Machineries of Empire (Ninefox Gambit)

[Silver Alicorn]

By Yoon Ha Lee
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These are some of my most favorite books to come out recently. The galaxy is ruled by six powerful factions known as the Hexarchate. Don't talk about the seventh, they're gone now. Order is maintained by way of an elaborate calendar that mandates regular rituals and observances; some nice, some... not so nice. The calendar and its rituals enable the Hexarchate to bend physics, travel faster than light, create a cool energy sword, and so on.

Kel Cheris is a lieutenant in the Hexarchate's army. Her background in mathematics gives her a unique edge in battle: she can observe the enemy's calendrical warfare and derive new formations for her squad that amplify their own effects. After a decisive victory against a heretic force, she is seconded to retake the Fortress of Scattered Needles, recently taken by a group claiming to be descended from the long dead seventh faction, the Liozh. But for her to be successful, they need a tactician as well. Enter General Shuos Jedao.

The Deuce of Gears, Shuos Jedao has been dead for over 400 years. When he killed over a million of his own troops, he was put into the Black Cradle, imprisoning him forever while preserving his consciousness. He is bound by ritual to Cheris' mind, so that she may consult him continually for the operation. Very quickly though, it seems not is all as she has been told. Who is Jedao, really? What are his motivations? Why would the Hexarchate save the mind of a madman?

Ninefox Gambit was a real page-turner for me. It went from an interesting sci-fantasy to a riveting psychological thriller. The sequels introduce new characters and threads that keep things interesting, and I felt the ending was satisfying. Also, at least starting with the second book (I don't think Lee had the creative license for the first), the series has a fair share of queer, nonbinary and trans characters. It's good! I've been meaning to read them over again, I think I might.