A low key 5 star read
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I had no expectations about The First Sister but once I went down my sci-fi search and kept seeing it everywhere, I had to check it out. I’m hooked.

This served my perfect trifecta: amazing writing, rich world building and likable complex characters. I almost threw out my whole TBR to jump straight into book two but my Libby holds have a hold on me 🤣

It’s like The Handmaid’s Tale in space if you need to imagine the emotions, especially for First Sister. Earth, Mars, Venus – the planets have been colonized. Technology has advanced to allow humans artificial enhancements like neural implants that connect them mind to mind, especially used in soldiers.

I listened on audio and this is a three POV novel. Starts with the titular character, only known as First Sister, part of a religious affiliation called the Sisterhood and a top ranking representative on the ship Juno. She’s given directive from her Aunt to spy on their new captain. Her story pulls the most strings, the way Sisters are taken away their voice and cannot talk is something else.

Our second character is Lito sol Lucius, on the outs with his career as a Rapier after being injured and losing the battle on Ceres, he’s struggling with his new position and forced to complete a new mission: kill Hiro val Akira, his Dagger, left hand, and now a traitor to the Icarii after Ceres. Second mission: kill the Mother, currently in charge of the Sisterhood.

Hiro val Akira is a non-binary character and the one with most spunk. Outcast and in hiding, we listen to their recoding sent to Lito about the truth of their betrayal. Lito and Hiro used to be connected with the neural implant, fighting side by side with their emotions connected to each other. We learn about Hiro’s father Souiji val Akira and their upbringing, getting more glimpses of the world building through their retellings.

Without spoilers because it’s A Lot of info* all three characters cross paths eventually in a way I wasn’t expecting! The politics, commentary on religion and classism, implied degradation of Earth’s sustainability. The drama and tension with First Sister, and the mystery unfolded beautifully. I am dying to see what will happen next!

Highly recommend!

Title: The First Sister
Author: Linden A. Lewis
Genre: Sci-Fi Fantasy
Rating: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️