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Gravity's Heir
"Legacy is nothing but history, if it doesn't have a future."
When her father threw her out, sacrificing his only living daughter for the good of his shipping conglomerate, Lena Lomasky swore she could make it on her own. But now she’s broke and desperate, and pride won’t fuel her spaceship. Her latest job is simple: carry a datastick of state secrets home to her father. The same man who cut her off without a cent. Whatever. She can do this. Pass the whiskey.
An ill-timed royal assassination ignites a war and Lena’s crew is blamed. When she thinks to use her cache of state secrets to save them, Lena discovers she’s actually smuggling the only known plans for her father’s invention: a gravity bomb that can vaporize entire cities.
Lena must decide: continue on and hope her father can design a defense to save millions of lives, or leverage the plans to save the only people who really matter.
When her father threw her out, sacrificing his only living daughter for the good of his shipping conglomerate, Lena Lomasky swore she could make it on her own. But now she’s broke and desperate, and pride won’t fuel her spaceship. Her latest job is simple: carry a datastick of state secrets home to her father. The same man who cut her off without a cent. Whatever. She can do this. Pass the whiskey.
An ill-timed royal assassination ignites a war and Lena’s crew is blamed. When she thinks to use her cache of state secrets to save them, Lena discovers she’s actually smuggling the only known plans for her father’s invention: a gravity bomb that can vaporize entire cities.
Lena must decide: continue on and hope her father can design a defense to save millions of lives, or leverage the plans to save the only people who really matter.
279 pages, Paperback
First published February 4, 2020
56 people are currently reading
219 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 24, 2020
I feel like my heart is still pounding from this reading this book! GRAVITY'S HEIR is that perfect mix of plot- and character-driven fiction, packed with adventure and intrigued. Add a relatable protagonist you can cheer for, who grapples with her family's legacy and personal guilt, and what more can you ask for? I flew through this space odyssey that boasts impressive world/galaxy building, and thoroughly enjoyed the ride. Can't wait for more from this talented debut author!
February 22, 2020
From the moment you buckle up to read this book, you consent to a roller coaster of fast paced action & adventure. A gripping mystery you cannot put down, Gravity’s Heir keeps you on the edge. Bring on a female heroine w not one, but two male romances to contend with. I was hooked and read this book in 3 days flat. You’ll love it! Give it a go!
March 4, 2020
This action-packed space opera will appeal to fans of Firefly and any other rich, immersive story set in the 'verse.
When disgraced heiress and space smuggler Lena discovers more than she bargained for in her cargo, life away from prying eyes becomes impossible. Now she has to face a past that left her for dead, a family humiliated by past mistakes, and her own self-doubt all while making decisions that center her in an intergalactic war. The stakes couldn't be higher.
Between intricate planetary politics, dark family secrets, and a damaged protagonist at the center of all, Bond's debut novel is a fierce success. But don't expect to escape this one unscathed. There are wins and losses that will both have you saying "pass the whiskey."
When disgraced heiress and space smuggler Lena discovers more than she bargained for in her cargo, life away from prying eyes becomes impossible. Now she has to face a past that left her for dead, a family humiliated by past mistakes, and her own self-doubt all while making decisions that center her in an intergalactic war. The stakes couldn't be higher.
Between intricate planetary politics, dark family secrets, and a damaged protagonist at the center of all, Bond's debut novel is a fierce success. But don't expect to escape this one unscathed. There are wins and losses that will both have you saying "pass the whiskey."
March 1, 2020
There’s nothing nicer than discovering a new Science Fiction author, and I’m delighted to have found Sara Bond. Gravity’s Heir has it all—great world-building, believable science, a breakneck pace, and characters you can cheer for. Lena, the heroine of the tale, is a tough but vulnerable pilot who will do anything to protect her crew. But when she’s asked to transport dangerous data back to her home planet, she’s forced to deal with her ex-fiancé, the terrors of a possible interplanetary war, and the tragedies of her past. Grab this one and settle in for a fun read.
February 28, 2020
Now here's an author to keep your eyes on.
Gravity's Heir is Ms. Bond's debut - I can't wait to see what she does next.
I loved the possibilities the author presents, the well-rounded characters, the pace and action.
So glad I decided to expend my horizons with this book.
Gravity's Heir is Ms. Bond's debut - I can't wait to see what she does next.
I loved the possibilities the author presents, the well-rounded characters, the pace and action.
So glad I decided to expend my horizons with this book.
April 17, 2020
This was the perfect escape during quarantine! A sci fi Western almost, starring a headstrong space pilot romping through the galaxies with her slightly misfit but devoted crew. I learned a lot about vectors and velocity too -- new stuff to me! A truly enjoyable read.
July 8, 2020
I won this book in an Instagram giveaway and decided to make it my July selection for a book club that I co-host. I am so glad I shared this book with my friends! I loved every page and think we'll have an excellent discussion. I haven't read many true sci-fi, set in space books so I don't have a lot of comparison, but I felt like this book had a great flow. I always felt engaged and was eager to find out what was going to happen next. I enjoyed all of the characters. This book was not extremely long like many sci-fi books, which I think would make it the perfect choice for anyone new to the genre. Try it! You might end up loving it as much as I did!
March 23, 2020
A fun, engaging, story about a chosen family doing their best while absolutely out of their depths. IN SPAAAACE!
I think that the thing I liked best about the writing was that everything was painting in shades of gray. Both the various factions operating in the galaxy and maneuvering towards their disparate goals and the cast of characters trying to help, hinder, or avoid those maneuvers are... if not sympathetic, then at least understandable in their positions and actions. As a result, you'll see sympathetic characters do terrible things, wildly different political philosophies will sounds totally rational despite being mutually exclusive, and there aren't tidy solutions to any of the problems big or small.
All of these characters are flawed (sometimes worrying so! Lena: we need to talk about your drinking) and overwhelmed and trying their best and kinda... sucking at it a lot of the time. It's relatable, is what I'm saying. :)
I think that the thing I liked best about the writing was that everything was painting in shades of gray. Both the various factions operating in the galaxy and maneuvering towards their disparate goals and the cast of characters trying to help, hinder, or avoid those maneuvers are... if not sympathetic, then at least understandable in their positions and actions. As a result, you'll see sympathetic characters do terrible things, wildly different political philosophies will sounds totally rational despite being mutually exclusive, and there aren't tidy solutions to any of the problems big or small.
All of these characters are flawed (sometimes worrying so! Lena: we need to talk about your drinking) and overwhelmed and trying their best and kinda... sucking at it a lot of the time. It's relatable, is what I'm saying. :)
March 10, 2020
Gravity's Heir is a delightful sci-fi romp. I started it at the beginning of a 6 hour flight and didn't put it down until I had finished it. It features great characters (and well written strong women), space battles, romance, political intrigue, and a plot that kept me hooked the whole way through. It does a great job of telling, and of wrapping up, the story arc of the protagonist. I felt satisfied with the conclusions of the story while it still left me wanting to read other stories about the various characters introduced and the universe they live in. The science feels grounded but doesn't veer into overly detailed hard sci fi territory.
July 27, 2023
This review was first published on Kurt's Frontier.
Synopsis:
Helena (Lena or Lee to her friends) Lomasky has been living with guilt since the accident that killed her little sister. Her father disowned her for the good of his conglomerate, and she swore she would make it on her own. She has since found her place as a pilot for the cargo ship Aspasia. The crew has become her family. The Aspasia’s crew needs money, and in desperation, Lena agrees to deliver a datastick of state secrets to the one person she wants nothing to do with, her father.
An ill-timed assassination of a crowned prince ignites an interplanetary war, and the Pyrrhen Empire blames the crew of the Aspasia. It’s possible the datastick can save them. Lena, however, discovers it contains the only known plans for her father’s invention: a gravity bomb that can vaporize cities.
Lena must choose between continuing her mission and delivering the plans to her father or leveraging the plans to save the only family she has.
Review:
Gravity’s Heir is a science fiction novel in the vein of the late Andre Norton’s Solar Queen series. Lena is the pilot of a down on its luck space freighter named the Aspasia. When a chance to turn things around presents itself, Lena is reluctant to take advantage of the opportunity since it involves her estranged father and a past she’s trying to forget. Upon accepting the assignment, Lena and her crew find themselves involved in a political assassination, interplanetary war, and a game of ‘hide the Macguffin.’
The precipitating event was reminiscent of the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand at the start of World War I. What follows is nonstop action as the crew of Aspasia tries to get out of the battle zone alive. The datastick becomes a bargaining chip that empires are willing to kill for. The action and pace of this story make it a page turner.
Synopsis:
Helena (Lena or Lee to her friends) Lomasky has been living with guilt since the accident that killed her little sister. Her father disowned her for the good of his conglomerate, and she swore she would make it on her own. She has since found her place as a pilot for the cargo ship Aspasia. The crew has become her family. The Aspasia’s crew needs money, and in desperation, Lena agrees to deliver a datastick of state secrets to the one person she wants nothing to do with, her father.
An ill-timed assassination of a crowned prince ignites an interplanetary war, and the Pyrrhen Empire blames the crew of the Aspasia. It’s possible the datastick can save them. Lena, however, discovers it contains the only known plans for her father’s invention: a gravity bomb that can vaporize cities.
Lena must choose between continuing her mission and delivering the plans to her father or leveraging the plans to save the only family she has.
Review:
Gravity’s Heir is a science fiction novel in the vein of the late Andre Norton’s Solar Queen series. Lena is the pilot of a down on its luck space freighter named the Aspasia. When a chance to turn things around presents itself, Lena is reluctant to take advantage of the opportunity since it involves her estranged father and a past she’s trying to forget. Upon accepting the assignment, Lena and her crew find themselves involved in a political assassination, interplanetary war, and a game of ‘hide the Macguffin.’
The precipitating event was reminiscent of the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand at the start of World War I. What follows is nonstop action as the crew of Aspasia tries to get out of the battle zone alive. The datastick becomes a bargaining chip that empires are willing to kill for. The action and pace of this story make it a page turner.
February 22, 2020
This book was a fast read and lots of fun! I especially loved the well-developed method of space travel, which involved “pushing” or “pulling” on centers of gravity in space. It was unique and well-explained. There was lots of action, with a nice mix of space and land-based conflict, and Lena’s complex history with her family made a nice backdrop for her current situation. Enjoyable read for anyone who likes relationship-based action or a good space opera!
March 4, 2020
I truly loved this book. I enjoyed the diverse cast (especially the LGBTQ representation), & I appreciated how much research went into the science of how everything works! It was a truly epic adventure, & I want to know what else happens in this universe (or what has happened elsewhere)!
March 17, 2024
I regret that it took me so long to get to this one in my reading list! This book is fantastic. It's easy to say something like "fans of Firefly will love this" when you talk about rag-tag found-family space crews caught up in interstellar schemes, but here the comparison is fully deserved. Loved the blend of crew relationships and big picture plotlines, and some really original elements (such as the unique propulsion systems of this world, which cleverly defined a lot of the action sequences). 100% worth your time, sci-fi friends.
September 19, 2020
It’s a smart political sci-fi that travels at light-speed. The characters are relatable, inasmuch as a hard-living crew of a starship can be. Their realistic choices and values inform every inch of the text. The world-building is rich, and the politics of the universe are spooky bad and well written.
September 23, 2020
Enjoyable read
Fast paced, easy to read quickly.
Story gets far fetched at times,
yet it still draws you in, makes you
want to believe.
Fast paced, easy to read quickly.
Story gets far fetched at times,
yet it still draws you in, makes you
want to believe.
March 20, 2022
I finished Gravity's Heir and all I can say is WOW!!!! Sara Bond had all the twists and turns down to a precise science. Every time I thought I had the story figured out there was another surprise. I'd definitely recommend it to any sci fi fan!
January 13, 2021
This was a high octane thriller that I devoured in one sitting. Bond tackles class, colonialism, and more with a deft hand and a keen eye. I loved, loved, loved it!
March 20, 2021
An engaging science fiction read with lots of technology and found-family dynamics. It took me a while to grasp the space flight technology speak, but once I got it, I was able to settle in and enjoy the plot.
September 10, 2021
Never Stops
This book will take you on a ride with lots of twists and turns along the way! I really enjoyed it!
This book will take you on a ride with lots of twists and turns along the way! I really enjoyed it!
September 18, 2023
If you like space opera like the Expanse but don't want to take on a huge book or a giant series, this is a great book to try. I loved the banter and bonded relationships of the crew and how they worked together, how lived in it felt. A fast read that hits all the right notes.
February 7, 2022
Really enjoyed this book. Hope there is a sequel!
July 1, 2020
Gravity's heir
I wanted Lena to be better but maybe her character is too human. With two romantic interests Lena is quite blase but still a kickass pilot.
I wanted Lena to be better but maybe her character is too human. With two romantic interests Lena is quite blase but still a kickass pilot.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews