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Firefly #8
Coup de Grâce
The Serenity crew land on the remote moon of Abel for a lucrative job but becomes embroiled in a young woman’s quest for vengeance and a starving frontier town’s fight for survival. Join Mal and the gang in this enthralling original tie-in novel from the award-winning series.
The Serenity crew head to Yell City, one of the settlements on Abel, a moon in the Rim. Their
track down the killers of a local lawyer shot dead in the streets by a local gang. Their client is Annie
Roberts, the eighteen year old daughter of the murdered man.
Lucky for them, Annie Roberts is more than capable of handling herself. Unlucky for them, the job is lot more complicated than they first think. Annie’s father is not just the victim of local gang violence, but the target of some powerful men.
Taking down a local gang is one thing, but cleaning up a whole city? That’s not a job for the Serenity
crew. But when their ship is impounded, and Mal and the crew find themselves trapped in Yell City,
they realise they are already in deeper than they could have ever imagined…
The Serenity crew head to Yell City, one of the settlements on Abel, a moon in the Rim. Their
track down the killers of a local lawyer shot dead in the streets by a local gang. Their client is Annie
Roberts, the eighteen year old daughter of the murdered man.
Lucky for them, Annie Roberts is more than capable of handling herself. Unlucky for them, the job is lot more complicated than they first think. Annie’s father is not just the victim of local gang violence, but the target of some powerful men.
Taking down a local gang is one thing, but cleaning up a whole city? That’s not a job for the Serenity
crew. But when their ship is impounded, and Mal and the crew find themselves trapped in Yell City,
they realise they are already in deeper than they could have ever imagined…
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 25, 2023
38 people are currently reading
807 people want to read
About the author
Una McCormack
103 books358 followersUna McCormack is a British writer and the author of several Star Trek novels and stories.
Ms. McCormack is a New York Times bestselling author. She has written four Doctor Who novels: The King's Dragon and The Way through the Woods (featuring the Eleventh Doctor, Amy, and Rory); Royal Blood (featuring the Twelfth Doctor and Clara), and Molten Heart (featuring the Thirteenth Doctor, Yaz, Ryan and Graham). She is also the author of numerous audio dramas for Big Finish Productions.
Ms. McCormack is a New York Times bestselling author. She has written four Doctor Who novels: The King's Dragon and The Way through the Woods (featuring the Eleventh Doctor, Amy, and Rory); Royal Blood (featuring the Twelfth Doctor and Clara), and Molten Heart (featuring the Thirteenth Doctor, Yaz, Ryan and Graham). She is also the author of numerous audio dramas for Big Finish Productions.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
August 18, 2023
I'm definitely missing James Lovegrove's stories in this verse. The last few books in the series have not been quite as good in his absence! Coup de Grâce is told in multiple POVs, including Annie Roberts, who has hired the Serenity crew to track down her daddy's killer. This book started off extremely slow, in part, I think, because it begins in Annie's POV and because we don't know her, and her first chapter takes so long to get through, it just sort of drags and doesn't feel like a Firefly book. Once we get back to the crew and things get a little more established, the book picks up but still drags in parts. I think some of my favorite scenes were between Wash and Kaylee, whom we don't see together nearly enough. Overall, the book was okay, but far from the brilliance of the show or the early James Lovegrove books.
January 29, 2024
This was a tough one - the first Firefly novel I’ve had difficulty getting through. I really didn’t care for half the book being told from a new characters 1st person POV - especially because I found her parts VERY long-winded, repetitive and sappy. It made her character feel like a cowgirl cartoon. The western twang ran amok in this one too, thicker for some characters than it should have been and awkward in the narration. Simon got to do some cool stuff, but otherwise I agree with the previous reviewers who are starting to miss the quality of those first few Firefly novels.
March 31, 2025
McCormack's Carnival is my favorite of the 8 Firefly novels I've read, but this one isn't quite up to that standard. While it's always fun to be reunited with the crew of the Serenity, the story wasn't all that compelling, and the choice of a new character as narrator for half of the novel a bit of a miss for me.
May 16, 2024
I'll try to keep this short; I adore Firefly, but these novels really don't scratch the same itch.
This one is short, simple, the twists are predictable, there are quite a few frustrating plot decisions and a handful of just straight up mistakes that really should have been noticed in editing.
I wish this series had just been left in the hands of one author, preferably James Lovegrove, so that a continuity could be created - thus allowing for references to previous books, rather than just to the show - because that is so overdone here. For example; Shepherd Book's mysterious past was alluded to 8 separate times in this pretty short novel, all without adding anything we don't already know, just mentioning it - Book wasn't even a primary character in this story! It's so dull and played out.
I will say, the tone of the story was good, the dialogue was strong and the setting was very Firefly... But it's strengths really were dwarfed by it's shortcomings.
Wash was written like a complete simpleton, Browncoats were written to be lowlife scumbags (again), the Alliance was painted as if with the words "they're not all bad" and the main ruttin' character (and the only first-person perspective) wasn't even part of the crew, which just left me feeling like it was an author insert, or just mediocre fan-fiction.
I won't say more. This was a disappointment for me personally and I really hope the series doesn't end on this low-note.
2 stars.
Thank you for reading my review. I hope y'all are enjoying your current reads.
This one is short, simple, the twists are predictable, there are quite a few frustrating plot decisions and a handful of just straight up mistakes that really should have been noticed in editing.
I wish this series had just been left in the hands of one author, preferably James Lovegrove, so that a continuity could be created - thus allowing for references to previous books, rather than just to the show - because that is so overdone here. For example; Shepherd Book's mysterious past was alluded to 8 separate times in this pretty short novel, all without adding anything we don't already know, just mentioning it - Book wasn't even a primary character in this story! It's so dull and played out.
I will say, the tone of the story was good, the dialogue was strong and the setting was very Firefly... But it's strengths really were dwarfed by it's shortcomings.
Wash was written like a complete simpleton, Browncoats were written to be lowlife scumbags (again), the Alliance was painted as if with the words "they're not all bad" and the main ruttin' character (and the only first-person perspective) wasn't even part of the crew, which just left me feeling like it was an author insert, or just mediocre fan-fiction.
I won't say more. This was a disappointment for me personally and I really hope the series doesn't end on this low-note.
2 stars.
Thank you for reading my review. I hope y'all are enjoying your current reads.
November 7, 2023
I have really enjoyed this series so far but this book really jumps the shark. I find the story boring and contrived. The external main protagonist is so annoying that I dreaded every minute we spent in their point of view. Hoping the next one gets us back on the rails again.
