Jaelyn reviewed Red Scholar by Aliette de Bodard
Xich Si: bot maker, data analyst, mother, scavenger. But those days are over now-her ship …
Review of 'Red Scholar' on 'Storygraph'
4 stars
A scavenger and bot-maker captured by pirates. Fearing indentured service or worse, she is suddenly offered a deal by the leader of one of the pirate banners (and a sentient ship): an arranged marriage to protect her while she uses her tech skills to investigate the murder of the pirate’s previous wife. But while they uncover the plot among the pirate factions, their marriage takes on a romance of its own.
As sapphic sci-fi pirates go, it was cool. But I feel like there could have been a lot more character development. I didn't feel the relationship build properly to my liking, and I have a low bar for queer romances. I’ll also admit the sentient ship thing – and technology in the book generally – doesn’t seem to add much to justify the distraction of it.
But it’s certainly an easy and quick read with some interesting concepts even if it could do with a tad more depth. Maybe something that pays off if I read more set in the universe?
As sapphic sci-fi pirates go, it was cool. But I feel like there could have been a lot more character development. I didn't feel the relationship build properly to my liking, and I have a low bar for queer romances. I’ll also admit the sentient ship thing – and technology in the book generally – doesn’t seem to add much to justify the distraction of it.
But it’s certainly an easy and quick read with some interesting concepts even if it could do with a tad more depth. Maybe something that pays off if I read more set in the universe?