Some Desperate Glory

Reviews / Votes

An outstanding novel . . . one of the debuts of the year -- LOCUS Bound to make waves as one of the best SF novels of 2023 . . . [an] expansive story with an action-packed pace full of exciting battles and gut-wrenching twists -- BOOKLIST Raw and action packed . . . This riveting adventure deserves a space on shelves alongside genre titans like Ursula K. Le Guin and Octavia Butler -- PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (starred review) This book hit me like a lightning bolt. From the destruction of Earth on the first page, to the human cult on a forgotten space station, to the indoctrinated teen soldier whose narrow worldview Tesh cracks open with pliers, this book is astoundingly good. An explosive and extraordinary story that I couldn't stop reading and will never forget -- Everina Maxwell, author of WINTER'S ORBIT Masterful, audacious storytelling. Relentless, unsentimental, a completely wild ride. I had a time. Talk about Mass Effect beating up Brave New World in a dark alley -- Tamsyn Muir, New York Times-bestselling author of The Locked Tomb series Devastatingly entertaining, horribly funny, Some Desperate Glory swoops through space and time with effortless precision, never pulling a punch or settling for an easy answer. There's nothing else like it -- A. K. Larkwood, author of THE UNSPOKEN NAME It blew me away. Tesh unpeels the known world from around her young militants with flawless control, revealing the lies and atrocities beneath-but also the possibility of choice, and compassion. Kyr is a revelatory hero-never have I so fervently wished the worst for someone, only to end up cheering for them. . . . Fierce and heartbreakingly humane -- Shelley Parker-Chan, author of SHE WHO BECAME THE SUN A profoundly humane and brilliantly constructed space opera that will have you cheering, swearing, laughing, and ugly-crying. It's perfect -- Alix E. Harrow, NEW YORK TIMES-bestselling author of THE ONCE AND FUTURE WITCHES This book will hurt you and you will say thank you. It has everything you'd want in a queer space opera - wit and imagination and adventure, all within a brilliantly constructed world . . . Reading this feels like bearing witness to something revolutionary . . . It will change you for the better -- Olivie Blake, NEW YORK TIMES-bestselling author of THE ATLAS SIX Tesh crams in enough wild inventiveness for an entire trilogy, wrapped around an emotional core that's powerful and urgent and unmistakeably real -- M. R. Carey, bestselling author of THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS This is the sort of debut novel every novelist hopes to write. Spectacular from page one -- John Scalzi, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of THE KAIJU PRESERVATION SOCIETY Tesh writes compellingly...[blending] thrilling action with a mind-bending course in cosmic metaphysics, which keep shifting your sense of what this book is about. If you're looking for a page-turner with fascinating ideas, then Some Desperate Glory absolutely qualifies -- THE WASHINGTON POST This sparky debut is a blend of space opera and military SF that refreshes both modes. Some Desperate Glory moves briskly, page-turningly, and provides all the satisfactions of widescreen galactic worldbuilding and adventure as it goes; but it never sacrifices complexity or trades in easy answers . . . An instant classic -- GUARDIAN This brilliant, queer space opera combines smart worldbuilding with nuanced explorations of gender, fascism, racism, and more -- BUZZFEED This book will turn you inside out and then casually remake you while you wheeze in gratitude. Unflinchingly intense, gloriously queer, and with one of the most finely-crafted and fascinating character journeys I've ever read, Some Desperate Glory is space opera at its absolute best -- Freya Marske, SUNDAY TIMES bestselling author of A MARVELLOUS LIGHT A monumental journey. . . . An intriguing space opera and study of radicalization, indoctrination, and what happens when one breaks free in the most absolute way -- LIBRARY JOURNAL (starred review) Some Desperate Glory has become one of my early favourites of the year. . . . [Kyr's] emotional journey . . . had me ugly-sobbing on the train -- LitHub The novel . . . traces the awakening of Kyr's conscience and her efforts to shake off the chains of a martial, heteronormative upbringing and embrace otherness. If that makes it sound dry and worthy, it is anything but. This is vigorous, action-packed space opera with a progressive slant -- Financial Times It's a wonderful, gripping ride with great hardware, brilliantly drawn characters - both human and alien -- DAILY MAIL Surprised me at every turn . . . This book has earned a permanent place on my favorites shelf -- V. E. Schwab, author of THE INVISISBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE