The Stars Now Unclaimed

July 2, 2018
Williams’s sarcastic, trope-filled debut is a science fiction adventure that never takes itself too seriously. Jane is a human member of the Justified sect who’s trying to make up for what she views as the worst thing she’s ever done. A few generations ago, the universe was hit by the pulse, a weapon that destroyed all other weaponry. It got out of control and set planets back technologically, leaving some without even electricity. Jane’s sect was the one that released it, with her help. Now she’s trying to right her wrongs by traveling to different planets to find kids who have gained powers because of the pulse. With the help of Preacher, a member of the alien AI Barious, her goal is to help telekinetic child Esa save the universe. But the destructive, shortsighted sect known as Pax has been rallying for universal domination and stands in her way. For those familiar with the genre, this story won’t have many surprises, but it’s an enjoyable ride full of dry humor and thrilling action scenes. Agent: Chris Kepner, Kepner Agency.

August 1, 2018

After the pulse--a weapon that destroyed all weapons--most of the planets lost technology and were knocked back to darker times. The Justified, a group of people who search out gifted children, want to guarantee this will not happen again. Jane Kamali, an agent for the Justified, is tasked to find a telekinetic girl named Esa. Unfortunately, also on the hunt is the Pax, a hardened clan of fanatics, unaffected by the pulse, who believe they should rule the galaxy. Children like Esa are important, if they wish to use their strength to support the Pax domination. Otherwise Esa, along with Jane and her allies, are just cannon fodder for the battles ahead. Even with long expositional internal narratives from Jane, the story is fast paced and filled with action sequences both on- and off-planet. VERDICT This expansive debut for space opera enthusiasts is full of high-flying battles that readers of Becky Chambers and fans of the show Firefly will relish.--Kristi Chadwick, Massachusetts Lib. Syst., Northampton

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from August 1, 2018
A dazzling debut blends the best of small- and large- screen sf: the strong characterizations of Firefly, the space battles of The Expanse, and a tip of the motion scanner to Aliens. Jane Kamali rescues gifted teens from worlds devastated by the pulse, which passes through the universe in a wave, moving each world's technological advances varying steps backward. Unfortunately, one of the worlds less affected by the pulse is the Pax, whose inhabitants live by the simple, brutal ideology of survival of the fittest. Just as Jane picks up 14-year-old Esa, with the begrudging help of the Preacher, a member of the machine-based Barious species, a massive force from the Pax attacks. Jane and company manage a desperate escape in Scheherazade, her delightfully snarky spacecraft. From there it is a race to Sanctum, where Jane is supposed to deliver Esa. Along the way, they encounter pirates, smugglers, soldiers, spies, and exploding spaceships in ever-increasing size and number. This cast of memorable characters, particularly Jane, who wears her heart on her sleeve, and the sacrifices they make to save the universe is not to be missed.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)