Some Desperate Glory

It is a fiercely smart space opera that subverts traditional chosen-one tropes with a gritty, character-driven edge. Kyra is a compellingly flawed protagonist, raised in a radicalized, cult-like human remnant, and her slow realization of the lies she has been fed makes for excellent psychological drama. The world-building is rich and the exploration of indoctrination is deeply thought-provoking. However, the pacing stumbles slightly in the middle act, and the sudden shift into complex sci-fi mechanics feels a bit jarring compared to the tight focus of the opening.