Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh is a thrilling queer space opera that tells the story of Kyr, a warrior who has been trained her entire life to avenge the murder of planet Earth. Kyr is one of the best warriors of her generation and has been raised alongside the last scraps of humanity in Gaea Station, where she is preparing to face the Wisdom, a powerful, reality-shaping weapon that gave the majoda their victory over humanity.

However, when Command assigns Kyr's brother to certain death and relegates her to Nursery to bear sons until she dies trying, Kyr knows that she must take humanity's revenge into her own hands. Alongside her brother's brilliant but seditious friend and a lonely, captive alien, Kyr escapes from everything she's known into a universe far more complicated and wondrous than she could have imagined.

Tesh's storytelling is masterful, audacious, and relentless. The world-building is superbly executed, and the characters are vividly drawn, making the reader fully invested in their journey. The themes of family, loyalty, and identity are explored deeply, and the queer representation is handled with sensitivity and nuance.

Some Desperate Glory is a stunning debut novel, with three starred reviews and recognition as an Astounding Award Winner and Crawford Award Finalist. Tesh has created a wildly imaginative and gripping space opera that is sure to satisfy fans of the genre and leave readers eagerly anticipating her next work.

Glorious. Divine. Just wow.

The range emotions Tesh had me feeling is insane. I went from HATING the mc to rooting for her with my entire soul. An amazing queer space opera. I recommend to every scifi/fantasy lover.