The author skillfully employs the inciting incident to set in motion multiple compelling plots, centering around four distinct characters: Lauren, the brilliant mind behind the AI Merlin; Jack, who can pilot anything; the ruthless undercover Captain Greg Garcia; and Tom Wilks, owner of the ship The Peregrine, which he won through his gambling. Meanwhile, the strikingly menacing antagonist, Imperium Supreme Commander Bob, defies stereotypes by primarily handling HR and PR matters while his subordinates wreak havoc across the universe. The high point of the book occurs, quite literally, when Merlin, Tom, and Greg orchestrate a daring plan to intoxicate an entire prison, aiming to liberate Lauren and Jack. Described in colorful detail, the plan predictably—and entertainingly—derails, and the robots, along with the AI, save the day for a change.

Crane’s writing often evokes a cinematic grandeur with its epic scale, complex character dynamics, and blend of heady what-if? ideas and intense battle sequences. The narrative loses some momentum in the latter half as the focus shifts from the fight against the Imperium to a detailed rescue operation on a nuked planet, and the cosmic empire material, while exciting, at times feels familiar. Still, living up to its title, this series starter features pivotal prison breaks and narrow escapes from imminent death, as the Rim system strives to “break out” of the shackles of the Imperium. This thematic choice sets the stage for a promising next installment.

Takeaway: Promising space opera series starter of rebellion, action, AI, and a cosmic empire.

Comparable Titles: Christopher Ruocchio; Elizabeth Bear’s White Space series.

Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-