Wild Sun

Unbound

Rebels fight to free their world from hostile aliens in Ehsan Ahmad and Shakil Ahmad’s intricate science fiction novel, Wild Sun: Unbound.

Part of a series, Wild Sun: Unbound is set on Corvos, a world where the native people have been enslaved by alien invaders. After helping to free her fellow slaves from an alien-run mine, Cerrin finds herself the reluctant commander of a fractured, beleaguered rebel group. She leads them in their flight to safety, taking them deep into the forests her ancestors called home long before the aliens arrived.

Cerrin and her band are comprised of two different races with different sets of traditions and customs. They clash often, with Cerrin trusting in her gods and the safety of the forest, even when others do not. One of her number goes so far as to leave Corvos and visit a sprawling, interplanetary weapons market with an unexpected and unlikely ally. Meanwhile, Talazeer, the commander under whose watch the rebels escaped, is both eager and desperate to save his reputation. Their conflict culminates in a frenetic, explosive battle from which neither can escape unscathed.

The main characters are intelligent enough to formulate logical plans, but flawed enough to sabotage themselves. Talazeer’s pride, arrogance, and thirst for vengeance trip him up again and again, while Cerrin’s suspicious nature prevents her from accepting an opportunity to better the rebels’ situation. Repeated losses and the stress of leadership take an additional toll on Cerrin, but she remains devoted to her goal of protecting as many rebels as she can for as long as she can—and if she can kill a few aliens in the process, all the better.

Wild Sun: Unbound is a science fiction saga that ponders themes of colonialism, racial prejudice, and gender roles.

Reviewed by Eileen Gonzalez

Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. No fee was paid by the publisher for this review. Foreword Reviews only recommends books that we love. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

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