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adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Genocide, Homophobia, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Transphobia, Violence
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Abortion
adventurous
dark
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Context:
I borrowed Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh from my library through the Libby App.
Review:
Just to get it out of the way: Some Desperate Glory is billed as a “queer space opera,” but that’s not really what this book is. So, if that’s why you picked up the book, you might want to adjust your expectations. In fact, I would recommend letting go of a lot of expectations even as you start the book because the plot takes a giant left turn at around the 30% mark.
That being said, there is a lot about this book that impressed me. Tesh writes the main character, Kyr, as despicable and deeply unlikable at the beginning, but manages to give her a convincing character arc throughout the story. The side characters, too, are well-written and fascinating. The overall plot hooked me, and I found the ending section to be riveting.
One of the biggest issues I have with Some Desperate Glory is the worldbuilding technological mechanism that allows the plot and character development to occur: it’s baffling—nonsensical, even. The more I try to think about how and why such technology might work, the more my brain hurts. The author even admits that it’s nonsensical in the book’s acknowledgments! Furthermore, Tesh uses this fantastical “technology” to create an unnecessary deus ex machina ending. If I didn’t like the core storyline and the characters so much, this flaw would have ruined the book for me.
In terms of the thematic elements of the book, I liked that the book used its (quite dark and disturbing) dystopian elements to condemn fascism, misogyny, homophobia, etc. There are a few missteps here and there—for example, I found it impossible to root for a character, who, in a slightly different timeline, casually committed mass genocide of trillions of people —and some lack of nuance as Tesh focuses on developing the story and characters. However, I couldn’t help but cheer on Kyr as she grows as a person and fights to save the world and the people she cares about.
The Run-Down:
You will probably like Some Desperate Glory if . . .
· You want to read a story with flawed, complex characters
· You like time travel/multiverse fiction
· You want a gripping sci-fi story that keeps you on the edge of your seat
You might not like Some Desperate Glory if . . .
· You are sensitive to the triggers listed at the beginning of the book—seriously, things get dark!
· You don’t want to read from the perspective of someone who is truly a garbage human being (at least to start)
· You want to read about a lesbian romance (there is little to no romance in this book)
· You hate when science fiction worldbuilding makes no sense
A Similar Book:
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. Similarities include:
· A young, genetically engineered protagonist who is trained and groomed to fight in a war between humans and aliens
· Discussions surrounding genetic engineering/eugenics, military propaganda, and genocide
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Genocide, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Suicide, Xenophobia, Medical trauma, Murder, War
Moderate: Animal death, Gun violence, Rape, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Xenophobia, Gaslighting, War
Moderate: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Murder, Outing
Minor: Misogyny, Abortion
adventurous
dark
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was fun as hell. Mind the trigger warnings, but this is what science fiction should be, using the premise to dig at the flaws of society.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Genocide, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Suicide, Transphobia, Violence, Xenophobia, War
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Acephobia/Arophobia, War, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body horror, Abandonment
Contains an on-page suicide, women being forced into the roles of breeding stock, in-depth look at cults, attempted grooming of a minor and a successful past attempt that resulted in the birth of a child, genocide, a forced kiss, and an attempted rape
adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love that this book didn't treat brainwashing as something a character can just as easily shake off. The things Kyr had learned all her life kept returning to haunt her, and I think that's the strength of this book. Action-packed with some shocking turns and interesting worldbuilding, Some Desperate Glory was an impressive rollercoaster.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting
Forced pregnancy
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Some Desperate Glory is what I think sci-fi is supposed to be -- an exploration of complex human issues like war, genocide, choice, family and radicalization through the lens of a world that doesn't have our rules.
This book is fast paced and intense with lots of action and lots to think about. It doesn't pull punches. It looks at the horrors and effects of genocide and war and the ways that individuals, as much as systems, as responsible. There were times when I had to put the book down just to integrate the immensity of what just happened and that, to me, is a sign of a good book -- how it gets into your bones.
The characters are unlikeable but very sympathetic and the main character's growth and development was very well done.
The sci fi aspects of shadow space, the aliens, the Wisdom and multiple realities were all very well done and, though the shadow space was not based on actual science, it was well enough explained that this imaginary spacial force was believable.
Overall, this is the best scifi I've read in a LONG time and is what attracted me to scifi in the first place, and what keeps bringing me back over and over again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Sexism, Suicide, Xenophobia, Murder, War
Moderate: Ableism, Homophobia, Sexual violence
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What a book! I was drawn to it before I even heard what it was about, given that Emily Tesh wrote some of my favourite novellas, Silver in the Wood & Drowned Country. This sci-fi novel surprised and delighted me in how different it was from those, confirming Tesh’s qualities as a writer.