August 19, 2023
A bit of a mixed bag
With Carnival being my favorite novel in the series so far, I had high hopes for this one. I enjoyed it, but it had a lot of drawbacks.
The switching back and forth between a first person and a third person perspective does not work at all, it makes the writing feel a bit clumsy.
I liked Annie Roberts, but writing around a third of the book from her point of view is a bold decision that ultimately does not pay off, because it is not used to teach us anything new about the characters that made us read the book in the first place. Annie's descriptions of and experiences with the characters does not differ from anything that has previously been established within the franchise.
And Annie’s thoughts regarding the members of the crew are often too on the nose. "I bet he is the type of man that names each of his guns". Yeah, that is a thing that you would naturally consider about another person upon meeting them. When a new character takes up so many pages, I would have liked to learn something new or see the established characters in a new light. A new character could, inter alia, be someone who instantly connects with Jayne and brought out his good side. Or we could meet a character that really pushes Kaylee's or Wash's bottons.
Also, I guessed the final twist within the first few pages, not because I am an absolute genius, but because it is that obvious.
Ultimately, the story is okay, and Una McCormack gets the voices and feel of each of the characters just right, I especially like the dialogue between Simon and Inara, and Simon has rarely been utilized so well. Also, Annie is a likeable character, written as if she is a person who happens to have a handicap and not a handicapped person who happens to have a few personality traits.
With Carnival being my favorite novel in the series so far, I had high hopes for this one. I enjoyed it, but it had a lot of drawbacks.
The switching back and forth between a first person and a third person perspective does not work at all, it makes the writing feel a bit clumsy.
I liked Annie Roberts, but writing around a third of the book from her point of view is a bold decision that ultimately does not pay off, because it is not used to teach us anything new about the characters that made us read the book in the first place. Annie's descriptions of and experiences with the characters does not differ from anything that has previously been established within the franchise.
And Annie’s thoughts regarding the members of the crew are often too on the nose. "I bet he is the type of man that names each of his guns". Yeah, that is a thing that you would naturally consider about another person upon meeting them. When a new character takes up so many pages, I would have liked to learn something new or see the established characters in a new light. A new character could, inter alia, be someone who instantly connects with Jayne and brought out his good side. Or we could meet a character that really pushes Kaylee's or Wash's bottons.
Also, I guessed the final twist within the first few pages, not because I am an absolute genius, but because it is that obvious.
Ultimately, the story is okay, and Una McCormack gets the voices and feel of each of the characters just right, I especially like the dialogue between Simon and Inara, and Simon has rarely been utilized so well. Also, Annie is a likeable character, written as if she is a person who happens to have a handicap and not a handicapped person who happens to have a few personality traits.
August 8, 2023
Characters all felt true. Having the narrator felt weird.
October 8, 2023
A hit and miss in a hit and miss series. This one has some good moments, but too often feels like the Serenity crew are bit players shoe-horned into some random story the author wanted to tell.
October 13, 2023
Jfc this sucked so much.
June 21, 2024
2.5 Stars
This book takes place seemingly right at the end of the first season (when Inara had decided to leave the ship, but the crew wasn't yet aware.)
A young heiress impatient for justice--or vengeance--for her murdered lawyer father is recommended Malcolm Reynolds by reputation and contacts him for help. She offers a hefty sum in reward, and Mal rightly sees a solution to their problem of needing replacement parts to keep Serenity flying. But when he meets with Annie Roberts in person, the 18-year-old one-armed orphan tacks on some stipulations to the job. She wants Mal to bring her along with them to confront the entire gang harboring the fugitive in question. She wants to "see justice done" in person. And she wants everyone connected with her father's murder to pay.
Mal then rightly sees the liability to his crew and shows a lot of "we'll think about it" hesitation. So, to ensure cooperation with her demands, Amputee Orphan Annie uses her wealth and influence to have Serenity impounded. The crew is forced to take on the job, and splits off into four groups to cover different aspects: Inara and Simon pose as potential off-world investors to gain an in with the gentry and gossip, Shepherd babysits River, Kaylee and Wash go to interview the dead lawyer's last client, and Mal, Jayne, and Zoe do the gunslinger thing with the tagalong girl who is more or less holding them hostage--unbeknownst to them.
I disliked Annie Roberts. A lot. Loathed her even, by the end. I think she was supposed to come off as some sort of inspiring honorary Serenity crewmate, judging by how sentimental everyone so unreasonably got about her by the end. But her narrative voice was myopic, judgmental, and self-righteously caustic. And unfortunately, her first-person POV fills out a solid 1/3rd of this story. By halfway in I was cringing every time it was her turn to pontificate, and couldn't wait for literally any other POV to come back around.
Imagine the literary equivalent of being given a thousand papercuts and then a bath in lemon juice. That's what it's like enduring Annie's scenes.
The saving grace is that McCormack's writing is serviceable--if a bit scarce on the physical descriptions. Serenity's crew came across as largely accurate in portrayal. The pacing sags at times about the middle, but the narrative gets where it's going.
Still, one of the weakest installments in this series--in this reader's opinion. Bottom three--possibly bottom two. I do miss Lovegrove's storytelling, which doesn't help.
This book takes place seemingly right at the end of the first season (when Inara had decided to leave the ship, but the crew wasn't yet aware.)
A young heiress impatient for justice--or vengeance--for her murdered lawyer father is recommended Malcolm Reynolds by reputation and contacts him for help. She offers a hefty sum in reward, and Mal rightly sees a solution to their problem of needing replacement parts to keep Serenity flying. But when he meets with Annie Roberts in person, the 18-year-old one-armed orphan tacks on some stipulations to the job. She wants Mal to bring her along with them to confront the entire gang harboring the fugitive in question. She wants to "see justice done" in person. And she wants everyone connected with her father's murder to pay.
Mal then rightly sees the liability to his crew and shows a lot of "we'll think about it" hesitation. So, to ensure cooperation with her demands, Amputee Orphan Annie uses her wealth and influence to have Serenity impounded. The crew is forced to take on the job, and splits off into four groups to cover different aspects: Inara and Simon pose as potential off-world investors to gain an in with the gentry and gossip, Shepherd babysits River, Kaylee and Wash go to interview the dead lawyer's last client, and Mal, Jayne, and Zoe do the gunslinger thing with the tagalong girl who is more or less holding them hostage--unbeknownst to them.
