The world-building is simple and to the point but not poorly done. Steampunk fans will love its retro-future sensibilities and all the homages to the past. Space opera fans will also love this book for its fantastical handling of action, drama, and weird science fiction concepts. Despite this, I had a lot of fun and kept in mind it was a steampunk story that was meant to be fun rather than a strict hard sci fi story of the future. This is supposedly set in the future but this feels very much like an alternate history set in a universe with different physics. The juxtaposition of 17th century British Navy values and settings with the far future isn't always an easy fit. Really, readers should pick up the next volume immediately after this one since it reads like the second act rather than the next volume. As such, I should mention the original book reads like the beginning of a much larger story at the end. I've kept up reading the entirety of the series and consider them to be one long chronicle rather than multiple adventures. The first book takes time setting up what is meant to be a long series of YA adventures that chronicle Alexis' adventures across space. Alexis Carew is still figuring out her place in the Navy and whether she even wants to be there.

Honor Harrington is confidant and ready for command as well as a genius. Sutherland has admitted the influence but the difference in the character's ages results in the two books having a distinctly different feel. Women only serve in the core due to the aforementioned traditions.Īlexis is a likable protagonist and strongly reminded me of Honor Harrington, the aforementioned protagonist of another favorite naval series. Having nothing else to look forward to, she signs up as a midshipwoman in Her Majesty's Navy, only to discover she is the ONLY woman in the Outer Colonies. As the only heir of an aging landowner, she is stifled by the fact she can't inherit her grandfather's estate due to her sex.

They are a farming community with a rich history but conservative patriarchal traditions. It is a world where starships travel the void between worlds using ropes, cannon, and sails as a new British Empire feuds with dozens of other Age of Sail powers.Īlexis Carew is the daughter of a large landowner on the colony of Dalthus. If I had to describe this one, I would have to say it's about halfway between Disney's Treasure Planet and the Honor Harrington series by David Weber. Sutherland is the first novel of the steampunk science fiction novel series ALEXIS CAREW, which follows the adventures of the titular plucky midshipwoman.

Into the dark alexis carew