Artifact Space

Epic Space Opera does not get much more epic than this. We have giant trade spaceships, galactic alliances, criminal underworlds and alien threats all rolled into a very fun and digestible package. Miles Cameron has made his name on fantasy and historical fiction, but this first dive into SciFi is mightily impressive. His roots in historical reenactment shine through in his adaptation of historical ideas (the trade route we follow almost reads like an ancient trade route around the Mediterranean, just set in space) and naming the ship Athens is obviously a nod to his other interests. His understanding of watch keeping and proper military practices lend an air of believability to the story too. I have not seen the world ship idea done better than this though - the ship and the crew are definitely living, breathing entities that drive the story along.

Our lead character is the fallen scion of an ancient family - she had been brought up in an abusive orphanage with shady links to the underworld. For her this voyage is one of escape from her old life. Her adventures are what drives the story forward - learning the ropes of an officer position on board this mighty vessel. I have seen the story likened to ‘hornblower in space' and I can get that - it has a lot of the feel of that, but with the scifi setting

Overall, this is a masterful take on the genre - fun, fresh and enjoyable