By James S.A. Corey

The first novella in the Captive’s War series turns it attention to humanity’s military response. Kirin joins the Livesuit Infantry to help protect his loved ones from the Carryx threat. The story is told from the perspective and in media res mission and its aftermath and of his joining and the time leading up to the mission. Time plays a role, as they slip around the universe, time dilation catches up with them. As his commitment draws towards a close, will Kirin be able to leave his unit behind?

This reminds me of Starship Troopers and the Forever War. The Livesuit Infantry has echoes of the Mobile Infantry, and the Livesuits seem like they could be a distant successor to Johnny Rico’s Power Suits. The time dilation questions that make The Forever War a classic, are a centerpiece here.

How reliable is Kirin as a narrator? Where the heck in the timeline does Livesuit and Mercy of the Gods take place? Questions I have, but I’m not sure I actually want all of the answers…

90 pages

4.5/5