The first few chapters were a challenge, getting to know Kyr and her strong but flawed character, and the universe in which Terrans lost the war. Then, through the intricacies of plot and world-building, the characters started to shine and take centre-stage, bringing with them many questions around the notion of legitimacy and power. Kyr has a fantastic character arc, and I loved witnessing her growth as a character, from a devoted teenager so sure of her hierarchy’s benevolence to a questioning young woman having to sort through what’s true and what she’s been told all her life.
There were some plot twists I did not see coming, and I loved how they blended exterior conflicts with character writing. Tesh pictures a world that is still riddled with sexism and racism, but she shows the origins and how the characters decide to deal with the situation in a very satisfying way all along a fast-paced narrative that kept me turning the pages.
Rep: Kyr reads as asexual, there are gay and lesbian secondary characters as well as some diverse characters.
The first few chapters were a challenge, getting to know Kyr and her strong but flawed character, and the universe in which Terrans lost the war. Then, through the intricacies of plot and world-building, the characters started to shine and take centre-stage, bringing with them many questions around the notion of legitimacy and power. Kyr has a fantastic character arc, and I loved witnessing her growth as a character, from a devoted teenager so sure of her hierarchy’s benevolence to a questioning young woman having to sort through what’s true and what she’s been told all her life.
There were some plot twists I did not see coming, and I loved how they blended exterior conflicts with character writing. Tesh pictures a world that is still riddled with sexism and racism, but she shows the origins and how the characters decide to deal with the situation in a very satisfying way all along a fast-paced narrative that kept me turning the pages.
Rep: Kyr reads as asexual, there are gay and lesbian secondary characters as well as some diverse characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Homophobia, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide
Minor: Child abuse, Genocide, Rape, Pregnancy
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Before reading I knew the MC would be a terrible person, and I think that helped with my expectations. I didn't know much else about it though, and it drew me right in. There are a LOT of conversation points in this book, and while the book was already on the longer side, I almost wish it were even longer? To delve into those a little more deeply.
I also would have liked even more world building, especially regarding the Wisdom, because I found it fascinating. I also would have liked some character relationships to have more time. AND more time for the ending as it felt a bit rushed and just cut off at the end. Maybe an epilogue?
I guess I'm saying I would have liked this to be a couple of books lol!
But I enjoyed it. It always left me guessing and kept me on my toes, and I enjoyed how the unlikable main character learned and grew out of the extremist world view she was brought up with.
CW: There are so many, and they're listed in the beginning of the book. Heed them if you need them.
I also would have liked even more world building, especially regarding the Wisdom, because I found it fascinating. I also would have liked some character relationships to have more time. AND more time for the ending as it felt a bit rushed and just cut off at the end. Maybe an epilogue?
I guess I'm saying I would have liked this to be a couple of books lol!
But I enjoyed it. It always left me guessing and kept me on my toes, and I enjoyed how the unlikable main character learned and grew out of the extremist world view she was brought up with.
CW: There are so many, and they're listed in the beginning of the book. Heed them if you need them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Genocide, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Suicide, Transphobia, Xenophobia, Murder, Sexual harassment, Colonisation
Moderate: Ableism, Rape, Grief
Minor: Abortion
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is AMAZING. It broke my brain, it made me cry, it has super cool tech, and the characters continually surprised me. I couldn't put it down, and wasn't sure where it was going to end up, but I was very satisfied with the ending I got.
I normally hate unlikable characters, but the writing drew me in from the first page and there were so many little unanswered questions that would catch my attention, that I just had to keep reading. I wasn't disappointed.
There's a flavor of Iron-Widow-esque rage in this book, so if you loved that as much as I did, you'll want to pick up this book. I don't want to say much else in case of spoilers, but the queer rep was lovely, and obviously not just token rep, it was really woven into the characters.
I really appreciate the content warnings at the beginning of the book...being able to make the decision that I had enough emotional energy for this kind of story feels very empowering.
I'm excited to see what this author tackles next!
I normally hate unlikable characters, but the writing drew me in from the first page and there were so many little unanswered questions that would catch my attention, that I just had to keep reading. I wasn't disappointed.
There's a flavor of Iron-Widow-esque rage in this book, so if you loved that as much as I did, you'll want to pick up this book. I don't want to say much else in case of spoilers, but the queer rep was lovely, and obviously not just token rep, it was really woven into the characters.
I really appreciate the content warnings at the beginning of the book...being able to make the decision that I had enough emotional energy for this kind of story feels very empowering.
I'm excited to see what this author tackles next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Racism, Sexism, Suicide, Violence, Xenophobia
Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, Genocide, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment