Bluebird

For years, lesbian gunslinger Rig has been on the run. Formerly a weapons developer for Pyrite, she fled when she realized the scale of destruction that her biotechnology invention could inflict on the universe. But now Pyrite has her sister. With enigmatic stranger-turned-ally Ginka at her side, Rig will have to find a way to save her sister without letting the plans become part of the never-ending three-faction war that consumes their world. Pierlot's novel is an exciting space romp full of suspenseful chases and daring space jumps, action scenes, and rebel groups that lurk behind the scenes. While Rig is our protagonist, Ginka and the slow unveiling of her backstory and circumstances really make up the sinew of the emotional tone of the story. This is a novel about rejecting the systems that attempt to force us into their rigid structures or become complicit in their systemic violence. While the novel is slightly longer than it needs to be, Bluebird is entertaining, with rich world building, and will attract all lovers of queer space stories.

Pieriot's action-packed but by-the-numbers sci-fi debut plainly collages Star Wars, Firefly, and Mass Effect with a queer twist--but remains too slight to stand out. Three years ago, weapons developer Rig burned a city to stop Pyrite, the faction that indentured her, from using her research in a genocide against her own race. Now one of the Nightbirds, refugee-rescuers and saboteurs against the three ancient, constantly warring factions, she has her own ship, Bluebird, and a librarian lover, June, who hails from the spiritual Ascetic faction. But when Pyrite abducts the twin sister Rig left behind, Rig and Ginka, a mysterious operative from Ossuary, the megalomaniacal third faction, work together to rescue her. This quest leads them through glittering ballrooms and secret space stations, but everybody wants Rig's weaponry, and only her tenuous cross-faction alliances will get her out alive. Polished prose keeps the numerous battle scenes and side quests moving, but endless Whedonesque banter leaves most characters indistinguishable. Meanwhile, attempts to tackle more serious refugee issues are mishandled. Firefly devotees may appreciate this well-crafted but lightweight homage, but others can skip it. Agent: Lauren Spieller, TriadaUS (Feb.)