Elsenna is second in command of the king's security forces. She's also a traitor to the brutal, horrible dictator, secretly working with insurrectionists to overthrow the oppressive regime. Oh, and she's also in love with the king's only daughter. What could possibly go wrong.

I make no secret of the fact – in books or in life – I have no use for romance. Too often I find it distracts from a story and/or attempts to stand in for genuine character development. Not so here. The characters are flawed and realistic and fully rounded.

Ninestar Press describes this as science fiction romance. I'd describe as a political intrigue thriller tale of found family. Beautifully diverse and disability positive.

If you've ever thought that what the world really needs is Heinlein's classic, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, but left-wing and queer, then this book is for you. ( )

I was given an ARC of this ...novella? and this is my honest review.

What a great story. The setting is a kingdom with a spaceport. Yisss. :D

It took me some patience to get into (not the story's fault), but once in, I read it in a few well-spend hours. Great disability rep, great characters, great ending. Don't miss this one! ( )