The First Sister

In this space opera, we follow a unique set of characters. The First Sister has no name and no voice, who travels through space as a priestess of the Sisterhood. However, she isn't happy with the way her body and her life is not her own. We also follow Lito, an elite soldier of Venus who isn't sure what he's fighting for is the right thing to do. Together, they tell the story of this dark future in space where people's bodies are not their own and where there is still war and prejudice rampant throughout societies around the universe.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved that there was the space opera feel without the setting being overwhelming. I also thought this was a fresh take on a sci-fi story. Typically, you see no religious presence in a sci-fi story, but this one focused a lot on what a futuristic religion would look like out in the cosmos. We get to see how the Sisterhood proselytizes across the solar system and how their society is run. The characters and their situations felt relatable, even in this setting. Bodily autonomy was a huge theme throughout this book, showcasing that basically no one has the right to make their own decisions about their body. It was a scary future depicted, especially with the fights going on right now across America.

All in all, a successful, dark, entertaining book to read. I would recommend this to anyone out there wanting a unique sci-fi story.

TW: amputation, blackmail, child abuse (mentioned), death, dysphoria, execution, experimentation, injury (graphic), mental illness (untreated), neural implants, plastic surgery, prostitution, PTSD, torture (implied), violence, rape, misgendering