I disliked Annie Roberts. A lot. Loathed her even, by the end. I think she was supposed to come off as some sort of inspiring honorary Serenity crewmate, judging by how sentimental everyone so unreasonably got about her by the end. But her narrative voice was myopic, judgmental, and self-righteously caustic. And unfortunately, her first-person POV fills out a solid 1/3rd of this story. By halfway in I was cringing every time it was her turn to pontificate, and couldn't wait for literally any other POV to come back around.
Imagine the literary equivalent of being given a thousand papercuts and then a bath in lemon juice. That's what it's like enduring Annie's scenes.
The saving grace is that McCormack's writing is serviceable--if a bit scarce on the physical descriptions. Serenity's crew came across as largely accurate in portrayal. The pacing sags at times about the middle, but the narrative gets where it's going.
Still, one of the weakest installments in this series--in this reader's opinion. Bottom three--possibly bottom two. I do miss Lovegrove's storytelling, which doesn't help.
September 1, 2023
Well it's probably my least favourite of the Firefly books but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. Almost a classic tale, most of the "jobs" that this crew take start off sounding rosy before going horrendously pear-shaped but this story differed by at least acknowledging the odds stacked against their success right from the get go.
One of the things that this series does very well is to tell a story which doesn't necessarily have a "good" side and a "bad" side. Alright, there always turns out to be someone or some group acting nefariously buttttt, the stories always seem to spend some time reminding us that neither the alliance nor the independents were on the "right" side during the war... OR for another example that neither faith nor a lack of faith is a "wrong" philosophy.
The narration by Emily Lawrence and James Anderson Foster is excellent. Foster is by now a master of the characters and is so familiar that it feels immediately natural to hear him telling the story. The story was told from two~ish perspectives, Foster taking care of all the regulars and Lawrence adding her voice for the protagonist behind this adventure. Foster did such a good version of an annoying rich American that it was actually annoying to listen to - that's intended as a compliment to the performance.
I think it feels pretty clear that the books have probably been instructed to avoid breaking any new ground and if that's all we can get I'll take it, but it would be nice to see the lore expanded.
One of the things that this series does very well is to tell a story which doesn't necessarily have a "good" side and a "bad" side. Alright, there always turns out to be someone or some group acting nefariously buttttt, the stories always seem to spend some time reminding us that neither the alliance nor the independents were on the "right" side during the war... OR for another example that neither faith nor a lack of faith is a "wrong" philosophy.
The narration by Emily Lawrence and James Anderson Foster is excellent. Foster is by now a master of the characters and is so familiar that it feels immediately natural to hear him telling the story. The story was told from two~ish perspectives, Foster taking care of all the regulars and Lawrence adding her voice for the protagonist behind this adventure. Foster did such a good version of an annoying rich American that it was actually annoying to listen to - that's intended as a compliment to the performance.
I think it feels pretty clear that the books have probably been instructed to avoid breaking any new ground and if that's all we can get I'll take it, but it would be nice to see the lore expanded.
October 3, 2023
I hate saying this... I couldn't finish this audiobook. The narrator's voice was like nails on a chalk board. The character was not my cup of tea. DNF
May 29, 2025
The author spends most of the book wrestling her own cognitive dissonance with the politics of the series. Between the good guy Alliance members, the bad guy Browncoats, the irrelevant trade union tangents, dumb takes like "government is free money for everyone" and "anyone who wants to be left alone is evil" it is clear the author has nothing but contempt for the Firefly characters and what they originally stood for.
The feminist themes from Carnival are also amplified with the captain being turned into a bumbling idiot and a new strong female character (i.e. toxic male with a vagina) takes center stage.
The writing is by no means blunt or obnoxious but these themes do shine through the page and it's hard to get the end of the book without wondering why a literal marxist feminist has been chosen to write Firefly books.
The feminist themes from Carnival are also amplified with the captain being turned into a bumbling idiot and a new strong female character (i.e. toxic male with a vagina) takes center stage.
The writing is by no means blunt or obnoxious but these themes do shine through the page and it's hard to get the end of the book without wondering why a literal marxist feminist has been chosen to write Firefly books.
December 31, 2024
This was probably the worst of the series so far. The female narrator was grating at best. The story was tepid. The damsel in distress was spoiled and just as grating as the narrator who voiced her. It was very hard to get through this audiobook.
Listened to the Audible Audiobook. I am only leaving a review here, not on Audible, as I refuse to type out two reviews when Amazon owns both companies and refuses to link Audible to Goodreads.
Listened to the Audible Audiobook. I am only leaving a review here, not on Audible, as I refuse to type out two reviews when Amazon owns both companies and refuses to link Audible to Goodreads.
December 6, 2023
Firefly: Coup de Grâce by Una McCormack
Adventurous, emotional, funny, hopeful,
inspiring, reflective, sad, and tense.
Fast-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5 🌟
This was SO much fun.
It was like watching a long awaited episode of the Firefly series that no one has ever seen. Such a boon.
The characters are vividly written and retain the charm of the actors that portrayed them.
I also loved the main character that this book portrays, from this planet/city. She's not a shrinking violet, but wants JUSTICE and if not justice, then REVENGE. So she hires the crew of the Serenity, to come to her aid.
Then, when she meets them (being the motley crew that they are), she starts to regret her impulsiveness...but then the crew does what it does...and lives up to their reputations.
Loved how the author (who, BTW...has not written a bad book...at least the ones that I've read) crafted this story and brought the story to life on the page.
Also, the ending was truly a Firefly ending...and off we go to the next adventure. Love this show and miss it incredibly, but by reading these books...it takes the sting out of it, each time.
Adventurous, emotional, funny, hopeful,
inspiring, reflective, sad, and tense.
Fast-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5 🌟
This was SO much fun.
It was like watching a long awaited episode of the Firefly series that no one has ever seen. Such a boon.
The characters are vividly written and retain the charm of the actors that portrayed them.
I also loved the main character that this book portrays, from this planet/city. She's not a shrinking violet, but wants JUSTICE and if not justice, then REVENGE. So she hires the crew of the Serenity, to come to her aid.
Then, when she meets them (being the motley crew that they are), she starts to regret her impulsiveness...but then the crew does what it does...and lives up to their reputations.
Loved how the author (who, BTW...has not written a bad book...at least the ones that I've read) crafted this story and brought the story to life on the page.
Also, the ending was truly a Firefly ending...and off we go to the next adventure. Love this show and miss it incredibly, but by reading these books...it takes the sting out of it, each time.
February 15, 2025
The second Firefly book I would read, however it was not as good as the first one. The story follows Annie Roberts after the death of her father. She hires the crew of the Serenity to find and bring the murder to justice in the process uncovering a plot to kill the planet. The story also focuses a little on the Brown Coasts after the war and some of the paths they followed.
