Ninefox Gambit

Currently on the Nebula and Hugo shortlists for best sci-fi novel this is an unforgivingly difficult bit of military sci-fi that throws you in to the deep end and forces you to try and catch up quick. It's a dense, next level work that I found difficult to immerse myself into - sci-fi newbie that I am.

It's calendrical rot, the hexarchate, threshold winnowers and more. Lee doesn't slow down the story with infodumps and simply chugs ahead, giving you credit to tease out the finer details for yourself as you go along. (I did appreciate the Kel's love for space kimchi though) It's no doubt exciting for the seasoned sci-fi reader but I often found myself trying to find footing and keep my head above water. It's the same feeling that I had after reading Ancillary Justice that was much lauded in the sci-fi community.

It's also a punishing war saga that talks of death by the millions while detailing the grisly end of individual soldiers. It's gory, bloody and unforgiving but written so well, balancing the horrors with the human.