The First Sister

April 6, 2020
Lewis introduces readers to a universe at war in this competent far-future debut. The technocratic, decadent Icarii and the stoic, nature-worshipping Geans have long been in conflict. When a nameless priestess is abandoned by the man she thought would save her from life as a sex slave aboard a Gean warship, she fights to retain her position as First Sister, the captain’s favorite, so that she does not have to submit to the rest of the crew. But the new captain is difficult to get a read on. Meanwhile, the Icarii military assigns duelist Lito sol Lucius to track down his former partner who has gone missing and is presumed to have defected mid-mission. Both the priestess and Lucius are plunged into a world of political intrigue and they are forced to question their allegiances as their separate goals pull them toward an explosive final encounter. Despite a bit of clunky exposition early on, Lewis skillfully handles the tale’s many moving pieces, maintaining pace, nuance, and clarity throughout. Lewis’s lush prose creates an immersive, richly textured world with complex social dynamics and solid LGBTQ and multicultural representation. Though the political through line will put readers in mind of many other SF offerings, including James S.A. Corey’s Expanse series, the familiar beats are well executed. This fast, fun military thriller will satisfy genre fans. Agent: Alexandra Machinist, ICM Partners.

July 1, 2020
Lewis' rousing debut is a story of threes: three protagonists, three space-faring human races, three dreams told from three viewpoints. First Sister serves the Mother and her order in silence, acting as confessor for and sexual consort to members of her ship's crew. Lito, a highly skilled duelist who worked hard to overcome his lower-class background, has been assigned to assassinate the sisterhood's leader and kill the defector, Hiro, wayward son of a powerful family and Lito's technologically psi-bonded partner. They were presumed to be dead and have been branded a traitor. A secret recording sent to Lito confirms this but also reveals there is much more behind Hiro's motivations. Each narrator seeks security, purpose, or peace and when they come together everything could change?or they will die. Conflicts over advanced technology, religious beliefs, and economic deprivation swirl throughout this thrilling LGBTQ space opera centered on love, loss, and betrayal. The surprising twists at the climax bode well for the next book in the First Sister trilogy: the revolution is just getting started.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)

Starred review from April 1, 2020

First Sister is a priestess of the Sisterhood, providing spiritual and physical solace to the Earth and Martian soldiers she travels with. With no name and no voice, she can only hope for freedom through a partnership. Yet her former captain leaves her behind, and she is forced to find a place back on her ship, with no support and no real knowledge of the new captain, Saito Ren, except what the Sisterhood provides her--at a cost. Lito val Lucius battled from the slums of Venus to a coveted soldier position of Rapier--one of a implant-bonded duo of special soldiers. However, Lito is a defeated soldier, bested by Saito Ren, and his Dagger, Hiro, has disappeared. Lito is given a chance to redeem himself: Hiro has turned traitor, and their discovery and death is warranted. Yet the search for Hiro reveals truths about what those in power are actually doing, and with whom that power really lies. VERDICT This debut showcases themes of colonization, technology, genetic manipulation, and corruption that leaves its mark. A layered, action-filled plot and diverse characters create a powerful entry in the space opera genre. [See Prepub Alert, 2/12/20.]--Kristi Chadwick, Massachusetts Lib. Syst., Northampton

Copyright 2020 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2020

In queer writer Lewis's first installment in a planned trilogy, the title character is compelled to travel through space with soldiers of Earth and Mars, who possess her completely, and must finally spy on her new captain, even as top-notch Venusian soldier Lito val Lucius flinches when ordered to kill a former partner. With a 100,000-copy first printing.

Copyright 2020 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.