Who Would Like This Book:
If you're into space station showdowns, witty AI protagonists, and military sci-fi with a twist, this one's a great afternoon escape. Fans of Anne McCaffrey's Brainship series will enjoy seeing her universe get an action-packed refresh thanks to S.M. Stirling's grittier edge, while newcomers will appreciate the easy-to-follow premise and fast-paced plot. The blend of dramatic character interactions and strategic space battles will particularly appeal to those who love clever defense stories with scrappy heroes.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Sensitive readers should be warned: this collaboration is a lot darker and more violent than earlier Brainship books. Some found the themes of violence and sexual assault off-putting and felt the character dynamics (especially the main hero) came across as outdated or uncomfortably chauvinistic. Diehard McCaffrey fans who prefer her warmer, relationship-driven stories might find the militaristic tone and heavy-handed grittiness a turn-off.
About:
The City Who Fought is a science fiction novel co-authored by Anne McCaffrey and S.M. Stirling. The story centers around a unique main character, Simeon, a shellperson who controls a space station while also navigating relationships with others, specifically his brawn, with whom he struggles to bond. As the narrative unfolds, the station faces an imminent threat from space pirates, forcing them into a fight for survival with limited resources.
The writing style combines elements of compelling character development with military science fiction. It features a mix of adventurous action and gritty realism, typical of Stirling, along with McCaffrey's imaginative storytelling. However, the book has been critiqued for its darker themes, including graphic violence and troubling depictions of gender dynamics, perhaps reflecting the co-authors' differing approaches to the genre.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include high levels of violence and themes related to rape and torture, which are integral to the villainous characterization.
Has Romance?
There is a medium level of romance present in the story, with romantic entanglements affecting character dynamics.
From The Publisher:
A SCIENCE FICTION CLASSIC BACK IN PRINT!
Simeon was a shell-person-the brain who ran Space Station SSS-900 on the fringes of human space. But things hadn't been going too well lately, and he was more than a little discontented. Though normally he enjoyed his work, these days it seemed boring. To make matters worse, his long-time partner had just retired and he was having a hard time adjusting to his newly assigned brawn-a strong-willed woman named Channa Hap who seemed to feel it her duty to keep him in line. He's buried himself in his favorite pastime-wargaming.
Simeon's hobby would find unexpected uses when the brutal Kolnari attack the nearby colony planet Bethel. Sheltering the colony's refugees brought "the city" an invitation to serious trouble with Kolnari pirates. And only Simeon and Channa working together can save the city.
At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management).
About Death of Sleep by Anne McCaffrey and Jody Lynn Nye:
"McCaffrey has created a feisty, likable character in Lunzie Mespil." - Publishers Weekly
About S.M. Stirling:
"Rousing . . . a stirring tale." -John Ringo
Anne McCaffrey was the Hugo Award-winning author of the best-selling Dragonriders of Pern® novels, the Brainship series, and many others. She remains one of the most popular science fiction authors of all time.
S.M. Stirling is the New York Times best-selling author of the Draka series, the Lords of Creation series, and the Emberverse series, among others. With David Drake, he is the author of several novels in the General series. He cowrote novels in the Falkenberg's Legion series with Jerry Pournelle. He lives in New Mexico.
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The City Who Fought?
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