[This] is an absolute gem of a story, a peek into a fascinating, fully realized world that manages to explore issues of power, consent, class and destiny before turning over some of fantasy's tropes completely on their head. I loved it.” —S. A. Chakraborty
"I would follow [Fellion] anywhere... I highly recommend this. I stayed up way too late finishing it and am still thinking about it a week later." —Mary Robinette Kowal
“A rich and atmospheric lacework of worldbuilding, politics and magic—and of one woman's journey to find her place in the wake of a revolution. Mesmerising, relentless and sharp.” —Aliette de Bodard
"Elliott uses a relatable main character and a complex and intriguing setting to dive into the consequences of revolution with an eye toward class and power dynamics; readers will be left wanting more." —Booklist
Praise for Kate Elliott’s Unconquerable Sun:
“Non-stop action! Space battles! Intrigue! This is the kind of space opera that I love best—but Elliott does it even better.”—Ann Leckie, New York Times bestselling author
“Intricate and thrilling, Kate Elliott's Unconquerable Sun reframes history's most legendary conqueror in a brand new galaxy, lights the fuse, and blasts off on an edge-of-your-seat adventure perfect for fans of Arkady Martine and James S.A. Corey.”—Emily Skrutskie, author of Bonds of Brass
“A sweeping saga of a fierce and indomitable conqueror and her companions, this is breathtaking and mindblowingly good.”—Aliette de Bodard, Nebula Award-winning author of The Tea Master and the Detective
“A maelstrom of palace intrigue, interstellar back-stabbing, devious plots, treachery, blistering action, ferocious confrontations—and a heroine for the ages... Enthralling, edge-of-your-seat stuff hurtling along at warp speed. Grab!”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Rich with history, tongue-in-cheek humor, cultural references, and vibrant characters, this highly entertaining series launch will have readers clamoring for more.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Fans of Lois McMaster Bujold and N.K. Jemisin will find this a candidate for instant re-reading as soon as the last page is turned.”—Booklist, starred review
12/01/2021
This richly conceived novella from the author of Unconquerable Sun, an LJ starred title, begins when Fellian, an enslaved fire mage, is kidnapped, or rescued, depending on the perspective, from her government's enforced servitude by a group of rebels. They want her to help them protect the life of a newborn baby who has the potential to overthrow their oppressors and save the kingdom. The opening sounds like many fantasies about chosen ones saving the day, but as readers see this world through Fellian's eyes the story becomes an exploration of power and privilege and the way that the high and mighty on both sides ignore how the costs of their squabbles and rebellions fall on the masses. Fellian, the daughter of farmers who rebelled against both sides, is willing to save the baby but refuses to be swept away by cause or rhetoric, to the surprise of the nobles who believe they're saving her when she's really saving them. VERDICT The depth of the character creation and worldbuilding makes this story seem almost too big to be contained in a novella. Recommended for readers looking for stories that center on characters that get things done and know the worth of doing so.—Marlene Harris, Reading Reality, LLC, Duluth, GA