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Twenty years ago, Hailimi left her life as a princess and became a successful gunrunner beyond the reach of the Indranan Empire. When disaster strikes, she's forced to return home and fight for her life. An entertaining space opera set in a matriarchy founded by colonists from India, it's a good read and the beginning of a trilogy; my only quibble is that the snarky heroine winks and sticks out her tongue a lot. Please stop! Just, no.

It's been busy with my seasonal job kicking off this month so I didn't do a bookspin. I'm good at reading while Rick drives, though and a late night here and there meant I could rent and finish The Indranan War series by K.B. Wagers. It's a space opera, with a reluctant gunrunner-turned-Empress fighting to take back her throne and get revenge on the man who destroyed her family. It was really good and am now on series 2, The Farian War trilogy.

This is the first book of the Indranan War trilogy. I really liked the whole trilogy.

Told from the POV of Hail, former gunrunner now heir to the Indranan empire. Hail has to weather assassination attempts, scandals and betrayals. The empire is based on Indian/Hindu culture and matriarchal.

Full review: https://scepticalreading.com/2022/04/if-you-liked-murderbot

Really enjoyed it. Hail was a runaway princess turned gunrunner. Someone‘s killing off her family and now she has no choice but to return home, especially since they tried to kill her too. But things come to light that make her realize that the past she thought she knew was a lie. The empire thinks it needs a princess, but maybe it needs a gunrunner instead. Just ordered book two. Excited to continue the adventure.

There were so many things I loved about this space opera but beyond the awesome characters & great dialogue the biggest thing is this. Our MC, Hail is 38. A badass female who can kill you just as smoothly as she can debate...and she's my age. Most heroines are depicted as young whippersnappers or the venerable wise woman. There are very few that are in their 30s/40s. It's nice to see a gunrunner princess who isn't maiden, mother, or crone.

This was a great action packed story. Our protagonist, Hail, is well written and likable. Can't wait to continue with the series.

This book was a lot of fun to read, but I could tell it was a first novel. The writing stumbled in places and could have used another edit or two. There were so many characters that it was difficult to keep track of everyone. However, I thought Hail was an interesting character and there was a ton of political intrique. Overall, I gave it 3 stars and do want to continue on with the series. #scifi

So I'm about 7 hrs into #24b42019. I'm not sure exactly the time I am at, bc my hubby deleted my stopwatch timer thinking he was helping me. I've only finished Skyward so far, but I'm enjoying the rest of them, especially the tagged book!

Stopped at a new bookstore after my wedding planning appointment to treat myself. The bottom 3 were employee recommendations and I snatched the autographed copy for 50% off! #bookhaul

(Late post) Finished B off with a sci-fi Bang! Check out Behind the throne if you are interested in a Indian Gunrunner turned Queen series. #sciencefiction #audiobook #atozchallenge

Super excited about tonight‘s SFF Reading At BookBar! #colorado

Ok, part of the unveiling of my #summersantagoespostal. I unwrapped and then fell asleep before posting last night. I feel that @megt has seen my bookcases. Four cozies, FOUR - the perfect number for a mini book binge. Blackout involves time travel, not via the T.A.R.D.I.S. but the Doctor can't be everywhere. And finally, the book I've tagged. I'm starting it first. I'm sold just on the description. 😉

This book had everything I love--badass ladies taking charge, interesting world building, and a refreshing lack of romance. Not a genre I pick up a lot but I'm glad I did! Can't wait for the next one!

Good morning Litsy family! Who wants to go to work today? Oh look...no hands. I hope you all have a great day and sneak in time to read here and there.

Couldn't stand the audio book version so I borrowed the book them proceeded to finish it during my bus ride to the bay area (finishing the book you bring to a trip is a book nerd's worst problem amirite?) I need more gunslinger empress action please!

When you mismatch your bookmark with your book choice. This book grabbed my attention from page one. Can't wait to have uninterrupted reading time with this gunrunner/princess. #bookbathbox

Hail is a princess-turned-gunrunner who left home to track down her father's killer twenty years ago. Now she's next in line to the throne after her sisters and niece (this is a matriarchal society) are murdered. It's a good setup for a fun space opera action story, and Hail is very likable. My only problem is there were a lot of characters that I sometimes couldn't keep track of. But I enjoyed this one enough to read the sequel. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Spoken like a consummate politician, Highness. One would think you've been doing this for years."