The majority of the story is not all that interesting, however I see this book far more a fun adventure then a grand story. Simon works really well towards the end along with Annie and Mal interactions. This story really feels like an episode of the show, and I really like that. There is not really that much more to say, however I am going to start reading more of the Firefly books.
The majority of the story is not all that interesting, however I see this book far more a fun adventure then a grand story. Simon works really well towards the end along with Annie and Mal interactions. This story really feels like an episode of the show, and I really like that. There is not really that much more to say, however I am going to start reading more of the Firefly books.
May 28, 2024
I really didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. I was pleasantly surprises that this book did not focus on the main character and it looked in on all the regular characters from the Firefly. I also enjoyed the narration that was by James Anderson Foster and Emily Lawrence. James was a wonderful narrator and did an excellent job. At the beginning I thought I was going to hate the southern accent that Emily used but it really made the chapters she was performing really quite enjoyable.
March 26, 2025
I enjoyed the new POV in this book. This series makes me miss the show.
September 25, 2023
Wow! The parallels between this Firefly adventure and the novel/movie True Grit are remarkable.
1. A young girl's father is shot down on the street and his killer runs loose.
2. The young girl, Annie Roberts, hires a man (Mal Reynolds and his crew) with true grit who won't "give up 'til the job's done" (23). She wants him to find her father's murderer and return him to town.
3. The young girl demands to accompany Mal on the journey to find her father's killer just like Mattie Ross accompanies Marshal Rooster Cogburn.
4. Later, when other parties are interested in catching her father's murderer, the girl vows that she wants him "punished for the murder of my daddy, not some other crime" (163). Sounds a lot like Mattie Ross not wanting her father's killer taken to Texas to stand trial for a previously committed murder.
5. Separated from her companions, each girl winds up confronting her father's killer on her own.
There's more points of comparison, but I'll let you find the rest yourself. If you do pick this title up, expect the story to move slowly. Annie Roberts narrates several chapters, often imparting necessary background information about the world and the characters who populate it. The story doesn't really get moving until 120 pages in.
1. A young girl's father is shot down on the street and his killer runs loose.
2. The young girl, Annie Roberts, hires a man (Mal Reynolds and his crew) with true grit who won't "give up 'til the job's done" (23). She wants him to find her father's murderer and return him to town.
3. The young girl demands to accompany Mal on the journey to find her father's killer just like Mattie Ross accompanies Marshal Rooster Cogburn.
4. Later, when other parties are interested in catching her father's murderer, the girl vows that she wants him "punished for the murder of my daddy, not some other crime" (163). Sounds a lot like Mattie Ross not wanting her father's killer taken to Texas to stand trial for a previously committed murder.
5. Separated from her companions, each girl winds up confronting her father's killer on her own.
There's more points of comparison, but I'll let you find the rest yourself. If you do pick this title up, expect the story to move slowly. Annie Roberts narrates several chapters, often imparting necessary background information about the world and the characters who populate it. The story doesn't really get moving until 120 pages in.
August 20, 2023
I am grateful for these books and being able to have new Firefly content. That being said, this is the weakest link in the chain by far. The story was thin, could really have used some goosing and fluffing! Editorial failure. Limp at best. Emily Lawrence's performance is THE WORST! OMG, every time her voice assaulted me I cringed. Her Hee-Haw style "Southern" accent was so jokey and overblown I thought I might not make it through the book. I was hoping she would go away...but she didn't. The casting director and director, EPIC FAIL. Luckily, the amazing James Anderson Foster continues his rock solid performances, he got me within the first few minutes of Book 1 and was all that kept me listening on. Ready for Book 9, please. But not if it's this lame. C'mon 'verse, y'all can do better!
August 4, 2023
4 stars. Not a favorite of mine from the series but that’s because it took a while for the plot to get going. That’s because we had to set up Annie’s character and her story. It was not the most interesting thing I’ll be honest as I found the pacing dragged but once she links up with the crew things picked up. Her interactions with them were great and she meshed in well with them and she especially took to River which was nice. The plot of Mal and the crew trying to get the guy that killed Annie’s father was interesting and fun and Annie herself was pretty awesome. This started off slow but really came together in the end for me. I’m still loving this series and I’m glad that it’s still going.
February 22, 2024
The quality of this series has really gone down hill. All of the Serenity crew seemed way out of character here. The narrarator straight up no. Just a whiny spoild rich child who cries about justice for her poor rich little self and thinks she's above everyone.. Nope not buying it. Plot is literally True Grit so nothing fresh there. The only good thing was that it was a quick read so it was over faster.
July 20, 2025
Out of the eight Firefly novels that I’ve read to date, Coup de Grâce and Carnival are my favourite.
Coup de Grâce has all the ingredients of pure Firefly - the unique charm, shiny dialogue and unmatched chemistry between the characters. The book takes us on a roller-coaster of humour, laughter and thrilling heroics intertwined with grief, moral dilemmas and heartbreak.
The author nails the characters’ voices, speech patterns and mannerisms. Reading this novel feels as close to watching a Firefly episode as it gets. McCormack also once again proves her expertise regarding the continuity and chronology of events in Firefly ‘verse. She masterfully navigates both preceding and upcoming events, and makes absolutely no continuity errors.
The development of characters is consistent with the book’s spot in the overarching story. It’s subtle, coherent and feels completely natural. Among this novel’s many accomplishments in that regard, I particularly appreciated the subtle development of River - she is still the erratic River we know from TV show, however we can see how her relationships and interactions with other characters (especially Mal and Book) have evolved since (and as a result of) the events of Objects in Space.
The story in Coup de Grâce is very interesting, with great pace and multifaceted characters. All of the main nine players are actively involved in the story and make valuable contributions to the final outcome. The author kept surprising me with unexpected plot twists and developments even to the last few pages. Once again, I did not see the last plot twist coming - and once again, that final plot twist was a beautiful bookmark to the events.
In this novel, Mal receives an exceptionally well-paid job offer from an 18-year old Annie Roberts, who needs help with delivering justice to her father’s killer, given that she’s been let down in that regard by local law enforcement. Discovering further details of the job, Mal is hesitant. However, he very quickly learns that Annie is a force to be reckoned with, and his only choices are: to accept the job or to accept the job.
A large part of the story is relayed to us by Annie herself. Initially, I wasn’t sure how I felt about this character, however - just few pages in - I absolutely loved her, and I was looking forward to ‘her chapters’. Annie’s no-nonsense commentary on both Serenity crew and the unfolding events is pure gold! It’s just one of those jobs where Mal gets ‘more than a few unkind words as regard to his character’. I enjoyed this book so much that I’ve re-read it immediately after the first read - just to re-live Annie’s commentary and to join her on her emotional roller-coaster ride again.
When it comes to world-building, the author accomplishes a lot. We visit Yell City and its surrounding area on planet Abel. It’s an interesting world, and we’re in the city during exceptionally turbulent times. We learn about Abel’s climate, economic challenges, the planet’s stance during the Independence War, and about tense political situation in Yell City. The experiences on Abel spark fresh reflections for our characters (and readers alike) - regarding Core planets, the Independence War, Alliance, Browncoats and the never-ending power-struggle fuelled by greed.
Although it’s not specified by the publisher, the events and conversations in Coup de Grâce make it clear that this novel takes place shortly after the episode Objects in Space (Mal humorously notes that River became more sassy after outsmarting a bounty hunter // River at one point of the story repeats Mal’s instruction ‘No touching guns’ // Inara’s decision is already known, but she is yet to carry it through).
Coup de Grâce has all the ingredients of pure Firefly - the unique charm, shiny dialogue and unmatched chemistry between the characters. The book takes us on a roller-coaster of humour, laughter and thrilling heroics intertwined with grief, moral dilemmas and heartbreak.
The author nails the characters’ voices, speech patterns and mannerisms. Reading this novel feels as close to watching a Firefly episode as it gets. McCormack also once again proves her expertise regarding the continuity and chronology of events in Firefly ‘verse. She masterfully navigates both preceding and upcoming events, and makes absolutely no continuity errors.
The development of characters is consistent with the book’s spot in the overarching story. It’s subtle, coherent and feels completely natural. Among this novel’s many accomplishments in that regard, I particularly appreciated the subtle development of River - she is still the erratic River we know from TV show, however we can see how her relationships and interactions with other characters (especially Mal and Book) have evolved since (and as a result of) the events of Objects in Space.
The story in Coup de Grâce is very interesting, with great pace and multifaceted characters. All of the main nine players are actively involved in the story and make valuable contributions to the final outcome. The author kept surprising me with unexpected plot twists and developments even to the last few pages. Once again, I did not see the last plot twist coming - and once again, that final plot twist was a beautiful bookmark to the events.
In this novel, Mal receives an exceptionally well-paid job offer from an 18-year old Annie Roberts, who needs help with delivering justice to her father’s killer, given that she’s been let down in that regard by local law enforcement. Discovering further details of the job, Mal is hesitant. However, he very quickly learns that Annie is a force to be reckoned with, and his only choices are: to accept the job or to accept the job.
A large part of the story is relayed to us by Annie herself. Initially, I wasn’t sure how I felt about this character, however - just few pages in - I absolutely loved her, and I was looking forward to ‘her chapters’. Annie’s no-nonsense commentary on both Serenity crew and the unfolding events is pure gold! It’s just one of those jobs where Mal gets ‘more than a few unkind words as regard to his character’. I enjoyed this book so much that I’ve re-read it immediately after the first read - just to re-live Annie’s commentary and to join her on her emotional roller-coaster ride again.
When it comes to world-building, the author accomplishes a lot. We visit Yell City and its surrounding area on planet Abel. It’s an interesting world, and we’re in the city during exceptionally turbulent times. We learn about Abel’s climate, economic challenges, the planet’s stance during the Independence War, and about tense political situation in Yell City. The experiences on Abel spark fresh reflections for our characters (and readers alike) - regarding Core planets, the Independence War, Alliance, Browncoats and the never-ending power-struggle fuelled by greed.
Although it’s not specified by the publisher, the events and conversations in Coup de Grâce make it clear that this novel takes place shortly after the episode Objects in Space (Mal humorously notes that River became more sassy after outsmarting a bounty hunter // River at one point of the story repeats Mal’s instruction ‘No touching guns’ // Inara’s decision is already known, but she is yet to carry it through).
March 2, 2025
### Book Review: *Firefly #8: Coup de Grace* by Una McCormack
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 out of 5 stars)
**I really enjoyed this story! The characters and world building are well detailed, adding a few new characters to this story.**
#### Overview
The Serenity crew land on the remote moon of Abel for a lucrative job but become embroiled in a young woman’s quest for vengeance and a starving frontier town’s fight for survival. Join Mal and the gang in this enthralling original tie-in novel from the award-winning series.
The Serenity crew head to Yell City, one of the settlements on Abel, a moon in the Rim. Their job: track down the killers of a local lawyer shot dead in the streets by a local gang. Their client is Annie Roberts, the eighteen-year-old daughter of the murdered man.
Lucky for them, Annie Roberts is more than capable of handling herself. Unlucky for them, the job is a lot more complicated than they first think. Annie’s father is not just the victim of local gang violence but the target of some powerful men.
Taking down a local gang is one thing, but cleaning up a whole city? That’s not a job for the Serenity crew. But when their ship is impounded, and Mal and the crew find themselves trapped in Yell City, they realize they are already in deeper than they could have ever imagined…
---
Una McCormack’s *Coup de Grace* masterfully continues the *Firefly* saga, skillfully capturing the spirit and essence of the beloved characters while introducing fresh faces that add depth to the narrative. McCormack’s writing is both engaging and evocative, drawing readers into the gritty world of the Rim.
**Character Development**: Each member of the Serenity crew is meticulously portrayed, staying true to their established personas while allowing for growth and new interactions. Annie Roberts stands out as a compelling new character, her determination and resilience adding a dynamic layer to the story.
**Plot and Pacing**: The storyline is well-crafted, blending action, suspense, and moments of introspection. The pacing is impeccable, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as the Serenity crew navigate the treacherous landscape of Yell City.
**World-Building**: The remote moon of Abel and the settlement of Yell City are vividly described, creating an immersive backdrop for the unfolding drama. McCormack's attention to detail in world-building enhances the overall reading experience, making the setting feel authentic and lived-in.
**Themes**: The novel explores themes of justice, loyalty, and survival, all while maintaining the sense of camaraderie and adventure that *Firefly* fans cherish. The interplay between personal vendettas and larger societal issues adds a layer of complexity to the narrative.
**Conclusion**: *Coup de Grace* is a standout addition to the *Firefly* series, delivering a compelling and emotionally resonant story that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment. McCormack's ability to blend action with thoughtful exploration of complex themes makes this novel a must-read for fans of the series and newcomers alike.
Well done, and I'm looking forward to picking up the next book in the series!
