The Bookwyrm's Review of Escaping Gravity by J.D. Sullivan

 

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Rating:9.5/10

Synopsis

Dillon Mackey has always wanted to travel the stars...

When brilliant scientist and inventor Sherisza Rousilarru offers him an apprenticeship aboard her starship, he leaps at the chance to escape a boring future in the law.

But she's not the last of her kind for no reason. Dillon finds himself caught up in intrigue and adventure across systems, empires, and alien worlds he'd only dreamt of ever seeing.

Just what other secrets does his reclusive mentor hide? And will being her apprentice make him a target of her enemies?

Review

I got a chance to get an early look at this one just after it was finished being written. I was happy to get something more space opera on my plate after a long string of fantasy reads. I'm glad I did take a swing at it, because I have to say, it was an enjoyable read, with a nice mix of elements that help make it an engaging story.

The world building is top notch. It starts on a future Earth that after a few missteps with some first contacts has settled into a role as mediator to other star faring species conflicts. It's a really nice mix of future tech mixed with retro earth stuff. The galaxy is a big place, though, and some of Earth's neighbors haven't been particularly receptive to peace and love. This includes Sherisza's race, which was on the opposite side in the last war, although this isn't much of an issue, since they were wiped out in a plague and she's the last of her kind. This tragedy for her race really sets the tone for the story going forward, because there are some mysteries that definitely need solving with the end of her people, with wider consequences for the galaxy as a whole.

The characters are very well thought out. Dillon is the focus of the story, and he has a very interesting arc. Starting off as a wide eyed kid just glad to be accepted as an apprentice to Sherisza on her mysterious ship, we see his growth as he puts in the work to learn from the ground up those mysteries, as well as learn ship maintenance and modification from a true genius in the field. You truly see him grow into the man he will become as he lives and learns aboard ship. He has an interesting relationship with Sherisza as well, who has a whole different view on many things as a non-human with a culture just as rich as humanity's. He learns quickly don't irritate the humanoid lion lady that's the captain and his boss.

Sherisza is a great character as well. She has such a tragic backstory, with her race wiped out and her being the sole survivor. The fact she can function at all is a testament to her willpower. She is not only the sole survivor of her race, but also holds all the secrets of many new technologies her brother was developing that could revolutionize space travel. The mysteries surrounding the death of her species have caused her to keep this knowledge hidden, all while traveling and making contacts to try and keep herself from going extinct. She is definitely not afraid to confront the past, and is willing to do what it takes to have a future.

The secondary characters are an interesting bunch. They get some page time with Dillon and Sheisza, and play an integral part in their journey, not just as cardboard cutouts to advance the plot. They are as fully fleshed out as Dillon and Sherisza. The main villain, when revealed, is not who I was expecting. A lot of the mysteries surrounding Sherisza are are tied to them, and we get the picture that not all was what it seemed in regards to what happened with her people. They definitely have a realistic, if fairly odious, motivation for their actions, and it makes what happens with Dillon and Sherisza even more engaging for the reader.

As a huge fan of space opera, it's always great to have a new voice creating new worlds to explore. This combination of worldbuilding and character growth really hooked me, and I have to say, this is a book that will appeal to a wide range of readers. I highly recommend checking this first book in a new series out. You won't be disappointed.