The Relentless Moon

Mary Robinette Kowal masterfully weaves a rich tapestry of endearing and nuanced characters, skilful and meticulously researched science, and an alternative history that is poignantly plausible.

Written in first person perspective, her choice of a female protagonist, one whose interpersonal skills are as sharp as her aeronautical ones, gives us a multi- layered insight into the politics of space.

Relentless Moon may be set in the past, but it serves as a parable for the future - what does it take to lead humanity to save itself?

At first I was surprised that it was Elma's voice I was reading. But in the end this writer is just wonderful and I found Nicole Wargin a wonderful character to explore.

Like Elma there are secrets to this character that I will not explore. I will say that the time period of the third book takes place at the same time of the second book. You don't need to read book 2 but there is a spoiler in this book if you hadn't read it.

All the characters were great and the Mary Robinette Kowal never shies from either the misogyny nor the racism prevalent for the time period of this book. Nothing is shocking but it's beautifully written and very much a part of 1960s.

I do hope that if Kowal continues the Lady Astronaut series she adds some LGBTQ characters.

Absolutely fantastic. I loved every single page of this book.



Even though I was a bit surprised by the new main character, I soon found myself as unable (or unwilling?) to put my reader down as I was while reading the first two novels from the LAU.