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A review by colossal
Fortuna by Kristyn Merbeth
4.0
The Fortuna is a small crewed freighter in the Nova Vita system, a rarity in a time of increasing tension and isolationism in interplanetary politics. The Kaiser family survives through careful planning (each child of the family has a different planetary citizenship) and various legal and illegal jobs. Scorpia Kaiser is the ship's pilot who has lived her life in the shadow of her brother Corvus. Corvus has been off fighting a pointless and brutal war for three years, but he's about to return, and that leaves Scorpia in a horrible position, making her even more reckless than she normally is. When Scorpia's mother get them all involved in interplanetary politics and alien technology, the family is challenged just when its weakest.
The small spaceship with either a found family or, as in this case, a real family, has become a popular trope in recent years. This one takes an interesting approach to that by showing that family as very troubled. The Kaiser matriarch Auriga is abusive and manipulative. Scorpia is a drunk, a criminal and a reckless disaster walking. Corvus is a traumatized veteran, and the other Kaiser siblings have their own issues. All of which makes their striving to step up to prevent an interplanetary war very satisfying.
I'm actually close to giving it 5 stars, but the first half drags, particularly during Scorpia's chapters. Still well worth a read at least for the different take on what's becoming a well worn trope.
The small spaceship with either a found family or, as in this case, a real family, has become a popular trope in recent years. This one takes an interesting approach to that by showing that family as very troubled. The Kaiser matriarch Auriga is abusive and manipulative. Scorpia is a drunk, a criminal and a reckless disaster walking. Corvus is a traumatized veteran, and the other Kaiser siblings have their own issues. All of which makes their striving to step up to prevent an interplanetary war very satisfying.
I'm actually close to giving it 5 stars, but the first half drags, particularly during Scorpia's chapters. Still well worth a read at least for the different take on what's becoming a well worn trope.