Emily Tesh's debut novel is a space opera about war, duty, brainwashing, escaping limitations, and reinventing oneself--with fascinating turns of events and richly wrought characters. I just loved it.
Kyr has not only trained her whole life for the day she can avenge the long-ago destruction of Earth, she was genetically bred to be exceptional at the task.
But then unexpected events lead her to leave the only home she's ever known in order to try to save Magnus, her genetic brother, who she's never really allowed herself to feel emotionally connected to. She realizes that the revenge fantasies that have been instilled in her since birth--along with a distrust of all nonhuman creatures--were based on lies.
An oddball trio made up of Kyr, her brother's subversive genius of a friend, and a lonely alien force Kyr to reexamine all that she's ever known.
My favorite science fiction novels examine the Big Issues: What makes us people? What really matters? What do we owe to each other? How do you measure a successful, fulfilled, worthy life?
Emily Tesh's Some Desperate Glory examines deep matters in a fascinating chain of events, reflections, unexpected do-overs, and fantastic character growth. I absolutely loved Tesh's writing, the scope of her work, her characters, their connections, the world-building--all of it. I'm in for alllll Emily Tesh books now.
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Emily Tesh is also the author of the Greenhollow Duology, which is made up of the novella Silver in the Wood and Drowned Country.