With a striking cover, an intriguing plot, thrilling action, and a diverse cast, Persephone Station makes a great queer SFF read first thing in 2021!
Persephone Station follows Captain Angel de la Reza, an ex-marine and head of a semi-organised band of beneficent criminals and mercenaries. When framed for an assassination job they weren’t responsible for, Angel and her crew are forced to make an abrupt retreat. However, Rosie has a different plan for them; to protect a planet that the Serrao-Orlov Corporation wants to exploit. Now, Angel and her crew find themselves up against an army, and the odds are not looking great.
First of all, I have to say, this book was so unbelievably queer and I love that! There were nonbinary characters, sapphic characters, and other gender-neutral characters all throughout the book. It may not seem much to some, but it was so delightful for me to see this kind of representation, especially in SFF. Also, the fact that the cast was mostly made up of women, nonbinary people, and BIPOC was so refreshing.
As for the writing style, it was straightforward, and yet it also left mysteries for the readers here and there. There were several perspectives in the story, which dealt with different subplots that will ultimately come together in the end. Because of this, it might take a while for everything to make sense, but once you have a grip on the characters and the storyline, you’ll be wanting to know more.
The plot of Persephone Station was certainly distinctive. I loved the plot twist in the end. My main problem would have to be the pacing. It was fast-paced and action-packed at the early parts of the book. After that, it kind of dwindled down in the middle. Then, at the last 40%, the action and thrill were back again. Still, I know it made sense for the pacing to be this way. The middle parts of the story, where it kind of slowed down, were dense with information. Here we have the author trying to lay the puzzle pieces for us, giving us all the information that will ultimately lead to the apex of the story. Those last parts of the book were just a whirlwind and I love that there are a couple of surprises for the readers.
I also love how the story was plot-driven, and yet the characters also shone in their own ways. They will move you, even the antagonist of the story, and will certainly leave an impact. I, for one, couldn’t help but adore Angel and her ragtag group of criminals. I love found family tropes, so seeing the dynamic between Angel, Sukyi, Enid, Lou, and the others was heart-warming. They were mercenaries and criminals who found refuge among themselves and were now trying to do the right thing.
When it comes to the worldbuilding, the author created something so vivid and expansive and I loved that. The different perspectives along with the different locations also helped a lot in the imagery and atmosphere of the story. I could almost see its world-building almost as if it’s a setting of a Marvel movie.
Another thing I noticed in this book was that, though it has its fair share of action and thrill and gore, there was also poignancy in the story. There was poignancy in Persephone and the individuals living on the planet, in Vissia and her harsh desire to take over Persephone, in Angel and Sukyi’s friendship, in the forgotten pasts of Angel and her crew. I believe these added something mellow and moving to the story and the characters themselves.
Overall, Persephone Station is a solid read, one that will whisk you away into space, on an alien planet, on a wild ride. Those who are looking for action and remarkable plot will adore this one.
Persephone Station is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of January 5th 2021.
Will you be picking up Persephone Station? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
Hugo award-nominated author Stina Leicht has created a take on space opera for fans of The Mandalorian and Cowboy Bebop in this high-stakes adventure.
Persephone Station, a seemingly backwater planet that has largely been ignored by the United Republic of Worlds becomes the focus for the Serrao-Orlov Corporation as the planet has a few secrets the corporation tenaciously wants to exploit.
Rosie—owner of Monk’s Bar, in the corporate town of West Brynner—caters to wannabe criminals and rich Earther tourists, of a sort, at the front bar. However, exactly two types of people drank at Monk’s back bar: members of a rather exclusive criminal class and those who sought to employ them.
Angel—ex-marine and head of a semi-organized band of beneficent criminals, wayward assassins, and washed up mercenaries with a penchant for doing the honorable thing—is asked to perform a job for Rosie. What this job reveals will affect Persephone and put Angel and her squad up against an army. Despite the odds, they are rearing for a fight with the Serrao-Orlov Corporation. For Angel, she knows that once honor is lost, there is no regaining it. That doesn’t mean she can’t damned well try.
