Unconquerable Sun

Starred review from May 11, 2020
Elliott (Throne of Eldraine: The Wildered Quest) launches a space opera trilogy with this impeccable coming-of-age adventure that draws inspiration from classic sci-fi, pop-culture, and the life of Alexander the Great. When 20-year-old Princess Sun, heir to the queen-marshal of the Republic of Chaonia, returns to court from her heroic command in battle, she’s disappointed to be sent back out on a handshake-and-visibility tour with her Companions, representatives of Chaonia’s seven Core Houses. Elsewhere, transportation engineer Persephone is preparing to finish her training at the Central Defense Cadet Academy­—only to have her plans upended by treacherous family drama. Instead of getting her degree, Perse is instated as one of Sun’s new Companions. The two women must work together to untangle myriad political machinations among Chaonian society, thwart an invasion from the Phene empire, and regain their personal independence, all under the watchful eye of Channel Idol, a popular streaming news and entertainment network. Elliott gracefully juggles multiple story lines and perspectives while delving into deeply personal themes and probing political issues of power and bias. Rich with history, tongue-in-cheek humor, cultural references, and vibrant characters, this highly entertaining series launch will have readers clamoring for more. Agent: Russell Galen, Scovil Galen Gosh Literary.

Inspired by accounts of Alexander the Great, this science fiction reimagines ancient history on an intergalactic scale. Princess Sun, Elliott's gender-bent Alexander, relies on all she's accomplished to keep herself alive and maintain rule over her hard-won empire. Natalie Naudus shows a lot of range in her narration. She reflects the story's militant atmosphere with sharp speech and cold tones, yet she also reveals Sun's personality when Sun lets down her guard. Occasionally, the narration and dialogue sound so similar that it's easy to miss the transition. But, overall, Naudus's performance fully engages listeners as conflicts of epic proportion unfold. N.H. � AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine