Some Desperate Glory
📘 About This Book
Raised on a remote military outpost far from a ruined Earth, the last remnants of humanity live out a strict, highly regimented existence dedicated to the ultimate defeat of the alien enemy that nearly destroyed their civilization. Trained from birth for a singular purpose, the protagonist has known nothing outside of this uncompromising dogma, viewing the universe through a lens of strict duty and unquestioning obedience. However, a sudden and catastrophic betrayal shatters everything she was taught to believe about her people, her mission, and her entire reality. Thrust out into a vast and complicated galaxy, she is forced to question the very foundation of her existence and decide whether to uphold a cycle of endless vengeance or forge a new path entirely. This compelling science fiction novel explores complex themes of trauma, indoctrination, queer identity, and the heavy burden of inherited war, delivering a gripping and emotionally resonant journey of survival and self-discovery.
📖 Summary
Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh, published in 2023, is a captivating and emotionally resonant work of science fiction that plunges readers into a harsh, uncompromising universe. The novel centers on the last remnants of humanity, who live out a strict and highly regimented existence on a remote military outpost far from a ruined Earth. This society is entirely dedicated to a singular, overarching purpose: the ultimate defeat of the alien enemy that nearly destroyed human civilization. From birth, the protagonist is trained for this exact mission, knowing nothing outside of this rigid dogma. Her entire worldview is shaped by a lens of strict duty, sacrifice, and unquestioning obedience to her people and their cause. For her, the universe is divided simply into those who serve the mission and those who oppose it, leaving no room for nuance or doubt. However, the foundations of her reality are violently upended by a sudden and catastrophic betrayal. This shocking event shatters everything she was taught to believe about her people, her mission, and the nature of the conflict itself. Thrust out of the only home she has ever known and into a vast, complicated, and bewildering galaxy, she finds herself entirely unanchored. Stripped of the certainty that once guided her every action, she is forced to confront the lies upon which her entire life was built. As she navigates this expansive new reality, she must grapple with heavy questions about identity, belonging, and morality. She is faced with the ultimate choice: whether to uphold a generational cycle of endless vengeance and bitterness, or to break free from the past and forge an entirely new path for herself. Blending elements of grand space opera with intimate character exploration, the novel weaves themes of queerness, rebellion, and personal liberation into a gripping narrative about finding oneself when everything you knew has been taken away.
🎯 Key Lessons
💬 Notable Quotes
"The universe is not a story. It is a machine that eats people, and it does not care if you are the hero or the villain."
"You were raised to be a weapon, but a weapon is only as good as the hand that wields it. And your handlers have been dead for a thousand years."
"History is just a collection of lies we tell ourselves to make the atrocities look like architecture."
"I would rather burn the whole world down than be the person they want me to be."
"There is no glory in a desperate war. There is only survival, and the slow, grinding erosion of the things that make us human."
"We are not the heirs to a legacy. We are the survivors of a mistake, trying to figure out how to breathe in the wreckage."
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Compelling and immersive science fiction world-building
Deeply explores themes of identity, duty, and queer self-discovery
High-stakes emotional narrative with a transformative protagonist arc
Provocative exploration of breaking generational cycles of vengeance
⚠️ Cons
The harsh and dogmatic initial setting can be initially jarring to read
Complex cosmic politics may require close attention to fully grasp
✍️ About the Author
Emily Tesh is a British author known for the fantasy novella 'Silver in the Wood' and the novel 'Some Desperate Glory'.
View all books →❓ FAQ
Who is the author of Some Desperate Glory? +
The book was written by Emily Tesh.
When was Some Desperate Glory published? +
It was published in 2023.
What genres does this book belong to? +
It belongs to science fiction, fiction, queer, lgbt, and fantasy genres.
What is the protagonist's initial background? +
She was raised on a remote military outpost dedicated to defeating an alien enemy after Earth was ruined.
What catalyst changes the protagonist's life? +
A sudden and catastrophic betrayal shatters everything she was taught to believe, forcing her out into a complex galaxy.
