Title: The Lesser Devil
Author: Christopher Ruocchio
Series: Sun Eater #1.5
Genre: Science Fiction
Rating: 2/5 stars
The Overview: CAN THE YOUNGEST SON OF A NOBLE HOUSE SAVE HIS FAMILY FROM A PLOT GENERATIONS IN THE MAKING? Crispin Marlowe grew up in his brother’s shadow, but Hadrian is gone, and his grandmother—the duchess of Delos—is dying. Answering her summons, Crispin takes off on what should be a routine flight to the ducal palace from the castle at Devil’s Rest. But he is flying into a trap. There are whispers of treachery among the duchess’s many daughters, rumors of hidden knives in the planet’s court . . . if he can even make it there. With no one coming to save him and only his sister, Sabine, and a few injured guardsmen to protect him, House Marlowe’s least famous son must make his heroic stand, and contend not only the foes arrayed against his house, but with the cultists who dwell in the mountains above his family’s ancestral home . . . . -Goodreads
The Review:
I started Howling Dark, then noticed a 50 year gap between the first two books -> surely that missing time must be what the novella is about?
No, as it turns out.
Not related to Hadrian’s story at all, this novella gives a glimpse into the lives of side characters left behind early in Empire of Silence. Assuming those characters get some screen time later, this novella will come in handy adding some depth to draw on. I’m curious to see how the events in both corners of the universe will eventually affect each other.
There’s a lot going on in this universe and I like that life moves on away from the main character – it enriches the story. That said, I didn’t find Crispin’s POV distinctive enough from Hadrian’s, but I still think him interesting as a basic profile.
Recommendations: While this didn’t add anything to my experience of the main series at this point, I get the impression it will have greater significance later on in the series. Worth reading, but only if you plan on basking in the series.
Thank you to my Patrons: Dave, Katrin, Frank, Sonja, Staci, Kat, Betsy, Eliss, Mike, Elizabeth, and Bee! <3
Other books you might like (if you like the Sun Eater series as a whole, and not necessarily based on this short story):
by Niki Hawkes