Review of 'The First Sister'

Combining the social commentary of The Handmaid's Tale with the white-knuckled thrills of Red Rising, this epic space opera follows a comfort woman as she claims her agency, a soldier questioning his allegiances, and a non-binary hero out to save the solar system.

First Sister has no name and no voice. As a priestess of the Sisterhood, she travels the stars alongside the soldiers of Earth and Mars--the same ones who own the rights to her body and soul. When her former captain abandons her, First Sister's hopes for freedom are dashed when she is forced to stay on her ship with no friends, no power, and a new captain--Saito Ren--whom she knows nothing about. She is commanded to spy on Captain Ren by the Sisterhood, but soon discovers that working for the war effort is so much harder to do when you're falling in love.

Lito val Lucius climbed his way out of the slums to become an elite soldier of Venus, but was defeated in combat by none other than Saito Ren, resulting in the disappearance of his partner, Hiro. When Lito learns that Hiro is both alive and a traitor to the cause, he now has a shot at redemption: track down and kill his former partner. But when he discovers recordings that Hiro secretly made, Lito's own allegiances are put to the test. Ultimately, he must decide between following orders and following his heart.

A stunning and sweeping debut novel that explores the power of technology, colonization, race, and gender, The First Sister is perfect for fans of James S.A. Corey, Chuck Wendig, and Margaret Atwood.

Review

The First Sister follows three captivating characters as they struggle to find their rebellious side in this compelling space opera.

Excellent Premise

The First Sister gives readers something different, making it memorable from the beginning. It follows First Sister, a girl who has no name and no voice as a priestess of the Sisterhood, a religion that governs the space. With no voice, she also has no control over her body, required to offer it to men on the ship to “remove their frustrations and distractions.” Right from the beginning, the reader feels for this character because she only sought freedom, hoping to leave and retire with the captain of the ship, only to be abandoned and left behind.

In some ways, it is reminiscent of The Handmaid’s Tale, bringing to life this the actual argument of a woman’s body and who has control over it. Over time, readers see First Sister regain control over her body as she begins to fall in love with the new captain, Saito Ren, who allows her freedom without the cost of her body.

The story also shifts to Lito, a soldier of Venus, defeated in combat by Saito Ren and now ordered to hunt down and kill his former partner Hiro.

The First Sister shifts between two live perspectives and recordings left by Hiro, giving the story a strong foundation. The politics require careful reading because it can get a little confusing when trying to remember who is fighting who and what they are fighting for. However, the context and the pacing allow the reader to submerge themselves in the growing dissent of the characters, their unhappiness, and the urge they need to change the government.

Strong Characterization

Again, the characterization is fantastic. The First Sister delves into the psyche and narrative of the characters, especially First Sister, because she cannot talk. Her vocal cords were cut at a young age, so everything the reader learns from her is through her emotions. Lewis did an incredible job of highlighting her personality and bringing it to life through her emotions, through her thoughts, wants, needs, pain, and grief.

The same goes for Lito and Hiro, which is interesting because the reader is only getting to know Hiro through their recordings. However, these recordings capture who they are, their identity, and why they have rebelled against a government that gives them everything.

Final Thoughts

Lewis has done a fantastic job bringing The First Sister to life. They give readers a thoughtful and compelling read that may feel slow but never lacks tension or characterization.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

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About the Author

Cynthia Bujnicki graduated from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature and Publishing. She has always loved to read since she was a child. A contributing writer for YA Fantasy Addicts, she is also the Editor-in-Chief for Cyn's Workshop. She lives in sunny South Florida with her husband and son and their two cats, Mr. J the Kitten and Nyx.