Defend the Dawn

There is nothing I love more than a book that takes its time to set things up, especially in a world where history and politics are vital to the progression of the story. Kemmerer blew this one outta the water. The story, complicated and multi-faceted as it is, is written with care, and in addition to the world-building and intricacies Kemmerer spends time setting up, there's great characters, complete with romance, pirates, outlaws, and a crazy good plot.