Happy reading in the Verse 🚀📚
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 out of 5 stars)
**I really enjoyed this story! The characters and world building are well detailed, adding a few new characters to this story.**
#### Overview
The Serenity crew land on the remote moon of Abel for a lucrative job but become embroiled in a young woman’s quest for vengeance and a starving frontier town’s fight for survival. Join Mal and the gang in this enthralling original tie-in novel from the award-winning series.
The Serenity crew head to Yell City, one of the settlements on Abel, a moon in the Rim. Their job: track down the killers of a local lawyer shot dead in the streets by a local gang. Their client is Annie Roberts, the eighteen-year-old daughter of the murdered man.
Lucky for them, Annie Roberts is more than capable of handling herself. Unlucky for them, the job is a lot more complicated than they first think. Annie’s father is not just the victim of local gang violence but the target of some powerful men.
Taking down a local gang is one thing, but cleaning up a whole city? That’s not a job for the Serenity crew. But when their ship is impounded, and Mal and the crew find themselves trapped in Yell City, they realize they are already in deeper than they could have ever imagined…
---
Una McCormack’s *Coup de Grace* masterfully continues the *Firefly* saga, skillfully capturing the spirit and essence of the beloved characters while introducing fresh faces that add depth to the narrative. McCormack’s writing is both engaging and evocative, drawing readers into the gritty world of the Rim.
**Character Development**: Each member of the Serenity crew is meticulously portrayed, staying true to their established personas while allowing for growth and new interactions. Annie Roberts stands out as a compelling new character, her determination and resilience adding a dynamic layer to the story.
**Plot and Pacing**: The storyline is well-crafted, blending action, suspense, and moments of introspection. The pacing is impeccable, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as the Serenity crew navigate the treacherous landscape of Yell City.
**World-Building**: The remote moon of Abel and the settlement of Yell City are vividly described, creating an immersive backdrop for the unfolding drama. McCormack's attention to detail in world-building enhances the overall reading experience, making the setting feel authentic and lived-in.
**Themes**: The novel explores themes of justice, loyalty, and survival, all while maintaining the sense of camaraderie and adventure that *Firefly* fans cherish. The interplay between personal vendettas and larger societal issues adds a layer of complexity to the narrative.
**Conclusion**: *Coup de Grace* is a standout addition to the *Firefly* series, delivering a compelling and emotionally resonant story that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment. McCormack's ability to blend action with thoughtful exploration of complex themes makes this novel a must-read for fans of the series and newcomers alike.
Well done, and I'm looking forward to picking up the next book in the series!
Happy reading in the Verse 🚀📚
September 7, 2023
Overall story: 4 stars
Narration: 2 stars
Layout and editing: 3 stars
The story overall is very good. I really liked Amy Lin; her character gave the impression that she was going to be important in the future (recurring guest role vibes). It was interesting that Inara and Simon were paired together again as they were in Carnival (also by the same author). It was nice to see Wash and Kaylee off the ship and their dynamic without the others was heartwarming.
As part of a series, this book brings in new information and leaves some questions unanswered and I need more Firefly novels to fill in the gaps.
I didn’t like how spread out the crew was at times, but it added to some of the tension and drama that we can expect from the series. I felt like River was underutilized in this plot. Her strengths could have added more depth to the story overall.
I don’t like the way this book is formatted. I quite enjoy alternating POV chapters/sections, but going from first to third person narratives cuts wrong. It throws off the pace, and it’s easier to disconnect as a reader. If I had liked Annie, I would probably have enjoyed the use of this literary device, but I hated her more than the “villains.” Despite this, the characters have a strong voice and presence.
The rest is just a rant about how much I dislike Annie. It contains out-of-context spoilers.
Annie is a spoiled brat with a high-and-mighty attitude. She wants justice but is ok with blackmailing people to get her own way. She hires the crew based off a recommendation from the sheriff and when Mal is hesitant about accepting the job, she has Serenity impounded by the port authority. And she’s proud of herself over it. When she gets herself hurt, she has no accountability for it. She messed around and found out; I laughed when it happened. Then she runs off and gets herself into a hostage situation. I was really happy when she got shot. Annie is only 18, but her character comes off as some stuffy, late 1800s old southern biddy. She’s the character that ruins everything and she is the reason I didn’t like this book as much as the other novels in the series.
Narration: 2 stars
Layout and editing: 3 stars
The story overall is very good. I really liked Amy Lin; her character gave the impression that she was going to be important in the future (recurring guest role vibes). It was interesting that Inara and Simon were paired together again as they were in Carnival (also by the same author). It was nice to see Wash and Kaylee off the ship and their dynamic without the others was heartwarming.
As part of a series, this book brings in new information and leaves some questions unanswered and I need more Firefly novels to fill in the gaps.
I didn’t like how spread out the crew was at times, but it added to some of the tension and drama that we can expect from the series. I felt like River was underutilized in this plot. Her strengths could have added more depth to the story overall.
I don’t like the way this book is formatted. I quite enjoy alternating POV chapters/sections, but going from first to third person narratives cuts wrong. It throws off the pace, and it’s easier to disconnect as a reader. If I had liked Annie, I would probably have enjoyed the use of this literary device, but I hated her more than the “villains.” Despite this, the characters have a strong voice and presence.
The rest is just a rant about how much I dislike Annie. It contains out-of-context spoilers.
Annie is a spoiled brat with a high-and-mighty attitude. She wants justice but is ok with blackmailing people to get her own way. She hires the crew based off a recommendation from the sheriff and when Mal is hesitant about accepting the job, she has Serenity impounded by the port authority. And she’s proud of herself over it. When she gets herself hurt, she has no accountability for it. She messed around and found out; I laughed when it happened. Then she runs off and gets herself into a hostage situation. I was really happy when she got shot. Annie is only 18, but her character comes off as some stuffy, late 1800s old southern biddy. She’s the character that ruins everything and she is the reason I didn’t like this book as much as the other novels in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2024
Some simple bounty hunting work for a young girl that has a lot of cash and wants to avenger her daddy. Zero complications to worry about…
Firefly - Coup de Grâce by Una McCormack is the eight novel in the series, set when all nine crew are aboard and after the episode War Stories. Unlike the author’s other book Carnival, there are proper chapter breaks.
That’s a lie…of course it’s not that easy. The crew is offered a decent job to bring a man’s killer to justice…but that desperado also happens to be part of a local gang. Add in the local tensions dating back to the unification war and it’ll be a little more difficult…not least of which that the young teenage employee insists on going along.
Things get murkier as the crew gets involved in unionizing efforts, corporate greed, violent regulators, and old wartime allegiances. Everyone in the crew (except River) gets something to do, some more than others, and it’s not like they can turn down the job since they ship’s been impounded.
