Some Desperate Glory
Emily Tesh
We may earn a commission on purchases — at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Disclosure.
Some Desperate Glory is Emily Tesh's science fiction novel about Kavi, a young soldier raised in a militant space colony dedicated to preparing for a war against an ancient alien threat, who questions everything when doubts arise.
- 1Kavi is a dedicated young soldier in a militant space colony.
- 2The colony is organised around preparing for war against an alien enemy.
- 3Kavi begins to question the colony's beliefs and practices.
- 4The novel reveals the true nature of the threat and the colony's purpose.
- 5Kavi must choose between loyalty to the colony and personal truth.
- 6The novel explores themes of indoctrination, identity and resistance.
Key ideas
Indoctrination and truth
Kavi must question the truths she has been taught since childhood.
Military culture
The novel portrays the psychology of military indoctrination and culture.
Identity and choice
Kavi must discover who she is beyond the role assigned to her.
Resistance and agency
Resistance requires courage and risks isolation and danger.
Alien threat
The true nature of the alien threat is revealed to be complex.
Belonging and home
Kavi must discover where she truly belongs.
Who is it for?
Readers interested in science fiction exploring identity and indoctrination will find this engaging. It suits fans of space-based SF and of stories questioning systems and authority.
Full summary
Kavi is a young soldier in Mandate Space, a military colony in space.
She has been trained since childhood to prepare for war against aliens.
Kavi is dedicated and loyal until she begins to question the narrative.
She discovers information that contradicts what she has been taught.
Kavi must choose between loyalty to the colony and pursuit of truth.
She finds allies who have also questioned the official story.
The novel reveals the true nature of the alien threat and the colony's purpose.
Kavi works toward resistance and discovery of her own identity.
