This is a freewheeling, action-packed Space Opera, full of spaceships and technology set against a background of interstellar politics. The characters are the usual mixture of races and rogues, well portrayed and sympathetic.
There seems to be a disconnect at the beginning, as if the author started the book, forgot what he wrote, then picked it up and wrote a different slant on the tale. For example, Grace starts going to see “a man she knew.” Next thing he is “rather dear to her.” Next, they’re talking about anniversaries, and then they’re planning their future together.
However, Chapter 2 is the start of the real story, and the action picks up immediately. Now we’re into real Space Opera territory, as Grace, the mostly innocent main character, breaks out of an orbital prison, joins a pirate crew, and goes about the Draconis section of space having all sorts of adventures.
The conflict is based on solid thematic material, as Grace struggles with the morality of her newly chosen profession. Loyalty, friendship and personal choice all play a part in the working out of the story. Unfortunately, they sometimes play too large a part and get in the way of the plot. The author has a habit of putting an action scene on hold while characters have philosophical thoughts or conversations. This does not add to the suspense, because we stop worrying in order to understand the conversation. And it doesn’t help the philosophy, because we’re too intent on the outcome of the action to listen properly to the ideas.
Other than that, the story has great conflict at the personal and interpersonal levels, as well as the usual shoot-em-up space battles and political machinations of the genre.
It is unfortunate that the many small writing errors add up, because I really enjoyed the book. Recommended for Space Opera fans.
(4 / 5)