It’s just a complicated mess but fine.
A few issues:
1) a sizable amount of the journal is dedicated to the young employer (told sort of like a personal journal), more room than I was comfortable with since it took away from screen time for the crew
2) the reason Mal Reynolds was offered the job isn’t entirely clear and I was hoping for that to get explained at some point only for it to be ignored entirely
3) river more than showed her value with the athor’s prior Carnival novel, so it’s mind boggling she didn’t get to do anything other than win at checkers
4) the characters make mention of events I don’t recall actually happening in War Stories and seems like an editor error
5) Jayne is oddly intellectual at one point near the end but I appreciate his comments on his own personal views on Unification
Firefly - Coup de Grâce by Una McCormack is the eight novel in the series, set when all nine crew are aboard and after the episode War Stories. Unlike the author’s other book Carnival, there are proper chapter breaks.
That’s a lie…of course it’s not that easy. The crew is offered a decent job to bring a man’s killer to justice…but that desperado also happens to be part of a local gang. Add in the local tensions dating back to the unification war and it’ll be a little more difficult…not least of which that the young teenage employee insists on going along.
Things get murkier as the crew gets involved in unionizing efforts, corporate greed, violent regulators, and old wartime allegiances. Everyone in the crew (except River) gets something to do, some more than others, and it’s not like they can turn down the job since they ship’s been impounded.
It’s just a complicated mess but fine.
A few issues:
1) a sizable amount of the journal is dedicated to the young employer (told sort of like a personal journal), more room than I was comfortable with since it took away from screen time for the crew
2) the reason Mal Reynolds was offered the job isn’t entirely clear and I was hoping for that to get explained at some point only for it to be ignored entirely
3) river more than showed her value with the athor’s prior Carnival novel, so it’s mind boggling she didn’t get to do anything other than win at checkers
4) the characters make mention of events I don’t recall actually happening in War Stories and seems like an editor error
5) Jayne is oddly intellectual at one point near the end but I appreciate his comments on his own personal views on Unification
August 18, 2023
Book number 8! The fun adventures, and great summer time reading series continues. It’s been a few years now and these books provide that semi regular fix I need. Each book is a small fraction of the fun that the show was able to deliver, but it keeps the magic alive for me. This book, while definitely not
sometimes I like my science fiction to be my beloved mirror of humanity..and other times I want a fun romp with some action and a good chase with fun characters. well I got my wish on the latter here. there's nothing in the book that's new, wildly mind exploring, nor outside the norm. The story provides a revenge plot that gets the crew involved and it's pretty basic. The characters we know, do the things that we think they will. All that's to say, it's a great Firefly story. I will leave my challenging of human conditions to Star Trek.. and enjoy my popcorn scifi today. But really the book, which I do actually have complaints about, is just a fun ride with the crew. And actually there is a new and slightly different angle to it...in that we get to see the crew through the eyes of an outsider. The commentary on the mannerisms of the crew is pretty funny from someone who doesn't know them. I loved the first impressions that are given of the crew we know.
As stated the book is pretty route, by the book, and doesn’t do anything new, but as someone who loves the series and the crew, that's very much preferred over some author coming in and trying to leave their stamp on the series and shaking things up for the worse. If you have liked the previous books you'll enjoy this one obviously. My complaint actually lies in the narration, James Foster returns for a shared narration. I love Foster’s ability to capture the characters of Firefly.. giving each one a pretty close sound to the original actors. But this performance was…maybe just slightly underplayed..and to be it was very quiet. At least his sections. I had a hard time hearing it and had to crank the volume. Audio issues aside, the characters all did the things so no complaints there.
Overall the book was good.. No where near my favorite of the 8..but that’s not saying it’s a bad book. It’s classic Firefly and I want it all. Book 9 please!
sometimes I like my science fiction to be my beloved mirror of humanity..and other times I want a fun romp with some action and a good chase with fun characters. well I got my wish on the latter here. there's nothing in the book that's new, wildly mind exploring, nor outside the norm. The story provides a revenge plot that gets the crew involved and it's pretty basic. The characters we know, do the things that we think they will. All that's to say, it's a great Firefly story. I will leave my challenging of human conditions to Star Trek.. and enjoy my popcorn scifi today. But really the book, which I do actually have complaints about, is just a fun ride with the crew. And actually there is a new and slightly different angle to it...in that we get to see the crew through the eyes of an outsider. The commentary on the mannerisms of the crew is pretty funny from someone who doesn't know them. I loved the first impressions that are given of the crew we know.
As stated the book is pretty route, by the book, and doesn’t do anything new, but as someone who loves the series and the crew, that's very much preferred over some author coming in and trying to leave their stamp on the series and shaking things up for the worse. If you have liked the previous books you'll enjoy this one obviously. My complaint actually lies in the narration, James Foster returns for a shared narration. I love Foster’s ability to capture the characters of Firefly.. giving each one a pretty close sound to the original actors. But this performance was…maybe just slightly underplayed..and to be it was very quiet. At least his sections. I had a hard time hearing it and had to crank the volume. Audio issues aside, the characters all did the things so no complaints there.
Overall the book was good.. No where near my favorite of the 8..but that’s not saying it’s a bad book. It’s classic Firefly and I want it all. Book 9 please!
May 15, 2024
trigger warning
A lawyer was shot and there are many eyewitnesses, so it should be easy to get the fellow convicted, right? Wrong. In this city, the sheriff is overwhelmed, understaffed and likely corrupt. The victim's daughter resorts to hiring mercenaries, and is recommended one Malcolm Reynolds who may be weird but won't let go once he's accepted a job.
If you look at tags, you'll see "first person narrator", and if you've read the previous Firefly novels, you know that that was not a thing previously. Well, the aforementioned lawyer's daughter gets a POV of her own, which was very hard to get into since not only is she christian, she wants you to know it and looks down on everyone who is not. She's a narrowminded snob, and doesn't realise because her dad's thing was to help the underdogs get justice. Oh and she's disabled, having
While I appreciate having nuanced characters, especially disabled characters, I don't really understand why we had to be stuck in her head for so much of this book when previous books were done differently.
Apart from that, fun novel. Typical Firefly story: Someone needs help, nobody is willing to do is. Mal doesn't want to, either, because of the specifics of the job, but has to because money. Everyone in their crew has different strengths, there is swearing in Chinese I don't understand, the Unification Wars play a role and complicate things. Again. Not my favourite of the novels, but not the worst, either.