"I have, Caspel. It just involved more guns."

Been quiet on here lately because I've been a beta reader for Twitter friend's novel, but now I'm back with this space opera about a princess-turned-gunrunner who returns home after her sisters are murdered. I'm digging the gritty space smugglers crossed with court intrigue vibe so far.

Ah, such a splendid way to spend an afternoon reading in a quiet atmosphere....and often a fantasy...because that never happens.😆

Ahh! What an amazing gift giver is my Litsy Cupid, @B.Reader ! Thank you so much. The books are perfect. You may be a little psychic because Behind the Throne was on my library borrow list. The bookmarks and stationary supplies are also adorable and fantastic. I will also be stealing the notes for each item idea for the next exchange. Ahh! So much love for Litsy and #Cupidgoespostal #Valentinesbookexchange right now!

This is a little more pulpy than I like my sci-fi these days, but is a great ride for all that. Our heroine is especially a joy - I would love more SFF protagonists to swear as often in life as I do. 😀

This sci fi novel features a gunrunner who, it turns out, is a princess in hiding. I really loved that the main character was an Indian woman, and the culture is based on Indian culture. I didn't quite connect with the main character, but am hoping I will in book 2--it's definitely a fun novel!

My number one read of 2016. Can't wait to see what 2017 brings.

#airplanereading book 2 Interesting royal politics in space! The writing was occasionally a little clunky, and it took me a bit to warm up to the characters. But definitely interesting enough to pick up the next one! #scifi #sciencefiction

Mostly enjoyed this book. I have some meh feelings about the world building that I need to think about, but plot and characters were interesting. I'm definitely going to see how the sequel goes.

I'm going from fantasy to sci fi. This sounded like my jam. Let's see if it fits my mood.

Chloe, Mackie, and I have spent this Sunday morning quietly while I finished this book. It was so good and I am so excited the sequel will be out in December because I want to see what happens next. Definitely a well done science fiction debut with a strong cast of compelling characters and a storyline you can't help getting caught up in. Strongly recommended!! #catsoflitsy

This book ended up being even better than I thought it would be. POC female narrator, strong plotting, and great dialogue. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The next one comes out this winter and I will definitely be reading.

This is the back of the book! I cannot wait to start it! Badass lady in spaaaaaaace!

My September reading slump is worse than I realised... One book! But I've started many 😖 BMO sums up my current reading mood...

I'm halfway through season 4 of Elementary... I'm hoping Morland Holmes comes back soon - it's lovely seeing John Noble ☺️

Book + stationery #augustphotochallenge
MR SQUIGGLE! *hums theme song endlessly*

I got 1000% distracted from life by season three of the Blacklist (😫 I need moooore but there currently isn't any) so I'm still reading this delightful book 💜

In other news - can anyone recommend a TV show?

By some miracle I managed to not be late for work. I ran out of time for lunch tho 😭 can't wait for my shift to be over so that I can go home and get my read on!

I got extremely sidetracked by BlackList (I need all the answers and they just are not coming) to the point where I didn't actually read anything last night... 😬 #thestruggleisreal

Anyone else a massive Blacklist or James Spader fan!?

Clearly, I learnt nothing from reading past my bedtime yesterday 🤔 loving this so far - it reminds me of reading Elizabeth Moon books in my teen years ☺️

This one was kind of a disappointment. While the politics kept me turning pages, I struggled with what seemed like Cool Girl Feminism (and Cool Girl Feminism shouldn't be possible in an oppressive matriarchal society).

Read this and then read it again. Strong female protagonist who's a gunrunner suddenly finds herself called back (okay kidnapped back) to her home planet because the 3 people in front of her for the imperial throne have been killed. Cross Honor Harrington w/Goblin Emperor and you have Hail Bristol.

My holiday reading has been described as a cross between Star Wars and Ancillary Justice. I hope that's true because now I've got my hopes way up.