The First Sister : : a Novel

Locations
Call Number: Science Fiction / Lewis, Linden , Adult Book / Fiction / Science Fiction / General / Lewis, Linden A.
On Shelf At: Downtown Library, Traverwood Branch

Location & Checkout Length	Call Number	Checkout Length	Item Status
Downtown 2nd Floor 4-week checkout	Science Fiction / Lewis, Linden	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Traverwood Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Fiction / Science Fiction / General / Lewis, Linden A.	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Malletts Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Fiction / Science Fiction / General / Lewis, Linden A.	4-week checkout	Due 05-20-2024

"Combining the social commentary of The Handmaid's Tale with the white-knuckled thrills of Red Rising, this epic space opera follows a comfort woman as she claims her agency, a soldier questioning his allegiances, and a non-binary hero out to save the solar system. First Sister has no name and no voice. As a priestess of the Sisterhood, she travels the stars alongside the soldiers of Earth and Mars-the same ones who own the rights to her body and soul. When her former captain abandons her, First Sister's hopes for freedom are dashed when she is forced to stay on her ship with no friends, no power, and a new captain-Saito Ren-whom she knows nothing about. She is commanded to spy on Captain Ren by the Sisterhood, but soon discovers that working for the war effort is so much harder to do when you're falling in love. Lito val Lucius climbed his way out of the slums to become an elite soldier of Venus, but was defeated in combat by none other than Saito Ren, resulting in the disappearance of his partner, Hiro. When Lito learns that Hiro is both alive and now a traitor to the cause, he now has a shot at redemption: track down and kill his former partner. But when he discovers recordings that Hiro secretly made, Lito's own allegiances are put to the test. Ultimately, he must decide between following orders and following his heart. A stunning and sweeping debut novel that explores the power of technology, colonization, race, and gender, The First Sister is perfect for fans of James S.A. Corey, Chuck Wendig, and Margaret Atwood"-- Provided by publisher.

REVIEWS & SUMMARIES

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COMMUNITY REVIEWS

New favorite submitted by Jinxyluis on August 11, 2021, 2:10pm Over the two days it took me to read, I could not stop thinking about this book. It reminds me of a less convoluted Ninefox Gambit (which you should note is one of my all time favorites), flush with intrigue and politics centering dynamic queer characters in space. ⁣
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The First Sister follows three people on different sides of a future war who find their loyalties tested by unsettling revelations about the worlds they thought they knew. Two of the central characters are elite duelists in the Icarii military who are steadfast partners despite their very different backgrounds, while the third is an orphan sold into an unhappy life as a voiceless priestess of the Gean’s creepy space religion, The Sisterhood. The worldbuilding and character development were both excellent, and I think I was most impressed by the book’s relentlessly absorbing pacing. Each chapter transition left me wanting more from the character we left, but I was always just as excited to pick back up the dangling thread of the next character’s plotline. That’s a rare feat in my experience with books featuring alternating POV’s, but Lewis made it look easy. I can’t wait to pick up the forthcoming sequel and see what directions they take this story next, but for series sceptics I want to emphasize that this book very much delivers on a complete and satisfying plot. If you love action and intrigue, great worldbuilding and robust queer and nonbinary characters, put this book right on your TBR!⁣
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Cw - this book deals with sexual assault and its impact as an ever-present threat for one of the book’s central characters, but there are no graphic depictions of it on the page.