characters react to different happenings.

I have a feeling that the author has a lot more in store for her readers and she will continue to write more stories about the same universe, because this novel gives readers a tiny yet fascinating glimpse into the universe she has created. I look forward to reading more novels by her, because she is a talented author who has managed to pack a lot of story into a single novel and she has done it well. (More, please!)

I give this novel strong 4.5 stars on the scale from 1 to 5 stars for its entertainment values and compelling characters.

Zoë Sumra's Sailor to a Siren is excellent entertainment. If you're a fan of space opera novels and action-filled sci-fi stories, please take a look at this novel. It offers you action, complex situations and plenty of entertainment in a marvellous all-in-one package. It's a perfect example of how to write entertaining and fast-paced space opera for adults with compelling characters and gritty scenes.

Highly recommended to readers who want fast-paced action and interesting characters from their space opera novels!

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is apparent from just the first couple of chapters that “Sailor to a Siren” combines an intriguing, and relatively unusual, mix of genres. The first chapter opens in the middle of a heist with member of one gang (including two of the novel’s protagonists) stealing a drug shipment owned by a rival gang. That this isn’t a mundane crime novel is soon obvious since the rival gang members are aliens who look a bit like giant birds and they have a human woman helping them guard the shipment who can do what the characters describe as magic.

The setting feels like a classic space opera setting with humanity now dispersed across half of a galaxy dominated by two superpowers that seem to be in the middle of a lengthy Cold War. The planet most of the book is set on is largely populated by the bird-like aliens but it’s also home to a large community of humans as well as various other assorted aliens. The Spellweavers add a touch of what feels like urban fantasy into the setting, although there is some brief exposition about how the magic they do has a complex scientific explanation.

Traditionally Space Opera stories have taken place on an epic scale but despite the setting this doesn’t feel much like a traditional Space Opera plot. The story focuses on the aftermath of the heist that takes place in the first chapter, as two brothers Connor and Logan try to find a way to sell what they’ve stolen while surviving the rival gang’s retaliation and having to navigate the complicated politics of the planet’s underworld. From the very first chapter onwards they have a feeling that they’ve stumbled into something more dangerous than they expected, since no ordinary drugs shipment should have been guarded by an expensive Spellweaver. They soon find they’re in more trouble than they anticipated but even in desperate circumstances Connor always keeps looking for a way to turn the situation to his advantage. A complication is provided by the third of the book’s main characters, an old flame of Logan’s named Eloise who is part of a group of Spellweavers hired to crack down on the planet’s trade in illegal drugs.

There is a lot of plot packed into a relatively short book. This is set in a brutal world where life is cheap and everyone from the gangs to the police have their own agenda and nobody other than family can be fully trusted (although sometimes loyalty can be found in surprising places). The story gets increasingly complex as it goes along before the various factions all converge together in a final confrontation which I thought was the highlight of the book – a clash between multiple different groups where none of them are entirely in control of the situation. The setting is very claustrophobic, the stakes are high and it remains tense throughout. There are plenty of double-crosses and most characters have some hidden motivations which kept the plot unpredictable.

Due to the nature of the plot we only get glimpses of the wider setting but the book does a good job of suggesting a long history and there is plenty of material for other books in the setting to explore – the long-running conflict between the two rival guilds of Spellweavers seems particularly intriguing.

I thought the characterisation was good. I wouldn’t say most of the characters are likable – Connor and Logan are hardened criminals who loyalty to each other is probably one of their few redeeming features – but they are interesting and compelling characters. There may be a lot of action in the book but in between the three main characters do get some effective character development, and it’s also interesting to see the contrast between how they are perceived by other characters and how they perceive themselves when we see things from their perspective.

Overall, I thought this was a compelling mixture of gangland thriller, space opera and urban fantasy and I look forward to reading more books in the same setting.

[David Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rather than the 'sanitised' sci-fi of Star Wars or Star Trek, this novel follows a mid-level crime Lt as he attempts to break free of his current gang to establish himself, all the while caught up in something much bigger. The writing is good, the characterisation strong, and the action scenes well-written. Very enjoyable.

[Shannon Rohrer · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 rounded up to 5 stars.

Where to begin...

Firstly, the meshing of sci-fi and gangland thriller was awesome, plain and simple--but the incorporation of a type of magic used by the "Weavers"? It was an incredibly unique approach, and I really liked the attention to detail on different kinds of magic being colour-coded and visible in the form of wings on the user's back. Wings, by the way, that were made of light (though I think they were tactile, as well?)

The worldbuilding was exceptionally well done, and while I was a bit lost at points early on, I got used to the different species, terms, etc. as the story progressed. The characters were interesting and memorable, and while things sometimes felt a bit slow, it was well worth it when the action really got going. The technology was pretty straightforward, the separate factions and their alliances/grievances seemed believable, and the dialogue was absolutely perfect. It felt incredibly natural, and I could hear the characters so clearly in my mind.

Miss Sumra did an incredible job with this, and I hope to read more of her works in the future. Definitely recommend to lovers of scfi-fi/fantasy blending, and gangland thrillers.

[Marian Thorpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a complex universe of humans and aliens, sectors and rivalries, guns and magic, two mercenaries, brothers Connor and Logan Cardwain, become involved in what appears to be a drug sting so convoluted they are soon tumbling through a maze of betrayals and corruption, not sure what turn to take or whom to trust. As they are torn between relationships and survival, a deeper secret emerges, threatening not only their own plans and lives but the entire political structure and detente of the galaxy.

Sailor to a Siren is classic science fiction, belonging to the genre that gave us Dune and The Sardonyx Net, complex, multi-layered, multi-generational examinations of politics, ethics and personal choice, combined in this instance with rapid, bloody, action and strong prose. Author Zoë Sumra's world-building is the best I have seen in a very very long time, conjuring with minimal explanation a developed, complex universe where family, sector, marriage, and magic all interconnect to create a hierarchical structure whose subtle nuances concerning power and influence unfold over the course of the novel. As Logan and Connor are drawn more deeply into the conflicts among the sectors, their own choices, forced on them at times at bewildering speed, are not simple, nor are they portrayed as such. Sumra shows us the difficulty and anguish of such choices in the context of this universe, making the brothers (and other characters) fully-realized people, without moralizing or over-describing.

The magic of Sailor to a Siren is integral to the novel, but this is no high-fantasy story. Magic is, and it is at the heart of the power structures and the conflicts into which Logan and Connor are drawn. Again, the structure, parameters and power of magic in this world is revealed as part of the story, glimpses and hints and demonstration, showing again the skill of the author in subtle, effective world-building.

This is one of the rare books where I have no 'niggle' to report. Production quality in the ARC PDF copy I read was faultless. The pacing of the novel is rapid, with the writing matching the action, punctuated with descriptions of stunning precision and beauty: “Strobe lights and neon danced patterns in the carnival night, now and then kaleidoscoped by flurries of rain.” Passages like these are scattered throughout the book, allowing the reader a brief pause from the action, and an opportunity to appreciate the beauty inherent in this dark and violent world.

Five stars – five stars plus, if I could – for this outstanding debut novel.

Review by Marian Thorpe, Goodreads author of Empire's Daughter and Spinnings: Brief Fantasies in Prose and Verse

The author provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jaine Fenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although there's a lot of enjoy, especially if you like plenty of action in your SF, I did find this book hard going in places. You can read a full review here: http://www.jainefenn.com/2015/08/revi...