James’s densely inventive novel follows Elroy, the Tehuelches, and hardboiled mercenaries as they target EU supply lines and hubs in preparation for taking Alpha Station. The novel balances attention to science, tactics, and the gritty texture of space warfare with deep worldbuilding, linguistic playfulness (“posdef”; “justcuz”), and philosophical and historical inquiry. Even seasoned readers of thoughtful SF will find this a demanding read, as the story starts in the middle of this “not-war” and challenges readers to keep up. James’s inventions (like the Lungeshark species) and historical parallels are fascinating, as are the political machinations, but the prose can feel dense and uninviting at times. The pacing occasionally frustrates: for instance, a thorough, pages-long account of New Patagonia’s history comes after readers have already inferred much of it, interrupting the flow as Elroy races into the book’s first battle.

The action intensifies in the second half, especially in corridor-crawling chapters from the perspective of Lamb Cloudstalker, a mercenary who is proud of ancestral memories of fighting Nazis at Normandy. James’s characterization is compelling, particularly in a pair of EU captives turned slaves, while the Tehuelche society—where slaves have rights and odors reveal emotions—adds rich layers to the narrative. Equally intriguing is Elroy’s adherence to a cosmic shamanism rooted in science, which underscores the novel’s ambitious blending of action, philosophy, and speculative worldbuilding.

Takeaway: Bold but dense and challenging SF epic of humanity at war in the stars.

Comparable Titles: Alastair Reynolds, Yoon Ha Lee.

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