Rating: 5+🌈
E. M. Hamill’s Whiskey and Warfare is such an exceptional book that, once I finished, I went out and bought a hardcover copy for my collection and bedside. It’s a book that’s so powerful and personal a story for me that I needed to make sure it’s kept as close physically to me as it is feels emotionally. It’s my comfort read and a joyful journey that I cherish.
Hamill’s incredible characters, their depth of connection to each other, the history and emotional rawness of each other’s lives and the journey that they embark upon is one I’ll visit again and again.
The beauty of Hamill’s understanding of grief and mourning, so well demonstrated through the character of Maryn Alessi, who’s only just lost her partner and spouse. But Maryn in a realistic turn of events faces a new uncertain and unwelcome future.
I love this woman so much. Reading this was almost a cathartic experience for me.
The journey? Dr Maryn Alessi, former mercenary, now professor, 54, must see her deceased mate, Primetri Andelek, to zer’s home planet for burial. Andelek’s remains must be returned to the soil of Xyri within 2 weeks of death in accordance with the family’s spiritual beliefs. Maryn has 6 days. How? A ship that’s amazing and full of memories along with a crew that’s basically family.
Scylla Merrow and wife Jac, Col the Boshi, all part of the Artemis Corps, a female identifying combat unit that responded to colonies under attack, for a price.
That’s the fantastic narrative framework for a story that sings. It encapsulates memorable characters, scenes of great power and pathos, high hilarity and also deep sorrow.
Hamill’s story and the crew’s journey will embrace and celebrate their shared experiences and love for each other. It’s a great story about trauma, recovery, perseverance, healing, and love in all its forms.
That ending is everything. I believe that this is book one. But if it’s just a first step that’s all that counts, I’m absolutely fine with that too. I’m left healed and hopeful along with the crew. Isn’t that a wonderful feeling?
Spectacular writing, absolutely beautiful and one of the best of the year.
Buy link
Whiskey and Warfare: The Team Huntress Flights
Blurb
“This is the story we all need now — filled with so much love and respect and genuinely fun adventure.”
KD Edwards, author of The Last Sun
“Every element of it just SANG. The story was *chef’s kiss*. This book is truly special.”
Sarah Chorn, author of The Necessity of Rain
Running on caffeine and spite with nothing left to prove. GOLDEN GIRLS meets FIREFLY in this rollicking space opera adventure.
Maryn Alessi retired from mercenary service after her last assignment went horribly sideways and settled down on a quiet planet with the love of her life. Unexpectedly widowed, Maryn must fulfill a promise to return her mate’s ashes to zer home planet for funeral rites, but a brutal civil war has destabilized space travel.
Former Artemis Corps sisters-in-arms and their sassy ship, the Golden Girl, are up to the task, counting on luck and their rather sketchy cargo business to get Maryn passage through the contested star lanes. But when the crew of the Girl rescues survivors of a ruthless war crime, Maryn and her ride-or-die friends must take up their old profession to save the lives of innocents from a genocidal dictator.
- Publisher: StarBard Books; 1st edition (September 15, 2024)
- Publication date: September 15, 2024
- Language: English
- Print length: 262 pages
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 
Thank you so , so much Melanie! This made me cry.
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