The Relentless Moon

I have loved all three volumes in this series (the fourth one is coming out in March 2025), but I especially liked this one. This 3rd volume in the Lady Astronaut series does not actually feature the original lady astronaut, Elma York, who was the central character of the first two volumes (only very briefly at the end). In this one, the setting shifts to the Moon, and the central character is Kansas governor's (and presidential hopeful) wife, Nicole Wargin, who was present in the previous volumes, herself a pilot. At this point in the story, there is an established base on the moon, with regular flights back and for from Earth. However, there is political turmoil both on Earth and the moon, with successive catastrophes and sabotage. It's pretty fast-paced and very engaging.

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.