A lawyer was shot and there are many eyewitnesses, so it should be easy to get the fellow convicted, right? Wrong. In this city, the sheriff is overwhelmed, understaffed and likely corrupt. The victim's daughter resorts to hiring mercenaries, and is recommended one Malcolm Reynolds who may be weird but won't let go once he's accepted a job.
If you look at tags, you'll see "first person narrator", and if you've read the previous Firefly novels, you know that that was not a thing previously. Well, the aforementioned lawyer's daughter gets a POV of her own, which was very hard to get into since not only is she christian, she wants you to know it and looks down on everyone who is not. She's a narrowminded snob, and doesn't realise because her dad's thing was to help the underdogs get justice. Oh and she's disabled, having
While I appreciate having nuanced characters, especially disabled characters, I don't really understand why we had to be stuck in her head for so much of this book when previous books were done differently.
Apart from that, fun novel. Typical Firefly story: Someone needs help, nobody is willing to do is. Mal doesn't want to, either, because of the specifics of the job, but has to because money. Everyone in their crew has different strengths, there is swearing in Chinese I don't understand, the Unification Wars play a role and complicate things. Again. Not my favourite of the novels, but not the worst, either.
June 13, 2025
This was a pretty fun addition to the Firefly series. The story is told in two perspectives—the typical third-person perspective focusing on the characters of Serenity, and a journal-like first-person perspective from Annie Roberts (the main character who hires the crew as bounty hunters). It was a nice change of pace from the typical narration style, and I enjoyed seeing the characters from a different perspective.
In this story, Annie Roberts hires the crew of Serenity to hunt down her father's killer. The only catch is she has to come along with, which is a problem for Mal because she's 18 years old and has a missing arm. Annie proves herself to be capable enough, however, and manages to corner Mal into taking the job by impounding Serenity. The crew, then, splits up to investigate different aspects of the murder and find themselves uncovering conspiracies and civil unrest in the process.
This was a really solid story. I liked how all the crew members had their time to shine, and that there wasn't any super intense near-death situations for the crew itself. I was able to enjoy the story in a different way because I wasn't worried that the crew wouldn't be able to handle a gang of thugs. I think my favorite part was being able to see Kaylee stand out and become a brilliant mediator for the negotiations between the mayor and the workers' union. I also really enjoyed seeing Simon become a brilliant actor/investigator.
There wasn't any part that I terribly disliked. I did roll my eyes a little at Mal being unable to see past alliance vs. brown coat when Annie was being held hostage, but the story didn't linger in this very long. Overall, a very well-rounded and nicely paced story. I very much enjoyed it and would recommend it.
In this story, Annie Roberts hires the crew of Serenity to hunt down her father's killer. The only catch is she has to come along with, which is a problem for Mal because she's 18 years old and has a missing arm. Annie proves herself to be capable enough, however, and manages to corner Mal into taking the job by impounding Serenity. The crew, then, splits up to investigate different aspects of the murder and find themselves uncovering conspiracies and civil unrest in the process.
This was a really solid story. I liked how all the crew members had their time to shine, and that there wasn't any super intense near-death situations for the crew itself. I was able to enjoy the story in a different way because I wasn't worried that the crew wouldn't be able to handle a gang of thugs. I think my favorite part was being able to see Kaylee stand out and become a brilliant mediator for the negotiations between the mayor and the workers' union. I also really enjoyed seeing Simon become a brilliant actor/investigator.
There wasn't any part that I terribly disliked. I did roll my eyes a little at Mal being unable to see past alliance vs. brown coat when Annie was being held hostage, but the story didn't linger in this very long. Overall, a very well-rounded and nicely paced story. I very much enjoyed it and would recommend it.
August 5, 2025
Firefly - Coup de Grâce, by Una McCormack. Titan Book, 2023. Hard back, 263 pages.
Mal takes a job on the farming planet Abel. Annie Robert's father, Isaac, a well-loved man of Yell City, was shot in broad daylight by Bill Fincher of the Collier gang. The once prosperous city has fallen near to ruin as the planet is seeing a series of droughts. Farmers are moving to the city for work, were there isn't any. The over-worked, under-staffed sheriff can't help Annie and the newly elected mayor simply advises her to be patient.
Mal nearly declines the job on meeting Annie who only has one arm but makes coming on the hunt for Fincher a condition for getting paid. When Serenity is impounded and a fine imposed, Mal and crew are forced to take the job and find that, like so many jobs before, it's not as simple as it sounds.
Add a rebellious band of city workers who feel that the off-world company called Rising Sun was taking their jobs, a Parliament police officer hired by the mayor, and the fact that the Collier gang are former Browncoats, and the situation gets outright complicated.
What interest does Rising Sun and Blue Sun have in Abel? What is causing the drought on a terraformed world? Why kill a beloved man in broad daylight?
Mal and crew have to help Annie track down Bill Fincher but he is one small piece in a very big puzzle.
I very much enjoyed Coup de Grâce. McCormack captures each of the crew in a way that feels true to the televised stories. The world building and situation feel very much in the 'verse. Annie is a great character. Her story and that of Yell City and the planet Abel all have a very Firefly feel. Coup de Grâce is an easy and immediate favorite Firefly book. Highly recommend.
Mal takes a job on the farming planet Abel. Annie Robert's father, Isaac, a well-loved man of Yell City, was shot in broad daylight by Bill Fincher of the Collier gang. The once prosperous city has fallen near to ruin as the planet is seeing a series of droughts. Farmers are moving to the city for work, were there isn't any. The over-worked, under-staffed sheriff can't help Annie and the newly elected mayor simply advises her to be patient.
Mal nearly declines the job on meeting Annie who only has one arm but makes coming on the hunt for Fincher a condition for getting paid. When Serenity is impounded and a fine imposed, Mal and crew are forced to take the job and find that, like so many jobs before, it's not as simple as it sounds.
Add a rebellious band of city workers who feel that the off-world company called Rising Sun was taking their jobs, a Parliament police officer hired by the mayor, and the fact that the Collier gang are former Browncoats, and the situation gets outright complicated.
What interest does Rising Sun and Blue Sun have in Abel? What is causing the drought on a terraformed world? Why kill a beloved man in broad daylight?
Mal and crew have to help Annie track down Bill Fincher but he is one small piece in a very big puzzle.
I very much enjoyed Coup de Grâce. McCormack captures each of the crew in a way that feels true to the televised stories. The world building and situation feel very much in the 'verse. Annie is a great character. Her story and that of Yell City and the planet Abel all have a very Firefly feel. Coup de Grâce is an easy and immediate favorite Firefly book. Highly recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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